I wrote earlier that I would be answering your questions about flooring. Here’s the first one that came at a party the other evening. Some friends are about to remodel their home–a great investment in the current economy–and the wife said that she doesn’t like vinyl, but also thinks tile is too hard a surface for standing long periods in the kitchen. She wanted to know the alternatives.

Fiber Backed Vinyl?
First, if you think of vinyl as that discolored and buckled stuff on your mother’s kitchen floor, think again. There are new fiber backed vinyl sheet flooring products that look exactly like wood, tile or stone, that never fade or buckle, and they’re “softer” on your feet than harder surfaces and even have a cushion “feel” to them. These new fiber floors are easy to install (typically with a releaseable adhesive making future repairs feasible and generally inexpensive). They also come with some outstanding manufacturer’s warranties. We have the area’s largest selection of these beautiful new products.

Bamboo or Cork As a Green Choice?
Lately, we’ve been installing a lot of hardwood and bamboo floors in kitchens. Bamboo is particularly appealing because it’s a very durable yet stylish and affordable green choice. It also comes in a variety of finishes to match almost any kitchen decor. Bamboo can have a very elegant yet contemporary, high-tech appearance. Hardwood, on the other hand, can give a kitchen a warm and rustic feel. The possibilities are endless.

A third alternative is cork, which may be the most comfortable floor surface available other than carpet. Cork is also surprisingly durable and, like bamboo, it’s naturally water-resistant. Cork also has “memory” — many indentations, if not too deep, will bounce back!

A word of caution to all our readers here…wood, any wood, and even bamboo and cork can be damaged when exposed to enough water. As a natural product, denting is something that will happen with ALL woods. I always ask our customers where they park their new car when going shopping.

Invariably, they all park further away than normal from the store’s front door trying to avoid that inevitable first ding. The ding will happen…you just don’t know when. The same is true of a wood floor. Dents are going to happen, but reasonable care will help postpone and minimize that inevitable first, and subsequent, dings.

Water and Wood Do Not Mix.
Obviously, some species and finishes are more forgiving than others but, as with any floor, an appropriate amount of care, including the immediate removal of water, will go a long ways toward preserving the integrity and quality of your wood or bamboo floor.

Flooring & More has the area’s largest selection of all of these products. Give us a call or stop by. One of our knowledgeable flooring specialists will be delighted to show you these products and discuss the characteristics and costs of each.

All the best,

Al

Tags: bamboo, Columbus, cork, fiber floor, Georgia, Hardwood