Cork: A Unique Eco Friendly Flooring Alternative

Dear Rob:

I’ve been searching for the perfect eco-friendly flooring for my new condo. I’ve seen some cork flooring products on the market, but I’m not sure if it’s for me.  Can you tell me more?

-Joe in Atlanta

Dear Joe:

Cork is a flooring product that is as unique as it is beautiful.  Cork is available in a wide variety or styles and patterns that can suit a variety of interior design styles. The beauty of cork is “more than skin deep.”  Cork, which comes from the cork oak tree, is an environmentally friendly and sustainable flooring product.  This is because cork is harvested approximately every ten years without actually chopping down the tree that produces it.  Cork is the bark of the cork oak, and it is made up of air filled dead cells, cellulose and waxy substance called suberin.  When the cork is removed, the tree naturally produces more bark which can be harvested again and again.

If you think of a cork board when someone says cork flooring, the picture in your head couldn’t be further from the truth.  Cork varies from light colored and simple, like the creamy white APC Cork Cremes Apollo White Cork Flooring to multi-colored and playful like APC Cork Kids Collection Building Blocks Cork Flooring.  Cork flooring can be purchased in both glue down and click together tile styles.

Cork has some unique benefits as a flooring material.  Cork absorbs sound, which makes it the perfect choice for your condo installation.  It also provides some thermal insulation, and is impact absorbing while still being tough and durable.  This makes cork floors like the one shown to the left a unique choice playrooms.  In addition, cork is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent flooring choice for allergy sufferers.

Overall, cork is a flooring choice that is both unique, beautiful and environmentally friendly. Click here to buy cork flooring and save up to $100 using coupon code ZLS564201. -Rob

Hardwood Flooring Patterns Create a One of a Kind Look

Dear Rob:

While browsing through flooring showrooms, we’ve seen a lot of unique tile patterns that we really like.  We’d prefer hardwood though, so I’m wondering if some of these patterns can be achieved with wood instead.

-Joan in Indiana

Dear Joan:

Hardwood flooring is a more versatile product than it’s given credit for. It doesn’t have to be laid in one direction only. In fact, it has many design options that can create a truly one of a kind look.

Design Options:

• Borders – borders are typically used to outline a room or the entire area that receives hardwood. Decorative borders are available for purchase or can be custom designed.
• Feature Strips – can be used to outline a room or to outline an area. For example, you can have an oak floor and create the look of a permanent area rug by outlining an area in a different, contrasting wood like mahogany or an exotic species. This allows you to use an exotic species without the cost associated with using it for the entire floor.
• Medallions – are often used to highlight a focal point of a room or an area. A medallion in the foyer or in the center of a room can be breathtaking. The good news is, there are plenty of patterns out there already created so all you have to do is choose one that inspires you rather than starting from scratch trying to design your own. A note of caution: keep furniture placement in mind when planning to use decorative medallions. You don’t want the medallion to end up being covered up with furniture or covered with an area rug where you can’t enjoy it.
• Diagonal – a simple hardwood pattern is to install the wood on the diagonal. A professional installer should be consulted first when considering this pattern to make sure that the pattern will not be “choppy” in any angled areas of the room.
• Inlays – hardwood inlays are a place to really get creative. Inlays can be murals, panorama or scenes of beautiful landscapes. If you do not grow tired of looking at a piece of art for years, a hardwood inlay may be for you.
• Herringbone – A herringbone pattern is an elegant, classic hardwood pattern this is a little more complicated than a diagonal pattern. It can be subtle or it can become the focal point of a room.
• Parquet –parquet flooring is a wood floor laid in a geometric pattern. Most people thing of gym floors when they think of a parquet floor, but there are some beautiful, updated designs available in parquet flooring.
• Custom Designs – if you have an artistic eye or want something unique that no one else has, you can create a custom designed border, feature strip pattern, installation pattern or medallion. With today’s technology, you can have almost any image you want integrated into your hardwood flooring.

Hardwood patterns are not for everyone, but if you are looking for a little something different, ask your retailer or installer about options for your space. There is a higher cost associated with patterns, but it can be well worth it in the end when you have a floor that stops traffic!

-Rob

Exotic Hardwood Flooring Species

Dear Rob:

I want a floor that is really going to stand out – something unusual or exotic.  Can you help me out with some information about hardwood flooring beyond the normal oak?

-Ron in Arizona

Dear Ron:

These days, people don’t want to have what their neighbors have in their homes; they want something better, more unique, more original. This applies to choosing a hardwood floor. The question used to be, “What kind of oak floor do you want?  2 1/4 wide natural or 2 1/4 wide stained?” Now there are many more choices of species, stains and widths than ever before.

Exotic floors are constructed like domestic hardwoods and you have the choice of engineered, solid or acrylic impregnated. Style choices include strip, plank and parquet. Installation methods include gluing, nailing or stapling and floating. Multiple widths are available to help you get the look that you want.

When exotics were first introduced, you typically heard names like: Brazilian Cherry, African Wenge, Santos Mahogany, Sapele, Merbau, Bamboo, Australian Cypress, etc. Then, many others became available such as:

When choosing an exotic hardwood floor keep the following points in mind:

• It is best to ask questions to make sure that the species you choose is best for your living conditions.
• Some choices may have considerable range of color where no two boards look alike. This is part of the beauty of exotic flooring.
• A floor with a lot of range can easily become the focal point of a room or the whole area. Know this in advance before planning your design scheme.
• Sunlight can change the color of the wood so area rugs need to be rotated.
• When shopping, ask to take a sample home to view it in your surroundings, especially your lighting conditions.

There are choices of exotic hardwoods for every design style. Some woods look very traditional, some very contemporary and some live up to the image you think of when you hear the word exotic. Some are even purple in color!

If you want something different and unique, an exotic hardwood may be for you. If you appreciate true natural beauty, unique color ranges, the character of each board possible looking different, then ask your local flooring retailer for some samples today!

-Rob

P.S.  If you’re interested in checking out other types of exotic hardwood flooring, other species include:

Acacia”Koa”, Afrormosia, Afzelia, Amarettowood, AmberWood , Andiroba, Angelique, Angelim Pedra, Victorian, Bangkirai, Beech, European, Blackwood, Bloodwood, Bocote , Boire, Brushbox, Northern Bubinga, Cameron, Cherry (Caribbean, Mayan/Aztec, Patagonian), Chestnut (Brazilian and Southern), Cocobolo, Curupixa, Doussie, Ebony (Blackheart and Brazilian), Eucalyptus, Brazilian Gingerwood, Goncalo Alves, Green Ironwood, Ivory maple, Kambala, Karri , Kempas , Lacewood, Leopardwood, Makore, Maple (Brazilian and Patagonian), Mindi, Movingui, Tasmanian Oak, Brazilian Olivewood, Paraju, Peroba, Pradoo, Purpleheart, Ribbon Gum, Rosewood (Bolivian, Caribbean, Honduran, Patagonian, Tiete), Rubberwood, Satinwood, Shedu Mutenye, Spotted Gum, Sydney Blue, Tabaccowood, Tamarind, Teak (Brazilian, Brown, Ruby, True), Tigerwood, Walnut (Brazilian [Ipe], Caribbean, Mayan/Aztec, Patagonian, Peruvian) and Zebrawood.