Material Options
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Novelty Flooring
There are many offbeat flooring options available. Some, like rubber,
have been around for a while, while others, like cork, have become
more popular recently for environmental reasons. |
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Rubber
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Rubber is available in tile form, as well as rolls and runners.
Many colors and patterns are also offered.
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It’s a good insulator and warm to the foot.
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It’s durable and water/burn resistant.
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It’s naturally resilient and sound absorbent.
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Some recycled rubber may contain latex, which is an allergen.
Ask about the contents before purchase.
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It’s usually inexpensive.
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It’s easy to install and maintain.
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It’s susceptible to grease and oil stains.
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Its appearance can be unappealing.
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Cork
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Cork is a natural, environmentally friendly product.
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Cork should be sealed to protect against dirt and moisture.
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It’s available in a variety of colors and patterns in
tiles, sheets, and strip flooring. It can also be installed
over existing wood, ceramic, or concrete flooring.
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It’s durable and easy to maintain.
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It’s resilient and comfortable underfoot.
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It’s non-slip, even when wet.
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It offers sound and heat insulation.
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It’s insect-resistant.
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It’s easy to install.
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It can, however, dent and tear.
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It can’t be used over radiant heat because the tiles
will lift.
- It requires re-finishing with polyurethane
every eight years.
Bamboo
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Bamboo is another natural, environmentally
friendly flooring.
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It’s usually unfinished or pre-finished.
The finishing products may contain allergens, so check with
the manufacturer before purchase.
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It’s supplied with tongue and groove
configurations that can be glued, stapled, or nailed down.
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The vertical laminate style is harder than
oak and maple; the horizontal style is almost as hard as red
oak.
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It rarely expands or contracts due to humidity,
but wet areas should be avoided.
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It can be used with radiant heat.
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Quality can vary widely, so check for references and warranties.
Coconut Palm
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Coconut palm is another renewable resource.
It comes in three-ply planks.
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It’s very durable, harder than red
oak and hard maple.
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No formaldehyde is used in its manufacture.
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It shouldn’t be used in very moist areas, like bathrooms.
Leather
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Leather for flooring is specially dyed and
tanned for resilience, needing only an annual wax buffing for
maintenance.
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Tiles are available in many colors, sizes,
textures, and shapes.
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It shouldn’t be placed in moist or
busy areas, or those with direct sunlight.
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It’s warm, comfortable, and smells
nice.
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It’s beautiful.
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It’s sound absorbent.
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It’s durable and its appearance improves
with age.
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It’s expensive.
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Metal
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Metal has traditionally been found in
industrial settings, but has recently become fashionable in
domestic ones.
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Metal tiles come in a variety of colors,
shapes, and sizes. They can work on their own or serve as accents
for other flooring materials, like wood, stone, or ceramic.
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It’s usually made from recycled
material, so it’s environmentally friendly.
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We at Valerie Fitzgerald and Associates realize that you are in the information gathering stage of your purchase and we respect your privacy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@valeriefitzgerald.com or call us directly at 310-285-7515. If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please note that we can provide detailed information and access to:
You can count on the services of Valerie Fitzgerald and Associates to provide you with information you can trust. |
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