Luxury Housing Trends

January 25, 2006

Bathroom Flooring--Costs for Different Options

Planning a bathroom remodel? Trying to decide what type of flooring to use? Here's a look at the most popular materials out there and how much they cost to install:

• Vinyl Sheet -- $6-$39 per square yard
  
• Vinyl Tile -- $1-$6 per square foot
  
• Ceramic Tile -- $2-$7 per tile (art tiles run much higher)
  
• Linoleum -- $3-$6 per square foot
  
• Cork -- $4-$11 per square foot
  
• Laminate $4-$13 per square foot (the tile look is priciest)
  
• Slate/Granite/Limestone -- $5-$30 per square foot
  
• Marble/Travertine -- $5-$30 per square foot
  
• Hardwood Flooring -- $8-$30 per square foot
  

Source: HGTV Baths

January 20, 2006

Mexican Chechen Hardwood Floors

Mexican Chechen is a type of hardwood flooring that is showing up in luxury homes. An exotic wood, it's twice as hard as Red Oak, and it's beautiful, too, with one-of-a-kind colors and grains. Chechen usually ranges from amber to dark brown, often with unique contrasting streaks within the boards themselves. What do you think? Time to rip up those old carpets and put something handsome in their place? The Chechen flooring is available from BC Hardwood and costs about $13 per square foot.

http://www.bchardwood.com

January 17, 2006

Ceramic Tiles That Look Like Hardwood Flooring

Since hardwood flooring is so popular these days, many manufacturers are coming up with cheaper alternatives that look like wood but aren't. I've seen vinyl and laminates, but here's a look at ceramic. Sold by FloorHub, these ceramic tiles can emulate wood or bamboo. At $1.89 per square foot, they're not as costly as genuine hardwoods, but there may be another reason to go with ceramic. It holds up better in damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens (ok, kitchens aren't inherently damp, unless you spill things as often as I do). You could even do an outdoor living area in "hardwood."

http://www.floorhub.com

January 14, 2006

Hardwood Flooring Terms Explained

Shopping for brand new hardwood floors? Not sure what all the terminology means? Here's a lowdown to help you when browsing the showrooms:

Solid Wood -- This means the planks are milled from one piece of wood into 3/4"-thick boards. They shouldn't be installed below grade, because moisture causes the boards to expand and contract.

Parquet -- Floors crafted from geometrical patterns that are made from individual wood squares, which are held in place with adhesives or mechanical fastening.

Engineered Wood -- This type of hardwood flooring is constructed from multiple layers of bonded cross-grain woods. Engineered woods are designed for installation at any house level, below grade included.

Wood Species -- This is just the type of tree the wood comes from.

Board Width -- The width of individual boards, which are categorized as strips (boards less than 3" wide) and planks (boards wider than 3").

Square Edge -- This is when boards are designed to fit flush against each other, offering a smooth traditional look.

Edge/End Detail -- This refers to special milling at the edges of each board, which creates unique visual effects.

Beveled Edge -- This is when the sides of the boards are sanded or angled to create grooves or "an outline effect" around each board.

Eased Edge/Micro-beveled Edge -- Slightly angled edges where the boards meet in order to create a less apparent outline.

Source: "Woodn't You Know?" from the Jan. 2006 issue of Decorating Spaces.

January 09, 2006

Coconut Palm Flooring

Searching for an interesting hardwood for your new floors? How about coconut? Made from plantation-grown coconut palms, Durapalm's flooring is made from hard, dark palm, which offers a durable and handsome-looking floor. Unlike those exotic woods that require chopping trees out of the rainforest, coconut palms are abundant. The company says, "With more than 150 species growing in countries from Southeast Asia to Africa and Central America, palms hold great potential for sustainable export lumber products in the developing world."

http://www.durapalm.com/

January 05, 2006

Top 5 Hardwood Flooring Trends for 2006

Thinking of adding hardwood flooring to your home this year? Here's a look at what's popular, according to the National Wood Flooring Association:

1. Wider planks -- Instead of narrow boards, people are using wide planks to show "less seam, more gleam."
   
2. New distressing -- "Distressed" is in. People don't want hardwood that looks brand spenking new. They want aged and worn floors that speak of comfort. To get that look, they're taking chisels, planes, awls, wire brushes, ice picks, and grinders to their hardwoods.
   
3. Exotic woods -- Exotic woods like Bubinga from Africa (has a pinkish-red hue) and Purpleheart from Mexico (ages to a deep purple or purplish brown) are increasing in popularity. As opposed to common hardwoods, the exotic woods often feature "unique coloration and graining, superior hardness and density and, in some cases, comparable pricing."
   
4. Extreme hues -- People are choosing very dark and very light woods to draw the focus to their handsome floors.
   
5. Reclaimed/recovered wood -- Instead of manually distressing new floors, you can use wood reclaimed from old barns, ships, warehouses, etc. Using reclaimed wood leaves no mark on the environment, since you're making use of something that was cut long ago; no new trees need be mowed down for your designer hardwood floors.
   

Source: "Top 5 Hardwood Trends" from the Jan. 2006 issue of Decorating Spaces

December 31, 2005

Problems with Bamboo Floors?

We've looked at bamboo floors before as an alternative to hardwoods. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal points out some problems with bamboo, so it may be worth taking a look if you're considering the flooring material. Some of the points they mention:

• You should consider lighter, natural colors: "Homeowners who put down floors of bamboo that has been darkened are more likely to have problems with dents."
  
• Check to see which part of the plant was used: "Bamboo flooring, made by binding strands of the Asian grass together with adhesives and compression, can be harder than oak, experts say -- but only if it doesn't come from the base or the top of the stalk."
  
• Check the age of the bamboo: "Although bamboo can reach its full height in three to six months, it can take about six years to harden, or lignify. A floor made from bamboo that has not lignified will dent more easily."
  

December 30, 2005

Hardwood Floors Interwoven with Marble

Installing hardwood flooring can be costly, not just because of the materials but also because of the long hours you have to pay workmen who install the floor board by board. To provide an alternative, Hirsch company constructs and finishes their hardwood floors in their big manufacturing facility. The company says they use a natural tung-tree oil instead of polyurethane. You can get their floors in a variety of woods and designs, such as this dark walnut which is interwoven with marble. The price for Hirsch flooring ranges from $15 to $69 per square foot.

http://www.oldeboards.com
Via Robb Report

December 28, 2005

Gregorian White Marble for the Bathroom Floor

A marble floor is luxurious in the bathroom, but the weight of the stone can make it too heavy for many applications. For a weight solution, try Amtico's Gregorian Marble White floor, which is shown here accented with Florentine Black Key Squares. Since the floor measures only 2.5mm thick, it's light enough to be installed in second-story bathrooms. According to the company, the resilient floor is easy to install, and it's warmer and less slippery than natural stone.

http://www.amtico.com

December 27, 2005

Peel-and-Stick DIY Carpeting?

I've seen DIY laminate floors that you snap into place, but this is the first I've seen of carpet squares (for lack of a better term) that you lay on the floor like tiles. Put out by InterfaceFlor, the 20 inch rug squares have peel-and-stick backing that lets you lay them in a variety of patterns and shapes. Installation looks pretty easy (I'm not a do-it-yourself person, but I think I could handle this one). The squares can be made into any shape rug or wall-to-wall carpeting. The price is $7 to $15 per square.

http://www.interfaceflor.com

December 22, 2005

African Oak Hardwood Flooring

Let's face it: all hardwood flooring looks handsome, but the more exotic woods are striking and memorable. This dark African Oak is from the Natural Inspirations collection over at Mohawk Flooring. According to the company, a unique baking process is responsible for the rich, distinctive color. The UV-oil finish highlights the unique coloration of the wood and provides a lifetime structure and moisture warranty. Information on pricing and dealers is available on the Mohawk home site.

http://www.mohawk-flooring.com

December 20, 2005

Porcelain Floor & Wall Tiles

Looking for a floor tile for the bathroom remodel but not sure what you want yet? American Florim has a variety of porecelain tiles. Textured surfaces give them a feel similar to stone when you walk on them. Tiles from the Navajo line can be used on walls or floors. Price depends on size and style, but the 12" x 12" Navajo tiles cost $3.95 per square foot.

http://www.americanflorim.com

December 19, 2005

Wood Laminate Flooring

Wood laminate flooring is extremely popular, because it gives you the look of hardwood floors without the maintenance. Purists will argue that it doesn't have that same warm feel, and I'm inclined to agree, but you don't need to have a heart attack if a pet has an accident or you spill your coffee on it because it doesn't stain. Some of the wood laminate flooring out there can look choppy (lots of short, narrow "boards"), but this "Aged Timberwood" from Wilsonart Flooring looks more natural and resembles the wide plank, reclaimed wood that's trendy right now. Laminate flooring can be installed by any homeowners willing to spend a weekend or two working at it, and it stands up well to heavy traffic. The price for the Aged Timberwood is $4.99 per square foot.

http://www.mairmg.com/wilsonart/

December 17, 2005

Interlocking Rubber Flooring for Garage or Home Gym

Rubber flooring can be a smart choice for garages, home gyms, and other rooms where durability is more of a concern than looks. Tuff-Seal's interlocking rubber flooring tiles snap together (easy for a DIY type to handle) and can be laid directly over any firm, flat surface such as concrete. According to the company, the flooring is watertight once it's installed, and it is also chemical- and slip-resistant. They recommend using the rubber tiles in areas such as the workshop, garage, basement, and any other high-traffic room where moisture can be a problem. The price for the interlocking tiles is $8-$10, depending on style.

http://www.tuffsealtile.com

December 13, 2005

DIY Ceramic Floor Tiles

The popular do-it-yourself home improvement movement is prompting manufacturers to simplify flooring installation (so even us thugs who don't know a wrench from a hammer can do it). Quick Step's Quadra tongue-and-groove snap-together tiles are actually made of laminate, but they are designed to look like ceramic. To install, you simply click them together like puzzle pieces. They can float on top of your existing floor, so there's no need to rip up your old linoleum or tiles. The company recommends them for use in the kitchen, foyer, sunroom, etc. but not in bathrooms where they could swell and buckle due to dampness. (Check out vinyl tiles, which you can peel and stick, for bathrooms.) The Quick Step tiles cost $3.99 per square foot.

http://www.quickstep.com

December 06, 2005

Leather Flooring Tiles

Hardwood floors are all the rage these days, but they're not very warm and cozy under foot, are they? Perhaps in one of your rooms, you're looking to do something a little different. Well now Ann Sacks' Cowden Bell leather is available in flooring tiles. According to the company, it's thinner than saddle leather and suitable for both walls and floors. "Hand dyed and hand stamped by Cowden Bell, each tile is subtly different in color and texture, and affords a warm, richly detailed and resilient floor."

http://www.annsacks.com

December 04, 2005

Glass Tile Flooring

Looking for an usual flooring material that will set your room apart? Well, you may not have to get any more exotic than glass. Ann Sacks' Lake Garda collection includes glass tiling flooring with pieces ranging in size from 2" x 2" to 12" x 12". The tiles are offered in forty matte colors with prices starting at $44 per square foot. Though not as breakable as standard glass, the tile flooring is recommended for rooms that see light traffic.

http://www.annsacks.com

November 26, 2005

Linoleum Tile That Looks Good?

When people see linoleum floors in a home, the first thing they usually think is: how quickly can I get rid of this and replace it with something better? Forbo Flooring Marmoleum has brought you a new kind of linoleum that might change some minds. Their DIY tiles click together, making them easy for the homeowner to install. Mixing and matching colors allows you to create a unique look. One of the perks of linoleum is how well it handles high-traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, mudrooms, and playrooms. It's also a flooring material that's naturally resistant to bacteria. Ready to rethink linoleum yet? The cost for the Forbo tiles is between $5 and $7 per square-foot tile.

http://www.forbolinoleumna.com

November 22, 2005

DIY Cork Tile Flooring

Cork flooring is becoming popular because it's comfortable to walk on and is a good thermal insulator. Its also relatively friendly to the environment. Unlike hardwood floors, which are produced from felled trees, cork is produced from the bark, which is harvested once every nine years and then grows back without harming the tree.

Wicanders sells do-it-yourself cork tile flooring (actually they're more like planks than tiles) that starts at about $3.90 per square foot. The planks click together, and no underlayment is required unless the cork is being installed over concrete (in which case, you need to put down a thin polyethylene moisture barrier first). Cork tile flooring is recommended for kitchens, foyers, bedrooms, kids' play rooms, or any type of area where you might want a cushiony, shock-absorbent surface.

http://www.wicanders.com

November 20, 2005

Ceramic Tile Flooring Made Easy

Ceramic tile flooring is a handsome look in bathrooms, kitchens, mud rooms, and anywhere a hard floor is more practical than carpeting. It usually involves a professional installation. Today, however, more companies are making products that do-it-yourself homeowners can install by themselves. SnapStone ceramic flooring is just such a product. Put out by MP Global Products LLC, the tile system uses a plastic interlocking grid system that lets you snap tiles into place without laying mortar. The pre-attached rubber grout means you don't need messy tubes of the adhesive gunk either. The company promises you can install and walk on the tiles on the same day.

http://www.mpglobalproducts.com

November 10, 2005

Stone Floor Medallions

Faithful readers (both of them) will remember when we covered those classy wood floor medallions by Oshkosh Floors. But did you know they also do medallions from stone? The Cassina, from their appropriately named Stone Collection, uses Crème Limestone, Emperador Dark, Giallo Royale, Rosa Tea, Rosa Verona, and Empress Green (judging from the context, we're pretty sure those are types of stone) to create this unique medallion. It's designed to fit in 3/4-inch hardwood floors or 3/8-inch stone floors. For pricing information, or to see more designs, browse their site at http://www.oshkoshfloors.com

September 13, 2005

Bamboo Stone Tiles

The Sonoma Cast Stone Company does a lot of cool things with concrete such as sinks, pavers, countertops, and counter tiles, but these Bamboo Stone Tiles are particularly memorable. They are 6 inch concrete squares molded with the imprint of Asian bamboo to give them texture you can feel. You can get the concrete tiles in the hue of natural bamboo or in one of the 100+ other colors offered. They are suitable for kitchen backsplashes or full walls.

http://www.sonomastone.com/

September 02, 2005

Slate Floors

Slate floors are popular because of the elegant look, the durability, and the minimal maintenance they require. The texture of natural cleft slate (the most popular choice for homeowners) makes it slip resistant; it's also strong enough to handle high traffic areas. Since slate resists heat, moisture, and stains, it lasts a long time if properly cared for. The natural stone comes in numerous colors, textures, shapes, and sizes.

http://www.camaraslate.com/

August 10, 2005

Do-It-Yourself Stone Floors

Island Stone offers a system of river stones embedded in mesh called "Pebble Tiles." You simply lay the tiles and fill in the gaps around the stones with grout. The interlocking mesh tiles come in 12" x 12" or 16" x 16" sizes with borders to add interest; both fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Designed to be used both indoors and out, the embedded stones come in a number of colors such as blue steel, tan, and white.

Pebble Tiles

August 05, 2005

Spanish Floor Tiles Made from Concrete

One of the problems with Spanish clay tiles is they're fragile and can break on floors that see heavy traffic. Smith-Laredo's Casa Monterey line has a similar look but is made from a proprietary concrete-based material rather than clay. According to the manufacturer, the tiles are virtually maintenance free and designed to stand the high-traffic demands of kitchens or entryways. The tiles can also be used outdoors.

http://www.smith-laredo.com/

July 31, 2005

Concrete Floors Don't Have to Be Boring

A plain concrete floor is cold and unappealing, but colored concrete tiles can bring new life to the material. Maxx Architectural Concrete Tiles come in a wide variety of colors and are available in sizes ranging from 12" x 12" to 24" x 48" and in different thicknesses. After installation, the tiles can be finished with a low or high sheen.

http://www.archsystems.com/ via Interior Design.

July 15, 2005

Stone Planking, a New Style for Stone Floors

When most of us think of stone floors, we think of travertine tiles or maybe flagstone pavers. Stone Planking (from Colorado Stone Planking) is an alternative way to lay stone. The planks can be installed on any floor, and can even be used for decorative countertops, walls, or a no-maintenance outdoor deck. On their site, the company has pictures of stone planking samples. The planks come in a variety of stones, including marble, sandstone, and travertine.

July 04, 2005

Hardwood Floor Medallions

Hardwood floor medallions are impressive, especially in a foyer or great room. The medallions at Oshkosh Floor Designs can be made from a variety of woods (stone, metals, or even glass can also be used) and start at $300 for small medallions. (The price goes up from there in sort of a your-imagination-is-the-limit way.) While popular in entryways, hardwood floor medallions can be used in great rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, or any room in the house. Some of Oshkosh's designs can also be installed on ceilings or walls.

http://www.oshkoshfloors.com/

July 01, 2005

DIY Wood Flooring

Hardwood flooring appeals to many homeowners, but true wood can be tricky to install because it has always involved ripping up existing flooring and dealing with messy glues. Tarkett QuickLoc is a relatively new type of laminate wood flooring with a tongue and groove design that makes installation simple. It floats on top of your existing floor, and pieces fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, so there's no glue involved. This turns installation into a do-it-yourself project rather than something that requires specialists and a lot of time. The QuickLock flooring costs about $4 per square foot.

Tarkett QuickLoc is available through Home Depot.

June 24, 2005

Rubber Flooring for Your Home Gym

Online fitness retailer Perform Better is offering roll-out rubber flooring in a wide variety of color combinations. You lay down the flooring under your home fitness equipment in order to prevent scuffing on your existing floor and also to give you better traction when you're working out. The rubber flooring is low maintenance and easy to install.

Perform Better

June 23, 2005

Cork Flooring Gains Popularity with Homeowners

While hardwood floors aren't showing any decline in popularity, more homeowners are interested in floors made from more earth-friendly materials like bamboo and cork. Cork flooring has several benefits such as durability (cork lasts), natural insulation, resistance to rot (cork contains the natural waxy sealant Suberin that protects it from liquids), resistance to termites (unlike wood, cork isn't tastey to insects), a warmer feel than stone or hardwood, and the stuff is hypoallergenic (cork doesn't trap dust or mites like carpet).

You may be wondering if cork flooring has any cons. Well, all floor materials have their ups and downs and http://www.floorfacts.com/ reminds us "It is important to remember that cork is a natural product and will fade in direct sunlight. Cork will generally yellow with age and cork floors will react to changes in relative humidity and heat. Wet mopping is never recommended and may cause the seams to swell."

Articles with more information on cork floors:
Cork Flooring and Other Floor Options
Think Cork! Versatile, Natural Material Makes for Great Floors
Cork Flooring Basics

June 02, 2005

Bamboo Flooring, Why It's Increasing in Popularity

Bamboo flooring is replacing hardwood flooring for some homeowners who are upgrading. One of the primary reasons is that bamboo, unlike trees, is a quickly renewable resource. Some types of bamboo grow ten feet a day. Where it takes a hundred years to grow a tree, you can grow a new bamboo plant to maturity in a few years.

Other than environmental concerns, are bamboo floors better than hardwood? It really depends on the homeowner's tastes. Because bamboo is a grass and not a wood, it has a different look (some say more interesting). It comes in vertical or flat-grain patterns and the following colors: light, honey or natural color, and a darker amber.

Interestingly, bamboo flooring is actually more durable than many hardwoods. It resists dents well, and since it comes from a tropical climate, it tends to resist moisture damage and warping as well.

Bamboo flooring costs are fairly competitive with hardwoods. For prefinished flooring, expect to pay between $4 and $8 per square foot.

Sources:
Bamboo Flooring Features and Benefits
Bamboo Flooring FAQ
Bamboo Flooring

May 31, 2005

Heated Floors, Anyone?

Hardwood floors and travertine floor tiles are quite trendy right now, but all it takes is bare feet on a cold morning to remind you why carpets became popular in the first place. Sure, you can use an area rug to warm up cold floors, but why not heat the floors from underneath as long as you're going for luxury? Radiant-floor heating systems consist of a web of hot-water tubes sandwiched between the subfloor and the top level of flooring material. Companies like Infloor Radiant Heat, Inc. make the systems to be energy efficient, clean, and cozy. Speaking of energy efficiency, some systems can be rigged to work with solar heated water tanks. Luxury without guilt, now there's something to be said for that.

More articles on heated floors:

Energy Savers: Radiant Floor Heating and Cooling Systems
Radiant Floor Heating Information & Diagrams
Hardwood Floors and Radiant Floor Heating

May 08, 2005

Want Exotic Hardwood Floors? Go Wide...

It seems like everyone is going with hardwood floors today, and there's nothing wrong with that, but if you want to set your home apart, you might be looking for a more exotic look. One way to diverge from the mainstream is to go with wider planks. These can work especially well in older houses or in log homes.

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors specializes in hardwood floors of a different bent.

If you fancy doing your own floors, you may want to check out Don Bollinger's Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding and Finishing