Gibson HomeBuilders

Today’s topics is Flooring.

My guests today are Monty Smith & James Johnson with Parker County Flooring, located at 708 Palo Pinto Street in Weatherford we also have Jean Gibson, Vice President of Gibson Home Builders
Wood Floors
Below are listed the relative hardness for numerous wood species used in flooring. These ratings were done using the Janka Hardness Test. The higher the number the harder the wood. This should be used as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring. Ratings will vary from where and when a tree was obtained. The plank construction and finish play an extremely important role in the durability and ease of maintenance of any wood floor.

WOOD SPECIES RATING
Douglas Fir 660
Southern Yellow Pine (shortleaf) 690
Southern Yellow Pine (longleaf) 870
Black Cherry 950
Teak 1000
Black Walnut 1010
Heart Pine 1225
Yellow Birch 1260
Red Oak (Northern) 1290
American Beech 1300
Ash 1320
White Oak 1360
Australian Cypress 1375
Hard maple 1450
Wenge 1620
Peruvian Walnut 1630
African Pedauk 1725
Hickory 1820
Pecan 1820
Purpleheart 1860
Jarrah 1910
Merbau 1925
Santos Mahogany 2200
Mesquite 2345
Brazilian Cherry 2350


General wood floor care tips.
Don't Damp Mop - Water and hardwood floors don't mix! Use only the manufacturers recommended cleaning products on your hardwood floor.
Vacuum Regularly - Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can scratch the finish of your wood floor's finish. To help combat this use long bristle welcome mats placed at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors. Also, vacuum using a soft bristle brush attachment.
Use the Proper Chair Glides - Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs or metal furniture legs can scratch and dent hardwood floors. Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood floor should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all it's feet. For extremely heavy objects such as a piano, use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors is cheap insurance for protecting your hardwood floor investment.
Don't Use Oil Soaps - There are many over the counter oil-based soaps and wax based cleaning products that may damage or dull the finish of your wood floor. The best suggestion is to only use the manufacturers recommended cleaning products on your hardwood flooring.
Never Wax a Urethane Floor - If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and allow tracked in dirt to stick to your wood finish. Polyurethane finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult.
Wipe Spills Immediately - when accidents happen and some liquid gets spilled on your hardwood floor, you should use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the effected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
Always follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures and recommendations.

Carpet
Well known for its ability to provide warmth and style to a room, absorb unwanted noise and provide firm traction, carpet has gained a reputation as the floor covering of choice for aging adults who live on their own or with their families.
Safety: Safety is a top consideration for older individuals, who seek a stable, slip resistant walking surface that protects them from “slip and fall” accidents. Carpeted surfaces are significantly more effective at preventing slips and falls than hard, smooth surfaces. And when accidents do happen, they tend to be less severe on carpet.
For those individuals who use braces, canes or walkers, maintaining balance can be less difficult with low pile carpet combined with an extra firm cushion. CRI also recommends securely fastening carpet and rugs to provide firmer footing.
Carpet also can reduce or eliminate reflected glare, which minimizes disorientation and can reduce leg fatigue associated with walking or standing on hard surfaces.
Healing colors: Studies have shown that color has psychological effects on moods. With this in mind, blues, greens, teal, mauve, coral, peach and warm neutrals are often chosen for their soothing effects. Avoid “hot” tones such as red, which may raise blood pressure for some, and yellow, which may cause nausea and anxiety to someone who already is not feeling well.
Color also plays a significant role with Alzheimer’s patients. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, patients remember colors better than numbers; therefore, color in carpet can provide a memory link and better help to orient a person to a specific room or area.
Noise reduction: Lack of privacy and unwanted noise can sometimes challenge seniors, who appreciate their independence and may not be used to the noise levels created by visiting family members. Carpet with an attached or separate cushion is the most effective way to control noise and minimize sound indoors.
Comfort and warmth: Older adults, whose feet and ankles are susceptible to temperature changes, will stay warmer on carpet due to its natural insulating properties. The surface temperature of carpet is substantially higher than that of hard surfaces due to pile construction, which acts as an efficient thermal insulator.
Carpet can be wrongly blamed for contributing to asthma and allergy and for emitting high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard surface, such as tile or hardwood, because carpet fibers catch particles and allergens that fall to floor. When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they cannot circulate in the air for you to breathe. Proper cleaning with a CRI-tested and approved vacuum effectively sucks up the dirt and dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air. CRI stands for Carpet and Rug Institute.

CRI offers Green Label and Green Label Plus testing and certification to indicate carpet, carpet backings, cushions and adhesives that emit low VOC’s. In fact, Green Label carpet program has such a positive impact on the indoor environment that the American Lung Association approves its use in its Healthy Homes programs. Additionally, the Green Label Plus program tough standards exceed the green building requirements dictated by California schools. So if you are concerned about asthma, allergies or VOC’s, be sure to ask about Green Label and Green Label Plus carpet, cushion and adhesive options.

Hardwood
Pros
Appearance Improves 
with Age Hardwood improves with age because it acquires a desirable patina over time.
Long Lasting Hardwood is among the longest lasting of all flooring types.
Great Investment Although hardwood can initially cost more than some other flooring options, it's an investment that pays off, increasing the value of your home.
Can Be Recoated All hardwood can be recoated, allowing you to refresh your floor to its original look.
Easy Care & Maintenance Hardwood is as easy to care for as most other floors—waxing is not necessary for urethane finishes.
Considerations
May Scratch A hardwood floor's finish is susceptible to scratching from traffic or pet nails.
Limited Below Grade 
Installation Solid hardwood cannot be installed below grade level; engineered hardwood can.
Full Bath Installation Not 
Recommended Hardwood should not be used in a full bathroom because it is sensitive to humidity and pooling water.
Transitions to Other Floors A new hardwood floor may be a different height than the floor it adjoins. Thinner profile wood and transition strips will help to equalize the difference.
Laminate
Pros
Ultra Realistic Designs Provides the realistic look of wood, tile or stone at a lower cost.
Long Lasting Extremely durable and far less apt to scratch than wood.
DIY-Friendly Exceptionally easy to install because interlocking floating pieces attach to each other with no glue, rather than the sub floor.
Easy Area-to-Area Transitions Easy to adjoin to other floors, due to its 7 to 10 mm (approximately 1/3") thickness.
Child and Pet Friendly Superior durability for households with children or large pets.
Environmentally Responsible Made with recycled materials and is FloorScore™ certified. Considerations
Cannot be Refinished Unlike hardwood floors, laminate cannot be refinished or recoated.
Shorter Life Expectancy than Natural Products Laminate’s life expectancy of 15 to 30 years is on par with other types of manufactured flooring, but considerably less than that of genuine stone, ceramic and other natural materials.
"Hollow" Sound if Not Installed with Correct Underlayment 
Laminate's construction and installation method can create hollow sounds when people or pets walk on the floor. Using the correct underlayment eliminates or reduces this problem.
Adds Less Value to Your Home than Natural Products Laminate does not have the same perceived value of the natural materials it mimics.
Ceramic
Pros
Long Lasting Ceramic, when installed and maintained properly, will last for the life of your home.
Low Maintenance Ceramic cleans easily with a neutral floor cleaner.
Virtually Unlimited Designs Ceramic offers a wide variety of designs, colors and patterns.
Stands Up to High Traffic Extremely durable ceramic is an excellent choice for high traffic areas.
Great Investment Although ceramic is harder to install than other flooring, it is an investment that pays off, increasing the value of your home. Considerations
Difficult to Install Professional installation is highly recommended, and can be expensive.
May Chip or Crack Ceramic’s hardness makes it susceptible to chipping or cracking from impact.
Hard, Unforgiving Surface 
Ceramic is not easy on breakable objects or muscles and joints. Plates and glass may break; knees and elbows may bruise from falls; and standing on a very hard floor can cause muscle fatigue.
Colder Perception 
Ceramic may feel cooler to the touch than other floor types, in low-temperature environments.
Vinyl Sheet
Pros
Broadest Range of Colors and Designs 
If you want to mimic the look and texture of natural materials such as hardwood, stone or ceramic, or if you prefer a visual that's only possible with modern print technology, vinyl flooring offers you the widest array of designs and colors in any one flooring category.
A Great Buy
 Value-priced vinyl sheet is one of the best buys in flooring, compared to other floor coverings.
Underfoot Comfort and Resilience Vinyl is easier to stand on for long periods of time, compared with other hard surface flooring. Its resiliency is more forgiving on dropped glasses or other objects. Vinyl's cushy construction is toddler-friendly and easier on elderly joints, too.
Low Maintenance Vinyl requires minimal maintenance -- much less than any other flooring category.
Water Resistant Vinyl sheet doesn't absorb liquids, so it's suitable for any room of the house, especially bathrooms and kitchens. It also has fewer seams than vinyl tile, for less places water or dirt can accumulate.
Install Anywhere Vinyl can be used below, on or above grade level, over most sub floors (except carpet).
Virtually Seamless Vinyl sheet is 6' or 12' feet wide, which creates a more uniform-looking installation.
Considerations
Will Not Increase Home's Value 
Vinyl sheet is less likely than natural flooring products to enhance the monetary value of your home.
Easier to Rip or Gouge Thinner vinyl is more susceptible to gouging and other durability problems. For high-traffic areas, it's best to install thicker and higher quality vinyl.
Not as DIY-Friendly as Other Flooring (laminate, glue less vinyl tile)
For DIYers, vinyl sheet is not too complicated to install, but it does require precision and preparation. The sub floor must be prepped to be smooth, flat and dry before the floor goes down. After the floor is laid, sealing the seams can be difficult. When a seam is required, installation is best left to a professional.
Must Allow for Expansion and Contraction 
Sub floors shrink and expand with temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Vinyl Tile
Pros
Great Value Vinyl tile is one of the best values in flooring.
Easy Installation For DIYers, glue less and peel ‘n stick vinyl tile is the easiest floor to install.
Install Anywhere in the Home Can be installed in any room, including bathrooms. Can be installed on all levels including below grade.
Wide Variety of Designs, Sizes and Shapes A wide variety of designs ranging from natural materials to original patterns in 12" x 12", large formats and planks. Vinyl has the look of wood, stone or ceramic tile at a lower price point.
Low Maintenance Just sweep and mop occasionally.
Considerations
Lower Life Expectancy Vinyl tile will not last as long as hardwood, ceramic tile or linoleum.
Seams That Can Accumulate Dirt and Moisture Water can seep into tile seams. This can create maintenance, adhesive bonding and sub floor issues.
Gouging and Tearing 
Resilient, vinyl tile is easier to gouge and tear than ceramic tile. In higher traffic areas, be sure to install thicker vinyl tile for better performance.
Does Not Increase Home's Value Vinyl tile is less likely than natural flooring products to enhance the monetary value of your home.

Linoleum
Pros
Natural Beauty Linoleum is made from natural ingredients. The floor patterns and vivid, saturated colors create dramatic design statements worthy of Mother Nature.
Long Lasting Life spans that can last 40 years or more. Pattern and color extend through the thickness of product, so even if the flooring begins to wear down, the design and color remain.
Resists Damage and is Easy to Clean When protected with a manufacturer’s bonded coating, linoleum resists dirt, scratches, scuffs, and cleans easily with sweeping and occasional mopping. An excellent choice for active households.
A Great Value Linoleum’s long life span makes it a cost-effective flooring option.
One of the "Greenest" Floors 
Environmentally preferred linoleum is made of abundantly available, renewable natural materials. Armstrong™ linoleum is FloorScore™ certified.

Considerations
Difficult to Install Professional installation is highly recommended.
May Require Special Maintenance Unprotected floors must be polished to prevent damage to the design. If polish wears off, high pH cleaners such as ammonia can discolor the floor.
"Drying Room Film" and Odor New linoleum has a yellow cast and a harmless odor; both of which dissipate when exposed to light and air.

The history of linoleum

Invented in England in the mid-1800s, linoleum quickly caught on as an ideal floor covering, especially for kitchens and bathrooms. Water-resistant, easy to clean and beautiful, it was even used on kitchen countertops. But linoleum manufacturers didn't update their designs, and vinyl took over in the 1960s and early 1970s. The last linoleum factory in the United States closed in 1975.

We obtain our linoleum tiles from one of three remaining factories, all in Europe. Forbo's factory is just outside Amsterdam. There, linoleum is still made basically as it was 150 years ago, except that the recipe no longer includes cork dust or pigments with heavy metals. Forbo found that the cork interfered with the pigments it now uses.

The current recipe consists of linseed oil (from which the flooring gets its name), pigments, pine rosin and pine flour, obtained from planted forests in Europe. This mix is heated and "calendered," or run through rollers that press the flooring into a sheet and onto a fabric backing. The fresh linoleum is then looped around rungs and hung in towers to cure.

Natural Linoleum or Marmoleum (marbleized linoleum flooring)