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FLOORING SETS THE TONE IN YOUR NYC HOME |
No matter what what type of flooring you select or which combination
of options suits you, the mood of your home will start under your feet.
The visual appeal of the room can include carpets -- wool carpets and
natural fiber floor coverings, rugs -- oriental and contemporary rugs,
wood floors, natural stone floors, tiles -- ceramic, terracotta and other
tiles, or laminate flooring and vinyl flooring.
But current trends in NYC flooring texture go beyond color and design.
Area rugs can be set on wool carpets to guide your eye to key points
or furniture groupings. Cold stone, tile or wooden floors with electric
or warm water under-floor heating can create comfort. Laminate flooring
enhances wood and stone designs. Mosaic and inlay patterns augment
apartment flooring. Flooring is now both decorative and practical.
Natural Floor Coverings
Natural floor coverings include seagrass, jute, coir, sisal,
paper and wool. Natural fibers are strong, relatively inexpensive and
are well suited for modern Manhattan interiors. Left undyed, they have
a warm, natural color that goes well with contemporary furnishings
in NY.
Jute comes from an Indian plant, and is soft enough for use in the bedroom. However, it is not appropriate for the bathroom or foyer since it develops watermarks when it gets wet.
Seagrass is a very tough, smooth, stain resistant fiber that is naturally a neutral beige color and is perfect for hallways.
Coir is a coconut by-product that can be woven into a number of different patterns. It is used for doormats and areas of heavy wear.
Sisal is a hardwearing, smooth fiber that can be dyed any number of colors, and can also be woven with wool.
Wood Floors
Timber style flooring is ideal for any home, blending perfectly with existing color schemes or perhaps inspiring new approaches.
Hardwood floors usually work in any style
room. Hardwood floors, once covered by carpet in the early 1900’s
have made a strong comeback. Wood flooring can now be found throughout
the home and can provide added benefits deserving appreciation. Hardwood
floors have a long life, and can be refinished or stained several times.
Hardwood floors are both elegant and durable. Stains can be applied
to match any decorating style. The one disadvantage is a hardwood floor
may require periodic refinishing.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring includes ceramic tiles, marble and granite slabs, vinyl tiles and parquet tiles.
Ceramic Tiles can be used throughout your home, including floors in wet areas where non-slip unglazed tiles or matt-finished tiles should be used. Ceramic tile is a natural product made of clay, minerals and water designed and formed into shapes. The tile's strength is determined by the body's thickness and structure. Ceramic tile floors can take a tremendous physical beating while maintaining an elegant and stylish look. Durability, ease of cleaning, and a great assortment of colors and styles are a few of the advantages of this type of tile.
Marble, Slate and Granite Slabs are either
natural or artificially compressed, including Terrazzo, an artificially
compressed marble material. Terrazzo, from the Italian word for
terraces, was created several hundred years ago in Europe when
Venetian workers discovered a new use for discarded marble remnants.
Since that time it has become a logical, practical solution for
contemporary design and construction.
Granite and Slate, used in various size slabs, create a very natural,
almost “outdoorsy” type of look.
Vinyl Tiles in various designs and colors
have one distinct advantage: compared with ceramic or marble flooring,
they reduce noise. Vinyl tiles are stain resistant and offer high
gloss finish with a no-wax wear-layer.
Parquet Tiles are commonly oak wood and teak wood laid in the classic parquet design.
Laminated Floors
Laminated floors can look like natural materials such as wood, stone, and tile. Plastic laminate floors are extremely durable.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is available in two categories: rotogravure vinyl and inlaid vinyl. Rotogravure vinyl has a knobby texture with patterns and colors printed on the finished side only. Inlaid vinyl has the pattern and color throughout the entire material. This allows inlaid vinyl to be more durable and easier to clean. Vinyl comes in a vast variety of colors and styles. Vinyl is easy to maintain, and is relatively inexpensive.
Alternative Flooring Materials
Concrete slab floors usually used in basements and garages are making their way into other rooms in New York City apartments. Durability is obviously the key, and new colors make great alternatives to the standard gray.
Cork tiles are environmentally friendly, made from natural products, and produced from a renewable resource. Cork is also inexpensive, soft, and quiet.
Bamboo is a nice alternative to hardwood floors, adding beauty and elegance. Bamboo is very strong and stable, even more so than many hardwoods, yet it is less likely to swell or shrink due to its ability to handle extreme or fluctuating temperatures and humidity.
MyHome Flooring Services
As you select your flooring it is helpful to understand which materials will accommodate each room's function, as well as knowing your personal preferences. The decision process takes time. Contact us to help you understand the options and make good functional and decorative choices for every room in the house.
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