By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Material Options – Novelty Floorings
There are many offbeat flooring options available that can take your home from fun to fabulous! Some, like rubber, have been around for a while, while others, like cork, have become more popular recently for environmental reasons. Here is a helpful summation of the types of novelty flooring available.Rubber
- Rubber is available in tile form, as well as rolls and runners. Many colors and patterns are also offered.
- It’s a good insulator and warm to the foot.
- It’s durable and water/burn resistant.
- It’s naturally resilient and sound absorbent.
- Some recycled rubber may contain latex, which is an allergen. Ask about the contents before purchase.
- It’s usually inexpensive.
- It’s easy to install and maintain.
- It’s susceptible to grease and oil stains.
- Its appearance can be unappealing.
Cork
- Cork is a natural, environmentally friendly product.
- Cork should be sealed to protect against dirt and moisture.
- 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.
- It’s durable and easy to maintain.
- It’s resilient and comfortable underfoot.
- It’s non-slip, even when wet.
- It offers sound and heat insulation.
- It’s insect-resistant.
- It’s easy to install.
- It can, however, dent and tear.
- It can’t be used over radiant heat because the tiles will lift.
- It requires re-finishing with polyurethane every eight years.
Bamboo
- Bamboo is another natural, environmentally friendly flooring.
- It’s usually unfinished or pre-finished. The finishing products may contain allergens, so check with the manufacturer before purchase.
- It’s supplied with tongue and groove configurations that can be glued, stapled, or nailed down.
- The vertical laminate style is harder than oak and maple; the horizontal style is almost as hard as red oak.
- It rarely expands or contracts due to humidity, but wet areas should be avoided.
- It can be used with radiant heat.
- Quality can vary widely, so check for references and warranties.
Coconut Palm
- Coconut palm is another renewable resource. It comes in three-ply planks.
- It’s very durable, harder than red oak and hard maple.
- No formaldehyde is used in its manufacture.
- It shouldn’t be used in very moist areas, like bathrooms.
Leather
- Leather for flooring is specially dyed and tanned for resilience, needing only an annual wax buffing for maintenance.
- Tiles are available in many colors, sizes, textures, and shapes.
- It shouldn’t be placed in moist or busy areas, or those with direct sunlight.
- It’s warm, comfortable, and smells nice.
- It’s beautiful.
- It’s sound absorbent.
- It’s durable and its appearance improves with age.
- It’s expensive.
Metal
- Metal has traditionally been found in industrial settings, but has recently become fashionable in domestic ones.
- 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.
- It’s usually made from recycled material, so it’s environmentally friendly.
- It’s easy to maintain.
- It lends a modern look to any home.
- It’s cold and noisy.
- Some varieties rust.
