One of the great things about hardwood flooring is that it never goes out of style. It’s been in use continuously for thousands of years, and despite numerous shifts and changes in style and design, it has survived the test of trends, showing that the look of this material never gets old.
This is largely due to the fact that hardwood is an instant connection between an interior location and the natural world. The feeling of a forest, the essence of a densely thicketed wood, all can be achieved in even the most modern mundane environments.
Unique: Every plank, board, or strip used on a hardwood floor is a unique work of natural art, with its own individual patterns, and colors. This is compounded by the fact that there are dozens of different species of domestic, imported, common, and exotic hardwoods to choose from, each with their own particular grain, color, and characteristics. That ensures that each installation of this material is a one of a kind feature.
Character: Over time wood is going to change. It will acquire subtle shadings of color, and pick up small scratches, nicks, and dents, which will collect on the surface to create a unique personality for your floor. That is the kind of character that cannot be bought but can only be attained over the course of years.
Large Spaces: Wood is a particularly good flooring material for large open spaces. That is because the grains and patterns found within its surface will help to break up the monotony of the room, acting as a backdrop, while also working to infuse interest and design into the space. This effect will be compounded by the use of plank, parquet, and small piece decorative hardwood installations.
The price for different species of hardwood flooring can vary significantly. However, as always, you are going to get what you pay for. Reputable companies, selling quality, long lasting materials are going to charge more. Further, harder woods tend to take longer to grow, making them more scarce and more expensive.
While the initial investment for some of the more durable hardwood floors can be significant, you have to balance this against the fact that these materials will tend to last much longer than other flooring options.How Hardwood Floors Feel Underfoot
Heat: Hardwood is a moderately warm flooring material that maintains a relatively even temperature at all times of the year. Warmer than natural stone, but not as snug as carpet, hardwood is compatible with underfloor radiant heating systems, which allows you to keep them toasty even in the winter. This is also an efficient way to contribute to the warmth of the entire room.
Soft: Wood floors usually have a moderate amount of give underfoot. This is especially true when they are installed on joists, or over some sort of insulating underlayment. However, you should avoid installing it directly on concrete, as this can lead to it being very rigid, and uncomfortable.
Noise: This can be one of the biggest drawbacks when it comes to hardwood flooring. Not only will you occasionally get problems with squeaks in the floorboards, but unpadded hardwood can also be very loud when heard by neighbors or family members who live down below. However, installing a cork or foam underlayment can help to solve these issues.
Laminate flooring is one of the most resilient and durable floor surfaces available. A relatively recent invention, it has gained in popularity due to its ease of installation, low maintenance requirements, and long life. This material can also be printed to simulate a wide variety of natural flooring materials include hardwood planks, and slate and ceramic tiles.
Laminate is a type of synthetic flooring that is made by fusing several layers of different material together using heat, pressure, and adhesive, in a process known as lamination. While laminates are often manufactured to replicate the look of a variety of hardwood surfaces, they actually contain no wood materials. Rather, they are constructed from resins and fiberboard particles.
Structure Of a Laminate Floor
Top Wear Layer: The top layer of a laminate floor is known as the wear layer, an invisible surface that rests over the material, protecting it from scratches and other damage. This is generally made from an aluminum oxide chemical treatment.
Photograph Layer or Decorative Layer: This is the surface that gives the laminate its actual appearance. It is created when an image or pattern is printed on paper like materials that are embedded in resin.
The actual image can be almost anything, but typically laminate floors are manufactured to simulate the look of hardwood, cork, bamboo, natural stone, ceramic, or even brick pavers.
Fiberboard Core: This is the heart of the material and it provides the depth, structure, and stability of the actual surface covering.
It is generally comprised of wood chips or sawdust ground into a very fine powder, then coated with resin, and pressed into flat sheets.
Back Layer: Many laminates will have a moisture barrier back layer. This works with the water resistant wear layer on top to sandwich the fiberboard and picture layers of the laminate, creating a water tight seal around the core material. The back layer also provides additional stability for the installation.
Underlayment: Laminate flooring must be installed over underlayment. This is most often cork or foam rolls. An appropriate underlayment can also reduce the hollow noise that occurs when walking on some laminate floors.
Laminate is a man made material that has been used in surfaces such as counters and back splashes since the early 1920's. Originally it was not strong enough to be used in flooring, but over time innovations in the manufacturing process refined the finished product and made it increasingly durable.
The first laminate flooring was invented in Sweden in 1977 by a company called Perstorp. In 1984 they began marketing this product in Europe under the name Pergo, and by the mid nineties it had spread to the United States.
Today the word “Pergo” is almost synonymous with laminate flooring, although there are other manufacturers of this material.
Glueless interlocking laminate flooring was invented by two separate companies at the same time in Europe during the years 1996 and 1997. Because of this the Swedish company Välinge and the Belgian company Unilin have had a number of legal conflicts over the years. Today almost all interlocking laminate floors are sold by one of these two corporations.
Laminate flooring is durable, stain resistant, and mold resistant, which means that it can be used in high traffic areas.
Living Rooms
Hallways
Entryways
Dining Rooms
It can also be made water resistant during the manufacturing process, making certain laminates appropriate for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and other water heavy environments.
Luxury Vinyl SPC, Flooring
An SPC vinyl has several main layers.
Wear Layer – The wear layer is the top coating on the vinyl floor that is transparent. This adds scratch and stain resistance to the vinyl plank.
Vinyl Top Coat – Each SPC vinyl floor will have a thin layer of vinyl attached to it. This layer is waterproof and will contain the pattern, texture and look of the floor.
SPC Core – The SPC core is made by combining limestone powder and stabilizers to create a dimensionally stable and waterproof core.
Attached Underlayment – SPC vinyl floors may or may not come with attached underlayment. These are usually included to help with sound reduction and add softness to the floor.
Benefits of SPC Vinyl Flooring
SPC vinyl is becoming one of the most popular floors to install for a variety of reasons. If you’re a homeowner, property manager or business owner, SPC vinyl flooring may be a great option for your next project!
Waterproof: This is one of the biggest factors in choosing an SPC vinyl. It is 100% waterproof, which means it can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and restaurants without worry!
Stability in Temperature Fluctuations: With the stone construction, an SPC vinyl core is more stable in environments with temperature changes, such as cabins, homes with AC units and homes with humidity fluctuations.
Appearance: SPC vinyl flooring can have a variety of looks, textures and styles. It will be hard to believe they are vinyls!
Comfort: The SPC vinyl floor is going to feel more sturdy and cushioned under foot than a traditional vinyl due to the dense core and thickness of the plank. A thicker plank will give you more comfort. Also, some SPC vinyls will have attached underlayment that adds to the softness under foot. If it does not have attached underlayment, you can opt for an LVT specific underlayment to install over the subfloor.
Sound: With the dense core, this plank tends to have a quieter sound. You will not hear a hollow sound when you walk on it.
Affordability: SPC vinyl plank flooring is very budget friendly. Depending on the brand and features, you can find SPC vinyl in a variety of price ranges. Features like attached underlayment, texture and edges can increase a floors price.
Easy Maintenance and Cleaning: An SPC vinyl will have the same cleaning and maintenance needs as a regular vinyl. These planks are designed to be easily cleaned with regular sweeping and mopping.
With all the benefits of SPC vinyl flooring, you can see why this is such a highly rated material! From a cushioned step, to dent resistance and waterproof core, you can’t go wrong with an SPC vinyl. Whether it is for a busy home, rental property or business, this floor does it all.
Carpet is one of the softest flooring materials available, providing a cushioned surface for your feet in almost any location. It's important to know the characteristics of the different types of carpeting available, to ensure you get a style that's appropriate for your installation space.
Types of Carpet Fibers
There are a variety of synthetic and natural fibers which are used in the construction of carpets. Below you will find the four most common materials.
Nylon
Nylon is very soft, durable, and resistant to stains. It is the most popular carpet material and is used in roughly three-quarters of all manufactured pieces.
Polyester
These fibers are prized because they can hold vibrant, dramatic colors that do not fade much over time. They are non-allergenic. In many cases this material is crafted from recycled plastic bottles, making it eco-friendly. The only drawback is that it's susceptible to having its fibers flattened under repeated exposure to weight, making it a bad choice for high traffic areas.
Polypropylene is almost as soft as nylon. These fibers are extremely resilient and resistant to stains, mildew, and shedding.
Wool
Wool is a natural, luxurious, long lasting material that is the softest carpet fiber you can find. Unfortunately low-grade wool is more susceptible to staining, while high-grade wool is extremely expensive. Some manufacturers combine wool with synthetic fibers in order to create a carpet with the benefits of both.
Carpet is made by looping yarn through a piece of backing material in a movement that is similar to sewing a button on a shirt. These loops can then either be left intact or cut at various angles. The way the loop is treated is known as the carpet pile. Below you will find the most common carpet pile types available for your flooring.
Uncut carpet pile
Also known as "loop pile" or "Berber pile." This method leaves the entire loop intact on the surface of the piece. These carpets tend to be highly durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains, making them perfect for high traffic commercial applications. Uncut pile carpets also don't show indentations caused by footprints and vacuum marks.
The drawback is these carpets tend to be less soft and padded than their cut counterparts. Also, the loops can be a snagging hazard if you have pets or small children.
This method tends to produce very soft, pleasant looking carpets that are easy to clean. The drawback is that the rigid nature of the threads makes it easier to see foot marks and vacuum trails. It also makes wear and tear more obvious, which means that these carpets need to be replaced more often.
Different styles can be created by changing the angle of the shearing that slices the loop, or by using different treatments on the thread before and after it is inserted into the backing.
Valencia Flooring is Santa Clarita’s source for flooring solutions. Whether you are remodeling, planning new construction, or just replacing old worn out carpets. we have the knowledge and expertise to get you what you need. We have thousands of samples to chose from, and in many different flooring materials. From carpet, to hardwood, to vinyl, or Tile. we have the perfect flooring for any environment you can name. We have years of experience installing all types of flooring in homes and businesses and throughout the Santa Clarita area. We work quickly and well, and have earned a reputation over the years for our excellent work and customer service. We work on your schedule as much as possible to minimize disruption to your home or business, and we guarantee that you will be satisfied with our work. Stop by to one of our showrooms, and check out our samples. Our experienced and friendly staff will lead you through the process of determining the perfect flooring for your needs and your budget. Browse through our different styles of carpeting and tile, and ask all the questions you want. We will be happy to find the floor solution that will really bring your room together. So if you are planning on making a change with your flooring, your first stop should be Valencia Flooring. We are the first choice in Santa Clarita for all flooring needs, whether it is carpeting, hardwood, vinyl, or tile floors, whether you require installation help or you are a DIYer. Contact Valencia Flooring today, and let us wow you with our selection and service.
