Thinking about building, renovating, or creating a new look for your interior? That process frequently involves selecting and installing new flooring. The material underfoot is one of the most important design choices, both functionally and aesthetically. Flooring is a dominant visual element in any space, and on a purely practical level, its maintenance impacts life on a daily basis. Because it a relatively permanent and style-setting element, I frequently choose flooring material early in the design process and select other materials to complement and coordinate with each other and the floor.

Choices include wood, laminate, tile, stone, composite stone, vinyl, carpet, and many exciting design alternatives, both new and not so new.  The development of “green” products is receiving due attention, and selections are expanding continuously. They include bamboo, cork, rubber, linoleum, and, surprisingly, leather.

Page 1- my article appearing in the June/ July issue of Richmond,Virginia’s Chesterfield Living, West Ends Best, and Hanover Lifestyles.*

Types of hard surface flooring are plentiful, and there are surprising new faces with old names. Luxury vinyls, for instance, are available in stunning choices that have no visual relationship with their past-life cousins. Porcelain tile is available in new, overscale sizes and updated shapes, many mimicking the look of other materials such as wood or natural stone.

Before that dingy floor comes up, the evaluation process should include careful assessment of the space and installation conditions. Study up on material choices that blend with your lifestyle and personal preferences. Durable, eco-friendly, or hypoallergenic characteristics can be selection criteria. Research and professional advice are of great value and may prevent costly mistakes, especially in renovation projects. The most important criteria in choosing flooring materials are:

• Application—consider where the material will be installed.
• Foot traffic and circulation in the space—observe carefully.
• Maintenance considerations—be realistic.
• Subfloor, preparation, and installation requirements—don’t skimp here.

Next post… Floor Plans- What’s Underfoot, part 2.

Thanks to Advertising Concepts, Inc. (ACI) and Richmond Navigator for publishing this article! http://richmondnavigator.com/blogs/around-the-house/floor-plans/

Related posts:

Floor Plans-What’s Underfoot?… Part 2 Floor Plans-What’s Underfoot?… Part 3 GETTING FLOORED… part 2 Color Outside the Lines, part 2