FLOORING TRENDS THAT WILL FLOOR YOU PART TWO

Cork floors are growing in popularity because they are affordable, joint- and eco-friendly, resilient and water resistant . They also have high-insulation properties. Photo courtesy of www.corkfloorsales.com

Last week, we shared two major flooring trends for 2016—the use of wider, larger planks and the two extremes of hard wood floor finishes as either very dark or light. This week, we reveal three additional trends.

3. More homeowners embrace eco-friendly flooring. First, design experts expect demand for eco-friendly cork to continue to grow because it is affordable, joint-friendly and resilient. Cork is 100% natural and obtained through an environmentally friendly process in which the bark of cork trees is harvested by hand every nine years, without cutting down the trees which can live as long as 300 years. Its high-insulation properties, elasticity, buoyancy and near impermeability make it perfect for use in homes. Like wood, cork is natural, so each piece is unique offering a plethora of grain, color and texture choices. People with allergies prefer cork because its antistatic surface makes it resistant to dust and toxin absorption. Like natural stone, cork does need to be resealed every few years because while it is water resistant, it is not waterproof.

Secondly, the popularity of bamboo continues to grow because it is one of the strongest floors available today and like hard wood and cork, offers unique colors and grains. If you prefer eco-friendly materials, bamboo is far superior to hard wood because bamboo plants grow to maturity in three to five years compared to up to two decades or more for hard woods. Bamboo is also slightly more resistant to water stains and damage than hard wood materials, and its cost is on par with hard woods.

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4. Geometric patterns generate excitement! As we first shared in our post, ‘Top Home Design Trends for 2016,’ geometric patterns have gained popularity in tile, vinyl and even wood floors (AKA parquet). In recent years, geometric designs were reserved primarily for backsplashes, but in 2016, you’ll find them under your feet. Beyond super trendy chevron and herringbone patterns, puzzle and intricate designs are also gaining popularity. The only drawback is the cost in terms of labor. Geometric patterns cost slightly more because of the labor required to make more cuts and actually set the intricate designs. It’s best to find a few examples of patterns you like and share them with a designer to ascertain which of your favorite options fit within your budget.

5. More votes for (and varieties of) vinyl. Vinyl has come a long way in the last two decades. Many design experts predict that vinyl will become one of the most sought-after floors on the market, mostly due to the introduction of luxury vinyl. Luxury vinyl is available in 100% waterproof options and can be easily masked to appear like wood, natural stones and more. Additionally, vinyl floors wear well and are resistant to stains. On the other hand, despite being an extremely practical choice, they are susceptible to peeling and tearing. Vinyl floors will not increase the resale value of your new home in case you anticipate moving in the shorter vs. longer term.

Article by: Jennifer Elkow