Visit
Patti-Lynn Interiors for all your interior decorating needs.
Patti-Lynn Interiors
Floors & Flooring
Find the floor that's right for you. Learn everything you need to know about floor types, options, durability, care, maintenance,
and installation.
We
provide flooring solutions and professional installations
for most areas in southern Ontario including
Toronto, North York, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond
Hill, Thornhill, Port Perry, Lake Simcoe, Lindsey,
Muskoka, Georgian Bay.
For a quote on your next flooring project please
call us at 905-640-0640 and ask for one of our
flooring experts or visit us at our newly expanded
store at 5402 Main St. Stouffville, Ont. Canada.
Vinyl is clearly the most versatile flooring option available. There are literally hundreds of styles and colors to choose
from, and pricing options that make vinyl workable for most any budget. Vinyl floors are known for their easy care and cleaning,
and are generally wear-resistant, which makes them a sensible choice for the kitchen and bath, or any other room in your home.
They're also resilient. They "give" when you walk on them, which creates a soft, comfortable feel underfoot, and also reduces
the chances of plates and glasses breaking when dropped.
Sizes You can choose from sheet vinyl, which comes in 6 and 12 foot roll widths and in almost any length, or from vinyl tiles, which
depending upon the manufacturer, may be available in 12, 14, 16 or 18 inch squares.
Materials There are two basic types of vinyl materials you should know about as well. The majority of vinyl floors literally have a
photographic image that is printed on the material and protected by a wear layer. The other type is vinyl with
Inlaid ColorTM, which is an exclusive to Armstrong. Vinyl with Inlaid Color is built from the backing up, and involves the layering of millions
of vinyl color granules, on top of one another, through hand-cut stencils. The result is a handcrafted look of extraordinary
depth and richness of color.
Durability Vinyl flooring varies in durability. For exceptional durability, there's Armstrong
ToughGuardTM floors. Available at all price levels, ToughGuard floors are guaranteed not to rip, tear, or gouge for the life of the warranty.
Cleaning Cleaning, maintenance and care of vinyl flooring are very easy. Industry innovations, such as Armstrong's exclusive
CleanSweep® surface, make floor cleanup a breeze. Just sweep as needed and occasionally mop with Armstrong Once 'n Done® Floor Cleaner or an equivalent no-rinse floor cleaner.
Vinyl is available in three different types of wear layers. The vinyl no-wax wear layer is easy to clean and resists stains.
Urethane-coated wear layers are the next step up. They are easier to clean and are more resistant to scratching than ordinary
vinyl no-wax. The Armstrong CleanSweep wear layer is Armstrong's highest performing wear layer. The CleanSweep wear layer
is best at scuff and scratch resistance, protects against staining, and has the longest lasting shine.
Ceramic Floor Tiles, Grout Cleaning, and Ceramic Tile Installation Tips For sheer beauty, it’s hard to top ceramic tile. Whether floors, walls or countertops, tile is available in a variety of sizes,
styles and colors, making it an excellent choice for achieving a very personalized designer look in your home. Tile is also
quite durable, wear-resistant and easy to clean; so, not surprisingly, it’s a good choice for high traffic areas of the home.
While kitchens and bathrooms are the most popular installations, sunrooms, family rooms and entryways should be considered
as well.
Ceramic Tile Options There’s no shortage of variety with tile. You can choose from a wide range to achieve an almost endless array of looks for
your home – from monochromatic to multi-colored, or a combination of the two. Your ceramic tile look can range from traditional
to contemporary and points in between, as you can choose from a variety of colors, patterns and sizes, gloss or matte finishes,
textured or smooth surfaces. You can customize your project by accenting with coordinating decorative tiles called listels.
Basically, the sky’s the limit when designing with ceramic tile.
Durability Durability is defined by both the hardness of the glaze and the density of the ceramic tile body. Glaze hardness, often called
wear resistance, is measured in numerical hardness grades ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest. The raw material
of the tile combined with the firing process determines the density of the tile body. The density is measured by a tile water
absorption capacity, less porous tiles being denser. Porcelain tiles have the greatest tile body density.
Care and Maintenance Cleaning and maintenance of ceramic tiles is easy, if it’s done on a regular basis. Avoid using abrasive or oil-based cleaners.
It's as easy as sweeping followed by damp mopping. Grout should be sealed after installation with a special sealer that can
be purchased from your tile dealer. This will minimize grout maintenance.
Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not? The most important part of your project is making sure your subfloor is level and stable. You should obtain and follow good
instructions for the project, which should be available from your tile dealer. Study these instructions to make sure you understand
all aspects of the job from subfloor preparation, estimating adequate square feet of ceramic tile needed for your project
and planning the layout, preparing and applying the adhesive, setting the tile, cutting tiles and grouting. It requires good
preparation and will take some time and skill.
Laminate
Floors: High
Performance with a Natural Look.
Laminate flooring is a
multi-layered product developed to perform as a highly durable, easy-to-clean-floor. A laminate floor provides the realistic look of wood, tile,
stone and other more expensive options, but often at a lower cost. These high-tech floors are durable and possess an ease
of maintenance that can't be found in natural wood, tile or stone.
Sizes Choose from three different forms of laminate: strips, planks, or squares. Almost any wood, tile, or stone look is available
and unusual or "ultra-dramatic" looks are easy to achieve. For example, exotic woods like teak, bamboo, and apple wood. In
their natural forms, these materials are typically out of most homeowners' budget range, but with laminate they become more
manageable.
Flexibility Mixing and matching laminate styles is a great way to achieve a look that's all your own. Unlike wood, laminate floors can't
be refinished down the road, should your tastes change. However, laminate floors of the "locking" variety (i.e., installed
without glue) can be easily removed and replaced.
Durability Laminate floors are extremely durable. The wear layer, combined with the strength of the core, make laminate highly resistant
to scratches, dents and dings, as well as to moisture and stains. Although not waterproof, laminate floors are more resistant
to water damage than traditional wood floors. Most manufacturers guarantee the surface will not fade or wear through.
Maintenance & Care Cleanup is quick, easy and minimal. The high-tech surface of a laminate floor is designed to be cleaned by vacuuming and occasional
damp mopping. Spills wipe up with a damp cloth.
Installation: Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not? Laminate floors can be installed professionally. However, depending on the complexity of the job, and how handy a homeowner
you are, you may be able to install it yourself. There are two types of laminate floor installation systems available: standard
glue and locking laminate. The standard glue system is the traditional method. It requires glue and clamps to hold the boards
in place. This system is best suited for the more sophisticated do-it-yourselfer or professional installer. Newer locking
laminates are easier and faster to install than standard glue systems. There's no waiting for the glue to dry, and furniture
can be moved back onto the floor immediately after installation. Armstrong's
ArmaLockTM Installation System is especially easy because it has a uniquely designed profile that automatically aligns the boards and
locks them together for a precision fit.
Genuine linoleum is the original sheet flooring material, first patented by Englishman Frederick Walton in 1863. Although
some people still call all sheet floors "linoleum," the real thing is quite different from the vinyl floors that gradually
replaced them a century later. Its name derives from the main ingredient, linseed oil. (In Latin, linum is the word for linseed,
which comes from the flax plan, and oleum means oil.) The oil is boiled, mixed with melted resins, and combined with powdered
cork, wood flour, resins, ground limestone, and other natural materials. Mineral pigments provide the color. This mixture
is formed into a durable sheet by applying heat and pressure.
Today, genuine linoleum is manufactured only in Europe and is imported into the United States. Recently it has enjoyed resurgence
in popularity among homeowners because of its natural look and physical properties. Genuine linoleum is quiet and comfortable
underfoot and contains no synthetic chemicals. The antistatic surface rejects dust and makes it ideal for rooms with electronic
equipment.
Sizes Genuine linoleum is primarily available in roll form, approximately 6'6" wide in lengths up to 98 feet long. Some manufacturers
also provide linoleum in the form of large squares to make it easier to create custom floor designs using more than one color.
Linoleum squares measure 18.9" x 18.9", 23" x 23", and 13" x 13".
Styles In the '30s and '40s, linoleum was created in a great variety of designs; many embossed to resemble other types of floorings,
such as ceramic, slate, and marble. Today's linoleum visuals offer overall effects that provide a more neutral background
for decorating.
Durability Genuine linoleum is extremely long-wearing, and some have observed that it actually gets stronger with age as the linseed
oil oxidizes.
Maintenance & Care The linoleum surface is more porous than vinyl floors, so it's important to protect it with a high-quality polish, such as
Armstrong S-480 Floor Polish (available at flooring retailers). This will prevent spills or dirt from penetrating and staining
the surface and will add an attractive low-level gloss. Two thin, even coats should be applied initially. Add an additional
layer for a higher gloss. The floor should be cleaned regularly using a neutral detergent solution such as Armstrong S-485
Floor Cleaner (available at flooring retailers) or Armstrong Floor Cleaner (commonly found in supermarkets) diluted to ¼ cup
per gallon of water. Because linoleum is made of natural materials, the use of harsh alkalis or high pH products such as ammonia
should be avoided. From time to time, it's a good idea to re-apply two thin coats of the floor polish; to avoid polish buildup,
don't over-apply to areas that are not walked on, such as along the walls.
Linoleum floors are known to "bloom." Bloom is the term given to the minor color adjustments linoleum flooring makes when
exposed to light. It turns its true color. Because genuine linoleum is made from natural raw materials, oxidation of the linseed
oil in your floor may result in a yellowish cast when not exposed to light (under the range, rug or refrigerator, etc.). This
visual discoloration is only temporary. Once exposed to light, the yellowing disappears and your genuine linoleum floor will
"bloom" again.
Installation: Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not? Professional installation in recommended for all linoleum floors, since they are less flexible than vinyl and sheet installations
will probably have seams that should be sealed. Linoleum is not recommended for use in bathrooms.
Hardwood
Floors: Add
Natural Beauty and Real Value to your Home.
Hardwood floors add a beautiful and natural touch. They also add value to your home and are highly praised in the resale home
market. Today's hardwood floors have made advances in style, durability, maintenance and care, making them more widely usable
throughout the home (with the exception of the bathroom where its use is not recommended due to potential moisture problems).
With simple sweeping or vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning, wood floors will last a lifetime. There are hundreds of choices
in style and color with today's options even spanning into exotic hardwoods. Most wood floors are available in several grades
in a wide range of prices.
Species Wood floors are available in a number of popular species, including oak and maple. Species such as pine, cherry, merbau, pecan,
and other specialty woods are also available.
Construction There are two constructions of wood commonly sold. "Solid" wood is milled from one piece of wood. "Engineered" wood consists
of three or more layers in a cross-ply construction. Solid wood construction is generally used when installing over a wood
subfloor where the hardwood will be nailed to the subfloor. Engineered wood construction is generally used when the floor
is installed in basements or over slab concrete where the hardwood floor needs to adhere to the subfloor.
Styles Woods styles come in strips, planks, or parquet tiles with numerous edge treatments such as square, micro, and beveled edges.
You can choose from a wide range of stains to complement your décor and from two types of finishes: urethane or wax. Both
can be enjoyed as soon as the floor is installed. Unfinished wood floors can be less expensive to purchase, again depending
on grade and color. However, they are considerably more work to install, often require a professional installer and the finish
may not last as long unless it is recoated every five to seven years.
Durability The technology of modern protective finishes has come a long way, making wood flooring more practical than ever. Urethane
finishes are the most popular today because their ultraviolet light-cured finish allows for easier maintenance and longevity.
Most finishes also contain aluminum oxide that enhances durability. Still, because of the nature of the material, wood is
susceptible to scratches, dents and dings from high heels, household accidents and such.
In this day and age, there is little need for sanding and refinishing a wood floor. Instead, you can just reapply the urethane
finish every ten to fifteen years - which will revitalize the shine and make the floor appear new again. Wood floors should
only be sanded or refinished if they suffer severe damage, or if you desire a new color.
Maintenance & Care To keep them in good shape and looking new, it is necessary to clean a wood floor with a soft broom or vacuum. To maintain
its luster, use the manufacturers recommended cleaner with a dry mop and a terry cloth cover. Urethane floors should never
be buffed.
Installation: Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not? Professional installation is generally recommended. However, depending on the type of wood floor, the size of the job, and
how handy a homeowner you are, you may be able to do the job yourself. For example, if you're very handy and looking at installing
a factory-finished floor in a small to medium-sized room, doing it yourself would probably not be too tough and will save
you the cost of hiring a professional. For bigger, more involved projects, it would be worthwhile to leave it to a professional.
Click
on logos to visit our suppliers interactive
virtual showrooms, these are a MUST see for anyone
beginning a new flooring or interior decorating project:
Envision your new room before you buy! Choose the room makeover tool that's right for you
Mannington has something they call a Virtual
Decorator, its a awesome program that lets you
select a room and change options.
Why
does one floor cost more than another?
What characteristics should I be looking for?
How can you be sure of quality?
How do you know what is right for you?
What
about installation?
These questions and more can be answered by
our expert flooring staff at Patti-Lynn Interiors, visit us
today for the right information on your next flooring
project!
Pergo Has an excellent interactive floor and room
color selector, check it out.
5402 Main St. , Suite 237, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, L4A 1H3 | 905-640-0640
