IT REALLY IS EASY BEING GREEN

“Green” is important in all facets of our lives. We need to preserve our environment for those who will follow us on this planet. How we live our lives is just a fraction of the total impact mankind makes on this planet, but we must do our part. We must consider how we manage our personal stewardship, by being conscientious as we “consume” the resources of our planet.

When considering new floor coverings you might want to consider products that can give you the beauty and comfort you are looking for, but are derived from renewable resources. One such product is a cork floor. This may sound strange, but cork makes a beautiful floor and will last for many years.

This comment from the Natural Cork Company is very helpful:

“Cork is a truly sustainable "green-building" material. Trees are grown and the bark is harvested in the centuries old tradition without harming either the trees or their habitat. Bark is initially sent to a factory to create stoppers for wine bottles. Cork flooring is then created from post-industrial by-product of the bottle-stopper industry. This 'waste' material is ground up and then formed into sheets using minimal amounts of adhesive to bind the particles together under high pressure. Natural CORK is environmentally correct as well as improving health and comfort for human indoor living. In our homes, cork floors create a warm, comfortable, resilient surface that is gentle underfoot, is anti-microbial, will not spread flame, and is inherently resistant to molds, mildews, and common pests. From harvest to production to installation, cork is environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and healthy.”


Contra Costa Floor Club understands all types of floor coverings and can assist you in the selection, installation and maintenance of your new floor. Cork is one of the many floor coverings we can assist you with.

WHICH CARPET FIBER

One of the most frequent questions I receive is; which fiber is the BEST for carpet? Always the answer is “It depends”.

Every fiber has a reason for being made and/or used in carpet. Your uses and your preferences will determine which fiber you should consider when purchasing carpeting either for your home or office. However, I will quote from the Carpet and Rug Institute Web Site:

“Every fiber has it’s own characteristic (we give each fiber characteristic) and no one single fiber has everything. Regardless of which fiber you choose, the construction of the carpet is what makes carpet durable. For durable, heavy traffic carpet you want to look for a dense construction (you don’t want to be able to easily see, or feel the backing of the carpet through the fiber). Shorter pile heights perform better in heavy traffic areas (like entry ways, stairs, halls, playrooms) so choosing a pile height with a ½ of an inch or less will be more durable. If choosing a cut pile carpet, a tighter twist will be more durable than a looser twist. If choosing a Berber carpet, the smaller tighter loops will be more durable than the larger looser loop.” (http://www.carpet-rug.org/about-cri/what-is-cri/frequently-asked-questions.cfm#18)

Even though some carpets are made from a blend of different fibers, most carpets are made from one of the following four fiber types. 1)Nylon, 2)Polypropylene, 3)Polyester and 4)Wool.

Each fiber and its characteristics should be considered, however the fiber alone should not be the determining factor for deciding on which carpet to purchase.

NYLON CARPET FIBER - Durable and versatile, nylon is the most widely used carpet fiber. Most nylon styles today receive a stain-resist treatment for protection against household spills and stains.

POLYPROPYLENE (OLEFIN) CARPET FIBER - The use of polypropylene in carpet has grown dramatically over the past ten years. Polypropylene will not absorb water and is extremely resistant to stains, fading, and moisture.

POLYESTER CARPET FIBER - Polyester offers exceptional softness and color clarity, and it is also naturally stain and fade resistant.

WOOL CARPET FIBER - The preeminent natural fiber, wool is luxurious and much more expensive than synthetic fibers. Wool offers moderate soil and stain resistance.

Do your homework before purchasing carpet for any use. Fiber, construction, color and price. Come into Contra Costa Floor Club and discuss your needs and how you will be using your new carpet. Our highly trained staff is very familiar with all the fibers and construction types of todays carpets.