Fabulous Floors

It is the workhorse of home decor, getting trampled, stomped, pummeled and thumped day in and out, yet few elements can make such a dramatic difference in creating the look and feel of a home.

Whether it’s planks of dark walnut that weave through the entire house or a playful, pillow-soft shag in the bedroom, flooring can bring a home together or instantly provide a splash of fun or drama to a particular space.

The newest in flooring technology, in fact, makes the choices seem endless. There are thousands of colors, patterns, materials and textures, not to mention the growing number of eco-friendly alternatives. Demand is also pushing the boundaries when it comes to the most sought-after flooring styles.

Jonathan Draughon, operations manager at Fabulous Floors in Henderson, noted that wood is still a popular look in floor coverings but the valley’s harsh desert climate can be brutal on solid hardwood. One of the top-selling products in his store looks like wood but is actually made from long-lasting, water-resistant porcelain.

The tiles, or “planks,” mimic everything from natural oak to the distressed dark-gray planks one might find in a beach house. They are easy to clean, water resistant, and don’t require specific room temperatures or extra humidity.

“You get the wood look but durability and low maintenance of tile, so it’s becoming more and more popular,” he said.

Laminate wood flooring is still in demand and will not scratch, nick or dent like real hardwood floors, he said. The latest technology gives the different styles a more realistic look and manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties that usually apply even if a homeowner turns his new flooring into a do-it-yourself project.

Local customers, he added, are looking for medium-dark tones in their wood flooring, such as walnut, gray and cherry. There is also more interest in the sleek, more contemporary look of the wider planks, he said.

Samantha Amato, a spokesperson for the shop-at-home retailer Floor Coverings International which includes a franchise in Las Vegas, said the look of wood is in such high demand it’s also being manufactured in materials such as vinyl for those who want to save money but still give their homes that warm, textured appearance.

One of the biggest trends, however, is covering floors in engineered hardwood, she said. It is the closest alternative to solid hardwood and consists of layers of wood that are bonded together, including a top layer of hardwood veneer. Unlike solid hardwood, the flooring can be installed nearly anywhere in the home and is not vulnerable to water damage or temperature extremes.

Some of the more recent advances in flooring are due to the demand for eco-friendly products that are sustainable and require fewer resources during the manufacturing process. Cork, which comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, isn’t just used to stop up jars or wine bottles.

The cork oak has a life span of about 250 years, and its bark can be harvested throughout the life span as it rejuvenates, according to the World Floor Covering Association. Manufacturers are turning it into flooring that can suit just about any room in the house.

It can be made to resemble wood, travertine or marble, for example, and comes in colors that range from natural honey to bold reds and blacks. It also buffers sound, is more gentle underfoot compared to harder surfaces, and insulates against heat and cold, Amato said.

Bamboo is another highly renewable source for flooring and known for its superior strength. The stems can be harvested every five to seven years by leaving the roots intact and allowing the plants to regenerate, according to the World Floor Covering Association.

Other eco-friendly choices may not be new but are getting a second look by green-conscious homeowners. These include stone, ceramic and linoleum, which are mostly made from all-natural materials and have either little or no volatile organic compounds, VOCs, that are emitted into the air.

Carpet manufacturers are also doing more to limit their carbon footprints by using recycled materials in their fibers, such as the plastic from discarded water bottles and, in some cases, even corn sugar. Carpet made from 100 percent wool is expensive but always an extremely eco-friendly choice that will last for years, Draughon added.

“Wool is hands down the best fiber you can get for durability, clean-ability, being hypoallergenic,” he said.

Beyond the turn toward eco-conscious flooring is the need to be pampered, especially when it comes to carpet. Some of the latest carpets are being made with plush fibers that are extremely soft to the touch, and paddings such as memory foam are only adding to the cushiony feel, Draughon said. Shag-style carpets and rugs, which have gained popularity, are also being made with some of the plushest fibers on the market.

Carpets in vibrant colors and detailed patterns have been catching on as well. They give homeowners the chance to add character to spaces such as long hallways, bedrooms and stairs, Amato said.

Finally, the most important issues to think about before purchasing flooring are durability and lifestyle, according to the experts.

Someone who has children or pets, for example, will need flooring that is easy to maintain yet still looks great despite all the normal wear and tear. High-traffic areas such as entryways, kitchens and stairs also need to be considered in terms of what will hold up best, they said.

Consumers also may want to ensure their flooring is something they can live with for a long time, or that the next buyer will see it as a positive, not a negative.

“Once you find a floor you think is good for you and your home, you don’t want to have to replace it,” Amato said.