Wood floor pieces sold for nostalgic recycling

An American school gymnasium floor has been deconstructed, with the pieces set to be given a new life.

When wood floors are replaced, the original floor is often recycled, but the WHS school gymnasium floor in Fort Morgan, Colorado has been recycled in a novel way. Many people have cherished memories of the school gymnasium – such as an exciting sports victory, school assemblies, or their first kiss at a school dance. The floor was bought by a company that is selling sections of the floor to the public, including former pupils and teachers, and helping these memories live on.

The wood can be used to make furniture, wall pieces and other items and preserving school memories.

The Fort Morgan Times said:

“It's good to see that at least one part of the old high school is being preserved for WHS alumni to enjoy.”

This type of recycling could be adapted for historic British floors. When a public building is demolished or renovated, the floor could be recycled by selling sections of it to people with memories of the building.

Wood flooring in Chester homes and workplace is a good choice for people who want a natural product that lasts a long time. At the end of its life, a wood floor can be recycled when it is not practical to sell it in sections.

Wood floor planks are environmentally friendly if they come from sustainable forest sources and are recycled when they need replacing. Wood flooring made from recycled timbers can be installed for people who like the distressed look.

The advantages of laminate flooring in Wrexham rooms

There are plenty of choices of floor coverings for rooms in Wrexham. Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homes and workplaces in the North Wales town, and there are several reasons why people choose it.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is made from several layers. The top layer is a protective coat that is laid over a photo image of a pattern. This is often an image of wood complete with gains and knots. Beneath the photo layer is a second layer usually made of a mixture of fibre board and melamine resin.

Eco-friendly

Laminate is eco-friendly as it is made from sawdust and wood chips that are a byproduct of the timber industry. Good quality laminates contain no harmful chemicals.

Aesthetics

Printing technology has improved so that modern laminate flooring looks realistic. Unless you look very closely, quality laminate can look like real wood. Laminate flooring can mimic traditional oak or pine. For a modern contemporary style, go for a light grey or white oaks.

Flooring services in Wrexham have a wide range of laminates. Take a sample away to see how it looks in your rooms.

Installation

Laminate planks have a click-together system that makes them easy to install. Compared to hard wood flooring, flooring services in Wrexham will not charge a lot for installation.

How laminate flooring in Wrexham copes with the weather

Laminate flooring is water resistant so is suitable for areas that have an outside entrance. It can cope with rainy Wrexham days when people come in with muddy shoes and dripping wet clothes.

Laminate is not waterproof though, so it is advisable to have mats near to outside doors. High-moisture areas such as bathrooms are not suitable for laminate flooring, but kitchens should be OK provided a mat is placed by sinks and any spillages are cleaned up quickly.

Care

Laminate floors are easy to care for. They need regular sweeping with a brush, and mopping with water and a mild detergent.

Laminates are scruff and scratch resistant and are suitable for homes with pets that have claws. It is advisable to purchase spare planks, because if an area gets damaged, new planks can be used to repair the floor.

Allergy sufferers

Laminate is ideal for people who are allergic to house dust or mites. Unlike carpets, there is nowhere for dust and insects to hide in a laminate floor. If the floor is swept and mopped regularly, there should be no problem for allergy sufferers.

Cost

Laminate flooring is a cheaper alternative to wood, engineered wood and stone flooring. Like most flooring products, laminate comes in a number of grades. Purchase the highest grade that you can afford, as top-quality laminates will last longer.

Expect a good laminate floor to last at least 15 years, or a little less in a workplace with a heavy footfall.

Should you buy laminate flooring in Wrexham?

If you want a durable good looking floor that is affordable and easy to keep clean, then laminate flooring is an excellent choice.

Visit your flooring service in Wrexham to see its full range of laminates.

Laminate vs. LVT flooring for your North Wales rooms

Both laminate and LVT flooring are popular choices for North Wales homes and workplaces. The answer to the question about which is best depends on several factors.

What is LVT?

LVT stands for luxury vinyl tiles and is made from a number of layers. There is a stability layer so that the tiles can be laid flat and level. An HD photographic layer adds a pattern to the tile. Modern LVT tiles have realistic patterns that resemble wood or stone, and it also comes in a number of unique vibrant designs.

The top pattern layer is coated with a surface treatment to protect it from damage and makes the tiles easy to clean. LVT tiles often have an adhesive backing so that they are easy to install without needing further adhesive.

What is laminate?

Like LVT, laminate flooring in North Wales is printed to look like stone or wood and is a layered product. A clear top resin layer protects the flooring. Beneath it is a printed payer over an HDF core layer.

Laminate flooring comes in planks which have click-together joints that make them easy to install. Laminate comes in various thicknesses from 6 to 12 mm.

Water on laminate and LVT flooring in North Wales

North Wales does not have a dry climate. People come inside with muddy shoes and dripping wet clothes. High moisture and high humidity can adversely affect laminate flooring, whereas LVT is more water resistant.

LVT is more suitable for rooms that have exits to the outside. Laminates are not recommended for kitchen areas or utility rooms where water is likely to be spilt.

Some people do lay laminates in areas leading to outside doorways but place water absorbent mats at the outside entrance. If water is spilt on laminate floors, as long as it is wiped up promptly, there should be no damage to the floor.

Maintenance

Both laminate and LVT flooring are easy to maintain. If a section of floor is damaged, replacement planks can be used to repair the area. It’s a good idea to order extra planks or tiles when installing flooring for this reason.

Installation of LVT and laminate flooring in North Wales

Both flooring types are easy to lay. LVT either has an adhesive backing or needs to be glued with adhesive, while laminate planks click together.

LVT tiles and laminates can be laid over existing floors provided the floor is even. Uneven floors may require a cement scree coating before the tiles are installed.

Durability

Quality LVT tiles should last longer than laminate flooring. LVT can last up to 20 years or more, while laminates can last up to 15 years.

For maximum durability, choose top quality LVT or laminates.

Cost

Most LVT flooring costs more than laminates but lasts longer.

So, should I go for laminate or LVT flooring in North Wales?

If you want quality flooring that’s cheaper, go for laminate flooring. If your budget can afford it and you want a better quality flooring, then LVT is best. However, both LVT and laminates are very good flooring choices.

Airport carpet has thousands of Instagram followers

The carpet at Nashville International Airport has become a star of social media due to a number of travellers photographing its swirling patterns and posting their images to Instagram under the ‘bnacarpet’ tag.

The creator of the tag told Fox News:

“I noticed that everyone I know took photos of the carpet anyway while travelling, so why not give them something to tag? Airports have a great way to bring people of every background together, and the carpet at BNA has an unmistakable pattern and colour scheme, unlike any other airport in the country.”

The airport carpet now has 7,500 Instagram followers who range from Nashville country singers to professional cheerleaders.

The carpet is due to be replaced by a new one. An airport official said that a new concourse is opening in Summer 2020 and the carpet will be replaced by a mix of terrazzo and carpeting. An airport spokesperson said the removal of the old carpet will be marked by some sort of special occasion or event, but what this will consist of was still being decided.

Fox News who published the story about the Nashville Airport carpet, did some further research and found that the US Portland Airport carpet has beaten Nashville by having 21,000 Instagram followers.

Carpets for Chester commercial properties are a popular floor covering, but none have increased in popularity due to Instagram followers. If a Chester business does create an Instagram carpet tag that attracts followers, perhaps this could, like Nashville Airport, create interest in their business.

Which is better – engineered or wood flooring in Chester rooms?

People love the look of natural wood flooring, and it comes it two main varieties – solid wood and engineered wood. Which is better for your Chester rooms?

What are they?

Engineered wood has layers – the top layer is a veneer of natural hardwood on top of plywood. There are different grades of engineered wood, and the best quality =is thicker than cheaper brands. Solid hardwood flooring, on the other hand, contains only wood. It is usually varnished to protect it.

Both engineered and solid wood usually come in planks.

Cost

Engineered wood in Chester will generally be cheaper than solid wood. It is also easier and quicker to install, which makes installation costs less.

Though solid wood is more expensive, it adds value to a home and can make a house case buyers’ eyes.

Durability

Both types of wood flooring are durable, though solid wood will usually last longer than engineered wood.

If solid wood becomes worn, it can be sanded to make it look like new again. Engineered wood can be sanded, but because the solid wood layer is thin, this can only be done once or twice.

If a heavy sharp object is dropped on engineered wood, it can chip or penetrate the surface. The same object dropped on solid wood can damage the floor, but the damage is much easier to repair.

Both types of wood are easy to care for with a vacuum and a microfibre cloth broom.

Moisture

Solid wood does not like moisture. Engineered wood will cope with some moisture, but is not recommended for high-moisture areas like bathrooms.

If your Chester home or business is flooded solid wood floors are likely to become warped. They may be salvaged but will not return to their former shape. Engineered wood has a better chance of survival after a flood, but could still become damaged beyond repair.

Both engineered and solid wood can be treated with water-resistant finishes. This will help repel normal moisture such as people coming in with muddy feet and dripping clothes, but may not provide flood protection.

Where to install engineered and solid wood flooring in Chester rooms

Apart from bathrooms, engineered wood can be installed in any room, including kitchens where some liquid spills are expected.

Solid wood flooring is best in dining rooms, lounges, hallways, landings and bedrooms, but not bathrooms. It is not recommended to install solid wood flooring in kitchens, but it can be OK as long as waterproof mats go down near dishwashers and sinks.

Solid wood flooring vs. engineered wood flooring in Chester

If you want the look of solid wood at a lesser cost, or if you are in one of Chester’s flood plain near to the River Dee, go for engineered wood.

If you want a natural product that will last a long time and add value to your home, then choose solid wood flooring for your Chester rooms. Though solid wood costs more initially, it lasts longer and this reduces the overall cost compared to engineered wood in the long term.