| Author | Content |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
March 13, 2006
6:45 AM Post #2109093
| Someone told me about a kitchen they visited where the kitchen laminate was very cushy and easy to stand on. Maybe they are thinking of linoleum? Any ideas for me?
Thanks,
Mary |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
March 24, 2006
11:10 AM Post #2135857
| I would not recommend cushy whatever, particularly if you or your friends wear heels. The imprints will show. |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
March 24, 2006
3:05 PM Post #2136355
| Nah, I'm usually barefoot in the kitchen. :-)) , just kidding. thanks for chiming in.
It's unlikely that high heels will make it to the small cooking section of my kitchen that I'm thinking of for this. We don't entertain much and when we do, it's more of the sandal and flip-flop crowd at my place. But the heads-up is good info and I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks again for the input. Anyone else out there?
Mary |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 24, 2006
4:22 PM Post #2136524
| I would think that if it's too cushy it'll be very easy to damage, even if you don't wear high heels--what happens if you drop things on it, roll heavy things over it, etc. My guess is they used a nice cushy underlayment underneath the floor instead of attaching the floor directly to the plywood/concrete subfloor. I don't know too much about this, but if you go to one of your local flooring stores and describe it for them they could probably point you in the right direction (then go shop around for a better price of course once you know what you're looking for!). |
JenQuinn
Springfield, OR
(Zone 8a)
March 24, 2006
4:40 PM Post #2136558
| Cork floors are supposed to be very comfortable to stand on, less stress on your legs and feet, and amazingly durable. |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
March 24, 2006
5:56 PM Post #2136723
| Yeah, I love the idea of cork, but maybe for the library. In the kitchen I fear spills, spots, bacteria, that sorta stuff. That was my first idea but others on this forum have nixed it. I think the underlay concept has merit. I'll work that angle for a bit.
Thanks all.
mm |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 25, 2006
4:57 PM Post #2138847
| I think I might have found something similar to what your friend saw...I was at my local home center today and saw this stuff called "Tarkett Fiber Floor". It looked like vinyl flooring but it was soft and is supposed to feel as good to stand on as carpet. |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
March 28, 2006
7:02 AM Post #2144552
| I Googled Tarkett Fiber Floor and found a very informative thread in the Garden Web flooring fourm. This might just do the trick. Most folks said it was very easy to install and about $2.50 sf. Thanks for the tip. |
PeggieK
Claremore, OK
(Zone 6a)
March 30, 2006
10:45 PM Post #2151903
| I saw samples of it in a flooring store. It looked like hardwood floor and was soft, but very tough. I loved it. Supposed to be very easy to install. |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
August 10, 2006
9:26 PM Post #2609046
| I want to know what the problem with cork floors are, I always see it on HGTV and they say it`s great just urthane it. I never see it, is it in sheets or those little 60`s squares? I am a huge fan of mexican pavers. I think they look great with almost any style and their imperfections give them character. It`s more of an issue on a raised foundation,more steps and money but they are so easy to clean. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2006
9:31 PM Post #2609060
| I've usually seen it sold in 12" or so square tiles. I don't know what the problem is with it--I've only heard good things, it's a natural material so it's more environmentally friendly and as long as it's sealed right you shouldn't have to worry about stains, etc which someone mentions above as a concern. But I don't have it in my house so have no personal experience to back me up. |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2006
10:34 PM Post #2609511
| We're talking about 2 things here:
1. Cushy laminate - (I now think is this stuff called Tarkett Fiber Floor)
2. Cork floors.
hellnzn11: A flooring place here in Phx told me that cork does not do too well in an arid land. Something about cracking or buckling or - I don't remember now. He seemed very knowledgable and I took him at his word. Said they carried it and installed it for a while but had to keep doing re-work on their jobs.
Re: the cushy [Fiber Floor by Tarkett] laminate. I finally found a retailer in my area. Took much persistance on my part - it's like they want to keep this stuff a secret or something. I'll let you all know how the project goes. Should be done by late fall or early winter, latest. Lots of folks have said it's easy to install. Has a standard 5, 10 or 15 year warranty, depending on which grade you purchase. I'm thinking of it for the [small] kitchen, [large] dining area and [mid-sized] 'library/office'. More later - stay tuned. :-))) |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
August 11, 2006
2:00 AM Post #2610076
| Marymc I love the Tarket flooring that I`ve seen they have a beautiful feau wood grain sheet flooing too. |
kcheckal
Bakersfield, CA
August 26, 2006
2:32 PM Post #2661787
| Hi Mary. About 2 years ago, we got a cushy viny floor installed. It had just come out. I wanted hardwood, but because I have Lupus/arthritis, I didn't want something that hard. I absolutely love it! We have kids, Grandkids, Dogs and cats. It is easy to clean, still looks new. Most everyone that sees it, thinks it's wood. If you sit something heavy on it(We did have an Amoire on it), it did leave an imprint for a short time, but bouncesd right back by that night. They say it's wheel chair tough. It doesn't get cold in the winter. You can step on it barefoot on a cold morning and it feels kind of warm. We liked it so well, we got it in our teenage boys rooms. It's called "Earthscapes". They have it to look like all kinds of wood, stone and ceramic tile. This isn't the best picture but it'll give you an idea. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
August 26, 2006
3:15 PM Post #2661925
| Nice kitty. :-))
Kcheckal, is yours Tarkett flooring? I've had the hardest time finding a retail dealer here in Phoenix. When I call a store that is supposed to sell Tarkett Fiber Floor, they try to sell me a different manufacturer's product called NaturCore (I think). I got samples directly from Tarkett of the Fiber Floor line and like the product. Others here have said it's easy to install but I'm not sure we should tackle it ourselves because the dining room will need a seam or two. Anyone actually have Tarkett Fiber Floor installed? And did you do it yourself? |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 26, 2006
3:21 PM Post #2661937
| Mary, have you tried contacting Tarkett directly? Many manufacturers will be more than happy to direct you to dealers in your area who sell their products (many times they have dealer finders on their website, or if they don't have that I'm sure you could call them). Or with the dealers you're talking to, be very clear that you specifically want Tarkett, it could be that they sell it too but the other mfg has some sort of special going to encourage the dealers to push their product, but if you insist on Tarkett you may discover that they sell it too. |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
August 26, 2006
4:18 PM Post #2662145
| Hi KIM it`s me. Hi Ecrane, We al l meet in a different forum. They carry the Tarkett floor at Home Depot here in Califrnia, I don`t know why they wouldnt in Az. but you could go on their website as she said. I saw one of my friend`s houses who laid it on the diaginal through her whole house except bedrooms and I had to do a double take to tell it wasn`t real wood, plus it has the texture and the wood grooves. |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
August 26, 2006
4:18 PM Post #2662146
| Yeah, I talked directly to Tarkett but they won't sell to me. Gave me the name of their 'dealer' in Phx. Called the dealer. They will sell to me if I give them the product # and I install it myself. (Not sure we're qualified to do seams and I don't want a botched job.) The dealer knows the name of their retail outlets, Flooring America, but could not seem to locate phone #'s for any - the lady actually told me I should check the yellow pages for Flooring America. I did. I called them. They wanted to sell me the other stuff.
I dunno. It's just too dang hard. I'm resting now on that project. A new storage shed has trumped the floors. Will probably come back to the floor project in the fall.
Thanks all for your input.
mm |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
August 26, 2006
4:23 PM Post #2662155
| How funny Mary we typed @ the same time. lol. They don`t sound very interested in selling the flooring do they? Try Home Depot or Lowes, they will also install. There are some other brands that are thick and nice, like theirs. I hate giving my money to turds. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 26, 2006
4:58 PM Post #2662261
| I knew Tarkett wouldn't sell to you, I was just hoping they could send you to some dealers who would but it sounds like that hasn't been very helpful either! I saw it at a local home center called Yardbirds which has now been bought by Home Depot so I would think HD might carry it. Or if the only place you can get it is the dealer who won't install, maybe you could find a handyman to install it for you--I think it installs similar to sheet vinyl so pretty much anyone who could install one can install the other. It seems very weird though that the dealer would make you install it yourself--every flooring place I've ever been to either has their own installers, or they have an installer they contract with to do the installation. The majority of people out there aren't DIY'ers so I'm very surprised that they don't offer installation, wouldn't think that would be very good for business! |
kcheckal
Bakersfield, CA
August 26, 2006
8:05 PM Post #2662703
| Hi Mary! Hi Dawn!
As far as I know it's just called Earthscapes. We got it at Jost Carpet One. I think they have a store in Arizona. I'm not sure, but you might be able to check it out on this website: [HYPERLINK@www.carpetone.com]
If you check it out, be sure to let me know what you think.
In the brochure it says that it's so strong and durable and will last a lifetime. It says that it resists scuffs, stains, scrapes and tears while maintaining the natural luster.I looked up the reciept and we've had it for 2 years. We absolutely love it.
|
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
August 27, 2006
12:56 AM Post #2663743
| Hi girls, we want to get some flooring too, we have a triple wide Mobile home on land and it is harder to put tile and some other flooring down on a raised foundation and it gets cold in the winter here so warm is good and like you kim, I am getting arthritis, I`m pretty sure in my hands from all those years of doing massages,my knees are bad too so the flooring sounds perfect. Kim you need to put your Lupus on the prayer forum too girlfriend. Dawn will be Standing in the role as Kim`s mom. |
kcheckal
Bakersfield, CA
August 27, 2006
3:40 AM Post #2663891
| Hi Dawn! I really think you would like this flooring. I wasn't sure about it at first because I really had my heart sat on Hardwood. It's pretty thick and cushy so it doesn't get cold like linoleum or tile and it's comfortable to walk on barefooted. You should check it out at Jost One and see what you think.
Thank you so much for your concern. You're so sweet and I really appreciate it!
Kim |
susanfmo
Winona, MO
August 31, 2006
9:38 PM Post #2679986
| Do NOT buy Tarkett Fiber Floor unless you are using it in a small room! We had it installed in our house last year, and though we love the feel and look of it, we are very unhappy with how it has bubbled up in our large kitchen/dining area. It is extra heavy vinyl flooring that is not meant to be glued, and the weight of it is supposed to hold it down flat. Wrong. In our two small bathrooms, it has been okay. In the large room (35 feet long), the installers used two seams (you're not supposed to do that apparently), and it bubbled up at the seams. They came back and glued the seams down, which still wasn't perfect, but was okay. Then when summer came around, several ridges developed, about an inch tall and as long as five or six feet. The Tarkett rep came and said that the installer was at fault, and said that the kitchen cabinets shouldn't have been laid on it, and the baseboards all needed to have a small free space underneath to allow the floor to stretch and contract. At this point, those ridges appear permanent and we are either going to have to take it all up and glue it, or get all new flooring. So beware!! The store where we bought it is no longer selling it (and the little they have left over they are selling, but will not install). They won't help us because it's been just over a year, so our warranty with them is up. Needless to say, we are very unhappy with Tarkett. |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
September 1, 2006
12:57 AM Post #2680710
| That explains a bit as to why Mary Mc had the wierd treatment about getting the floor but they were not going to install it. BINGO, they need to sell it but they are not going to be laying, repairing and relaying it. Hmm. Maybe it is not a problem in the west since Kim says she loves hers. Like the cork is supposedly not good in our dry weather but people back east say it is good. Thanks all points are appreciated and it doesn`t sound like Tarkett will make it right. Good to know. Susan you turned them into the better business bureau, I hope? |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
September 1, 2006
9:12 AM Post #2681245
| So the plot thickens. I appreciate your taking the time to provide this info. Very valuable. Looks like Tarkett has a new product that does not work in all environments or situations. Back to the drawing board for us. I'll go with something that has been around a while and has a good track record.
Thank again! |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
September 1, 2006
3:54 PM Post #2682429
| PLYWOOD or cement ? |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
September 1, 2006
3:57 PM Post #2682435
| You're funny hellen- I almost typed 'the cement slab' myself. No, I'm sure we can find a laminate that will work. |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
September 1, 2006
4:05 PM Post #2682454
| Hi I don`t want to get in trouble but my name is not hellen it`s Dawn. That is a dilema I am in too. I need knew flooring but we have a subfloor so Saltillos(which I really want) or more of a hastle, but I like the rustic look of them. I found some real rustic Knotted wide plank looking vinyl that had texturethat I liked and some antiqued looking pine laminate that I liked and a Wide dark walnut that we both love but it may be too dark with the rest of the kitchen and show dust a lot.????Maybe I should start shelling peanuts for my floor? Saw dust? What do you think ? |
MaryMcP
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
September 1, 2006
4:08 PM Post #2682460
| I know your name is Dawn but personally, I get so confused when someone who knows the 'real' name of a person starts using it in a thread and I don't know who they are talking to (or about). I was just shortening your tag name. I typed the second e by mistake.
Good luck with your decision but avoid dark flooors. I did that at my first house in the kitchen-dining area. Showed every little piece of dust and foot track. Go with a lighter tone, without any ridges that will trap dirt. Easy care will be the goal for me. |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
September 1, 2006
4:19 PM Post #2682487
| Ya, your right. I get confused on the prayer forum, everyone uses everyone`s real names and I am forever scrolling around to check again, who everyone is. I was talking to Mariaortiz and Dan to get info on Queen creek and nearby areas, because my DH could transfer to a mine in Superior if he wants to. Got anything to add to the area or your area? I love the storms out there, you guys send them our way some years but not this one so far. Last year we had so much thunder and ltng and rain. I Want it and I want it now. ( willy wonka) |
