4 Popular Exotic Hardwood Floors
Copyright © 2006 Julie Lohmeier
My Home Redux
In simpler times, when you wanted hardwood floors, you had one
choice: Oak. You could be daring and choose Maple or decide
between Red Oak or White Oak. Then mahogany and teak started
showing up. But now, the hottest trends for hardwood floors
aren't even woods. Cork is a popular choice for an
easy-on-the-feet floor that is environmentally friendly as well
very durable, but let's look at some the latest "wood" flooring
trends.
Bamboo. Environmentally friendly, this is a grass, not wood.
It matures in three years and requires no replanting. With a
very distinctive pattern and narrow 3/8" strips, it provides
for a very striking floor. Inexperience in production and
installation may cause problems however with this option.
Unless you really love the look or especially want an
eco-friendly home, I'd wait a few more years before using
bamboo flooring. See how it looks at:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=061005c.xml
Brazilian Cherry. A truly beautiful hardwood (shown above)
that's becoming very popular right now. With an open grain like
Oak, this hardwood darkens in sunlight to a deep cherry color.
In fact, it darkens very quickly, so keep the throw rugs up for
at least three months to keep the color even. See an example at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/brazilian_cherry.htm
Bolivian or Brazilian Rosewood. Very similar to it's cherry
cousin in look and quick darkening color. It's also very
popular. Take a look at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/bolivian_rosewood.htm
Santos Mahogany. Another hardwood from South American that
offers the look of Mahogany but is harder or more durable.
Check it out at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/santos_mahogany.htm
And if that weren't enough, see these other exotic hardwood
flooring options:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/woodspecies.htm
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Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling
and building projects. From working hands on and doing much
of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction
managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement.
She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and
other various rants at My Home Redux. Subscribe
to her free newsletter at:
MyHomeRedux
@copyright 2006, Julie Lohmeier, www.myhomeredux.com
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Ceramic Tile Cost
You may think that ceramic tile will cost you a pretty penny, and it surely is an investment, but according to this study, tile will actually cost you less as a flooring option in the long run. We recently installed porcelain tile in our kitchen and bathrooms and entryway and love it! It looks clean longer, is easier to keep clean and more hygienic than carpet. It also looks much more classy than vinyl.
Tile is Tops in Beauty, Flexibility; Least in Lifetime Cost
(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.
The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.
“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”
Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:
* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.
* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.
* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.
* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.
* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.
* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.
* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Tile is Tops in Beauty, Flexibility; Least in Lifetime Cost
(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.
The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.
“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”
Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:
* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.
* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.
* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.
* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.
* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.
* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.
* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Distressed Wood Floor
Everything New is Old Again
Hand Distressing Gives New Floors the Look of Old Wood
(ARA) - “Distress” is not necessarily a bad thing if you are talking about wide plank hardwood floors. In fact, hand-distressing - the process of making new wood appear old is an increasingly popular design technique.
“It’s not always feasible to use reclaimed antique wood to achieve a certain design effect,” says Don Carlisle, second-generation owner of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, a Stoddard, N.H.-based company that specializes in hand-distressing. “Homeowners who want to give their wood floors the look and character of age find hand-distressing is a great option.”
Distressing works best when done on old growth pine and other hardwoods. The process can be quite involved, with modern artisans often employing the same handcrafting techniques and tools used by craftsmen of long ago. Carlisle uses these techniques to recreate several identifiable looks associated with the wide plank floors installed in American homes more than 100 years ago.
Hand Scraped Edge
Lumber milling was an imprecise process in the 18th and 19th centuries. No two boards were ever exactly the same. When these imperfect boards were installed in a wide plank floor, it was not unusual to see individual boards laying side by side at different heights. To solve the problem (and avoid potential trips and falls), carpenters used a handheld block plane to scrape off the higher edges. This often left a slight gap between floorboards.
Today, Carlisle craftsmen use the same tool to mimic the look of a floor that has been planed through hand scraping of old growth eastern white pine. By randomly scraping down the edges of the board, that signature gap can be recreated when the boards are placed side by side. In fact, the craftsmen will occasionally place three or four boards together during the process to make sure the results look like an old, traditional floor.
Foot Worn
Standing on a floor visibly worn by centuries of foot traffic can make one feel linked to the past. Pockets, undulations, dips and softened edges in a wide plank floor speak of centuries of wear and a certain depth of character.
Carlisle craftsmen use handheld planes to scrape the surface and edges of each individual board. They study each board, and, taking into consideration the many directions of the grain as well as knots, scrape the wood with multiple starts and stops down the entire length. Once the scraping is complete, workers hand sand the entire surface of the boards, which are most often old growth hickory or walnut. Using this process, the craftsmen scrape an average of only15 to 20 square feet per hour.
Carriage House/Saw Kerf
After automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages as Americans’ primary mode of transportation, many old carriage houses were converted to residences. Today, some still retain their original floors, where the marks of carriage wheels and horse shoes are still visible. Some even bear the grooves or notches – kerf marks – made by the saws or axes first used to cut the timber.
To replicate the look with modern wood, Carlisle craftsmen do not mill the planks smooth. Instead, they leave some of the original kerf marks in the wood. The marks cause the hand planes to strike and shave parts of the plank while skipping over other areas. This creates an uneven surface. Next, workers use a draw knife, pulled towards the craftsman’s body, to create a less drastic uneven edge. Finally, they hand sand the wood to help smooth out the surface while still allowing the kerf marks to shine through.
Many more authentic antique effects are possible through use of traditional methods. Because each board of every floor is hand crafted, no two floors are ever alike.
“Hand distressing really evokes the craftsmanship and character of antique wide plank floors,” Carlisle says.
To learn more about the many looks and methods of hand distressing, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Hand Distressing Gives New Floors the Look of Old Wood
(ARA) - “Distress” is not necessarily a bad thing if you are talking about wide plank hardwood floors. In fact, hand-distressing - the process of making new wood appear old is an increasingly popular design technique.
“It’s not always feasible to use reclaimed antique wood to achieve a certain design effect,” says Don Carlisle, second-generation owner of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, a Stoddard, N.H.-based company that specializes in hand-distressing. “Homeowners who want to give their wood floors the look and character of age find hand-distressing is a great option.”
Distressing works best when done on old growth pine and other hardwoods. The process can be quite involved, with modern artisans often employing the same handcrafting techniques and tools used by craftsmen of long ago. Carlisle uses these techniques to recreate several identifiable looks associated with the wide plank floors installed in American homes more than 100 years ago.
Hand Scraped Edge
Lumber milling was an imprecise process in the 18th and 19th centuries. No two boards were ever exactly the same. When these imperfect boards were installed in a wide plank floor, it was not unusual to see individual boards laying side by side at different heights. To solve the problem (and avoid potential trips and falls), carpenters used a handheld block plane to scrape off the higher edges. This often left a slight gap between floorboards.
Today, Carlisle craftsmen use the same tool to mimic the look of a floor that has been planed through hand scraping of old growth eastern white pine. By randomly scraping down the edges of the board, that signature gap can be recreated when the boards are placed side by side. In fact, the craftsmen will occasionally place three or four boards together during the process to make sure the results look like an old, traditional floor.
Foot Worn
Standing on a floor visibly worn by centuries of foot traffic can make one feel linked to the past. Pockets, undulations, dips and softened edges in a wide plank floor speak of centuries of wear and a certain depth of character.
Carlisle craftsmen use handheld planes to scrape the surface and edges of each individual board. They study each board, and, taking into consideration the many directions of the grain as well as knots, scrape the wood with multiple starts and stops down the entire length. Once the scraping is complete, workers hand sand the entire surface of the boards, which are most often old growth hickory or walnut. Using this process, the craftsmen scrape an average of only15 to 20 square feet per hour.
Carriage House/Saw Kerf
After automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages as Americans’ primary mode of transportation, many old carriage houses were converted to residences. Today, some still retain their original floors, where the marks of carriage wheels and horse shoes are still visible. Some even bear the grooves or notches – kerf marks – made by the saws or axes first used to cut the timber.
To replicate the look with modern wood, Carlisle craftsmen do not mill the planks smooth. Instead, they leave some of the original kerf marks in the wood. The marks cause the hand planes to strike and shave parts of the plank while skipping over other areas. This creates an uneven surface. Next, workers use a draw knife, pulled towards the craftsman’s body, to create a less drastic uneven edge. Finally, they hand sand the wood to help smooth out the surface while still allowing the kerf marks to shine through.
Many more authentic antique effects are possible through use of traditional methods. Because each board of every floor is hand crafted, no two floors are ever alike.
“Hand distressing really evokes the craftsmanship and character of antique wide plank floors,” Carlisle says.
To learn more about the many looks and methods of hand distressing, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Radiant Heat, Wood Floors
Wide Plank Floors and Radiant Heat – a Great Combination
(ARA) – Wide plank floors are prized for their weathered patina and the sense of history and character that they add to a room. Among the many attributes of wide plank floors is the fact that they can be used with radiant heat.
If you have questions about using radiant heat with the floors in your home, contact an expert. Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors of Stoddard, N.H., gets this question frequently. His family-owned company has been manufacturing wide plank flooring for 40 years.
“It often surprises people that you can use radiant heat with hardwood floors, especially traditional wide board floors,” says Carlisle. “But once you consider the history of wide plank floors, it makes perfect sense.” He points out that wide board floors were used in the days when heat’s main source was a fireplace or a wood stove. “These are very crude heat sources, in the sense that they aren’t very balanced and provide heat in a very uneven way throughout a home,” says Carlisle. But wide board floors remained flat, stable and comfortable. “If these floors have beautifully withstood the worst of environments over time, they can certainly live in a more refined controllable one.”
And experience has borne this out. “We have made thousands of wide plank floors for many years, and have found that these floors hold up very well with radiant heat systems,” says Carlisle. “As wood floors are a living resource, they respond well to the more consistent and warm environments supplied by today’s advanced heating systems.”
When buying wide plank solid wood flooring, keep in mind these three critical factors:
* Old growth wood – Carlisle uses only hand selected old growth (trees that have grown for 100 to 150 years) from areas of the country with colder climates that allow for the slowest growth. These timbers will have a very tight growth ring structure that produces the most stable floor plank, regardless of width.
* Air drying and kiln drying – One of the most critical steps in ensuring stability in a wide plank floor is to dry the boards for up to a year before placing them in a lower temperature drying kiln. This slow, natural drying process allows the fibers of the wood to remain pliable and healthy so that a plank will not be “shocked” when heat is introduced and it will be able to adapt with minimal movement to its new environment.
* Appropriate acclimation – Once the floor arrives at the job site, the wood should be “stickered” in its live-in conditions for an appropriate period of time, depending on the climate and the time of year. Make sure that all materials surrounding the floor, such as the concrete slab, plywood sub-floor and filler material, are also acclimated.
Carlisle stresses that the most important thing to remember when using wide plank wood floors with radiant heat is to use good wood – stable, high quality, properly dried. “Any issues that arise with this marriage are typically due to one of the critical factors being absent, not due to the use of radiant heat,” he says. “Wide plank floors love radiant heat . . . period.”
For more information on the use of wide plank floors with radiant heat (or any type of heating system), or to see photos of wide plank floors installed with this application, call Carlisle at (800) 595-9663 or visit the company’s Web site at www.wideplankflooring.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) – Wide plank floors are prized for their weathered patina and the sense of history and character that they add to a room. Among the many attributes of wide plank floors is the fact that they can be used with radiant heat.
If you have questions about using radiant heat with the floors in your home, contact an expert. Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors of Stoddard, N.H., gets this question frequently. His family-owned company has been manufacturing wide plank flooring for 40 years.
“It often surprises people that you can use radiant heat with hardwood floors, especially traditional wide board floors,” says Carlisle. “But once you consider the history of wide plank floors, it makes perfect sense.” He points out that wide board floors were used in the days when heat’s main source was a fireplace or a wood stove. “These are very crude heat sources, in the sense that they aren’t very balanced and provide heat in a very uneven way throughout a home,” says Carlisle. But wide board floors remained flat, stable and comfortable. “If these floors have beautifully withstood the worst of environments over time, they can certainly live in a more refined controllable one.”
And experience has borne this out. “We have made thousands of wide plank floors for many years, and have found that these floors hold up very well with radiant heat systems,” says Carlisle. “As wood floors are a living resource, they respond well to the more consistent and warm environments supplied by today’s advanced heating systems.”
When buying wide plank solid wood flooring, keep in mind these three critical factors:
* Old growth wood – Carlisle uses only hand selected old growth (trees that have grown for 100 to 150 years) from areas of the country with colder climates that allow for the slowest growth. These timbers will have a very tight growth ring structure that produces the most stable floor plank, regardless of width.
* Air drying and kiln drying – One of the most critical steps in ensuring stability in a wide plank floor is to dry the boards for up to a year before placing them in a lower temperature drying kiln. This slow, natural drying process allows the fibers of the wood to remain pliable and healthy so that a plank will not be “shocked” when heat is introduced and it will be able to adapt with minimal movement to its new environment.
* Appropriate acclimation – Once the floor arrives at the job site, the wood should be “stickered” in its live-in conditions for an appropriate period of time, depending on the climate and the time of year. Make sure that all materials surrounding the floor, such as the concrete slab, plywood sub-floor and filler material, are also acclimated.
Carlisle stresses that the most important thing to remember when using wide plank wood floors with radiant heat is to use good wood – stable, high quality, properly dried. “Any issues that arise with this marriage are typically due to one of the critical factors being absent, not due to the use of radiant heat,” he says. “Wide plank floors love radiant heat . . . period.”
For more information on the use of wide plank floors with radiant heat (or any type of heating system), or to see photos of wide plank floors installed with this application, call Carlisle at (800) 595-9663 or visit the company’s Web site at www.wideplankflooring.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Wide Plank Flooring
Make Your Floor a Showpiece
(ARA) – Sometimes older is better (ask any wine connoisseur). But sometimes, new technology and techniques create a product that is better than the original.
That’s the case with wide plank flooring. Prized for its historical charm and weathered patina, wide plank flooring adds warmth and character to any room. “Our floors offer the variations, subtleties and character of traditional flooring, while offering the structural superiority, enhanced durability and extended life of new wood,” says Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors.
The company goes to great lengths to recreate the look of aged wood floors, starting with hand selecting the timber from its wide selection of both old growth Eastern white pine and old growth heart pine, as well as a complete line of classic hardwoods, including. cherry, red and white oak, white and brown maple, hickory, birch, ash and walnut.
The Eastern white pine offers the traditional look of old New England and is the company’s most popular product. “This is the floor that best represents the history and tradition of this country, and a simpler time that many people long for,” says Carlisle. The old growth heart pine, harvested in the South, is carefully cultivated for its rich amber-orange patina. This wood was used in many of the buildings, factories and mills built around the turn of the 20th century during the Industrial Revolution. This special Longleaf species was sought after not only for its beauty but also for its strength and durability.
The company also has a large inventory of historic wood that has been salvaged from old mills, barns and homes. These boards are subject to the same stringent processes as newly sawn wood.
Carlisle floors are proudly displayed in many historic inns and museums, such as the Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket; Williamsburg, Va.; and Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, N.H. Still, Carlisle says, “Our focus is on the homeowner and helping our customers find the perfect one-of-a-kind floor, regardless of the style of home or type of wood.”
Nothing sets a warm, natural, welcoming tone for a home more than beautiful wide plank flooring. Whether you’re going for old world charm or a more modern look, wide plank flooring offers beauty and durability.
To find out more about Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, visit www.wideplankflooring.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) – Sometimes older is better (ask any wine connoisseur). But sometimes, new technology and techniques create a product that is better than the original.
That’s the case with wide plank flooring. Prized for its historical charm and weathered patina, wide plank flooring adds warmth and character to any room. “Our floors offer the variations, subtleties and character of traditional flooring, while offering the structural superiority, enhanced durability and extended life of new wood,” says Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors.
The company goes to great lengths to recreate the look of aged wood floors, starting with hand selecting the timber from its wide selection of both old growth Eastern white pine and old growth heart pine, as well as a complete line of classic hardwoods, including. cherry, red and white oak, white and brown maple, hickory, birch, ash and walnut.
The Eastern white pine offers the traditional look of old New England and is the company’s most popular product. “This is the floor that best represents the history and tradition of this country, and a simpler time that many people long for,” says Carlisle. The old growth heart pine, harvested in the South, is carefully cultivated for its rich amber-orange patina. This wood was used in many of the buildings, factories and mills built around the turn of the 20th century during the Industrial Revolution. This special Longleaf species was sought after not only for its beauty but also for its strength and durability.
The company also has a large inventory of historic wood that has been salvaged from old mills, barns and homes. These boards are subject to the same stringent processes as newly sawn wood.
Carlisle floors are proudly displayed in many historic inns and museums, such as the Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket; Williamsburg, Va.; and Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, N.H. Still, Carlisle says, “Our focus is on the homeowner and helping our customers find the perfect one-of-a-kind floor, regardless of the style of home or type of wood.”
Nothing sets a warm, natural, welcoming tone for a home more than beautiful wide plank flooring. Whether you’re going for old world charm or a more modern look, wide plank flooring offers beauty and durability.
To find out more about Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, visit www.wideplankflooring.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Reclaimed Antique Wood Flooring
Old Wood Gets New Life as Reclaimed Antique Flooring
(ARA) - Where some might see a crumbling old barn or a dilapidated factory, Don Carlisle sees an opportunity to preserve history and beautify a home at the same time. Carlisle’s Stoddard, N.H. based company has been reclaiming antique wood and turning it into new floors for nearly 40 years.
Homeowners and builders, increasingly aware of the need to preserve the environment and America’s architectural history, have spurred the growth of the antique wood salvage business. Recycling antique wood from old buildings creates a tangible link to the past in new structures. Whenever possible, communities attempt to preserve historic structures. But if the building is beyond repair, salvaging the wood from it can be a way to preserve at least a portion of the structure’s history.
“Giving beautiful old boards a new life and a new place in history gives us a special sense of preserving a piece of Americana,” says Carlisle, whose company, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors was named North America’s “most requested supplier of reclaimed wood products” by “National Floor Trends” magazine.
Old mills, factories, barns and houses along the East Coast may no longer be useful as structures, but they can become great sources of antique woods like chestnut, heart pine and oak. The reclaimed wood is sorted, graded, dried, straightened and custom milled at Carlisle’s headquarters before being installed in new construction or renovations.
When Carlisle, second-generation owner of the company, and his team harvest antique wood, they document as much of the structure’s history as possible. “Many of our customers are interested in the history behind their floors,” he notes. “They are attracted not only to the beauty, durability and character of antique wood, but also to the connection it bears to a piece of our country’s history.”
Recently, Carlisle reclaimed antique chestnut wood from the Geurrant Family Plantation in Franklin County, Va. In the early 1700s, the king of England deeded the 3,300-acre tract to the Geurrant family, who operated an apple orchard there for nearly 250 years. The apples grown there fed U.S. soldiers in both World Wars, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
Antique heart pine currently used in Carlisle floors was reclaimed from the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company building in Windsor, Vt. The building, more than 100 years old, was home to the Windsor Machine Company from 1910 to 1916. The company produced automatic lathes for the war effort during World War I. From 1916 to 1933, National Acme Company occupied the building. In 1936, Goodyear bought, reopened and expanded the building to manufacture rubber soles for shoes.
“People love the idea that the wood of their kitchen floor might once have housed thoroughbred race horses, or that their living room floor was once beneath the feet of heroic factory workers who contributed to the war effort,” Carlisle says.
Reclaimed antique wood can be used to create beautiful, durable, character-filled floors anywhere in the home. For more information on reclaimed antique wood, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) - Where some might see a crumbling old barn or a dilapidated factory, Don Carlisle sees an opportunity to preserve history and beautify a home at the same time. Carlisle’s Stoddard, N.H. based company has been reclaiming antique wood and turning it into new floors for nearly 40 years.
Homeowners and builders, increasingly aware of the need to preserve the environment and America’s architectural history, have spurred the growth of the antique wood salvage business. Recycling antique wood from old buildings creates a tangible link to the past in new structures. Whenever possible, communities attempt to preserve historic structures. But if the building is beyond repair, salvaging the wood from it can be a way to preserve at least a portion of the structure’s history.
“Giving beautiful old boards a new life and a new place in history gives us a special sense of preserving a piece of Americana,” says Carlisle, whose company, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors was named North America’s “most requested supplier of reclaimed wood products” by “National Floor Trends” magazine.
Old mills, factories, barns and houses along the East Coast may no longer be useful as structures, but they can become great sources of antique woods like chestnut, heart pine and oak. The reclaimed wood is sorted, graded, dried, straightened and custom milled at Carlisle’s headquarters before being installed in new construction or renovations.
When Carlisle, second-generation owner of the company, and his team harvest antique wood, they document as much of the structure’s history as possible. “Many of our customers are interested in the history behind their floors,” he notes. “They are attracted not only to the beauty, durability and character of antique wood, but also to the connection it bears to a piece of our country’s history.”
Recently, Carlisle reclaimed antique chestnut wood from the Geurrant Family Plantation in Franklin County, Va. In the early 1700s, the king of England deeded the 3,300-acre tract to the Geurrant family, who operated an apple orchard there for nearly 250 years. The apples grown there fed U.S. soldiers in both World Wars, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
Antique heart pine currently used in Carlisle floors was reclaimed from the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company building in Windsor, Vt. The building, more than 100 years old, was home to the Windsor Machine Company from 1910 to 1916. The company produced automatic lathes for the war effort during World War I. From 1916 to 1933, National Acme Company occupied the building. In 1936, Goodyear bought, reopened and expanded the building to manufacture rubber soles for shoes.
“People love the idea that the wood of their kitchen floor might once have housed thoroughbred race horses, or that their living room floor was once beneath the feet of heroic factory workers who contributed to the war effort,” Carlisle says.
Reclaimed antique wood can be used to create beautiful, durable, character-filled floors anywhere in the home. For more information on reclaimed antique wood, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Tile Flooring
Tile is Tops in Beauty, Flexibility; Least in Lifetime Cost
(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.
The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.
“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”
Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:
* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.
* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.
* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.
* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.
* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.
* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.
* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Tile Council of North America is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. It commissioned Scharf-Godfrey, an independent construction cost consulting firm, to conduct a Life Cycle Cost Analysis of various types of ceramic tile compare to other flooring types.
Coverings is the world’s leading showcase for ceramic tile and natural stone. This year’s exhibition and conference takes place from April 4 to 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. More than 1,200 exhibitors from 56 countries will showcase trend-setting products, designs, applications and services. In addition to the exhibition, the four-day event will feature educational programs focusing on all aspects of the flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone industries, from tips for installation to design trends. For more information, visit www.coverings.com.
(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.
The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.
“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”
Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:
* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.
* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.
* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.
* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.
* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.
* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.
* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.
Courtesy of ARA Content
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tile Council of North America is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. It commissioned Scharf-Godfrey, an independent construction cost consulting firm, to conduct a Life Cycle Cost Analysis of various types of ceramic tile compare to other flooring types.
Coverings is the world’s leading showcase for ceramic tile and natural stone. This year’s exhibition and conference takes place from April 4 to 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. More than 1,200 exhibitors from 56 countries will showcase trend-setting products, designs, applications and services. In addition to the exhibition, the four-day event will feature educational programs focusing on all aspects of the flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone industries, from tips for installation to design trends. For more information, visit www.coverings.com.
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