In terms of durability, no other natural stone flooring options can compare to quartz or granite. The densest and hardest members of the stone tile family, both options resist scratching and staining better than any of the other stone alternatives- which makes them especially ideal choices for kitchens, though they are durable enough to be utilized in almost any application in the home. Both are great stone flooring options, but many customers tend to become torn over which is the best choice for them.
Stone can be a beautiful addition to a home, adding elegance reminiscent of castles or the ancient architecture of Greece or Rome. It’s classical as well as classy, improving the intrinsic value of your home as well as the comfortable relaxing atmosphere to unwind and enjoy with the whole family. It’s a perfect way to add a custom touch of originality to your home, creating a texture that’s as uniquely ornamental as the iconic past. Stone adds a touch of personality that’s been shared for centuries, adding a noble touch of comfort and elegance. With so many colors, styles and patterns to choose from, you can choose from classical designs to more contemporary constructions that have all the taste of modern art and sculpture.
Stone Tile in the Kitchen
Considering how many times you drop things, leaving dribbles of spaghetti sauce here, grape juice spills there; putting stone in the kitchen is a natural step. There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk when all it takes is a paper towel to clean the damage. Natural stone has the capabilities to handle any stain in the kitchen, plus its classical, sound structure makes it feel like you’re cooking a medieval feast.
Making a Monumental Backyard
Stone is a perfect addition to the scenery in a backyard, creating structures that are monolithic in shape and influence. You can add stone to create a scenic backyard waterfall, build seating areas or places for plants to catch their rays. Stone is a perfect way to sculpt walking areas, separate flower beds, and tie the backyard together in a shape of wonder and nostalgic classicalism. You can add birdbaths and sundials for more scope in an outdoor garden.
If you create your own cement blocks, you can get creative and submerge items of interest for decoration. This could include other ornamental stones, statuary or rubber balls for a fun approach to style. Children’s toys make a nice addition, as do figurines or plants that leave fossil like impressions.
Fireplaces as good as a classical novel
Nothing creates classical beauty like a hearth made of impressive granite, marble or other solid stone. It’s perfect for gathering in front of the fire to tell stories like the days of yesteryear, a romantic evening in front of the glow of a fire, or just cuddling up to a hot cup of chocolate and a good book. Stone fireplaces can take a home back to life’s basic meanings with a solid goodness that’s been fashionable for centuries.
Stone for Bathrooms
Absorbing dampness yet following the suggestion of classical beauty, stone is perfect for the bathroom setting. It’s easy to cover up the surface of most bathrooms, yet suggests a classical feel that’s feels good on your feet coming out of the bath. It adds a decorative touch to meet the designs of most bathrooms. There’s something solid about stone that’s as functional as it is decorative.
Proper Installation a Plus
As equal as choosing which type of stone to use, proper installation is integral to the job looking great. Make sure you hire a professional as it means all the difference. If you are going to make the investment, be sure to do the job right. Stone lasts a long time, so be happy with the job because it may have a longevity that outlasts even you.
Solidness that lasts
When properly cared for, natural stone lasts virtually forever. It’s the stuff of castles and Greek monuments, surviving through the years to tell the legacy of the tale. Stone is classic because it is so enduring. Choose what you want wisely and carefully. What you create out of stone will definitely stand the test of time.
When planning to use tile or stone in your home, you may find yourself considering accent tiles, decorative tiles, border pieces, etc. These designer tile pieces are an easy way to enhance a larger tile pattern, incorporate a color scheme, or define an area as a focal point.
Here are some quick tips on how to integrate these accent tiles into your decorating scheme:
Create a decorative band in a shower, or as a tub surround.
Backsplashes and sink splashes are great opportunities to use these decorative options.
Wainscoting border- install a tile border about wainscoting level to create a divide along the wall.
Tile-framed mirrors are fun and unique- you can build a tile border and have it installed directly to the wall, surrounding the mirror
Hard surface area rug- create the look of a rug with a tile border or inlay, used to set off an area like a dining room or a foyer.
Line the perimeter of a countertop, and create the effect of an outline or border.
Trace the base of a kitchen island, using a border to set off the island within the kitchen.
Remember, there are no real “rules” to using decorative tiles & accent tiles- your design opportunities are a endless as your imagination!
Cork flooring is rapidly becoming more popular, mostly because of an increasing demand for eco-friendly flooring options. Cork is truly a green material; since cork itself is a derivative of the bark of the tree, the success of cork harvesting lies in keeping the trees alive and promoting forest health, rather than cutting them down. A healthy tree means a profitable tree, so these forests are sustained and observed, encouraging growth for decades. These are just some of the reasons you should consider switching to cork flooring in your home.
Did you know…
A law was passed in the 30’s called “The 9-Year Law”, which dictates that cork cannot be harvested any more frequently than every 9 years. The tree must meet other qualifications as well, such as having a circumference of at least 60cm, and being at least 25 years of age.
The average cork tree lives to be between 150-200 years old.
As a tree ages, the better its quality of cork becomes.
Dom Perignon was one of the first to use cork for stoppers in his sparkling wines, making it a significant discovery that would lead to many other uses of cork.
Cork flooring is a recycled product- cork floors are made from the “waste” cork that is left from the production of wine stoppers.
Cork floors are a popular choice to be used in libraries, churches, and nurseries because of its sound absorption qualities.
Because of cork’s structure (millions of tiny, encapsulated air cells), it greatly reduces heat loss in rooms. Unlike other flooring materials, it maintains an even temperature through these tiny prisms- a temperature that feels comfortable underfoot, and is neither too warm, nor too cold.
What are the benefits of switching to hardwood floors throughout your home? They are both decorative and practical. For one thing, hardwood floors increase the resale value of your home and make it easier to sell. Aside from the dollar figures involved, hardwood floors hold a special charm that’s timeless and rustically captivating.
Lasting Durability
Hardwood floors can last for 100 years or more with the proper care. Wood floors are the most durable flooring there is. Grape juice can easily be washed up. Cats can’t tear them up. Hardwood floors maintain their charm and classic grace for centuries. What carpet can say that?
Warmer than laminated floors
Hardwood floors are also much warmer than laminate, which can be cold to the bare feet. Hardwood has a natural warmth. With its thousands of pores, wood has a natural ability to retain heat, especially in the winter. Plastic laminate simply doesn’t last, cracking and falling apart after only a few years.
Cleaner than Carpet
Carpet can grow mold and mildew. Carpet is a virtual breeding ground for dust mites and sucks up animal dander, pollen and other harmful allergens that can antagonize sensitive noses. Unlike carpeting, hardwood floors can be easily cleaned with a mop, clearing out any contaminants. Hardwood floors are especially great for people with allergies because they don’t absorb the things we are allergic too.
All it takes is the occasional sweeping and mopping to keep hardwood floors continually clean. It’s a lot easier to mop a hardwood floor than spraying and cleaning a carpet, which makes hardwood ideal for people with pets and kids. Once a carpet is peed on or stained upon, even carpet cleaner is only so effective as the carpet often carries some sort of permanent stain or odor. Kids and pets may scratch or gouge a hardwood floor, but you’ll actually find this gives character to the floor. If smoothness is a big issue for you, the hardwood floors can always be sanded for a cleanly smooth surface. You can refinish hardwood floors for the perfection you seek.
Carpet is also made of chemicals and plastics, which can be a health hazard for pets, babies and small children. The carpet can be accidentally eaten, causing bad health problems. Sometimes, even breathing in the plastic carpet fumes and sitting on the carpet can cause a small percentage of ingestion. Incremental amounts of the chemicals used to make carpets have been found in the cells of people.
Hardwood Floors match everything
Hardwood flooring easily accentuates any décor, whether your house is contemporary or traditional. They have a timeless appeal and a beauty that never goes out of style. You can’t say the same about 1970s shag carpeting. Great for living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms, hardwood floors look great in any room in the house. You can even use them in kitchens and bathrooms for a classical appeal, although you might want to choose a special wood for high moisture areas. Talk with your seller for special, non-absorbent wood for areas that might receive a high amount of water.
Add a Throw Rug for Comfort
If you really like the feeling of carpet and spend a lot of time sitting or lying on the floor, you can always decorate the hardwood floor with a rug. A nice throw rug can add the charm and comfort-level of carpet, but are easier to clean. They also contain fewer chemical contaminants. You can get rugs especially designed for people with allergies.
Classical charm is always in style
Above all, hardwood floors present a historical charm that never goes out of style. There’s a warm feeling to the classical appeal of wood, and it’s easier to maintain than a carpet. If you have an older home that already has carpet, it may be worth tearing it up and refinishing the hardwood floor. It can add value to your home as well as personable charm. You’d be surprised by the low cost maintenance, and you’ll never have to worry about stains again.
Does your floor have a stain? Has your hardwood flooring gotten chipped or nicked? Did your pet dig a hole in your carpeting? Coles will fix it- we offer a complete flooring repair service.
We may use carpet from your closet to repair the damaged areas, or leftover pieces from the original installation.
For any type of flooring repair, contact our customer service department.
Coles carries a complete selection of cleaning products that enrich your floor’s vitality and luster. We carry the perfect product for any floor you might buy with us. From carpet, wood, stone, tile, laminate & vinyl- care & maintenance are crucial during the life of your floor.
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Coles Fine Flooring is a proud member of both the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). As a member, we are committed to living up to the standards of both organizations- to maintain a commitment to profesionalism, honesty & integrity, and to abide by all laws, regulations & statutes regarding our business.
Coles Fine Flooring is now an authorized dealer for EcoTimber, a company devoted to providing only environmentally friendly options to homeowners concerned about environmental issues. EcoTimber’s product line includes standard domestic wood such as Maple and Hickory, as well as hand-scraped and exotic wood such as Brazilian Cherry
The use of marble for flooring is as old as flooring itself. From the buildings of ancient Greece to modern statues and monuments, the beautiful stone has a place in everything. But marble tile flooring can be very expensive and has a smooth, cold texture that can be a real downside in a bathroom. Additionally, it is difficult and expensive to install. With the new bathroom ceramic tiles available on the market now, does going marble really make sense?
There was a time when marble was the only choice for a sophisticated bathroom. But that was when tiles were limited to glass rather than the wide range of ceramic and porcelain tiles that exist today. Modern tiles can easily rival marble tile flooring in efficiency and beauty, and the average ceramic tile is much less expensive than its marble counterpart.
Bathroom ceramic tiles are designed for durability and elegance. They are tremendously versatile and their lower cost allows you more freedom to use them in novel ways. Tiles also tend to offer a better grip than a highly polished marble surface, helping to prevent slipping after bathing or showering.
If you are really set on the marble look, you can achieve that same elegant appeal with less cost by using the marble as an accent piece. Try using a granite or marble countertop instead of re-doing the entire bathroom floor in marble. There are excellent ceramic tiles to coordinate with almost any countertop shade you could pick; why spend the money to put marble down all over the bathroom?
Of course, there are some situations where marble – and only marble – will do the job. If you have your mind truly made up, make sure that your marble supplier is responsible and willing to work with you. Some marble installers can be resistant to your questions and ideas, installing your floor the way they want to with little or no input from you. A good company will be happy to answer your questions and help you get the bathroom you really want.
Stone can be a beautiful addition to a home, adding elegance reminiscent of castles or the ancient architecture of Greece or Rome. It’s classical as well as classy, improving the intrinsic value of your home as well as the comfortable relaxing atmosphere to unwind and enjoy with the whole family. It’s a perfect way to add a custom touch of originality to your home, creating a texture that’s as uniquely ornamental as the iconic past. Stone adds a touch of personality that’s been shared for centuries, adding a noble touch of comfort and elegance. With so many colors, styles and patterns to choose from, you can choose from classical designs to more contemporary constructions that have all the taste of modern art and sculpture.
What are the benefits of switching to 
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