Flooring Fairfield NJ is an essential home improvement project, but many people are not armed with the information they need to make smart choices. CR ratings help you weigh price, durability, and other factors that affect your choice.

Tile floors are durable and easy to clean, making them a good choice for homes with kids or pets. You can find faux finishes that mimic wood and stone for a more natural look.
Tiles are an excellent choice for flooring and wall coverings, providing a great deal of versatility to your home’s interior design. They are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and textures that can suit many different tastes. And unlike carpets or wood floors, tiles require very little maintenance to stay beautiful.
Tiles can be glazed or unglazed, made from ceramic (clay), glass, stone, cork, concrete and other composite materials, or even from natural materials like marble and granite. They can be cut in various shapes and sizes to form intricate or geometric patterns, as well as a range of thicknesses.
Typically, they are fired in kilns to extremely high temperatures. This gives them a durable, stain-resistant surface that can stand up to years of use and wear. In fact, the durability and longevity of tiles make them a wise investment for your home.
In addition, tile is a green flooring option. It contains no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which can cause a host of health problems, including respiratory issues and “sick building syndrome.” Additionally, many tile manufacturers now run their factories in a closed loop, recycling water and raw materials instead of sending them to landfills or waste treatment plants.
Tile flooring is also a great option for areas of the home that experience a lot of traffic, as it holds up to heavy foot traffic better than other materials. Plus, it’s easy to clean and resists stains.
Another benefit of tile flooring is that it can help boost a home’s value, since it’s attractive and long-lasting. This can be especially important if you’re planning to sell your house in the future.
When it comes to selecting the right tile for your project, talk with a professional flooring expert. They can help you choose the perfect tile for your home’s design, budget, and lifestyle. Plus, they can help you select the best installation methods for your project to ensure a successful outcome. Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling your existing Connecticut home, tile is an affordable, durable, and stylish flooring option.
Cork
Cork floors are both durable and soft. They resist scratching and dents while providing a springy cushion underfoot that helps reduce stress on feet, legs, knees, and backs. They also absorb sound well, making them a great choice for homes with active kids and pets or those that entertain frequently. They can be installed as glue down or as a click-fit floating floor. The latter option allows for an expansion gap which should be sealed as recommended by your supplier.
The material used to make cork flooring (and wine bottle stoppers) comes from the bark of the cork oak tree or Quercus suber, native to the Mediterranean. The trees are not cut down to harvest the cork; rather, the outer layer of bark is stripped and then the tree regenerates the protective inner bark for another nine years. The process is a highly sustainable one, and the trees can live to be 250 years old.
When cork is processed for use in flooring, it is formed into blocks that are bonded together with a natural resin and then pressed into sheets for the manufacturing of tiles or planks. The sheets may be left in their original color or decorated with colored designs. Cork floors are available in a variety of thicknesses, densities, and finishes to meet the needs of any home or office.
In addition to being a natural thermal and acoustic insulator, cork is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. These properties also make it a good choice for those who suffer from allergies or asthma as the material does not promote the growth of bacteria and dust mites.
The natural cushioning of a cork floor makes it more comfortable to stand or walk on than laminate or tile and is perfect for locations where people spend long periods of time in one room such as kitchens, project rooms, or rental suites. It is also easier on the feet and knees than wood, vinyl, or carpet flooring, which can help alleviate pain from standing for extended periods of time. The spring of the cork is a welcome change from the hardness of wood or tile and is especially beneficial for toddlers who tend to fall often or those with joint problems who prefer a softer surface.
Flagstone
Flagstones are flat pieces of rock that add a natural look to any landscape project. They are a durable material that is easy to care for, and they can be used in many different ways. You can pave your patio with flagstones, use them as stepping stones to connect various levels of your garden, or create a walkway around your flower beds. Flagstones can also be used to make retaining walls.
Before laying flagstone, it is important to prepare the ground. First, dig up the existing surface and remove any large clumps of dirt or roots. Then, level the area and rake it smooth to achieve a good base for the installation. This step is essential because an insubstantial base can lead to settling and shifting of the flagstones over time. It is also a good idea to install a layer of crushed stone or gravel as the base. This layer will help to protect the soil underneath from water damage and weed growth.
Once the base has been installed, it is time to start laying the flagstones. Begin with larger stones and work your way down to the smaller ones. It is important to maintain uniform spacing between the flagstones, which can be done by eye or with the help of plastic spacers. After the stones are laid, fill the joints with sand or polymeric sand. This will keep the stones in place and prevent water from seeping between them.
After the sand is applied, it must be compacted with a plate tamper or hand-held tamper. This will ensure that the sand is dense and has a strong bond with the flagstones. It is important to use coarse sand, not fine sand, for this application. It is also recommended that you lay down a geotextile fabric over the sand to prevent weed growth and to enhance the stability of the sand-flagstone layer.
Once the sand-flagstone layer is set, it is time to apply a sealer. This will help to protect the stone from staining, dirt, and moisture and will prolong its life. A high-quality, commercial-grade sealer is typically recommended. You can find this type of product online or at most home improvement stores.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a popular, versatile, and inexpensive material that’s resistant to heat, stains, scratches and moisture. This makes it an excellent choice for rooms like mudrooms, entryways, and bathrooms. It’s also softer to walk on than wood, making it a good option for living areas. It’s easy to clean and lasts 30 years if it’s properly cared for.
Like other plastics, vinyl is manufactured from hydrocarbon-based raw materials. Half of the vinyl polymer is derived from ethylene, which is made from processing or cracking natural gas, petroleum, or coal, and the other half is based on chlorine, a natural element. As a result, vinyl is less dependent on the price of oil than many other plastics.
When used as flooring, vinyl is usually produced in rolls that are cut into 12-inch strips to be laid down. This makes it easy to install yourself as long as the floor is flat and dry.
It’s important to note that vinyl contains phthalates, which may cause health issues. While there is no evidence that phthalates are harmful in small doses, it’s best to be cautious about them. If you’re concerned, there are other options available that are free from phthalates.
Another important consideration is that vinyl can be prone to yellowing with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Choosing a vinyl with built-in UV protection will help to prevent this discoloration.
Because vinyl is such a common material, it’s easy to find a wide variety of colors and patterns. Some vinyl is designed to look like hardwood or tile, while others are more abstract. The color and pattern you choose will ultimately depend on the style you want for your space.
Vinyl planks consist of several layers—a padded layer, a dent-resistant waterproof layer, and a print layer that replicates the appearance of real hardwood or tile. These layers are then bonded together to create a durable, cost-effective flooring option. You can even find specialty vinyls in a variety of textures and thicknesses.