Continental’s “The 12 Little Known Flooring Facts” of Christmas

Happy Holidays from Continental Flooring! Surfing the Internet brings lots of fun facts about all kinds of flooring. In honor of the 12 days of Christmas, we have 12 little known flooring facts we’d like to share!

1. The term “carpet” derives from the Latin carpere, “to pluck,” probably because carpets were made from unraveled “plucked” fabric. “Carpet” has the same Latin root as carpe diem, literally “pluck/seize the day.”

2. Contrary to popular belief, linoleum and vinyl flooring are NOT the same thing. Vinyl floors are synthetic and made from petroleum-based chemicals. Linoleum floors are all natural and made from raw ingredients found in nature like linseed oil, wood flour, cork dust, limestone, and tree resins. Linoleum is also more durable and usually costs more than vinyl flooring. Make sure you don’t use the terms interchangeably. That’s like calling a llama an alpaca. (Source: America’s Floor Source)

3. Bamboo is stronger than most hardwoods. In fact, some species of bamboo have Janka hardness ratings that are higher than maple and nearly double that of red oak. In Japan, bamboo is known for its incredible strength which is why it’s used as industrial scaffolding. If you’re into martial arts, don’t use bamboo for your board breaking demonstration. Things could get really awkward. (Source: America’s Floor Source)
4.  Through body porcelain tiles have a very low water absorption rate making them “frost-resistant” or “frost-proof”. These tiles are great for applications where temperatures may drop below freezing like outdoors or in freezers.

5. To remove red wine from a carpet, scrub the stain with club soda or cover the stain with salt to let it absorb the wine. Vacuum the residue. If the stain remains, wipe with a solution of detergent, water, and a few drops of white vinegar.

6. Cork is one of the most sound-absorbent floor coverings around, especially at a thickness of 6mm or higher. Its open cell structure is composed of 200 million cork cells per cubic inch and each contains dead air space. These tiny cells inhibit the transmission of sound and help muffle the strike of a high heel or a dropped object. Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous home, Falling Waters, contains cork floors, cork walls, and even some cork tiles in several bathroom showers. I assume the place is pretty quiet. (Source: America’s Floor Source)

7. The American floor covering industry argues that the difference between a “rug” (related to the words “rag” and rough”) and a “carpet” is strictly a matter of size. Any piece smaller than 40 square feet is considered a rug while anything larger is a carpet. According to the American carpet industry, then, the “flying carpet” or “magic carpet” is technically a rug.

8. Granite floors are the hardest floors on the planet, since granite is second in hardness to diamond. These floors are tough cookies, and they are extremely durable, low maintenance, and will virtually last forever. (Source: America’s Floor Source)

9. 9. Laminate floors are actually a heavier version of plastic countertops.  Thank goodness they don’t look like them and instead come in some great styles. The world’s first laminate floor made its appearance in Sweden in 1984.  (Source: America’s Floor Source)

10. The world’s most expensive floor cover is a black marble creation by Pietra Firma. Each tile is inlaid with 95 brilliant cut diamonds in a sumptuous flower petal pattern surrounding a rich, black agate circle. Cost: $1 million for ten square feet (not including installation!).

11.  The oldest carpet that still exists today is 2,000 years old. It is called the Pazyryk carpet and it was found in a Scythian tomb in Siberia in the 1940′s.

12. Continental Flooring Company was founded by James G.F. Coleman in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1979. Mr. Coleman and his brothers had also founded Coleman Floor Company in Chicago in 1947.  James Coleman brought a lifetime of experience to the flooring business and his knowledge and love for the family business was passed to his son, Chris Coleman, in 1999.  Continental Flooring is still family owned and operated.