At the start of the new decade, luxury flooring options have never been more varied. Technological advances are making now a great time to be in the market for flooring. Traditional hardwood and carpets are seeing new treatments, and products like engineered wood and luxury vinyl are proving to be game-changers.
Modern homeowners are looking for materials that have an organic feel. Wider planks and lighter colors are in demand, and many homeowners want to achieve a customized look through treatments like handscraping, distressing, wirebrushing and bleaching.
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD
Engineered hardwood is an exciting eco-friendly product that combines the stunning look of real wood with increased stability to meet the demands of the dramatic seasonal changes that we see in Colorado. The bulk of the plank is formed from layers of wood fused together, with the top layer finished in beautiful solid wood. The layered substrates and the top layer expand and contract at varying rates, making the plank more stable over time.
CORK
Environmentally conscious consumers may also want to consider other natural materials such as cork. Cork flooring, made from thin strips of bark from the cork tree, is one of the most popular options in this category. Its natural springiness holds warmth and makes it a good choice in kitchens, home gyms or other rooms where you’ll spend lots of time on your feet.
LUXURY VINYL
Luxury vinyl is one of the fastest-growing segments of the market. Thanks to new technologies, it can accurately imitate both the appearance and texture of hardwood, concrete, stone and tile. It’s durable and water-resistant, a great option for bathrooms and basements. Other vinyl options include wood plastic composite (WPC) and stone plastic composite (SPC) flooring. These products have a vinyl exterior and a composite interior core. Both products are offered in a vast array of style options, and are exceptionally durable and completely waterproof for amazing versatility in any room of the house.
CARPET
Carpet is still as popular as ever, and new technological advancements are bringing new looks and features. One exciting new technological advancement is the arrival of
100 percent waterproof carpet — just what active Coloradans have been waiting for. Recyclable carpets and carpets made from recycled materials are available.
Owner Scott McDonald of McDonald Carpet One in Boulder always tells customers, “Have fun with your projects. Think out of the box and open your vision to try different things. The possibilities are endless with today’s advancements in technology, so don’t be afraid to jump right in!” McDonald Carpet One is part of one of the world’s largest co-operatives, which gives them the ability to have greater buying power by working together. It also allows them to provide superior warranties and exclusive products.
According to Scott, McDonald Carpet One is the area leader in providing the highest-quality carpets in the industry: “From Masland to Fabrica and wools to sisals, we have it all sampled and ready to explore in the showroom.” McDonald Carpet One also samples the market’s leading hardwood selections and carries luxury vinyl plank products and color lines that no one else in the area carries.
Meyer Skidmore & Company in Boulder offers hardwood, tile and carpet. They install, sand and finish too. According to Owner Abbey Van Horn, they are unique in the industry because they are women-owned and their customer service is like no other.
Meyer Skidmore & Company is seeing a lot of lighter-tone and natural hardwood floors. Abbey adds, “We are seeing a lot of kitchen cabinets in different jewel tones and finding the right hardwood and finishes around them has been really fun.” The company offers many hardwood products including Du Chateau, Colorado Mountain and RealWood Floors. They also offer the highest quality in finishes for hardwood. Godfrey Hirst and Fabrica are just a couple of their high-end carpet lines.
With so many appealing choices available now, you can find beautiful and functional flooring for every room of your Colorado home.
> McDonald Carpet One, 6367 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 720.432.2916, mcdonaldcarpetoneboulder.com
> Meyer Skidmore & Company, 7123 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 303.444.1174, meyerskidmore.com
By Amy Harris Van Vranken. Photos: McDonald Carpet One, Meyer Skidmore & Company
