Indoors, outdoors, and everything inbetween, these 12 flooring tech products offer solutions for a variety of projects.
1. Deconstructed metal
Patcraft
Carpet tile line is created through patent-pending manufacturing technology that exposes the primary backing as part of the product design, providing variation in fiber-pile heights for added depth and texture. Available in two 12x48-inch carpet tiles: Metallic Alchemy and Alloy Shimmer. Six yarn combinations and three metallic backings offer a total of 18 colors. Cradle to Cradle certified.
2. Grain Collection
Walker Zanger
Designed for high-traffic areas where a wood aesthetic is desired, this porcelain tile line replicates the look of wood in a contemporary European style, with clean lines and natural wood grains. The collection utilizes a subtle variation in four wood tones per color, as well as natural grain and texture, to create the look and feel of real finished wood. Available in wide planks or chevrons.
3. Galaxy RX
Ecore
Designed for healthcare applications, this rubber-backed resilient floor covering addresses three of the most common concerns related to hospital environments: sound, ergonomics, and safety. It features a 2mm vulcanized surface fusion-bonded to a 5mm recycled rubber backing. This surface reduces structure-borne sound, improves ergonomics for patients and staff, and lessens the severity of injuries after falls, says the maker.
4. Chateau Reserve
Marazzi
This wood-look porcelain tile line is modeled after European Oak and features lightly distressed graining, for richness and texture. Its slip-resistant surface is achieved with a flat surface, offering high cleanability and expanding its use to exterior applications and commercial spaces. Five colors: Hickory Grove, La Petit Greige, Rustic Lodge, Shadow Mountain, and Woodland Chalet.
5. Beauflor Luxury vinyl roll
Beauflor
Luxury vinyl roll combines the benefits of luxury vinyl tile and cushion vinyl roll into a new category of flooring. It is soft underfoot, water resistant, easy to clean and maintain, and offers superior sound absorption qualities, reducing noise noticeably more than either traditional sheet vinyl or LVT, according to the maker. Can loose lay up to 400 sf for fast installation in open-plan environments.
6. Arborart
Armstrong Flooring
Wood-look LVT is made using the company’s Diamond 10 Technology, a process that utilizes cultured diamonds to enhance the tile’s resistance to scratches, scuffs, and stains. Designed for retail, hospitality, education, and healthcare applications, the collection includes 24 colors in a range of contemporary, rustic, and exotic wood visuals. Three sizes: 6x48, 7.2x48, and 9x48 inches.
7. Engage Genesis
Metroflor
This LVT features an extruded, closed-cell PVC structural core for rigidity and strength, and to ease installation through proprietary locking technologies. The floating floor is 100% waterproof and provides sound insulating characteristics through its pre-attached acoustical underlayment. Its construction of embossed vinyl, PVC core, sound-deadening backing, and antimicrobial treatment is offered in eight, 12, and 20 mil wear layers.
8. Framework
J+J Flooring Group
LVT collection includes six wood-inspired patterns and contemporary colors. The 9x48-inch plank tiles are 5mm thick, which allows them to be installed adjacent to the maker’s modular carpet and textile composite flooring without the need for transition strips. For quick installation, a loose-lay option with perimeter glue is available. The FloorScore-certified flooring is made with post-industrial recycled content.
9. Allura VRT
Forbo
LVT collection offers a range of wood, stone, and abstract designs, with the durability, comfort, and sound-deadening qualities of LVT. The Allura Wood collection contains a variety of wood-plank designs with a matt surface and a natural-looking woodgrain and embossing. Allura Stone varies from contemporary concrete floors to cool steel and metal shades. The phthalate-free flooring is made with recycled raw materials.
10. Chromaluxe
Chromaluxe
Using the sublimation printing process, these flooring panels can be customized with virtually any color, graphic, and pattern, including artwork, photography, messaging, and company logos. The panels consist of specially coated sheets of moisture-resistant high-density fiberboard that are cut into workable panels. Two sizes: 16x24 and 24x24 inches. The panels are rated for commercial use and are Carb 2 compliant.
11. noraplan lona
Nora Systems
This resilient rubber flooring line offers a silk-matte finish that features splashes and droplets in a range of colors and accents that capture the momentum of artistic expression. Its maker developed technology that allows for a virtually unlimited range of custom patterns and designs. Offers the same stain/slip resistance, underfoot comfort, ease of maintenance, and sound absorption as with all nora rubber flooring products.
12. Merit
American Olean
Glazed porcelain floor tile emulates the look of contemporary stone and features an anti-slip surface for outdoor applications. Created for open-concept environments where indoor spaces extend outdoors, such as patio restaurants, bars, and event venues. The tile line’s four colors—beige, brown, light gray, dark gray—feature realistic veining and variation. Two sizes: 18x18 inches and 12x24 inches. Matching porcelain mosaic available.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
EwingCole to merge with healthcare specialist Robert D. Lynn Associates
EwingCole, a nationally recognized architectural, engineering, interior design, and planning firm with more than 320 professionals, today announced that it will combine its practice with Robert D. Lynn Associates of Philadelphia, a 40-person firm with a robust portfolio of healthcare projects. The combination will create the Delaware Valley¹s largest and most comprehensive firm with an emphasis on healthcare architecture, and a national scope and presence.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
See what $3,000 a month will get you at Chicago’s Aqua Tower
Magellan Development Group has opened three display models for the rental portion of Chicago’s highly anticipated Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang. Lease rates range from $1,498 for a studio to $3,111 for a two-bedroom unit with lake views.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declines in 48 states in August compared to last year
Construction employment saw significant declines in all but two states this August compared to last year according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released today by the federal government. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however did show that the number of states gaining construction jobs increased slightly in August compared to July 2009.
| Aug 11, 2010
LEED 2009 cites FloorScore Certification as indicator of indoor air quality
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has cited FloorScore® certified flooring products as eligible for credits under the new LEED 2009 Version 3 guidelines. Reflecting the inclusion of FloorScore, the new LEED IEQ Credit 4.3 for Low-Emitting Materials has been expanded from “Carpet Systems” to “Flooring Systems” to include hard surface flooring.
| Aug 11, 2010
BIM adoption rate exceeds 80% among nation’s largest AEC firms
The nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction companies are on the BIM bandwagon in a big way, according to Building Design+Construction’s premier Top 170 BIM Adopters ranking, published as part of the 2009 Giants 300 survey. Of the 320 AEC firms that participated in Giants survey, 83% report having at least one BIM seat license in house, and nearly a quarter (23%) have 100-plus seats.
| Aug 11, 2010
New air-conditioning design standard allows for increased air speed to cool building interiors
Building occupants, who may soon feel cooler from increased air movement, can thank a committee of building science specialists. The committee in charge of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 - Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy—after months of study and discussion--has voted recently to allow increased air speed as an option for cooling building interiors. In lay terms, increased air speed is the equivalent of turning up the fan.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCA partners with MIT on concrete research center
MIT today announced the creation of the Concrete Sustainability Hub, a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.