When it comes to resilient flooring…Who’s Laughing Now?

When it comes to resilient flooring…Who’s Laughing Now?

They laughed at Edison. They laughed at the Wright Brothers. Here’s another wild idea. A durable resilient floor with a comforting bounce underfoot, a floor that can be installed inexpensively and quickly in planks, tiles or even sheets 6 and 12-feet wide. And here’s a thought: these affordable, foot-pampering resilients must offer the high end textures, colors, and patterns of glass, marble, slate, leather and wood.

Resilient is a broad term for flooring that includes vinyl, linoleum, rubber and even cork. The latest vinyl and linoleum floor designs range from clean contemporary motifs, including metallics and stained concrete, to classic looks, including strikingly realistic weathered stones, textured leather and stunning hand scraped hardwoods. 

Deco, especially the traditional black and white is a classic look with current design resurgence. You can now find deco in resilient, not just in ceramic tile. Or if you prefer, multicolored, patterned resilient tiles can be made into unique designs for a memorable entryway, bathroom or kitchen.

Additionally, resilient offers realistic grout options—thick or thin or butt joints. And resilient now offers gorgeous looks in larger tile sizes—just like expensive stone and ceramic tile—a trend in today’s larger homes. The often pricey design trend for mixing flooring materials might seem out of reach, but resilient can be a cost effective way to integrate the look of stone, wood and metal along borders or inlays. Blending the contemporary movement toward opalescence and gloss with Old World looks, for example, is easy to do with resilient.

One benefit of selecting resilient—especially in achieving custom looks—is the ease and low cost of installation. Usually there is little or no prep work! As long as the surface is flat and sound, it may be applied over plywood subfloors and concrete, as well as existing floors such as linoleum and wood.

Add this to the wish list… the highest standards in environmental sensitivity. Linoleum, for example, is composed of linseed oil, wood flour and pine rosin and is biodegradable, and boasts a rainbow of colors and fresh, fashionable designs. Industry leaders are using recycled materials, including sawdust and reclaimed plastic bottles, and “green” adhesives. Many resilients are antimicrobial, ideal for highly allergic people, and antistatic, just right for safeguarding your electronics.

Like light bulbs and lasers, resilient is a bright idea whose time has come -- again!