Mohawk’s latest sustainability report is available now.

On the heels of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, Mohawk has issued its eighth annual sustainability report, which paints a comprehensive picture of the company’s innovation, passion and commitment to a better tomorrow and illustrates once again why the world’s largest flooring company is also the industry leader in sustainable technology.

For 2016, the company’s major milestones include:

• Recycles 7.1 billion pounds of waste a year.
• Has reduced its use of water by 277 million gallons since 2015.
• Since 2010, has reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity by 12.8%, its energy intensity by 1.9% and its water intensity by 35%.
• Recycles 5.4 billion plastic bottles annually.
• Recycles 25 million pounds of tires into doormats.

To read the rest of the report click this link.

Read Full Article Here: Mohawk’s latest sustainability report is available now.

The Best Floors for A Flood-Prone Basement

An evening rainstorm may create a soothing ambiance, but it can also herald something undesirable in tow: basement flooding. In fact, flooding can happen any time of the year when unusual weather patterns make the sky unload a deluge upon our property.

We see this all the time throughout Metro Vancouver. Whether it’s where we are in Maple Ridge or out in Vancouver, Coquitlam, Surrey or Langley, there’s always the threat of heavy rainfall. With that comes the threat of basement flooding.

If you are like most homeowners with a basement, you want to make the most of every square inch of your home. With a floor that is resilient to flooding mishaps, you can keep that game room or man cave in the basement without any worries about costly repairs.

Of all the flooring options for basements, synthetic materials are the best for your wallet to make sure you don't have to buy new flooring every time the waters come.

There are numerous types of floors that are particularly good for reducing the impact of flooding incidents. We’ll rank these in terms of Good, Better and Best for your basement:

Good

• Carpet
• Cork (doesn't promote the growth of bacteria)
• Concrete

Better

• Laminate
• Engineered Hardwood

Best

• Tile (Porcelain, Luxury Vinyl Tile)
• Pure Vinyls (not paper backed or felt backed)
• Rubber

Let’s go through some of these types of floors in detail. The more you know, the better for your basement.

Cost-Effective and Efficient: Concrete

Your first and cheapest option is to leave your basement's floor unfinished. You can seal, paint, or stain your concrete foundation to give the floor a more attractive look. Overall this is the least complicated and troublesome way to confront a flooding problem.

When the waters rise, there isn't any flooring for moisture to get stuck under, which decreases the chance of mold festering. Also, since there essentially is no floor on top of the concrete foundation, you don't need to do any replacements or floor removal. Sealing your concrete foundation will resist more water.

Concrete can look plain. To add more of a design flair, you can opt to use area rugs or paint the concrete to make it resemble a stone floor.

Luxury for a Flood-Prone Basement: Ceramic Tile

A great investment that is not negatively affected by the occasional basement flooding is ceramic tiles. Though it is probably the most expensive of the materials you have to choose from due to the labor required to install them, they do look great and do well against basement flooding.

It is important to note, however, that you should know the source of your flooding before installing ceramic tiles. If the water comes from the ground-up, the water can loosen the tiles and result in a costly repair. Ceramic tiles hold up well against flooding that comes from above, not below.

An Affordable and Attractive Alternative: Vinyl

Since vinyl floors can come in planks or tiles and are not made of organic materials, they make great floors for basements that are prone to floods. Their photographic layer can replicate almost any look you want, from hardwoods to tile, so you won't be missing the comfort of the hardwood look if you so desire.

Next to concrete, vinyl resists moisture well because it is entirely synthetic. They can also come in interlocking planks which make them easy to snap in place and take out in the event of a flood and you need to dry them out.

Soft on the Feet and Affordable: Rubber

This synthetic material provides two features that concrete, vinyl, and ceramic tiles do not: softness and warmth! With a rubber floor, you won't need to add an area rug for comfort in the winter. This material is also a good safety feature if you have small children who are prone to falling while playing.

Rubber floors can be installed loosely with a removable adhesive so it can be spared entirely if a flood happens. All you will need to do is take the flooring outside to dry and reinstall it.

Rubber can come in large sheets or in tiles that easily snap together. The individual tiles make it easier to remove and put your floor back together in case of a flood but provide less protection.

The large sheets, on the other hand, provide more coverage but are more of a challenge to haul out and dry.

Things to keep in mind about floods and restoration

When your flooring experts come to your home to conduct an assessment and give you an estimate, they should check for pre-existing moisture issues. These issues must be corrected first. If there are issues with drainage, you won't be able to install hardwood or vinyl.

When a flood happens, your insurance company typically will only insure your floors if you replace them with the same product or stain. You could say to the insurance company you still want to go a different route. However, this might mean that they will refuse to cover the costs.

Would you like to speak to an expert?

Do you have any questions about basement flooring or any other home improvement project? If so, please leave a comment below and one of our professional contractors would be happy to get in touch with you.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

When you come to Diverse Flooring, there’s a strong chance the person you interact with is either Shawn or Todd. There’s nothing better than dealing with the owners themselves.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Learn More Here: The Best Floors for A Flood-Prone Basement

Examining the Resilient Flooring Institute’s FloorScore®

We always hear about people being concerned about the effects emissions from cars and factories have on the environment. Right now, nations around the world are making laws to promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices so that the air we breathe becomes healthier.

With all this focus on the environment outdoors, it is easy to overlook the fact that there is polluted air inside our homes.

In fact, the air quality indoors can be up to 10 times worse compared to what we breathe in when stepping outside!

Since we spend about 90% of our time indoors, especially in winter, this becomes a major concern as continually breathing in pollutants can cause a variety of health problems.

Fortunately, we can make conscious decisions to lower the levels of pollution in our homes. This can be done by scheduling regular maintenance of our HVAC, cleaning our homes properly, and choosing to install flooring in our home that is certified by the Resilient Flooring Institute's FloorScore®.

In this blog post, we’ll examine that last point, the Resilient Flooring Institute's FloorScore® and why you should know about it when buying your new floors.

Where do indoor pollutants come from?

There are many factors that contribute to the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of your home:

• An HVAC that is not properly maintained
• Not vacuuming or sweeping consistently
• Certain furniture materials
• Polluted air outdoors seeping in through windows
• Car exhaust coming from an attached garage
• Your home's floor that has been finished with chemicals

Many man-made materials emit VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, that lower the quality of indoor air. Overall, the predominant source of pollutants come from your floors.

When flooring components go through the manufacturing process, they undergo chemical treatments and can end up emitting VOCs after being installed in your home.

What is FloorScore® and how does it help?

The RFCI, or the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, has now made it easier for you to choose a floor with lower levels of VOCs. If you see a product with the FloorScore® seal, which is recognized by 19 leading environmental programs, you will know that installing this floor in your home will lead to healthier indoor living.

The FloorScore® seal assures you that the product was independently analyzed by the neutral third party organization SCS Global Services and rated under very strict standards.

According to SCS Global Services, "FloorScore® is the most recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments." By choosing a material with this certification, you can maximize your chance of having the lowest amount of VOCs in your home and breathe easier.

If you would like to see which products currently have the FloorScore® guarantee, check out this list. You can also see the entire procedure and requirements that these floors need to have in order to obtain the FloorScore® certification here.

It is good to note that FloorScore® does not ensure that the installation process will involve low levels of VOCs. Therefore, if you are very sensitive to VOCs, you should leave the premises during the installation process.

How does lowering VOCs benefit me?

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says that the health effects that come from poor indoor air can occur anytime- either immediately or even years later. Some immediate signs are:

• Irritated eyes nose, and throat
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Asthma
• Cold-like symptoms

Some long term negative health effects are:

• Respiratory disease
• Heart disease
• Cancer

Some people are more sensitive to VOCs than others, but overall it is wise to reduce the level of these indoor pollutants for the sake of everyone in your home.

How else can I improve my indoor air quality?

Aside from choosing a floor with the FloorScore® certification, there are other ways to improve your home's indoor air quality:

• Improve your HVAC system and maintain it
• Use good air filters and change them regularly
• Ventilate your house to let in fresh air periodically

Hard surfaces are better for your home's indoor air quality because they are easy to clean and keep up with. They are also less likely to absorb spills, odors, and allergens. They also don't trap moisture which makes an environment for bacteria, fungus, and mold to grow, which all contribute to poorer indoor air quality.

Therefore, if you are aiming for a higher indoor air quality, opt for less carpet and more hard surfaces like tile, hardwoods, or vinyl.

To learn even more about indoor air quality and how to improve it, the EPA has some excellent resources for you on their website.

Experts are standing by.

Do you have any questions about FloorScore® and would like to talk to an expert about your next flooring installation? If so, then leave a comment below.

One of our experienced flooring professionals will be happy to get in touch with you and give you all the answers you need.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn and Todd are passionate about design. They feel flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

When you come to Diverse Flooring, there’s a strong chance the person you interact with is either Shawn or Todd. There’s nothing better than dealing with the owners themselves.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Read Full Article Here: Examining the Resilient Flooring Institute’s FloorScore®

Easy On Your Feet: Examining The Softest Floors Underfoot

Do you ever wonder why you feel more fatigued after standing on hard surfaces like concrete vs. standing on carpets? The answer lies in the level of softness. Concrete is inflexible, therefore causing strain on your heels, which affects your entire body. Softer surfaces, however, cradle your feet and put less strain on your feet.

Not only are softer surfaces good for your body, they are warm and comforting. Soft floors usually involve a form of cushioning or insulation, trapping air in its materials, which makes them less affected by extreme weather.

With colder weather always being a factor to consider when upgrading your home's flooring, why not consider some of the softest surfaces that will let you go barefoot all year long?

There are a few options for obtaining that soft floor your feet will love:

• Carpets
• Cork
• Vinyl
• Engineered Stone

Below we will explain the specific attributes and advantages to each type of floor.

Carpets

Carpet is usually the first material that comes to mind when we think of soft floors. Made of interwoven pile fibers of various patterns and materials, carpets make any room in your house warm and inviting. When you combine quality carpets with a layer of plush cushioning, you will have a surface that is unparalleled in softness.

To maintain this feel, regular upkeep is vital. Also, not every carpet is of the same quality. Better carpets keep their form and resist stains, while poor quality carpets fade, lose their form, and fray more easily.

For this reason, we recommend two brands: Mohawk and Dream Weaver.

• Mohawk carpets: This brand is the only one that uses SmartStrand fibers which are coated with Nanoloc. This coating protects each fiber from stains, wear, and tear, making Mohawk carpets incredibly easy to maintain. Nanoloc also prevents any moisture absorption, protecting your carpet from mold and bacteria.
• Dream Weaver carpets: Their carpets are durable and equipped with patented PureColor® fibers that are tough against stains. Their carpets' soil and stain shield can even resist damage from elements like red wine and chocolate!

If you have indoor allergies, carpets may not be the best for your health. Don't fret, for you still have some good options if you want soft floors in your home.

Cork

Cork floors capture the best of both hardwood and carpet worlds by providing a porous, insulated flat surface that isn't cold in winter and is not loud even under high heels.

Cork flooring has been popular in theaters and upper floors of apartments, but they can really go anywhere in your house where you want a flat surface without the loud noises and coldness of stone tiles.

Vinyl

Another allergy-friendly soft flooring option is vinyl. Vinyl flooring's softness is determined by its quality and make, so it is important to get expert advice while choosing your materials. For example, vinyl sheets with a felt backing are going to feel softer.

Vinyl comes in a wide range of quality and price points and can mimic more expensive materials like hardwoods and stone for a fraction of the cost.

Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is a material typically made of a combination of crushed stone that is bound with a polymer resin adhesive.

The engineered stone we have is the Alterna series from Armstrong Floors. These floors are made of a composite of limestone and resin. Added to that is a decorative covering that can mimic the look of just about any kind of floors.

Engineered stone is softer than conventional ceramic, porcelain or natural stones. This is because it is engineered using a composite product utilizing limestone and material used to make resilient floors.

Honorable mention: Rubber

Rubber flooring is definitely soft and warm all year round. It has a contemporary look to it and comes in various patterns and colors, but it not usually found in homes. You most likely will see rubber floors at your local gym and indoor playgrounds because their softness prevents painful impact.

This material, however, can have a place in your home! Rubber is good for bathrooms and any area of the home that needs to resist water. It is also great for basements and garages.

For the homeowner who knows the sting of cold concrete on their bare feet on a winter night while grabbing that case of soda from the garage fridge, rubber flooring presents a solution.

By making a pathway to common destinations like the garage fridge or providing a warm, soft surface for basements, rubber flooring can make home living more comfortable.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

original Post Here: Easy On Your Feet: Examining The Softest Floors Underfoot

What To Do When Your House is Flooded

Sometimes the unexpected happens to your home. Of the events that cause the most damage, flooding ranks as one of the top offenders.

Let’s be honest: It’s a reality in Metro Vancouver. It rains here the majority of the year. Plus, the accidental risk of pipes bursting or water tank leaks make this possibility a potential reality.

As a homeowner, it is important to know what to do in the event of a flood in order to maximize your safety and the amount of coverage you will get for home repairs.

Has your home recently flooded?

If you are here because your home has just experienced water damage due to a flood, you will need to act quickly to get the best possible coverage for your damages.

First of all, if your home isn't safe to stay in, then get to a safe place. Your personal well-being should be your first priority. Next, you should call your insurance company as soon as possible to notify them of the incident.

Home Flooding 101

Your house can flood after a period of excessive rain from hurricanes or tornadoes. It can also occur from ground water or a home water system malfunction.

It may happen unexpectedly or you may have had some warning. Either way, the effects of a flood on a home can be devastating and costly.

Floods can do some major damage to your home, which is why they should be reported immediately to your insurance company:

• Structural Problems
• Mold/Mildew Problems
• Health/Safety issues

These three reasons are enough to take home flooding seriously and to take every precaution to ensure everyone's safety if it occurs. Also, make a claim as soon as possible to decrease the impact this event will have on your finances.

Step 1: Shut down the electricity.

If you find water in your home, you need to turn off your home's main power and all the individual fuse connections. Water and electricity don't mix and it is better to shut down your power immediately for your safety.

Step 2: BEFORE REPAIRS, make a good case for your insurance claim.

Document, photograph, and give as much information as possible! Before removing water or making repairs, you need to make a record of all the damage that took place. If you have a smartphone or camera, take photos and videos of all the areas that have sustained damage.

The more information you have, the better.

Though it is tempting to want to fix your house as soon as possible, it would be difficult to be reimbursed for all the damage if you do not document and record the full extent of the initial damage.

Your insurance company will need to determine the cause of the flood. Since groundwater is not usually covered, you must make sure to provide enough information for them to determine what the cause was to maximize your coverage. The information you provide will be a great help in bolstering your claim.

Step 3: Let them know what repairs you intend to do.

Let your insurance company know what your plans are. They will then tell you what to do. You may need to wait for an adjuster to come by and inspect your home, or you may be given permission to proceed.

In this entire process, document your conversations with the agents you speak with, writing down their names and what they instructed you to do.

Follow the guidelines of your insurance company precisely to make sure that the repairs won't come out of your pocket.

Step 4: When your insurer gives you the green light, go.

Only after you get approval from your insurance company, it is time to get to work. First, remove the water from your home. You can use a sump pump or shop vac for water removal.

You can also hire contractors to help you out, provided that you have informed your insurance company and they have approved of their use.

Step 5: Get rid of wet and damp items in your home.

Toss out wet bedding, rip out carpets and anything else that is wet or damp. According to The Province of British Columbia, mold can grow just a day or two after a flood, which greatly decreases your indoor air quality and poses health risks.

This includes your floors. Perhaps you have synthetic flooring materials like vinyl that can be salvaged. These floors can be taken out, dried, and reinstalled after your house is back in order.

Organic materials and carpets, however, have difficulty surviving floods and are likely to be discarded so mold and mildew do not grow in your home.

You should also let your insurance company know that you are removing items from your home as well so this doesn't negatively impact your coverage. Take pictures of all the damaged items and keep them for your records.

Step 6: Follow official guidelines for your health.

In the event of a home flooding, you need to be careful about your health. Water damaged items can be contaminated with chemicals and waste that get mixed with flood waters. Clean anything you want to keep thoroughly but throw out any food that was submerged.

When your water utility is back in service, follow The Province of British Columbia's guidelines and boil all water you drink before your local authorities say that the local water is potable again.

Do you want to know more?

Do you have any questions about home floods or anything else? If so, please leave a comment below and we would be happy to get in touch with you.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

When you come to Diverse Flooring, there’s a strong chance the person you interact with is either Shawn or Todd. There’s nothing better than dealing with the owners themselves.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Read Full Article Here: What To Do When Your House is Flooded

Are Engineered Stone Floors Right For You?

Your home’s flooring is one of its most distinctive features.

Not only does a quality floor increase the value of your home, it can also improve your home’s appearance and make it more attractive. Both factors are important, especially if you are interested in reselling your home in the future.

There are many choices out there ranging from the most affordable to luxury materials, and the limit is only on your budget and your needs.

Engineered stone is just one of the options. You may be wondering what it is and if it is right for your home. In this blog post, we’ll go through that.

What is Engineered Stone?

Engineered stone is a material made of a combination of crushed stone that is bound with a polymer resin adhesive. Engineered stone can be made of limestone, crushed marble or quartz.

The engineered stone we have is the Alterna series from Armstrong Floors. These floors are made of a composite of limestone and resin. Added to that is a decorative covering that can mimic the look of just about any kind of floors.

Quartz-based combinations are more suitable for countertops while marble-based combinations are better for flooring and walls.

Engineered stone is made in factories on large slabs or blocks and are cut and polished into specific shapes.

For countertops, it can be cut into large pieces and delivered to the site of the project. For floors, the engineered stone can be cut into tiles and made to just the right quantity.

5 Main Benefits of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone has become more popular due to its benefits that include:

• Uniform quality
• Unlimited supply
• Affordability
• Customizable look
• Durability

These five main benefits are converting home and business owners all over the world to use engineered stone. Let’s dive deeper into each reason.

Uniform quality

Because it is made in the same factory and not mined from natural sources, you can expect the same quality and price all the tiles required for your flooring project.

There is no need for your contractors to buy stone tiles from various vendors and sources, creating an unpredictable price quote.

Unlimited supply

Because you aren’t depending on what is available naturally, you can be sure that you will have enough material to finish your home improvement project. This makes sure there are no delays in your project because you aren't ordering from different vendors to get a uniform stone tile look.

Affordability

Because engineered stone is man-made and doesn’t involve any supply or source issues, it is more affordable than natural stone.

Durability

Engineered stone is just as durable as natural granite surfaces. You will hardly be able to tell the difference between the materials, and the technology just keeps on getting better.

Customizable look

During the manufacturing process, manufacturers can add pigments to engineered stone to make unique colors for your tiles. There are also ways to integrate other unique materials like metal to give your stone tiles a more contemporary look.

Is engineered stone right for me?

That's a good question. To answer it, ask yourself two vital questions.

• What is my budget?
• What is the scale of my project?

If your budget is small, then having engineered stone tiles is friendlier on the wallet and will stretch how far your funds will go while still not sacrificing on the stone surface you want.

Also, if you want to cover a large surface area, engineered stone can make sure that you get the same color, quality, and guaranteed quantity of the stone you want, regardless of the project's scale.

If these two points resonate with your needs, then engineered stone may be the flooring that is right for your next home improvement project.

Alterna Engineered Stone by Armstrong

Armstrong is a brand that we highly recommend to our customers. Their Alterna engineered stone floors are tough as nails and will last a lifetime, even if you install it in high-traffic areas of your home. Being water-resistant as well, they are especially ideal for your kitchen and bathroom.

Some unique styles that Alterna offers are:

• Marble
• Travertine
• Slate

These designs are stretching the aesthetic capabilities of engineered stone, integrating it with metals, reclaimed wood, concrete, and even linen. This gives homes a sleek and modern look that is unlike anything anyone has ever seen before.

One big advantage Alterna floors have over other natural surfaces is that they are warmer. They are also flexible enough to not crack over subfloors that may have a bit of warping, unlike natural stone tiles.

Alterna floors are also easy to clean. They resist stains and dirt and clean up well with regular sweeping, a light vacuum, and periodic use of professional floor cleaning agents.

With engineered stone, you can also rest easy that your floors will be looking their best for many years.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Originally Published Here: Are Engineered Stone Floors Right For You?

SmartStrand Carpets vs SmartStrand Silk Carpets: A Revealing Comparison

In 2005, Mohawk Flooring revolutionized the carpet fiber industry with the introduction of SmartStrand technology (Read our earlier post on the beauty and strength of Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpets). This amazing innovation came as a result of 2 visionary companies each with over 100 years of experience entering an exciting partnership.

A Brief History of Carpet Innovation

Mohawk Flooring, an industry leader in flooring, has consistently been making record levels of investments to drive innovation in all product categories. DuPont, a company established in 1802, has been putting science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.

Together, this match made in heaven, created SmartStrand where Mohawk used the new polymer technology provided by DuPont.

SmartStrand, for the first time in 2005, offered the durability of high performance fibers with stain resistance that was engineered into the fiber. It meant that no matter how many times the carpet is cleaned, the built-in stain resistance properties would not wash off.

That was 2005. Now, in 2016, the CEO and Chairman of Mohawk Flooring, Mr. Jeff Lorberbaum, received an EY Lifetime Achievement award making him the first flooring industry leader to receive this prestigious award in the Southeast US region.

Mohawk also received ‘The Best Overall Manufacturer’ award sponsored by FCNews and Informa Exhibitions. During the same award ceremony, Mohawk also won the ‘Best Carpet Manufacturer’ and ‘Best Hardwood Manufacturer’ awards. This is no surprise given the company's passion of making what is already good - even better.

Product Innovation Timeline

As proud retailers of the Mohawk brand, let us walk you through the timeline of the most exciting product innovations within the SmartStrand brand since introduced in 2005.

SmartStrand - Launched in 2005

When Mohawk set forth to revolutionize the fiber industry, it was looking to excel in the performance categories that mattered most to the customers.

Using triexta, in 2005, SmartStrand was introduced which combined the durability of high-performance fibers with stain resistance engineered into the fiber. This meant that even tough stains like mustard and red wine would be removed simply with warm water and mild detergent.

SmartStrand - First Bio-based Product

Despite pioneering an innovation, unlike anything the industry had seen in over 50 years, progress continued. With a culture of sustainable development engrained in the corporate values of both Mohawk and DuPont, they continued to evolve the SmartStrand brand.

In 2007, they created the first bio-based product. Triexta was made with 37 percent renewable materials and Mohawk claims that manufacturing this carpet required 30% less energy and environmental emissions compared to Nylon.

SmartStrand Silk - Launched in 2011

While SmartStrand started winning the popularity votes for durability and stain resistance, the researchers at Mohawk did not begin to rest. They started experimenting to create a higher level of comfort by making a softer carpet. The result - Mohawk launched SmartStrand Silk in 2012. This new product combined over 700 silk-like fibers into just one strand of yarn. In a blind test, consumers preferred Silk’s softness 5 to 1 over the competing premium soft nylon carpets.

With SmartStrand Silk, the company offered unmatched durability and stain resistance along with silk like comfort under the feet.

SmartStrand Forever Clean - Launched in 2014

The latest development with the SmartStrand brand was the addition of Nanoloc spill and soil shield technology in 2014. This new technology repels dirt, dander, spills and stains before they even reach the fiber. The new product category was named SmartStrand Forever Clean and these have proven to be extraordinarily easy to clean.

Why SmartStrand?

Mohawk’s investments in innovation are driven by a passion to create value for its customers. Before the introduction of SmartStrand, the choice of carpets included Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Soft Nylon and Wool.

Research showed that stain resistance and durability were the two most important performance categories that mattered to homeowners. The most popular choice of carpets were Nylon and Soft Nylon for extra comfort.

With SmartStrand, you can get it all - unbeatable spill protection, permanent stain resistance, long-lasting durability, and so much more.

• 0% moisture absorption to eliminate pet odors in the carpet fiber
• Nanoloc™ spill and soil shield for quick and easy cleanup
• 3X easier to clean dirt, hair, and pet dander
• Lifetime, built-in stain protection

Clearly, SmartStrand carpets are the most stain resistant carpets available in the market. They are also one of the most environmentally friendly choice of carpets in the market.

What’s Next?

A large number of homeowners across North America are increasing the warmth of their homes with SmartStrand carpets.

Diverse Flooring became a Mohawk ColorCentre this year. This allows us to present you with better choices at the best prices.

Diverse Flooring aligns with major brand name manufacturers, so that we are able to offer peace of mind to our clients. Not only are these partners leaders in environmentally-conscious manufacturing, they have quality products and are innovators in style and design. We are partnered with companies that back their products.

Pay us a visit and let’s explore some awesome options for your home.

Read Full Article Here: SmartStrand Carpets vs SmartStrand Silk Carpets: A Revealing Comparison