Flooring
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Flooring: Latest isnt greatest
Brazilian cherry, bamboo, and cork are among this years esoteric options as manufacturers push faraway names and “greener” claims. But you might want to stick with conventional hardwoods and other familiar flooring to fend off kitchen scrapes and spills after reading this flooring review.
While oak still outsells other solid-wood floors, Brazilian cherry is growing fastest because of its attractive grain and wide palette of hues. Its also sold in engineered wood (a veneer over plywood) and plastic laminate, which makes do with a photo of the real stuff.
Other alternatives use only part of the tree. One of them is cork, which is taken from the bark without killing the tree. And theres bamboo (a fast-growing grass) and linoleum, which is made using cork and linseed oil. But at up to $9 per square foot, these green flooring options can be as pricey as solid wood.
Companies are also pitching engineered wood and vinyl that can be laid down, or floated, for easier installation. Some did well in our tests. Yet months of simulated foot traffic, dragged-in debris, dropped plates, spills, and sunlight show that newer options may not be better, and some green flooring could leave you seeing red. Here are the details:
Brazilian cherry varies. We tested solid- and engineered-wood versions. Thomasvilles Jatoba resisted scratches and staining better than most solid wood. But it was among the worst for wear in our flooring review, and quickly darkened in our UV tests. The engineered-wood BR-111 resisted sunlight, but it stained more than many engineered woods and its micro-thin veneer cant be refinished.
Cork proves vulnerable. Quietness and softness underfoot are among corks talking points. Ronda Cork by US Floors was quiet in