TREND CHANGES

Rachel Schneider-Mullis, manager of Location Carpet in Painesville, describes trend changes in the flooring industry over the years: “When my grandfather started the business carpet was king. Most houses were built with wood floors and you knew you had reached success if you could afford to cover your floors with luxurious carpet. “Everyone knows about the shag carpet that everyone had back then. Even though it is before my time my grandfather kept a piece in his office with a little rake that was used on the carpet just to remember those days.

Today carpet is much shorter and easier to care for, which appeals more to people. However, we see more and more people transitioning from carpet to hard surfaces. When

I first started, almost 14 years ago, everyone desired wood floors. Wood floors are beautiful and still to this day raise the value of your home more than anything else, I am told.

“The two downsides to wood floors are their ease of scratching/knicking/denting and their ease of damage by water.

“With ever-changing engineering and technology used to address weak points in any product category the Luxury Vinyl Floor was born. Initially they were born from the concept of commercial vinyl tiles like you would see in a hospital or school— the kind that needed the polish machine to come through periodically. Manufacturers made these types of tiles more visually appealing and added finishes that no longer required polishing so consumers could enjoy them and their advantages in their beautiful living spaces.

“There have been several iterations of these Luxury Vinyl Floors that today give consumers many options to suit every need in their home.”