Room Elements

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Flooring / comparison

HARD FLOORING (LEGEND: [ 1 = least, 6 =most ], SF = subfloor, CB = concrete board may be required), EP = extra preparation. * Prices are affected by need for subfloor or special prep.
	Price	Type	Care	Durable/ Lifespan	Comfort	Style Origin / Styles
N A T U R A L	$$$$$	Marble (SF) *	2 Wash using a damp mop and periodic buffing.	4 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery.	Classical / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial, Art Deco, Arts & Crafts
	$$$$$$	Granite (SF) *	2 Wash using a damp mop and periodic buffing.	4 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery.	Classical / Modern, Commercial, Art Deco
	$$$$	Slate (SF) *	2 Wash using a damp mop with mild soap - water mixture.	4 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	1 Cold, hard underfoot and grips well due to texture.	Industrial Style / Modern, Commercial
S Y N T H E T I C	$$	Brick (SF) *	3 Wash using a mild detergent and damp mop.	3 May crumble or show wear quickly unless sealed.	1 Cold, hard underfoot and grips well due to texture.	Early American / Rustic, Colonial
	$$$	Terra cotta tile (CB)	3 Wash with damp mop.	3 May crumble or show wear quickly unless sealed and layed on water proof layer.	1 Cold, hard underfoot and grips well due to texture.	Mission era, Arts & Crafts
	$$ - $$$$	Ceramic Tile (CB)	2 Wash with damp mop. Abrasive cleansers only OK on matt glazes.	5 Grout may need replacing after years of high use.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	South Western / early American, Colonial, Classical
	$$$	Mosaic Tile (CB)	2 Wash with damp mop.	5 Individual tiles may need replacing after excessive use.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	Byzantine / Classical, Arts & Crafts
	$$	Concrete (SF) *	1 Wash with damp mop if sealed or painted. Texture may increase cleaning time. Abrasive cleansers OK.	6 Wears extremely well.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet unless textured.	Roman / Modern, Commercial, International Style
	$$$$	Glass (EP) *	2 Wash with damp mop and soap / vinegar solution.	3 Eventual dulling may warrant refinishing long term.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	International Style / Modern, Commercial, Industrial
	$$$	Acrylic (EP) *	4 High static electric dust build up. Wash with damp mop and soap solution. May need to be buffed to remove scratches.	2 Eventual dulling and scratching may warrant refinishing shorter term.	1 Hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	American Pop / Modern, Commercial, Industrial
	$$$	Metal (EP) *	1 Wash using a soapy damp mop and periodic buffing. Oxidizing metals need periodic sealing.	6 Wears extremely well. Oxidizing metals need periodic sealing.	1 Cold, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	Industrial / Modern, Commercial

WOOD FLOORING (LEGEND: [ 1 = least, 6 =most ], EP = extra preparation. * Prices are affected by need for subfloor or special prep.
	Price	Type	Care	Durable/ Lifespan	Comfort	Style Origin / Styles
N A T U R A L	$$$$	Parquet Square *	3 Vacuum or sweep weekly with periodic buffing. Wash with a mop using 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar.	5 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	3 Cool, semi-hard underfoot if foam backed, may be slippery when wet or dry.	Arts & Crafts / Modern, Commercial
	$$$$$	Plank	2 Vacuum or sweep weekly with periodic buffing. Wash with a mop using 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar.	5 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	2 Cool, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	Renaissance / International Style, Modern, Commercial
	$$$$$	Strip	2 Vacuum or sweep weekly with periodic buffing. Wash with a mop using 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar.	5 May stain unless sealed and require re-finishing after years of high use.	2 Cool, hard underfoot, may be slippery when wet or dry.	Renaissance / International Style, Modern, Commercial
S Y N T H E T I C	$$$	Laminate	3 Sweep and wash using a damp mop. Never sand or wax.	4 15 year warranty on most.	1 Semi-cool, semi-hard underfoot. Is not slippery.	Early American / Rustic, Colonial

FIBER FLOORING (LEGEND: [ 1 = least, 6 =most ], FCP = firm carpet padding beneficial, RCP = regular carpet padding beneficial, EP = extra preparation. * Prices are affected by need for subfloor or special prep.
	Price	Type	Care	Durable/ Lifespan	Comfort	Style Origin / Styles
N A T U R A L	$$	Coir (FCP)	2 Vacuum or sweep with a wisk broom. Never wash. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	1 May stain unless sealed. Sun bleaches with time.	2 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Rough fiber.	Ancient / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
	$$	Sea Grass (FCP)	1 Vacuum or sweep with a wisk broom. Spot clean with damp rag. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	2 Does not stain or retain dirt easily.	4 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Smooth, dense fiber.	Ancient / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
	$$$	Natural Sisal (a.k.a. henequen ) (FCP)	2 Vacuum or sweep with a wisk broom. Never wash. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	2 May stain unless sealed. Sun bleaches with time.	3 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Soft hairy fiber.	Ancient / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
	$$	Jute (FCP)	2 Vacuum or sweep with a wisk broom. Never wash. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	1 Wears easily. May stain unless sealed. Sun bleaches with time.	4 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Soft fiber.	Ancient / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
	$$$$	Rush	2 Best used as rugs in high humidity areas. Not a wall to wall flooring. Vacuum or sweep with a wisk broom. Never wash. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	1 Should not be sealed so it can expand. Will stain easily. Sun bleaches with time.	4 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Smooth, dense reed.	Ancient / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
S Y N T H E T I C	$$$	Synthetic Sisal (FCP)	1 Vacuum. Spot clean with damp rag. Prevent sharp objects on floor.	3 Only slight sun fading over long periods of time.	4 Semi - warm, semi - soft underfoot. Soft synthetic fiber.	Modern / Renaissance, Modern, Commercial
	$$$	Cut Pile Carpet (RCP)	3 Traps debris deep within. Vacuum with periodic steam clean. Spot clean with damp rag or mfg. qualified stain remover.	++ Generally shows wear faster than loop pile. Different fiber make-ups vary in durability. See chart below.	6 Warm, very soft underfoot.	Industrial Style / Modern, Commercial
	$$$	Cut Pile Twist Carpet (RCP)	3 Traps debris deep within. Vacuum with periodic steam clean. Spot clean with damp rag or mfg. qualified stain remover.	++ Generally shows wear slower than cut pile. Different fiber make-ups vary in durability. See chart below	6 Warm, very soft, yet firm underfoot due to denseness.	Industrial Style / Modern, Commercial
	$$$	Loop Pile (most Berbers) Generally made with olefin (RCP)	2 Vacuum with periodic steam clean. Spot clean with damp rag or mfg. qualified stain remover.	+++ Generally much more durable than cut pile. Different fiber make-ups vary in durability. See chart below	5 Warm, semi - soft, yet very firm underfoot due to low - height loops.	Industrial Style / Modern, Commercial
	$$$	Shag (RCP)	3 Vacuum with periodic steam clean. Spot clean with damp rag or mfg. qualified stain remover.	+ Generally shows wear much faster than cut pile. Different fiber make-ups vary in durability. See chart below	6 Warm, very soft underfoot.	Roman / Modern, Commercial, International Style

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