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How this accidental discovery led to a flooring revolution

Comox’s Windsor Plywood’s flooring experts offer comfort underfoot
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The staff at Windsor Plywood are happy to answer any questions you have about installing a new floor.

In the earliest homes, the floor was just a patch of leveled ground. Enterprising homeowners spread straw, peanut shells, sand, flower petals and just about anything you could imagine on that ground to make it more livable; but it was all a pretty sorry excuse for floor covering.

But the materials were temporary, and when you tired of the smell and the litter, they could simply sweep it out the door and start over.

Stone, brick and ceramic tiles followed and the earliest wood floors arrived in the middle ages, which led to the development of varnishes and stains that were applied to make the wood last a bit longer.

More resilient floors started out with rubber floors (AD 1200-1600). No indication if those floors put a bounce in one’s step.

In 1863, an English rubber manufacturer discovered linoleum by accident and, in 1926, inventor Dr. Waldo Semon was trying to bond rubber to metal and created vinyl instead.

“Flooring is always changing, even today, and we make a point of staying on top of the latest trends and the best materials,” said Kevin Parker, the manager of Windsor Plywood in the Comox Valley.

We have engineered hardwood flooring, solid hardwood floors, cork flooring and in recent years, a wide selection of laminate flooring. Those laminates became very popular because they are comparatively easy to install and extremely resilient. Those floors have been engineered to be pretty much bulletproof.”

Parker observed that flooring is a “funny thing.” As much as all the flooring products Windsor Plywood offers are tough and attractive, and able to complement a full range of design choices, the truth is that the choices made by homeowners are driven by “what’s in or out” at any given time.

At the moment, one of the favorites at Windsor Plywood is vinyl plank flooring.

“The beauty of vinyl plank flooring is that it needs no underlay and you don’t have to be an expert to install it,” said Parker. “And it is very durable and waterproof so it’s ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. And while caring for floors made from natural materials often requires special tools and a lot of time, with vinyl plank floors, all you really need is water and a mop.”

Another benefit of vinyl plank flooring that the experts at Windsor Plywood are quick to point out is the softness of the floor itself.

The floors feel soft and have a slight bounciness that might not seem like an important factor when choosing flooring material, but a few days of having the floor underfoot would change anyone’s mind.

“It’s great for children, for sure, and anyone who is spending a lot of time on their feet. It’s a lot easier on feet and joints than the harder wood or laminate floors,” said Parker.

Of course, flooring materials are always changing and improving and we don’t know yet what’s around the corner. But for now, and into the future, the experts at Windsor Plywood will be there to give you the most up to date advice.

Locally owned in the Comox Valley, Windsor Plywood specializes providing homeowners and contractors with quality and hard-to-source interior/exterior home finishing products including flooring, doors, mouldings and especially wood products. Learn more online or visit on Facebook.