Flooring for Soil Hiding Considerations
Where is the Flooring Being Installed?
Selecting a floor for soil-hiding characteristics should be a major consideration. Flooring that conceals dirt and stains can certainly make life easier.
- Selecting a floor for a building located in the country on a quiet road? An installation near a major highway requires different soil hiding characteristics than those of the quiet road.
- A house in the country has soil hiding requirements that differ from that of a penthouse apartment.
When you want a floor covering that hides soil, consider the location where the product will be installed, the amount and type of traffic. All are important soil hiding considerations.
- Perhaps you have a fully landscaped situation with grass and walks. You may have dirt and gravel around the structure, these require different soil hiding characteristics for your flooring.
- You may be in an area that is routinely exposed to rain and mud, still with different soil hiding needs.
- Maybe you’re on the beach or in the desert, and sand is a consideration.
- Some offices, motels, and retail stores are exposed to tracking from asphalt parking lots.
- Maybe you have a restaurant that operates in part of the building, or a garage where your teenagers work on cars.
Selecting for the Area of Installation
Carefully think about the specific composition of soil so that the correct selection can be made. The type and color of soil will vary by geographic location, running the gamut from light to dark and somewhere in between.
Whenever possible, soil hiding can start with color. Select a floor covering similar in tone to the soil the floor will be exposed to. Just like the snake in the photo is blending in with its environment.
A properly selected floor covering should have soil-hiding characteristics that perform well at concealing soil.
Choose a flooring product that can be easily cleaned and cared for. While it may not be your first choice for aesthetics, it will probably be your wisest choice. Concealed soil that is not removed will damage any floor-covering product.
- Dark colors show lint.
- Light and pastel colors show soil faster.
- Designs with patterns help to conceal stains and soil.
- Medium colors hide soil the best.
You need to understand that stain and soil resistance on carpet helps to repel spills and dirt. It does not eliminate maintenance.
Warning About Product Advertising
Advertising for carpet may lead one to believe that a carpet treated with a stain and soil-resisting product will not get dirty. Understand that these products will not keep a carpet clean, but allow for easier clean-up of common household spills. Stain and soil-resistant products are a good selection for any carpeted room, regardless of its soil-hiding abilities. These products will assist with maintenance in high-traffic areas. Rooms such as hallways, stairs, or any other room where activity is high and food or beverages are consumed.
Some advertising for laminated wood, sheet vinyl, and other flooring products also gives the impression that the floor is indestructible. Everything can be destroyed. You need to understand what you are buying and where you are going to use it. Soil hiding characteristics are important, as is good maintenance.
Key Points
- Importance of Flooring Location for Soil Hiding: Choosing the right flooring for soil hiding depends on the installation site, traffic, and environmental conditions such as rain, mud, sand, or urban tracking.
- Consideration of Surrounding Environment: The soil hiding characteristics of flooring should match the area, whether it is landscaped, exposed to weather, or subject to tracking from outdoor surfaces like asphalt.
- Selecting Floor Type Based on Soil Composition: Flooring should be selected considering the color and type of soil in the area, with options like patterned or medium-colored floors that better conceal dirt and stains.
- Balancing Aesthetics and Practicality: While aesthetic preferences are important, choosing flooring that is easy to clean and maintains soil-hiding qualities is essential to protect against soil damage over time.
- Realistic Expectations of Product Treatments and Advertising: Stain and soil-resistant treatments help with cleaning but do not prevent dirt accumulation; similarly, flooring advertised as indestructible requires proper maintenance and realistic expectations.
Continue to Part 5:
