So, when are the floors in your church in need of restoration or replacement?

* Carpets have loose threads or seams showing

* Carpets are worn or outdated

* Wood floors are discolored or rough

* Outdated style

* Terrazzo floors are pitted, stained or cracked

* Ceramic or marble tiles are cracked

* Tiles are loose from the substrate

Your place of worship has unique flooring needs, which may include renovation or total replacement. There are a variety of options available to you.
 
Carpet
Carpet can be an integral part of your church renovation. Colors and patterns in a carpet can create a distinctive atmosphere, serve a practical purpose, and send a message. An accent color on the floor can define aisles, seating area, or the altar area.

Color selection is as diverse as the imagination. Quiet colors such as neutral "earth" tones or the blues of sky and water can soothe, while warmer colors like reds, maize, and shades of orange are used to add vitality and to invigorate.

Appearance is an aesthetic choice and a performance issue, and the two areas are closely related. Heavy foot traffic and soil can discolor carpet and should influence design decisions. Mid-tone colors and the color of the local soil are the best to use in high-traffic areas, especially near entrances.

Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile flooring provides a surface that is impervious to water and stains and that is durable, decorative and stylish, as well as cost-effective. And, the ease of installation, of maintenance, and of repair is superior. Ceramic tile floors "cool" a room because of the natural temperature retention of the material. This material frequently gives the church a more "traditional" feel.

Wood
Wood flooring offers warmth, beauty, and richness, as well as cost effectiveness. Frequently, existing wood floors can be restored to their former beauty. New wood floors can meet various needs, depending on the type of wood selected.

Softwoods, like pine and fir, are often found in older buildings and are more affordable. Hardwood birch is similar to pine, but it tends to have more knots. Hardwoods are more durable and generally have a more refined grain. Oak is quite durable with a tight, dark grain. Maple is a lighter color with less-pronounced grain. Ash and poplar have a uniform light texture and grain. Specialty woods—like walnut, teak, or cherry—provide a more luxurious look, if you have an ample budget.

Plank width and pattern both allow more options in design, installation, and cost. Straight, wide planks are less expensive than, say, parquet or a herringbone pattern or several different colors of wood or stain.

Modern wood floors can be just about any color or shade you want. Any type of wood, with its variety of color and grain, can be modified with added color and/or stain. Certain stains can actually enhance the natural grain. A pickled poplar floor is a sight to behold. And, dark stain gives wood floors a very rich look.

Marble
Marble flooring has all the benefits of ceramic tile, but it is more porous and susceptible to stains. It has all the benefits of terrazzo flooring, with its rich range of "natural" colors, yet it is easier to install. Marble and other stone floors look luxurious and lend stature and permanence to any décor.

Terrazzo
Terrazzo flooring came into use in the early Christian era as an alternative to mosaic tile floors. In Roman times, terrazzo was a mixture of crushed brick and lime mortar as a binding agent that, after it hardened, was ground and polished. This process has changed little over the centuries, although modern materials like portland cement or synthetics are often used. Terrazzo is rarely installed now as a new floor material; most often places of worship will have an existing terrazzo floor that needs to be restored.

This article is courtesy of Fredrick & Emily's Church Renovations, www.fredrickandemilys.com.

 Product Roundup: Carpet & Flooring

ChurchPlaza
ChurchPlaza and Shaw Contract Group have joined together to create "The Faith Flooring Assurance Program," specifically designed to provide churches, faith-based schools and related organizations with flooring products that are:
* Beautiful
* Durable
* High quality
* Great value
ChurchPlaza has earned the trust and endorsements of more than 40 national denominations, fellowships and ministries.
www.churchplaza.com

Electra Tarp's Awana Game Floors
Current trends show valued space is often required to serve for numerous functions. Electra Tarp's custom Awana game floor offers the versatility to turn your space into a multipurpose facility. The flexibility of using this game floor on any surface gives boundless options where this activity can be held.
* The game floor is manufactured using durable reinforced vinyl with painted Awana game circle.
* Remove the game floor by simply folding and storing away.
* It is available in any size desired.
Whether your space is large or small, a game floor can be constructed to fit your needs.
www.electratarp.com

Boflex Sport Floor from Centaur
Centaur Floor Systems presents its Boflex Sport Floor, a pre-finished, high-performance hardwood gymnasium floor system. Utilizing a patented resilient foam channel understructure, Boflex exceeds all the requirements of D.I.N. standards, making it a leader in:
* Shock absorption
* Resilience
* Performance
* Safety
Available in oak, ash, and maple hardwoods, Boflex is the ultimate solution for a multi-use hardwood sport floor.
www.centaurfloors.com

Jerusalem Stone
The Jerusalem Stone Company has announced the availability of stone direct from the ancient quarries of Israel to North America. This exquisite stone, used for more than 5,000 years throughout Jerusalem, is still used exclusively for building and construction in the legendary city. Jerusalem Stone offers a distinct historical significance and an added dimension of beauty. Jerusalem Stone is more affordable than most marble or granite, yet can be treated and sealed in the same way, for the same uses. It is perfect for:
* Interior
* Exterior
* Landscape applications
Jerusalem Stone is available in a variety of hues and finishes. 
www.jerusalemstonecompany.com

Action Flex from Flex Court
Flex Court Athletics has introduced its new Action Flex Gymnasium Sport Flooring for basketball, volleyball and multi-play. It features:
* Heavier gauge top surface structure
* Off-set precise tight connectors
* Continued Aero Flex technology with open air flow suspension
The result is a tile sports floor designed to have the same rigid feel as a wooden floor, with less noise and no moisture problems.
www.flexcourt.com

nora sportsfloor
Freudenberg Building Systems offers nora sportsfloor, an impact-resistant indoor sports floor for school, recreation and multipurpose areas. nora sportsfloor—a rubber floor covering with a mat, anti-slip surface—was developed to meet the changing needs of today's sports and multipurpose areas. nora sportsfloor:
* Has excellent shock absorption qualities that cut down on the risk of injury and reduce bruising
* Has excellent ball bounce properties
* Is extremely durable
* Is easy and inexpensive to maintain
www.norarubber.com