Made from rubber, vinyl, cork, or a combination of materials, these floors offer more than just a softer surface. Acoustics, indoor air quality, maintenance, and aesthetics are also important considerations for specifiers. — Rita Catinella Orrell
 

Firsts in flooring
Responsive Flooring is a Mumbai, India—based company distributed stateside by the New Jersey—based Floorfolio Industries. The manufacturer claims to offer the first 50 percent postconsumer recycled resilient vinyl flooring option on the market and the nation’s only complete commercial flooring line that is manufactured with polyurethane throughout the product, rather than just finished with a top coat of the material. FloorFolio Industries, Edison, N.J. www.floorfolio.com

[Reader Service: January 2009 #221]
 

Linoleum and rubber lines
Johnsonite has updated the Linoleum xF Collection (left) to include 78 colors in a range of natural and earthy tones ideal for health-care and education segments. As part of the new program, Johnsonite also offers the Allegro pattern made with a subtle veining technique. Also new from Johnsonite is Mesto marbleized rubber-tile collection in 16 neutral colors. Mesto is slip-resistant and FloorScore certified, meeting stringent indoor air quality standards. Johnsonite, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. www.johnsonite.com

[Reader Service: January 2009 #222]

     

Rubber stamp it
ECOshapes are precut shapes and patterns from ECOsurfaces that take the time and cost out of creating custom designs. A diamond (45-degree angles), a 24'' hollow frame, and a 12'' square will be launched this month, with other patterns to come later this year. Also new from the company is the ECOstars collection, which was inspired by the night sky and features larger flecks of color and a black background. Made from 100 percent postconsumer tire rubber and 30 percent preconsumer ColorMill EPDM. Ecore, Lancaster, Pa. www.ecosurfaces.com

[Reader Service: January 2009 #223]

Cork substrate
Vencork Flooring, available through the New York City—based materials showroom Architectural Systems, combines real wood veneers with the benefits of a cork substrate. Featuring a highly durable anti-scratch transparent PVC wear layer, the flooring comes in a range of hardwood options from light to dark with custom color capability (mahogany, above right; walnut, below right). The flooring contributes to LEED for recycled content, low emissions, and rapidly renewable construction materials. Architectural Systems, New York City. www.archsystems.com

[Reader Service: January 2009 #224]