10 Fun Flooring Facts You Probably Didn’t Know!

Home styles and trends seem to change so frequently that it’s hard to keep up with what’s in and what’s out (HGTV: we’re looking at your endless waves of home renovation and DIY shows). While wall colors have rotated regularly through the ROYGBIV color spectrum (avocado green, anyone?), and fabrics have evolved over the decades, it’s comforting to know that some trends have been around since the beginning of time.

Floors have been around since humans first started to take shelter indoors. From dirt floors to expensive hand-painted tiles, flooring options have evolved over the centuries, allowing us to take a peek into the way people in the past used to live. Flooring is also not something people often think about when looking at how society and home life have evolved. For example, if you think carpets (or rugs) are a modern-day commodity, think again. Here are some flooring facts that might make the early man feel a little more contemporary.

1. Many people use linoleum and vinyl interchangeably when describing flooring options, but the two couldn’t be more different. Vinyl is made from synthetic material – derived from petroleum, in fact – while linoleum floors are made from natural products: linseeds and tree resins.
2. Before hardwood floors or carpets were a thing, prehistoric people often used woven straw or grass to create slip resistant (and perhaps more hygienic) flooring. Think of it as the modern-day rug’s or carpet’s ancestor…
3. Which brings us to our next point. The oldest rug humans have discovered dates back to the 5th century B.C. Known as the Pazyryk carpet, it was found in the mountains of Siberia.
4. Across the ocean – and many centuries later – the U.S.’s carpet industry was created in 1791 by William Sprague in Philadelphia. The city of brotherly love is also the birthplace of carpet!
5. Foundations were generally non-existent in Egyptian times. Virgin soil above groundwater level was baked hard by the sun and leveled.
6. If you’re ready to ‘sweep something under the rug’ – congrats on using lingo first introduced in 1963 (and going strong!).
7. The first vacuum cleaners were invented in the 19th century, ran on coal, and were heavy and difficult to use, often requiring more than one person to operate them. Be grateful your Dyson is less of a workout for your chores.
8. And speaking of vacuums, did you know that failing to vacuum your carpet can result in several pounds of dirt, dust, and dead skin cells each year? That’s right – POUNDS.
9. The word ‘carpet’ derives from the Latin word ‘carpere’ which means ‘to pluck.’ Fitting, since carpets were first made from plucked fabric.
10. And if you’re in the market for some really nice flooring, the world’s most expensive floor covering is black marble tiles, each one inlaid with 95 cut diamonds in a flower pattern. The cost? $1 million for ten square feet.

However, if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, trust Refloor to work within your budget and to provide you with a quality product, topnotch professionalism, and a smooth installation process. Contact us today for a quote on your home renovation plans.