B03A - MATERIAL GUIDES - HISTORY
1. THE HISTORY OF RESILIENT FLOORING
(Source: Resilient Floor Covering Institute)
The history of the use of resilient materials as floor covering is long and varied. The first rubber floor tiles appeared sometime in the 12th to 13th centuries, but declined in popularity toward the end of the 17th century. The use of plain, square, undecorated red clay tiles became common throughout Europe during the 18th century.
The history of the use of resilient materials as floor covering is long and varied. The first rubber floor tiles appeared sometime in the 12th to 13th centuries, but declined in popularity toward the end of the 17th century. The use of plain, square, undecorated red clay tiles became common throughout Europe during the 18th century.
|
|
Linoleum is the original sheet flooring material invented and patented in 1860 by Englishman Frederick Walton. It was first manufactured in Scotland in the 1860's, and the first U.S. plant was built in 1872. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II but its use diminished somewhat when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced. With the current trend towards the use of "green" products, linoleum has become more in demand as a flooring product.
|
In 1894, Philadelphia architect Frank Fumess patented a system for rubber floor tiles. Colours were limited, but the tiles could be laid in geometric patterns to produce an eye-catching design. By the end of the century, recessed tabs allowed rubber tiles to be nailed to the sub-floor, and soon the tabs were eliminated altogether. These tiles were durable, sound-deadening, and easy to clean and to install. However, they also stained easily and deteriorated over time from exposure to oxygen, ozone and solvents, and were not suitable for use in basements where alkaline moisture was present.
The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904, and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920's. It was available in a limited range of colours and designs, but was expensive and porous.
The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904, and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920's. It was available in a limited range of colours and designs, but was expensive and porous.
|
Asphalt tile arrived on the scene in the 1920's and, by the 1950's, was the most widely used floor tile on the market because of its low initial cost and ease of installation. These tiles were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant, but the styles and patterns were limited.
In 1933, vinyl composition tile was introduced at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940's, but then quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in most hard-surface applications.
In 1933, vinyl composition tile was introduced at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940's, but then quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in most hard-surface applications.
|
In the 1950's demand for resilient flooring grew due to its superior performance characteristics when compared to other flooring alternatives. During the 1960's cushioned vinyl floors and "no-wax" resilient floors were introduced to provide underfoot comfort and ease of maintenance. During the last twenty years specialty resilient floors that provide enhanced slip resistance and static conductivity have been developed to meet the needs of the marketplace.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring has grown in popularity quickly since it's introduction over recent years. Textured or embossed surfaces and elaborate realistic designs successfully combined the appearance of wide plank wood with the durability of vinyl.
Today, resilient flooring is second only to carpet in floor covering sales in the North America. Resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any flooring application because of its durability and the variety of colours and patterns available and also because it is relatively easy to install and maintain.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring has grown in popularity quickly since it's introduction over recent years. Textured or embossed surfaces and elaborate realistic designs successfully combined the appearance of wide plank wood with the durability of vinyl.
Today, resilient flooring is second only to carpet in floor covering sales in the North America. Resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any flooring application because of its durability and the variety of colours and patterns available and also because it is relatively easy to install and maintain.