Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring Always Mean Higher Quality?

Carpet One-Luxury Vinyl Tiles, by Tom Britt, licensed under Creative Commons 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).

Doubts On LVF’s Higher Quality

Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF) has merits in aesthetic variations, enhanced composition, rigid core, flexible installation and other features. These features generally account for its higher costs compared to standard vinyl flooring. Despite its higher costs, housing and commercial estate owners prefer to invest in LVF as its features bring long-term benefits with higher resale value. However, these features may not always equate to overall higher quality, as they have corresponding drawbacks. Here are key factors that cause the superior features of LVF to have a contrary effect and bring disadvantages.

Moisture and Heat Exposure

Generally, with its synthetic materials composition, vinyl repels water and resists heat. However, constant contact with water and without wiping off may lead to moisture seeping into the subfloor. Underfloor heating systems, direct sunlight contact or frequent temperature without protection will gradually cause wear on the surfaces. Even though LVF can withstand moisture and heat longer, prolonged exposure to harsh elements would cause damage.

Standard vinyl is typically in thin tiles or sheets, which are less impact resilient, and its glue-down installation can be difficult. Conversely, a sturdy glue-down leads to fewer seams between planks or tiles and closes the void between them and the subfloor. Luxury vinyl has a predominantly inter-clicking and locking mechanism that facilitates flexible installation. It also allows ideal room for effective expansion and contraction with humidity changes. This feature entails better protection against warping or buckling in areas with constant temperature fluctuation. Contrarily, the click-locking mechanism creates grooves and ridges between floor pieces and hollow space underneath them, causing the floor to float. Along with the seams between each floor piece, the hollow subfloor may accumulate moisture and lead to mould growth in high humidity environments.

Moisture Damage to Floor, by Mr.TinMD, licensed under Creative Commons NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Foot Traffic Impact

Another factor to consider is the level of foot traffic. High-activity and fast-paced workplaces such as mailrooms, newsrooms, healthcare areas and retail shopfronts have intensive foot traffic from occupants and visitors. Along with high human flows, moving equipment and carts with frequent usage cause a significant impact on the walking surface. Hence, a glue-down vinyl flooring is ideal for high-traffic environments as it provides extra support in keeping the flooring in place. Installing floating planks is practical in less traffic-intensive residential and commercial settings. LVF has a strengthened composition and higher durability to provide a better strength to withstand direct and heavy impact. Contrarily, its floating nature makes it vulnerable to high-activity and fast-paced environments. In addition, though floating floors have a hollow cushion on the feet, it can amplify footsteps and cause undesirable noises. Before confirming which food type is ideal, seek your flooring contractor to advise traffic and load limits and perform stress tests.

Maintenance and Replacement Feasibility

As discussed in the previous factor, high-traffic environments increase maintenance frequency and replacement likelihood of floor pieces. The floor is probably the largest surface area to clean and maintain for any setting. The constant impact from human traffic and equipment flows accumulates dirt and may cause scratches or dents. One advantage of deploying the glue-down method is the relative ease of replacing individual planks or tiles one at a time. Isolating damaged spots to prevent hazards to occupants and visitors and replacing affected pieces is uncomplicated. However, it can be messy and time-consuming due to its strong adhesive.

Click-locking LVF planks and tiles are systematic to install and straightforward to maintain and replace without gluing. However, its systematic click-locking causes the interdependence between each piece. Some LVFs may need to remove several pieces systematically before reaching the affected ones to replace. While being conscientious in installing and caring to sustain the shelf life, wear or tear is inevitable. Therefore, check with manufacturers or contractors on the installation and replacement processes.

Crystal Flooring, by Crystalflooringsydney, licensed under Creative Commons ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

To tackle the drawbacks of vinyl, NBL Express produces Premium Resilient Floorings (PRFs) with Uniclic plank locking, Irradiated Cross-Linked PolyEthylene (IXPE) subfloor underlayment and other enhanced resilient properties. We welcome you to explore our blog page for informative product applications. Feel free to reach us for more information.

Choosing The Best Composite Decking

What exactly is Composite decking?

Composite decking is a man-made building product made up of a mix of wood fibres, plastics and bonding agents. The resulting boards require far less maintenance than traditional wood decking while looking far more authentic than plastic alternatives. Eco composite decking also makes for a safer (no splinters!) and a more eco-friendly (uses recycled content) alternative to traditional wood-decking!

How can you choose the best composite decking for your deck?

There is a large range of composite boards on the market and it's normal to feel confused by the range of choices. To know what type of composite board is best suited for you, you should weigh the importance of a few key factors, which we have compiled for you below:

1. Texture and Grains

The texture and grain of a composite board is important for two key reasons. Firstly, the texture of the board determines the level of friction it provides. If you’re planning to build a patio near a pool that’s likely to get wet, it is best to have a more textured composite deck that increases friction, and reduces chances of slipping. If you’re not, you can get a smoother material for a more polished look without worrying about your safety. Additionally, the grain of the word is also an important aesthetic consideration, grains help to give the impression of an authentic wood deck, helping to elevate the look of your deck

Different high-quality grains and textures offered by our quality products

2. Hollow versus Solid planks

Composite boards come in solid and hollow varieties, hollow ones have chambers running through the length of the plank whilst solid boards are denser and stronger. Hollow decks tend to be less costly and help combat against high temperatures, however if you’re looking for something that will last against the wear and tear of time, solid boards will definitely be the ideal choice. Solid boards also lend your deck an exquisitely expensive feel.

Featuring our EvaLAST series (Solid Core), EasyDECK series(Hollow Core) and EcoDECK series

3. Colour

Lastly, it is important to consider the colour of your deck in relation to the colour scheme of the rest of your property, in order to ensure the mix of colours is suitable and stylish. Dark coloured boards can also really heat up under the glare of the Sun, so it’s important for you to compare not only the style but feasibility of different colours.

Comparing light and dark-coloured boards near pools

After reading through this piece, you’re likely to have a rough idea of the style and type of board you’re looking for, but to have a better understanding and truly find the right fit for your deck, a consultation with our professionals will surely do the right trick. NBL-Eco Flooring offers both quality and style for the best outdoor decking solutions in Singapore, and we’re looking forward to making the deck of your dreams come true soon!

Why Vinyl Flooring is Better Than Engineered Hardwood

Explaining why the engineered hardwood is overrated

All over home renovation TikToks and Pinterest collections, we see beautiful cabin-esque homes fitted out with mahogany or oak hardwood flooring. There is no doubt. Hardwood flooring is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a big financial investment.

Of course, procuring, installing and maintaining genuine hardwood in our humid Singaporean climate is no mean feat. This is why home renovation connoisseurs are turning to hardwood replacements that give the look of hardwood at a fraction of the costs.

Two of the most common hardwood replacements are vinyl flooring and engineered hardwood. The great hardwood debate is which of these two options are better. We like to think that engineered hardwood is overrated in today’s market. Let’s bring you through the reasons.

Vinyl flooring is long-lasting and durable

The key difference between vinyl flooring and engineered hardwood is in its composition. The layered nature of engineered hardwood, while making it durable to moisture, is unfortunately vulnerable to scratches. If you have babies or pets at home, or have heavy furniture to shift, then engineered hardwood could be easily scratched and damaged without very good care.

Unlike engineered hardwood, vinyl flooring has that resistance not only against water but also to general scratches and dents. This makes vinyl flooring extremely pet-friendly and baby-friendly. That said, vinyl flooring is not kevlar and not completely indestructible.

Vinyl flooring is generally easier to maintain

While both vinyl flooring and engineered hardwood are designed for easy maintenance, vinyl flooring still has that edge when it comes to long-term care, cleaning and maintenance. This is always an important consideration since homeowners do not want to swap out the flooring every few years.

Whether you are using a broom or vacuum cleaner, vinyl flooring is the clear winner if you are asking which is easier to clean. In contrast, you would need to apply special care when cleaning engineered hardwood as it is more easily damaged. Moreover, in the case of damage, it is easier to replace vinyl flooring one plank at a time with relatively simple procedures. This may be more complex for engineered hardwood, depending on the specifications.

Vinyl flooring is usually more cost-friendly

Finally, cost is always top of mind. If there is a winner, it will be vinyl flooring. They are generally more cost-friendly to install and maintain in the long-run, compared to engineered hardwood. Repairs and replacement are also cheaper in the case of vinyl flooring. Of course, bear in mind you are not scrimping and being stingy if you go for vinyl flooring - since the aesthetic, quality and durability can be top-notch, if you choose the right renovation contractors.

We have no biases against engineered hardwood, but in terms of durability, ease of maintenance and cost-efficiency we think vinyl flooring is deserving of some praise. If you have further questions on flooring or renovation works in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts!

Maintaining Fluted Panels; It's Easier Than You Think

EcoWALLS™ Fluted Panel - Easy To Maintain. Image Credit: NBL Express - Eco Flooring Pte Ltd on Facebook.

Fluted Panels' Appeal and Cleaning Ease

Feature panels are a rising trend in interior walls, and fluted panels are well-received for having a streamlined appeal and cleaning ease. Made of engineered composites, fluted panels have enhanced material protection for straightforward maintenance. In the previous blog post, we covered practical and expressive ways in which fluted panels define home interior spaces. In continuation, here is an informative guide on maintaining fluted panels.

Maintain Conducive Environment

Install fluted panels away from windows and doors to avoid direct sunlight and rain splatter. While they withstand environmental conditions well, it is prudent to prevent prolonged exposure to natural elements. Interior conditions are equally essential to ensure a conducive environment to protect fluted panels. Avoid installing panels near air-conditioners, heaters and other electrical appliances to prevent moisture, dryness, vibration and temperature fluctuation. Another straightforward way is to fix curtains or louvre blinds on windows to deflect or soften ultraviolet (UV) impact.

With a corrugating pattern of ridges and grooves in a geometric flow, fluted panels have a calming effect on our minds. Besides living rooms and bedrooms, installing it in kitchens and bathrooms gives a much needed soothing and decorative effect. Hence, you will want to protect the panels against grease and moisture by installing the panels away from stoves, showers and taps. Despite minimising exposure, dust and stains will spread and accumulate on grooves and ridges over time. But fret not, as simple cleaning will suffice.

Clean Dust and Dirt

Fluting has the geometric allure and alignment of linear lines, zig-zag or chevron patterns, and concave or convex shapes. Such features facilitate the flexibility to install and complement the designs or themes of surrounding interiors. Conversely, their contours and corrugation allow dust to settle in. Hence, it is essential to wipe regularly to prevent dust accumulation.

For vertical panels, wipe the contours and grooves in a top-down approach with a damp microfibre cloth to trap dust. Use a mild cleaning agent if necessary. If the panels are horizontal or with a wide width, apply a circular or "S'' motion sideways from the top panel to the bottom panel. Wash off the cloth when it builds up trapped dust and dirt before continuing wiping. In this manner, you minimise dust and dirt to redistribute back onto the surface. Through quick and regular cleaning with proper directions, it reduces the hassle and electricity costs of using a vacuum cleaner. Next, we look at how to wipe stains and splatters.

Household Cleaning Rags, by congerdesign, licensed under Pixabay License.

Wipe Stains and Splatters

While being careful, it is unavoidable that oil stains and liquid splatters may occur. Have trouble with kids scribbling on the wall? Use a lint-free polyester or microfibre cloth with gentle motions while wiping away the unwanted elements. Pat the affected areas with soap water or shower foam, and it is advisable to wipe vertically from top to bottom in a circular or "S" motion. Wipe dry after wiping off with fresh water. Horizontal and bottom to top directions can cause water to spread or drip and thus form streaks on walls.

This method with soap water will work for most stains and splatters. What about stubborn dirt and grime? Typically, powerful detergents or solvent cleaners will do the trick. However, they have acidic compounds that cause damage to the panels and are hazardous to our respiration. We got you covered with NBL Express’ Concentrated Vinyl Cleaner that safely cleans panels and restores shine.

For more information on fluted panels and their care instructions, you can contact us at 6252 1910 / 6465 0429 or email ecoflooring@nblexpress.com. Our showroom is at 615 Balestier Road Singapore 329910, operating from 10 am to 7 pm daily.

Ideas To Define Home Interior Space With Fluted Panels

EcoWALLS™ Fluted Panel. Image Credit: NBL Express - Eco Flooring on Facebook.

Fluted Panels’ Inspiration

Modern interior fluting technique stems from classical architecture, in which concave grooves (inward) or convex ridges (outward) spiral along column shafts. The fluting provides a streamlined structural flow in exterior columns and line architecture, utilising natural light reflection. Likewise, using it in interior spaces gives a rhythmic flow and expresses minimalistic decors fluidly. While there are assortments of feature walls with various paints and textures, they can be overwhelming. Fluted panels are well sought-after due to their installation creativity and practical functions without the overwhelming aesthetic. Here are some viable ideas to define home interior space with fluted panels.

Line Architecture, by ekk814, licensed under Pixabay License.

Fluting In Bedroom

A bedroom is a place where you return to rest after a long day of work. Vertical chevron panels with an inverted V shape provides an ideal backdrop. Individual panels of half-inverted V alternate with evenly-spaced grooves and ridges, which merge seamlessly to form a chevron pattern. Usually, they are of two matching colours that alternate and complement each other well. Upholstery fluted headboards with smoothened grooves and ridges are ideal for beds without headboards. It provides a front aesthetic when entering the bedroom and back comfort when having a casual read. Panels with overlapping horizontal slats are applicable for installing fittings like brackets to hang light clothing, portraits or small storage bins. Through observant placement with matching pigments, you can create a practical and peaceful balance in the room.

Upholstery Fluted Headboard. Licensed under Creative Commons (CC0).

Fluting In Living Room

The living room is akin to the soul space of a family. Whether poise and peace or slightly loud and bold, fluted panels can frame your desired motivation. Fluted panels with neutral colours, evenly spread ridges and shallow grooves define a calming backdrop wall to create a relaxing vibe. Those with slightly elaborated contours provide an attractive focal point without going overboard. In large living rooms, panels instantly segregate without isolating divided zones, such as small reading, playing and dining zones. Fluted panels in hardwood brown shades reflect a close-knitted strength of a family with a cosy ambience. Metallic shades of silver, brown or black exude an industrial vibe. In addition, add abstract lighting fixtures onto fluted panels to shine a new lease of life to the living room.

EcoWALLS™ Fluted Wall. Image Credit: NBL Express - Eco Flooring.

Fluting In Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen and the dining area is akin to the heart of a household where conversations flow and bonds kindle. It should be optically lively to set the tone that brings the family closer. Adding a fluting feature to your household’s liking provides depth and defines the interior space with a united personality. Hence, discuss with household members to select a favourable fluted panel that complement surroundings. For example, fluted battens consist of horizontal slats forming closely in front of vertical slats that span wide from each other. The wood finish reflects a rustic taste for a close-knitted kitchen and dining atmosphere. Moreover, the hollow spaces allow hooks to hold light-weighted bags of non-perishable items that come in handy when returning from grocery shopping.

Fluted Battens. Licensed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0.

NBL Express’ Fluted Panels

Without complicated contours, fluted panels provide a favourable enhancement to interior spaces that you can look forward to applying. NBL Express’ EcoWALLS™ fluted panels possess the natural wood beauty appearance while being optimally resistant against moisture, mould and mites. They naturally blend in with interior surroundings and are easy to clean. Therefore, besides residential settings, NBL Express’ fluted panels are ideal for adding a subdued focus in commercial settings. To learn more about their enhanced composite materials and beneficial features, you may look into an earlier blog post - “EcoWALLS™ Fluted Panels, Panels That Are More Than Aesthetic and Appearance”.

Benefits Of Premium Resilient Flooring By NBL Express

Introduction

This article discusses the reasons to choose Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) in terms of its configuration features and entailing benefits. It is vinyl-based resilient flooring engineered with a superior composition to achieve optimal design, durability and ergonomics. Its top-notch resilience makes it a preferred choice for commercial and residential units. NBL Express’ PRF consists of innovative layering that produces enhanced resiliency.

Superior Composition

At the base of each PRF 5.3 plank is an anti-static vinyl back with Uniclic, a patented German technology. Next, three layers of solid virgin vinyl and two sheets of vinyl fibreglass reinforce the plank. The next layer is a decorative PVC printed film that resembles natural floorings such as hardwood or marble. Following that is a crystal grade wear layer and a protective top surface of eco-friendly crystal ceramic beads.

Premium Resilient Flooring™ 5.3mm

Another version is PRF 7.5mm. At its base layer, Irradiated Cross-Linked PolyEthylene (IXPE) underlayment utilises Progressive Foam Technology (PFT) that renders effective sound absorption. The fine, cross-linked foam also smoothens subfloor (bottom-most or inherent ground) imperfections and surrounding moisture. Like PRF 5mm, PRF 7.5mm also uses the efficient and secured Uniclic system as its rigid core structure. The next four layers are a virgin vinyl layer, an embossed decor, a green UV-treated coating, and an ECO-fresh top surface.

Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF™) - 7.5mm

Upon identifying the layers, let us understand how they reinforce planks to benefit users in design, durability and ergonomics.

Design

Aesthetic Design:

In resemblance to opened or closed woodgrains, PRF exudes a country ambience. Every plank resembles a natural art piece with patterns and palettes of hickory, oak, maple and other wood species. Such nostalgic beauty of wood grains facilitates a cosy environment for the family or workplace. Marble is elegant and expressive due to its refined beauty via sophisticated underground mining. PRF has marble’s wavy or granite patterns with sparkling sheen, which exude a timeless beauty that has graced palaces for centuries.

Utility Design:

Besides aesthetic designs, resilient vinyl flooring companies practise mindful and sustainable manufacturing in flooring designs by using recycled and recyclable materials. PRF earned the Green Label Singapore accreditation, a leading environmental standard across 43 countries, and diligently practise awareness of the environment. PRF utilises Uniclic, a glueless mechanism with rotate-and-fasten or snap-and-secured interlocking to achieve an efficient and secured installation.

Durability 

Resilient Against Water, Fire, Static:

As it neutralises and repels water, PRF is popular to install in moisture-rich areas like kitchens, laundry and basements. With EN71-2 certification, the resilient flooring is a fire retardant that provides fire safety assurance to your loved ones. Anti-static vinyl back and IXPE underlayment inhibits static charges and recover quickly from imbalances. Consequently, this helps to prevent damages to appliances and electronic devices.

Anti-Scratches, Stains and Deforms:

One of the main concerns of choosing suitable floorings is the frequent impact from high foot traffic spaces that causes scratches and stains. Common areas are retail spaces of high patron flows, living rooms with bubbly kids and pets, and kitchens due to oil residues. Through its top wear layer with enhanced ceramic-beaded coating, PRF has the durability to resist scratches and stains. The composite of virgin vinyl and fibreglass renders sufficient flexural rigidity to restrict warping during thermal expansion and contraction.

Ergonomics

Low Allergens and Toxins

The IXPE underlayment and green UV eliminate dust and microorganisms like mildews and mould spores. The UV treatment prevents dirt and dust particles from accumulating. Hence, the underlayment and green UV minimise harmful bacteria and make floor cleaning easier. The top ECO coating has no formaldehyde (colourless, pungent gas) and other toxins, facilitating clean and fresh air circulation.

Sound Absorption:

With effective filtering of IXPE underlayment to minimise surrounding noise impact, PRF is conducive for bedrooms and study rooms. It is also favourable for packed places such as schools and dining establishments. People who prefer quiet interiors would benefit from the built-in sound absorption underlayment. Hence, the resilient flooring saves the hassle and money from spending on acoustic absorption devices.

Firm Yet Comfort Touch:

As the cross-linked underlayment foam neutralises subfloor imperfections, you and your loved ones can have a balanced footing. In addition, the wear layer and ceramic bead finishing provide the much needed firm friction to deter slips or falls. The grip helps prevent or minimise physical pain and emotional shock. To soften the hardness of the inherent ground, the underlay foam of PRF provides cushioning to walk on. Should there be accidents, the impact would be less intense than the stone-cold hardness of marble or stone.

Closing Thoughts

While it lacks inherent toughness and designs of natural counterparts, PRF overcomes its shortcomings with a superior composition that brings optimal durability and ergonomics. Hence, besides residences, the features and benefits entail a high application versatility in public space interiors. Recommended spaces include office areas, healthcare areas, education centres, retail fronts, dining spaces, and museum galleries with high-flowing foot traffic. Therefore, PRF is a sustainable and preferred choice to keep homeowners, families, employees and patrons healthy and happy in their environments.

To learn more about milestones, product offerings, showroom location and contact information of NBL Express, click here.

Why You Should Use Resilient Vinyl Flooring For Home Stairs

Are you searching for home stairs that are enchanting, efficient and effective? Search no further than Premium Resilient Flooring™ (PRF), a premium resilient level of vinyl flooring offered by NBL Express. Besides floorings, homeowners can use the innovative vinyl floorings for stairs. Stair surfaces in homes are high foot-traffic spaces with frequent ascending and descending movements. Hence, stairs are focal spaces and noticeable points that require stylish and sturdy materials.

Hall Interior Illustration, by pikisuperstar, licensed under Freepik.

Enchanting Designs

PRFs have enchanting PVC printed films with charming patterns and textures similar to hardwood and marble or stone designs. Depending on your desires, you can choose warmer or lighter tones. Warm colours such as reddish-brown and earthy grey enable spaces to feel cosier. Cool and lighter tones such as light beige oak and snow make home spaces brighter. Whether on its own or when matched with walls and floors, PRFs stairs provide enchanting and harmonious designs. The hardwood design has a country-inspired style with wood grain patterns to bring the beauty of nature indoors. The marble and stone designs have beautiful veins and mesmerising translucence that illustrate a classic elegance. Consequently, the enchanting designs enable stairs to complement walls and floors naturally and adapt well to the rest of the home interiors.

Premium Resilient Flooring for Stairs, by NBL Express Eco Flooring.

Efficient To Install

Vinyl planks with peel and stick or glue-down installation for stairs provide intuitive and user-friendly benefits for homeowners. Installation of vinyl planks as treads (horizontal surfaces) and risers (vertical surfaces) is relatively efficient. You can install stair treads and keep original risers intact or install both. Provided that the stair surfaces are level, the installation of vinyl planks does not need complicated tools. Nosings are edgings that overhang the front of risers and close gaps between treads and risers. Edgings accentuate stair steps and reinforce durability, but more importantly in terms of safety, increase traction to prevent slipping. Use multipurpose Max BondTM Adhesive with a caulking gun to glue vinyl nosings between treads and risers smoothly and securely.

A further efficient option is PRF, which utilises the Uniclic technology of angular rotation and snapping mechanism for quick and secured installation. Due to its superior production and installation versatility, Uniclic evolved into a leading locking innovation in the interiors industry. Moreover, with eco-friendly components and eco-efficiency production of PRF verified by Green Label Singapore, it means families enjoy home sustainability.

Effective To Use 

Walking up and down the stairs means pressing the feet down with each step. Although this may seem insignificant, it is uncomfortable on the soles in the long run when stair treads are too hard to walk on. The premium resilient vinyl is shock-absorbent and acts as a natural cushioning pad to walk on with bare feet. This feature is ideal for high foot-traffic interiors like stairs, as it minimises the noise impact of ascending and descending stairs. Regardless of material type, it is painful on the toes if we kick hard on the risers or protruding nosings. Hence, for extra comfort and non-slip grip, you can consider adding tread mats or protectors.

Conversely, due to its soft cushioning, vinyl flooring may be prone to wear and tear in the long run. However, through simple cleaning without harsh chemicals and materials, vinyl surfaces will maintain durability and brightness. With ceramic beads coating at the top layer, premium resilient vinyl is resistant against water, stains and scratches. Besides these resistances, its traction grip prevents losing of feet balance. In addition, its sheen results in a radiant and sleek appearance to match well with walls and floorings. Typically, resilient-vinyl planks can last from 10 to 25 years. Furthermore, PRF has a residential lifetime limited warranty that you can trust and gives your family peace of mind. Therefore, PRF is an ideal choice for home stairs.

Learn more at https://www.nblexpress.com/premium/ and https://www.nblexpress.com/premium-75/. Contact 625 21910 / 6465 0429, or email ecoflooring@nblexpress.com for enquiries and quotations. Operating hours: 10am to 7pm daily. Visit our grand showroom at 615 Balestier Road Singapore 329910.

Floorings That Help To Keep Your Home Cool

In the post-pandemic era, homeowners seek an airy and crisp interior climate for a better living environment. It can be a dilemma to choose between floorings that withstand hot weather or to cope with coldness. Singapore is sunny but has erratic weather throughout the year. Hence, it is wise to install floorings that help to keep your home cool but are not adversely affected by weather changes. Thermal and aesthetic properties are the key factors in determining the right flooring to align well with your cooling needs.

Natural Stone

Natural stones such as slates or granites are known for their cooling touch and refreshing appeal. Stone slabs and tiles on their own are great for conducting coolness in the summer. Natural stone has the natural regulation to facilitate energy efficiency by absorbing heat from morning and releasing gradually in the evening.[1] In addition, with polished surfaces and sealing, stone flooring becomes non-porous and thus resists moisture and humidity.[2] Natural stone has strong thermal conductivity to absorb direct sunlight and reflects heat, making home surroundings feel adequately warm. Hence, to obtain optimal coolness during the day, install light-filtering shades or heat-absorbing curtains to cool living spaces.

Metamorphic Marble

Marble is metamorphic, which is the transformation of limestone to undergo the high intensity of underground heat and pressure. Marble’s gradual recrystallisation production ensures it is denser and more durable than other flooring options, like ceramic, porcelain and wood. Marble slate is a quick thermal transmitter that absorbs and dissipates heat quickly on its surfaces. Its high density transfers heat away swiftly and radiates the retained coldness on warm bodies and soles.[3] Even when the home surroundings feel hot and humid, marble slates will remain relatively cooling. Moreover, its snow-white or light background with unique vein and grain patterns and smooth textures give a refreshing vibe. Hence, marble flooring is suitable to keep homes naturally cool, and with heating mechanisms, it can also adapt to coldness. 

Resilient Vinyl

Marble and stone floorings are very durable. However, due to their natural elements, they may need resealing every few years. Resilient vinyl flooring is a top choice of floorings that help to keep your home cool. NBL Express offers Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) planks, a well-received version of resilient vinyl flooring. It is highly adaptable to keep the interior climate cool and refreshing and readily provide warmth and cosiness. With overlaying installation and ceramic bead finish as reinforcement, PRF is non-porous and less vulnerable to thermal expansion and contraction. Consequent to this thermal resilience during fluctuating temperatures, the floor planks or tiles resist warping or cupping. Through slick and safe designs with simple maintenance, it streamlines with surrounding interiors to facilitate a pleasant chillness. With patterns and properties built closely to stone and marble but with production and installation advancements,[4] PRF is cost-effective.

In addition, they have hygienic and waterproof properties and a lifetime residential warranty. Therefore, besides making your home cool and refreshing, you can build a safe and sustainable indoor environment. The following are a few recommended PRF choices that keep home cool and comfortable for you and your family.

NBL 80 Gray Slate (PRF 5MM Series)

Combining grainy patterns of stone with unique veins and gorgeous translucence of marble, Gray Slate provides timeless elegance and freshens the living room.

Gray Slate has stone grains and marble translucence that freshen homes.

Gray Slate gives timeless elegance and coolness in a living room.

NBL 96 Frozen Grey (PRF 7.5MM Series)

Grey vinyl floorings, particularly those with the coldness of stone and cosiness of wood, rapidly grew over the past decade[4]. Although named Frozen Grey, it has a mixture of open and closed wood grain patterns. And with its white-washed sheen, Frozen Grey keeps bedrooms and study rooms cool yet cosy.

Frozen Grey has open and closed wood grains.

Ideal in keeping bedrooms and study rooms cool yet cosy.

NBL 91 Canadian Pine (PRF 7.5 MM Series)

Moving into 2022 and beyond, the colour trend is towards lighter and desaturated palettes with cool tones to produce calmness.[4] NBL 91 Canadian Pine resonates with this trend with its creamy blonde background and a white-washed finish to calm nerves. Its long and open wood grain patterns of pale brown colour incorporate subtle rustic and warm elements. This combination works well on its own to provide a pleasant chillness. Moreover, it also complements stylishly with furniture and surrounding interiors to build a cool and contemporary home. Therefore, along with the high thermal resilience of PRF, the Canadian Pine flooring is perfect for keeping homes cool yet cosy.

Canadian Pine has a creamy blonde background with pale brown grain patterns.

Canadian Pine has a white-washed finish for coolness and calming effects.

Visit our PRF 5MM and 7.5MM Series to learn more. Feel free to contact us for enquiries and quotations.

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Sources:

[1] Pros And Cons Of Stone Flooring. Singapore Flooring Pte Ltd. (3 Jul 2020). Retrieved 27 November 2021, from https://www.floorings.com.sg/news/pros-and-cons-of-stone-flooring.html.

[2] The Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS). (2018). CONQUAS 21 Enhancement Series Good Industry Practices Guide Book - Natural Stone Finishes. [Ebook] (pp. 2 - 8). Retrieved 27 November 2021, from https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/quality/natural-stone-finishes.pdf.

[3] Zohn, R. (17 July 2017). Why Is Marble Cold?. HomeSteady | The ultimate guide for all your household needs. Retrieved 27 November 2021, from https://homesteady.com/13411484/why-is-marble-cold.

[4] Ziskin, A. (22 November 2021). 2022 Vinyl Flooring Trends: 20+ Hot Vinyl Flooring Ideas. Flooring Inc. Retrieved 27 November 2021, from https://www.flooringinc.com/blog/vinyl-flooring-trends/.

Composite Decking - Your Ideal Flooring Option For Outdoors

Are you weighing up options for outdoor floorings and interested to find out more about composite decking? Welcome to this blog post on composite decking - your ideal flooring option for the outdoors. Composite decks typically comprise recycled and reinforced wood flour, wood fibres and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This unique engineered composition provides the rustic beauty of natural wood but with superior qualities. The following key features of composite decking highlight its benefits, which address major concerns of outdoor floorings.

NBL - Swimming Pool

High Weather Resistance

Through reinforced components and ultraviolet (UV) stabilisers, composite decks have non-porous surfaces and strong insulation to withstand harsh weather conditions. Hence, they are highly resistant against weather elements such as fluctuating temperatures, moisture and UV. The recycled and reinforced compounds also inhibit bacteria and insect growth. With non-slip waterproof surfaces, the decks are safe to walk barefoot on. The fortified woods and thermoplastics facilitate flexural rigidity to restrict warping during thermal expansion and contraction.[1] Also, studies found composites have enhanced fire resistance,[1] which the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) rated Class 1.[2] Hence, it is a viable option for outdoor space with water landscapes such as pools, ponds and fountains.

Optimal Durability

Natural wood inherently provides greater structural integrity and tensile strength to withstand load and tension. However, the chemical treatments and material enhancements remove impurities and increase flexural rigidity by 40% to restrict bending.[1] HDPE has strong intermolecular forces, which extend boiling and melting points. Regular wood decks usually last between 10 to 15 years. Composite decks have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years or more and have warranties to match. Treated wood flour and reinforced wood fibres neutralise tree bark and foreign residues, and thus minimise flaws such as discolouration, wear and rots. Consequently, the decks are free of cracks and splinters, common pain points (no pun intended) homeowners face.

Simple Upkeep

Due to its composite make-up, the surfaces are much easier to clean and maintain when compared with natural materials. They do not require frequent staining, painting, sealing or other additional treatments. A typical homemade cleaning solution is half a cup of white vinegar and one-quarter cup of baking soda into one gallon of lukewarm water. Then, scrub the dirt with a mild bristle brush and rinse off the debris. For stubborn stains, use ammonia-free floor detergent or household cleaners. Then, spray off using a pressure hose or water jet.

Timber Composite Decking by NBL Express

Besides high weather resistance, optimal durability and simple upkeep, our timber composite decks (EvaLAST™ (Solid Core), EcoDECK™ and EasyDECK™ (Hollow Core) provide valuable utility. The rustic colour palettes are versatile to match alfresco furniture and walls and merge well with nature and outdoor landscapes. They are easy and secure to install and replace with interlocking mechanisms and thus highly scalable to various settings. Moreover, when you engage our floorings, you play an essential role in green consumerism. With 11 recycled HDPE to produce sustainable decks,[3] we pledge to save trees and reduce carbon emissions.[4] Our outdoor decks provide the fashion and functionality that brings liveliness to front yards and backyards.[3] Therefore, the decks are ideal for balconies, patios, alfresco dining, gardens, pools, porches and docks in residential and commercial environments.

Wood Decking VS ECO Composite Decking

NBL Express commits to providing outdoor deckings that offer comfort and safe ground and bring the best value to your homes. While outdoor decks may cost more than natural wood decks, the long-term benefits outweigh initial costs. We hope you find this small guide helpful to kickstart and fulfil your outdoor flooring projects. Check out our Timber Composite Decking series page to learn more. Contact us for consultations and quotations on customising composite deckings that fit well into your current outdoor settings.

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Sources:

[1] Flexural Stiffness. ScienceDirect, Engineering Topics. Retrieved on 16 November 2021 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/flexural-stiffness

[2] Building & Construction Authority. (2008). CONQUAS 21 Enhancement Series Good Industry Practices Guide Book - Design and Material Selection for Quality - Vol 2 [Ebook] (pp. 81 - 86). Singapore. Retrieved on 16 November 2021 from https://www.bca.gov.sg/Publications/EnhancementSeries/design2.html | https://www.bca.gov.sg/Publications/EnhancementSeries/others/design2Ch11.pdf

[3] Mynewsdesk. 2018. NBL EXPRESS EvaLAST and EcoDECK for your Outdoor Flooring Needs. [online] Available at: <https://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/nbl-express-singapore/blog_posts/nbl-express-evalast-and-ecodeck-for-your-outdoor-flooring-needs-67838> [Accessed 17 November 2021].https://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/nbl-express-singapore/blog_posts/6-benefits-of-wood-plastic-composite-decking-67987

[4] Shanmugam, V., et al. (2021). Circular economy in biocomposite development: State-of-the-art, challenges and emerging trends. ScienceDirect, Composites Part C: Open Access, Vol 5, Pg 1 - 16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2021.100138, Retrieved on 16 November 2021.

EcoWALLS™ Fluted Panels from NBL - Eco Flooring Pte Ltd, Panels That Are More Than Aesthetic and Appearance

Fluted panels offer a sophisticated alternative to paint colours, wallpapers or tiles to spruce up walls. They are corrugated panels with protruded ridges and depressed grooves with engineered composites and natural wood finishes. Fluted panels are gaining popularity as featured walls due to their ability to bring life to dull backgrounds. On 28 October 2021, PropertyGuru, Southeast Asia’s pioneering PropTech firm, recommended fluted panels as a leading interior design trend for 2021/2022. With tactical textures, innovative sound insulation, and sustainable features, EcoWALLS™ fluted panels from NBL Express are an inspirational choice in the interiors market.

Tactical Textures

The application of linear lines and corrugated shapes of fluting brings the timeless elegance of classical architecture to complement flat surfaces. More than aesthetic and appearance, linear lines and corrugated shapes form tactical textures. They subtly establish focal points that naturally shift our focus towards the panels. Fluting has parallel spaces between ridges and grooves to facilitate a streamlined formation. With tactical installation, the panels can deflect lighting and hide unsightly scratches, marks or dents of the background wall. Moreover, they conceal cables of entertainment and other electronic devices and thus help to manage cables neatly.

Besides textures, the versatile laminated shades match the background colours of living rooms or concierge areas and add an attractive focus. In the office or retail spaces, matching fluted panels create a continuation design on reception areas. For instance, metallic chrome aligns well with reddish-brown mahogany to facilitate an industrial warmth. Hence, the subtle alignment provides a streamlined focus that welcomes guests, clients or patrons.

Innovative Sound Insulation

Does your apartment or workplace have open spaces or high foot traffic? Wood alone is not dense enough to absorb noise. With innovative insulation from composites of engineered materials, fluted panels minimise external and internal noises. Engineered composites with depressed grooves act as a perforated resonator to minimise sound. They absorb sounds from the surrounding atmosphere to provide decent levels of acoustic insulation. If you are in music studios, this sound insulation is a sound investment to reduce the impact of noise and echo.

The hollow spaces of grooves and protrusion of ridges allow air to permeate but absorb and disrupt soundwave passages. The absorption and disruption fragmentise the soundwaves, which consequently reduce unpleasant noises. Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) measures the level of noise that the material can absorb or reflect. The scale tips from 0 to 1, with 0 meaning no sound and fully absorbed or reflected at the other end. Smooth wood surfaces have an NRC range of 0.05 to 0.15. In contrast, corrugated composite panels have an NRC range of 0.25 to 0.80. Think how this humble innovation can bring peace on top of glamour to home and workplaces walls and ceilings.

Sustainable Features

While wood grain finishes of EcoWALLS™ furnish the raw beauty of natural wood, the film lamination repels water, termite and mould. The corrugated composite may not be the strongest, but research indicates the composite has sturdy tensile strength and flexural rigidity. Tensile strength is the ability to support the load without fracture, while flexural rigidity refers to the resistance to bending. The composite materials are a sustainable investment and cost-effective alternative to wall frames and studs. Furthermore, composite materials require low maintenance and have low carbon emissions.

Engineered wood composites are transforming the building industry with sustainable features. Wood-polymer composites have low cumulative energy demand (CED) during the production and processing of composite materials. The composite nanostructure and film lamination allows the enhancement of material and mechanical properties. Hence, with an optimal amount of materials and a high level of mechanical performance, fluted panels are economically and structurally efficient. Therefore, these sustainable features make EcoWALLS™ fluted panels an eco-friendly and economically sustainable choice.

Beyond visual aesthetics, fluted panels are relatively flexible to install and provide practical benefits in residential and commercial spaces. Looking for fluted panels and resilient walls and would like to know more? NBL Express is a leading provider of indoor and outdoor flooring solutions in Singapore. You can read customer reviews from Homees.co for reference. Contact us for a consultation to find inspirational ideas and seek quotations. Our showroom is at 536 Balestier Road Singapore 329861 and operates daily from 10 am to 7 pm. We look forward to serving you.

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Website: https://www.nblexpress.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nblexpress/

Picking The Best Flooring Colour For Your Home

Picking the best flooring colour for your home is often a difficult task due to the varied choices. Two key factors that affect the selection of flooring colours are home themes and lighting effects. A home theme is a universal language of expressing personalities and bringing desired home atmospheres for the family. Walk around your home during various times to observe how natural and interior lightings affect the floorage. Here are three general home themes with matching flooring colours.

Cosy Country

To align with a cosy country theme, choose natural wooden colours such as walnut or maple for flooring. The chocolate brown of walnut and reddish-brown of maple gives off a warm atmosphere. Their tight-grained streaks visually close up empty spaces and encourage a cosy and inviting mood. If you have a fall style with pastel yellow or orange walls and ceilings, complement them with countryside palette floorings. For example, barn red or brown provides a traditional and down-to-earth personality and illustrates a devoted love for countryside nature. Modern farmhouse-style homes embrace the rustic charm of rural architecture with the simplicity of modern comforts. Rustic green or earthy grey are suitable flooring colours. During the day, the sunlight reflects on the floorage and surroundings to give a natural shine and warmth. In the evening, bright interior lighting shines on the country charm with a touch of modern simplicity.

Country Maple flooring aligns with sofas and table stands of a brown palette to exude a countryside charm.

Classic Luxury

In a classic luxury home, consider the palettes of marble, limestone, or stony grey, brown or black for floorings. Marble has a stylish translucence with opaque veins, and limestone has a grainy texture, both offering a timeless luxury appeal. Stony palettes of grey, brown or black exude an aura of natural strength and assertiveness that provides a natural grandeur. If you are fond of classical and luxurious cultures, the suggested range is a rich red, purple or silver palette. When sunlight shines onto the floors and other interiors, the sheen gives off an energetic mood. With optimal interior lighting in the evening, you can appreciate the architectural details of the classic luxury interiors.

Gray Slate exudes a feasible classic chic by replicating the eternal stone palette.

Minimalist Harmony 

To achieve a minimalist harmony home, go for a natural palette with light, neutral tones. Beige or light oak offers a clean vibe, consequently opens up tight spaces to facilitate a spacious atmosphere. The light, neutral tones create a sense of calmness and purity because of the openness and breezy feel they give off. Besides a natural palette, simple monochrome or subtle chromatic palettes set the tone for a sober, uncluttered home. If you have an all-white room, the azure blue flooring gives a calming uplift to the plain white surroundings. Under both natural daylight and measured lighting fixtures, these colours provide harmonious sync to the surrounding minimalistic interiors.

The neutral beige and subtle wood grains of Diamond Oak offer minimalistic sync with surrounding interiors.

Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) for Homes

Therefore, you need to consider overall home decor and lighting when selecting an optimal floor palette. NBL Express produces highly resilient vinyl floorings at affordable prices with sustainable materials. We deploy consistent application of colours and finishing layers. In addition to the above themes, our PRFs provide the desired colours to match other home themes. We provide consultation to help you in picking the best flooring colour for your home. Instead of just following the latest trends, feel free to reach us for quotations and enquiries.

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Research Sources:

Home Décor. Volume 5: Living With Colour

(https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/232505866/1563682)

https://www.homees.co/articles/top-interior-design-singapore-trends

https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/choosing-the-right-floor-color-tips

https://www.prosourcewholesale.com/article-center/project-tips/before-you-buy-how-lighting-affects-the-look-of-flooring

How to Make Walls Impressive With Vinyl Flooring

At the backdrop of an apartment are wall surfaces. Walls support ceilings and floors with an enclosure that give structural forms to apartments and buildings. When you are looking to give your home or workplace a revamp, consider vinyl flooring for walls. Yes, vinyl flooring is an increasingly popular option for wall coverings. It provides impressive features in terms of aesthetic and practicability. As reported in Flooring Experts, the market for vinyl floorings rose sharply and expanded its usage to wall application. The site mentioned Domotex, the world’s leading flooring trade fair, showcases manufacturers transforming luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) for wall usages.

Aesthetic Designs

When considering interior designs for commercial establishments, such as restaurants or retail shops, take note of the look and feel of the surrounding surfaces. A wall design with a neutral look allows floor furnishings with vibrant shades and unique patterns to stand out, and vice versa. You can achieve a seamless equilibrium with matching shades and patterns in upper, lower and vertical interiors. Vinyl planks and tiles add textures to backgrounds to accentuate an elegant appeal, which draws in viewers. Choosing designs that have flowing wave textures illustrate movements and stimulate visual sensory without falling flat.

From distinctive aesthetics to calming beauty throughout the interior walls of a restaurant’s dining area, there are viable selections to cater to the establishment’s theme. For instance, whimsical patterns bring out an eccentric theme, or woody and gravel textures resonate with a countryside heart. Besides main walls, vinyl’s aesthetic designs are applicable on smaller surfaces such as the facades of bar counters.

Wood Texture, licensed under Creative Commons CC0

Practical Applications 

Vinyl planks and tiles make practical backsplashes for kitchens as they are non-porous, which eases cleaning chores. You can find suitable choices that complement the floorings and ceilings. Need wall designs that provide an expansive outlook? The herringbone pattern resembles fish bones, as illustrated in the image below. The result is a visual expansion, which is ideal for hotel lobbies. Our eyes tend to project towards the width of the “V” lines in the herringbone, which results in an optical illusion that facilitates a broader area.

“Wall Or Floor”, by George Hodan, licensed under Creative Commons CC0

Resonating accents that adapt and align to floors and ceilings provide a pleasing and streamlined appearance. They provide cosiness for the family in an apartment and a collaborative focus for retail consumers and office workers. Vinyl is waterproof, so it makes a practical option for bathroom walls. Hence, vinyl is a sought-after material for its practical applications.

Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF)

A top reviewed contractor for vinyl flooring on Homees.co, NBL Express’ PRF provides qualities of aesthetic and practicability. With NBL Express PRF, home and establishment owners can choose suitable wall designs to complement the looks of the current floorage. PRF provides high durability against scratches and knocks and resistance against moisture and stains. Hence, the task of cleaning surfaces and preventing dirt accumulation is much easier. There are also matching designs to choose from if you are looking to revamp both walls and floors.

Learn more at https://www.nblexpress.com/premium/ and https://www.nblexpress.com/premium-75. Feel free to contact us at https://www.nblexpress.com/enquiry for enquiries and quotations. 

How to Make Spaces Look Bigger With the Right Flooring

Are you having trouble furnishing home spaces to become larger visually? Have you wondered how to make spaces look bigger with the right flooring? Choosing a suitable floor is an important decision to make when making effective use of limited square feet. This blog post provides advice on using essential design elements of lines and colours to enlarge spaces visually.

Uniformed Appearance  

Installing different floorings and segregating spaces gives a dynamic look and facilitates purposes for respective areas. However, you need to keep flooring types and segregation at a minimum to prevent floors from cramping up with different lines and colours. Unaligned floorings lead to breaking floorage into smaller pockets and thus visually reduce spaces. Instead, a recommended technique is to use the same or similar type to align overall floorage and open up individual rooms. A floorage that has a uniform appearance creates a visual spaciousness throughout the living room, bedrooms, balcony and kitchen. Moreover, the cohesiveness of a uniformed flooring brings comfort to the family.

Wider Planks with Diagonal Patterns

Our eyes sense narrowness when we see thinner planks or tiles. Laying of planks or tiles width-wise will convey depth and distance throughout the entire floorage. Moreover, with fewer planks due to optimal sizes, you can save costs. Floorings with diagonal patterns can push boundaries and make a room stand out. A diagonal pattern creates an optical extension as it breaks away from the rigidness of straight lines and squares. Wider planks with diagonal patterns can make rooms look bigger. On the other hand, make sure they are not oversized. Over-sized planks and over-elaborate designs cause our eyes to move quickly from one wall to another. Consequently, the room appears smaller.

Premium Resilient Floorings

Premium Resilient Flooring (PRFs) by NBL Express have uniformed appearances and are customisable into wider planks with diagonal patterns. With minimum seams or lines between planks, the resilient vinyl flooring creates an openness that looks less confining. Usually, homeowners install ceiling and wall lamps across the living room to brighten up spaces and complement surrounding furniture. Likewise, PRFs such as 70 Diamond Oak and 96 Frozen Grey have light tones and subdued patterns that create spaciousness. With optimal lighting, these floorings increase airiness and create a bright allure that freshens up our mind as well. PRFs are light-coloured and have organic patterns, which work well in transitioning between the living room, bedrooms, workroom, playroom, balcony and kitchen. Similarly, such floorings in an atrium or reception of commercial premises can gradually transit into adjoining rooms with darker tones.

PRF such as 70 Diamond Oak has light tones and subdued patterns that create spaciousness.

 Feel free to contact us at https://www.nblexpress.com/enquiry for enquiries and quotations.

All You Need to Know About Parquet vs Vinyl Floorings

Are you considering between parquet and vinyl floorings and having a hard time choosing? Parquet and vinyl may look and feel alike, but each has different features. Both parquet and vinyl floorings have a glossy finish that gives a classy sheen. Although vinyl is slightly colder than parquet, both materials have good thermal insulation. Consequently, the insulation is conducive to our foot soles against changing climates. A closer study reveals each strength comes with a flaw and vice versa. We put together this short guide to understand parquet and vinyl characteristics and make informed comparisons.

Parquet

Parquet dates back to the 16th century in France and derived from the French term “parquetry,” which means “small compartment.”[1] Parquet flooring comprises softwoods made from coniferous trees such as pines and spruces and hardwood from deciduous trees such as maple and oak. Traditional craftsmen made these woods into lumbers and formed varied geometric shapes to lay parquet flooring. In modern days, engineered wood evolves in commercial and residential settings. Engineered wood involves installing different softwood and hardwood materials, with a hardwood material forming the top layer. Wood materials provide the cosy allure of nature at home and geometrical patterns facilitate a sense of symmetry and balance. Unlike vinyl, it is possible to sand down parquet flooring to the desired state during new installation or renovation. With proper caring, parquet flooring should last for decades[2]. However, its original sheen fades away over time. Engineered wood has natural cosiness and long service life. On the other hand, the environment affects wood materials, and thus they are relatively porous. Wood is vulnerable to water, humidity and wood-decaying pests, and thus it is expensive to install and maintain. For durable and stylish derivatives to outdoor wood decking, you may learn about Timber Composite Decking by NBL Express.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is newer and made its first appearance to the general public in the 1930s in the United States.[3] Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic thermoplastic or plastic polymer, is the main component. PVC has high malleability in moulding into diverse shapes and shades and thus is versatile in replicating softwood and hardwood materials. Due to its cost efficiency and wear-and-tear and flame resistance, vinyl became common in commercial and industrial settings in the 1950s. With its success on commercial and industrial fronts, residential premises gradually introduced vinyl flooring in the 1960s.[3] With its reinforced coatings, vinyl is typically less susceptible to scratches or dents as compared to parquet. Because it is generally less porous than parquet, vinyl is easier to clean stains or fix minor damages. Vinyl is ideal for floorage with low foot traffic and minimum furniture moving, and thus highly suitable for bedrooms. The major downside is its shorter service life. With careful cleaning and caring, vinyl can last 10 to 20 years.[4] Moderate damages require plank replacements, and significant cracks may need entire floor replacement. For resilient and sustainable solutions to replace or install new floorings, you can consider NBL’s Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) 5mm and Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) 7.5mm

Key Comparisons Summary 

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References

[1] https://www.reclaimedflooringco.com/the-history-of-french-parquet/

[2] https://www.homees.co/articles/all-about-parquet-flooring

[3] https://hillsborough.floorcoveringsinternational.com/articles/the-history-of-vinyl-flooring/

[4] https://www.homees.co/articles/everything-about-vinyl-flooring

[5] https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-guides/home-floor-type-singapore-18432

Cleaning and Restoring the Natural Shine of Vinyl Floorings

Vinyl floors are well-used in residential and commercial spaces due to their pleasant sheen and resistance against stains. However, these synthetic compounds undergo reactions with steam cleaners, direct sunlight and abrasive cleaning agents and consequently cause discolouration. Cleaning and restoring the natural shine of vinyl floorings require non-abrasive cleaning solutions and tools.

Homemade Solution

Are there underutilised food items such as white vinegar, baking soda and discarded citrus peels in your kitchen? Instead of throwing these items, you utilise them to make solutions at home for a quick clean-and-shine.

●    White vinegar: Its scent wards off ants and other common insects. Its acidity loosens up grease for easier cleaning and leaves a slight gloss on surfaces.[1]

●    Baking soda: Baking soda is a mild scouring agent that scrubs away stubborn grime.[2]

●    Citrus peels: Instead of going into trash bins, give citrus peels a new life. They have natural acidic properties that remove stains and leave surfaces with a temporary pleasant scent.[3]

NBL’s Concentrated Vinyl Floor Cleaner  

In our Professional Floor Care Series, we commit to producing sustainable cleaning solutions for consumers. For an extended effect on cleaning and restoring the natural shine to vinyl floorings, we recommend NBL’s Vinyl Floor Cleaner. With a thorough antibacterial formula that disinfects indoor planks and outdoor decks, you can maintain home hygiene and family health. Do you feel edgy of creepy crawlies growing in backyards and bedrooms? With concentrated citrus mint to repel household pests, it minimises unpleasant sights and stings. The solvents in the cleaner have sufficient concentration for economical dilutions for general cleaning, light cleaning and heavy-duty cleaning. You can tweak the dilution to remove accumulated dirt and grime without leaving an unpleasant residue or diminishing floorings’ gloss. With a non-rinse formula of non-soap surfactants, it is effective in cleaning and restoring the natural shine of vinyl floorings. Furthermore, due to low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which prevent harsh vaporisation, the cleaner is eco-friendly and safe for breathing.  

The outcome is an assuring comfort with appealing gloss to welcome homeowners and loved ones. Therefore, the cleaner is highly applicable in both indoor and outdoor settings of residential and commercial premises. Non-abrasive tools such as microfibre cloths and mops are effective to absorb dust, dirt and grease. Do note to avoid using highly abrasive materials such as steel scrubbers, as they may damage vinyl’s protective layer. For regular care to prevent stubborn stains from building up, you can refer to our post on maintaining and cleaning PRF.

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Sources / Further Reading

1. Goetz, Anne. Homemade Vinyl Floor Cleaner. Hunker. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

2. Leverette, Mary (8 March 2021). How to Clean Vinyl Floors. The Spruce. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

3. DeannaCat (5 August 2019). How to Make Homemade Lemon Vinegar Cleaning Spray. Homestead and Chill. Retrieved 07 August 2021.

Disclaimer: These suggested products and processes are not definitive. We would be glad to guide you and advise queries on our products’ offerings, limitations and handling precautions.

What Makes A Flooring Child-Friendly

Are you looking for child-friendly flooring for your home? NBL Express Premium Resilient Flooring (PRF) and PRF 7.5 commit to features to protect your beloved young ones. Homes are havens for children to live, learn and grow. Beyond its soft lustre and earthy appearance of wood-like finishes, PRF has the properties that protect children and the family.

Sound Insulation

Rubber additives in resilient flooring provide sound absorbance. PRF has an optimal sound-insulating underlayment, in which sound absorption reaches 20 dB (decibel). It absorbs surrounding noises better than typical resilient flooring and insulates sound waves between rooms and storeys. It strongly reduces external noise interference to enhance speech and sound transmission within a child bedroom. Also, a sudden and piercing sound can scare a child. When neighbours do repair or renovation work, the high decibel can be traumatising to the young ones. Likewise, we do not want heavy shifting from home improvements to become an annoyance to neighbours. Hence, it offers a child-friendly environment to rest comfortably or focus on study.

Material Strengths

Learning to balance is a self-experiential and gradual process. Toddlers are prone to slip when the floor is slippery or trip over objects when they explore the house. Though falling is part and parcel of life, we need to minimise the risk with a child-friendly surface. Having a slip-resistant surface with optimal friction helps toddlers gain a foothold, and thus the confidence of walking. PRF’s underlayment provides additional cushioning that is comfortable to step on and provides some protection should toddlers fall. As playful kids explore the house and home items, they may unintentionally stain or damage floor tiles. Typical resilient flooring consists of versatile vinyl material and elastic rubber additives, while PRF further strengthens wear resistance. PRF contains a coating of crystal ceramic beads, known for its long-term durability and resistance against scratch and wear. PRF’s fortification makes it fire retardant with high heat resistance.

Eco-Friendly

Caring for the environment and our loved ones go hand in hand. On its own, vinyl is harmful to the environment as it is not biodegradable. We strictly comply with our green policy and Singapore Green Label to ensure our products and processes are environmentally safe. Investing in eco-quality flooring and educating children about ecology protection contribute to a greener ecology. PRF tiles utilise the German CLIC system of glue-less lamination. With efficient use of resources to minimise toxicity, our floorings are eco-friendly.

PRF has low environmentally harmful substances and has high resistance against termite breeding and mould and bacteria growth. Hence, it is relatively safe for toddlers to crawl on the low toxic floorage. Vinyl contains phthalate, formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOC), which cause respiratory and eye irritations. Besides using lower VOC, PRF adds an eco-fresh layer for abating harmful compounds and inducing quality indoor fresh air. Specialised Green UV treatment greatly enhances PRF’s resistance against stains, bacteria and water. Consequently, as cleaning and maintenance are much easier on PRF surfaces, it is child-friendly.

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Sources:

• https://www.nblexpress.com/blog

• https://www.nblexpress.com/premium

• https://www.nblexpress.com/premium-75

• https://www.allthingsflooring.com/2018/07/quiet-matters-guide-acoustic-flooring/

• https://www.flooringdirect.co.uk/flooring-planning-guide-i141

• https://www.thespruce.com/environmental-impact-of-vinyl-flooring-1314956