Chip’s Tips

As an Emmy-winning television host and producer, Georgia Tech engineer, HGTV designer, and thirdgeneration craftsman, Chip Wade’s career is dedicated to helping people and businesses make educated and inspired decisions in the home and lifestyle category. Chip is the owner and lead designer of Wade Works Creative, offering services in video and digital productions, residential and commercial design, architecture, and building one-of-akind amazing stuff. Photo credit Marc Mauldin.

Just like any flooring category, you need to focus on the level of quality of the resilient floor you are purchasing. There are still many different levels.

1. When you’re planning your next project, how important is flooring compared to other parts of the project?

Flooring is one of the staples, just like trim, millwork, and cabinetry. It’s a foundational item with elevated importance because you don’t want to have to replace it, so selecting the right product and quality is paramount.

2. There are so many choices in resilient flooring; how do you select which one works best?

Just like any flooring category, you need to focus on the level of quality of the resilient floor you are purchasing. There are still many different levels. Firstly, if you are putting this in a space or home where you plan to spend a lot of your time, investing in higher quality will pay off. The higher quality floors typically come with a higher price tag, but they will couple great aesthetics and long-lasting durability. Although I am partial to the broad range of great styles in LVT, The SPC category of Resilient has an edge with me due to its rigid core and durability from heavy use and impact.

Opposite Page: Pergo Extreme Wider Longer Nimbus 901. At left: Korlock Select in Baltic Coastal Oak from Karndean DesignFlooring.

3. What do you say to clients who prefer other types of flooring instead of resilient flooring?

Most often, it is about education. Clients who say they “prefer” alternate types of flooring over resilient typically do not fully understand that this category is not just vinyl tiles or have never experienced the floors themselves, considering the pros and cons. I always push my clients to look at this category, especially those with young families and extra spaces that need a more durable solution.

4. Do you have a favorite type of resilient flooring for a type of room or family that will live in the new space you’re creating?

I do tremendous amounts of “new floor” type renovations, meaning a finished basement or addition on a different level. Most often, clients select a higher-end LVT once the dust settles in their overall decisionmaking.

5. How important is being “beautifully responsible” about the floor you select?

I think it plays into the overall flooring selection decision. It is good news that the resilient flooring category has risen to a level of undeniable aesthetic options that responsibility and sustainability can be factors that make the decision easier. ■ Flooring is one of the staples, just like trim, millwork, and cabinetry. It’s a foundational item with elevated importance because you don’t want to have to replace it, so selecting the right product and quality is paramount.