Bathroom Blogfest 2009: Environmentally Friendly Bathroom Flooring Choices October 27, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Bathroom Blogfest 2009, Green , add a comment
My Big Bob’s blog has been invited to participate in the 4th annual Bathroom Blogfest. During the annual Bathroom Blogfest, bloggers from around the globe write about the importance of bathrooms in the customer experience. Posts come from a wide range of perspectives that include sociology, marketing, research, psychology, environmental, customer experience, and user-experience design. Our contributing post today is on environmentally friendly bathroom flooring choices.
We define Green Flooring as any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound). There are different degrees of green when referring to different types of flooring.
Below are some of the green features and benefits of different types of bathroom flooring:
Cork
- Better than a renewable resource because it is a harvested resource (only the bark is harvested from the tree)
- A recycled product because cork floors are made from the waste cork that makes wine stoppers.
- A law in the 1930’s called “The 9 Year Law” was passed to keep cork from being harvested any sooner than every 9 years. The tree has to reach 60 cm in circumference before it can be harvested. The first harvest from a cork tree can only occur at age 25.
- The tree is not destroyed or damaged when harvesting cork.
Bamboo
- Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource that matures in three years
- It regenerates without need for replanting
- It also requires minimal fertilization or pesticides
- There are currently is FSC certified bamboo options available so it is important to see what you can confirm about the bamboo you are interested in before purchasing.
Carpet
- According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the new “3 Rs” which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle. When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, ranging from roofing shingles and railroad ties to automotive parts.
- Factors that determine if carpet is “green”: carpet fibers, dye, VOC emissions, and recycled content.
- The Green Label and Green Label Plus from the Carpet and Rug Institute ensure that customers are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.
Stone
- It’s a natural product
- It has an enduring life cycle so it doesn’t have to be replaced
- Ease of care and maintenance
- Recyclable
- Quarry and manufacturing use best practices
- Can be reclaimed
Hardwood
- Natural Resource
- Renewable
- Recyclable
- Suitable for a “healthy home” environment
- Forests are managed for replanting
Linoleum
- Made from all natural materials
- The natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are available in abundance: linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, cork flour, ecologically responsible pigments and jute.
- These raw materials are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption. The main energy resource for the process is the sun. The plants and trees that supply linoleum’s raw materials also contribute to the production of oxygen and the subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere.
- Can be recycled
- The energy obtained from incinerating linoleum is roughly equivalent to or even more than that which is used in production.
- Linoleum can be safely added to landfill refuse sites, where natural decomposition takes place. Linoleum is fully biodegradable and does not release harmful substances or gases such as chlorine and dioxins.
- Adhesives are 100% solvent free and meet all low VOC requirements
- Does not require maintenance from harmful chemicals
- Linoleum contains virtually no trace of toxic material and is naturally beneficial to air quality.
Ceramic Tile
- Rarely release emissions
- Some contain recycled content
- Long lasting and not replaced frequently
- Requires little maintenance
- Value is unclear due to it’s weight causing more fuel during transportation
If you are interested in green flooring for your project, please contact us at 1821 S. Arizona Ave. Yuma AZ 85365 or 928-217-5551 for more detailed information or samples!
To follow other participants in the Bathroom Blogfest, here’s a list of other participating Bathroom Blogfest bloggers:
- Susan Abbott at Customer Experience Crossroads http://www.customercrossroads.com
- Reshma Anand at Qualitative Research Blog http://onqualitativeresearch.blogspot.com/
- Shannon Bilby at From the Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com/
- Laurence Borel at Blog Till You Drop http://www.laurenceborel.com/
- Jeanne Byington at The Importance of Earnest Service http://blog.jmbyington.com/
- Becky Carroll at Customers Rock! http://www.customersrock.net;
- Leslie Clagett at KB Culture www.kbculture.blogspot.com
- Katie Clark at Practical Katie http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/;
- Iris Shreve Garrott at Checking In and Checking Out http://circulating.wordpress.com/;
- Julie at Julie’s Cleaning Secrets Blog http://cleaningsecrets.greatcleaners.com/
- Marianna Hayes at Results Revolution http://www.resultsrevolution.com
- Maria Palma at People To People Service http://www.people2peopleservice.com/
- Professor Toilet at Professor Toilet’s Blog http://www.professortoilet.com/
- David Reich at My 2 Cents http://reichcomm.typepad.com/
- Bethany Richmond at The Carpet and Rug Institute Blog http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com
- Carolyn Townes at Becoming a Woman of Purpose http://spiritwomen.blogpsot.com
- Stephanie Weaver at Experienceology http://experienceology.blogspot.com;
- C.B. Whittemore at Flooring The Consumer http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com and Simple Marketing Blog http://www.SimpleMarketingBlog.com
- Linda Wright at Lindaloo.com: Build Better Business with Better Bathrooms http://lindaloo.com/
Other ways to follow the Bathroom Blogfest:
The website: http://www.BathroomBlogfest.com
The Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bathroom-Blogfest/124443309541?ref=ts
Twitter: @BathroomBlogfes
This year’s sponsor of the Bathroom Blogfest: http://www.bathroomblogfestdeal.com/
Bathroom Blogfest 2009 October 26, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Bathroom Blogfest 2009 , add a commentMy Big Bob’s blog has been invited to participate in the 4th annual Bathroom Blogfest. During the annual Bathroom Blogfest, bloggers from around the globe write about the importance of bathrooms in the customer experience. Posts come from a wide range of perspectives that include sociology, marketing, research, psychology, environmental, customer experience, and user-experience design. The event was initiated in 2006. Big Bob’s will be participating with a blog post this week on environmentally friendly bathroom floor options. Please stay tuned for our contributing post for the 2009 Bathroom Blogfest.
Here’s a list of other participating Bathroom Blogfest bloggers:
- Susan Abbott at Customer Experience Crossroads http://www.customercrossroads.com
- Reshma Anand at Qualitative Research Blog http://onqualitativeresearch.blogspot.com/
- Shannon Bilby at From the Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com/
- Shannon Bilby and Brad Millner at My Big Bob’s Blog http://blog.mybigbobs.com/
- Laurence Borel at Blog Till You Drop http://www.laurenceborel.com/
- Jeanne Byington at The Importance of Earnest Service http://blog.jmbyington.com/
- Becky Carroll at Customers Rock! http://www.customersrock.net;
- Leslie Clagett at KB Culture www.kbculture.blogspot.com
- Katie Clark at Practical Katie http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/;
- Iris Shreve Garrott at Checking In and Checking Out http://circulating.wordpress.com/;
- Julie at Julie’s Cleaning Secrets Blog http://cleaningsecrets.greatcleaners.com/
- Marianna Hayes at Results Revolution http://www.resultsrevolution.com
- Maria Palma at People To People Service http://www.people2peopleservice.com/
- Professor Toilet at Professor Toilet’s Blog http://www.professortoilet.com/
- David Reich at My 2 Cents http://reichcomm.typepad.com/
- Bethany Richmond at The Carpet and Rug Institute Blog http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com
- Carolyn Townes at Becoming a Woman of Purpose http://spiritwomen.blogpsot.com
- Stephanie Weaver at Experienceology http://experienceology.blogspot.com;
- C.B. Whittemore at Flooring The Consumer http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com and Simple Marketing Blog http://www.SimpleMarketingBlog.com
- Linda Wright at Lindaloo.com: Build Better Business with Better Bathrooms http://lindaloo.com/
Other ways to follow the Bathroom Blogfest:
The website: http://www.BathroomBlogfest.com
The Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bathroom-Blogfest/124443309541?ref=ts
Twitter: @BathroomBlogfes
This year’s sponsor of the Bathroom Blogfest: http://www.bathroomblogfestdeal.com/
Product Feature: IVC Vinyl October 23, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Featured Product, Vinyl , add a comment
Today’s product feature is cushioned back sheet vinyl products from IVC (International Vinyl Company).
The luxurious cushioning and easy-care top layer technologies combined with unique and realistic designs have changed the residential sheet vinyl category dramatically since its introduction in the US market in 2004.
IVC offers many different design styles and color choices to ensure there is a style and color that fits your design style and lifestyle.
Features and benefits of IVC Vinyl:
- A super guard wear layer on top of the standard wear layer gives the floor an extra layer of protection
- A unique slip resistant treatment makes the floor a safer floor to walk on
- IVC mechanical embossed products give a more natural, realistic look and feel
- It is mold and mildew resistant so it’s perfect for rooms with moisture such as kitchens and baths
- The vinyl backing ensures a decrease in impact noise as well as in room sound level and ambient resonance
At Big Bob’s, we have thousands of yards in stock and we can order the full line of material directly from the mill. Most other dealers have to buy from distributors, but because we are the largest volume dealer in the Southwest, we can offer you savings by cutting out the middle man.
Call us today at 928-217-5551 or come visit us to see samples of IVC vinyl to see if there is a product that is right for you. Our knowledgeable sales staff is standing by to help you with all of your flooring and mattress needs.
Bed Basics October 13, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Mattresses , add a comment
BED BASICS
Below are some key features of the elements of a comfortable bed. These bed basics will give you some of the information you need to help choose the mattress that’s right for you. For more information on the perfect mattress for you, call us or come visit us today!
INNERSPRING
- The most widely purchased type of bedding.
- Uses the support of tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations.
- Layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit
- Full range of comfort choices.
- Don’t judge the quality of a mattress solely on the number of coils it contains. High coil count isn’t always better. It’s a combination of a quality innerspring system and upholstery materials.
FOAM
- Solid foam mattresses also offer a wide choice of “feels”.
- Can be made of a solid core or of several layers of different types of foam laminated together.
- Advanced technology in polyurethane foams, refinements to traditional latex foams and the new viscoelastic foams have added to the choice of comfort, support and performance.
FOUNDATION
- A good foundation (box spring) is as important as a good mattress.
- Don’t put a new mattress on an old foundation.
- When selecting, purchase its companion foundation.
- Not doing so may affect the terms of the warranty.
PILLOW
- Pillows are an important part of the package.
- Your pillow should give you the right cushioning to position your head and neck properly.
- It should hold your head in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing with correct upright posture.
- If you sleep on your side, try a fairly firm pillow to give your head and neck extra support.
- If you sleep on your back, try a medium-firm pillow to cradle your head with more “give”.
- If you sleep on your stomach, choose a soft pillow to lessen the strain on your neck.
FITTED SHEETS FOR THICKER BEDS
- Mattresses have gotten more comfortable and thicker as more layers of surface cushioning have been added.
- Bed linens have adapted to these state-of- the-art mattresses and foundations.
- Sheets, comforters and mattress pads for these new, thicker mattresses are readily available, and often noted on packaging as compatible with “extra deep” mattresses or featuring “deep pocket” construction.
- Bed linens today are offered in a wide range of sizes, from standard to extra deep, with specialty sizes designed for futons, day beds, flotation beds and even dorm mattresses.
More information on mattresses such as our product catalog, what to know before you buy, styles and maintenance information is available on our website.
11th Anniversary Celebration October 6, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Promotions , add a comment
At Big Bob’s, we are proud to announce that we are celebrating our 11th anniversary of serving customers. We want you to know how much we appreciate the business you have done with us in the past as well as how much we look forward to serving you in the future. Without you, this celebration would not be possible!
Please join us and take advantage of savings in every department up to 70% off retail. Now is the time to replace that old floor with a new one. We even have 12 month interest free financing available. Let us show you how WE WOW YOU WITH VALUE!
Want to get a head start? Visit our website and browse room scenes to get ideas about what you want. Take a quiz on how you live to see what floor is right for you or take a quiz on items you like. Learn about different design styles to see what style fits your home. Try our virtual room designer to see different flooring types in different room scenes. Then, save all of these items in your own personalized workbook!
Already know what you want and just want to take advantage of our celebration? Click here for a map and directions to our store or call us today at 928-217-5551 with any questions.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you turn that dream of having new floors into a reality.
Bathroom Tile Design Ideas October 1, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Ceramic/Porcelain , 3comments
When it comes to using tile in a bathroom, you have two choices about how to approach installing the tile. You can install one tile laid straight to merely cover the floor or you can take advantage of coordinating styles, colors and sizes and create a room that is uniquely yours. Why not create a room that you love to spend time in?
This bathroom has some great uses of different colors, styles and sizes of tile. Let’s look a little closer at what makes this bathroom so inviting.
- First, the tile used in this bath is made to look like natural stone. What can be more inviting than natural stone?
- If you look in the far corner of the room near the steps, you will see that the same border that was used to create a rug look on the floor is used as an accent strip on the wall. That border probably continues around the room to serve as an accent for the tub backsplash. This helps tie the floor tile and the wall tile together.
- The use of the border allows other colors to be introduced into the design scheme. In this case, the darker shade in the border is used to coordinate the color of the inside of the area rug pattern perfectly tying the two tiles together.
- One of the best parts about the area rug pattern in the room is that you get the benefit of the look of an area rug in the middle of the room, but you never have to take it to be cleaned or worry about it slipping and not staying in place!
- Note how the field tile (main tile) is laid straight and the inside of the area rug pattern is turned on the diagonal. The change in installation direction is subtle, but adds a great deal of style to the room. The area rug installation creates a great focal point for the room. The colors chosen in this room are neutral enough that they allow for a whole new look just by changing the wall color.
- Another step that could have been taken in this room is to use the accent border as a feature strip in the shower or again used as a border to create a frame for an accent on the shower wall.
For more room scenes to gather ideas, visit out our gallery of floors. To design your own room, try our virtual room designer tool or upload your own room to see what a product would look like in your own room. Feel free to come in and start working with one of our knowledgeable team members to design the bath you’ve always wanted!
