http://www.househacker.com/ househacker/tags/flooring
The flooring goes for $15 a square foot, including North American shipping.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Puzzle-Shaped-Hardwood-Floor grass, brick, leaves, many different types of stone, pool water, manhole covers, crosswalk and more. Browse the installation gallery to see some of the tiles in use.

Of course, if you can't find the right tile for your space you can always upload a photo you've taken and Imagine will create and deliver your uber unique custom tile for you. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Photographic-Ceramic-Tiles-by-Imagine-Tile ecologically sound wood flooring products, including many bamboo flooring choices, as well as the beautifully rich Brazilian cherry.

If you're in the market for some wood flooring and are thinking about some of the environmentally friendly flooring options available these days, be warned; the company describes why some forestry protection certifications aren't always what they're cracked up to be on this page. EcoTimber is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and says this about the weight of that body's approval:

The only forest certification system that enjoys the support of environmental groups worldwide is that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is independent, non-profit, and has a mechanism for tracking wood from the forest floor to the consumer. The U.S. Green Building Council only recognizes FSC certification as evidence of the sustainability of a non-recycled wood product. If you want verification that the wood you are purchasing came from a truly well-managed forest, demand FSC-certified material, and demand proper documentation.

EcoTimber's bamboo offerings are also ecologically friendly:

EcoTimber bamboo flooring is made from bamboo plantations -- not from wild habitats. Bamboo is a highly renewable resource, harvestable only four to six years after being planted. Its low moisture absorption properties make it ideal for humid climates and applications where moisture might pose a challenge for other types of flooring.

Website: EcoTimber.com

Related entry Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Flooring Options. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Bamboo-Flooring basement floor. The video illustrates DRIcore's tongue and groove system as well as the clever levelling squares that DRIcore utilizes to allow the product to be installed on a standard, non-level basement floor.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Quick-DRIcore-Subfloor-Video Warmlyyours.com has an underfloor heating (or radiant floor heating, if you like) Flash tool that allows you to draw a room to scale in order to produce a cost estimate to install their underfloor heating product. Underfloor heating seems like a better idea all the time, especially each morning as the cold winter months bring your bathroom ceramic tile temperature down to about absolute zero.

Warmlyyours isn't the only underfloor heating company around, of course. There are plenty, including:

Radiantec

Deviheat, with do it yourself pictures.

Uponor

Watts Radiant (FAQ)]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Radiant-Floor-Heating-Cost-Estimator http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Detailed-Flash-Laminate-Flooring-HowTo this previous post.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Install-Hardwood-Flooring-Video-HowTo DRIcore - It looks like you've got some competition that looks a heck of a lot like you. The resemblance is uncanny, really. Anyway, the SubFlor system uses a tongue and groove system that requires only the tap of a hammer to install, and is, like the DRIcore system, suitable for laminate, carpet or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are also possible with an additional underlay of quarter inch thick plywood. Ceramic tiles require an additional "cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness". The SubFlor site has a Flash based Interactive Installation Guide available.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/SubFlor-SubFloor-System-DriCore-Competitor
DRIcore is an ideal product to use on basement floors - or workshops. The plastic cleats raise the panels off the floor, allowing moisture to pass underneath. The DRIcore that Brigitte chooses for her workshop is perfect for so many reasons. It?s ideal for moist conditions, it?s attractive and it?s super easy to install.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-System-Installation-HowTo recroom or bar decor idea, then this fibre optic rug from designer Jody Harrow should do the trick.

via blog.hazaad.com - Thanks John!
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Fibre-Optic-Rug basement floors require the installation of a subfloor to provide warmth by raising the basement floor up off of the cold concrete foundation. Installing a subfloor tends to be a fair amount of work, as a traditional subfloor system consists of, according to DRIcore:

2x4 sleepers, vapour barrier, 1"-2" rigid insulation, 5/8" plywood and a lot of fastening.

The DRIcore system looks to be a more elegant solution. DRIcore comes in 2'x2' tiles and utilizes a tongue and groove system for easy installation. Also, from their FAQ:

DRIcore subfloor panels are engineered specifically for cold, damp environments typically found in basements. DRIcore subfloor panels are manufactured with a high density polyethylene moisture barrier that raises the 5/8" random wafer board core a ¼" away from damp, cold concrete floors. Since the panels are raised off the surface, the concrete floor is allowed to breathe.

DRIcore claims to save some headroom as well:

The combined height [of a traditional subfloor] is between 2 ¼" and 5 ¼" compared to 7/8" for a DRIcore subfloor panel.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-Tile-System ceramic tile or hardwood floors which require constant sweeping action. The SweepEZE vacuuming dustpan powers its 600w motor on when the activity sensing infrared beam is broken by debris, which is then vacuumed up into the unit.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sweep-Debris-into-the-SweepEZE-Automatic-Dustpan ConsciousFlooring.com offers sustainable flooring products manufactured using materials such as bamboo, cork, natural linoleum, and wood that is:

sustainably-harvested, recycled, non-toxic, and made from rapidly renewable materials.

And furthermore:

At Conscious Flooring we strive to be as energy efficient as possible. By shipping direct to your job site we eliminate the need for the volumes of unnecessary energy that goes into shipping and warehousing showroom products. Our offices utilize full spectrum compact fluorescent lighting, wind generated website hosting, methane and other renewable energies, and to top it all off we are even [travelling] on biodiesel! In addition, we pride ourselves on being an almost paperless company storing most of our data on computers, the little paper we do use is usually 100% recycled.

See also:

GreenFloors.com

SustainableFlooring.com

GreenHomeGuide : Flooring
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Sustainable-Flooring-Options CathyMoore.com shows you how to stain concrete on the cheap. After some initial testing, trial and error, her floor seems to turn out very warm and inviting (and professional). The procedure seems relatively straight forward, although it looks as though there is definitely room for mistakes or misplaced mop strokes. This informative site, Decorative Concrete, says that the age of the concrete is not an issue, but the concrete's condition is. They also go on to caution:

Also remember this is an acid. PROTECT yourself from accidental splashes, spills and fumes. I like to have a 5-gallon bucket of water close by should I need to neutralize myself or anything else. Protect vegetation and other concrete surfaces. Don't inhale the fumes from the concentrate or your mixed solutions.

Also check out their gallery of possibilities.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Concrete-Floor-Staining-HowTo iRobot (of Roomba fame). iRobot is accepting pre-orders for the Scooba, which they say will ship in 8-10 weeks.

From the site:
Scooba is an intelligent and effective Floor Washing Robot. Scooba uses a four stage cleaning system to prep, wash, scrub, and dry floors all by itself. Scooba features iRobot's AWARE Robot Intelligence Systems. AWARE uses dozens of sensors to monitor the robot?s environment, and adjusts its behavior up to 67 times per second, ensuring that Scooba cleans effectively, intelligently and safely. Scooba will clean a standard size kitchen on a single tank full of cleaning solution.

Anything that does anything 67 times per second must be good. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Scooba-the-Floor-Mopping-Robot