Field Trip to Leftwich and Chapman Flooring Store

Leftwich Chapman

                The fieldtrip to the flooring and stone company, Leftwich Chapman, was both interesting and informative.  They had wood, laminate, tile, stone, and carpet.  My class was lucky enough to get a personal tour from the owner.  He presented many unique types of flooring.  He was very informative and was able to give my advice and ideas that will apply to future projects.

                The flooring material that surmised me the most was leather.  I was scared to stand on the sample on the floor thinking that it would be fragile.  The owner of the store assured us that it was durable enough for light commercial use.  As he began to intentionally scratch the sample we all began to cringe.  Surprisingly, the sample wouldn’t scratch.  Apparently, it was made from ground up pieces of recycled leather.  The small pieces are all bonded together to make a very tough flooring material.  This could be applied in residential and commercial settings to achieve a unique look.

                Another interesting material available at the store was bamboo flooring.  It looked very similar to wood, but had a more grainy texture.  Although it is available at the store, the owner told my class that he rarely recommends the particular product here in Lubbock.  This is because the bamboo needs moisture.  If its surroundings are too dry, it will become porous and begin to break down.  After learning this, I now know that bamboo would only be a suitable solution in moist areas.

                After we received information on all of the wood and wood-like flooring, we moved on to the carpet section of the store.  The most interesting carpet we were introduced to was actually made from corn.   Therefore this SmartStrand carpet is environmentally friendly.  It is also one of the softest carpets available.  This would be a perfect material for a client who wants to be environmentally friendly.

                The store also had many beautiful and textured rugs and carpets.  It was a wonderful selection to choose form when doing a commercial or residential design.  There were many tuft heights and thicknesses suitable for many different uses.  The variety in the selection would make this store a great place to go when doing any type of project that would need carpet.

                Vinyl flooring was one of the last sections we visited in the store.  The progress that these vinyl companies have made is outstanding.  They are now creating patterns of wood, brick, and tile that look real.  These would be perfect for use in a travel home that would need flooring with some give to it.  The wood vinyl flooring would be good in places where moisture is present but wood is also wanted.  Although wood would warp due to the moisture, the vinyl flooring would not.

                The collection of glass and mosaic stone tile could provide numerous looks in a kitchen.  This tile is like the pretty jewelry in a great space.  This look is very popular right now, and gives the store an extra edge.  Although the collection could be overwhelming to a client, with some help, almost any look could be achieved.

                After visiting with one of the owners, I know that it is a trustworthy company.  The selection is amazing and the prices are fair.  Places like this one carry quality materials that can be trusted.  Leftwich and Chapman is a store that I would use for clients and myself without thinking twice.