Specifying…Directly to the Source

By LuAnne Zilka, IIDA Student Affairs Chair

Specifying…Directly to the Source, was the first in a series of four IIDA Northland Chapter sponsored “Student Only” programs for the 2007-2008 school year.  The program was held at St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet in Eagan, MN on September 25, 2007 at 5:30pm.  Interior design students from local colleges and universities in the Twin Cities area gathered to soak up a wealth of knowledge, information and “real-world” advice related to all things flooring from industry experts.

Some of the many questions answered by Megan Gorden (IIDA Northland past president, CID at Studio Hive), Cliff Gustafson (Director of Business Development for St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet) and Lynn Hansch (Vice President at St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet) included:

• So many options – how do I decide?
• I’ve been given a budget, but what does it really mean?
• When should I use carpet tile vs. broadloom carpet?
• What exactly is a flooring dealer and how can they help me as a designer?
• How does my flooring selection get from specification to installation?
• What is the difference between VCT, sheet vinyl, rubber flooring and linoleum?
• What are some of the many costs that add to the installation of carpet and resilient flooring?

Left to right: Lynn Hansch, Cliff Gustafson, Megan Gorden answer questions from the students on carpet specification in the resource library at St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet.

Cliff Gustafson gives the students an overview of carpet tiles and broadloom in the showroom of St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet.

Cliff Gustafson explains the inlay process as it relates to linoleum.

Lynn Hansch explains that the black color in the rubber flooring in actualy recycled tires.