| Laminate Flooring: A New Trend Brings Beauty and Durability to Floors @® You walk and walk all over it. You spill food and drinks on it — nat to mention bright red nail polish! Your grand piano or double-freezer sits an it. You have parties where pecple put out cigarettes on it. Your children occasionally test their crayons and per- manent markers on it. Without a doubt, years of wear and tear have not been goad to your floor, In fact, in this age of supertechnology, it”s too bad there. isn’t some type of floor that could take the abuse and still look like new. Or is there? LAMINATE FLOORING: FROM COUNTERS TO FLOORS Widely uscd-in Europe since 1983, laminate flooring is the successful transition of high-pressure melamine’ laminate from the countertop to the REAL ESTATE AND YOU an Jamie Johnston Interest rates no problem (NC)}—Interest rates and, in particular, martgage rates, have moved up 3-4% from their lows of almost a year ago. Should this put a damper on real estate markets? From a psychological point of view, probably. Frorn an economic point of view, not necessarily so, Confused? When interest rates were | - at lang time tows last year, real estute markets in most parts of the country were steady but not spectacular, In B.C., markets were much stronger. Thus, there are other factors at work besides interest rates in determining the health of a real estate market. I personally believe that psychological factors have a much bigger impact than interest fates. If people are confident about their future and they think it’s a good lime to buy, then they buy! At this point. it’s an excellent time to buy because so many: potential buyers have moved (o the sidelines. In terms of dealing with bigher interest rates in the short term, a potential buyer has two choices. First, they can take a mortgage with a six month term and interest rate. and when rates drop’ back to lower levels, as.is forecast by most economists, then they can lock in their mortgage fora longer term. . Cr, secondly, they can ask their Realtor to Jook out for. properties with assumable mortgages. By that T mean mortgages with large principal balances and much lower interest rates because they were arranged one or two years ago. Because house prices have remained stable, a buyer today will probably not need -to arrange a new second mortgage in many instances. So you see, there are still ways to get into the real estate market to take advantage of some excellent buying — opportunities. -. To receive a free copy of the “Six Most important Decisions You Can Make When Selling Your Property” send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Jamie Johnston, President, Family Realty Corporation, One Yorkdale Road, Suite 201, Norlh York, Ontario M6A JAI. floor, An extremely durable material in which colors and designs can be varied and combined almost infinitely, high- pressure melamine laminate flooring is the latest hame-decoratiny trend to hit this side of the Atlantic. The world’s first laminate Mooring, called Pergo®, was invented in 1977 by Swedish-based Perstorp AB, one of the world’s largest producers of laminate surfaces. Among other product bene- fits, Perge is approximately 20‘times stronger than the laminate usually used for kitchen countertops, says Hans Johansson, senior vice. president of - product and design development for Perstorp Flooring, a division of Perstorp AB. , “Years ago, using a high-pressure melamine laminate to create a floor was unthinkable,” says Johansson, whose designs for Perstorp Flooring heralded a revolution in floor products and made the.company. the market leader in its category throughout Europe. “As it turns out, not only is high-pressure melamine laminate extremely strong, but Pergo’s beauty works with any decorating scheme — and feels very comfortable underfoot.” As the first company to manufacture laminate flooring, Perstorp Flooring built its reputation on Pergo’s unique construction. Pergo is comprised of three main elements: the wear-resistant decor surface, which is made of a durable, high-pressure melamine fami- ai? 3691 Walnut St. $174,900 MLS nate; the moisture-resistant wood- hased core, which naturally adapts. to environment and variations in temper- ature and humidity; and a balancing laminate glued to the back of the core for stability. see “The end result is a high-pressure melamine laminate flooring highly resistant to stains, cigarette burns, moisture, fading and indents from high heels, furniture and appliances,” said Johansson. A REVOLUTION IN THE FLOORING INDUSTRY In more ways than one, laminate flooring is the first true revolution in the flooring industry since cushioned vinyl made its debut in the 1960s. . - Constructed in rectangular planks measuring 47 inches by. 8 inches — not peel-and-stick squares or rolls like vinyl or carpet — laminate floors ‘have an interlocking tongue and The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 22, 1995 - B11 groove fit that come together to form a “floating floor.” Unlike other floor- ing products, a floating floor is not directly attached to the subfloor. This means it can be laid directly over almost any ‘floor or subfloor, as long as itis dry, level and smooth. Laminate flooring can be casily installed by. a.do-it-yourselfer or a flooring professional. In most cases, it can‘be fitted on top of old floors without having to change doors or thresholds. To help create.a graceful transition between the laminate flooring, walls and adjoining. floor- ing, Pergo.offers a comprehensive range of wall bases and moldings also made of laininate. Caring for a laminate floor is as easy as installing one. Tough Stains, | suchas nail polish, ink, fruit juice and even tar, are easily removed with ace- tone (nail polish remover) or house- hold solvent. Polishing and waxing are never.needed. : ~ Also unique to the flooring industry, Pergo has an extremely low emission of VOCs (volitile organic compounds), which make it the perfect choice for consumers concerned about a healthy home environment. . Speeding Costs Almost 8,000 Injuries A Year. Please, Slow Down. | Roadi Sense 3617 Cottonwood Cres. Real Estate NAVEEN SPEAKERS BUREAU Are you In charge of arranging speakers for your association's meetings. If you ara, and real estate Is your topic, the Northwest Real Estate Board has just the speaker for you. Topics range from buying and selling houses, investing In Real Estate, learning about _the forms that are used in real estate transactions, arranging mort- gages, to how real estate is organized in B.C. To arrange for a speaker, call the Northwest Real Estate Board at 638-8491. Le BEEECEEEEEEE EEE CECH CEECEEGELECC EEG LT s-FORM? FOR CAST IN PLACE CONCRETE: * Foundation work or footing to roof construction * Insulate as you pour, R18 to R22 * Eliminates basement condensation ¢ Faster and easier than conventional forming * Superior end product | Northwest Lile- Gorm 635-6165 632-3136 Terrace Kitimat Sm "ASSOCIATE i ROYAL LEPAGE BROKER 1 1000 NETWORK 4935 Hundal $179,500 MLS 5346 Mountain Vista 2407 Evergreen St $129,951 MLS $129,500 MLS na 5524 Kleanza $124,900 MLS , Rusty Ljungh 635-5754 TEMPLE STREET SUBDIVISION PHASE Il 4 pe ie J 4020 Munroe $165,000 EXC “_$122900 ea, MLS _ Lisa Godlinski 635-4950 ey a : . ay Ey 5117 Medeek A&B os 635-4950 $194,951.00 EXC 2215 Kalum $464,951 MLS Ralph Godlinski Christel Godlinski # 4 rs = Joe Barbosa 635-5397 635-5604 2147 Queensway 29,900 MLS 4626 Scott Ave, $112,000 EXC Thornhilt House & Shop $97 500 MLS David D. Hull “Bert Ljungh 835-5754 _ 638-1927 “Ric White 635-6508 sled Tae of Conky 2 ea sets Craton Used “OFFICIAL AIR MILES™ SPONSOR. QUALITY RANCHER $149,900 MLS CALL LAURIE 6 BEDROOMS $169,000 MLS CALL HANS FAMILY HOME IN THE HORSESHOE $134,900 EXC CALL GORD mae MUST BE MOVED | $17,000EXC CALLGORD SHOWROOM CONDITION $64,900 MLS CALL LAURIE MmpLe STNEET -_, ce HORSESHOE. $187,900 EXC CALL GORD aera NR THE PRICE |S RIGHT Tey $12,000 MLS CALL SHAUNCE GOOD STARTER $87,000 MLS CALL HANS SE bere GOOD STARTER $49,900 MLS CALL HANS: S eT, a GREAT STARTER HOME IN TOWN $4,900 EXC CALL GORD [7 500. jsoidsdud! CWEOLE AVENUE | Call Gordie Oison for more information. BE READY TO BUILD BY SPRING. MLS COMMERCIAL LAND TRAUCKER'S DELIGHT One of a kind property for the small trucker. A 24x40' shop with 16' high doors, This shop [a fully insulated and heated, a perlect place to park or work an your gravel or logging truck. It also comes with a 1347 8q, fl. 3 bedroom home nestled on a treed 3/4 acre lot. A property you will nol want to overicok! Call Jim taday. MLS ROSSWOOD HIDEAWAY Chack out this weakend gel- away property. 24x28’ cabin located on 8.8 park-like setting acres, Call Jim for more information on this property Nsted at $36,000. MLS, ACREAGE 18 acrea borders on the Skeana sewer and water available, Agking $112,000, MLS Call Dennis 638 8003, Alver, level and cleared, City “POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Thinking of davaloping some land? This 4.34 acres In town on the Bench could bo what you ara :looking for. Call Shaunce tor more detalls @ 635-6361 days or 635-6382 . evenings. Asking $115,900 EXCLUSIVE, ; Need commercial jand which requires good exposure and excellent accesa? Then check out this .98 acre parcel in Thornhill, close to town with an Ideal focalion for your business. Call Shaunca for more information. IN CITY ACREAGE! 1.2 acres in a devaloping area of Keith Estates, Usted $40,000. MLS. Cail Ted today @ 635-6361 aya or 635-5619 evenings. included. EXCLUSIVE, .- THINKING OF BUILDING??? Chack out these 2 lots in a quiet artaa on the Boneh. Each lot Is 40x100' and haa clty water and aewer to the property, Call Shaunce for more. information, Priced: @ $92,500 each GST SPECTACULAR VIEW Check out this 14 sera parcel not far fram town with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Some davalopment with a bullding alte and gravel driveway, Must be seen. to be appreciated. “Call Shaunce for more information today @ 35-6981 or 635-6392 evenings. Llated at $62,800 Exclusive. ce DO NOT OVERLOOK! A 14x70' Meadowbrook Mobile qu | Tt it ia iu q a a iq | 0 | it ry heme on a lavga lot. Two hedrooms, 2 baths with spacious 9 living room and sitting room, This Mobile is wall maintained and fias been recently updated. For more information call Ted @ 635-6361 days or 438-8849 » evenings. Listed $76,000. MLS ; “8003, GREAT FAMILY HOME This 3 to $ badroom;home tise FF _ buen updated over the 3 yeare, large rec room, surideck, fericed ‘and landetaped yard on quiet Bench © Street. Reduced: to $140,900. HLS. Cal Dennis ae