The freshly expanded Permanent Floors Carpet One promises an even more immersive flooring experience
By Patricia Nugent
Permanent Floors Carpet One Floor & Home in Parma recently underwent a showroom renovation that opened up its space for an improved shopping experience, with more samples and displays.
“We felt the time was right for an overhaul,” says Ryan Mackey, president of the family-owned and operated business in 1947. “Last year, with people spending more time at home due to the pandemic, the home renovation business exploded. We are still busier than ever.”
In addition to new flooring and displays, the family expanded the tile showroom and hard surface flooring department. Over the years, one of the biggest shifts in flooring is the rise of hard surfaces, such as luxury vinyl tile. The technology has evolved to the point that these styles look like more expensive hardwoods, natural stone and even concrete, yet are extremely durable and a fraction of the cost.
For the record, Ryan reports that with their own in-store renovation, they installed three different flooring treatments to give customers ideas, from decorative Mohawk patterned carpet and specially cut area rugs, to rustic luxury vinyl tile that looks like hardwood in the main showroom, and porcelain tiles in enlarged 24-by-24-inch squares in the tile showroom.
Showcasing Thousands of New Tiles
Expanding their tile department was one of the main goals of the renovation, says Shelly Szabo, store manager, and now it takes up about one-third of the showroom.
For an enjoyable shopping experience, there’s a design table in the center for people to lay out different tile samples and see how they pair with flooring samples.
“Whether for backsplashes, master showers or fireplace renovations, our tile business has grown exponentially over the past year or two,” she says. “Big trends are ‘weathered’ looks, like tiles with a crackled finish that work well with rustic and modern farmhouse decor. And for more contemporary looks, people are loving hexagon shapes, mixing different finishes like etched glass and stainless steel for a dappled effect.”
Another look that never goes out of style is subway tile. Designer Barb Rusinko reports that people are taking fun twists on the classic rectangle, laying them vertically, going with bigger sizes, and opting for three-dimensional finishes.
When it comes to the master bath, she says many of their customers are downsizing their tub, or getting rid of it altogether, in favor of bigger showers.
“We’re doing lots of designs that feature natural-look elements, for a driftwood effect, laid horizontally in the shower, and linear Schluter drains,” she says.
Ryan says there will always be a market for carpeting, and that soft-surface flooring has changed with the times, too, becoming more water resistant and durable.
“Our newer collections, such as Resista 3.0, Tigressa Cherish and Innovia Xtreme Clean, showcase rich color, high-fashion textures and amazing performance, along with extensive warranties,” says Ryan.
And with more people expanding their outdoor living areas, she says they’ve been selling lots of Shaw indoor/outdoor carpeting and area rugs.
The Ultimate in Indestructibility
Last year the powers that be at Permanent Carpet One took a trip to a national manufacturer’s show to view all the latest product introductions. They were blown away by a new carpet from Mohawk called Air.o.
“Perfect for Cleveland’s damp, flood-prone basements, this carpet is antimicrobial and impervious to moisture and mildew,” says Ken Kassouf, Sr. “It isn’t installed like traditional carpet. You use double-face tape around the perimeter—no tack strip. And there’s no carpet pad. The polymer fibers are directly attached to the felt cushion backing to keep moisture out.”
Air.o is also hypoallergenic, latex-free and VOC-free, making it eco-friendly and ideal for those with allergies or asthma.
“When there’s a breakthrough in product development, we always try to be the first to bring it to the area,” he says.
Free In-House Design Services
Looking for some expert advice? Barb and Permanent Carpet One’s designers can work with customers either in the showroom or taking samples to their home to help them make the best selections. They cover everything in the space, from flooring to fabrics, paint colors and window treatments, free of charge.
Permanent Floors Carpet One Floor & Home Showroom is located at 5620 Ridge Road in Parma. Hours are Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 440-884-3300 or visit PermanentFloorsCarpetOne.com for more information.