Archive for the 'Flooring' Category

Dec 26 2009

Vinyl Plank Flooring – A Less Expensive Substitute For Hardwood Floors

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

One of the best things that can be said for vinyl plank flooring or any kind of vinyl flooring is that it is extremely easy to install. What is also especially nice about vinyl plank flooring compared to the more traditional vinyl designs and styles available is that it was specifically designed to look like real hardwood flooring – and like other vinyls, it is actually more resistant to water and other kinds of moisture penetration than hardwood or even bamboo.

Vinyl plank flooring is very different from anything you are likely to see in many stores and schools today. No longer do you need to stick to the staid old geometrical designs of yesteryear: instead, you can provide your rooms with a look that truly adds a new dimension to any renovation or remodeling works that you are carrying out.

Installing the vinyl plank system takes a much shorter period of time compared to using real wood planks. Generally you will find that you can install this kind of flooring within a matter of hours rather than taking a number of days, especially if you have never laid real wood flooring before. And because it is waterproof, it is a great solution for providing a room such as the kitchen or bathroom with a real wood look, but at half the cost and without the worries of the floor becoming damaged through water getting into it.

Unlike more traditional forms of vinyl flooring such as sheets or tiles, this style comes in long rectangular pieces that look just like any other kind of wood plank. You must keep in mind of course that they do not come with the same thickness that you would find with hardwood or bamboo flooring. Because it comes in planks rather than squares or other geometrical shapes, this helps to add to the illusion that what you have is real wood flooring. Each plank is usually 3 inches wide by 36 inches long and if you install it in a staggered fashion then you will find that it results in an even better approximation of the look of wood plank flooring.

Vinyl plank flooring comes in 20 different types of wood grain and color and some are coated with a satin urethane finish which provides better protection against dirt and scuffing. Each plank has been micro-ground using only the best precision equipment available, so once installed the floor acquires a really seamless look. This in turn only adds further to the illusion of it being real wood – without the cost or hassle that you would normally associate with the installation of any kind of hardwood flooring.

Ernest Jarquio is a dedicated family man hopelessly addicted to do-it-yourself projects. For more information, visit his website, where he discusses various subjects such as vinyl plank flooring, Tarkett vinyl flooring and installing vinyl flooring. Read various articles on the different aspects of hardwood, bamboo, laminate, tile and vinyl flooring.

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Dec 25 2009

Marble Tile Flooring

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

Marble flooring can definitely give plenty of advantages when you use it to your home. It can help add beauty and elegance to one’s home.

There are a lot of kinds of marble tiles, with different colors, sizes and shapes. So you have a lot of choices to choose from. Give a bit of your creativity and art in order to choose the tiles that can add elegance and spark to your home. When you purchase marble tiles for your floor, there are factors you need to consider, such as the shape, size, color and shape and also the measurement. Since marble tiles are being sold via square foot, so you have to know the measurement needed before you go out and buy marble tiles.

There are plenty of types of marble tiles; two of these types are the glazed and unglazed. Glazed marble tiles is surface are smooth and hard so it have the ability to resist water stains. Unglazed marble tiles are scratch resistant, but are more prone to stains because it doesn’t have hard surface like the glazed marble tiles.

These are just few of the types of marble tiles; it is really up to you which marble tiles you prefer to purchase. As soon as you finally choose the right marble tile for you, have it installed. Hire a professional one to install the marble tiles for you. Then you will have sparkling and elegant flooring.

Marble flooring can give elegant look at your home, so you have to make sure to maintain its beauty and elegance. You have to keep the marble flooring looking at its best by not letting it to be dirty or messy. You can make use of preventive measures to aid you to have lasting elegant marble flooring. Once the floor becomes dirty, you have to clean it right away; do not let it be there for a long period of time. And always keep and protect the marble floor from any damage.

There are some ways to make your marble flooring clean. Yes, in some point, no matter how careful you are, there will still come a time that your floor become dirty, but this article will mention ways on how to clean your marble flooring, so you can follow these steps to maintain the cleanliness of your marble flooring.

First, you have to prepare lukewarm water and clean sponge. These are the materials you need in cleaning your marble floor. In cleaning your marble tiles, the sponge that you are going to use should be barely wet only. You do not have to such too much water in cleaning. Rub the floor gently until it is clean and shiny.

If in case the marble flooring is extremely dirty, you need a bit of borax and clean damp cloth, then scrub it gently and clean it dry with clean cloth until it is shiny and clean again.

Marble flooring can give a lot of advantages to your home; it can give beauty, elegant and spark. It also has a cooling effect, which maintains the coolness in one’s home. So you have to maintain your marble floor but keeping it clean and shiny.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson

Marble Tile http://tilenet.net

Eliza Maledevic writes for http://Jump2Top.com – SEO Company

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Dec 24 2009

Slate Tile Flooring – Selecting The Right One For Your Home

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

More and more slate tile flooring is being used in many residential as well as commercial interiors and exteriors simply because it is extremely adaptable and has a great aesthetic quality to it once laid.

The great thing about slate tile flooring is that it is extremely workable, is easy to install and comes in a wide range of beautiful color variations, as well as having that distinctive look and feel to its surface. It also comes with its own built-in natural slip resistance, which makes it the practical choice for such areas as the kitchen or bathroom in a home.

Most of the slate quarried today can be found in large concentrations in coastal regions around Europe. This is because the silt and mineral elements have collected here over the centuries once the oceans have receded and have then become exposed to tremendous pressure and heat. This pressure and heat then forges all the elements together in order to form this naturally durable but very rugged stone.

When you are looking to lay slate tile flooring in your home there are a number of things which need to be considered in order to select the right kind of slate.

1. Location. It is important that you look at the room where it is going to be installed. Consider the color theme and decorative style of the room, as well as the amount of traffic that is likely to pass over it. Another important factor to look at is the likelihood of spills, for example in the bathroom or kitchen.

2. Substrate. Check what the flooring underneath where you are going to lay it is like. It is important to do this check before you make your purchase so you can inform the sales staff at the flooring store and they will be able to tell you what type of slate is a good match for your substrate.

3. Sealant. You should choose a slate tile sealant depending on what type of look you want your slate flooring to have. You can choose one which provides a wet or lustrous look to the final floor or one that has a low sheen or no sheen at all.

4. Installation. Before you actually start to install the slate tile flooring, it is good to carry out a dry run first. This is where you lay the slate tiles on the floor without any adhesive below and look at the way the colors vary across each slate and place them in such a way that they look good together. It also provides you with a chance to work out the overall spacing of each tile and the exact number of slates you will need in order to complete the task.

Ernest Jarquio is a dedicated family man hopelessly addicted to do-it-yourself projects. For more information, visit his website, where he discusses various subjects such as slate tile flooring, rubber flooring tiles and installing tile flooring. Read various articles on the different aspects of hardwood, bamboo, laminate, tile and vinyl flooring.

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Oct 03 2009

Choose Bathroom Flooring Wisely

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

While often one of the smallest rooms in the home, a bathroom can still have tremendous visual impact. And anything that you do to change the design and décor of a bathroom will significantly transform a space of that size. Bathroom flooring, more than anything else, can have a stunning effect on the overall look of a bathroom; choose bathroom flooring wisely and you will achieve the bathroom of your dreams – or a bathroom that will meet your temporary needs.

Those who purchase homes as investment properties before doing renovations and reselling the home – also referred to as “flipping” a property – find that updating a bathroom adds significantly to the value of the home. In the spirit of these updates, replacing the vanity, toilet, and bathroom flooring – along with making lighting and decorative changes – with go a long way towards transforming the space. In this instance, bathroom flooring neither has to be expensive nor complex. Neutral, affordable bathroom flooring that can be easily installed will increase the value of the home without the necessity of significant effort or financial investment.

For those who are interested in modifying the bathrooms of their own homes – or a home in which they want to stay – the choices of bathroom flooring are endless. From ceramic tile and marble to linoleum and hardwood, choosing a bathroom floor is only limited by your imagination and budget.

It is also important to look at bathroom flooring as a larger picture. While ceramic tile is beautiful to look at, it can also be unforgiving if someone should happen to fall. If you choose ceramic tile you may want to consider an area rug for when you step out of the shower. The same considerations apply to hardwood and marble. There is always the option of high-end laminate bathroom flooring that is made to resemble ceramic tile but at much lower price point and safer material.

Be mindful as well of the moisture levels in the bathroom area. Because of the water factor the bathroom has a much higher level of humidity. In smaller spaces, water can cause significant damage to bathroom flooring – so make sure that you protect your floor and choose material that will hold up to humidity levels.

Bathroom flooring can utterly transform a bathroom. Whether you are looking to update your space, define a theme, or design your dream bathroom, your choice of flooring will set the tone for your entire bathroom.

For easy to understand, in depth information about bathroom flooring visit our ezGuide 2 Flooring.

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Oct 02 2009

Cork Flooring Beauty – Environmentally-Friendly Too!

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

Cork Flooring Beauty – Environmentally-Friendly Too!

Growing Popularity

That wood flooring is gaining popularity is well known. When home owners see just
how beautiful and inexpensive a natural wood floor is they are keen to
get it installed in their own home. Hardwood flooring is the first
choice for most when they are looking at installing a wooden floor in
their home, Oak and Cherry because of the variety of colors
and shades are two popular choices, sometimes a more exotic hardwood like
Bamboo is the hardwood of choice. But one environmentally
friendly choice is also available and that is cork. Cork has
been around for centuries and used for floors for a very long time and
for a number of reasons,among those reasons is the fact that it is a very long lasting product and
that it comes from a renewable resource.

Source

Cork is harvested from the bark of cork trees, which are a variety of Oak
The cork is gathered through stripping off the bark on the outside of the trunk,
this regenerates in about six years ready for harvesting again.
This means that rather than cutting down a tree just once for material,
cork farms can strip the bark away again and again; there are still
trees being used in bark harvesting that are around 200 years old! For
for those of us who care about the environment, this makes cork
flooring an ideal material, since it comes from a renewable resource. Even for
those who have not considered the source of the material, cork flooring
is a wonderful alternative for hardwood floors.

Durability

Often when we think of cork, we think of the soft material used in cork
boards but in reality Cork is one of the strongest materials used. Not
only is it scuff resistant, it is elastic and hard to damage under
normal circumstances, but it also resists water penetration, unlike
other hardwood floors, so it is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens, for
this reason too, it is used as stoppers in wine bottles. Because of the
hard wearing qualities of Cork, there are flooring
installations that have lasted for over 100 years. It is also one of
the floorings of choice used in the United States Library of Congress.
Cork has excellent insulating properties, so good in fact that it can
help reduce heating or cooling costs. This makes it a very good
flooring material for basement floors for example. Cork
flooring is a good sound insulator too, a fact well known in the
building industry for years and useful for home owners in reducing
noise transfer from floor to floor.

Aesthetics

Cork flooring has a mottled appearance that we are all familiar with and
which makes it different from all of the other wood floors. It comes in
a variety of patterns and colors that you can select from to match your
own particular decorating style. Because of it’s elastic nature Cork
flooring is comfortable and quiet to walk on. – ideal for apartment
dwellers.

Health Concerns.

Cork flooring is much more than just an environmentally friendly material,
it is a naturally hypo-allergenic substance which does not
support the growth of mold or mildew , it does not
produce toxins or shed any fibres and it is antistatic. All of these
properties are good news for those people who suffer from allergies

Author: Brian McQuirk Webmaster and owner http://www.yourfloorings.com Everything you need for remodeling, renovation or redecorating including flooring, lights, cabinetry and decorating supplies. Visit us today.

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Oct 01 2009

Learn How To Make Your Everyday Garage Flooring Look Modern And Expensive

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

Many older homes didn’t come with a garage. They had what is called, carports. They were not an enclosed building in which you could keep things protected from the weather except for a car, a boat, or some other type of recreational vehicle. Garage flooring wasn’t even worried about, but the newer homes almost all have a garage. Many of the newer homes have an attached garage which means it is attached to the main home instead of being a separate building, so looks play an important part of this type of structure. You have to look at it all the time so you want it to appear nice and modern. In this article we will talk about some options for garage flooring that can make a more modern and expensive look.

Before considering garage flooring, you must consider what you would like your garage to look like and what function does your garage serve. Many people will use their garage as the laundry room too. They may have it all plumbed so the noise and dirty clothes can be kept in another area of the home. Most garage flooring is made of concrete and it is usually cracked in places and just not very decorative in appearance. If you are going to be doing laundry in the garage, there may be many moments of running in there with bare feet. If this is the case, you may want to consider some throw rugs for the garage flooring area you will be most walking on. This can serve to not only keep your feet warm, but cover up some cracked flooring as well.

If you want a nice overall garage flooring look, you can get some wonderful heavy duty paints that you can cover the concrete floor with. These paints come in many different colors and are made for outdoor use, so they are very durable. You can also buy epoxy type paints that have decorative specks and colors in them for your garage flooring. I’ve seen this type of paint on garage flooring before and it looks extremely nice. You can even paint the garage walls or maybe place a border strip of wallpaper to match the flooring. Garage flooring doesn’t have to be old fashioned. You can make the appearance of your garage look as wonderful as any room in the house all with just a little color on your garage flooring and walls.

There are many other
href=”http://www.flooring-solution.com/garage-flooring.php”>garage flooring
choices available besides different paints and colors. There are rubber type floor mats that are heavy duty and you just roll them out. They are cushiony and are available in colors and designs. These are easy to care for and you can simply pull them out of the garage as necessary and hose and wash them off. Don’t let your garage flooring look outdated. Check out the different options available for a more modern garage flooring look.

For more information on flooring try visiting http://flooring-solution.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful flooring tips, advice and resources to include Garage Flooring and more.

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Jul 11 2009

How to Apply Concrete Flooring

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

Concrete, it’s practical, sturdy and has been used in the construction of buildings since the early Roman times. However, without a decorative or protective coating most concrete patios, driveways, walkways and garage floors are unattractive. In fact, more than likely, they’re stained, drab, dull, possibly, even ugly.

Today many homeowners and do-it-yourselfers are discovering, through the use of Top Secret Coatings concrete coatings, those gray, cold outdoor slabs can take on a unique, stylish look that not only reflects homeowners particular tastes but are non skid, add color and texture to a new or older home.

A porch or patio can be one of the most useful exterior areas of your home if covered with an attractive concrete coating, cleared of all excess junk and with a little thought given to landscaping the area. Unfortunately these spaces are all too often covered with bland concrete which as well as looking rather dull and dreary, may have developed cracks or become stained with moss, grease, oil etc over time. Restoring such areas to a place you would be proud to use for entertaining, outdoor dining or just relaxing may seem like a mighty big job. If the concrete is badly cracked and the surface uneven, generally there is no other choice than to rip it up and re-lay it. Here are a few thoughts to consider before moving forward with your plans to apply concrete coatings.

1. If your floor is inside the house, do a little checking before you decide to coat your floor. Is the concrete damp? Is there any ponding water? (If so, then you have a larger problem than an ugly floor!) Let the concrete dry thoroughly before painting (this may take a while during the wet seasons!)

2. Thoroughly clean the concrete with TS 695 Rynolite Etching Cleaner. If there is any grease on the floor you will want to remove it before painting or the paint may not adhere. To remove grease, put down cat litter to absorb the majority of oil, then scrub again with TS 695 Rynolite Etching Cleaner. Rinse well and wait until the floor is thoroughly dry.

3. Sand off any loose or peeling paint or other residue with a sander or 80 grit sandpaper. Vacuum or sweep up the residue. Then go over the floor with a tack cloth (a sticky cheesecloth available at any hardware or home improvement store).

4. Use a paintable cement filler to repair any cracks and holes and allow it to dry completely before moving forward.

5. Now to begin the painting process. You will want to brush the edges and roll the rest of the floor surface. Let each coat dry between 12 and 24 hours before recoating. Repeat the process with the second or third coats as directed.

Now you have applied Top Secret quality concrete coatings that are beautiful, colorful and durable!

Peter Harrett

http://www.topsecretcoatings.com

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Jul 10 2009

Is Bamboo Flooring Worth The Effort?

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

If you’ve noticed an increase in the prevalence of bamboo flooring advertisements then it’s for very good reason. You see, bamboo flooring hasn’t emerged as a popular alternative to other forms of floor coverings by accident. Consumers are being swayed to this natural and beautiful flooring type because it offers so many advantages over traditional types of floors.

Bamboo’s Many Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of course is it’s environmentally friendly and sustainable nature. Bamboo is a hardy plant and it’s ability to regenerate in less than a year has earnt it a lot of “brownie points” with consumers. It provides the strength of a hardwood floor and it’s added durable nature almost makes it a “no brainer” in today’s day and age as the first choice for floor shoppers.

Bamboo flooring has gained momentum because of it’s low maintainance requirements and this has a lot to do with it’s natural qualities. Staining becomes a thing of the past particularly when you take into account that bamboo color is basically dependent on the length of time it spends in the “processing barn.” Depending on how much traffic it has to endure, if the finish becomes worn and tired then a good sanding and re-finish is usually all that’s required but again, this all depends on the level of use the floor is subjected to. In a normal situation, this won’t be necessary for quite a few years.

Where To Shop

Shopping for bamboo flooring today becomes easier and easier. Once upon a time, consumers were usually required to rely on long distance browsing but today, more and more outlets have “jumped on the bamboo flooring bandwagon” and are offering consumers the opportunity to inspect this eco-friendly surface first hand. However, the internet still offers a great alternative to shoppers who haven’t got access to first hand inspection and browsing online offers a multitude of sites ready to fulfil your needs.

Concentrating on the higher ranked sites should provide less cause for concern but one of the golden rules for shopping online in this instance is to make sure you can contact the seller directly. Phone would definitely be preferable. In many instances, online outlets are able to point you towards some reference points such as consumers who have bought from them previously and are willing to act as referees.

The Cost Factor

The cost of bamboo flooring is usually well within the budgets of most. While some offers of as low as $2 per square are available from some wholesalers make sure you ask for a written warranty with clear details written into it. Ready to install bamboo floors can cost up to $10 per square with installation an extra cost. Depending on your handyman skills, then the latter may not be a factor with a pre-finished floor but might require the services of a qualified installer if unfinished.

If you follow some well laid guidelines on shopping for bamboo flooring then there is no reason why it shouldn’t provide you with many years of loyal service.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Read this guide now before buying bamboo wood flooring. Plus get the latest bamboo news and reviews at: http://www.bamboogalore.com

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Jul 09 2009

What Kind of Hardwood Flooring Is Best?

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

Installing hardwood flooring is a very popular home improvement project. This is particularly true now that more and more people are learning that carpets can hide mildew, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny particles that can make trouble for allergy sufferers. Hardwood flooring is easy to keep clean, and there is no place for potential allergens to hide. Wood floors also have the added benefit of looking gorgeous.

Okay, okay, you’re probably already sold on hardwoods or you wouldn’t be reading this article. What you may be wondering now is what type of wood is best? Should you go with oak, or maple? A soft wood such as pine? Something more exotic such as teak? Or maybe you have considered bamboo flooring, which is actually a grass instead of a wood but that has many of the qualities of hardwoods.

The truth is that each type of wood I’ve mentioned can be used, and each has different characteristics, such as color, grain, and hardness. It may simply come down to what wood you think looks best. I’m going to give you the characteristics of some of the more popular choices in order to help you decide. Let’s get started:

Oak Flooring

Oak is very popular because it is a heavy and hard wood, which makes it quite durable. It can resist the wear and tear of an active family. This species is also handsome and comes in a range of colors, depending on whether you choose white oak or red oak.

Maple Flooring

For folks who want something a little lighter colored than oak, maple is a popular choice. It varies from a pale white to a reddish brown and has a uniform texture. Because it’s a very hard wood, it stands up well and resists scratches and dents.

Pine Flooring

Pine is actually a “softwood” so it is more susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents. However it is still enjoyed by homeowners who prefer the character of a worn floor. Since it was used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries, the wide knotty planks are popular in historic houses and log homes because they can create an authentic rustic feel. Pine is also less expensive than oak or maple.

Teak Flooring

Teak was once used predominantly outdoors because it is so resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and temperature shifts. Its handsome color, which can range from yellowish brown to a dark golden brown, is prompting homeowners to use it indoors now as well. Because of its natural resistance to dampness, it can be a good choice if you want hardwood floors in the kitchen or even the bathroom (though you still need to apply a good finish).

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is growing more popular among environmentally conscious homeowners, because it is an easily renewable resource (bamboo grows much more quickly than trees). As far as its characteristics, bamboo has a striped grain that makes it a little more exotic than wood. It also resists moisture well, a trait that makes it popular in humid climates where regular wood can be susceptible to warping.

As you can see, all of these woods have different traits, but they are all wonderful choices. It is hard to go wrong with hardwood flooring, and ultimately it is just a matter of choosing something that has physical properties that suit your needs and that has a color and grain that looks good in your home.

For more information (and pictures of some of the woods described here), check out the author’s web site for Different Hardwood Flooring Options. You may also want to read about Hardwood Floor Protection, an article that shows how to keep that wood looking good.

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Jun 26 2009

Carpet Pad Guide – Why You Need Good Padding to Protect Carpeting

Published by Medesto Remodeler under Flooring

A lot of people know that carpets feel comfortable to lie-down on and provide a nice texture for your feet to walk on. However, you may not be aware of the fact that having a good carpet pad underneath your carpeting makes all the difference in the world in determining whether or not your carpeting feels soft and comfortable or hard as a rock. There are unquestionably some things you should know about your carpet pads in order to ensure that your carpeting provides you with a maximum level of carpet.

First of all, think about carpets that are void of all carpet padding. If you laid down carpeting on a hard floor with no pad between the carpet and the floor, there are a number of unfavorable things that would happen. Most likely, you would quickly notice that your carpeting does not feel comfortable to walk on, let alone lie-down on. There are some carpets designed for little or no padding underneath, but these are not types that are meant for your home. In fact, carpets without padding have are comparable in hardness to hardwood floors; they are both extremely tense.

If you buy a normal living room carpet without the carpet pad to go under it, then it would not take much walking on in order to really wear-out the carpet. Your carpet would wear-down very quickly because it would be rubbing directly on the cement underneath. In order to ensure that your carpet lasts as long as possible, it is recommended that you buy the proper-fitting carpet pad to accompany it.

If you want a carpet that feels comfortable to your friends and family, you will need to get a durable set of carpet pads. The purpose of installing carpet pads along with your carpet is in order to increase the overall durability of your carpet as well as to minimize carpet damage and maximize the comfort-level of people who are walking on the carpet or want to lie down on the carpet. Choosing a good carpet pad is also helpful because it serves as a buffer that allows your furniture to be set on top of your carpet without causing your carpet to damage.

If you are currently looking for a new carpet, you should always make sure that you are able to find good-quality carpet pads to go along with it. You don’t want to ever make a big investment in new carpeting only to find out that you are not able to find any good carpet padding to put down before you install it. Always ask the carpet-company for good quality carpet padding to go along with it. Most people are so focused on how their carpet looks when they buy it that they completely forget about getting good carpet pads. They usually opt for having the standard carpet pads installed with their good looking carpet. If the standard pads are of relatively low quality, the carpeting is surely going to wear out much more quickly than it would have if you had remembered to pick out a better carpet pad.

Hampton teaches people how to find the best carpet pad and writes reviews of various types of marine carpet.

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