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.

Hardwood floors seem simple to clean when you are considering installing them in your home. You don’t have to worry about the dirt sticking to the floor, stains from food and drinks, and other issues you have with carpet. Carpet tends to lose its luster after a few years and can be irreparably stained. While it is more difficult to damage hardwood flooring, it is still possible. You will want to have the proper cleaning supplies when you consider your hardwood floor. Some chemicals can actually be too harsh stripping away the floors finishing. Scraps in the floor can be difficult to repair, and of course pet stains on hardwood flooring are difficult to remove.

A very simple hardwood floor cleaner recipe is taking 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and one quart of water. You will combine these ingredients in a bucket and either use a mop or a washrag to rub over the floor after you have swept the area. Once you have applied the cleaning recipe to the floor you will want to go back over the floor with clear and clean water. It is also best that you take a rag and clean in the corners to help get the dust out of the corners before you begin the treatment.

If you have any scratches on the floor that are not deep you will be able to use a finishing lacquer to cover the scratches. More involved scratches will need to be sanded and refinished. If you have a deep stain you can still use the simple floor cleaner above. It may take a little extra work or you may have to sand the area first to remove the uppermost part of the stain.

When you have hardwood floors you need to deal with spills quickly. While the finishing is supposed to protect the floor from damaging water can still get through. Most importantly you need to know the type of hardwood flooring you have. Some of the newer floors are so simple to put in that the sealer is not applied so the grooves are protected. This means that a spill can leak through the grooves and damage the flooring beneath. On this type of floor it is best to use small amounts of the recipe above and water on the stain and to clean the floor to avoid damaging it.

Another great recipe to use on hardwood floors is using a vegetable soap or Murphy’s oil soap to create a watered down mixture that you can apply to the floors. The same rules apply as above. You do not want to use excess moisture when cleaning the hardwood floors as it can warp the wood or cause more severe damage. You may use a spray bottle to make sure that you have the correct amount of solution come out. A rag or the new Swiffer mops are great for getting your hardwood floors clean because they don’t require the pads to be soaked.

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