KitchenFlooring

March 24th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

The kitchen can be a challenging area to provide flooring for. On one hand, the flooring must be comfortable enough to stand on for long durations. On the other hand, however, the flooring must be resistant to stains and a high level of foot traffic. The right kitchen flooring requires little maintenance and can keep up with the demands placed on it by a modern kitchen. Spills and accidents will occur frequently, putting a strain on any flooring that is installed in the kitchen area. To prevent serious maintenance problems and future expenses, it pays to install the right kind of flooring to begin with.

Wood flooring has traditionally been seen in kitchen flooring, but it can lead to high maintenance costs. Wood aborbs moisture, causing it to warp and crack over time. When a wood floor absorbs too much moisture it can end up crowning or cupping, producing an unsightly and uneven surface. The only solution to this problem is to sand down the bowing section, or to rip out the entire floor and start over. Neither of these are very attractive options, and involve many hours as well as thousands of dollars. While a properly finished and maintained wood floor may resist these problems, wood flooring is certainly more prone to suffer from them.

More reliable options include slate and ceramic tile. Tile and slate do not absorb moisture, and do not suffer from warping or cracking. As fairly rigid materials, they experience little expansion or contraction.
Slate and ceramic flooring are available in a broad range of colors and shades. Slate and ceramic flooring are also very slip resistant, making them a safer surface to use in the kitchen as well. Hardwood flooring can become slick, especially if it has been exposed to moisture. When using slate as a kitchen surface, be sure to go with a low gloss or finish for extra slip protection.

Laminate flooring is also another viable option in the kitchen. To achieve that hardwood look without the maintenance issues, laminate flooring can be a great alternative. Laminate flooring is easy to install, affordable, and very resistant to both water damage and stains.
Laminate flooring is also designed to withstand a great deal of foot traffic and pressure. The kitchen is a high stress area for flooring, and should be treated as such. Choosing the right kind of flooring will give homeowners lasting durability, with low maintenance requirements.

GymFlooring

March 18th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Gym flooring must be flexible and tough to withstand the demands of heavy weight and high impact seen every day in sports facilities. Gym flooring should be able to absorb an impact, while also remaining rigid enough to remain stable under heavy loads. This is a tall order for any flooring product, but there are many rubber flooring products manufactured specifically to fit these needs. The best gym flooring will provide a level surface, but also be able to muffle the sound of a falling weight.

Commercial Mats and Rubber is a large manufacturer of gym flooring, with several models suitable for all sports purposes. Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Diamond Mega Plate tiles are specifically designed to absorb heavy shocks and absorb noise, while also remaining rigid under extremely heavy loads. Better yet, Diamond Mega Plates are solid 4×4 tiles that interlock with one another, requiring no adhesives in order to install. The Diamond Mega Plates should remain perfectly in place without any need for adhesives. The rubber used in the construction of the Diamond Mega Plates is engineered to withstand heavy loads, and will not tear or fray under pressure.

Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Best Flex Flooring is another great option for gym flooring. The Best Flex flooring is designed to hold up to heavy loads without ripping or tearing. The product is also available in a wide variety of colors and textures. Just like the Diamond Mega Plate, the Best Flex flooring is installed without adhesives, and simply locks together. In addition to its toughness, both flooring types are given a great traction surface that prevents slipping. This makes Best Flex perfect for gyms, where flooring that is tough, safe, and appealing must be used.

For those looking for a more affordable option, Commercial Mats and Rubber sells the Gym Dandy flooring solution. Gym Dandy provides an anti-slip surface that is easy to clean and fire retardant, but also easier on the wallet. Commercial Rubber is running a sale at the moment on colored texture tiles, making them a more affordable avenue for some people. The overstock sale makes 3/8″ interlocking fleck color tiles available for $10.99 per tile before shipping. The tiles are easy to install and require no toxic or flammable adhesives. This provides a safe and reliable surface that is also environmentally friendly.

LaminateFlooring

March 11th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Although carpet and hardwood are two of the most popular choices when it comes to flooring, they are sometimes inadequate. Spaces like the kitchen, or garage, frequently demand a higher degree of durability and resilience. Carpet absorbs stains and moisture too easily, leading to a dingy looking surface that may also attract odors. Hardwood offers a great deal more durability than carpet, but it also suffers from problems with moisture. A damp hardwood gradually warps and cracks. After several seasons of expansion and contraction, moisture damage can become very apparent with a hardwood floor.

Areas in which spills and accidents are frequent can cause scratching or gouging in the flooring as well. Laminate flooring is a great answer to all these problems and more. With a laminate floor, designers can have the classic appeal of hardwood if they so desire, while avoiding many of the typical pitfalls. Laminate flooring is largely impervious to moisture issues and will not absorb water. Stains are not an issue, and as long as they are cleaned up promptly, should not leave a mark at all.
Best of all, laminate flooring is very affordable, and can be found in a wide selection of shades, colors, and styles.

Installation of laminate flooring is also fairly simple. When first purchasing a set of laminate flooring tiles, check each to make sure there are no broken tiles. Once sure that the entire package is intact, give the tiles a few days to adjust to their new atmosphere. There may be some contraction or expansion involved when the laminate flooring tiles change environment.

Be sure to follow all manufacturer guidelines that are included with the tile packaging. Specific instructions on how to glue the tiles are very important, and can affect the overall aesthetic quality and durability of the end product. It is also important to ensure that the tiles are placed with a quarter of an inch space between the wall and the flooring. Although an extensive set of tools is not needed for in home installation, you may need something to cut the tile around corners, fireplaces, stairs, etc. A wet tile saw would definitely be adequate to cut laminate flooring.

Having a level surface for installation is also crucial. Be sure to fill any holes in the subflooring, or sand away any protruding areas that might stick up afterward.

BambooFlooring

March 5th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring is now widely available in North America and Europe. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows very quickly when compared with the time it takes a forest to regrow. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.

How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring. Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack because of water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem. Bamboo flooring is processed as a laminate and treated under extremely high pressure with a high quality glue. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where less treated hardwood floors may show scratches after a while. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, let the planks sit in their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to their new climate before installation.

What should be done to maintain a bamboo floor? Maintenance requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Be sure to clean the floor after installing it, using a mop with only a little bit of water. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish. A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can go a long way in preventing this problem.

Hard Wood Flooring Needs a Shine

March 4th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. 6 Comments

When you are dealing with your own floor you need to be sure that you know exactly what it needs. For example if you have a carpet and you have no vacuum cleaner you are really asking for trouble because going around and picking up individual pieces of dirt, hair, food, and other things which can end up on the floor is a chore that nobody is looking forward to. The same could be said for Wood flooring; if you have a hard Wood flooring and you are not able to clean or sweep or polish …
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PergoFlooring

February 26th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Pergo flooring provides a wide range of laminate flooring, with an emphasis on reproducing the genuine feel of hardwood and tile. With Pergo flooring, homeowners can have a great looking floor that won’t suffer from water damage or abrasions. Laminate flooring requires next to no maintenance, and will stay looking great for many years. The latest Pergo flooring reproduces the graining, knotting, texture, and color of genuine hardwood. Visitors will be hard pressed to know the difference between Pergo flooring and real hardwood or tile.

In addition to its great looking and lasting appeal, laminate flooring is also very easy to install. With its interlocking tiles, Pergo flooring can be installed without professional help. The tiles are manufactured with a tongue and groove system that allows the tiles to interlock without glue or other industrial adhesives. Provided a home installer has a tile cutting tool, the installation should be very little trouble. Interlocking Pergo flooring is also easier on the environment, without any of the harmful chemical adhesives that other floors possess.

Home installation is easy enough for almost anyone to do, and can save thousands of dollars in professional installation fees. Pergo flooring is safer and healthier without any of the chemicals seen in other flooring. Once a Pergo floor is installed, it should last for several years. Worn out and damaged tiles can be individually removed and replaced. Laminate flooring will not suffer in the same way from water damage and abrasion as hardwood. A hardwood will crack and buckle when exposed to moisture over time. Cupping and crowning results from extended moisture exposure. This moisture can come both from spills and from water that wicks up from the subfloor, making prevention difficult.

Pergo flooring is superior to carpet as well, offering both comfort and reliability that the former cannot. Carpet can soak up water and stains, making it difficult to keep clean. Over time, carpet can also take on unpleasant odors that are hard to eliminate. Laminate flooring will not absorb any of these same smells, remaining in perfect condition for years. Carpet, by contrast, will gradually wear down and become frayed and torn. The only means of repairing a carpet that has become frayed or worn is to eventually replace it, costing potentially hundreds of dollars for the consumer.

WoodFlooring

February 20th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Wood flooring can add a great traditional touch to any home. For an addition of elegance and time tested quality, hardwood flooring is a great option. A high quality maple or oak wood flooring can add tremendous value to a residence, while also building a base for an elegant atmosphere. Hardwood flooring is available in a wide variety of shades, colors, patterns, and finishes. Finding the right wood flooring for your home can be a little overwhelming, but the process is very much worth the time. Although carpet is definitely an alternative, wood flooring has a traditional appeal that is hard to deny.

The first step is in finding out whether your home is appropriate for wood flooring. When in climates that change temperature extremes every season, hardwood may have a tendency to crack and split with expansion and contraction. High humidity is also a significant problem when considering wood flooring. Excess moisture tends to be absorbed into the wood flooring, leading to warping and buckling over time. Crowning and cupping are common problems for wood flooring exposed to moisture. When a floor crowns or cups, it bows out of shape, most frequently in the middle of the floor. This can be a difficult issue to correct once moisture has caused the problem.

Once you have decided that hardwood is the right choice for you as a homeowner, there are many options from which to choose. Maple and oak are more traditional species, while cedar gives a more rustic and natural atmosphere. A higher gloss finish will result in a more reflective surface, while a lower gloss fits in with a darker atmosphere. The thickness of the boards is also an important factor in selecting the right wood flooring product. Thicker boards will be more durable and more resistant to moisture.

Moisture is a big problem for hardwood flooring. Avoid exposing wood flooring to moisture as much as possible. If storing wood flooring outdoors before installation, be sure to cover it with a tarp in case of any precipitation. Clean up spills on the wood flooring immediately in order to prevent eventual warping and cracking. If water beads up on the surface of the flooring, it is time for another coat of finishing on the flooring. Protect your investment, and wood flooring can last for generations.

Do-It-Yourself Floorings - Getting Started

February 18th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Of all the projects a homeowner might consider to undertake as do-it-yourself, flooring projects are among the most daunting. Although it may seem more challenging than other improvements, DIY floorings are reasonably accessible and, for the cost, can provide a much more dramatic change to any room.
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FlooringInstallation

February 15th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Hardwood flooring installation can be a difficult and sometimes complicated task, but if you feel comfortable giving it a go personally, you can end up saving quite a bit of money. Properly installed hardwoods can last for generations, even under moist and humid conditions, such as in a bathroom. With a little advice and a step by step guide, as well as plenty of time, hardwood flooring installation can be done without expensive professional services.

Moisture is the number one enemy of hardwood flooring. Moisture can eventually lead to the warping and cracking of the surface as it expands and contracts. This does not mean, however, that hardwood flooring cannot be used in wetter conditions. Hardwood flooring simply requires a little maintenance in order to work well under these conditions. Installing hardwood with an asphalt felt should provide a great degree of protection against rotting and warping of the hardwood. Take 15 pound asphalt felt, and put it over the subfloor in overlapping sections. The felt should be tacked down with a staple gun.

Leave a small gap, around half an inch, between the asphalt felt and the wall. A baseboard or base shoe will be placed in these smaller spaces between the flooring and the wall. The first three boards of the flooring should be laid out by hand. Board lengths are typically random, so portions of the flooring should be set out as a test before nailing down. When the first boards are put out, the rest can be set with a flooring nailer. This will make it easier to do an accurate job of laying out the flooring.

When the new flooring creates an uneven surface, you can use a reducer to create an even meeting point. When preparing to install a hardwood floor, be sure to safely store the wood. Storing the wood out in the open where it can get wet will lead to uneven flooring that does not fit together. If the flooring must be stored outdoors, be sure to cover it with a waterproof tarp. This will reduce any possible damage from moisture, which can warp and bend expensive wood flooring very quickly. Do not transport wood flooring in an open bed when weather conditions could give rise to rain or high humidity.

SlateFlooring

February 8th, 2009 by admin, under Flooring. No Comments

Slate flooring is a great option for both home and business, giving designers a unique and flexible material to use in their home. Slate has many advantages, including its affordability and resilience. A slate floor is made out of extremely fine material, giving it a resistance to moisture. Spills should be very easy to clean up, as slate will not absorb the water. Slate is also very resistant to stains and dirt. Simple maintenance should keep a slate floor clean, without too much trouble.

Due to the wide range of sources for slate in the natural world, it can be found in a variety of shades and colors. Slate flooring can be purchased in anything from dark charcoal shades, to vibrant reds or greens. Consumers also have a wide range of patterns to choose from when it comes to slate flooring, giving each floor a unique appearance. The cleft texture of slate flooring makes it very durable, resisting scratches as well as general wear and tear. The slate texture also provides a great anti-slip surface, making it a wonderful choice for in the kitchen or work areas.

The combination of good stain resistance and anti-slip properties make slate one of the best all around kitchen appropriate flooring materials available. In addition to its affordability, slate flooring benefits from a wide range of unique patterns to choose from. Glosses can also be applied to slate flooring, adding another dynamic to its appearance. Installation of slate flooring can be done without professional help, but it requires a good deal of time as well as tools. A diamond bladed saw will be required to cut the tiles. Thinset must also be purchased along with the tile, which is used to secure the tile to the underlayment.

With a smooth concrete surface, no underlayment may be required. With hardwood subfloors, or cracked concrete, an underlayment of concrete will be needed to begin the installation properly. It is important that the right thinset be used with particular tile sets. The thinset bonds the tile to the underlayment, and if done improperly the floor can eventually start shifting. Be sure to have a large bucket and something to clean up mortar that spreads across tile surfaces.

Before installing slate flooring, check out the packaging of the slate. Tiles can frequently end up broken after arriving at the store. If any are broken, be sure that replacements match the original tile.