Explore the maximum range of contemporary flooring solutions before you make up your mind to go for a type. For example, they may be wood flooring, hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring, and laminate flooring, among several other varieties. Choose the one that is a better fit and trendy at the same time.
Durability, suitability, adaptability, and, of course, affordability are the primary concerns for the persons who are planning to give their floors a modern and divine look. If they keep focusing on only hardwood flooring, or bamboo flooring, it is necessary for them to look into the worth of laminate flooring too that can precisely value their investment. This flooring variety has proven to be incredibly durable and bears similarity in terms of looks with hardwood. Most interestingly, making a difference between them from their apparent visibility is next to impossible.
Despite the fact that laminate looks like hardwood, this flooring product does not involve any wood component! It is manufactured by mixing several materials under high pressure. This production process gives them a durability and resilience that actual hardwood is simply devoid of. Most laminate floors have a moisture resistant layer too and this enhances the longevity of the floor. So, if durability is your primary concern, then you could find no better flooring option than that you find in laminate variety. Does it sound to be disbelieving? Then, try it for a smaller space first and check the difference!
Again, when it comes to the construction of the top layer, laminate type excels other types too. A resin-coated cellulose compound is applied over their photographic representations and that helps protect surface appearance. This makes cleaning much easier as opposed to the cleaning process required for the hardwood floors. To clean the latter type of flooring needs their owners to be aware of the cleaning process to the full. Otherwise, the chances of damaging floor finishes like getting scratches, or water moistness, are quite higher. Flooring experts, therefore, suggest buyers to go for the laminate flooring solutions when they intend to install such floors in a high traffic area or on the floor of a bathroom or of a kitchen. In such places, laminate flooring products would fit most suitably.
Budget is a big factor for interior decoration. Affording to an unforeseen budget can be an absurd idea for most of the people who desire to get their commercial or domestic places renovated or decorated with modern flooring products. To the great relief for all of them, laminate type might give them the solution to cut the bills without bringing any major changes over the overall appearance. Everyone must agree with that laminate is simply much less expensive than solid hardwood floors. Furthermore, such products do not require refinishing when other types do once in a while.
If you are a do-it-yourself (DIY) fan, you will be enthused to learn that laminate flooring is the easiest way to get it done. Such products snap easily together while providing you with a cheaper alternative that offers you a great sense of pride. Installation of such a floor with both below grade and above grade is possible all the more.
In the midst of growing penchant for green and concerns for preserving eco-friendly options in all fields, be it even in interior and exterior renovations or decorations, this flooring solution can indeed be a bit more environmentally sound, because it needs less wooden fiber in its construction. And, the amount of fiber it does use is used in efficient manner.
Indeed, it is the laminate only that can give the buyers effective, attractive, less expensive and incredibly durable flooring solutions. In addition to them, the eco-friendly aspect is duly maintained. So, when it comes to choosing a flooring solution, explore the flooring market thoroughly so that you can install the one that may continue to respect your value investment.…
hardwood
Guide to Buying Exotic Hardwood Flooring
Buying hardwood flooring is very easy to do. All you need is someone to tell you how. There are many methods in researching for guides such as in books or online. For one thing, in this era today everything is easy as a clip and a flip.
Choose the Location First
Before considering buying any hardwood flooring, decide which floor of your house you are going to make into hardwood flooring. Every level of your house has different ways and methods of building the floors when the actual construction starts. It will be easy when you talk to the workers once you know where you will have installed or what you want installed.
Choose the Subfloor and Type of Hardwood Flooring Construction
The subfloor can either be plywood or concrete depending upon what type of hardwood flooring construction you want. The first type is the A� inch thick solid wood flooring, it is very strong which means it would take centuries to wear if properly maintained and choosing good quality wood. Solid wood floor can be removed and be refinished again to make it look new. The problem only with solid wood is you cannot install it over concrete and cannot be used below ground level which means the basement of your house. There are also other sizes such as 5/16, 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick which are almost the same with the A� only thinner, still cannot be installed below ground level and of course bathrooms where there is water. The second type is engineered woods, which do not need to be sanded since they are already ready to be installed. This are like instant noodles or instant coffee, just pour hot water and they’re ready. The engineered woods are the opposite of the solid wood since they don’t have a problem with moisture, so it can be installed below ground levels. It doesn’t last as long as solid wood but fifty to sixty years is enough. You can also make it look exotic by printing or staining it, it’ll then look expensive.
Hire a Professional
Many people choose DIY (Do-It-Yourself) when doing their hardwood flooring since if you are to choose some engineered flooring styles their very easy to do even for first timers because of the locking system. But, it is still preferable to choose someone with real knowledge in installing hardwood flooring. If you want it to be really beautiful then this is the best choice for it. And professionals will help you to choose the best exotic wood to use.
How to Choose the Best Exotic Wood to Use
Today, exotic woods are the most preferable choice in hardwood flooring. They are generally thicker and have a longer life span. In choosing the exotic wood, carefully ask people around what is usually bought currently in the market. Ask also about how thick the wood should be do some research online as well since there are tons of facts about wood types, buying and reading books focusing on the best wood for you floors is also recommended. Currently, the Jatoba or Brazilian Cherry is chosen by most since it shows vibrant and a rich color that along with the thickness of the wood aids in hiding wear marks.
These are some of the ways in aiding you when you start to decide to buy exotic wood for your floor.…
High Quality Discount Hardwood Flooring
Whether you are planning a remodel of your existing home or you are building a new home, saving money is a top priority. There are now available many styles, grains and colors of beautiful discount hardwood flooring. If you have chosen to forgo the option of having laminate hardwood flooring in your home and instead, choose the real feel of hardwood, you know that it can be quite costly. You can save money by installing discount hardwood engineered flooring. This beautiful choice will leave your home warm and welcoming, while keeping you within your budget. Whether you are matching or complimenting existing cabinets, or your new flooring is driving the rest of your home design, you will certainly be able to find a style that meets your needs.
The discount hardwood flooring on the market today comes in a variety of tones, grains and styles. If you have existing cabinets you need to work with, you can either choose to match your new flooring or choose a different color that compliments. Some individuals like a consistent look throughout their home, which creates continuity. Others prefer to have dark cabinets and light floors or light cabinets and dark floors. Typically they keep the grain styles similar, which will bring the different woods together. This design trick is often used for cabinets, mill work and flooring. Whatever your particular style, you can create it easily with the use of engineered hardwood flooring purchased at discount prices.
Laminate hardwood flooring comes in a variety of color tones, as well as different grains. Before making your purchase, it is important to ask yourself a few questions. Do you have indoor animals which will scratch your floors? Do you prefer the look of hardwood or is it important to you to have the real thing in your home? If you have animals that will scratch your floors, you may want to go with a laminate style flooring. If you prefer real hardwood, you will want to purchase the original flooring. Either way, you can find what you are looking for in the discount hardwood flooring available options. You are sure to be satisfied while keeping your budget on track.…
Hardwood – 9 Dangers of Acquiring Hardwood From a Big Box Chain Store
If you are looking for hardwood, then you know this is a very important investment you are going to be making. Read this report on the dangers of acquiring hardwood from a big box chain store before you start your search for the perfect store!
A “Big Box” store refers to the mega stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. They are popular with flooring customers because they have convenient hours considering they are open seven days a week and evenings, they have competitive pricing due to their high sales volume, and they have a good selection of low- to mid-quality hard surface products and carpeting in stock since higher quality products can be special ordered.
Flooring is a long-term investment that can increase the value of your home if it is purchased and installed correctly. If not, however, it can lower the value of your home. Imagine a home with cracked tile, warped wood floors, or carpet lifting at the is not admirable. Here are nine downfalls you need to be mindful of before buying floor covering from a Big Box store:
Pitfall #1
The Do-it-Yourself (DIY) community is who the Big Box stores are in business to help. If you have the skill, time, special tools, training, design background, and patience to do it yourself, a Big Box store is a good place to buy flooring products. Shopping for floor covering at a Big Box store will cause frustration if you do not fit the handyman category, or if you don’t have enough time or patience to do it yourself.
Pitfall #2
With Big Box stores, you waste too much valuable time. Their carpeting or hardwood sections may be disorganized, messy, cramped, and not well merchandised, making it hard for you to find what you need. It also means you will be obliged to make repeat visits for the smallest things.
Pitfall #3
Big Box stores mean no in-house designers. There is no professional help selecting the right products and combinations for your needs and flooring area. This makes your job much harder and takes you much longer to complete your project from the get-go.
Pitfall #4
Big Box store employees receive little or no instruction. These stores are not dedicated flooring experts and the employees often can not answer your simplest questions.
Pitfall #5
These stores will up-sell you. It’s natural for these stores to promote low cost, loss leader floor covering to get you in the door. However, when you arrive at the store, the advertised flooring products are either sold out, or there aren’t enough for your project. That’s when the Big Box stores will up-sell you on the more expensive products, even if they aren’t suitable for you.
Pitfall #6
These stores will also attempt to pile up undesirable or discontinued products on you. Contracts put Big Box chain stores under heavy sales pressure to sell inventory from certain manufacturers. This is not good news because they will put the pressure on you to buy hardwood or other types of flooring that may not be appropriate for your needs.
Pitfall #7
The products that are in stock tend to be on the low end of the quality spectrum. Because your floors are the second most abused part of your home (after the roof), it is not in your benefit to choose among the low-end flooring products.
Pitfall #8
Big Box stores usually have a long waiting period for installation. Their business isn’t installing flooring, so you might have to do this yourself, which causes you more problems.
Pitfall #9
These Big Box stores are not structured to offer quality floor covering service. Hardwood, as well as any other flooring, is an investment and choosing the appropriate products and properly installing them is critical to your flooring’s function, aesthetics, and durability.
If you aren’t a handyman, builder, contractor, or don’t have spare time to do your flooring project on your own, a Big Box store is not a good choice to purchase hardwood.…
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
One of the best types of flooring is hardwood flooring that enhances the beauty of the interior of a house and adds style and attraction. It is one of the top used flooring systems because its material will lasts for many years and it is easy to clean. Using a vacuum cleaner is a most common way to clean the wooden floors but there are also some more good ways to clean hardwood floors. It is not at all a difficult task to clean hardwood floors but it is important to know the correct techniques in order to do it easily and quickly.
Following are some of the best ways of cleaning hardwood floors:
It is claimed by many experts that washing a hardwood floor with water is the simplest and easiest way and it usually does not cause damage to the wood. But you have to make sure that the floor should not be wet for a long time after cleaning. It should be dried out sooner rather than later. If there are holes or aberrations on the flooring, the water should not be allowed to go into these holes so it cannot start destroying the wood.
The floor ideally should not be made too wet or the water should not be splashed on the floor. In its place a mop could come to salvage. A wet mop would be a good option to have the dampening effect on the floor. It is important to remove the dust and debris before pulling the mop on the whole floor. Use a broom if it is manageable to clean off the dust or a use a vacuum cleaner.
Using a mixture of vinegar and water would also prove very helpful in cleaning hardwood floors. It is quite convenient and easy to do and it provides a great shine and cleanness to the floor.
Cleaning hardwood floor with wax also required at regular intervals to give shine to the lacquered floors. But some people tend to use it too many times, which is undesirable because it would mean spending a lot of wax to remove later.
There is also another effective way to clean a hardwood floor which is to boil some water and dip few black tea bags in it. Wait for the water to cool down and then dispense it in a cleaning bucket, take a mop, squeeze it and clean the floor.…