Category Archives: Floors

Laminate Flooring – Choosing Flooring That Suits Your Style

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The biggest advantage of laminate flooring is its toughness and durability. Irrespective of the amount of foot traffic, it can stand all the wear and tear without any scratch. In addition, laminate flooring is also resistant to stains and impacts. Unlike wood and marble, the laminate flooring does not fade when exposed to sunlight; thereby retaining its original look. Moreover, it is the easiest to install and can be conveniently done by ‘do-it-yourself enthusiasts’ in no time. It is primarily available in the form of ‘snap together flooring planks’ which can easily be installed without any need for nailing, stapling or gluing to the sub-floor.

One of the biggest assets is its resemblance to real wood. The texture and color is of such high resolution that it is difficult to differentiate whether it is real wood or laminate. Moreover, unlike wood, laminate flooring does not contract or expand. Another important advantage of is its versatility. It can be installed over any substrate, be it wood or concrete. This makes it a preferred choice for homeowners, especially those who are looking for durable flooring option. It is also an affordable flooring option, compared to its other counterparts such as marble or hardwood; which can be quite expensive.

Along with these advantages, there are certain disadvantages which do not make it an ideal flooring option. A major flaw is its susceptibility to moisture. It is made from ‘High Density Fiberboard’ (HDF) which can be damaged by moisture. On prolonged exposure to standing water the HDF breaks down and expands; the only solution to this problem is replacement. Once damaged, it is hard to repair and replacing the flooring in such cases is always an expensive option. Hence, if your house is susceptible to moisture, you need to avoid installing a laminate floor.

Another disadvantage of is that though it is recommended for “do-it-yourself enthusiasts”, it still requires some amount of skill. Along with having all the necessary instruments and skill to install it, you need to exercise some patience. The installation needs to be done properly where the initial and the final phases of installation are the most important as well as difficult. If the installation is not done properly, the place looks untidy and unappealing. It’s also tends to be quite slippery which can sometimes result in serious injuries.

Therefore, it is advisable to gain ample information before going in for it. Weighing all the pros and cons of laminate flooring will help you make a wise decision.

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Flooring Options for the Contemporary Home

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Selecting flooring for the home is a huge investment that will raise the living quality and value of your home. Whether you’re renovating or building a new home, you’ll need decide what type of flooring will work best. If some type of wood flooring is the way you want to go you must consider whether it will be hardwood, engineered or laminate. Each has its pros and cons, many of which determine the end cost.

This can be an overwhelming as there are numerous good choices now available in the marketplace. Consider the area where the new floor is to be installed and the type of wear it will be subject to. Will there be heavy foot traffic? Is the area near moisture? Is sound dampening a concern? How durable is the product? And, is it easy to clean and maintain?

Laminate flooring, or rather laminate-core, is a product typically made of High Density Fiber (HDF). The top layer is a photographic layer that appears identical to the product it replicates, be it wood, vinyl, tile, etc. It is installed with a tongue and groove glue less locking system which allows it to be installed and uninstalled several times if desired. Laminate flooring is the least expensive and is quickly gaining popularity because of this. Cleaning is also quite easy. Something to consider is that most laminates cannot be refinished. This means that once the finish is worn, the product must be replaced. It is also not recommended for areas where moisture is present. Also, some laminated products have formaldehyde and other VOC chemicals.

Engineered flooring is a made up of a core of hardwood, plywood or HDF and a thin top layer of hardwood veneer. This top layer of veneer is glued to the top surface of the core and is available in almost any hardwood species. The advantage is that is has the natural characteristics of a wood species opposed to a photographed one. Engineered hardwood provides greater stability especially where moisture or heat may be a problem for solid wooden flooring. This type of flooring is a great alternative for any homeowner looking to get nice looking floors without the high prices associated with real hardwood flooring.

Solid hardwood is the solid natural wood species throughout the entire piece of flooring. It usually has a tongue and groove installation as well. It has good sanding and refinishing capability and is available in several grades, widths and thicknesses. Most new hardwood flooring is pre-finished and has UV-cured polyurethane layers which helps protect the finish since it is susceptible to damage from water, heavy traffic or heavy objects being dropped on it. Hardwood flooring is typically more expensive and has some limitations as to where it can be installed due to moisture issues.

Because the flooring is made from solid wood, there will be color variations between boards as each piece may be from a different tree. Many people consider this part of the appeal of hardwood flooring. Maple is a common choice because is very resistant to wearing and if maintained properly it can stay in mint condition for several years. It also has a uniform texture and a natural feel that adds brightness to any room. Oak flooring is probably considered just as popular since it offers traditional elegance and when properly installed, it may actually outlast you. There are numerous other species available with varying looks and durability (and cost) including birch, ash, beech and even cork or bamboo. The list goes on.

Three Benefits of Installing Carpet Floor Tiles For Your Home

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It’s not long ago that carpet tiles have been created in order to provide new flooring options for most homeowners. Before, carpet tiles were made as alternative to broadloom carpets. However, once the innovators have figured out the many benefits of this particular floor tiles, then it became widely used until today.

Carpet tiles are also called as soft modular flooring. If you look at them closely, this type of covering looks like a carpet but it has a dimension similar to tiles thus it is easy to set them up on any floors. If you are considering on adding new life to your floors, then you might consider carpet floor tiles for your home. Here are three benefits that you can get from installing them for you home.

Convenience

This type of covering emanates convenience. They are easy to install and can be transported easily. You can buy boxes of it and put them at the back of your car. Since they are made from materials similar to the broadloom carpets, they are often light to carry compared to conventional materials.

Cost Efficiency

They come with a strong backing so you do not need to put any underlayment or adhesive on the floors. With this, you save time and money when you install floor tiles. On the other hand, they are very easy to work with so you can even do it on your own therefore you save another dollar for professional fees.

Easy Maintenance

To clean it up, you do not need to scrub it like other tiles. All you need to do is to vacuum it regularly to rid of it from dust and dirt. However, for spills, you can scrape them spill but just make sure that you work with the edges of the spill to prevent the stain from spreading. You can also scrub it gently with a solution of water and detergent.