Options for warm flooring

You might have installed effective heating systems in your house to tackle the winter chills, but the problem of cold floor will still remain. Stepping on the cold floor can be quite uncomfortable, irrespective of the heated air in the house. It is for this reason that you should look at ways of ensuring that your floor remains warm and comfortable during the winter seasons.
One of the most popular ways of ensuring a warm floor is using a radiant floor heating system. Other ways include insulating the basement ceiling and using rugs on the floor. Your choice of a floor heating option will depend on various factors such as your budget, the size of your rooms and the construction of your house. Apart from keeping your feet warm, a heated floor will also save on your energy costs by minimizing the use of your main heating system.
One of the main reasons for a cold floor is the chill air in the basement. It is for this reason that you should look at insulating your basement ceiling to ensure that the floor above remains warm. However, insulating the basement ceiling will make that area even cooler; therefore, you should insulate the basement ceiling only if you do not spend much time there. In case you spend a considerable amount of time in the basemen then you should look at insulating the basement walls instead. This will warm the floor above along with keeping the basement warm as well.

If you do not wish to insulate your basement then covering your floor with rugs would be effective. This is a cost effective solution that is ideal for small sized floors. In case you wish to warm your entire house, or a large floor area of the house then you should consider a radiant floor heating system.
A typical radiant floor heating system consists of electric resistance elements that are installed beneath the flooring of a room. These radiant floor heating systems use radiated heat to warm the floors, thereby resulting in maximum effectiveness. Furthermore, one of the biggest advantages of a radiant floor heating system is that it not only warms the floor, but also warms the entire room. This results in an increase in the temperature of the house, thereby allowing you to turn down your main thermostat by a few degrees. The heat emitted by these systems does not dry your skin, as the heat of a blow air heating system does. It is due to such advantages that installing a radiant floor heating system has become the preferred choice of numerous homeowners.

There are numerous ways by which you could ensure warm floors even during the cold winter seasons. Out of all the methods, installing a radiant floor heating system is probably the most effective one. These systems are generally quite easy to install, and consume minimal electricity. One of the biggest advantages of these floor heating systems is that they can be installed beneath different types of flooring, be it stone, ceramic or hardwood.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Choosing the right home improvement contractor

Home improvement is a task that involves many technicalities. You need to analyze, decide and cross check a number of factors. So, it is very important that the person who is entrusted with these responsibilities must be capable enough to handle them. You should always keep few things in mind before you decide to choose your home improvement contractor. Let’s have a look at them in detail.
Idea Organization: This is something very important. Home improvement is a vast area of knowledge. As a house owner you should keep a track on the areas at which your home needs a makeover. Make a crystal clear vision on your ideas. This will help you zero in on the most relevant areas of improvement. Once you have an idea of the requirement, it becomes a touch easier in choosing the contractor.
Meet Contractors: Exercising the options is very important. Once you have a brief overview of the task, you can always meet a few contractors. Meeting and sharing your thoughts and getting their reviews helps in judging the experience level of the contractor. It also helps you get an idea on the current market trends and pricing of a particular project. You can always take the corporate brochures and handouts of the contractor to study the credentials of the contractor.
Decide on the Budget: Once you have met a few contractors, you get a brief idea of the market bids and pricing of home improvement projects. So, you can decide on your budget. You must review each quote and bid given by the contractor very thoroughly. Try and analyze the strengths and weak links of each quote with the price and your budget. You should make sure that the proposed quote justifies the services offered by the contractor.
Take References: Experience, exposure and performance plays a vital role in home improvement projects. When you make up your mind on a particular contractor take some client references from him. This will help you get an idea of his previous projects and client satisfactory levels of the contractor.
Execute a written contract: Most often, the Contractor will provide their own Contract for you to sign. Be sure to read it carefully and do not hesitate to ask any questions for language that may need explanation or clarification. Ask the Contractor how the payment schedule will be put together. Never give a Contractor more than 50% of the contract amount up front. If the Contractor has to purchase a large amount of materials prior to starting work, a payment or draw for the materials is understandable. You should always check out for certain things that must be mentioned in the contract. Clauses like scope of work, Design selection, net and gross fees, construction schedule, detailed Explanation of the Contractor’s Warranty should be clearly stated in the contract.
Level of automation: This is again a very important point. The level of automation is a great indicator of the experience of the home improvement expert. You should always check the amount of automation a contractor can bring to your home. A good automation system may include Pro melt snow mats, floor heating systems etc. These automation systems help you lead a comfortable life by bringing down manual labor to some extent.
Quality of Material: Last but not the least is the quality a contractor brings to your home, and as they say “Quality speaks volumes without saying a word”. You should always keep a track on the quality that your contractor will offer. In order to check the details of material, it is important you do a bit of research. Browsing the internet is a good idea. You can always read some books and study materials on home improvement. This will help you keep up to date with the modern trends in home improvement.
I hope if you keep the above mentioned points in mind you will be able to strike a perfect deal.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Prevent cluttering in your shower

Modern construction designs have rendered space to be a premium commodity, so it has become all the more important to make maximum utilization of the space that is available to you. Utilization of space is especially important in a bathroom since it is one of the most important areas of a house. One of the most effective ways to ensure that you are able to effectively utilize the available space in your bathroom is by using shower recess and niches.
Earlier when a separate space for keeping accessories in a shower was required people used to install either a ceramic soap dish or a corner shelf. Although effective, this method used up a lot of space in the shower area; therefore, a more effective storage solution was required. It is in order to effectively utilize the space in a shower that the uses of shower recessed shelves have gained popularity. Most people use a variety of cosmetics and accessories while showering and cluttering in the shower area has become a common problem that is faced by many.

Not only can shower niche prevent cluttering in your shower; it can also act as an essential part of your shower’s decoration theme. These recesses and niches can be easily installed in your shower area thereby ensuring that there is no damage to the surrounding areas. Further, these porcelain recesses and niches are available in a variety of colors, shapes and designs to suit to the specific theme of your shower. You can even use these recesses and niches to create a special theme in your shower area thereby enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
For those who like to fix things on their own; while installing these recesses & niches would face the problem of effectively waterproofing it. Since even a minor leak in the shower area could significantly damage the walls, it is of prime importance to ensure effectively waterproofing the installed recesses and niches. This problem has been effectively solved by high quality shower recesses and niches such as those offered by FlooringSupplyShop. These recesses and niches do not require any waterproofing so you can easily install them within a matter of hours rather than days.

Manufactured using high quality porcelain, these shower recesses and niches are highly durable and offer longevity. You can easily clean these porcelain recesses and niches without using any special chemicals thereby ensuring ease in maintenance.
It is due to the high utility and ease of installation that these porcelain recesses and niches are widely being preferred. You can go through the website of flooringsupplyshop to get access to the various porcelain recesses and niches that are being offered. Available in a wide range of colors and designs, you can select the one that best suits the specific theme of your shower area. The unique feature of these recesses and niches is that you will be able to create space for all your shower accessories, thereby ensuring an effective showering experience.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Experiment with a wide variety of flooring options

Flooring is an integral part of any home, which enhances its visual appeal. The entire outlook of a room can be changed based on the kind of flooring used in it. There are different types of flooring options available nowadays; and you can select the one you feel, would look the best for your room.

While choosing the right kind of flooring, there are various factors that you have to take into consideration. The flooring you choose should blend easily with the interiors of your room. In case the room has less lighting or have dark colored interiors then you may select light colored polished floor as such a surface would reflect more light. Though light colored floors get dirty

Further, you must choose flooring which is comfortable for everyone in the house. For example, the highly glossy floors can be slippery and in case you have children who run around the house then there is danger of them slipping and sustaining injuries. Areas where plenty of water is used, you must choose the flooring that provides a better grip.

The most important factor when it comes to choosing the right kind of flooring is your budget. Some very important aspects\ that you must take into consideration while estimating the budget for your flooring are its type, installation, transportation and labor costs.

There are various flooring options available for you, such as tiles, marble, granite and hardwood flooring. Among the available options, tiles are preferred by many, since these are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes, along with being affordable. These are easy to install with minimal maintenance requirements. Tiles are available in different varieties, including vinyl, ceramic, vitrified, porcelain, glass and metal tiles. Another popular option is the hardwood flooring which is aesthetically pleasing and gives a warm-cozy look to the place. The hardwood flooring blends easily with every kind of decor; whether your room has a traditional outlook or has been designed in stylish manner, wooden flooring goes best with all sorts of interiors.

Other flooring options that you can consider include laminate flooring, carpet flooring and resilient flooring which encompasses cork, vinyl, rubber and linoleum. You can also opt for the stone flooring which offers a natural ambiance to your home. A popular stone flooring option is marble, which has gained immense popularity over the years and are available in different varieties. In case the budget is not an issue, then you should consider purchasing Greek, Italian or Spanish marble. However, marble floor requires a high degree of maintenance since it needs to be polished regularly to retain its luster and has a tendency to develop cracks. In contrast, another popular stone flooring option is granite; it is easy to maintain, though a little expensive than marble. You can use a combination of granite and marble for beautiful flooring patterns.

Before making a decision, sift through the various flooring options and wisely select the one which best suits your needs and budget, along with enhancing the look of your home.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Rise of DIY due to economic slump

One of the most exciting, yet challenging aspects of owning a house is taking care of the related home renovation and repair jobs. Some homeowners hire professional contractors for their home renovation job, while there are others who prefer to complete the job themselves. The latter, known as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts, usually take up DIY projects as a challenge and try to complete them in the most effective way possible. However, a number of individuals refrain from undertaking DIY home renovation projects due to the concern that they would not be able to complete the job effectively.

Now, with the economic slowdown and the credit crunch in the markets people are on the lookout for ways to curb their extra expenditure. It is for this particular reason that the current economic slowdown has fueled the growth of DIY projects across the globe. One of the main benefits of completing a home renovation project yourself is that it will let you save on the cost that you would have been incurred in hiring a professional. Another benefit of completing a DIY project is that it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

There are a number of projects, such as building a patio, repainting the walls and re-grouting, which can be easily completed without professional help. All that is required to complete a DIY project is basic knowledge about the job at hand and the proper tools. Considering the current economic slowdown and the increasing popularity of DIY projects a number of DIY tools have been introduced in the market. These tools, along with a basic knowledge can ensure that you complete the job at hand in the most effective way possible.

Although this trend of DIY projects is extremely popular during the current economic slump, there are indications that this trend will continue even after the economic scenario improves. It is during the current scenario that a number of people have learnt the basics of various home renovation jobs such as tiling, grouting, carpentering and flooring. Now that people have experienced the benefits that a DIY project offers there is a good possibility that even when the economic scenario improves they will continue with this trend. Further, the tools and resources purchased by people can be used by them in the future as well, thereby providing added incentive to complete a home renovation job themselves as competed to hiring a professional contractor for it.

It is quite evident that the current outlook is that of uncertainty and financial instability; therefore every opportunity to save on extra expenditure will be appreciated by people. Since home improvement and home renovation jobs can involve significant expenditure, DIY projects are a logical step ahead for a number of people. However, there are still a number of jobs that should be handled by an expert only due to the dangers involved. For example, a home renovation job involving changing the electrical wiring should be completed by a professional electrician only. For other simpler projects, such as tiling and grouting, you are free to trust your skills and complete the job at hand yourself.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Effectively clean your floor tiles

A tiled floor looks appealing and pleasing as long as it remains free from dust, stains and other impurities. However, maintaining that shiny and appealing look of a tiled floor can be a daunting and time consuming task. Not just the tiles, but the grout can get dirty and discolored as well thereby giving the whole tiled area an untidy look.
Dry mopping the tiles is important; however, care should be taken while dry mopping since the dust particles can scratch the tiles. Further, if proper care is not taken this process generally does not clean the grout area, thereby leaving the tiled area unclean. It is therefore a good idea to use vacuum cleaner, a dust mop or a rubber prong broom. After dry mopping the tiles it is important to use a damp mop to bring back the original shine to the tiles. Although damp mopping by simply using warm water is effective, it might not be enough to remove tough stains from the tiles.

In order to remove tough stains, such as those caused by grease, you should use an oxygen bleach based cleaning solution. However, such an oxygen bleach based cleaning solution should not be used on colored grout since the grout can get discolored due to the bleach. In case you are apprehensive about using bleach on the tiles and the grout you can clean them using a mixture of vinegar and warm water.
Cleaning the tiles is a relatively easier task as compared to cleaning the grout area. Problems with the grout generally vary depending on the different areas of a house. For example, the grouting problems associated with the shower area include the growth of mold and mildew; whereas the grouting problems in the kitchen include discoloration and food stains. In severe cases of mold and mildew growth, the only option left is to re-grout; however, stains can effectively be treated using a common bleaching agent.

Irrespective of the severity of the stains, it is essential to start using mild cleaning agents. In case they do not work you should work your way up to harsher chemicals to remove the stains. Some mild cleaning solutions can be made at your home easily by mixing warm water with vinegar or baking soda. In case such a solution does not work you can use a commercial grout cleaning solution or other strong products such as oxygen bleach & chlorine bleach.
While cleaning your tiled area and the surrounding grouted area there are a few considerations that you should keep in mind. You should avoid using abrasive materials such as steel wool to ensure that the tiles do not get scratched. Further, you should also refrain from using excessive force while cleaning to avoid chipping or cracking of the tiles. Finally, the most effective way of ensuring that your tiles and grout do not get stained is to mop up the spill immediately. Proper care and maintenance will ensure that your tiled floor keep looking like new for a long duration of time.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Evolution of the shower

The showers that we find in most homes these days are far from what the early Romans and Greeks used. The first experience that man had of a shower was not under a man made structure, but under a natural one: a waterfall. However, the desire to have a personal shower led to the creation of customized shower areas inside the house.
The Greeks were probably the first ones to invent a shower by creating aqueducts made of lead, and a sewage area. This was an effective system that allowed pumping of water both in and out of the communal shower rooms. Similar to this system were the boathouses created by the Romans. The remains of these boathouses can be found around the Mediterranean as well as in the modern day England. However, after the fall of the Roman era, showering almost became a religious taboo and was completely abandoned until the Victorian era.

It was during the Victorian Era that the famous ‘English Regency Shower’ was invented. This shower was made out of metal, but was painted to make it appear like bamboo. The structure of the English Regency Shower consisted of a basin at the top and a drain at the bottom. A pump like arrangement at the drain forced the water to the top basin, from where it was pumped over the occupant through a nozzle. The English Regency Shower even had a basic shower curtain for the privacy of the occupant. Although the design of this shower was effective, the only drawback to it was that the same water had to be reused while showering. A number of modifications were done to this shower, including a hand pump, several sprayers and nozzles that could be interchanged.

It was after the invention of the English Regency Shower that plumbers started experimenting with new showering tools. It was during this time that the shower moved indoors and was being used only by a few privileged homeowners. Lead plumbing was introduced around the 1850s, and it was around this time that it started looking similar to what it is today.
Today, you can find a number of advancements in this domain, thereby leading to the creation of high utility showering structures. One such structure is a combination of a shower and a bath tub. This combination is generally used in small bathrooms where there is not enough space to construct a separate shower and bath tub. Such a combination not only results in maximum utilization of space but also leads to a significant saving in plumbing costs.

The ultimate in showering luxury these days is a sauna shower. A sauna shower provides a spa like experience to the occupant and ensures complete relaxation while showering. A typical sauna shower consists of jets, ceiling rain, Personal Massager and radio.
Thus, we can see that the shower has evolved in a significant manner over the years. Not only is the shower structure more effective, but the plumbing as become more reliable as well.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

State of the art bathroom within your budget

As with the other parts of your home, you would surely like your bathroom to be unique. Nowadays, most of the houses have state-of-the-art bathrooms which are a perfect blend of functionality and creativity. With just a little research & effort you could make your bathroom distinctive & attractive
A bathroom is the most personal space in your house and you would like it to be a reflection of your personal taste. In case you are constructing your home or renovating your bathroom, you should first consider the various options you have and work accordingly. You must research the market and see what all is available within your budget; thereafter you need to make a proper layout and plan your work accordingly. Before you actually start on planning the decor of your bathroom, you need to finalize the layout of pipes, sewer etc.

To begin with, you must decide the color that will primarily dominate your bathroom space. In case the size of the bathroom is small, consider light color as it will make your bathroom look bigger than it actually is. You can also mix & match contrasting colors to add an artistic touch and make the bathroom look more appealing.
Once you have decided the color, the next thing you need to choose is the flooring and walls. There are many options that are available, such as tiles, marble and granite. Amongst the various options, tiles are generally preferred as these are affordable, durable and easy to install and maintain. Moreover, these are available in various colors, patterns and types, such as glass, metal and ceramic tiles. Furthermore, decide about the various other essential components of your bathroom, such as sink, shower, bathtub and more. All these are available in various shapes patterns and sizes; hence give some due deliberation before you purchase these. With little experimentation and patience, it is possible to have a beautiful bathroom.

After all the basics have been taken care of, you can spruce up the bathroom interiors by using some dynamic bathroom accessories. Even if your bathroom is simple, you can make it lavish by adding style and grace with the help of light fixtures, vanities and accent. You can use contemporary light fixtures, such as ones with the steel body. Then according to the bathroom decor and color, select bathroom vanities such as shelves, shower seats and mirrors. To add the final touch to your bathroom, use accents to make your bathroom attractive. Use some beautiful paintings, houseplants, vases, potpourri, mats and other decorative items of your choice. All this will make your bathroom look grand and luxurious.
There are various companies offering such items, however, we provide durable and quality range of products, which is well within your budget so that you can have a splendid bathroom, without burning a hole in your pocket. Hence, a little planning and effort on your part, along with quality and affordable range offered by us; you will be proud owner of a state of the art bathroom.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Tiling ideas for your bathroom

Although you have the option of using a number of different types of materials in your bathroom; most people prefer to use ceramic tiles due to the various benefits these offer. Tiles can be conveniently placed and come in a variety of designs, colors shapes and sizes. Most people prefer ceramic tiles since they are highly durable, resistant to dampness and easy to clean. However, there are a number of other tiling options that you can avail in order to make your bathroom more attractive and aesthetically appealing.
In case you have used ceramic tiles of the same color in your bathroom you can create a contrasting border by using tiles of different colors. Such an integration of colors will significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.
The grout is an important aspect of your bathroom, and selecting a contrasting grout color can enable you to create an attractive color combination in your bathroom. For example, if you have white tiles in your bathroom, you can select grout colors such as red, blue or green.
You can mix and match the size of tiles that you use in your bathroom. It is not necessary to use the traditional sized tiles; you can easily pick from a number of different options that are available in the market these days. Use your creativity in order to achieve a look that is as per your requirements.

Another great tiling idea for your bathroom is to use metal tiles instead of ceramic. Metal tiles, although a bit costly, are in vogue when it comes to designing the bathrooms, and are being used widely. Metal tiles are generally used to integrate mosaic with stone tiles.
The color combination of the tiles is not meant only to enhance the looks of the bathroom but also to give a soothing sensation. Therefore, you should carefully select the colors of the tiles for the floor or the walls of your bathroom in order to have a comforting experience while taking a shower or lying in the tub.
The colors selected can also make your bathroom look large or small. Dark colored tiles generally reduce the perceived size of your bathroom, while on the other hand light colored tiles reflect light and make your bathroom area look more spacious.
Another idea to improve the aesthetics of your bathroom is to use multi-colored tiles in the shower area and in other parts of the bathroom. Or in case you want to use the same colored tiles in the entire bathroom you can arrange them differently in the shower area and the rest of the bathroom.

These are just a few of the many innovative ideas that you can make use of, while tiling your bathroom. In order to make the right choice of tiles to select for your bathroom you should visit the website of reputed tile suppliers such as FlooringSupplyShop; here you will be able to shortlist and select tiles of colors and designs that best suit your specific taste.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
Check out our Installation Schemes Pattern and Tile Calculator

Radiant Snow melting A must for your winter preparation

Although the winter season brings with it beautiful snowfall and visually appealing scenes, one of the major problems associated with this season is that of accumulated snow around the house. Not only is snow accumulation on driveways problematic, but snow can also make stairs and patios dangerous and prone to accidents. Every year, a number of individuals slip and hurt themselves due to accumulated snow. It is for this reason that a product was required that could effectively melt away snow from drive ways, stairs and side-walks.
Thankfully, technological advancements have resulted in a revolutionary product in the form of electric snow melting. The concept of a snow melting mats or spools is relatively simple, yet quite effective. A snow melting mat can be easily installed beneath your driveway, side walk or stairs to ensure that the area remains free from accumulated snow.

One of the most widely preferred uses of a snow melting mat is beneath a wheelchair ramp. Anyone with a person in a wheel chair in their home would know how difficult it gets to clear out accumulated snow from the wheelchair ramp. Now you can easily install a snow melting mat beneath the wheelchair ramp and keep it safe to use all year round.
A numbers of people spray their drive ways and other snow affected areas in the house with harsh chemicals and salts to keep them snow free. Although effective in the short run, this method can significantly erode and damage the areas, and can result in a lot of repairs and maintenance expenses in the future. Further, depending on your specific snow melting requirements, the electricity consumption of these snow melting mats can cost you less as compared to hiring a professional snow remover.
Most of the snow melting mats or spools that you find in the market these days can be installed beneath different types of surfaces; be it concrete, asphalt, tile or brick. Further, you can also cut these mats according to the shape of a particular area to ensure maximum utility. This adaptability of snow melting mats ensures that you can use these mats anywhere in your home to ensure complete safety during the winter season.

It is due to such benefits and high adaptability of these snow melting mats that these are becoming a necessity for homeowners in the winter season. Not only can you ensure a snow free drive way, side walk and stairs, but can also save on the efforts of manually shoveling snow. Further, keeping the surrounding areas of your house snow free would also result in a significantly reduced number of accidents. This would ensure that you keep the liability claims against you to a minimum. Further, in case the area that you want to make snow free is of irregular shape you can use snow melting wires instead of a mat. These wires will offer the same benefits as that of a snow melting mat, with the added advantage of applicability in areas of any shape or size.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

The increasing popularity of DIY projects in the current slowdown

Most people refrain from undertaking a DIY project since they neither have the expertise nor the tools to complete it in an effective manner. Further, the fear of expensive repairs and maintenance in the future in case the project goes wrong also deters a number of prospective DIY enthusiasts. However, the current economic slowdown has forced people to look at different ways to save money, and DIY projects instead of hiring a contractor as one such option.
Although there is no comparison between a DIY enthusiast and a professional contractor in terms of the experience and availability of resources, one factor that makes DIY project more attractive is the cost attached to it. What you would be charged by a professional contractor would be significantly higher as compared to what you would incur if you completed the job yourself. This financial motive is one of the biggest reasons why the current slowdown has resulted in an increased number of Do It yourself enthusiasts.
Although financial motive is important, the sense of achievement involved with completing a job is something that is characteristic of a DIY project. The fact that you get to call something your own is what attracts most people to completing a job themselves rather than hiring a professional contractor.
One of the most important benefits of hiring a professional contractor is the years of experience and the resources that they bring into a project. You can easily check on the references provided by contractors to know about the previous work done by them. Further, professionals have all the tools and equipments that would be required to complete a job. Although a DIY enthusiast cannot match up to the experience levels of a professional contractor, it has become very easy to get access to high grade tools and equipment in an affordable manner.
Be it tiling, carpentry, or a plumbing job; you would require a specialized set of tools to complete the task at hand. Without the right resources you would not be able to achieve the right finish; thereby resulting in future repairs and maintenance costs. However, you can easily find highly effective tools and resources such as the grout grabber, Pro Pan, Kirb perfect, tile sealers, Tuscan Leveling System and trowels on the internet. These resources will not only make your job much easier but will result in a much more defined and finished look to your renovation work.
Although the financial slowdown is what is forcing people towards Do It Yourself projects, it is not as easy as it sounds. A DIY work gone wrong can result in more repairs and maintenance expenditure than what a professional contractor would have charged. It is for this reason that you should properly analyze the job at hand and should be prepared with the right tools and equipment before starting your project. A properly completed DIY project will give you a sense of achievement and will save you on a lot of financial expenditure.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Tips to clean laminate flooring

Laminate is a popular flooring option due to the fact that it is highly durable and has appealing aesthetics. A typical laminate floor consists of a top wear layer, a printed image of hardwood and an inner layer of fiber board. The effective composition and construction of a laminate floor makes it one of the easiest flooring options to take care of and to maintain.
One of the most effective ways of keeping a laminate floor clean is by understanding its limitations. Although laminate is a tough material that is not easily stained or scratched, there are certain items that could significantly damage your laminate floor. Water puddles, abrasive cleaning solutions and wax are some of the items that can damage your laminate flooring and can cause it to lose its finish. Further, rearranging furniture and pets with untrimmed nails can also scratch the laminate surface. Therefore, it is important to protect your laminate flooring from these items in order to ensure high durability.

It is important to keep the laminate flooring free from dirt and other impurities; therefore you should mop it with a dry cloth, or vacuum it regularly. However, one of the common problems faced by people is that of dirt getting trapped in between the seams of the laminate floor. It is therefore advised to mop or sweep in the direction of the seem to ensure that no dust or impurity gets trapped in between. You can also damp mop the laminate floor occasionally in order to restore its shine. However, excess moisture can cause the laminate to swell so it is important to be careful while mopping the floor with a damp cloth.
In case you spill high staining substances, such as wine, coffee or orange juice, on your laminate floor you should immediately wipe it off the floor. In order to remove such tough stains you can use acetone based solutions such as nail polish remover on the laminate. However, such chemical based cleaning solutions can discolor the laminate so it is important to test the cleaning solutions on a hidden portion of the flooring first.

Another effective cleaning idea for your laminate flooring is to use a solution of vinegar and warm water. This is an inexpensive and a natural way of removing tough stains from your laminate floor. For maximum effectiveness you can use this solution by spraying it from a bottle and cleaning with a mop.
In case of scratches or dents to your laminate flooring you can purchase a touch up to maintain its finish. A typical touch up kit would consist of either a filler material or crayons & color pencils. When used properly, such touch up material can easily hide the damage to your laminate floor, and can maintain its finish and durability.

With a little care and effort it is easy to ensure that your laminate flooring looks like new for a long duration of time. Laminate does not require much maintenance and care, and is therefore preferred over natural wood flooring by a number of individuals.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Effective tools for a DIY enthusiasts

Certain things are more comforting for a ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiast than completing a home renovation project without any professional assistance. DIY lovers, although enthusiastic about completing a project all by themselves require proper tools and resources to effectively complete the job at hand. A trip to the local hardware store can get you access to a number of different tools and equipment; however, selecting the right ones can be a difficult job.
Bathroom renovation is one of the most complex DIY jobs since any complications in tiling or waterproofing can result in significant damage to the surrounding areas. It is for this reason that tools such as Pro Pan, ready to tile shower pans and Quick Kirb are widely used in a bathroom renovation job. Pro Pan and ready to tile shower pans come with a standard slope of 1/4” inch per foot, thereby ensuring a perfectly sloped shower floor. Further, Kirb perfect offers an easy solution to building a shower curb, thereby ensuring that water does not spill outside the shower area.
Tiling & grouting is another job that can create a problem for people who prefer to complete their home renovation job themselves without any professional help. Tiles have to be placed at an equal distance to smooth transitions. Further, the grouting job has to be completed in an effective manner so as to ensure proper sealing, and that the water does not seep through the grout. This job can be effectively completed by using tile spacers and grout caulk thinset. Further, DIY enthusiasts can also find a variety of tile trims that can add an appealing look to the tiling of a room.

One of the common problems faced by people while installing stone or ceramic tiles is that of lippage. This not only disrupts the aesthetics of the room but can also result in cracks in the tiled floor. This problem can be easily solved by using the revolutionary Tuscan leveling system. Using this system will ensure a perfectly level tiled floor and will also make the tiling job easy and convenient.
Be it a job for carpentry, landscaping, or plumbing, a number of DIY enthusiasts find it difficult to find that perfect level pitch. An effective slope level indicator can prove to be more than handy in measuring and correcting the slope level of a place. Such slope levels are ideal for use by roofers, contractors, carpenters, engineers and most importantly by ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiasts.
Finally, safety is an issue that concerns most people before they embark on their DIY endeavor. Certain safety tools such as a face mask, gloves, knee pads and clean up bags are essential in order to successfully complete a home renovation project.
Therefore, it is prominent that there are a variety of choices of tools for a DIY enthusiast to select from in order to successfully complete a home improvement project. Proper tools and equipment will not only help in timely completion of a job but will also ensure that it is completed in an effective and proper manner.
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Different flooring options for your house

Never before were there as many flooring options in the market as there are today. However, an increase in the number of options does not necessarily lead to convenience while selecting one for your home. Now, you have to contemplate a number of factors in order to select the right flooring type for your house. Further, there has also been an increase in the number of subcategories; for example, in case you select hardwood flooring you have to further select from rose wood, bamboo wood, oak wood and teak wood among others.

Earlier, vinyl was the flooring of choice for many since it was highly durable, and was available at an affordable rate. Next, the preference for ceramic increased since it offered the same durability at an even lower price. However, now you have a number of options to select from such as laminate, hardwood, carpets, slate tiles and stone, among others.

Carpet flooring is widely preferred by homeowners since it provides an appealing look to a particular room. However, carpet collects dusts and is not ideal in homes where people are prone to allergy or where there are small children. It is for this reason that a number of people are opting for laminate and hardwood flooring.

Wood flooring provides a timeless finish and makes the room aesthetically appealing. Wood flooring have a characteristic of matching with any room decor, thereby ensuring high adaptability. Using wood flooring is not a new trend, and a number of individuals will find that their home consists of this type of flooring. Further, with a little care and maintenance wood flooring can last as long as any other type of flooring can

Bamboo flooring is a type of wood flooring that is available in a number of different shades and varieties. Bamboo flooring is resilient to scratches & stains, and offers high durability as well. However, since bamboo flooring is a bit expensive as compared to wood flooring a number of homeowners refrain from using it.

Laminate flooring is ideal for those people who are looking for the same aesthetic effect as that of wooden flooring, but at a significantly lower price. Laminate can be easily cleaned and is not damaged by water spills therefore it is ideal to be used as a flooring material in bathrooms and kitchens. Further, laminate flooring is easy to install and is completely hygienic, which is why it is preferred in a number of households.

Apart from these options you can also select from either stone flooring or tiled flooring. Stone flooring can be in the form of marble, granite, slate or limestone, and is popular due to its high durability and low maintenance. You can also select from a number of tiled flooring options such as slate, ceramic or vinyl.

While deciding on the type of flooring to use in your house there are a number of factors that you should consider. The size of the rooms, foot traffic in the rooms, pets and the availability of natural light are some of the factors that should be considered before deciding on a particular type of flooring.

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