Snow no longer a menace

Snow, even though beautiful can be dangerous and lead to accidents with varying degree of outcomes. However, one can easily avoid the menace by making use of the snow melting system. This is extremely helpful in removing the snow and ice from the driveways, walkways, stairways and garages, among others. Hence, you can bid goodbye to a messy winter by installing the snow melting system.
The snow melting system is generally installed on the exterior surfaces and concrete driveways to keep them snow-free and safe year round. It also eliminates the hassles of plowing, icy spills as well as backbreaking shoveling and de-icing. In addition, it also secures the concrete from the potential damages caused by snow-removal equipment and corrosive de-ices. Generally, installed in concrete, asphalt or under pavers, during the construction; these can also be retrofitted into the existing slabs.

The snow melting system offers a cost effective way of eliminating the snow menace. Further, these have minimal maintenance requirements as these have no moving parts to wear out. Moreover, the advancement in the technology provides it with ‘artificial intelligence’, where the system is designed to function only when necessary. This technology provides it with advanced temperature and snow sensing controls that automatically turn on when snow is falling. Hence, the snow melting system helps in conserving power, along with reducing the operation costs. Further, in comparison to the salt and chemicals used for melting snow, it is also an environment friendly option.
When it comes to the installation of the snow melting systems, there are certain points that you need to keep into consideration, such as; you have to determine the area where you want to install it, along with deciding the places where you have to install the junction boxes. You also need to determine the heat output required to have optimum heating, which mostly depends on the weather conditions. You must have a proper layout; take extra precaution while deciding about the installation of systems on the stairs and ramps. Further, care must be taken to ensure that the mats and cables are evenly spaced over the entire area to have uniform heating, with better results. If needed, you can take assistance of experts, to ensure that the design you have selected will work properly. Moreover, it is always advisable to work out a plan in advance, rather than regretting later in case the plan fails. Generally, the snow melting systems are installed in the driveways, parking areas, walkways, ramps and stairs.

Using the ‘intelligent’ snow melting system eliminates the problems encountered due to snow, as well as adds value to your home. It not only helps in avoiding injuries sustained due to slipping on snow, but also eliminates the hassle of plowing and shoveling after snowfall. Snow melting systems not only prove highly beneficial & convenient but are absolutely safe as well. Therefore, before the start of this winter season, invest in the snow melting system to set your mind at ease and have a pleasant time.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Have a strong foundation: Use ready to tile shower pans

One of the most common problems that people face in their shower area is inadequate drainage, thereby resulting in water accumulation. This accumulation of water gives rise to mold growth and can even make the shower area slippery and dangerous. Hence it is important that you have a dry and hygienic bathroom; and the key to achieving this is to lay a good shower foundation. To accomplish this you need ready to tile shower pans, which not only keep the shower area dry, but also protect the sub floor from water seepage. Moreover, the shower pan base will act as the foundation for installing tiles in the shower area.
It is crucial to carefully design and construct the shower area since even a minor glitch can result in water accumulation, and water seepage to the sub floor. To avoid such a situation use a shower pan, which will be installed between the sub floor and the tiles. These ready to tile shower pans are waterproof and prevent water from accumulating on the tiled floor, and seeping to the sub floor. This helps in keeping the bathroom dry and hygienic, thereby preventing mold growth. A dry shower area will ensure that the sub floor as well as the tiles long last and require minimal maintenance over the years.

Tile shower pans form a strong foundation of the shower area, thereby making them essential while designing a shower area. These shower pans offer a waterproof lining and prevents water from percolating to the sub floor, hence avoiding any damage to it. A number of individuals are unaware that even tiles are porous. This point is especially relevant to a shower area that is situated on the first floor or the second floor of a house. In case there is any leakage of water below the tiled floor there could be significant damage to the surrounding walls. This leakage could extend to the other floors of the house as well, thereby resulting in greater damage. It is in order to prevent such damage from occurring that you should consider installing a shower pan below the tiled floor of your shower area.
Ready to tile shower pans are lightweight, waterproof and can be easily installed. Although a number of individuals prefer to install a shower liner membrane below their shower area, there are a number of disadvantages associated with it. First of all, there is a chance of damage to the liner during the installation process thereby leading to water leakage in the future. Further, there is a possibility that water might accumulate over the liner membrane, thereby resulting in mold growth.
Ready to tile shower pans have a standard ¼” per foot drain slope, and an integrated drain assembly thereby facilitating proper drainage of water. Further, since these shower pans are ready to tile, the time taken to build a shower area is significantly reduced. Therefore, to have an aesthetically pleasing, dry and clean bathroom you should install ready to tile shower pans in your shower area.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Proper insulation under your wooden flooring

Wooden flooring can greatly enhance the visual appeal of a house, and can add a lot of value to the house as compared to other flooring materials. Not only is wooden flooring more affordable as compared to marble and stone flooring, but is highly durable and long lasting as well. Further, flooring that has been made from wood grown in sustainable forests is environment friendly as well.
Apart from the above mentioned benefits another benefit of wooden flooring is that it is a good insulator, and prevents heat from escaping. However, irrespective of the fact that wooden flooring is a good insulator of heat, it would still get quite cold and uncomfortable to walk on during the winters. It is for this reason that it is a good idea to install proper insulation beneath the wooden flooring to ensure that heat does not escape. Further, proper insulation beneath the wooden floor will also prevent the infiltration of moisture.
It is quite simple to insulate a wooden floor if the building is still in the construction phase; however, a number of homeowners consider insulation only after they have a bad experience during a harsh winter. In such a scenario insulation will have to be placed through the available crawlspace beneath the floor.
The most commonly used material for insulating a wooden floor is unfaced batts. These batts are traditionally made using fiberglass, and ensure effective insulation of the floor. It is quite easy to cut these unfaced batts according to the size of the floor and to place them underneath. Not only do these unfaced batts provide effective insulation, but also provide moisture resistance and acoustic insulation.
In case you are searching for something more effective you can go in for a radiant floor heating system. A radiant floor heating system uses radiant heat to warm the floor, thereby ensuring complete comfort even during harsh winters. Apart from the obvious benefit of heating up the floor, radiant floor heating systems also enable significant savings in the energy consumption. This is possible due to the radiant heat emitted by this system, which not only raises the floor temperature, but also the temperature of the entire room. This effective heating will enable you to turn down the main thermostat by a few degrees, thereby resulting in significant savings in energy consumption.
In case you are a DIY enthusiast you can install the unfaced batts beneath the wooden flooring yourself; however, it is always a good idea to hire a professional contractor to complete the insulation job. Further, in case you decide to install an electric floor heating system you would have to take the help of a professional.
Thus, it is evident that although, wooden flooring is aesthetically appealing it is important to have proper insulation for maximum effectiveness. A properly insulated wooden floor will enhance its utility especially during harsh winter seasons. Further, proper insulation will also save you on your enormous electricity bills, thereby offering high utility and benefits.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Hardwood floor enriches the look of your home

Hardwood floors have remained a popular choice for years as these offer warmth and grandeur to the place. Hardwood floors enhance the outlook of the room and are considered stylish and elegant, giving an aesthetic appeal to your home. Moreover, these can be laid easily and are available in a variety of attractive options, giving the room a warm and cozy look.
In case you are planning to construct a new home or renovating the present one, opting for hardwood flooring would be a good choice. Hardwood flooring’s are available in different types of woods and are priced according to the type of wood used. Therefore, you can opt in for the hardwood flooring that best suits your budget.
This, stylish and elegant flooring option, blends well with the traditional as well as the modern home interiors. Though it requires a little maintenance, it is worth every penny as it enhances the aesthetic value of the place.

Many people may discourage you from opting for hardwood flooring since it is expensive compared to the conventional flooring options, but there are many reasons that make it a worthwhile investment. Hardwood floor is a great option to give your room an elegant, warm and a cozy look. The biggest advantage of hardwood flooring is its high durability & long life; therefore even if it is a little expensive, it proves to be a great return on investment in the long run.
Moreover, it is easy to maintain. All you need to do is sweep off whatever dust comes in and use a recommended cleaner to remove the stains. With a little effort on your part, your hardwood floor will provide you long lasting durability.
Another important feature which makes it stand apart is its versatile finish, in comparison to the other flooring options. Every hardwood flooring has a different stain, which can be altered after a few years to give it a new look. This can be done easily, you can refinish or sand it with other stains to give it a whole new look, to match it with the renovated decor. The refinished look proves to be beneficial and a better option than spending on installation of new flooring. Hence, even though it is little expensive than its competitors, it is worth investing.
Moreover, you have a wide range of options available, in terms of sizes, designs, colors, grains and styles. In addition, you can choose from the group of hardwood flooring which includes solid wood, engineered wood, laminates and synthetic or even plastic laminates. Hardwood flooring’s are generally available in planks and strips, with beveled or non beveled edges. Easy to install, you can either opt for pre-finished flooring or can finish it at site, as per your convenience. Further, installation of hardwood floor also decreases the chances of dust mites and allergy.

Hence, if you are looking for an elegant, stylish and durable flooring option, select hardwood flooring which will add to your home, a great design feature and give it a warm and cozy appeal.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Get your facts right before tiling the floor

Tiles offer durability and are a cost effective option for flooring; with minimal maintenance requirements, tiles can enhance the entire outlook of the room. In case you are planning to install floor tiles to upgrade your home, you must be aware of certain facts before you start working on it.
These are available in different shapes, sizes, colors and varieties, such as glass, terracotta, brick, cement, porcelain, terrazzo and quarry tiles. Among the various types, stone and ceramic tiles are generally preferred more for the floors. Ceramic tiles are available in glazed as well as unglazed options in different varieties of color. Further, the tiles are classified in four groups from I to IV depending upon durability. Group IV tiles are most durable, strong and sturdy withstanding more pressure and hence preferred for heavy traffic floors, such as patios and drive ways. Therefore, selecting the right kind of tile for flooring would depend upon the area such as kitchen, hallway, bathroom, basement or patio.

The most important thing you must have, before installing tiles for making the floor, is a proper layout, in order to execute the installation properly. For a correct assessment, measure the dimensions of the flooring area and divide it by coverage area of the tile; this will provide an estimate on how many tiles you would require for tiling your floor. It is advisable to re-evaluate your calculations, in order to avoid any inconvenience while doing the job.
Always get a few extra tiles to make for the loss, if any, during installation. Moreover, this also helps you in having matching tiles in case you need to replace it in future, because finding matching tile pattern can be difficult. Planning, patience and labor are the key ingredients that will help you cruise through this task effectively.
You should also be aware of the fact that installing a tile floor is a tedious process which may take days or weeks to complete the job. For a small bathroom floor, it may take two or three days, however installing tiles on the floor of your living room may stretch beyond a week. The time frame also depends upon your skill. Moreover, choosing the material, estimating the cost and finally purchasing the supplies consumes few days initially.

Before starting off with the tiling process, it is essential to lay out the sub floor. Sub flooring forms an integral part of the whole tiling process; hence make sure that you have strong sub flooring to prevent the grout from cracking. In addition, you must select the right type of grout depending upon the type of the tile. There are primarily three types of grout, namely epoxy, furan resin and Portland-cement based grouts. Among these, though epoxy is more expensive, it is highly water resistant and spreads out easily. In case of moist areas, you can use cement fiber-board for under flooring.
Once the sub floor stabilizes, it is time to lay out tiles. To hold the tiles in place make use of thinset and leave the tiles overnight. All this information will help you make all the necessary arrangements beforehand and have the perfectly tiled floor for your house.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
Check out our Installation Schemes Pattern and Tile Calculator

Climatic Interior Decoration Ideas Inspired by Nature The Summer Season

Interior designing patterns have evolved immensely over the years. The latest trend that has taken the center stage is interior designing based on climate. The summer season is now being regarded as a period when you can opt for different patterns for interior designing and home improvement. These patterns may be based on space management, eco friendly home management or color management of the home. As a house owner you tend to spend a healthy amount on your home management projects. You try and take inspirations from different sources to land on an ideal combination that will best suit your needs. You take inspiration from art works, internet, newspapers etc. Another source of inspiration that at times is overlooked is the Nature. The nature can very easily be the best inspiration for any home interior designing project. There are certain aspects of nature that can help you in clubbing different combination’s and permutations. Here is a look at some of them.
Light: This source can prove to be the insight of your interior designing project. Different lighting patterns help you understand your designing needs better. Most of us feel better in summer than other times of the year because there are more daylight hours. Similarly, the ways in which you use lighting in your home will affect your mind, body, and spirit.

Color: This is yet another important ingredient of nature that can be very useful. The color defines the beauty of the room. A lot of the color usage depends on the individual preference. You can increase the charm of the room with a single color or by using a color combination of many colors. Nature again serves as the best inspiration in choosing colors. Brightly colored fresh fruit and vegetables abound. A rainbow of colors in flower gardens and lush foliage can offer ideas for beautiful colors to use in our home decorating projects.
Materials: The material that you use in home furnishing plays a vital role. The material may include furniture, modular goods and flooring. These days you can always opt for eco friendly flooring patters. They are specially designed by using radiant touch heating patterns. On the other hand, cool, crisp, and refreshing cotton and linen fabrics, sisal and jute rugs, rattan and wicker furniture are all borrowed from nature and delightful to use in our interior design.
Texture: Home texturing again plays a very important role. Many interesting textures in nature’s summer landscape encourage us to use varied textures to complement each other in our home decorating. Observe the beauty of a white velvety magnolia blossom against its own smoothly polished leaves. Compare the contrasting textures in your own back yard and repeat them in fabrics and finishes for a naturally occurring textural variety.
Proportion: This factor largely depends on the level of space management being carried out from the end of the house owner. The proportion of any aspect of home designing that justifies the by product is worth accepting.

Scale: Along with proportion, determining the proper scale in interior design can sometimes be a source of quandary. Although, a good proportion generally leads to proper scaling but the project outcome might vary depending on a number of factors. The budget justification, timeliness of the project and the longevity are all the factors that determine the difference between the scale and the proportion.
Equilibrium: Last but not the least balance is very important. A proper equilibrium between all the above mentioned factors needs to be maintained. Many first time designers make the mistake of thinking that to get balance in a room everything needs to be symmetrical, i.e. one end table on one side of the couch and one on the other and each with exactly the same accessories. Unless all these factors are not kept in mind achieving balance can be a bit of an issue.
I hope these factors help you determine an ideal nature based home decoration and furnishing project.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

The basics of caulking

Caulking refers to the process of sealing the joints and seams where movement is expected by using a high quality sealant. Although it looks like an insignificant job, caulking holds a lot of significance as far as the durability of the tiles and the sub floor is concerned. Generally, a tiling job involves grouting the tiled surface area to holds it together and to make it watertight. Further, grouting is also done to enhance the aesthetics of the tiled area. However, a homeowner has to decide on whether caulking is the better option or grouting as far as the expansion joints are concerned.
One of the most commonly used caulking material is Silicone based, and has a clear texture with a flexible and rubbery finish. This caulking substance is available in a wide variety of colors to suit the particular color theme of a room. However, in case you are planning to use the caulk in high moisture areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom you should select a caulking substance specially created for such areas. This will ensure that the caulking substance is able to withstand mold growth as well as mildew growth.
Caulk is ideally used in areas where there is a joint between two surfaces, for example between the wall and the floor. Further, caulk could also be used where two walls meet, around sinks, faucets as well as around bath tubs. It is due to the high flexibility provided by caulk that it can withstand any structural movement without cracking.
Although caulking is an integral aspect of a home renovation job, it is important to apply it properly for maximum effectiveness. Most DIY enthusiasts usually fail to either estimate the correct size of the caulking area or to set a smooth layer. This is the reason why their caulking job does not lead to a watertight joint. In order to ensure maximum effectiveness out of your caulking job you should use a high quality caulking gun to set the material along the joint.
The trick to ensuring a proper caulking job is to cut the caulking tube at the right place and at the right angle. After applying a layer of caulk you should smoothen it either by using a damp cloth or your fingertip. This step is important since any opening in the caulked area will compromise its integrity. One trick to ensure that you do not leave any gap while caulking on a wooden area is to apply a layer of paint first. The paint will clearly highlight any gaps and nail heads in the wooden surface, thereby enabling you to caulk in effectively.
Thus, we can see that caulking is important, especially for expansion joints and for areas where two surfaces meet. Not only does an effective caulking job ensures waterproofing of the joint, but provides high stability and enhanced aesthetic appeal. However, you should either take the help of an expert of should use a high quality caulking gun to ensure an effective and precisely finished caulking job.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Maximizing your bathroom space

Bathroom is an integral part every house and generally these are designed keeping functionality in mind, thereby most of the bathrooms are cramped and small. Sometimes, it is so cramped that there is not even enough space to move around. Most of the bathrooms are stuffed with tub, shower, sink, shelves and other necessary things in a small area. As a result, the place looks cluttered, probably the most disorganized room in the entire house.
In case, your bathroom is also small and cramped which you wish to renovate into a beautiful and functional bathroom, then there are several steps which can take, without having to incur heavy expenses. Foremost, for the walls of the room, choose light colors where stripes can do the trick as it help elongates the walls’ appearance and the space seem bigger. Moreover, you must choose an even lighter shade for the ceilings, as compared to the walls, as it will make surface recede from view and enlarge small space. You can use light colored tiles, paints or wallpapers with small prints as large, bold prints can make the place look cluttered. The most important factor is to keep it simple or otherwise it will impede all the efforts to maximize your bathroom space.

Another simple way to address the lack of space in your bathroom is maximize the storage around sink where you can add vanity or shelves under the sink for cosmetics, toiletries and other belongings. In case you already have a vanity, then you can increase its storage capacity through simple modifications. Add shelves or half shelves, wire racks on the inside of cabinet doors, built-in nooks and include pullout elements, similar to the kitchen cabinetry, such as towel rods, shelves and wastebasket.
Apart from vanity, another simple option is to use shelves for placing pretty much everything you need. You can either mount it on the wall or recess it into the walls, without taking up the limited floor area. Amongst the different shelf options available in the market today, corner shelves are your best bet, which can easily hold all the indispensable items. In case there is scope for some space, you can even opt for free-standing shelves as these can be easily moved around for your convenience.

In addition, you can even use a lot of mirror in your bathroom as it easily creates an illusion of space. To further camouflage the lack of space in the small bathroom, you can use two mirrors placed opposite to each other as it creates an illusion of a never-ending room. Further, instead of shower curtains which clutter the view, you can use clear glass shower doors as it does not obstruct the space or its view. Moreover, keep the doors, trims and accessories in soft colors, such as pastels which reflect light or better yet, of the same color as that of walls so as to make the space appear wider.
Hence, these simple steps can help you maximize your bathroom space, without having to compromise on utility or aesthetic value.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Wooden Flooring Nature trail

Remember the joy of climbing those verdant oak trees in your childhood? Well, now you can bring in the same innocence in your life and relive those wonderful moments with the help of wooden flooring! It will bring all the blessings of nature right inside your home and also add tones of elegance to your interiors. Wooden floors come as a welcome break from the traditional flooring materials available in the market and lend a discernible allure to the interiors.
Wood is one of the most precious gifts from nature and has a unique appearance owing to the presence of natural grains and colors. It is perfect as a flooring material due to its sturdy nature and poetic appearance. However, it is a care intensive product and requires a proper maintenance both before and after installation. Proper care will protract the longevity of wooden floors and ensure that it keeps on shining for a longer duration giving you a shining floor that looks as if it was installed yesterday.

One of the most popular variants of wooden flooring is the engineered wood which can be customized as per your requirements. To get the most out of a wooden floor it is important to pay attention to the installation of these floors. An inspection of the floor is the first step in installation which will ensure that the entire installation process can be carried out smoothly. If there are any problems with the acceptability of the material then you should look for proper substitution. In case there are any doubts do not hesitate to take the advice of a professional installer.
It is also equally important to ensure the condition of the sub floor before installing the hardwood floor. The sub floor should be able to meet all the requirements which a typical flooring site demands. The use of filler and putty stick is the normal procedure while installing wooden floors and hence should be accepted. Care should also be taken to ensure that an extra waste factor should be added to the square footage amount depending on the layout.
Installation of hardwood flooring will vary according to the environment and surface and hence should be carried out in the proper way. For instance, in a new construction the hardwood floor should always be the last item to be installed. Similarly while installing hardwood floor over radiant heated floors take care that the hardwood material is Oak, Hickory or Walnut etc to ensure complete safety of the heated floors.

Following the proper installation guidelines will ensure that your hardwood floor is ready to handle all the challenges of the modern house. Proper care and maintenance of the floor will ensure that it has a long life. Caring for wooden floors is no rocket science and all you have to do is follow the basics. Keeping the floors free from spills as much a possible will maintain its natural glow. You can use a damp cloth to clean the spills as soon as they happen. Even if the stains are tough like paint, ink etc make sure to use only a soft material like a nail polish removal which won’t leave behind any residues. Clean the floor periodically with certified cleaners will also protract the life of the interior wooden floors.
A few external factors like relative humidity etc also determine the performance of ma wooden floor and ensuring proper conditions will ensure that your floor have a longer life. A relative humidity level between 45 and 65% throughout the year will minimize the natural contraction and expansion of the wood and take proper care of the floor. A shining wooden floor will blend in perfectly with your furniture and create a simply outstanding effect!
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com