Roto Wedge the Evolution of the Wedge

Wedge is a mechanical device that is extensively being used for providing space between tiles, masonry, wood flooring, as well as other similar jobs. Over the years, wedge has evolved into a more dynamic Roto-Wedge Spacer. This is being preferred by most of the professionals as it is efficient and easy to use. You just have to rotate the Roto-Wedge spacer in order to achieve the perfect spacing needed. This device is used for holding an object in place, lifting an object, and for separating two objects, or different portions of one object. By using a Roto-Wedge spacer, you can save significant amount of time and effort, which can be utilized for accomplishing other tasks.

Earlier, one used ordinary wedges, shims, wood and cardboard scraps for spacing that were not effective. These used to hit the walls or collide with the substrate before being utilized completely. For overcoming these problems, tile setters used to stack wedges, or used spacers in conjunction with wedges, or sometimes even resort to using cardboard, folded into numerous layers. These methods not only demanded time and effort, but were also inaccurate, unreliable and unstable, resulting in unequal spacing. Additionally, these often used to move or fallout, subsequently leading to job failures. However, with the development of Roto-Wedge spacer, tile setters found an effective tool, which had none of the limitations of ordinary wedges.

The rotating design of the Roto-Wedge spacer prevents it from hitting the wall or colliding with the substrate; unlike the ordinary wedges. Owing to its unique design, all you need to do is rotate the Roto-Wedge spacer to achieve the desired spacing. As compared to ordinary wedges, the task can be completed in fraction of time; thereby, one can accomplish more in same amount of time. Moreover, this fast and efficient device increases productivity as it aids in completing the job with unmatched accuracy, stability, and speed.
The only effective and efficient product available for masonry, the Roto-Wedge spacer is available in two variants; viz. Roto-Wedge Spacer Small and Roto-Wedge Spacer Large. Depending upon the requirements, you can select either of these durable and tough Roto-Wedge Spacers. The dynamic wedges are nearly 3 inches long, which facilitate finer adjustment than ordinary wedges. Additionally, the Roto-Wedge spacers create flatter and stable surface owing to their angle, which is less than half as steep as ordinary wedges. Both these spacers can be used for creating a wide spacing, varying from 1/16 to 7/8 inches . Since these Roto-Wedge spacers are never buried in the grout joint, these can easily be removed after completion of the task.

A Roto-Wedge spacer provides perfect spacing solution, due to which it is widely being used for tiles, stones and masonry. Hence, if you are still using the ordinary wedges that do not provide effective spacing and adversely affect your job; you need to try the Roto-Wedge spacer. Not only is it affordable, efficient and easy to use, it is the only perfect spacing solution that helps you
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The impact of moisture on different flooring types

The decision to install a particular flooring type depends on various factors such as its aesthetics, durability, price and effect of moisture. It is the impact of moisture on different flooring types that restricts the use of certain flooring options in high moisture areas such as the kitchen and the shower.
Hardwood flooring is highly sensitive to the surrounding moisture content since it is fibrous and absorbs and releases moisture. All wooden floors expand and contract according to temperature and humidity changes. Hardwood contracts when the relative humidity is less than the moisture content of the wood. On the other hand, hardwood expands when its moisture content is less than the relative humidity. Fluctuating moisture levels can significantly affect the shape of your hardwood flooring.
Another flooring material that is affected by the moisture levels is bamboo. Since bamboo is actually a type of grass, and is fibrous as well, it also absorbs and releases moisture. Excess moisture in the air will cause your bamboo flooring to swell and bend. In contrast, less moisture in the air will dry the bamboo flooring and cause cracks in it.

Although laminate flooring is considered to be the most durable out of all the flooring options it is still susceptible to moisture. During the manufacturing process, a durable coating is applied on laminate flooring to make it resistant to moisture. Even after this coating excess exposure to moisture can cause laminate flooring to expand significantly.
Cork is another flooring material that is impervious to water seepage. Cork contains a natural material that makes it highly durable and ideal for use in areas such as the kitchen as well. However, since cork is a natural material it is affected by humidity changes. Although cork is not affected by moisture in the same way as hardwood is, yet it should be properly cared for to prevent damage.
Even though different flooring materials respond differently to fluctuations in moisture levels, it is important to limit the exposure of moisture to your flooring. One of the most effective ways of ensuring the relative air humidity does not affect your flooring is known as acclimation.
Acclimation is a pre installation process to ensure that the flooring adjusts to the humidity level in a particular room. Generally, this process consists of placing the flooring material in the room where it is to be installed, for a period of 2-3 days. During this time, the temperature as well as the humidity levels in the room should be controlled for maximum effectiveness.

Controlling the moisture levels around your flooring is important for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is that excess moisture, or lack of moisture can cause the flooring to shrink or expand. This in turn would affect the integrity of the flooring. Another reason is that unless proper maintenance of the flooring is done the warranty on it would not be valid. It is for these reasons that you should ensure that your flooring is not exposed to moisture, or excess fluctuations in humidity levels.
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Things to know about before tiling

Tiles are one of the most popular choices for various areas of the house, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. Some of the factors that make tiles so popular include high durability, ease of installation, availability of different designs and the related cost. Tiling is generally considered as an easy Do-It-Yourself project; however, there are a number of factors that you should keep in mind before initiating the tiling process.
The first major decision that you will have to make will be selecting from a wide range of tiles that are available in the market. This decision will be based on two factors, namely the tile material and the tile size. Ceramic, porcelain and stone are the most popular tiling material that is selected by people. A stone tile is renowned for its aesthetic appeal as well as its high durability. On the other hand, porcelain and ceramic tiles are comparatively inexpensive that stone times, and are aesthetically appealing as well.
Tiling size can significantly impact your project by affecting the effort put in by you as well as the end result. Generally, tiles of size 12”x 12” are considered to be ideal for a tiling project; however, these days you can find tiles of varying sizes. 6” x 6” tiles are also popular among homeowners, but they increase the effort required to complete the tiling project. Furthermore, large tiles are quite difficult to set evenly, thereby affecting the final outcome of the project.

After finalizing on the size and material of the tiles, it is important to select the pattern and design on the tiles. Since tiles can significantly affect the visuals of a room, it is important to select tiles that match with the décor of a particular room. For example, light colored tiles are generally preferred in the shower area to create a comfortable environment. On the other hand, the kitchen area should preferably be covered with dark colored tiles.
Next, you should carefully decide whether you want to use epoxy based grout or cement grout. Grouting is an essential aspect of a tiling project since it can ensure that the tiles stay in place for a long duration of time. Although epoxy grouts are highly effective, and errors during the installation process are quite hard to fix once epoxy grout has been installed. Grout color is also essential to ensure that the grouted area blends in with the tile décor.

Finally, you should have the proper tools and equipment to ensure an effective tiling job. Spacers are essential to ensure even spaces between two subsequent tiles. Leveling systems, such as the Tuscan leveling system, ensure that you are able to install tiles without any lippage. Being prepared with such tools beforehand will enable you to install a uniform and highly durable tiled floor.
Thus, it is evident that although tiling is quite a simple task, it is important to consider various factors to ensure maximum effectiveness. In case you are not confident of completing the job yourself, it is advised to hire a professional contractor.
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DIY projects An ideal option for overcoming the economic slowdown

With the economic slowdown affecting everyone in some way or the other, people are on the lookout for measures to reduce their expenses. A major portion of a homeowner’s income goes towards several home repair and renovation jobs. It is one cost you cannot restrain as there is always some or other home repair or improvement required to be done. Hiring a professional contractor for house repair or improvement proves quite expensive and home owners are now opting to do these jobs themselves.
The ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) home repair or improvement measures have gained popularity over the past few years. Due to the rising price of materials as well as fees of professional contractors, homeowners are opting to do the repair jobs on their house, on their own. These require diligence as well as knowledge since, carpentry or plumbing activities not simple.
Moreover, with substantial information available on the net, the DIY enthusiasts can easily accomplish different projects such as tiling, grouting, carpentering and flooring, easily.
The DIY projects help the homeowners save significant amount of money which they would otherwise have to give it to their contractors. Before starting any DIY project you must gather all the information about the different aspects of the task, including tools and materials required. You can get information on the internet, or better, take help of your friends who have completed similar task before so that you can learn from their experience.

Moreover, since you are not dependent on the contractors for material, you can choose any material as per your requirement and budget. You must also survey the market so that you can get quality material at less cost. Be sure not to compromise on the quality just to save a few dollars. Since you are doing the job yourself, you can define the time and deadlines for the task. Along with saving money, it also gives an opportunity to test your skills and get the sense accomplishment on completing the job properly.
Home improvement and repairs, cannot be escaped if you wish to keep the house in good condition. However it can involve significant expenditure, which is not favored by many, especially due to the economic slowdown. In such a condition, doing the job yourself rather than hiring a contractor can save homeowners a lot of money. Irrespective of the size of the job, any opportunity to save on extra expenditure will always prove beneficial. Before staring any DIY project, you must gather all the information as well as tools required so that you can carry the job effectively. Only precaution while doing the task is that you must judge yourself and ensure you are fit for the task. Apart from this, you must keep in mind that, it takes a great deal of patience to perform any repair or renovation job; therefore you need to approach the repair or renovation task only after you have gained ample knowledge and defined a reasonable time line to finish it. This ensures that you do not mess up things and incur more expenses fixing it.
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Finding the right flooring option for different rooms

August 13th, 2010 by flooringsupply | Edit this entry Leave a reply »

Flooring is probably the most important part of a home since it can significantly affect the aesthetics of the house. Furthermore, flooring serves a number of practical uses as well; therefore it is important to carefully select the flooring for a room for maximum effectiveness. Different flooring types have their own pros and cons, and you should weigh these pros and cons according to your requirements before making the final decision.
Some of the different types of flooring options include laminate, hardwood, ceramic, stone and carpet. These flooring types generally differ on points such as their aesthetics, durability, ease of installation and cost. There is no fixed rule on which type of flooring should be installed in a particular room. Generally, a few specific features of a flooring type make it ideal for a particular room in the house.
A bathroom is a high moisture area that requires durable and water resistant flooring. It is for this reason that ceramic and stone are considered as ideal flooring options for the bathroom. Ceramic and stone are not only durable and water resistant, but are available in a wide range of colors and designs as well. Linoleum is another option that can offer similar durability and aesthetics as stone or ceramic, at a lower cost.
The kitchen area in the house is also affected by moisture, therefore ceramic or stone flooring can be installed in the kitchen as well. In case you are contemplating on installing hardwood flooring in the kitchen you should select a highly durable wood. Laminate flooring would be the ideal choice for you, if you want the look of a hardwood floor, with added durability. However, irrespective of the flooring option selected by you it is essential to ensure proper insulation for maximum durability.
Since your bedroom is your personal space, you should select a flooring option that would feel good under your feet. Plush carpet flooring would be ideal to make your bedroom more comfortable and cozy. In case you do not want to install ‘wall-to-wall’ carpeting, a carpet tile would be an ideal option. Carpet tiles will offer the same comfort as a wall-to-wall carpet, and offer ease of installation as well.

Basement is one area of the house that causes the most worry amongst homeowners regarding the flooring to install. One of the reasons for this stress is that since this area is not used on a daily basis, people refrain from spending a lot on its flooring. However, one of the cheapest and the most effective options for the basement is concrete. Not only is concrete staining easy to install, but is highly durable and moisture resistant as well.
Although there is a plethora of flooring options available in the market, specific features of some make them ideal for a particular room in the house. You should carefully consider these features, as well as your budget and requirements to ensure that you select the right flooring option for different rooms.
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Green Flooring Options for Your Home

With the increased awareness about global warming, people are choosing Environmentally Friendly Product options in every aspect. More and more homeowners are opting for green flooring option for their house. There are many green flooring options available today, which offer homeowners a wide range of options to choose from. They can choose the one which best suits their budget and complements the interior of their home. Installing green flooring options is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps you earn tax benefits and rebates; thus helping in saving substantial amounts of money which offsets the overall installation cost of the green flooring at your home. In addition, you can also gain better financing for your new floor or home.
There are different types of green flooring options available in the market amongst which you can choose as per your budget and preference. Bamboo is a green flooring option which is increasingly gaining popularity amongst several homeowners. This beautifully imitates the look of wooden floor, and is an inexpensive option. It is a highly sustainable and rapidly renewing resource which matures in just three years. Bamboo is also highly resilient and durable which can easily withstand high foot traffic. Since it is moisture resistant, it can be used in any part of your house, including bathroom and kitchen.

Another popular green flooring option is the cork which is becoming a common flooring choice for many homeowners. It is very resilient, hypo-allergenic, inexpensive and easy to install. Since cork gets easily damaged, it cannot be used in areas with high foot traffic. Also, since cork is also not resistant to moisture, it should not be used in bathrooms or areas where risk of exposure to moisture is high. However, because of its cushioning quality it is a great option for kitchen, where it reduces the risk of breakage of crockery on falling. In addition, it offers insulation because of its heat-retaining qualities, which helps in keeping the house warm and saving on electricity bill during the winters. It also helps in reducing noise because of its sound-deadening qualities.
Linoleum is another great flooring option, which many homeowners confuse with vinyl. It is a green flooring option which is made from natural material like resin, wood & cork flour, linseed, jute as well as ecologically responsible pigments. An added advantage is that all the natural material is available in abundance. This natural flooring is soft and highly durable as well as easy to maintain and clean. Linoleum flooring is available in a wide range of vibrant colors which do not fade with time. Other benefits of using linoleum is that it is naturally fire resistant, anti -static, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, and can be recycled as well.
There are some other green flooring options as well which include sustainable woods, wool carpets, sisal, jute and sea grass amongst many others. With a whole world of choices, you can select the right flooring option which, not only suits your budget, but blends well with your home’s decor.

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Do you have adequate tools to finish DIY task

A number of individuals undertake ‘Do It Yourself’ home renovation projects as a hobby. Some of the most popular DIY projects include painting, tiling and grouting. However, it is important to properly complete the job at hand. An improper home renovation job can result in significant repairs and maintenance expenses in the future.
One of the prerequisites for undertaking a DIY project is the availability of proper and effective tools for the job at hand. Having proper tools can significantly reduce the efforts involved in completing a home renovation project. Furthermore, the right tools can also ensure that the job is done properly the first time, so that there are no repairs and maintenance requirements in the future.
While tiling, one of the common problems faced by DIY enthusiasts is that of lippage. Lippage occurs when tiles are not set properly, and can affect the aesthetics of the tiled area. Furthermore, lippage can also cause the tiles to crack and break in the future. It is for this reason that you should consider using a tool such as the Tuscan Leveling System. Such tools are specially designed for DIY enthusiasts, and ensure that the tiles are set in a uniform manner.

Another tool that could help you in your tiling project is a tile spacer. The main purpose of a tile spacer is to ensure that all the tiles are set at equal distance apart. Tile spacers will also enable you to create straight grout lines, thereby ensuring a uniform finish.
Most people generally call in a professional contractor when they need to design a shower area, but there are a number of tools that can enable you to complete this task by yourself. Quick pitch systems and ready to tile shower pans are two such tools that can enable you to create a custom designed shower area by yourself. These tools can ensure that a standard slope of 1/4” is created on the shower floor. Furthermore, a ready to tile shower pan can be tiled immediately after installation, thereby saving on the total construction time.
Certain projects such as plumbing, carpentry, roofing and landscaping require you to create a level slope for maximum effectiveness. It is in order to complete such projects in a proper manner that you require tools such as Montgomery degree pitch level. These tools are easy to use, and can enable you to effectively check the pitch or slope.
Finally, apart from the specific tools for particular projects you should ensure that you have adequate safety equipment. Some of the commonly used safety gear includes respiratory masks, knee pads, gloves and cleaning cloth.
Undertaking a DIY project offers a number of benefits over hiring a contractor for the job. Not only does a DIY project bring about a sense of accomplishment, but also results in significant cost savings. Therefore, it is important to have adequate tools and equipments in order to be properly prepared for the DIY project. This will ensure that your project is completed in a timely and a proper manner.
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An idea for Kids Room Furnishing

Creating an environment which is a blend of fun, learning and comfort for kids is a challenging task. Parent these days try to make the kids room as exciting as possible so that they learn via every aspect of the room. But, room furnishing comes with knowledge and experience. There are certain aspects you need to keep in mind while furnishing a kids room. The process should be such that each corner of the room speaks volumes for itself. Here are some key aspects.
Bed: Here longevity is the key. Bed is the most expensive thing in the room. Without a doubt kids love their beds. You would often find kids even study on their bed. So, choosing the right bed is very important. There are some terrific theme type beds to really add to a room. There are theme beds that are cars, planes, ships, castles, and under the sea motifs. If you could do the right matching bedding, it can add extra charm to the room.

Book Case: This is where the learning factor comes in. A room should offer fun, but should also carry a weight of responsibility. The room should be a clever blend of enjoyment and study. An ideal book case should club both. If you are completing a theme room, try finding a bookcase that goes along with the idea. If you can’t locate a bookcase that matches the theme, try adding transfers or stencil theme type patterns on the bookcase.
Toy Box: Without a toy box, the kids room can only be described in one word- Incomplete. This fun box should have all the varieties of toys including arcade, sport and puzzles. Consider the room and theme, the child has before picking a toy box for the room.
Chairs: The chairs in the room should be bought depending on the color combination of other furniture items in the room. A chair that is comfortable for kids should be considered. Try purchasing a light weight chair so that kids can take them from one place to another easily. Chairs can be used around a small table for a play and art center, or can also be used to make a comfortable reading area in the room. The modern beanbag chairs can be a good option for the kid’s room.
Floor Heating: This is very important as far as the comfort and health of the kids is concerned. In winter seasons when temperature slips below zero degrees, it is important that the heat frictions between the floor and the foot should have a balance. There are many eco friendly floor heating options available that might be of great help. You can always opt for radiant floor heating mats for a perfect floor heating.
Bathroom: This is the most fun filled part of the kid’s room. A color full bathroom with fancy showers and bath tubs is something that kids look out for. Try to give a more grip based tiles in the bathroom. Greasy tiles may be slippery which is a bit risky for the kids. Unique looking towel bar and toilet holders are also a good idea.

Dresser: Kids like dressing well. So, a dresser with all the essential tools is a must. Having a solidly made dresser that can hold up to having drawers opened and closed is a must. At times people don’t prefer a theme based dresser in order to keep the option of room mobility open. If you don’t want the dresser to be part of the theme, you can always stick to a neutral or basic color such as white, cream or a solid color.
I hope the above mentioned aspects have given some important information on the various aspects of room furnishing for kids.
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