Floating Floor the Preferred Choice

Flooring can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your house, provided it is appropriately installed. Right installation of the flooring is as important as choosing the right flooring material. Nowadays, people are increasingly opting for floating floor. Floating floor, a misnomer, is actually a floor installation method, which is wrongly confused by many as a type of flooring material. In floating floor, the flooring material generally consists of planks, which are installed without being glued, stapled, or nailed to the subfloor. Instead, of being fastened to the subfloor, the planks are joined to one another; allowing the floor to ‘float’ over the surface underneath.
Homeowners can choose amongst the different types of floating floors; such as the ‘glue together’, which is an older version of floating floor. The glue together floating floor is assembled with the help of appropriate adhesive and pressure applied on the planks, to bind it together. Another version of floating floor is the ‘click together’, which is also referred to as ‘enter click’ or ‘tongue and groove’. In this, the edges of the planks are so designed that these easily click together, when combined and tapped on the edge toward one another. This does not require the use of any adhesive, making installation hassle-free and time-saving. The latest as well as the fastest floating floor option is the ‘lock and fold’ system, which requires neither tapping of the planks nor sticking them with glue. In this type of floating system, the planks are attached with the help of a special milled interlocking system.

The rising popularity of the floating floor is due to the various benefits it offers. The biggest advantage of choosing floating floor is that it is convenient and hassle-free, which saves both effort and time. This installation method is so easy that the flooring of the room can be completed in just a few hours; irrespective of whether the installer is amateur or experienced. In addition, the floating floor is available in a wide range of material, such as hardwood, linoleum, bamboo, cork and plastic laminate. Depending upon their preferences and budget, homeowners can choose amongst any of the available options.
Floating floor is an ideal choice for areas with high humidity or moisture problem. Most of the flooring options are affected by fluctuations in moisture and humidity. Wooden planks, for example, tend to contract when humidity is low and expand when humidity is high; thereby causing gaps and buckling, respectively. In contrast, since the floating floor is not fastened to the underlying surface, it contracts and expands as one complete unit without giving rise to gaps or buckling. Besides, spacers are left alongside the walls to allow for expansion.

As floating floor is generally available as planks, homeowners only need to replace the damaged ones, rather than change the whole flooring. As a result, homeowners tend to save significant amount of money. Additionally, it is less expensive than most of the other flooring choices.
Owing to all these benefits, floating floor has become a preferred choice of more and more homeowners.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Windows Not Just a Piece of Glass

It’s early in the morning and you’ve just opened the curtains to bring in the bright new day. Or perhaps the snow is falling softly outside as you snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa at your window seat and take in the view. Windows have been around for hundreds of years, and while their basic purpose has not changed, they have gone from being a necessary “hole in the wall” to a significant element of design.
What is the definition of a Window? According to Webster’s dictionary, a window is an opening, usually framed and spanned with glass, built into a wall for light and air. We still use windows for this fundamental purpose. Properly placed windows can provide cross ventilation and eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day. Most people have at one time or another been in a dark, dreary room that simply needed the light of a window. Current national code requires that the glazed area of the windows (that is the glass itself) equal 8% or more of the square footage of a room.
Windows can range widely in style and cost. If you prefer contemporary styling, you may choose to go with a casement style window (a unit that either cranks out to the left or to the right). A more traditional style is the double hung unit (a unit that slides up and down). Other styles include horizontal sliders, awnings, and transom windows. A window manufacturer can provide detailed descriptions of the various styles available. The styles are as plentiful as the prices are varied. Of course, you can mix and match units. For example: in your kitchen you may desire a casement unit above the sink because they are easier to open reaching over the counter; however, adjacent to the kitchen, in a gazebo shaped breakfast area, there is no reason you should not consider using double-hung units.
Let’s take a closer look at the two most popular units, the casement and double hung window. There are pro’s and con’s to both. The casement offers full ventilation when opened where the double-hung only gives about half. However, if you have a group of casements units overlooking your deck or patio, be aware that casements take up exterior living space. So be careful at parties; open casements can be very painful when walked into. Probably the best part of double-hung units is many new models tilt in for easier cleaning, where as the casement does not offer a similar feature.
Whether you are building new, adding on additional space, or renovating a room in your home, the windows you choose should play a major role. When looking at windows for your new project, look carefully at the hardware, is it well manufactured? Plastic hardware may provide a more contemporary look, but also tend to break sooner. Open the windows at the showroom, do they operate easily? Do they offer a good warranty on the unit as a whole? Most manufactures should cover the windows for at least ten years. Check the energy efficiency (insulation value) of the particular units you are interested in. I recommend a minimum insulation value of R-3. Most units nowadays carry an insulation value of at least this, and very often it is higher. Overall, examine the quality of the unit on the interior as well as exterior.
You will find that the cost of windows is quite significant, but you get what you pay for. You want your windows to last 30 to 50 years, therefore they need to be constructed from good quality materials and made to last for long time. If you skimp on quality, you may have problems in as little as 5 years. Depending on the number of windows your project calls for, you should plan to spend approximately 5%-10% of your entire building budget if you are adding on or building a new home. This percentage is higher for smaller renovations.
Windows provide much more than light and air today. A properly designed window can make or break the mood of a room. Today’s windows should be treated as an integral part of the design and NOT JUST A PIECE OF GLASS.

Get the right and balanced home improvement

Home Improvement scenarios have appreciated excellently over the years. The need for balanced home improvement has insured great levels of professionalism in the process. As a house owner you need to make certain considerations before even starting a home improvement process. The time at hand, the budget and the technical specifications play a major role in home improvement procedures. You need to maintain equilibrium in all aspects to ensure that all the criteria are met. So, let us discuss certain key areas and elements that need to be looked into for a balanced home improvement.
The Budget: Undoubtedly, the budget plays a huge role. You must always keep the monetary considerations in mind before you decide on the home improvement process. This helps you get a clear cut perspective on the key areas of your home that need improvement. The budget justification of these areas is also the key. Firstly, you can always specify a gross budget. Then you can specify the vital aspects of home improvement. Lastly, cross check whether the budget fits your home improvement demands. Such thorough analysis will help you eliminate the unwanted home improvement needs that might arise out of random sampling.
Use of Resources: Effective and efficient use of resources is the key. It is important that you know your house well. You must have good knowledge of your household goods and the durability factor involved with them. A reasonable analysis helps you know the actual need for change or make over in all the relevant areas.
Integration of the Elements: Integration of certain elements can bring a sense of uniqueness to the home. A good balance of the elements can help any room feel more inviting. Try wood and houseplants to invoke the feel of earth and air. Plants are especially good because not only do they look nice, they actually improve the quality of the air. Candles are great to bring fire’s warmth into a room, as is a fireplace. And a gorgeous fish aquarium or tabletop fountain provides the soothing energy of water. This is one example that presents a blend of exceptional budgeting and efficient utilization of resources.
Renovation: “Renovate” is the key to any home improvement project. You should always know the longevity of all our home belongings. This helps you judge the span of your home improvement project and the time specification you can have. The thin line that separates the need to renovate and the need to change can make a vital difference to the cost of any home improvement project.
The Exteriors: With all the potential improvements you can make to the interior of your home, it’s easy to neglect the outside. But the outside of your home is the first thing people see. If you live in a wood home, make sure the paint is fresh and un-chipped. Paint the shutters a new color to give your home renewed interest. Flower plantation and tree swings can add a great charm to your garden. Installing a pool or hot tub is also a good idea. Not only will you get the benefits of having your own place to splash around in, your home will be worth more if you ever decide to sell it.
Flooring: The flooring or the baseline of the homes makes a lot of difference. These days you have options to choose from. You can always try the new eco-friendly floor heating options available in the market. These not only keep your floor warm in winters but make sure that the heating is balanced in accordance with the outside temperature. They also serve as the best home improvement tasks when it comes to balancing. The amount of energy saving that they do as being substitute to floor heaters is phenomenal.
I hope these details help you get the right and balanced home improvement.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Tips for effective floor buffing

Like other parts of the house, hardwood flooring also requires maintenance. Over the years, with constant wear & tear the floor starts losing its luster. Though, a lot of people resort to changing the flooring when it starts to wear down; this however is not an advisable option.
One of the most effective ways of dealing with worn out flooring is by buffing it. One can easily use buffing for refinishing the floor, so that it looks as good as new.
Instead of replacing the old hardwood flooring with a new one, most homeowners prefer buffing the flooring, which saves them time as well as money. Using harsh chemicals is not advisable as it will actually harm the floor by either staining it or affecting its natural sheen. Buffing on the other hand is safer and can help keep the fresh look of the floor, as if it was new. Moreover, buffing can be easily done on every type of flooring, whether it is marble or hardwood, with the help of a buffing machine. In case of carpet flooring, one can use the brush attachment instead of pads in the buffing machine; which effectively cleans and scrubs the carpet thoroughly.
It is a process, which can easily be accomplished by DIY enthusiasts. Whatever may be the type of floor you wish to buff; it should first be dust mopped and cleaned thoroughly. Next, you need to install the buffing pad and set the speed of the machine at 1-2 ft. per second. Move the machine in a straight line, overlapping each pass by 2-4 inches. You need to buff the floor till the required gloss is achieved. Similarly, repeat the whole process in other areas of the floor as well. Check the pads, and change them in case they have become dirty or worn out. After buffing is complete, dust mop the floor and follow it by wet vacuuming. Make sure to clean all the equipment, before storage.
Although it is easy, there are certain things that one needs to take care of while buffing the hardwood floor. Replace worn out pads as it can cause scratches on the floor. You need to select the appropriate pad and solution for the type of floor to be buffed. It is advisable that you evenly spread the solution over the particular section of the floor, and buff the area two to three times for best results. While buffing the floor, you must ensure to start from the end of the room, moving backwards, so that you do not step on the cleaned floor.
You will need to apply three different solutions, namely stripping, wax and polish solution. Though using a floor buffing machine is not very difficult; it is advisable to exercise caution since the buffing machine is quite big in size.
Flooring is the most essential part of any house and hence, requires utmost care. By just following some of the simple measures mentioned above, you can have a clean, shiny and durable flooring.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

budget friendly flooring options

Flooring is an integral part of any house; be it construction or renovation, it is essential to select the appropriate flooring material that not only provides durability but enhances the interiors as well. Amongst the numerous options available in the market, choosing the right flooring option can be overwhelming. Natural hardwood flooring and carpets, though makes a place look great, but are quite expensive and beyond the budget of most of the homeowners. Nevertheless, there are many budget-friendly and beautiful flooring options which can render a great look to your home.
A cheap but nice flooring idea which can make your floor look attractive is the bamboo flooring. Bamboo, a grass, effectively imitates the look of a wooden floor and is generally harder than most of the hardwood flooring. These are available in two shades, the natural light-color and the darker look which is accomplished after the grass is carbonized. Moreover, apart from being budget friendly, bamboo is also an environment friendly flooring option.

Another great budget flooring option is the laminate flooring, which is durable as well as attractive and easily simulates wood or in some cases, stone. These are available in a wide range of colors, patterns and designs which can easily complement the decor of any house. Moreover, the versatile flooring is easy to install and can be done by ‘DIY’ enthusiasts without any professional guidance.
Ceramic tile flooring is a cost effective flooring option, which is increasingly being used in residential and commercial buildings. It is one of the most durable flooring options which is available in scores of color; light, dark and blended colors. Furthermore, the tiles are available in different styles and sizes which can be customized as per your requirement. You can mix & match different tiles to render an attractive look or use mosaic tiles to enhance the look of the interiors. The ceramic tiles resist staining and are easy to maintain, without any special cleaning requirement. However, these tiles can sometimes be slippery, so it is advisable that you apply an anti-slip coating, which is readily available in the market.

Inexpensive than other types of natural flooring, the cork tiles provide natural and rich look to the house. This flooring option is especially perfect for those for those with an ecological bent of mind. Along with lending a striking elegance and finish to the room, one of the most endearing qualities of cork is that it is a great insulator. As a result, it keeps the floor warm during winters and cool during summers. Moreover, its soft texture gives a comfortable feel when you walk on it, similar to that of carpet. Available in both tiles and planks, you can choose amongst a variety of colors and finishes.
Concrete flooring is also a popular budget flooring option which gives the place an unfinished and earthy look. The option is nearly endless as these can be stained, colored, painted and even customized. Furthermore, these are easy to install, inexpensive, highly resistant to various elements, easy to clean and maintain.
Amongst all these flooring option, you can choose the one which best complements the house interiors. The right budget flooring can render a great look to your home, without burning a hole in your pocket.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Benefits of Sanding and Sealing your Hardwood Floor

Homeowners are increasingly choosing wood as a flooring option for their home. Wooden flooring is not just durable but adds to the aesthetic appeal of the house. In addition, it is also a great insulator which keeps the house warm and comfortable. However, in order to maintain the attractive look of the wooden floor it requires to be ‘sanded and sealed’ from time to time.
Over a period of time, the wooden floors develop scratches, dents and cracks; which tarnish the visual appeal of the interiors. However, such an unpleasant scenario can be avoided by proper sanding and sealing.
Sanding is the process of removing the upper layer of the wooden floor with the help of an abrasive material. Prior to sanding the floor, it is advisable that the defective nails are tightened and cracks are sealed. Proper sanding ads shine to the wooden floor, bringing back its initial rich appearance. Sanding the wooden floor is performed with coarse sandpaper initially, followed by a finer one. The coarse sandpaper removes the gross crudeness and imperfections, leaving behind scratches, which can be removed with the help of finer sandpaper. For a smoother finish, one can use floor polisher or disk sander as well. Proper sanding removes the scratches and stains on the floor.

After the wooden floor has been sanded, it is coated with a layer of wooden floor seal. Sealing is an important process which protects and enhances the life of the wooden floor. It can be done by putting a protective layer of an appropriate sealant. It is advisable not to choose cheap and inferior quality seal as it requires frequent re-sands which results in greater expenses. Quality seal, on the other hand, protects the floor by offering a stain resistant layer which can last years through proper maintenance. The protective sealant layer offers stain resistance, prevents water seepage, protects from dirt particles as well as keeps mold and mildew at bay.
The most important benefit of sanding and sealing, if done properly, is that it provides a whole new look to your floor. The refinishing results in visual magnificence making it look like a newly installed flooring. Due to this, more and more homeowners are resorting to sanding & sealing instead of installing a new floor, which can be time consuming as well as expensive.
Though it can be done by hand, most of the homeowners use electrical machines as these are easily available in various stores. However, before you choose to do this job on your own, you must realize that it requires patience and demands time, apart from money. You can always take professional help to perform this job if you don’t feel confident enough to do it yourself.
Sanding and sealing your wooden floor is highly essential and must not be overlooked. Not only does this process, enhance the visual appeal of the floor but also provides longevity to it. Therefore, if your wooden floor needs a facelift, then you must get it sanded and sealed either yourself or through a contractor.
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

Eco Pads Diamond Stone Polishing instructions

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Floor Machines

17” – 20” (175-350 rpm)

Pads remove wear and provide a variety of appearance levels from dull hone (no shine) to highly polished. Use on floors with little to no lippage (uneven tiles).

Instructions

• Sweep or vacuum surface to remove abrasive soil
• Clean and rinse surface thoroughly prior to pad use
• Center selected pad on drive plate of floor machine
• Apply water to 2’ x 5’ area to lightly wet the surface – no need for huge puddles
• Move the floor machine in an oval pattern counter clockwise to keep the water inside the work area
• Check surface after 15 – 30 seconds to see if desired results are achieved
• If YES, repeat steps above on the rest of the floor one section at a time
• If NO, repeat polishing process until desired result is achieved (usually 15 – 45 seconds per 2’ x 5’ area)
• If second polishing does not achieve desired results, change pad grit level and repeat process

Hand Polishers

7” Variable Speed (600-3000 rpm)

Pads remove wear and provide a variety of appearance levels from dull hone (no shine) to highly polished. Use on floors, walls and counter tops with little to no lippage (uneven tiles).

Instructions

• Dust or vacuum surface to remove abrasive soil
• Clean and rinse surface thoroughly prior to pad use
• Center selected pad on drive plate of hand polisher
• Apply water to 2’x 3’ area to lightly wet the surface – no need for huge puddles
• At lowest speed setting, move the tool in an oval pattern counter clockwise to keep the water inside the work area
• Check surface after 15 – 30 seconds to see if desired results are achieved
• If YES, repeat steps above on the rest of the area one section at a time
• If NO, repeat polishing step until desired result is achieved (usually 15 – 45 seconds per 2’ x 5’ area)
• If second polishing does not achieve desired results, change pad grit level and repeat process

TIPS

• For best results with a 175 rpm Floor Machines use a 60 lb drive plate (not necessary for 300 – 350 rpm machines)
• Use more water when using lower grits (200 – 1,500)
• Use more weight (or pressure) and less water on higher grits (3,000 – 11,000)
• Overlap sections by 4”- 6” to keep an even appearance
• Rinse area thoroughly prior to changing grits
• Rinse and allow pad to dry after each use

• Avoid contaminating the EcoPads™ by using them only on a clean surface.
• Pad contamination is a major problem. This is how most people ruin the pads; they don’t wear them out.
• Thoroughly clean and rinse the surface to be polished before using the pads.
• Store the pads in the box making sure that the pads are NEVER diamond face to diamond face.
• Stack them with the colored side up.
• It is better to under use the pads than to overuse them.
• Overusing the 200 grit brown EcoPad™, the 400 grit black EcoPad™, or 800 grit red EcoPad™ may result in a textured appearance or the “orange peel” effect. That can only be removed by honing the floor with a resin bond diamond pad.
• You only need enough water to keep the surface wet; you don’t need puddles.
• Edge work can be done by using the 5″ or 7″ pads with a hand tool.

Eco friendly Instruction for polishing Granite and Marble

Eco friendly Instruction for polishing Granite and Marble- Read