Slate A Great Flooring Option

Flooring is an integral part of the house, which can significantly affect its appearance. Hence, it is vital to select the right flooring option for your home, which can make it look more attractive and appealing. Among the various flooring options available, more and more people are opting for slate, for residential as well as commercial buildings. Owing to its versatility and aesthetic appeal, it is increasingly being used in interiors as well as exteriors. Not only is it a feasible flooring option, but is also a great option for the walls, ceilings and roofs.
Slate adds elegance and sophistication to an interior, which other flooring options cannot. This sturdy natural-stone flooring option is formed when minute particles of silt and clay bind under high pressure and temperature. Owing to this process, slate gets its monolithic and ultra-fine texture. It is generally gray in color, but can also have shades of blue or green on it. However, it is also available in other colors like purple, brown and white pink, among others. You can make use of slate’s different shades of color for creating unique designs for your flooring. Along with its diversity in colors, slate tiles are also found in varied shapes, thicknesses and finishes. You can combine these variable attributes to your advantage and come up with different flooring ideas for house.
In comparison to various other flooring options, slate is a more durable and long lasting material. Once installed, it can last for many years and you may not have to replace it with any other flooring; thus, proving cost advantage. Additionally, it also has low maintenance requirements, unlike some other flooring options such as hardwood flooring. Slate is also resistant to dirt, and requires regular mopping with mild detergent cleaning.

The fine molecular structure of slate renders several advantages over other flooring options. Along with being tough, it is also resistant to moisture, which guarantees firm footing and avoids slipping or gliding. Owing to this, slate is a great flooring option for high traffic areas, or areas that are exposed to water, like hallways, porches, kitchen and bathrooms. In addition, this anti-stain flooring option is also bacteria and allergen resistant, thereby reducing the risk of diseases. To top it all, slate is quite affordable as compared to most of the other available flooring options, like marble and granite.
Due to the various advantages offered by it, slate proves to be a great flooring option that can enhance the appearance of any décor. However, an important thing which one should always keep in consideration is that the installation must be done in the right manner. If the installation is not done properly, flooring may be susceptible to breakage.
Since slate is a heavy natural stone, it needs to be installed correctly on a strong, solid subfloor instead of a flexible subfloor. Once properly installed, it will last for several years, without much maintenance requirements. Hence, if you are planning to install new flooring, you should opt for slate, which has become a preferred flooring choice of many people.
To seal use Slate Sealer by Glaze n Seal that offers unsurpassed low gloss protection for slate, quarry, tile, and other dense tile. This easy to apply, fast drying, non-yellowing acrylic provides a barrier against oil, water, based stains, acids, and efflorescence indoors and outdoors. With excellent UV and abrasion resistance.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Installation of shower shelves – You could do it too

Have you ever thought how important are those little recessed shelves, in helping you have a perfect shower? Well, if not, let me tell you; a lot. What else makes it so easy to keep your soap, shampoo and other important toiletries within your arm’s reach while taking a shower and save yourself from all the discomfort of stepping out of the shower to get the necessary toiletry from the other corner of the bathroom? In a way shower recessed shelves help you take not just a shower but a ‘lazy shower’ so as to pamper yourself and relax your stressed nerves, right?
Now that you have have conformed with my opinion, it’s time you also know that installing shower recessed shelves in your bathroom is no rocket science. If you ever need to add another recessed shelf in your shower cabinet, you can do it yourself; without waiting that extra hour for your plumber. How? Through ready to tile recessed shelves.

They have more than one feature which makes them a common man’s game. First, they are light, which means they do not demand a whole team, with you, to bring them from the store. And second, they are easy to install. Neither do they need framing prior to installation nor are they particular to the dryness or wetness of installing area. In addition they are easy to mount and are flexible with respect to being installed prior or after tiling. This means all that you have to do is mount them, place mortar mix (sand & cement), and tile as desired.
But do take care of the quality of the ready to tile shower recessed shelves. Low quality recessed shelves have cellulose or wood fibers and thus, are not water proof. They can rot and corrode and have a short life. One the other hand, high quality recessed shelves are made of corrosion resistant materials, with obviously, no hint of wood or cellulose. Once you fix them, you can rest assured to have long years of lazy showers with a contribution from these shelves by your side.
To help you in your lazy showers, there are another kind of shelves too-corner shower shelves. For many people, they come before the recessed shelves, in the choice for shower shelves. Fortunately, now they are available in the ready to tile form too. You can find them in all colors, designs and sizes at your nearby ready to tile bathroom fixtures store. But again, do take care of the quality. Given their constant exposure to water, they must be water resistant and corrosion free.

Well, if you do not have enough time to visit the store in your locality, don’t worry. You can still get your favorite kind of shower shelf. You do spend a certain amount of time on the Internet, right? Well then check out our collection and place your order, log on to www.flooringsupplyshop.com
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

How to Seal and Maintain Concrete Counter Tops

How to Seal and Maintain Concrete Counter Tops

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Recommended Sealers for Use on Concrete Counters
The following Glaze ‘N Seal sealers are popular choices for use on concrete counters. They will resist water stains, oil stains and enhance appearance. They are durable and re-coatable. Always perform a test patch, allow it to dry thoroughly and “test” likely contaminates.
Wet Look Lacquer

• A clear coating sealer (solvent base)
• Non-Yellowing
• Will not turn white
• Excellent oil resistance
• Resists acids
• Resists efflorescence (white residue)
• Imparts “wet look” appearance
• Additional coats add gloss
• Safe for food surfaces (after fully curing)
• Re-coatable
• Leaves a coating on top of surface

Multi-Purpose Sealer

• A clear coating sealer (water base)
• Leaves a coating on top of surface
• Non-Yellowing
• Resists acids
• Excellent oil resistance
• Safe for food surfaces (after fully curing)
• Re-coatable
• May be applied over Wet Look Lacquer
• Medium to high sheen (based on number of coats)

Stone Sealant Impregnator

• A below surface penetrating sealer (water base)
• Leaves no film or coating on top
• Natural look appearance
• Safe for all food surfaces
• Excellent oil resistance
• NOT acid resistant
• May be re-applied if needed
• Not recommended over coating-type sealer

New concrete counters should cure at least seven (7) days or more before sealing. Read package label carefully and perform a small test-patch before sealing entire surface. Concrete surface must be clean, dry and free of any contaminants including old wax and failing sealers. Wax or polish should be stripped with a quality item such as Glaze ‘N Seal Stone Stripper or Heavy Duty Cleaner. Old coating-type sealers (if peeling or damaged) should be removed with a quality item such as Glaze ‘N Seal Paint, Sealer and Coating Stripper.
Estimated coverage per gallon for the first coat – 150 to 200 square feet. Additional coats will add fifty-percent more coverage.
Coating-type sealers will build protection and gloss with multiple, thin and even coats. Use a lambs-wool applicator, brush or paint pad. Apply additional coats until the last coat does not darken the appearance.
Penetrating-type sealers will not add gloss but will protect. Apply two liberal coats with a brush or paint pad. Generally, additional coats will not affect appearance, but may leave a residue if over applied.
Routine Maintenance
Even AFTER sealing, the concrete counters are not indestructible.
Use coasters for glasses and hot pads for hot items. Minor scratches should be removed with non-abrasive “Scotch Brite” pad.
Do not place hot pans and dishes (above 300°) on sealed surface.
Stain resistance to water-based spills, oils, food items, etc., is excellent; however, spills should be removed as soon as possible.
Coating-type sealers will be etch-resistant to acidic items such as colas, citrus juices and wine because of the film barrier. Penetrating sealers do not protect against etching.
Clean the sealed surface regularly with a soft cloth using diluted Glaze ‘N Seal Neutral Cleaner or Stone Cleaner. Rinse with a minimum of water and dry promptly. Soaps and detergents can leave a film on the surface. NEVER use abrasive cleaners, bleach or ammonia.
The use of Glaze ‘N Seal’s Acrylic Floor Polish or a quality paste Carnauba food safe wax is optional as a sacrificial maintenance top coat…. Not a silicone type product.
Reapply polish as needed (remove any old polish or wax first) before reapplying sealer.
Note: Always test a small area of surface to be sealed to verify penetration and satisfaction of sealed appearance.
More information on how to clean Seal and maintenance your hard surface

Shower recessed shelves Make your bathroom glamorous!

Have you ever tried to imagine the latent power of your bathroom? Well, your bathroom can provide heavenly relaxation to your entire body and even help you completely recharge your batteries! Bathroom accessories like shower recessed shelves lend a very organized look to your bathroom and will make you feel like a princess.
Shower recessed shelves are the perfect accessory for the modern day shower. They provide you with a huge amount of space to store all your favorite shower materials like gels and soaps. A stone shelf will also add a rustic charm to your shower and help you enjoy a spa like experience in your bathroom!
Along with these shelves, the ceramic bathroom tiles and mosaic tiles also bring in a lot of elegance to a bathroom. The natural colors of these tiles allow them to blend perfectly with your bathroom interiors and create a mesmerizing appeal. The modern day stainless steel tiles are also anti slip, ensuring complete safety for your family. So light up those aroma candles and soak your body and mind into that heavenly experience right in your shower!
Flooring Supply Shop offers shower recessed shelves and other bathroom accessories. The website www.flooringsupplyshop.com offers complete information about the company.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

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