Why Buy Laminate Flooring ?

The popularity of laminate flooring has gone from strength to strength since it was first introduced to the UK over 15 years ago. Laminate floors offer a great alternative if you don’t want to make the investment into hardwood flooring, but want to create a difference or add value to your home. Laminate flooring can help transform a room or an entrance way into a spacious and more eye-catching contemporary living area and offers a less expensive and equally attractive option. Laminate flooring is simple to fit and exceptionally practical it can brighten almost any room in the home.

Laminate flooring can be used in rooms of any size from small spaces at home to large office units at work. In homes it is most commonly used in downstairs rooms and hallways however with the introduction of moisture resistant laminate floors its uses have now spread to kitchens and bathrooms as well.

How you decorate rooms often depends on what it’s used for. Is it a place where you scrum down with the kids, relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day or is it for entertaining your guests? Well the right flooring can help you make it all three. To do this you have to mix practicality and style; fortunately with today’s laminate flooring you don’t have to compromise on either. Top quality laminate flooring is less than half the price of a high quality woven carpet and has the added attraction of requiring the minimum amount of cleaning and after care which naturally appeals to a wide variety of people - from those with young families to busy professionals. Laminate flooring is scratch, stain, fade and even burn resistant. Spills wipe away easily and they look fantastic!

The choice of laminate flooring on the market is vast with products ranging from light wood floors like pine to dark wood floors such as walnut. An antique finish in a smaller room can create a rustic country cottage look with bags of atmosphere. In a larger room this finish can create anything from ultra modern chic to the feel of a medieval banquet hall.

Some of the most popular choices include beech laminate flooring and oak laminate flooring. You can even purchase laminate flooring that replicates the look and feel of traditional stone tiles making it an ever more popular choice in interior design. All these types of floors can be purchased from flooring suppliers with many offering discount flooring throughout the year.

Rami Nseir is a consultant for UK Carpets Direct, part of the Storey Carpets Group voted “Britain’s Best Carpet & Flooring Retailer” for the fourth consecutive year.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_126667_27.html

Painting and Preparing Your Garage Floor

When speaking about preparing the garage floor. You need to keep the floor or the ground clean; free from dirt, oil and derbies because such things will make the bonding of the cement difficult. So try using a good detergent and a scrubber with stiff bristles to scrub away all the dirt. You many even give an acid wash to make the ground much cleaner. Give more attention, if you find any cracks when cleaning the floor. So try fixing those cracks before you make the concrete mixture. All cracks can be filled with epoxy paste which will dry faster and the excess can be scraped off. Make sure you always keep the ground free from dirt after cleaning. If you think there is any moisture in the garage ground, here is a small test that you can do. Cut a small piece of plastic sheeting; tape all the edges on the floor. If you find water collecting under the plastic sheet due to evaporation, then it shows that your garage floor contains moisture.

Once the garage ground is ready, make a proper mixture of the cement to lay them. Make sure you apply them at all the corner of the garage. All newly prepared garage floors should be allowed to dry completely for sixty days before painting or giving a coating. All unpainted concrete floors need to be acid treated or etched using muratic acid before painting them. If the floor is already painted, the coating has to be sanded down using a sand paper. Once you scrap or sand the painted floor, wash the floor with water and allow it to dry completely. Here are some materials that you need to start painting the garage floor. You need to have garage floor paint or epoxy, brushers and rollers, painter’s tape, extension handle, paint tray and decorative chips; this is only an optional but using chips will make your garage floor look awesome! Try using colored chips like electric blue bend, dusty trail, bright yellow, dark earth tone, light blue, purple, etc., for the floor color choices, use colors like beige, tile red, taupe, slate, charcoal and grey.

Paint the garage floor with the reference of the manufacturer’s directions and tips. Once you have done with painting the floor using a roller, you can give a second coat using the same technique and start applying the chips. Once done, give at least 72 hours for drying and the floor doesn’t need a topcoat.

Ronvictor is a Copywriter of garage floor painting.He written many articles in various topics such as xtreme garage coatings,Texas garage floor coatings. For more information visit: http://www.asc-tx.com .Contact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_463863_15.html

5 Essential Tips When Choosing Hardwood Flooring

5 Essential Tips When Choosing Hardwood Flooring

Classic, beautiful, neat orderly lines as well as the simple of maintenance and the traditional looks put together hardwood flooring the most perfect choice for your dwelling.

It does not matter what kind of your personal fashion would be, there is a flooring selection for you because there are so many collection out there to match your taste. However, before you vroom to the hardware depot for your hardwood flooring. Keep these guidelines in mind.

1. Set a financial plan for the flooring expenses before proceeding to the flooring selection. It’d be overwhelmed hastily – the effect of being an overwhelming leads you very susceptible to reckless spending. Keep in mind to balance your tastes with quality with your budget when you put together the decision.

2. Look at your room, see and figure out how would you like to match the room of your choice of flooring, whether hardwood or otherwise. For example, matching these furniture, decoration, accessories, etc. Check the room how high level of moisture the room receives, such as kitchen, laundry and bathroom, even in the basement. (Could be a weather condition in your area – such as Seattle or Phoenix.)

3. Select hardwood flooring that has a suitable finish to go with your lifestyle. A hallway or living room will get persistent traffic and have need of a choice that offers a tricky finish that can stand up to wear and tear. Also, different spots of the house demanding distinctive types of wood. For example, wood floors that have very light or very dark finishes, in general, do not get along well in the kitchen.

4. Think about flooring installation - doing it by yourself or having a qualified and skilled installer do it for you? Many individuals productively install their own flooring, however only after they have done their homework. It is often easier to hire a professional, but do you due diligence when choosing a hardwood flooring installer. You’d want to be completely sure that it will be installed properly and professionally.

5. Choosing the color and style of the floor can be the fun part. Choose a hardwood that fits your personal taste and your lifestyle. The comparatively high cost of the flooring and installation demands choosing a wood that will not go out of style quickly.

This should be successfully providing you guideline to determine your needs and the choice of the hardwood flooring.

Endy invite you to look into Endy’s Hardwood Flooring Site. Also, Endy has the Web Blogs – Hardwood Flooring Blog. Endy’s choice of hardwood flooring is West-Wood Flooring.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_552010_27.html

Installing Hard Wood Flooring As a DIY Project

Hard wood flooring at one time was almost the only floor choice available. Through the years, floorings have come and gone such as carpeting, tiles and linoleum. Through it all, wood flooring has remained popular. The costs of owning a wooden floor is more expensive than it was years ago, but many couples are choosing to install it themselves. There are many colors and styles of woods available today. Wood flooring will not only give your home an elegant look, but will also increase the value of your home.

Some of the different styles of wood flooring are:

• Plank Style Flooring-These boards are wide and look like many strips of wood in one plank. Each plank is from three to six inches wide. Installation of plank style flooring is quicker than most because the planks cover a larger section than narrower strips.

• Solid wood flooring-This is a custom-made floor that consists of one big piece of wood. They come in a variety of thicknesses. An advantage is they can be refinished many times in their lifespan.

• Wood strips-These are very narrow strip, with the widest being only three inches. These have an advantage of making a room look large.

• Parquet Floors-These are squares of hardwood that are similar in size to ceramic tiles. They can be nailed or glued as well as arranged in different designs for a unique appearance.

You can also get hardwood flooring that is pre-finished in the factory. They are easy to install and very popular, but more expensive. You will avoid having to sand and finish these yourself, which many find a tedious task.

Installing hardwood flooring is something you can do yourself with the correct tools and a little knowledge of the subject. The most important step to the installation is getting the proper measurements. Before you begin, take out all the old trim and baseboards. The sub floor needs to be level as well as clean before you begin the installation.

Occasionally hardwood floors give off a squeaky sound when you are walking on them. To avoid this, flooring stores sell a specific paper to be installed under the flooring. When you install the planks, be sure to nail them through the sub floor with long enough nails so you catch the joists as well. Begin in the middle of the room and move out towards the walls. This will ensure a more even look.

When you are finished installing the floor, you'll need to sand it. You can rent floor sanders through lumber companies or home improvement stores. Make sure that the entire floor is sanded evenly and completely. If you need to finish the floor with urethane, you will need to put on a couple of coats, letting each coat thoroughly dry before applying the next coat. You now have a new floor that needs very little maintenance other than sweeping and a quick mop now and then.

Clinton Maxwell's articles can be encountered on different web pages tied to information on flooring and wooden floors. You might see his publications on basement flooring at different sources for basement flooring knowledge.

Bamboo Flooring Makes Sense

Bamboo flooring is perhaps one of the most beautiful and durable hardwood flooring surfaces you could possibly choose for your home. If you plan on redoing a room, such as a den or hallway then bamboo flooring may be the perfect choice. This article will look at a few advantages for choosing this type of flooring surface.

Durability Is Key

One of the most distinct advantages for choosing bamboo is because of its durability. Bamboo trees are grown in extreme temperatures both hot and cold and able to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure. When you think about your floor and how much abuse it actually takes by all the walking and things that are rolled over it and dropped on it. You need a surface that is very durable and able to handle a lot of abuse.

From the manufacture standpoint, they like to use bamboo for flooring material because bamboos reach maturity rather quickly. This type of surface is relatively easy to process, but also has some drawbacks.

One of the problems that are still being dealt with in today's market is the fact that there are not as many selections in bamboo flooring as there are in many other hardwood types of surfaces.

Some of the best places for installing bamboo flooring would be in the hallway, game room or family room. If you get the chance you may want to visit some of the newer home construction going on in your area and see if anybody is installing bamboo flooring. If you call around the various different flooring retailers they should be able to recommend some good resources for viewing this type of surface.

For more information on flooring try visiting http://flooring-solution.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful flooring tips, advice and resources to include Bamboo Flooring and more.

Tips and Tricks for the Weekend Water Damage Dad

The flood waters have receded and the basic mop up is complete but yet your work has just begun. If you’re on your own for repairs and must take it one weekend at a time, here’s a basic plan to get you through the process.

First, is the home livable? If the water damage is localized or limited to a single room, your family can remain at home while you perform the repairs. If the water damage is widespread, you’ll need to find alternative arrangements.

Next, talk to your city’s planning department to find out if any permits are required and learn about the necessary building codes that you must follow.

Contact an electrician as you will possibly need electrical repairs.

Weekend #1
Gut it. You’ve already mopped up the area, right? Now that it’s dry, it’s time to peel away the damaged goods. Depending on the damage, this could involve removing wallpaper, drywall, baseboards, carpet, linoleum, etc. Before you can replace any of these items, you’ve got to do the prep work and clear out the space.

Weekend #2
Repair it. This includes both plumbing and electrical repairs. For example, if a pipe burst in the walls, you will have removed the drywall last weekend. Now, you have access to the damaged pipe. You’ve likely already performed emergency repairs to stop the water from flowing such as capping the line or turning off the water. Now’s your chance to replace the broken pipe.

The water most likely damaged your electrical outlets and lighting fixtures. Have a qualified electrician come in to evaluate and repair the electrical.

Weekend #3
Rebuild it. Once the plumbing and electrical have been repaired, you can begin rebuilding the space. Start at the top and work your way down, saving the floor for your last step. Seal windows, install drywall, and possibly install items that need replaced such as vanities. You may wish to install certain items after painting the room to make it easier to paint. Don’t install the baseboards just yet.

Prime and paint the room starting with the ceiling and finishing with the walls. By painting before re-tiling or re-carpeting the floor, you won’t have to worry about drips on the floor. Paint the baseboards separately and allow to dry completely. You’ll install them next weekend.

Weekend #4
Finish it. Now that the walls are back up and painted, it’s time to finish the job. This includes a second coat of paint if needed, wallpaper if desired, the installation of damaged items you may have postponed until after painting, laying the flooring, and installing the baseboards.

While this plan is a basic plan, it is adaptable. All water damage jobs, big and small, have the same basic elements: dry it out, gut it, repair it, rebuild it, and finish it. Whether you’re a weekend water damage dad or choose to hire someone to do it for you, these steps all come into play.

This article is free for republishing
Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_507250_27.html

Caring for Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring gives your floor that overall look of wood that can be enjoyed for years to come. The best thing about laminate flooring is the ease in care that you have when you have it in your home. Laminate flooring is one that will look like wood, and that will feel like wood but often times is a bi product of wood. Real wood will require waxing and cleaning every year to keep the floor shiny. Real wood flooring is going to be sanded down and varnished again as the shine is worn off the flooring. Laminate flooring is going to require no waxing, no sanding and the wear and tear on the flooring is something that is not going to happen in the manner that the coating on other wood flooring will have.

Laminate flooring can be cared for by using a dry dust mop on the floor for every day cleaning. During those times when you feel that you need a good deeper clean, you can use a wet mop, one that is not really all that wet, to clean up sticky messes or to clean up mud from the floor. You don't want to use that much water on the floor so you don't have the water seeping down into the laminate flooring and then the laminate flooring is going to warp over time.

Laminate floor care is going to be similar to wood or any other type of flooring when it comes to moving furniture across the flooring. Laminate flooring can be scratched, dented and can be marked up when you are not careful in moving those heaviest of furniture pieces in your home. To prevent and care for your flooring, you want to pick up the furniture and move it from location to location.

Don't drag the furniture across the flooring. Your laminate flooring that has marks and cuts in it will need a little extra care to get that mark out, and sometimes if the cut is all that deep you can't get it out no matter how much buffing you were to do on this area. The same goes for wood flooring, if the cut is too deep or the scratch is too deep, you are not going to be able to cover it up.

Laminate flooring is easy to care for because the seams in the flooring are actually very tight. You won't find all types of cracks in the flooring for food, for water, or for dirt to get trapped in. Laminate flooring is a type that will not allow things down between the rows, when you care for it daily. Sweeping and dusting your flooring with a broom, a swiffer or a vacuum that is not hard on the floor is what you need to care for the laminate flooring. You only want to mop your flooring when it is really sticky, when you spill something on the floor, but you don't even need to wax laminate flooring which is what makes it so popular!

Copyright 2006 - Ivar Rudi. Ivar suggests you find great market for less by shopping online today. For more information and resources about this subject check out: http://www.laminate-flooring-guide.org/
and also http://www.prefab-homes.biz/

This article is free for republishing
Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_68557_80.html

Tips For Installing Vinyl Flooring

Installing an new floor can spice up a tired room and you can even save some money by installing it yourself. Of course, if you are not handy and have never done any type of installation, you may want to leave it to a professional as installing the flooring incorrectly can ruin the whole look!

If you do try to attempt installing vinyl flooring yourself, here's some tips that might help your installation look like it was done by a pro:

1) Take time to do the appropriate prep work. With vinyl flooring, it is vital that the subfloor underneath is free from debris and also has no divets or holes. Both of these can cause holes in the vinyl floor over time. Make sure you remove anything that sticks up, fill in anything that is indented and clean the floor thoroughly before starting the install.

2) Remove as much stuff as you can. Remove all the furniture and any appliances that you can. Take out the moldings � this will make the edges of the flooring look much better when you put them back on after the install. Be careful when putting the appliances back in since dragging the across the vinyl can rip your newly installed floor!

3) Measure twice, cut once. Measure the room properly so that you get the right amount of vinyl. Don't forget to add in for any jogs in the room. Make a template of the exact floor using builders paper and transfer that template onto the vinyl using washable pen. This way you can get a pretty close cut that you can just fit in.

4) Let your vinyl acclimate. Let your new flooring sit in the room for 24 hours before you install it.

5) Follow Instructions. Follow the manufacturers instructions for laying the floor. Typically, you will apply adhesive to half and roll that out, then do the other half. Use a roller to make sure it adheres well � roll from the middle out to the edges.

6) Refrain from walking on your new floor for 24 hours.

About the Author: Lee Dobbins is contributing writer at http://www.flooring-info-online.com where you can find out more about how to choose flooring for your home.

Source: www.isnare.com

This article is free for republishing
Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_4820_27.html

Sealing Hardwood Flooring- Do's and Don'ts For New Floors

After you've installed your new hardwood floor, you'll no doubt be wondering how to protect it and keep it new looking. Should you apply a sealant? Should you wax it, leave it alone or what? Here are some tips on what to do.

Did you have pre-finished flooring installed? This type of hardwood flooring typically uses a process called acrylic impregnation. Prefinished flooring companies recommend that no additional finish be applied. Compatibility and durability of the finish can be a problem. Waxes and oils should be avoided- they may contaminate the wood and cause problems with adhesiveness when refinishing.

If you absolutely must coat the prefinished wood make certain to prepare it well, with either sanding or a deglosser. The finish will not stick otherwise. Additionally, when you refinish prefinished flooring, you can throw any finish warranty provided by the manufacturer out the window, since you just voided it.

For laminate floors, there is also no need to put any sealant on. Actually, do not put anything on top. It's perfect as is. That's the great thing about laminate flooring; it is already protected from scuffs and spills. Read the warranty and installation guide, and maintain them according to the manufacturers instructions.

Unfinished hardwood flooring is a whole different story. Preparation of the floor prior to finishing is critical here. The wood is sanded first, to smooth the surface and to open the wood pores up for better absorption of the finish. If at all possible, it is recommended you have a trained and experienced professional do the sanding; hardwood floors are easily ruined beyond repair by gouges and warpage due to uneven sanding. Thorough vacuuming follows sanding and sweeping to rid the floor of wood chips, saw dust and debris. Finer dust and oily residues are then removed with cloth soaked in special spirit-based cleaners.

Two types of sealers are available: water-based and solvent-based.

Water Based Wood Flooring Sealants- becoming more widely used because of the interest in healthier and more environmentally friendly construction. Some of the solvents used in the polyurethane and epoxy finishes face disposal issues, as well as health concerns over exposure to volatile organic compounds. Another benefit to the water based sealants is they are less flammable and some are even completely non-flammable. The downside is their greater cost, as they are not as widely available yet as the solvent-based types.

Solvent Based Wood Flooring Sealants- include polyurethane, moisture-curing urethane, and solvent-based epoxy finishes. The moisture-curing urethane type finishes are currently no as widely used, due to their high flammability and strong odor, which necessitates the use of respiration equipment during application. In their favour, these flooring sealants are very durable and tough, although on the other hand, this makes removing them for refinishing difficult. The solvent-based epoxies have much the same properties, although they do have a more preferable appearance to some.

The polyurethane finishes are probably the most commonly used hardwood flooring sealant. The balance between durability, cost and appearance finds a sweet spot here. Relative to other finishes, they are simple to apply and dry within 6 hours. However, they do have a moderately "solventy" smell and must be disposed of according to environmental protection laws in a safe manner.

You can read more about laminate wood flooring and prefinished hardwood flooring at www.onlineTips.Org.

This article is free for republishing
Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_54239_27.html

Bamboo Flooring: The Grass is Green

Learn about the benefits of bamboo flooring, why bamboo is considered to be environmentally friendly, what styles of bamboo are available, what strand-woven bamboo is, and a list of helpful dos and don'ts when it comes to bamboo flooring.

Bamboo Flooring: The Grass is Green

Flooring professionals are always looking to source flooring to their commercial and residential clients that will stand as being both visually attractive as well as long-lasting. Homeowners are looking for these benefits too, but many people are becoming more and more aware of the issues of renewability and the protection of the environment. This awareness has caused many people to seek alternate sources of flooring materials that will still serve the needs of look and practicality, but with the added benefit of sustainability of natural resources. One of the most popular choices for these reasons remains to be bamboo flooring. Bamboo is noted for hardness, beauty, variety, and its "green" friendly nature. But, how exactly is it made, how many types are there, and just what makes it so renewable anyway?

Bamboo Is A Type of Grass

A common error some make about bamboo is that it is a type of hardwood. Not to be confused with common associations of many species of grass, bamboo is actually a type of grass which matures into a material that can rival the hardness of maple! Being well adapted to the environment in which bamboo commonly grows, each bamboo plant thrives in areas of fair to poor soil quality, and still remains to be one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Controlled harvesting of the bamboo plant has very little impact on each individual stalk, which will continue to grow long after harvesting. This is what makes bamboo such a renewable source of flooring material, and why it is often associated with environmentally minded choices for flooring. The fact that it is such a uniquely attractive flooring option makes bamboo flooring an extremely beneficial choice for your own interior environment!

How Bamboo Flooring is Made

Once the bamboo has been harvested, the outer layer of green "skin" is removed and each stalk is cut into lengthwise strips or "fillets". These curved fillets of bamboo are milled along their outer edges in order to flatten them. The excess elements of this process will go into another type of bamboo flooring that is called "strand-woven bamboo flooring" � more on that later. The flattened strips of bamboo are then kiln dried in order to remove the natural moisture in the bamboo, and are then boiled. The bamboo fillets are now ready to be glued together to make a solid, dependable surface that is more than suitable for flooring. The bamboo undergoes one final compression stage, which makes it that much more durable and ready to ship. Tongue and groove elements are added in order to make an installation as easy as possible. It should be mentioned that the outcome of this manufacturing process is dependent on which kind of bamboo flooring is being made. There are several types of bamboo flooring, both in terms of cut and of color, and some differences in how they are processed.

Horizontal or Vertical Bamboo Flooring

During the gluing process, the bamboo can either be bound with the narrow edges facing up, which results in a thin, channel pattern in the bamboo flooring, or so that the broader surface of the bamboo is bound facing upward, making for a surface that is more akin to traditional hardwood patterns. These styles of bamboo flooring are known as vertical and horizontal bamboo flooring respectively. There are visual benefits for each one, depending on your personal taste, but both remain to be decorative choices. The horizontal style is striking for its "knuckle" or "node" patterns, that is, the pattern naturally occurring in the bamboo that are the equivalent of "growth rings" in many hardwood species. The vertical style is a unique surface that remains unmatched by any other natural flooring material, characterized by decorative, narrow channels caused by the binding of the bamboo strips. Both of these styles are available in natural or carbonized colors.

Natural and Carbonized Bamboo Flooring

Along with choices in style you may wish to consider in bamboo flooring, there is also the question of color. Bamboo flooring is available in two colors � natural and carbonized. The color is determined at the boiling process. Natural bamboo appears in a creamy blonde color that is known to add a touch of brightness to an interior. Carbonized bamboo is characterized by its smoky, caramel hue which is the result of a longer boiling process which causes the remaining starches in the bamboo to caramelize. It should be noted that by the end of the respective boiling processes, the natural remains to be the slightly harder bamboo flooring. The carbonization process which defines carbonized bamboo reduces the bamboo's hardness by about 30%. It must also be noted that even though this is true, both colors of bamboo flooring can still be classified as being as hard as some hardwood species.


Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring

In the continuing spirit of a "green" flooring option, strand-woven bamboo flooring is the product of a process that leaves very little wasted. The excess material left over from the filleting process which goes into making natural and carbonized bamboo flooring are intertwined, compressed, and bound. The binding agent is a safe, UV resistant and scratch-resistant resin which also makes the bamboo even more resistant to moisture. The process of compression results in a very hard, very durable type of bamboo flooring typified by grain patterns that are more like those of a hardwood floor. The strand-woven bamboo is then cut into planks and is ready to be shipped � no further compression is needed in this case, unlike regularly manufactured bamboo flooring.

Bamboo: A Renewable Resource Renews Your Interior!

One of the key elements that makes bamboo flooring so attractive is that it is an environmentally responsible choice. As you have read, the harvesting of the individual bamboo plant does no harm to it, and it remains to be one of the fast-growing plants in the world. Also, there is very little wastage of materials during the manufacturing process, making bamboo a truly renewable and sustainable source of flooring materials.
Bamboo flooring can in turn renew any interior for attractiveness as well as practicality. Bamboo flooring is unique in appearance, and is easy to clean. As such, you will gain both the time it would take to maintain many other types of flooring, as well as the many compliments you'll receive from visitors!

Bamboo Flooring Dos and Don'ts

Do:

  • Consider the area you where you wish to install your choice in bamboo flooring � make sure that it is not prone to excessive moisture. Bamboo is moisture resistant, but excessive moisture can damage your bamboo flooring


  • Consult the terms and conditions of your bamboo flooring purchase, including all warranty information, and read all installation instructions


  • Ensure that your subfloor is clean, dry and level before installing your bamboo flooring


  • Inspect all boxes of bamboo flooring for any damaged planks before commencing.


  • Allow your bamboo to "acclimate" in the area where the installation will take place. Open all boxes and allow the bamboo to expand and contract accordingly to the interior


  • Use of a tapping block will help to minimize any fracturing during installation


  • Expect a 7-9% wastage factor, depending on your level of expertise when placing an order for bamboo flooring


  • Use dry or damp (not doused) mops, brooms and vacuums to keep your bamboo flooring clear of dirt and grit which have the potential to scratch the finish of your bamboo flooring


  • Use runners and mats at strategic points to guard against dirt and moisture from the outdoors, and be aware of spills and clear them up when they happen


  • Don't:

  • Overwet your bamboo floor � this can lead to long term damage


  • Use detergent, steel wool or other abrasives to clean your bamboo flooring


  • Install your bamboo flooring in a bathroom, sauna or enclosed veranda. These areas which are prone to high levels of moisture may void your warranty in some cases


  • Install your bamboo flooring in an area prone to intense sunlight. Despite its UV protection, bamboo flooring is subject to fading when exposed


  • Walk on your bamboo flooring with athletic spikes or high heels



  • For more detail on how to install and maintain a bamboo floor, it is always best to talk with the professionals directly. Contractors with experience in installing bamboo flooring, along with sales reps who sell it, can be valuable resources in helping you to choose your bamboo flooring. They can also make sure that you are the best ally your bamboo flooring has in ensuring the long life of your flooring!
    This article is free for republishing
    Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_36142_27.html

    Cork Flooring: Some Basics You Should Know

    Cork flooring is one of the most remote flooring options out there today. For whatever reason, it never did quite catch on like regular wood flooring did, or even to the point of vinyl and laminate flooring. The reason why? There really is no given reason why cork flooring never did quite gain the popularity of its counterparts but it is important nevertheless to realize that cork flooring is just as viable a flooring option as any other material out there on the market.

    If you are looking for a new option for flooring in your home, you should consider the many different benefits that cork flooring options. In order to help you along the way to a final decision, here are a few basic facts about cork flooring for you to consider:

    Comfort

    Cork flooring is one of the most comfortable options for flooring in your home. The hard wood and ceramic flooring that is available in many homes is bad for your body in a sense, leading to sore muscles. There is not as much pliability under a wooden floor or a ceramic floor as there is with a cork floor, so when you take steps every time you set your foot on a cork floor helps absorb the shock of the step.

    This makes it perfect for athletes or those who are nursing injuries, long and short term.

    Health

    Cork flooring is one of the better options for your health as well. If you have allergies, cork flooring is great options as it does not allow mildew and mold to fester without being seen like many other flooring options do. It does not attract dust or pollen, and the floors do not let small fibers go to irritate your sense. In addition, cork floors are hypoallergenic and they resist static electricity.

    If you have issues with carpet fibers and the little mites that come in carpet, cork flooring is a good option. There is no place for them to hide, so when you sweep or clean, you sweep them away and don't have to worry about them anymore, getting into your eyes and nose and causing problems.

    Durability

    Cork flooring is one of the more long last options for flooring in your home, if you know how to care for it. If you want a floor that can outlast you, cork flooring is a great option but you have to make sure that it is well maintained. There are professionals who specialize in caring for cork floors or you can get the materials to care for your cork floor on your own.

    Cork flooring is not as prone to scratching or chipping as hard wood is, either so your mind can rest a tad bit more when it comes to the hap hazardous habits of your little ones.

    Efficiency

    If you don't like the feeling of a stone-cold floor on an equally cold day, you should consider the benefits of cork flooring for your flooring needs. Cork flooring is known to be an excellent insulator, helping to keep the warmth and the cold in the house where it belongs. If you are looking at creating an energy efficient home, cork flooring is the floor covering option for you.

    Variety

    Whatever you need as far as flooring goes; chances are that you will have that option in cork flooring. You can buy cork flooring in just about any color and you can buy it in planks like hardwood flooring or in tiles like linoleum or vinyl flooring. It comes with a vinyl topcoat or a natural topcoat; either one is fine but people choose the vinyl-covered option for easier cleaning. This option is a bit more expensive than the natural, unfinished cork.

    Whichever way you slice it, cork flooring is an excellent option for any person who is looking for a relatively inexpensive option for flooring in the home. It is not only more comfortable and insolent than regular flooring or carpeting, but it gives you the freedom of expression and versatility that vinyl and laminate flooring offer, with twice the quality. If you want a good, long lasting floor you should consider investing in cork flooring.

    This article is sponsored by My Dream Home Registry, the gift registry for everything home. Visit them on the web at www.mydreamhomeregistry.com

    This article is free for republishing
    Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_496088_27.html

    Hardwood Flooring Style & Timber Lead to Creative Results

    Is there anything more sophisticated than hardwood flooring? Until recently - say the last twenty to thirty years - the trend was to cover these beauties with wall-to-wall carpeting. Today however, bare hardwood flooring is almost a staple in any upscale home and although it happens to be the bottom of any room, it's one of the first things that people see.

    Why Choose Hardwood Flooring?

    Properly installed, hardwood flooring not only complements an existing decor, it provides a secure and solid support for anyone with a family - small or large! Large families can especially appreciate these oak favorites because they have such a reputation for withstanding the demands of growing children, heavy furniture, rolling pianos, and anything else that would mar or dent any other type of floor.

    For these reasons alone, the cost of installing hardwood flooring is well out-weighed by both its aesthetic and resale value. Research has proven a home filled with this type of service sells higher on the market than most others.

    Have we caught your interest? Good - let's talk about the different styles available today. You can install hardwood flooring that's based off of four basic styles. We say, 'based off of' because knowing these basic styles, your installation can deviate from any one of them into something exotic, creative, and uniquely beautiful.

    Available Styles

    The most common style of hardwood flooring is known as 'strip flooring,' and it's probably the style that you've repeatedly seen over the years. Strip flooring lays strips of hardwood (in various lengths and thicknesses) onto the floor.

    Plank flooring on the other hand, lays planks (up to nine inches wide) onto the floor with beveled edges - an attempt to emulate an older appearance.

    Parquet flooring consists of hardwood that is cut in identical widths and lengths, but laid in a unique pattern to create a design.

    Block flooring is similar to parquet flooring however it's the grain of the wood that's used to create a pattern. You might have seen this look - where the grains of the wood point in different directions.

    Types of Wood

    Oak has almost always been the hardwood flooring preference, however today, more and more homeowners like are you exploring other options like pecan, maple, birch, or beech. The exciting thing about these different options is that they present a wider range of colors. Each of these timbers presents their own unique collection of hues and tints that help to bring out the existing beauty of your home.

    With a little creative forethought, you can combine the distinctive properties of wood types with one of the above mentioned style types to build a floor that will become the center of attention in your home!

    Communication is Key

    Your success of course, depends on how well you communicate your ideas with your hardware flooring contractor. Take the time to draw up a plan that specifies the style you want (see above) in addition to the kind of wood you want installed. Present your plan to your contractor so that the both of you can work together and create the home improvement masterpiece that's not only possible, but also that you've imagined for all these years.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    BIO :

    Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
    Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com

    This article is free for republishing
    Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_137954_15.html

    Protect your garage floorings from damages

    Garage flooring is always susceptible to damages due to the harmful substances that come in contact with it. So you may need some protection from the various corrosive chemicals and other such substances that may contribute to the further deterioration of your garage floors. Leaving the flooring of your garage as it is can result in some added expenses for necessary repairs on your part later on. It is a better choice to have it protected from further damage as early as possible in order to guarantee its longevity. It will help you in avoiding costly expenses later on, not to mention the hassles that come with having to have your garage floor repaired. There are a number of ways available for you to protect your garage floors from the corrosive chemicals. You can try by painting it with an epoxy coating that is effective in forming an impermeable seal to protect the porous concrete of your garage floor from corrosive spills. But the only drawback is that applying the epoxy coating onto your garage floor might prove a bit difficult for you. It is a very time consuming job, as the task entails the preparation of the surface and the correct application of the epoxy coating.

    Another effective method in protecting your garage flooring involves using interlocking floor tiles to cover the concrete flooring below. It is a simpler application to have your garage flooring coated with epoxy paint. The problem with this method of is its enormous cost, especially in having it maintained. Its durability may also be limited due to the material being used for the tiles. The third option might be the best option for you. This method employs using durable PVC vinyl mats to cover your garage floors. These mats provide you with the best protection for your garage floors against the harmful effects of corrosive substances on the porous concrete flooring of your garage floors. It is made up of tough PVC non-porous surface that has been specially formulated to protect your concrete flooring against some corrosive substances like oil, antifreeze, salt, battery acid, brake fluid usually found on garage floors. These corrosives can do a lot of damage on your bare concrete garage floor. All such problems will be easily solved with the protective garage floor mats that various companies offer you.

    You cannot find a better option for protecting your garage flooring than Garage Floor Protector Mats. It offers a number of advantages over other methods of protecting your garage floor. These protective floor mats provide you with more protection that can easily be installed onto your garage floors without the use of adhesives. You just need to roll it over your garage floor and you've got for yourself superior garage floor protection that can last for years. They can be cleaned easily since they can be moved when they need to be washed. The mats are designed such a way with grooves to channel liquids and debris out of the garage. It also reduces the amount of dirt that is tracked into the house. This design also offers cushioned comfort for walking and working and also helps in hiding cracks and stains of older garage floors and gives your garage that elegant look with a variety of patterns available for you to choose from. Beauty goes with function when you use these mats to protect your garage floors. A very simple solution like this can make all the difference.

    Ron Victor is a expert author for http://www.asc-tx.com/. He has written many articles like ASC epoxy coatings, Garage Floor Coating, Texas leather Coatings, American Specialty Coatings
    For more information visit our site http://www.asc-tx.com. Contact me at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com.

    This article is free for republishing
    Thank: http://www.articlealley.com/article_505930_15.html