Hard Flooring Decisions

Product Review: ACT Natural Microfiber Mop

2007-05-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

Microfiber mops are excellent for daily use on all sorts of hard floors. I have the ACT Natural microfiber mop which comes with a heavy duty, ergonomic telescoping handle/mop holder, two microfiber mop heads - one for dry, one for wet cleaning. I've had mine for over 5 years and it's still going strong!

The Mop handle is highly adjustable. Unlike the cheap disposable dusting mops, this one will last for years and you won't have to bend over and give yourself a backache or press hard (risking bending or breaking it) to use it. It bends and swivels to get into corners and under furniture. And, you don't have to buy expensive disposable cleaning cloths that are environmentally unfriendly and that smell of noxious chemicals.

The dry microfiber mop head is used to dust mop the floor or "sweep" it. The microfiber is super absorbent and draws dust to it like a magnet. It can be washed up to a thousand times and reused, making it an economical and environmentally responsible choice.

The wet microfiber mop pad is used for damp mopping hard floors. My floors look great after using it with only water. If they're really dirty, I might pretreat with a tiny spray of non toxic cleaner.

Microfiber mops work well on any hard flooring surface: tile, laminate, hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, marble, etc. They make mopping so easy since all you have to do is wring out the mop head in hot water, affix it to the holder (it has velcro on the back) and mop. No rinsing needed. You don't even have to use soap or a cleaning product if you don't want to, which is a huge plus if you have kids or someone in the house with allergies or chemical sensitivities. No mop bucket or dirty water to lug around either. Microfiber mops are so easy to use, even my kids can push them around their floors.

Amazingly, microfiber is even antimicrobial since it absorbs so much. Studies have shown that a surface is 99% free of germs after cleaning with microfiber.

My microfiber mop has saved me lots of money over the years.

Interestingly, the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb recommends these products. That's where I first heard of them. You can buy microfiber mops on Amazon.com

How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner

2007-05-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner

Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can make all the difference in the beauty and the life of your carpet. Vacuuming thoroughly once a week (daily if you have pets or kids!) does much to keep your carpet looking good and lasting longer. Of course, this blog is all about hard flooring. Keep in mind that a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar shouldn't be used on hardwood floors, as it can cause scratching. For laminates it's usually fine, but do check the manufacturer's recommendations.

Here are five of the top rated vacuum cleaners so that you can compare and contrast the various types to ascertain the best one for you.

For best value, many users claim the Eureka 4870 is the best. This is an upright vacuum cleaner which claims to be a better cleaner, especially on carpets than its more expensive counterparts. With attachments and a sealed filter, this 21 pound unit tends to be more difficult to push than others. Bag changes are needed, but for the price of $150.00, it’s affordable.

Touted as the best self-propelled upright vacuum, Kenmore’s Progressive comes in at $280.00. Due to the brush roll which propels the vacuum across the floor, there is less difficulty pushing it than other vacuum cleaners. Also weighing around 20 pounds, this upright also has a bagless feature, and works well on stairs and upholstery.

The Hoover EmPower is a budget bagless vacuum cleaner. Priced at $100.00, it collects dust in a removable bin which saves you from having to buy replacement dust bags. This well known company has had outstanding vacuum cleaners for years and years, and this one is no exception. With five settings, a fold down handle, and a pet hair cleaning tool, this durable cleaner, although not as noise free as other vacuums, still receives high marks.

Much has been made of the Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner. This is a high end product and costs approximately $500.00. The Dyson is a well constructed, high tech vacuum which now comes in four versions. Although the Animal is getting the best reviews, there seems to be a question as to its durability. The Dyson doesn't do so well in Consumer Reports reviews, however.

Finally, if you are in the mood to buy something whimsical, for $150.00 you can purchase the iRobot Roomba. While it is not as good as a traditional vacuum cleaner, reviewers have claimed it does do the job. Because it can fit into places most conventional vacuums cannot, most owners enjoy this fun item for light vacuum cleaning. While paying $200.00 for a gadget that moves around your home on its own may be fun to watch, it may be a good idea to wait until the price comes down – way down, before you invest in this type of vacuum cleaner. Or you could get a remanufactured one and save a few dollars: Remanufactured iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot with Scheduler

Best Way to Clean a Ceramic Tile Floor

2007-05-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

Best Way to Clean a Ceramic Tile Floor

Cleaning my ceramic tile floor is definitely not on my list of favorite things to do! But, it needs to be done periodically in order for my kitchen to look its best. Here are some tips on the best way to go about it.

The area that is really tough to clean is the grout. It seems to attract the most oil, dirt and grime in your bathroom or kitchen. Okay then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and let’s get to it!

If you have a small bathroom, you may want to turn on the overhead fan; keep the doors open and wear a mask if you have to. It tends to get quite hot in there when cleaning.

Spray a cleaning solution on the grout and wait a couple of minutes. With a scrubbing brush and hot water, start cleaning it. This will require some kneeling and scrubbing, so ensure you place a rolled up towel under your knees or they'll be sore.

Stop and take a look. Does the grout look clean? If not, you may have to resort to more desperate measures. Do not use chlorine bleach! It is not safe to breathe in and you can become sensitized to it and become allergic. It can cause breathing problems, and the fumes can be hazardous to your pets as well.

There is one excellent cleaning product for ceramic tile that is non-toxic, and is perfect for grout cleaning, it’s called oxygen bleach. Bi-O-Kleen Oxygen Bleach is quite effective and safe. It comes in powder form and when mixed with water it removes all of the stains to produce a clean and undamaged grout. Moreover, there are no fumes or toxins to contend with. Simply apply the bleach and let it sit for thirty to sixty minutes. Then scrub the grout lightly and Voila!

If you have ceramic tile in your kitchen or counter top, you can use the oxygen bleach there as well. Users have raved about this product, so make it easy; chemical free; and pain free during spring cleaning and utilize these tips for cleaning ceramic tile.

Earth Friendly Floor Kleener for Hardwood and Laminate

2007-05-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

Earth Friendly Products Floor Kleener is the first naturally derived product that can be used on wooden floors and wood floor laminates. Floor Kleener has been formulated to clean and protect the sealants in your flooring system. It will not strip your floors of their wax or seals. It is an effective way to clean daily spills or it can be used to clean the entire floor area. It is free rinsing which means you do not have to use water to rinse the product off when finished.

Customers are raving about this and all products from this customer. Here are a few comments: “I've never used the Earth Friendly products before and was not familiar with them. But I was very impressed with the Eco Breeze, Floor Kleener, and the Window Kleener - that's all I've used so far. It left my house smelling fresh and clean instead of clean yet chemically. Looking at the ingredients also gave me peace of mind because I could use the cleaners on the kitchen countertop we use for food preparation without worrying about chemical residues.”

Another user wrote: “I bought your Parsley Cleaner, Shower Cleaner, Wave Dishwasher Detergent., Almond Dishmate, Fruit Veggie Wash, Furniture Polish, Uni-Fresh Lavender Air Freshener, and Pear Hand Soap. I will never again buy those chemical products I used to use ever again! The Parsley Cleaner cleans my kitchen better then any 409 ever did and doesn’t make me sick like harsh chemicals did. The Shower Cleaner on its own made my tub look ultra white, instead of drab white. My plates, glasses and utensils have no spots anymore, and plus my food doesn’t bear any distinct taste like my old dish detergents left thanks to your Wave Dishwash. I love the furniture polish, it smells good; it’s not nauseating like some other stuff on the market and the polish lasts for days on end. The pear hand soap smelled so good and my hands still feel soft and smell great all day long. My biggest rave is the Uni-Fresh lavender spray. It gets the nasty smell of anything out right away. I will continue to buy your products for the rest of my time on earth. I have told everyone about them!”

Finally, another consumer commented: “I recently purchased a container of your Oxo-Brite non-chlorine bleach, and I couldn't be happier! It removed stains from clothing that I had given up on! Thank you, I will certainly continue to use your product.”

This is one site that you should be book marking as a favorite. Prices are quite affordable, but the lasting benefits are invaluable! If you have pets, you may also want to check out their pet products. In addition to their kitchen, bathroom, laundry and pet products, they also have personal products which are a must see. You can buy these at Amazon.com: Earth Friendly Products Floor Kleener, Laminate and Hardwood Floor Cleaner, 22 Ounces (Pack of 12)

Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips

2007-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hardwood floors are very popular and for good reason. They are attractive, classy, and expensive to install. In addition, they require special cleaning and care. Here are some hardwood floor cleaning tips for you to consider.

* Use a soft bristle broom when sweeping the wood floors.
* When vacuuming at least once or twice a week, ensure that the brush attachment is used. You don’t want to scratch the surface with the vacuum.
* Immediately clean up any spills using a soft towel. Then dry. Water is an enemy of hardwood floors.
* If your floors are covered with polyurethane, use a barely damp mop for cleaning.
* Use carpet runners in areas where there is a lot of traffic.
* Be sure to clean the runners as often as possible so that the dirt doesn’t seep into the floors.
* If you wax your floors, check with the manufacturer to ensure you are using the proper wax covering. There are so many varieties of wood; you want to be certain you are using the correct product.

Hardwood floors are unique; generating warmth and beauty. If you happen to notice a stain on the wood, here is an additional tip which may help.

Take some sand paper to remove one or two layers of finish along the entire length of the board where you spotted the stain. Remove all dust, and apply the same type of finish that was removed. Be careful not to add more layers.

There is something so inviting when walking into a home with hardwood floors. Its rich textures; light or dark, old or new, offers a certain charm and elegance.

Easy Hardwood Floor

2006-10-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Have No Fear, Easy Hardwood Floors are Here!

(ARA) — Are you constantly worried your kids or pets will damage your precious hardwood floor? Or maybe you’re concerned that you don’t have another second left in your busy day to keep up with your hardwood floors. With the introduction of new hardwood floors made with an exclusive patent pending technology, there is no longer a need for concern.

Nowadays there are many time-savers to help us – like spray-on wrinkle removers, ready-to eat veggies and even robotic vacuum cleaners. This new hardwood flooring will also help simplify your life, allowing you to spend more time doing what you want to do, and less time worrying about your floors.

Two trusted brands, Mohawk Industries and 3M, have teamed up to offer hardwood flooring featuring Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology, which boasts easy stain clean-up, durable protection, and superior repellency to help keep your floor looking newer longer.

“Today, everyone is looking for ways to simplify their lives without spending a lot of money,” said Dewevai Buchanan, Vice President Hardwood at Mohawk Industries. “As the world’s leading floor covering company, we’re always searching for innovative ways to meet consumers’ needs, and this new hardwood floor does just that.”

For the first time, unexpected marks and stains won’t even faze you. For example, just when you finally sit down to pamper yourself; you spill nail polish on your beautiful hardwood floor. You panic and wonder how you can rearrange your furniture to cover it up. Or what about that rainy afternoon when your kids draw on the hardwood floor during one of their most creative artistic moments?

With Mohawk Hardwood Flooring featuring Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology, there is no need to move furniture. Once the nail polish is dry, grab a plastic spatula from your kitchen and scrape it off. Or use a dry tissue or cloth to rub off the marker. It’s that simple.

Maintenance:

* For everyday maintenance, simply care for your Mohawk Hardwood Flooring featuring Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology as you would any other hardwood floor, by dry or dust mopping on a regular basis.

* For spills, simply blot with a dry cloth and clean any residual stickiness with Mohawk’s Floorcare Essentials Hard Surface Cleaner.

* For marks such as permanent marker, rub stain with a dry tissue or cloth.

* For glue, paint, nail polish and similar spills, allow stain to harden then carefully scrape from floor using a plastic spatula.

The stain protection in Mohawk Hardwood Flooring featuring Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology will last the entire life of the floor’s finish. It will not wear or wash off because it’s engineered into the product, not sprayed on. This new Mohawk flooring is available at floor covering retailers across the country. For more information, visit www.mohwawk-flooring.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Kids and Laminate Flooring - Another Reason I'm Glad

2006-08-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

My husband was talking with a friend the other day who just happens to be a builder. He told my husband that they had made the decision to put hardwoods in their floor and deeply regretted it. He said that the floor was scratched and pitted from the dogs and kids.

Another reason I'm so glad we opted for laminate flooring - the kids can bang away with their Legos and such and the floor looks great! As long as we wipe up spills quickly we're good to go. :)

Engineered Wood Flooring

2006-07-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

Engineered Wood Flooring - A Great Alternative To Solid Hardwood Floors

Engineered wood flooring has been one of the great innovations in flooring to hit the market. Engineered hardwood is not made from solid wood. It consists of several layers and only the top layer is the actual hardwood that you always dreamed of having for the floors of your home. The layers underneath are specifically designed to give you maximum wear and tear and they give you practical flooring for just about every room of the house. Engineered wood flooring has advantages over solid hardwood that make it very attractive.

For one thing, engineered wood flooring is not as costly as solid hardwood flooring. The other layers of the engineered hardwood flooring are plywood or high density fibreboard. They are molded together under high pressure in a factory setting. Engineered hardwood floors will not expand and contract as solid hardwood does with changes in humidity and temperature. You can install it over just about any type of existing floor and by following special instructions you can install an engineered floor over radiant heat sources.

Engineered wood flooring in one of the most versatile choices that you can make when it comes to flooring in your home. It has many practical applications. You can install it over an existing concrete floor or one made with inferior grade wood. You can glue or nail it down and there are also forms of engineered hardwood floors that are glueless, forming a floating floor. It is an excellent choice in areas where there are drastic changes in temperature and humidity. However, engineered wood does not perform well in rooms of the home where there is an excess of humidity and moisture, such as in bathrooms or mudrooms.

One of the major reasons that many homeowners choose engineered wood flooring is its fantastic price. You have the same look and texture of hardwood, but it seems as if you are getting the hardwood at a wholesale price. Engineered hardwood floors are easy to install and the instructions are clearly printed inside each carton of flooring. You do have to make sure that the subfloor is clean of dust and dirt before you start so that any small pieces of rock won't work their way up through the flooring.

In the line of engineered wood flooring, you can get various types of wood, stains and finishes. You can also choose prefinished and unfinished hardwood, but if you are looking for an easy project, then it is best to go with prefinished. This way when you have the engineered hardwood flooring installed, you don't have to bother applying any stain or finish. You can just sit back and enjoy your engineered wood flooring.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/wood-laminate-flooring.html

Refinishing Hardwood Floors - What To Expect Once You Start

2006-07-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Refinishing hardwood floors is something that you can do yourself without paying professionals high amounts of money to do it for you. However, you do need to have time to spend on your refinishing project to make sure that you end up with the effect you want to achieve. Many places that rent equipment have the heavy-duty sander that you need for the refinishing job. To start to refinish hardwood floors, you first have to move all the furniture and take up any rugs or mats that you have on the wood floors. You also need to wear a dust mask so that you won't breathe in the dust when refinishing hardwood floors.

Older wood floors can be restored to their former glory when you find out how to refinish hardwood floors. There are many books you can buy on the subject of refinishing hardwood floors and you can also get valuable information when you search online. You do need to have a heavy- duty sander that you move gently back and forth over the wood floors. It is best to move in a straight line with the pattern of the hardwood boards instead of going across, especially if the hardwood has a bevelled edge with small grooves. You also have to be mindful not to apply more pressure in one place that in another because you could take gouges out of the floor.

Once you have the initial finish sanded off, you have to sweep or vacuum up the dust and give the floor a light washing. This is an important part of refinishing hardwood floors because the least little bit of dust and dirt will show up when you apply the stain and finish. In the information you have about how to refinish wood floors, you will find out that you should only use a damp mop to wash up the floor. Excess water, especially on the sanded hardwood, will cause stains in the floor.

When you dry the floor, then you are ready for the next stage of refinishing hardwood floors. You can choose to stain the wood floor in different colors suited to the type of wood. You may want to leave the wood in its natural color, but when you read about how to refinish hardwood floors, you will also learn about the need for a protective coating. The polyurethane coating adds protection to the floor. You can choose a coating that will give you a gleaming floor or one that has a low lustre. When refinishing wood floors, it is essential that the first coat is dry before you apply another coat.. The more coats you put on, the shinier your floors will be.

Refinishing wood floors is a time-consuming project. However, it does not mean that you have to move out of the home until you complete the refinishing. The coatings for refinishing hardwood floors do not have any strong fumes that may be dangerous for anyone with respiratory problems. The only thing you have to remember is not to walk on the floor until the finish is dry. If you do, your refinishing project will have your footprints all over it - in more ways than one.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Bamboo Flooring

2006-07-19T06:14:00.000-07:00

Bamboo Flooring - Is It The Right Choice For You

All About Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is a quickly growing type of grass found all over the
world that features durable, hollow cored stems. These stems
are used to make a wide variety of items, including furniture,
fishing rods, and flooring.

Bamboo flooring is an extremely durable, beautiful alternative
to traditional hardwood floors. Made from giant bamboo that
must be harvested e still young, bamboo flooring comes in
different grades and prices that depend on environmental
factors. Choosing the highest grade of bamboo flooring that you
can afford will ensure that your flooring is durable,
beautiful and wears evenly.

Bamboo is treated to prevent pest infestation during the
manufacturing process, so it doesn't attract pesky critters
such as ants or termites. Bamboo flooring is crafted to resist
warping and even fire, making it a great choice for anyone who
desires hardy flooring that will last a long time.

Bamboo floor planks are similar in appearance to traditional
hardwood floor planks and are installed in basically the same
way. Whether or not your bamboo flooring features the nodes is
a matter of personal aesthetic preference.

The color of bamboo flooring depends on the type of finish
applied and can range from pale tan to dark toffee. You can
even find bamboo flooring in exotic rainbow colors from some
manufacturers.

Care and cleaning of bamboo floors is done the exact same way
as that of hardwood floors. Simply sweep your floor regularly
and use any store-bought cleaner made for hardwood floors to
keep your bamboo flooring clean and beautiful. You can even wax
bamboo floors to create a high-shine finish.

When shopping for bamboo floors it's a good idea to compare
different types of flooring made by different manufacturers to
make sure you get the best quality for the best price. It might
be tempting to save a few dollars by purchasing low grade
flooring, but in the long run, it will only cost you more money
because you will most likely have to repair or replace it a lot
sooner than high grade bamboo flooring.

About The Author: For more information about Bamboo Flooring

Wholesale Hardwood Flooring

2006-07-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

Wholesale Hardwood Flooring Isn't That Just For Retailers?

You can buy wholesale hardwood flooring directly from the major manufacturers such as Dupont, Armstrong, Mohawk, Hartco and others. Usually hardwood flooring at a wholesale price is reserved just for wholesalers or for flooring retailers. However, many companies do offer their customers the chance to purchase wholesale hardwood flooring at prices far below the retail price, even though they may not actually be as low as wholesale.

One of the ways you can save money by buying wholesale hardwood flooring is to look at the selection of laminate hardwood flooring. The difference in the price of laminate flooring as compared to solid wood will make it seem as you are buying wholesale wood flooring. With the recent advancements in the manufacture of laminate flooring, it is much harder to tell the difference between laminate and hardwood. You can kill two birds with one stone - you get the flooring you want at a wholesale price and you get the look of hardwood that you always wanted.

Hardwood flooring wholesalers often offer customers the chance to buy hardwood flooring at a wholesale price. These events are usually an annual event when the wholesalers want to clear out their warehouses to make room for more stock. You buy the wholesale hardwood flooring as is, which could include some damaged boards or there may only be a small supply of certain woods or finishes. You do need to make sure that you buy enough hardwood because if you do spoil a few boards or run out before you get the room completed, you may not be able to get the hardwood to finish it.

Even when you are buying wholesale hardwood flooring, the sales staff will help you choose the right color to suit your furniture. If you are not sure how to calculate the amount of hardwood flooring you need, hardwood flooring wholesalers will do this for you and many of them also have delivery service available as well. Wholesale wood flooring sales usually draw large crowds of homeowners who are either building a new home or considering a remodelling project.

Wholesale hardwood flooring is available in all grades of hardwood. This is an excellent way to get the best quality hardwood for your flooring needs at prices you would expect to pay for the lesser quality boards. Even if you plan a flooring project in the future, you can buy the wholesale wood flooring and store it until you are ready to use it. However, hardwood flooring wholesalers will not accept a deposit with this type of sale or agree to keep it in the warehouse until you are ready. You do need to have a place in which to keep your wholesale hardwood flooring.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.htm

Choose Laminate Flooring For The Elegant Beauty Of Hardwood Without The Price

2006-07-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

There’s no doubt about it, the traditional look of beautiful hardwood floors is timeless and its luxurious beauty has given a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for generations, but hardwood floors are expensive, not very hard-wearing and need a good bit of regular maintenance.. Even with the most recent technological advancements in treating hardwood surfaces we have not been able to solve such issues as scratching, fading, denting and staining. This problem has lead to the development of laminate flooring with the look and appeal of hardwood floors without the problems of maintenance.

The laminate flooring industry has grown nearly twenty percent a year for over two decades now and is the fastest growing segment of the flooring industry. The popular appeal of laminate flooring is due to not only the way it looks like real hardwood, but also because of the durability and easy care that lends will to the busy lifestyles of today.

Laminate floors do not stain, fade or dent like hardwood and are much more resistant to scratches and water. Some laminate flooring companies offer warranties on their products of up to fifteen years. If you are using an entry level laminate you need to set realistic expectations of no more than five years if you install it in high traffic areas. To determine what grade of laminate flooring you should buy consider the area you are going to install it and whether or not you plan to stay there. If you plan on moving soon you shouldn’t spend a lot of money on a high grade floor because people usually replace flooring when they buy a home anyway.

When choosing a laminate floor pay particular attention to the thickness as a thicker flooring is much less likely to buckle and will sound like hardwood when walking on it. A good quality floor system will also be treated to be water resistant and will not swell easily due to excessive moisture. If you are placing laminate flooring in a bathroom or kitchen area be sure that the flooring has Paraffin Wax in the joints to repel water and keep any spills from getting to the core of the flooring.

Many of the laminate flooring systems of today come with built in locking designs so that the floor can be put down with no glue or nails! The introduction of these systems have made it so easy that even a novice can install a floor with just simple hand tools and save tons of money in labor by not having to hire a contractor.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Research the power tools for your project at http://www.powertoolsplusmore.com

Discount Laminate Flooring

2006-07-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

Discount Laminate Flooring - How To Get The Best Flooring For The Cheapest Price

Discount laminate flooring is often marked down to a clearance price because of factory overruns or the need to make more space in the warehouse for new lines of flooring. If you are not in a rush to install laminate or hardwood flooring in your home, you can save a lot of money by checking for discount flooring on a regular basis. When you find the flooring at the discount price, you do need to have your measurements and order a bit more than what you need. This is because the discount laminate flooring may only be available for a short period of time.

In some cases, the discount hardwood or laminate flooring may be cheaper because the retailer is going out of business or is no longer selling a specific brand of discount hardwood flooring. If this is the case, you do need to order more than you need, just in case you spoil a few planks during the installation process. If the discount laminate flooring is only for a certain time period and you do run out, you will have to pay the higher price if you have to go back to the store for more.

In some cases the discount prices of laminate and hardwood flooring could be 80% of the regular price. Some people have the idea that the term discount laminate flooring or discount hardwood means a poorer quality flooring, but this is not the case. If you go shopping for laminate flooring because it is cheaper than hardwood, you might just come away with new hardwood flooring for your home because of the discount price.

When you see an ad for discount laminate flooring, you should go and get it right away. However, you do need to know that the retailer is trying to move this stock as quickly as possible, which accounts for the low price of discount hardwood flooring. Therefore, there are no reserves permitted and you have to pay the full amount up front. You will not be able to place a deposit on the laminate or hardwood flooring to keep it until you are ready for it.

Even if you don't need the discount laminate flooring right away, you can still buy it and store it in a cool dry place. The same thing applies to hardwood flooring. With hardwood flooring, you do have to open the packages and spread out the boards to allow the wood to acclimatize to its surroundings. This is different than with laminate flooring. When you open the packages of discount laminate flooring, you have to be able to install the planks right away.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Dupont Laminate Flooring

2006-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dupont Laminate Flooring - Get All The Information That You Need Right Here

Dupont laminate flooring is exclusively available at Home Depot. Here you will find one of the largest selections of all kinds of Dupont flooring, including the Real Touch Elite brand of laminate flooring. One of the most attractive features of this flooring is that you can install it on just about any type of surface. This means you don't have to go through the extra work of tearing up the existing floor and laying down a special one suited just for Dupont laminate flooring.

The installation instructions are included in every package of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring so you can easily install it yourself. Laminate flooring, especially the Dupont laminate flooring, is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners because of its ability to simulate the look of hardwood flooring. It also has the added benefits of having long lasting durability against wear and tear, moisture resistances and color fading. When you combine this with the much lower cost of Dupont Elite flooring, laminate flooring is a more cost-effective alternative for the flooring needs of your home.

When you start to install the Dupont laminate flooring in your home, you might wonder where you should start first. Experts with the installation of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring say that the best thing to do is to consider the incoming light. When installing the Dupont Elite flooring, laminate planks look their best when they run parallel to the light coming in through a window or door. The wall that you use as the starting point for laminate flooring should also be the longest wall and you do need to make sure that it is straight. If not you will notice the crookedness in the layout of your laminate flooring. For the installation of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring a diamond blade is the best one to use in your saw.

It is only easy to keep your Dupont laminate flooring looking as good as new. You just have to vacuum it or sweep with a soft broom to remove any dust and dirt. When it comes time to wash up the floor, make sure you only use a damp mop on Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring. This is because excess moisture or water can cause damage to the planks. You should never use a strong cleanser and never use abrasive substances when cleaning Dupont Elite flooring. Laminate floors also respond well to the use of floor mats at the entrances of doorways.

There are many advantages to installing Dupont laminate flooring. The Dupont Real Touch Elite flooring has the look and touch of real hardwood. The bevelled edges of the laminate planks add a sense of depth to the floor and the pattern of the laminate flooring has a realistic texture. The Joint Guard system that Dupont uses in its laminate flooring helps to prolong the life of the floor. Finally, the comfort underlayment that comes with Dupont laminate flooring helps to reduce noise transmission when you walk across it.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Shaw Laminate Flooring

2006-07-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Shaw laminate flooring offers a lot more options when it comes to choosing laminate flooring than other manufacturers. The revolutionary product that Shaw has brought to the market allows you to install new flooring with the look of hardwood in record time. This is the ultimate in glueless laminate flooring so that you don't have any mess to clean up nor do you have to wait before you can walk on the floor. You can install Shaw laminate flooring and walk on it right away.

Shaw laminate flooring and Shaw hardwood flooring are manufactured to last into today's busy households. With the wide ranges of colors available, guests to your home will find it difficult to determine whether you have hardwood floors or whether it is engineered hardwood in the form of laminate flooring. Shaw hardwood floors are available in prefinished and unfinished boards and you can get a large variety of different kinds of wood.

With Shaw laminate flooring, you can have the look of hardwood without the expense. Visit the Shaw website to get tips about choosing your laminate flooring and how to care for hardwood flooring. You can browse the showroom from the comfort of your home as you look at the different flooring samples. This feature helps you make up your mind about whether you want to choose Shaw hardwood floors or choose from the many colors of laminate flooring that Shaw has available. Learn about the changes that have occurred in laminate flooring so that you are no longer able to claim that it is fake with just one look.

When you are considering Shaw hardwood flooring, knowing what to ask for when you visit the showroom will put you one step ahead. In order to help you choose the best flooring for your needs, the sales person will ask you about the room, how you use it, the style of your furnishings and whether or not you have children or pets. The answers to these questions will help the salesperson give you the best advice about the type of hardwood flooring that would be best for you. Depending on your circumstances, Shaw laminate flooring may be the best option.

In order to get the proper amount of Shaw laminate flooring, you do need to have precise measurements. Many of the retailers that sell Shaw flooring will do a free home estimate for you if you sign a contract that you will buy the laminate or hardwood flooring from them. This way you know that you will get the proper amount and not run the risk of needing only one or two planks to finish your room. If you are not sure what color of Shaw laminate flooring would go well with your furniture, you can even take home a few samples to help you decide which one you like the best.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/prefinished-hardwood-flooring.html

Cheap Hardwood Flooring - Perfect Choice For The Budget Conscious

2006-07-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Cheap hardwood flooring provides you with the opportunity to have elegant floors in your home without shelling out a bundle of money. You can buy both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring at cheap prices if you are a savvy shopper. Many flooring retailers regularly have sales during times when people are not buying many home improvement products or when they want to move stock in a short period of time to make room for more. Discontinued lines are also available as cheap hardwood flooring, but you have to make sure that you can get enough of it to complete your room.

When you buy cheap hardwood flooring, you are not sacrificing quality for price. There are many well-known retailers that offer cheap laminate flooring to customers when they have an overrun or too much inventory in their warehouse. When you go to buy cheap hardwood floors, you will experience a difference in that you won't be able to place a deposit down and then collect the flooring at a later date. You will have to pay the full amount upfront and take the flooring with you when you leave. The retailer may or may not include free delivery when it sells hardwood or laminate at a cheap price.

When you visit a showroom to inspect the cheap hardwood flooring available, the salesperson you deal with will still pay the same attention to details as if you were buying the hardwood or laminate flooring at the regular price. If you are not sure whether you want to go with cheap laminate flooring or choose to have hardwood floors, the salesperson will ask you questions in an effort to help you out. For example, the salesperson will want to know about the room you are remodelling, how it is used and whether or not you have small children or pets. In this way, he/she can help you choose just the right flooring. You can also ask to see the selection of cheap hardwood floors and compare it with the more expensive selections.

Another way you can get the cheap laminate flooring you want is to do an online search. This way you can get to see what the laminate flooring from each manufacturer looks like, get tips on how to install it and of course, compare the prices to get the cheapest one. If you find a store that has the cheap hardwood flooring you want, you can check to see whether there is a store near you or whether the retailer will ship the packages that you need to install cheap hardwood floors.

When you buy cheap laminate flooring you can bring the measurements of your room to the retailer. The salesperson has the expertise for calculating how many packages laminate or cheap hardwood flooring you need to buy. If the line on sale is a discontinued one, then you might have difficulty getting the cheap laminate flooring for a large room. It depends on how fast you can get to the store when you see an ad for laminate flooring on sale.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Taking Care of Wooden Floors

2006-07-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

What will be the best way to clean the wooden floors?

There are some guidance that you can use to make your wooden floors in their best. To look its best a room must have a clean, softly lustrous floor whatever the finish or covering may be. Such floors are not difficult to achieve with the equipment and materials available at small cost to today's housekeeper.

For waxed wooden floors and resilient coverings there are long handled buffers and applicators of modest price, while electric polishers can be rented inexpensively from hardware and grocery stores. Self-polishing waxes make the care of many types of flooring easier and to apply them there are applicators with containers for the wax, controlled by a trigger.

WAXED WOODEN FLOORS predominate in all but the kitchens and bathrooms of most homes so we shall discuss them first. Wax is sometimes applied directly to softwood floors, but for these as well as for hardwoods a finish for the wood is highly desirable for appearance and ease of maintenance. If the finish on your floors is badly worn away in traffic areas, or if the wood has never been finished properly, save yourself a headache by having it sanded down to clean wood and refinished. Electric sanders can be rented: sealers are especially easy to apply. So the job could be done without outside help.

FOR WOODEN FLOORS in good condition, whatever the finish, the routine care is the same if they are waxed. They should be dusted regularly with a vacuum cleaner, soft brush, or untreated mop. Once a month, or as needed, they should be polished with a weighted buffer or electrical polisher. At this time fresh wax should be applied to areas that look worn. About twice a year the entire floor should be re-waxed. A paste wax is the most durable and is recommended generally, though liquid and even some self-polishing waxes can be used if you prefer them.

BEFORE PASTE WAX IS APPLIED the floor should be cleaned thoroughly. For this purpose use a liquid wax, or one of the special cleaners made for removing embedded soil from waxed floors. In this category are Bruce's Floor Cleaner, Preen, and Beautiful. Like liquid wax these special cleaners contain a dry cleaning agent such as naphtha, plus wax and other efficient dirt removers; they loosen the soil and remove old wax, yet leave a film of clean wax on the floor. Directions for using these products are given on the container. Read them carefully to obtain the best results. The general instructions are as follows:

First vacuum the floor carefully to remove surface dust and dirt

Shake the container to be sure the contents are thoroughly mixed before applying the cleaner. If it has been stored in a cold place and become thickened, stand the can in hot water for a while, or hold it under a hot water faucet, and then shake it. (Never heat any wax preparation over an open flame.)

YOU CAN STAND UP FOR WAXING. You do not need to get down on your hands and knees to apply cleaning wax to a floor. Use one of the inexpensive, long handled applicators that are made especially for this purpose. One kind makes use of steel wool pads that greatly aid the cleaning action. Pour a little of your cleaner onto the floor, and using the applicator, rub with the grain of the wood to loosen the dirt which will be picked up by the cloth pad, or by a cloth placed under the applicator pad. Change cloths as they become soiled and work until the floor has been completely cleaned.

IF YOU PREFER HAND CLEANING, use essentially the same method. Pour a little cleaner onto the floor, spread it with a clean cloth, and rub it in to loosen the dirt, which will be removed by the cloth. Turn the cloth as it becomes soiled and apply more cleaner where it is needed. Use fine steel wool dipped in cleaner for difficult spots. A thin layer of wax will be left on the floor when you finish and this should be buffed.What will be the best way in applying wax? Get some tips in which position you can apply the wax on the floor. Wooden floors can be handled easier with the electric polishers, which can be done without outsider's help. Get the wooden floor polished at least once in a month. Clean the floor before putting the wax. Use the vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and dirt. You can choose to stand by using a long handle applicators or you can choose to wax by hand. Both has the same method.

Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for http://www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ . His articles have also appeared on http://www.ceramicsforme.info/ and http://www.ceramicsforu.info/

Bruce Hardwood Flooring Is An Industry Leader

2006-07-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

Nothing can make a room look more attractive, elegant and stately than a beautiful hardwood floor.

With an ability to be dressed up or down to fit the theme of a room, hardwood is at home in any design. Plus, its durability, function and natural beauty make it a winner for those who want more than ordinary carpeting can offer.

When it comes to the best in oak hardwood floors, Bruce Hardwood is a leader in the industry.

Founded in 1884, Bruce is considered an industry leader in American solid-oak flooring because of its attention to detail and quality.

The company was one of the first to offer pre-finished flooring to its customers and now offers an array of styles and colors to choose from. The wood's natural beauty is the key to Bruce's success, especially when it's married with oak's ability to retain its look and appeal for years.

When it comes to hardwood floors, they come with a number of advantages over carpeting. They include:

* Durability. Hardwood floors when treated correctly can last a lifetime. Whereas carpeting can be destroyed over time no matter how hard a homeowner works to keep it clean and in good condition. With hardwood, there's no need to replace the flooring every few years.

* Variety. Hardwood floors can come in a number of different styles, colors and patterns. If the fear of only finding one-look-fits-all in hardwood is keeping a homeowner away from looking, this is simply not so.

* Environmentally sound. Hardwood floors at the natural alternative to synthetic carpets.

* Property value. Hardwood tends to add real value to a home.

* Easy maintenance. It doesn't take a lot to keep hardwood looking great.

On the maintenance end, hardwood is actually one of the easiest flooring types to maintain. Unlike tile that can chip and break, hardwood can be touched up to fix minor scratches and cleaning is a breeze.

The advantages over carpet are many, but the top includes the stain resistance, ease of cleaning, durability and more.

To keep a hardwood floor looking great, all a homeowner needs to do is this:

* Vacuum, dust mop or sweep the floor as needed. This is typically recommended about once a week and is fast and easy to perform.

* Spot clean spills and tracked in dirt as they happens. All this takes generally is a dust mop, but sometimes special cleaners are needed.

* Every so often a deep cleaning will help maintain the floor's surface appearance. This does require specialized cleaner, but a basic mop is the only tool necessary.

* Keep the floor protected in areas with moisture and dirt, such as entries, in kitchens and so on.

A hardwood floor can make an ordinary home look simply spectacular. With an ability to be dressed up or down as much as a homeowner would like, few types of flooring are more versatile either. When it comes to the best in hardwood floors, Bruce is the leader.

Copyright (c) 2006

Jessica Deets writes for http://www.naturehardwoodfloor.com where you can find more news and information about hardwood floors and low maintenance flooring options.

Bracing Winters Grip With Radiant Floor Heat

2006-07-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Radiant floor heat is a type of heating mechanism that is installed under the flooring to help provide warmth and comfort to a home. This type of radiant floor heat can be installed in just about any room in the home and can be very helpful in heating the home and saving money over the course of a few years. Many consumers who use radiant floor heat have found the comfort level much nicer than more traditional forms of heating. They have also found that the heat is often sufficient to provide comfort without even using another form of heat. Radiant floor heat is ideal for any home or building that is located in area of the country that is prone to cold weather including extreme cold. Instead of running the main heating system continually, you will be able to keep the flooring warm and lessen the costs of energy.

Radiant floor heat is appropriate for all types of floor material. Whether you have tile, carpet or hard wood flooring, the radiant floor heat can be installed and provide warmth and comfort. Some systems are designed only for a specific type of flooring but others can be used with just about any type of material that is present in your home. The radiant floor heat can also be installed in just about any size of room from narrow hallways to large basements. Whatever the size of the space you are looking to heat, there is a radiant floor heat solution that will be ideal for your purposes. The radiant floor heat can also be used in both new and existing structures. If you are building a new home or building or adding on to an existing structure, you can install radiant floor heat with the design of the building. However, radiant floor heat can also be used with existing flooring systems with minimal effort and can raise the value of the home with this added feature.

Radiant floor heat systems consist of mats, mesh heating systems and cables that fit under the type of flooring you choose. It can be used in just about any room in your home. Imagine how nice it will be to step on to a warm floor instead of a cold one. A bathroom is a perfect place to use radiant floor heat. When you step out of a bath or shower onto the tile floor, think how nice it will be to have a nice warm floor instead of the cold tile that is usually present in a bathroom. You will be forever hooked and wonder how you lived without it for so long. In your bathroom if you add a plug in towel warmer you will feel like you are in a luxury spa right inside the comfort of your own home. It brings an added dimension to comfort in your home. Instead of a stark, cold floor, the floor will be heated to eighty degrees.

Kithcens are another area in the home where radiant floor heat can be utilized. This is another area of the home where many people tread barefoot. In the cold months of the winter, this can be very uncomfortable and you may have to use socks or slippers when walking around the tile or laminate flooring. If you install radiant floor heat, though, you will no longer have this concern. You can walk around in the comfort of your own home without having to worry about being cold or uncomfortable.

Radiant floor heat can be installed by do it yourselfer’s or professional contractors. If you install it yourself, you will be able to save additional money. However, if you do not know how to do it or are uncomfortable with the prospect of installing the radiant floor heat on your own, you can look for a contractor and compare prices to see who can install it for the best price. When choosing a contractor, always make sure to ask for and check references. You can often get the unit installed much faster for a minimal fee.

Radiant floor heat can be installed under ceramic tile, which is very popular because of the naturally cold feel. This is especially true in cold weather when the tile seems to feel even colder. The radiant floor heat will warm the tiles, making the floor much more comfortable to walk on in bare feet. Hardwood floors are also popular uses for radiant floor heat. The durable products can withstand the stapling and nailing needed to install hardwood floors and still retain the warmth that provides added comfort. Stepping onto lush carpet that is warmed will also add luxury to a home and radiant floor heat is ideal for this application as well.

About the Author: Radiant Floor Heat is an inexpensive alternative to traditional heating methods. For more information on alternative heating methods in your home please visit our site today!

Source: www.isnare.com

Refinishing Hardwood Floors – What To Expect Once You Start

2006-07-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Refinishing hardwood floors is something that you can do yourself without paying professionals high amounts of money to do it for you. However, you do need to have time to spend on your refinishing project to make sure that you end up with the effect you want to achieve. Many places that rent equipment have the heavy-duty sander that you need for the refinishing job. To start to refinish hardwood floors, you first have to move all the furniture and take up any rugs or mats that you have on the wood floors.

You also need to wear a dust mask so that you won’t breathe in the dust when refinishing hardwood floors. Older wood floors can be restored to their former glory when you find out how to refinish hardwood floors. There are many books you can buy on the subject of refinishing hardwood floors and you can also get valuable information when you search online. You do need to have a heavy- duty sander that you move gently back and forth over the wood floors. It is best to move in a straight line with the pattern of the hardwood boards instead of going across, especially if the hardwood has a bevelled edge with small grooves. You also have to be mindful not to apply more pressure in one place that in another because you could take gouges out of the floor.

Once you have the initial finish sanded off, you have to sweep or vacuum up the dust and give the floor a light washing. This is an important part of refinishing hardwood floors because the least little bit of dust and dirt will show up when you apply the stain and finish. In the information you have about how to refinish wood floors, you will find out that you should only use a damp mop to wash up the floor. Excess water, especially on the sanded hardwood, will cause stains in the floor.

When you dry the floor, then you are ready for the next stage of refinishing hardwood floors. You can choose to stain the wood floor in different colors suited to the type of wood. You may want to leave the wood in its natural color, but when you read about how to refinish hardwood floors, you will also learn about the need for a protective coating. The polyurethane coating adds protection to the floor. You can choose a coating that will give you a gleaming floor or one that has a low lustre. When refinishing wood floors, it is essential that the first coat is dry before you apply another coat. The more coats you put on, the shinier your floors will be.

Refinishing wood floors is a time-consuming project. However, it does not mean that you have to move out of the home until you complete the refinishing. The coatings for refinishing hardwood floors do not have any strong fumes that may be dangerous for anyone with respiratory problems. The only thing you have to remember is not to walk on the floor until the finish is dry. If you do, your refinishing project will have your footprints all over it – in more ways than one.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Discount Laminate Flooring

2006-06-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Discount Laminate Flooring - How To Get The Best Flooring For The Cheapest Price

Discount laminate flooring is often marked down to a clearance price because of factory overruns or the need to make more space in the warehouse for new lines of flooring. If you are not in a rush to install laminate or hardwood flooring in your home, you can save a lot of money by checking for discount flooring on a regular basis. When you find the flooring at the discount price, you do need to have your measurements and order a bit more than what you need. This is because the discount laminate flooring may only be available for a short period of time.

In some cases, the discount hardwood or laminate flooring may be cheaper because the retailer is going out of business or is no longer selling a specific brand of discount hardwood flooring. If this is the case, you do need to order more than you need, just in case you spoil a few planks during the installation process. If the discount laminate flooring is only for a certain time period and you do run out, you will have to pay the higher price if you have to go back to the store for more.

In some cases the discount prices of laminate and hardwood flooring could be 80% of the regular price. Some people have the idea that the term discount laminate flooring or discount hardwood means a poorer quality flooring, but this is not the case. If you go shopping for laminate flooring because it is cheaper than hardwood, you might just come away with new hardwood flooring for your home because of the discount price.

When you see an ad for discount laminate flooring, you should go and get it right away. However, you do need to know that the retailer is trying to move this stock as quickly as possible, which accounts for the low price of discount hardwood flooring. Therefore, there are no reserves permitted and you have to pay the full amount up front. You will not be able to place a deposit on the laminate or hardwood flooring to keep it until you are ready for it.

Even if you don’t need the discount laminate flooring right away, you can still buy it and store it in a cool dry place. The same thing applies to hardwood flooring. With hardwood flooring, you do have to open the packages and spread out the boards to allow the wood to acclimatize to its surroundings. This is different than with laminate flooring. When you open the packages of discount laminate flooring, you have to be able to install the planks right away.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/discount-hardwood-flooring.html

Laminate Hardwood Flooring – What Is It And Why Is It So Popular?

2006-06-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

Laminate hardwood flooring is very versatile flooring that gives the appearance of having hardwood flooring without the expensive price tag. Although laminate flooring does look like hardwood, it is not made of solid wood. It is called engineered hardwood because it is made from several materials bonded together under extremely high pressure. It is easy to lay and care for and when you step on it, it is almost like you are floating. This is why laminate hardwood flooring is also called a floating floor.

You can learn how to lay laminate flooring very quickly. Once you see the first few planks of the flooring going together, you can complete the rest of the job on your own. You can install Quick Step laminate flooring on just about any room of your home. However, it is not recommended for use in bathrooms, mudrooms or any other room where there could be an excess of moisture. The extra water could damage the flooring meaning you would have to remove and replace one or two planks of the laminate flooring.

If you are looking at how easy it is to learn how to lay laminate flooring, you will also learn about the advantages of Quick Step laminate flooring. In contrast to solid hardwood, laminate hardwood flooring is about half the cost. It is easy to install and there is no finish or refinish to worry about. Installing laminate flooring doesn’t need any nails, but you can choose to glue it to the subfloor. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that you can lay it down on virtually any type of surface, except, of course, carpet. It is suitable for installing on top of concrete, wood or vinyl. All you have to do is to make sure the floor underneath is level before you start to lay the planks.

When you ask the flooring retailer about how to lay laminate flooring, you will get several different instructions about how to prepare the floor beforehand. You do have to make sure the surfaces is free of any dust or small pieces of dirt that might work their way up through the laminate hardwood flooring. You also have to check to make sure the subfloor is soundproof and that it is level. Often people who have installed the Quick Step laminate flooring report that there are squeaks when they step on it. This is not the fault of the laminate flooring, but because the floor under it was not properly levelled before they started to lay the planks.

You do have to take extra care when you install laminate hardwood flooring over radiant heating. You have to read both the instructions for how to lay laminate flooring and the instructions regarding the radiant heat before you start. When you plan to lay laminate hardwood flooring in your home, you don’t have to open the packages until you are ready to start.

Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/prefinished-hardwood-flooring.html

Harmonics Laminate Flooring – Easy To Install And Keep Clean

2006-06-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Harmonics laminate flooring is a great choice to make for your flooring needs when you are building or remodelling a home. Many people today are taking the carpets off their floors and opting for the engineered hardwood of laminate flooring. You get the same elegant look of solid wood at a fraction of the cost. Even though you can buy glueless laminate flooring, experts with Harmonics laminate flooring recommend that you glue it to the subfloor anyway.

When you choose Harmonics laminate flooring, you do have to purchase an installation kit. If you do use the Harmonics glueless laminate flooring, you can use the foam padding for the underlay. Using this type of laminate flooring from Harmonics means that you don’t need an array of tools and you can complete the entire job by just using a cordless circular saw. You do need to use the saw for fitting the Harmonics wood flooring around doorways, by cabinets and for fitting in the smaller pieces.

Even though the price of Harmonics laminate flooring is unbeatable, you should compare it with other brands of engineered wood flooring. When you visit a flooring retailer, there are always small sample pieces of Harmonics glueless laminate flooring that you can examine. Many customers have found that the Harmonics wood flooring does scratch and dent a little easier than that of other manufacturers, but it is still a versatile and durable product. This brand of laminate flooring also comes with a warranty against showing signs of wear. This give you piece of mind knowing that if a problem develops with the Harmonics flooring, you will get the help you need.

When installing Harmonics laminate flooring, it is important that you do install the moisture barrier. This is a barrier so that the moisture from the subfloor won’t come through the laminate flooring and cause any damage to it. Harmonics wood flooring is a great way to increase the beauty and value of your home for a reasonable price. It has the same elegant look of hardwood and it is easy to clean. All you have to do is sweep or vacuum the dust and wash it over with a damp mop. You do have to be careful not to use too much water when you clean it. This also applies to the Harmonics glueless laminate flooring. Since laminate flooring is not made from solid wood, the extra moisture can get in between the layers and cause bubbles to occur.

Harmonics laminate flooring is available at most flooring retailers. If you cannot find a retailer in your area that sells this brand name, then all you have to do is search online for sites selling Harmonics wood flooring. You can purchase the flooring from an online dealer or find the nearest location where you can go and see the Harmonics laminate flooring for yourself. Once you do, you will agree that for the money, you won’t beat this laminate flooring.Find out more about Wood Flooring, visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/ all about Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors and Refinishing Hardwood Floors at http://www.woodflooringexplained.com/prefinished-hardwood-flooring.html

Don't Build Without A Hardwood Floor

2006-06-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Don't Build Without A Hardwood Floor

By Belina Storrey

As an interior designer, I get the privilege of working with people in all of the stages of designing and building the home of their dreams. I cannot imagine a better job because I can hardly wait to get out of bed each morning to get to work. I love helping people talk through and make decisions about the big and the small parts of designing and creating the home that is best for them. There are only a couple of things that I insist on in the building process, but having a hardwood floor at least somewhere in the home I will not compromise on.

I believe that adding a hardwood floor or two into your home plans is one of the best things that future home owners can do. Why? Because nothing adds beauty, uniqueness and a level of class like adding a hardwood floor to a home. We have all been in homes that boast lovely hardwood floors, so we all know what it feels like and looks like to add that kind of beauty and elegance to a home.

There are many great ways to add a hardwood floor into the plans of your dream home. Many people choose to put a hardwood floor into their entryway, kitchen and dining room of their home plans. This can be a great idea because it really makes a great first impression to everyone that enters your home. It allows people to see that you really value your living space and that you cared enough to place a hardwood floor where many of your guests would be and where much of your family time would be spent.

Another great place to include a hardwood floor into your house plans is to the master bedroom suite. Nothing adds elegance and class to a master suite like plans for a hardwood floor. We've all been in master suites that feel a little bit like a kids room because they are covered with carpet that you'll find throughout the rest of the home. Perhaps the better choice is to set your master suite apart by having a hardwood floor throughout the room and the bathroom. This way your room feels special and sacred at the end of a long day.

There are so many options for including a hardwood floor into your house plans, I'm not sure where to start or how to end. Just know that a hardwood floor is a great addition to any house plan and that it can be budgeted in to your plans with ease.

About the Author: Belina Storrey is an interior designer who encourages everyone to make a hardwood floor a part of their house plan. See www.hardwoodfloorgroup.info for more.

Source: www.isnare.com

Choosing Laminated Wood Flooring

2006-06-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Choosing Laminated Wood Flooring

By Hannah Roberts

Laminated wood flooring is the hottest floor-covering product in America. Created in Europe, the product has now been in use for over 20 years. Laminated wood flooring is an interlocking system that is installed on top of an existing substrate. This type of laminated wood flooring has been used in the renovation of older buildings throughout Europe.

This floating laminate installation can be used on any hard, flat surface and is easy enough to be a do-it-yourself application. "Floating" as used here means that the new floor is not attached to the floor underneath and the joints are glued together.

Choices of laminated flooring

A water-resistant glue is recommended by most laminate flooring brands. The glue is used on every plank, between the tongue and grooves. The amount of glue used varies by brand. Pergo laminated wood flooring requires enough glue to completely fill the groove; the excess is squeezed out when the tongue and groove are interlocked. This particular laminated brand has a unique PerCore base layer that soaks up the glue.

Pickering brand laminate flooring, meanwhile, requires only a 1/6-inch drop of glue on the groove. Formica flooring requires a 1/8-inch bead in two places on the groove or tongue. All of these laminated flooring brands give you the same results, with different installation methods – Alloc flooring has a patented system that doesn’t require any glue.

Laminate flooring has four main elements that are bonded together. First, a durable, decorative surface made of resin-based melamine/aluminum oxide is affixed to a moisture-resistant wood core. A backing is then added to the core’s bottom side. On top is an aluminum oxide layer, providing stain resistance.

By using existing counter-top practices and adding more protection to the top layer, laminates have evolved into the perfect floor covering. Some manufacturers say their laminate floors are as much as 20 times harder than any laminate counter tops, thanks to a dense, resin-filled wear layer that's resistant to stains, scratches and even cigarette burns.

The most common styles of laminate wood flooring have a wood-grain appearance. But some manufacturers offer laminate flooring in realistic stone and marble patterns. Laminate floors are produced as long, rectangular planks, usually around four feet long and 8 inches wide. Some manufacturers offer square tiles and double wide planks, as well.

About the Author: Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping related topics. To access more information on flooring laminate store or on laminate wood flooring, please click on the links.

Source: www.isnare.com