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

How To Install Laminated Flooring

2006-06-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Steps On How To Install Laminated Flooring

Laminated flooring is a great floor covering idea since it can provide the home with various look may it be rustic stone, soothing ceramic or classic wood laminated flooring is simply the best option. And the best thing about laminated flooring isthat it is very affordable so you can have the quality, style and durability at prices that will not break the bank.

Since laminate is a floating floor, they sort of produce a slight tapping sound as you walk on it. If the tapping sound annoys you then you may place some acoustical padding to muffle the sound with varying results. To be sure on you may test the acoustical padding in your dealer display floor in order to provide you with the idea on just how it will sound in yourhome.

And remember to follow the manufacturer's recommendations when installing or making other decisions related to the installation of laminated flooring. There is an increase in the cost of hardwood flooring so covering an entire room is a really expensive project. But thanks to engineered hardwood flooring and hardwood laminate flooring you will still be able to cover an entire room with hardwood flooring at a reasonable price.

Hardwood laminate flooring makes use of a manufacturing process that sandwich a composite fiberboard material in between two sheets of melamine. One melamine layer is the upper layer and may contain a thin sheet of real hardwood. This provides the completed board the appearance of a real hardwood plank or strip.

Complete laminate flooring may make use of an embossingtechnique that can create a real texture that is close to real wood grain. In fact you will find it hard to distinguish between real hardwoods and laminate flooring when it is fully installed.

How to install laminated flooring?

Trial layout .
For a cement floor, lay out the foam and seal the seams with duct tape. Likewise, for other types of floors you may lay the foam in the same direction as the planks, with no overlap. Then secure the planks with tape.
. Check the planks for damage. Don't install damaged material,as it may void the manufacturer's warranty.
. You should do a dry run of the first two rows. Lay the planks so that the tongue faces to the installer's right. After you are through with the first row cut the plank to fit it. Then put spacers between the flooring and the wall. Be careful especially when dealing with walls that are not straight. Mak euse of spacers to keep the flooring straight.
. Use the leftover plank from the first row to start the next row. After you're through, lay the remaining of the planks in the second row while ensuring that the rows are straight and that there are no gaps either on the side or butt joints. After the dry fit is accomplished, remove all the planks and start installing for real.

Actual installation process
1. First do a dry run, laying one row of boards with no glue to make sure everything lines up properly.
2. Start in a corner that's not near the door, if possible. Lay down a row, groove side against the wall, without glue. Put distancing blocks between the boards and the wall.
3. If the wall is uneven you may have to cut the boards to fitit. Make sure to mark on the board exactly where it needs to be cut.
4. After you put the last board in place, use some kind of guide -- a level or a 2x4 -- to make sure the row is completely straight. Any unevenness can be adjusted with wedges.
5. Pick up all the boards except the corner one in the first row. Put glue on the short side of the board. Seal the end joints tight by pressing the boards together. Wipe off any excess glue promptly. The first two rows must be straight, orit will throw off the entire floor. The end joints must be very tight, too.

About The Author: Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping related topics. To access more information on http://www.hints-tips.com/category/shopping/ or on http://www.hints-tips.com/2006/05/29/laminate_flooring4/, please click on the links.

Laminated Flooring Installation Tips

2006-06-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Laminated Flooring Installation Tips

Laminate floors are placed over the sub-floor without actuallybeing attached to it. In other words, laminate flooring simplylies on whatever's underneath it (wood, cement, linoleum,etc.).

Laminate floors come in squares or planks, and have avariety of shapes and sizes The planks have a tongue and groove edge which are locked together. Many laminate floors don't require any glue, making installation much easier with their glueless locking systems. Other laminate floors have glue pre-applied, requiring just adamp sponges to activate the adhesive. Many of the better grade laminate floors have their edges pre-sealed at the factory inorder to prevent moisture from attacking the inner corestructure.

Prior to installation, a special polyurethane coat is put down, over which the flooring will float. Some higher-priced underlayments reduce sound and restrict moisture penetration. The installation for laminate wood flooring is similar to hardwood, with several rows laid first to square off the roomto prevent bowing and cupping of the planks.

The process of glueless laminate floor installation

The laminate flooring most commonly offered by manufacturersare glueless, also referred to as "clic-floors." The tongue andthe groove of this type of flooring is meant to lock firmly inplace and not come apart with foot traffic. Always read themanufacturer's installation procedures before you start - this will prevent you from making mistakes and wasting time andeffort. Also, the subfloor must be flat in order for the planksto lock together.

Tools to install glued laminate flooring

You'll need various tools to install standard laminate flooring. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer'sinstallation instructions and use the recommended tools.

.Glue - most, but not all, laminate floors have a special adhesive to join the planks and help keep moisture out of the core.
.Straps - these are much more effective at pulling rows ofplanks together than clamps are. As a rule, you'll need a set of straps for every four feet of starter rows.
.Fillers and sealants -- some laminate wood flooring manufacturers offer color coordinated fillers and sealants to cover gaps between planks and prevent moisture from entering the perimeter of the planks.
.Tapping block - use this to tap two planks together.
.Wedges - V-shaped wedges are used to ensure that there's as little gap left between the laminate floor and the walls as possible. Again, different manufacturers of laminate floorshave their own recommended gap distance, so to be sure to consult your manufacturer's installation manual.
.Pulling bar - this bar is used to pull two pieces of together. Great care must be applied in using the bars to avoid chipping the surface of the plank.

About The Author: Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping related topics. To access more information on http://www.rapidsgazette.com/category/shopping/ or on http://www.rapidsgazette.com/2006/05/29/laminate_flooring3/ on the links.

Exotic Hardwood Floors

2006-03-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

4 Popular Exotic Hardwood Floors
Copyright © 2006 Julie Lohmeier
My Home Redux

In simpler times, when you wanted hardwood floors, you had one
choice: Oak. You could be daring and choose Maple or decide
between Red Oak or White Oak. Then mahogany and teak started
showing up. But now, the hottest trends for hardwood floors
aren't even woods. Cork is a popular choice for an
easy-on-the-feet floor that is environmentally friendly as well
very durable, but let's look at some the latest "wood" flooring
trends.

Bamboo. Environmentally friendly, this is a grass, not wood.
It matures in three years and requires no replanting. With a
very distinctive pattern and narrow 3/8" strips, it provides
for a very striking floor. Inexperience in production and
installation may cause problems however with this option.
Unless you really love the look or especially want an
eco-friendly home, I'd wait a few more years before using
bamboo flooring. See how it looks at:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=061005c.xml

Brazilian Cherry. A truly beautiful hardwood (shown above)
that's becoming very popular right now. With an open grain like
Oak, this hardwood darkens in sunlight to a deep cherry color.
In fact, it darkens very quickly, so keep the throw rugs up for
at least three months to keep the color even. See an example at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/brazilian_cherry.htm

Bolivian or Brazilian Rosewood. Very similar to it's cherry
cousin in look and quick darkening color. It's also very
popular. Take a look at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/bolivian_rosewood.htm

Santos Mahogany. Another hardwood from South American that
offers the look of Mahogany but is harder or more durable.
Check it out at:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/santos_mahogany.htm

And if that weren't enough, see these other exotic hardwood
flooring options:
http://www.exoticwoodflooring.com/exotic_woodfloor_species/woodspecies.htm

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling
and building projects. From working hands on and doing much
of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction
managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement.
She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and
other various rants at My Home Redux. Subscribe
to her free newsletter at:
MyHomeRedux

@copyright 2006, Julie Lohmeier, www.myhomeredux.com

Ceramic Tile Cost

2006-03-02T04:43:00.000-08:00

You may think that ceramic tile will cost you a pretty penny, and it surely is an investment, but according to this study, tile will actually cost you less as a flooring option in the long run. We recently installed porcelain tile in our kitchen and bathrooms and entryway and love it! It looks clean longer, is easier to keep clean and more hygienic than carpet. It also looks much more classy than vinyl.

Tile is Tops in Beauty, Flexibility; Least in Lifetime Cost

(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.

The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.

“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”

Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:

* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.

* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.

* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.

* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.

* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.

* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.

* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Distressed Wood Floor

2006-03-02T04:42:00.000-08:00

Everything New is Old Again
Hand Distressing Gives New Floors the Look of Old Wood

(ARA) - “Distress” is not necessarily a bad thing if you are talking about wide plank hardwood floors. In fact, hand-distressing - the process of making new wood appear old is an increasingly popular design technique.

“It’s not always feasible to use reclaimed antique wood to achieve a certain design effect,” says Don Carlisle, second-generation owner of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, a Stoddard, N.H.-based company that specializes in hand-distressing. “Homeowners who want to give their wood floors the look and character of age find hand-distressing is a great option.”

Distressing works best when done on old growth pine and other hardwoods. The process can be quite involved, with modern artisans often employing the same handcrafting techniques and tools used by craftsmen of long ago. Carlisle uses these techniques to recreate several identifiable looks associated with the wide plank floors installed in American homes more than 100 years ago.

Hand Scraped Edge

Lumber milling was an imprecise process in the 18th and 19th centuries. No two boards were ever exactly the same. When these imperfect boards were installed in a wide plank floor, it was not unusual to see individual boards laying side by side at different heights. To solve the problem (and avoid potential trips and falls), carpenters used a handheld block plane to scrape off the higher edges. This often left a slight gap between floorboards.

Today, Carlisle craftsmen use the same tool to mimic the look of a floor that has been planed through hand scraping of old growth eastern white pine. By randomly scraping down the edges of the board, that signature gap can be recreated when the boards are placed side by side. In fact, the craftsmen will occasionally place three or four boards together during the process to make sure the results look like an old, traditional floor.

Foot Worn

Standing on a floor visibly worn by centuries of foot traffic can make one feel linked to the past. Pockets, undulations, dips and softened edges in a wide plank floor speak of centuries of wear and a certain depth of character.

Carlisle craftsmen use handheld planes to scrape the surface and edges of each individual board. They study each board, and, taking into consideration the many directions of the grain as well as knots, scrape the wood with multiple starts and stops down the entire length. Once the scraping is complete, workers hand sand the entire surface of the boards, which are most often old growth hickory or walnut. Using this process, the craftsmen scrape an average of only15 to 20 square feet per hour.

Carriage House/Saw Kerf

After automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages as Americans’ primary mode of transportation, many old carriage houses were converted to residences. Today, some still retain their original floors, where the marks of carriage wheels and horse shoes are still visible. Some even bear the grooves or notches – kerf marks – made by the saws or axes first used to cut the timber.

To replicate the look with modern wood, Carlisle craftsmen do not mill the planks smooth. Instead, they leave some of the original kerf marks in the wood. The marks cause the hand planes to strike and shave parts of the plank while skipping over other areas. This creates an uneven surface. Next, workers use a draw knife, pulled towards the craftsman’s body, to create a less drastic uneven edge. Finally, they hand sand the wood to help smooth out the surface while still allowing the kerf marks to shine through.

Many more authentic antique effects are possible through use of traditional methods. Because each board of every floor is hand crafted, no two floors are ever alike.

“Hand distressing really evokes the craftsmanship and character of antique wide plank floors,” Carlisle says.

To learn more about the many looks and methods of hand distressing, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Radiant Heat, Wood Floors

2006-03-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

Wide Plank Floors and Radiant Heat – a Great Combination

(ARA) – Wide plank floors are prized for their weathered patina and the sense of history and character that they add to a room. Among the many attributes of wide plank floors is the fact that they can be used with radiant heat.

If you have questions about using radiant heat with the floors in your home, contact an expert. Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors of Stoddard, N.H., gets this question frequently. His family-owned company has been manufacturing wide plank flooring for 40 years.

“It often surprises people that you can use radiant heat with hardwood floors, especially traditional wide board floors,” says Carlisle. “But once you consider the history of wide plank floors, it makes perfect sense.” He points out that wide board floors were used in the days when heat’s main source was a fireplace or a wood stove. “These are very crude heat sources, in the sense that they aren’t very balanced and provide heat in a very uneven way throughout a home,” says Carlisle. But wide board floors remained flat, stable and comfortable. “If these floors have beautifully withstood the worst of environments over time, they can certainly live in a more refined controllable one.”

And experience has borne this out. “We have made thousands of wide plank floors for many years, and have found that these floors hold up very well with radiant heat systems,” says Carlisle. “As wood floors are a living resource, they respond well to the more consistent and warm environments supplied by today’s advanced heating systems.”

When buying wide plank solid wood flooring, keep in mind these three critical factors:

* Old growth wood – Carlisle uses only hand selected old growth (trees that have grown for 100 to 150 years) from areas of the country with colder climates that allow for the slowest growth. These timbers will have a very tight growth ring structure that produces the most stable floor plank, regardless of width.

* Air drying and kiln drying – One of the most critical steps in ensuring stability in a wide plank floor is to dry the boards for up to a year before placing them in a lower temperature drying kiln. This slow, natural drying process allows the fibers of the wood to remain pliable and healthy so that a plank will not be “shocked” when heat is introduced and it will be able to adapt with minimal movement to its new environment.

* Appropriate acclimation – Once the floor arrives at the job site, the wood should be “stickered” in its live-in conditions for an appropriate period of time, depending on the climate and the time of year. Make sure that all materials surrounding the floor, such as the concrete slab, plywood sub-floor and filler material, are also acclimated.

Carlisle stresses that the most important thing to remember when using wide plank wood floors with radiant heat is to use good wood – stable, high quality, properly dried. “Any issues that arise with this marriage are typically due to one of the critical factors being absent, not due to the use of radiant heat,” he says. “Wide plank floors love radiant heat . . . period.”

For more information on the use of wide plank floors with radiant heat (or any type of heating system), or to see photos of wide plank floors installed with this application, call Carlisle at (800) 595-9663 or visit the company’s Web site at www.wideplankflooring.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Wide Plank Flooring

2006-03-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

Make Your Floor a Showpiece

(ARA) – Sometimes older is better (ask any wine connoisseur). But sometimes, new technology and techniques create a product that is better than the original.

That’s the case with wide plank flooring. Prized for its historical charm and weathered patina, wide plank flooring adds warmth and character to any room. “Our floors offer the variations, subtleties and character of traditional flooring, while offering the structural superiority, enhanced durability and extended life of new wood,” says Don Carlisle, president of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors.

The company goes to great lengths to recreate the look of aged wood floors, starting with hand selecting the timber from its wide selection of both old growth Eastern white pine and old growth heart pine, as well as a complete line of classic hardwoods, including. cherry, red and white oak, white and brown maple, hickory, birch, ash and walnut.

The Eastern white pine offers the traditional look of old New England and is the company’s most popular product. “This is the floor that best represents the history and tradition of this country, and a simpler time that many people long for,” says Carlisle. The old growth heart pine, harvested in the South, is carefully cultivated for its rich amber-orange patina. This wood was used in many of the buildings, factories and mills built around the turn of the 20th century during the Industrial Revolution. This special Longleaf species was sought after not only for its beauty but also for its strength and durability.

The company also has a large inventory of historic wood that has been salvaged from old mills, barns and homes. These boards are subject to the same stringent processes as newly sawn wood.

Carlisle floors are proudly displayed in many historic inns and museums, such as the Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket; Williamsburg, Va.; and Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, N.H. Still, Carlisle says, “Our focus is on the homeowner and helping our customers find the perfect one-of-a-kind floor, regardless of the style of home or type of wood.”

Nothing sets a warm, natural, welcoming tone for a home more than beautiful wide plank flooring. Whether you’re going for old world charm or a more modern look, wide plank flooring offers beauty and durability.

To find out more about Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, visit www.wideplankflooring.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Reclaimed Antique Wood Flooring

2006-03-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Old Wood Gets New Life as Reclaimed Antique Flooring

(ARA) - Where some might see a crumbling old barn or a dilapidated factory, Don Carlisle sees an opportunity to preserve history and beautify a home at the same time. Carlisle’s Stoddard, N.H. based company has been reclaiming antique wood and turning it into new floors for nearly 40 years.

Homeowners and builders, increasingly aware of the need to preserve the environment and America’s architectural history, have spurred the growth of the antique wood salvage business. Recycling antique wood from old buildings creates a tangible link to the past in new structures. Whenever possible, communities attempt to preserve historic structures. But if the building is beyond repair, salvaging the wood from it can be a way to preserve at least a portion of the structure’s history.

“Giving beautiful old boards a new life and a new place in history gives us a special sense of preserving a piece of Americana,” says Carlisle, whose company, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors was named North America’s “most requested supplier of reclaimed wood products” by “National Floor Trends” magazine.

Old mills, factories, barns and houses along the East Coast may no longer be useful as structures, but they can become great sources of antique woods like chestnut, heart pine and oak. The reclaimed wood is sorted, graded, dried, straightened and custom milled at Carlisle’s headquarters before being installed in new construction or renovations.

When Carlisle, second-generation owner of the company, and his team harvest antique wood, they document as much of the structure’s history as possible. “Many of our customers are interested in the history behind their floors,” he notes. “They are attracted not only to the beauty, durability and character of antique wood, but also to the connection it bears to a piece of our country’s history.”

Recently, Carlisle reclaimed antique chestnut wood from the Geurrant Family Plantation in Franklin County, Va. In the early 1700s, the king of England deeded the 3,300-acre tract to the Geurrant family, who operated an apple orchard there for nearly 250 years. The apples grown there fed U.S. soldiers in both World Wars, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

Antique heart pine currently used in Carlisle floors was reclaimed from the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company building in Windsor, Vt. The building, more than 100 years old, was home to the Windsor Machine Company from 1910 to 1916. The company produced automatic lathes for the war effort during World War I. From 1916 to 1933, National Acme Company occupied the building. In 1936, Goodyear bought, reopened and expanded the building to manufacture rubber soles for shoes.

“People love the idea that the wood of their kitchen floor might once have housed thoroughbred race horses, or that their living room floor was once beneath the feet of heroic factory workers who contributed to the war effort,” Carlisle says.

Reclaimed antique wood can be used to create beautiful, durable, character-filled floors anywhere in the home. For more information on reclaimed antique wood, visit www.wideplankflooring.com, or call (800) 595-9663.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Tile Flooring

2006-03-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Tile is Tops in Beauty, Flexibility; Least in Lifetime Cost

(ARA) – If you’d been born in the early days of tile (around 4,000 years ago) you could never have afforded the luxury. Once reserved for royalty and the wealthy, ceramic tile is now the most economical type of flooring available, according to an independent study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America.

The study, released in early 2006, compared all types of ceramic tile, including quarry, porcelain and mosaic, to 12 other flooring types such as hardwood, laminates, concrete, stone, carpet, terrazzo, vinyl and poured epoxy. Over the lifetime of the average floor, tile lasts longer, costs less per year to maintain, and less overall than any other type of flooring, the study revealed.

“Is it any wonder that tile has long been the product of choice for anyone who wants a beautiful, durable design element in their home?” asks Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions. Christian’s company manages Coverings, the annual exposition showcasing the newest trends in ceramic tile and natural stone. “Tile has always been popular, and homeowners are finding increasingly creative ways to use it in their homes.”

Commonly used in kitchens and baths, tile can be employed creatively in every room of your house:

* Front door – You’ve probably seen the tile house numbers that hang near the front door. But what about framing the door itself with tile? The technique can convey stately elegance or playful whimsy, depending on the type and color tile you choose.

* Entryway – Dress up a foyer with a colorful tile mosaic. Or, welcome your guests with polished porcelain tile for extra durability and beauty in this high-traffic area of the house.

* Window seat – Your family’s favorite spot for reading, can also be a prime snacking location. Tile makes a window seat easy to clean and more decorative.

* Media room – Not everyone views a 72-inch TV screen as a thing of beauty. You can turn a room-dominating screen into a design statement by adding tile. For wall-mounted flat screens, consider a tile frame. Natural stone can be a perfect foil to high tech equipment when used to define and accent an alcove for video equipment.

* Exercise room – Top spas around the world know the value of tile to enhance workout areas. The flexibility and ease of cleaning make tile a smart choice for areas where people will be sweating and showering.

* Dining room – More than one picture-perfect dining room has been spoiled by a spill on the carpet. Tile offers superior ease of cleaning and exceptional design flexibility in this showcase area of the house.

* Family room – Another high traffic area of the house that benefits from the durability and beauty of tile is the family room. For maximum impact, consider covering the entire floor with a rich ceramic tile. Or, protect the most used areas by placing a large tile area in the middle of the room and carpeting the perimeter. Tile also enhances the beauty, safety and ease of cleaning for the fireplace and hearth.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Tile Council of North America is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. It commissioned Scharf-Godfrey, an independent construction cost consulting firm, to conduct a Life Cycle Cost Analysis of various types of ceramic tile compare to other flooring types.

Coverings is the world’s leading showcase for ceramic tile and natural stone. This year’s exhibition and conference takes place from April 4 to 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. More than 1,200 exhibitors from 56 countries will showcase trend-setting products, designs, applications and services. In addition to the exhibition, the four-day event will feature educational programs focusing on all aspects of the flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone industries, from tips for installation to design trends. For more information, visit www.coverings.com.

What is Laminate Flooring?

2006-02-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

What is Laminate Flooring?
Copyright © 2006 Jason Ashby
Laminate Flooring Info

Laminate flooring mimics the look of traditional woods while
offering easy installation and lasting durability. At first
glance, it can be difficult to spot the difference between
hardwoods and laminate flooring. What appears to be a natural
wood grain pattern is really a thin layer of decor paper (a
photographic image) under a tough-as-nails protective film that
is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. Laminate
Flooring comes in an array of wood effects as well as stone and
ceramic effects.

Laminate floorings main advantages are that it is easy to
install, is very hardwearing and relatively inexpensive compared
to real hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means it does not
fasten directly to the sub-floor. Instead the planks are clicked
together. This enables the floor to be fitted fast and with no
real mess.

Laminate flooring has been around in Europe for around 15 years
and has seen massive growth in the past few years. In 2004 over
750 million square meters of laminate flooring was sold worldwide
this was an increase of 13% on the previous year. The biggest
growth market is in the US with an impressive growth rate of 25%.

What Is Laminate Flooring Made From?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers. The bottom layer is
the stabilizing layer; this is what gives the laminate floor its
stability. It is made up of moisture resistant resins.

Above this there is the core layer; this is made up of high
density fibreboard (H.D.F.). This is saturated in resins to make
it extremely hard. Most manufactures also add a moisture
resistant resin to the core. This is important as it helps keep
the flooring protected against moisture penetrating the boards.

On top of the core layer is added a high strength paper along
with the decorative paper. It is this decorative paper which
gives the laminate flooring its individual appearance, ranging
from highly authentic wood reproduction, ceramic or stone
designs.

The top wear layer is provided by the melamine resin, a highly
wear resistant material that makes laminate flooring so hard
wearing. This top layer is very similar to the top layer on
counter or kitchen work tops but is usually around 40% stronger.
This makes the laminate flooring highly resistant to scratches,
burns, dent's, stains, etc.

There are a lot of laminate flooring manufactures who have
products in the market place, each saying theirs is the best.
Our advice is to stay with the leading ones these are QUICK-STEP,
ALLOC, PERGO, BRUCE, and KRONOTEX. Theses manufactories have been
around a long time and offer quality products that you can trust.

How Does Laminate Flooring Fit Together

Most laminate floors today fit together with a click system with
the most common being the UNICLIC system as used by Quick-Step.
This is extremely easy and fast to fit. The ingenious UNICLIC-
system has a special shape of tongue and groove. You simply place
the tongue of one plank into the grove of another at an angle and
press down. Their sophisticated and very accurate milled shape
makes it possible to create a very tight connection during the
installation. The floor can be walked on straight away.

If you are laying laminate flooring over a concrete sub-floor
then you will fist need to lay down a damp proof membrane (DPM).
This is basically a sheet of plastic usually around 5mm which
helps protect the Laminate from moisture. On top of this goes
the foam underlay this acts as sound absorption and also helps
even out minor irregularities in the sub-floor.

Most manufactories now offer a combined DPM and underlay along
with several underlay's that have better sound absorbing
qualities.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Ashby has over 20 years experience in the flooring
trade. For more information visit "Laminate Flooring Info":
http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

One Disadvantage of Laminate Flooring

2005-12-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

Well laminate flooring has many advantages but no flooring product is perfect! We have discovered one disadvantage of laminate flooring:
It doesn't mix well with kids and liquids lol!

We don't allow the kids to drink anywhere but in the kitchen, but one day I was sitting at the table having tea with my Mom, and smelled the distinct odor of cleaning solution coming from the boy's bedroom. (It was non toxic cleaner and smelled like gardenias, at least!)

2 1/2 year old had poured most of a bottle of said cleaner onto the floor. It couldn't have been there more than a few minutes, and the planks were buckling. :(
They did look a bit better after drying overnight, but still...

Be careful with liquids and laminate!

Polishing Granite

2005-12-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

Polishing GraniteBy David Andrew Smith

Of all the natural stones that you can choose for flooring granite is by far the hardest material and the most hardwearing. It is also resistant to staining and acid and alkaline chemicals. This is the reason it is the kitchen worktop of choice and the flooring material of choice.

Despite its hardness it is still capable of being scratched by quartz. Quartz is sand like material which makes up the biggest proportion of dirt brought into a building on the underside of footwear. Traffic going over this then moves the small particles of sand over the surface of the granite causing minute scratches. The scratching effect on granite will be much less than that on marble for instance but non-the-less it still scratches.

This effect can be minimized by the correct maintenance programme. A typical maintenance programme for granite flooring would be to dust mop the floor each day to remove these particles of dirt and once or twice a week depending upon traffic wash the floor with stone soap. This reseals the floor and enhances the colour. This is then wet vacuumed up and the floor then washed with pure water which is also wet vacuumed up. This wet vacuuming prevents the possibility of water staining.

Once per week or once every other week, again depending upon traffic the floor is misted with a crystallising agent and buffed at high speed. This removes the minute scratches and restores the shine to a floor which may be dulling very slightly in areas of high traffic. Then once per year it can be shined using a more abrasive crystallising compound and a slow speed buffer with non-rusting steel wool pads.

If this regime is followed then the shine on the granite floor should last for as long as you require it.

If the floor becomes neglected and is not cleaned correctly then it will slowly become dull and the scratching will build up enhancing the dull effect. If this was a marble floor then the scratching would be greater and could be removed and the shine restored by using diamond grinders on a slow speed buffing machine. However successful re-grinding of granite cannot be achieved. It can be re-ground using the diamond technique and made shiny but quite often it causes a colour change in the granite which is obviously not acceptable to the customer.

This regrinding process which for marble might take about 30 minutes per square meter for granite, being much harder takes about two to three hours to achieve any sort of shine.

In the processing plants marble is ground for about 40 minutes to achieve the high gloss effect. Granite on the other hand will be ground for several hours to achieve the same effect. There is no way that once the granite is in place this process can be replicated.

Consequently if you have a granite floor and it dulls and somebody offers to restore the shine by re-grinding it do not bother. You will end up with a floor that may be shiny but has probably changed colour and it will have cost you a small fortune. Take care of it from the outset and you will never be in this position.

About the Author: David Andrew Smith is the owner of a commercial and domestic cleaning services company information about stone cleaning can be found at http://www.wesparkle.co.uk/floorcare.html

Source: www.isnare.com

Sealing Natural Stone

2005-12-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

Sealing Natural StoneBy David Andrew Smith

The sealing of stone is quite different to sealing other floor types. When sealing wooden floors for example a protective coat is added to the outside. When sealing stone the pores in the rock , or the spaces between the crystals that make up the rock are filled with the sealant with no trace of the sealant on the outer surface.

The purpose of this process is to stop liquids seeping into the stone and staining it. A sealant does not protect the stone from physical damage as a sealant on another surface would..

So what is the best sealant to use?

Natural stone must be allowed to breathe. What does this mean, because stone does not breathe like we do. Stone is made up of a variety of crystals. Each crystal is made up of different minerals. The minerals that make up the crystallised structure of the stone determine whether it is marble, or limestone or granite. To maintain the integrity of these crystals they must interact with the air and the component parts of the air in particular the oxygen. Hence they must be allowed to breathe. It is also essential that any water that gets into the stone is able to evaporate by moving through these spaces until it reaches the surface and can evaporate.

Most importantly and a little considered aspect of stone structure is the interaction between the crystals of the stone and the many millions of bacteria that live in these pores. Very slowly research is demonstrating that bacteria would seem to play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the stone in ways that are as yet little understood. In order for these bacteria to survive and prosper the sealant used should be one that does not damage them but possibly promotes their activity.

Acrylic type sealants or impregnators should be avoided at all costs because they fill up the pores killing the bacteria and blocking completely the movement of water through the stone. This can ultimately lead to the stones cracking if the underside becomes wet for any reason. They are also very difficult to remove if excess sealant is applied and not properly removed whilst still wet. What you end up with is a covering of sealant on the surface of the stone which discolours and dulls it.

The best sealers to use are those based on natural products and made up of fatty acids such as soap. These can be applied in the normal cleaning process to top up the seal and clean at the same time. Any excess is washed off with pure water. Most importantly these fatty acids fill the spaces but not in a rock hard manner. Because fat is hydrophobic it repels water stopping it penetrating during any spillage so preventing absorption into the stone and subsequent staining. Being semi hard only it does not stop the natural movement of water through it so it can still escape by evaporation. Most importantly it encourages the bacterial population by providing another source of nutrient and a comfortable environment in which to live and reproduce.

About the Author: David Andrew Smith is the owner of a commercial cleaning company which specialises in the claning of natural stone and can be found at http://www.wesparkle.co.uk

Source: www.isnare.com

How To Install Bamboo Flooring

2005-12-08T21:13:00.000-08:00

How To Install Bamboo FlooringBy Geoff Hugh

Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap picnic mats, bamboo is now being processed with modern techniques into beautiful "hardwood" flooring that beats standard wood floors in durability, hardness, and dimensional stability.

An added bonus to these beautiful floors is the knowledge that bamboo, unlike wood, grows quickly and abundantly, reaching maturity in five years or less. Red oak and maple, by comparison, can take decades to mature and then have to be replanted. Clear-cutting of forests also has a negative environmental impact and threatens the planet's biodiversity.

After harvesting, cutting, processing, and finishing, bamboo flooring installation is not much different from standard hardwood floor installation. The important steps in installation occur before putting in the bamboo floor. First, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who is willing to back up their product with a warranty.

The next step in bamboo flooring installation is making sure the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. Dirty subfloors will not bond well with the adhesive, and subfloors that are not dry will eventually cause rot. If not level, the bamboo flooring will squeak when walked on. If you are competent in home repair and good with your hands, you may be able to complete the bamboo flooring installation on your own. In some cases, with certain types of bamboo flooring, a professional will be needed.

Bamboo flooring may be glued down using a moisture barrier flooring adhesive. After applying the adhesive to the subfloor with a trowel, the bamboo flooring planks should be immediately placed. You may also install bamboo flooring using a nail gun over plywood or particleboard. Once starter rows are secure, subsequent planks should be nailed directly above the tongue at a 45-degree angle to face.

After installing the bamboo flooring, you will care for it in a similar way to hardwood floors; frequent dusting/sweeping, occasionally mopping, and use of wood cleaners. With regular care, bamboo flooring will add a stylish, beautiful component to your home for many years to come.

About the Author: Geoff Hugh http://www.plasmatvreviews.net

Source: www.isnare.com

Laminate Flooring Installation Guidelines

2005-12-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

By Paolo Basauri

The Beauty of Laminate Flooring

One way to add value to your home is to consider laminate flooring installation. Laminate floors combine the beauty and elegance of hard wood, or tile floors with the easy maintenance of linoleum or vinyl flooring. Constructed from a high density fiber (HDF) wood board topped with a wood or stone pattern, laminate flooring is incredibly durable. Resistant to scratching, scuffing and burning, the beauty of laminate floors will last a lifetime. With today’s constantly changing interior design trends, the easy installation and variety of laminate flooring is a popular choice for home designers.

The Quality of Laminate Flooring

If you’re planning to redecorate your home including laminate flooring installation, there are some decisions you need to make about the type of laminate flooring that will work best for you. It is commonly thought that the harder the HDF core, the higher the quality of the laminate flooring. The second mark of laminate floor quality is the means by which the core is bound to the pattern and protective layers. There are two basic types of laminate flooring to consider

* Direct Pressure – Direct Pressure lamination consists of a one-step process to bind the flooring layers into a single cohesive unit. DPL flooring that has been bound is then treated with melamine resins to increase the strength of the core. This final step also allows notches and grooves to be evenly cut into the pieces to facilitate the process of laminate flooring installation.

* High Pressure – High pressure lamination produces a more durable end product by binding the flooring layers over several steps. First the top layers are joined to each other and then glued to the HDF core. After this, the melamine resins and glued flooring are submitted to a high pressure press that completes the process and makes the product ready for laminate flooring installation.

Laminate Flooring Installation Types

Once you’ve decided on the design and product you want to use, you’re ready to begin the process of laminate flooring installation. The various laminate products currently on the market offer several different options for laminate flooring installation. The type of installation you choose will depend on your budget, your commitment and ability to execute the project and your preference in design. When shopping for laminate flooring, you can expect to find products the require the following laminate flooring installation techniques:

* Standard Flooring – Standard laminate flooring is installed by using glue to affix the flooring to the sub floor. Standard laminate flooring installation is both cost-effective and secure.

* Pre-Glued Flooring – You may also come across laminate flooring products that have been treated with glue prior to sale. To complete the laminate flooring installation, water is applied to the underside of the board to activate the glue.

* Snap and Lock – There is no glue required for a Snap and Lock laminate flooring installation. The floor boards are instead linked by a locking mechanism on the underside of the wood. Snap and Lock flooring is very easy to install, but may be more expensive that laminate flooring installed with glue.

About the Author: Paolo Basauri is an expert author who writes for http://www.installlaminateflooring.com/

Source: www.isnare.com

How To Choose Laminate Flooring For Your Home

2005-12-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

By Mark Freeman

Laminate flooring is relatively new to us in the U.S. Laminate flooring has been used for years in homes and businesses in Europe. Laminate flooring is a hard flooring surface which is actually layered during manufacture. A laminate floor consists of a top wear layer, which is generally aluminum oxide, which is very long lasting, a print layer which is the pattern of your choice (hardwood or ceramic), an inner core, and a backing, which are fused together. The choices available in laminate flooring today are astounding. Laminate floors can be made to resemble almost any other type of floor surface, with the most popular being hardwood and ceramic tile.

Many manufacturers today offer laminate hardwood flooring, which is hard to tell from the real thing. However, care is where laminate flooring is king. Laminates are extremely durable, however care must be taken not to let them get over wet as some paper backings are not as durable as others. Some manufacturers will not cover laminate flooring that is installed in a bathroom.

Laminate floors are what installers consider "floating flooring". Unlike vinyl or linoleum laminate floors are not attached to the sub floor. Laminate floors come as tongue and groove plants which are fastened to each other with adhesive. Depending on the under layer of flooring some laminate floors can be installed right over existing floors of wood, vinyl, linoleum or tile. Laminate flooring cannot be installed over carpeting.

Most major floor manufacturers today carry laminate flooring, such as Armstrong, Pergo, Mohawk, Mannington and Bruce.

As with choosing any flooring for your home there are general considerations; what is your interior scheme? Do you want a light floor or dark floor? Light hardwood flooring is generally used in more relaxed and country atmospheres, where dark colored hardwood flooring is used in more formal homes. Patterned flooring that has grains or other types of shading will not show dirt as quickly as solid flooring will. Dark floors will make a room look smaller, light flooring will make a room look larger.

Laminate floors are very easy care. As always you will want to read the manufacturers instructions. Generally they only need a vacuum and slightly damp mopping. Do not over apply water which can seep through the cracks in the floor and behind baseboards and cause damage. Laminate flooring does not need any wax or floor finish applied to it.

About the Author: Learn more about Laminate Flooring at http://www.about-laminate-floors.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Get A Good Deal On A New Hardwood Floor

2005-12-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Top 2 Ways To Get A Good Deal On A New Hardwood FloorBy Roger Wembley

Be honest, are you one of those people who has more time than money? Me too. When I wanted to put a new hardwood floor in my house I didn’t rush about and just start throwing tens of thousands of dollars at any contractor that offered their services to me. What I needed to do was put in the hours and find out how people go about getting good deals on their new hardwood floor installation.

1) Look for ‘contractor sales’ at places like Home Depot and Lowe’s. This is a great little tip that we’re able to come up with through a little research. The real question is whether these are really ‘contractor’ sales or whether they are closer to ‘extra inventory’ sales which are used to get people into the stores to buy other products. Guess what? Who cares? Discount sales are your friends no matter how they are labeled. The bigger discount you can get on your new hardwood floors, the better. Use these sales to your advantage and call the stores directly to find out when they are being held. In fact, if you are lucky, you might even be able to convince the store workers to tell you when the next sale is.

2) Read up on “discount hardwood floors” on the web. A couple fantastic sites to check out are Google.com and Askthebuilder.com. The first being a very powerful search engine and the second being a sort of massive data warehouse for all things related to home building. There are literally a ton of different data options available for people who are looking for discount hardwood floors. In fact, just because something is discount doesn’t necessarily mean that it is of substandard quality. It just means that you are getting a better deal than anyone else. Discount is your friend when shopping for anything including different parts of your house. Make sure you know all about the discount aspect of hardwood floors.

About the Author: Roger Wembley is author of “The DiscountHardwood Floor Guide.” Grab your copy at http://www.hardwoodfloorworld.com.

Source: www.isnare.com

Bamboo Flooring: Is It The Right Choice?

2005-11-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

Bamboo flooring is amazing to look at. It has a very beautiful
texture and adds quite a bit of style, beauty and quality to a
home or business. It is quite a versatile element as well.
Bamboo fibers can be made into virtually any type of material
allowing for a wide range of styles, colors and methods of use
for it. It can be used in businesses, homes and in virtually
any environment.

Bamboo is a relatively soft wood that you would not think to
use in most hardwood flooring situations. But, like most other
hardwoods, their hardness rating can be much higher once
protective coatings are applied to them. When the flooring is
chosen, it will be crafted with the most care in order to
further strengthen the density of it. These additional coatings
will often protect it from damages such as scratches, denting
and markings. This also helps to prolong its life by making it
last longer and more beautifully.

Bamboo flooring is a very unique type of flooring. What you
would think that it would look like is not necessarily what it
will. And, there is little doubt that having the best quality
is quite important. This type of flooring will be one that
allows for a variety of different styles. For example, it can
be colored, or stained, in virtually any color necessary. This
allows for it to fit well within many homes and environments
well. Often the purchaser will have the ability to choose which
'color' is right for their needs.

Although bamboo flooring is quite an expensive purchase, it is
one that will likely last many years and will deliver beauty
and design as well. If you are considering the purchase of this
type of flooring, insure that you get the highest level of
quality so that it will last you a lifetime.

About The Author: For more information please see
http://www.bamboo-flooring-info.co.uk

Hardwood Floors For Interior Design And For Home Decorating

2005-11-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

By Matthew Anderson

Using hardwood floors for interior design and for home decorating, based on furniture of the eighteenth century may be discussed from different points of view. However, what most people realize is the distinguish details of tables made from that century. Dinner and wine tables were some of those pieces of furniture that could add a different touch of class to your interior decorating. Learn from the history of furniture book, by Frederick Litchfield ideas on how 18th century furniture, from the earliest to the present time.

To the latter part of the eighteenth century the English furniture of which time has been discussed on the site belong the quaint little "urn stands" which were made to hold the urn with boiling water, while the tea pot was placed on the little slide which is drawn out from underneath the table top. In those days tea was an expensive luxury, and the urn stand, of which there is an illustration, inlaid in the fashion of the time, is a dainty relic of the past, together with the old mahogany or marqueterie tea caddy, which was sometimes the object of considerable skill and care. They were fitted with two and sometimes three bottles or tea-pays of silver or Battersea enamel, to hold the black and green teas, and when really good examples of these daintily-fitted tea caddies are offered for sale, they bring large sums.

Eighteenth Century Wine Tables

The wine table of this time deserves a word. These are now somewhat rare, and are only to be found in a few old houses, and in some of the Colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. These were found with revolving tops, which had circles turned out to a slight depth for each glass to stand in, and they were sometimes shaped like the half of a flat ring. These latter were for placing in front of the fire, when the outer side of the table formed a convivial circle, round which the sitters gathered after they had left the dinner table.

One of these old tables is still to be seen in the Hall of Gray's Inn, and the writer was told that its fellow was broken and had been "sent away." They are nearly always of good rich mahogany, and have legs more or less ornamental according to circumstances.

A distinguishing feature of English furniture of the last century was the partiality for secret drawers and contrivances for hiding away papers or valued articles; and in old secretaries and writing tables we find a great many ingenious designs which remind us of the days when there were but few banks, and people kept money and deeds in their own custody.

About the Author: Matthew Anderson contributes adding articles to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com .Your guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Matthew will inspire you to capture the look you want for your flooring. Reach more info in hardwood floors at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/hardwood-floors.html

Source: www.isnare.com

A Hardwood Floor For Your Home

2005-11-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

A Hardwood Floor For Your Home

Perhaps it's time for a remodel and updating of your home. How
about a remodel that will transform your home, add lasting
value, beauty and elegance, and be something you will be proud
of? Think about hardwood flooring.

Generally hardwood floors come pre finished, this is when the
manufacturer applies a finish at the factory. This finish is
generally at least four coats of ultraviolet cured urethane
resin. Hardwood floors are generally easy to clean with a
simple sweep of a dust mop or vacuuming. You will need to
protect your hardwood floors from scratches as much as
possible. Putting protective rugs under your furniture is an
excellent way to prevent scratches on the floor. Hardwood
floors are meant to last a lifetime.

You will want to choose a color of hardwood floor that will
accent your home and home furnishings. As a rule lighter colors
go with country, contemporary and casual settings. Darker
colored wood floors are for formal or traditional interiors.
But, of course, anything goes! Your decision should be based on
your visual preference.

Lighter wood would be a white ash, sugar maple or southern
yellow pine. Darker colors are beech, birch, red oak, heart
pine and mesquite.

You want to make sure that your hardwood floor will be able to
withstand denting and wear. Of the woods mentioned above
mesquite is the hardest wood, and a southern yellow pine would
be the softest. In the middle of these fall the yellow birch,
heart pine and beech.

If you are going to be hiring and contractor to install your
hardwood floor make sure you ask for references. Go take a look
at a floor that he has installed. Make sure that he is
comfortable working with the type of word floor that you want
installed.

Make sure that you thoroughly inspect the hardwood floor after
the installation. Look at the floor from a standing position
and with normal lighting. The finish on your floor will not be
that you would find on fine furniture. Deep swirls or sander
marks or splotchy areas may mean that the floor wasn't finished
properly. There will however be some irregularities on any wood
floor. However, these irregularities won't seem obvious and
will only add to the character of the floor.

About The Author: This article courtesy of
http://www.about-hardwood-floors.net

How Should I Clean My Laminate Floors?

2005-08-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

How To Clean Laminate Floors

I'm loving my new laminate floors! I've found that cleaning them is easy but not quite as simple as dusting and dampmopping. They will dry kind of streaky if I don't use a small bit of some kind of cleanser that evaporates quickly.

So now I either sweep with a broom or dustmop with a dry microfibre mop, then I use a wet microfiber cloth on the mop to mop the floors. I lightly spray a touch of Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner to spots or when the mop gets too dry. It also helps to mop in the direction of the grain and not in circles or figure 8s like you might with vinyl or tile.

I searched around online and found tips from other laminate floor owners on how to clean laminate flooring:

Try a damp mop wrung out with very hot water, it evaporates better.
Try a vinegar/water solution.
Check with the manufacturer's recommendation: mine recommended a damp plain water mop but as I mentioned, that wasn't effective for me. Some manufacturers make their own floor cleaners.
A wet Swiffer cloth works well for some.
Don't use a soap based or citrus oil product, they don't clean laminate well or could even damage the shiny finish.
Don't use any type of abrasive cleaner.
If a stain is resistant you can try a tiny bit of acetone.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your new laminate floors!

House Flooring- What You Should Know

2005-08-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody
wants to have their own house. Unfortunately not everybody is
fortune to have a house of their own. So, once you have, you
sure what to arrange the house as good as you can. But
sometimes you have difficulties in choosing the best materials
for you house, especially for your floor.

Obviously they are different rooms in you house and each room
may need different flooring. To pick what best flooring
material for you house is something that you have to think
about. Picking the right type of flooring for your home
involves asking some questions and giving some honest answers.
You need to pick what's right for you, your finances and your
lifestyle. Finding a floor covering that is suitable for every
aspect of your circumstances is key to getting the equation
right.

When you shop for flooring materials you will find great range
of wonderful flooring materials in the market. From what you
see, sure it will be difficult for you to decide. Buying
flooring material certainly need some honest judgment from
yourself and also the condition of your house.

To help you finding the right flooring materials for your
house, here are some check lists you might want to consider:

* Find out about your area. Is your house located in the
moisture area, cold or warm climate? Is it a high traffic area
or quite? Or is it occasionally prone to flooding? Knowing your
house location will make you easy to choose the right flooring
materials. For example, if your house located in the moisture
area, find out what is the cause. If it can be eliminated you
could then enjoy a much wider choice of flooring for your home.
If moisture is a permanent problem you should choose flooring
that does not rot and will not absorb water, such as stone,
marble and granite, or concrete slabs. If you live in a very
cold area and especially if you have children, you'd probably
be better off using carpet as a favorite, with other flooring
materials such as linoleum thrown in for areas such as the
kitchen.

* Now, let see about you. Do you like the contemporary look for
interior decorating? Or are you fundamentally a traditionalist
at heart? If you look for different flooring which matches with
interior decorating, maybe you could consider hardwood flooring
materials. Or for a cheaper alternative, think of using
laminated flooring or bamboo flooring. These two are perfect
for those who like modern decorating styles too. This is the
stylish, yet practical answer to the question of what to put on
the floors. Laminated flooring is just so easy to take care of,
you can't do anything but love it. A quick wipe over from time
to time is all it needs. No oiling and no scrubbing are needed.

*See how is your house foundation is. If you don't want to have
your floor covering became unstuck or crack and chip, better not
laying any of the natural stone flooring products on a base that
is in any way unstable. It won't work. Take the time and expense
to put right any defects in your foundation first so that you
can really appreciate the look of your finished new floor.
Probably you may use wood for that kind of foundation. . It
will adding atmosphere to your home too. You will find that it
copes with the structural movement where it is pretty resistant
to a great deal of family traffic.

* Check your garage flooring. Garage is one part in your house
which most people fail to take advantage of their garage, which
is a shame. In order to get the most use out of your garage, you
need to take care of it. This is where garage flooring comes in.
Floor covering in your garage can totally change the look of the
room. More importantly, it can save you a great deal of concrete
floor repair over the life of your house. Without any
protection, your concrete garage floor is doomed to crack and
suffer from moisture exposure. Not only will the right garage
floor coat improve the look of your garage, but it will also
protect this excellent space from moisture and the elements.

* If you are redecorating your home and your budget is limited,
by all means get the best price you can find. A building
materials wholesaler who supplies the trade can be your best
bet for quality discount flooring. You can take advantage of
their bulk buy savings Buy the best flooring materials you can
stretch to. Why? Basically because the floor you choose will
have a profound effect on the finished look of your home.

By knowing that information, hopefully you can choose what best
for you. Having a good and comfortable house is everyone's
dreams. Home Sweet Home. Good luck!

About The Author: Tony Gevano interest in observing people's
way in choosing things and wrote almost anything he likes. Find
more about the Website at www.moregaragefloor.info;
www.thelaminatingfloor.info; and
http://woodfloor.101.info

Laminate Floor Review

2005-07-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Laminate Floor Review

Reviewing and Evaluating Laminate Floors
By Barry Hutch

Since the introduction of laminate flooring into the US in 1982, the sector has experienced growth of up to 20% per annum at the expense of other floor types, making laminate the fastest growing floor type in the country. The appeal lies not only in its aesthetic value of its representation of real hardwood, but also due to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance.

Pergo were the first company to introduce laminate flooring into the U.S, and held the majority share of the consumer market for many years. As the popularity of laminate flooring grew, new players began entering the market and quickly gaining market share. Today there are hundreds of brands available to the consumer, some good quality and some inferior. With all the latest advancements in laminate technology, it seems that a new style is being introduced almost every week, making it a daunting task for the consumer to determine which floor best suits their needs.

The following factors will help you evaluate different brands and styles of laminate flooring in order to determine which laminate floor best suites your application.

Laminate floors are constructed using two different methods of manufacture: Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) and High Pressure Laminate (HPL). Direct pressure laminate is made up of three layers, while a High Pressure Laminate is made up of a minimum of five layers. Is one better than the other? Yes. HPL is a far superior product. The addition of Phenolic Treated Kraft Sheets make the HPL a far stronger, more dent resistant and stable product. The catch is that they come with a higher price tag. Do you need HPL in your home? No. Most laminate floors sold in the US are (DPL) and are built for today’s active households. However if you are looking for a floor that will withstand the vigour of small children and large pets and still look good in 15 years time, then High Pressure Laminate is a good alternative.

Laminate cores range in thickness from 6mm to 12mm, with a thicker core usually denoting a more stable product. The only exception to this rule is High Pressure Laminate (HPL), which although has a much thinner core compared to (DPL), is stronger and more durable. Composition of core material is also an important factor. A good laminate floor is constructed using High density Fiberboard (HDF) as the core material, which has been treated with water repellent chemicals, offering stability and a high level of water resistance.

Joint integrity can be an important factor, especially when placing heavy items on your laminate floors. Laminate floors are engineered to withstand normal day to day wear and tear and are designed to withstand the weight of normal household furniture. If you wish to place an extra heavy item of furniture on you floors, such as a very large fish tank, you might want to consider purchasing a floor that has an aluminum locking system. Laminate floor joints should also be treated with water repellent chemicals, such as paraffin wax, which is impregnated into the tongue and groove of the floor boards.

A good laminate warranty should cover the following aspects: Fading, Denting, Wear and Tear, Staining and should have some kind of water warranty, although keep in mind that no laminate warranty covers flooding. Always be sure to scrutinize the duration of the different aspects of a laminate warranty, as a 25 year warranty might refer to manufacturers defects only, while the wear and tear aspect of the warranty only covers a 15 year period.

North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA): NALFA is the organization that sets the standards for laminate flooring in the USA. NALFA is a non profit organization, and its members are unpaid volunteers. Laminates submitted o NALFA undergo a range of stringent tests. If the laminate floor meets or exceeds NALFA standards, it will earn the right to display the NALFA seal of approval. Note that submission of laminate flooring to NALFA is voluntary. The following laminates carry the NALFA seal of approval: Pergo, Mannington, Wilsonart. A more complete list can be found at the NALFA website.

Laminate floors are available in a plethora of wood grains, stains and designs. Recent advances have included textured surfaces and beveled edges, giving the product the look, feel and appeal of real hardwood. Laminate floors are now available in widths ranging from 2 ¼” wide to as much as 12” wide, offering a wide range of interior design options. Laminate floors will complement almost any décor and can be placed in every room of the home.

This flooring article was written by Barry H. Get more tips and techniques at: Flooring Information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

2005-07-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking that for my household, laminate flooring has more benefits than hardwood.

Why Laminate Flooring Is The Perfect Choice For Family Households

by: S.A. Smith

If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children's favorite playing area?

Your flooring nightmares can finally end! Laminate flooring was designed to stand up to the rigors and demands of a busy family household and when compared to other types of flooring solutions easily outperforms in almost every category. Here our our top reasons for selecting laminate flooring for a family household:

Laminate flooring is tough

Designed with a tough and durable wear layer, it is much stronger than most installed solid hardwood flooring, vinyl's, and carpets. It stands up much better to dents and scratches that the softer surface of solid hardwood floors, and is a much better surface to install if you have heavy foot traffic, kids, or household pets. Best of all - it continues to look brand new even after years of wear and tear.

Stain, fade, and moisture resistant

Most laminate flooring manufacturers offer triple warranty protection against stains, fading and moisture damage for 25 years. In contrast, solid hardwood floors are susceptible to wood grain staining, fading in repeated sunlight exposure, and are not a suitable floor for areas with high moisture or humidity levels.

Laminate flooring is easy to install

The popular quality brands of laminate flooring have gravitated towards a glueless click together floating floor installation process.

These floors simply need to be cut to size, clicked together, and are immediately ready to walk on or place your furniture. Most weekend do-it-yourselfers can handle this installation, but should expect to take 2 - 3 times longer than a professional installer.

Laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain

Spills and messes easily clean up with a little soap and water thanks to the hard moisture and wear resistant surface coating. No residual stain or mess will remain and your laminate floors will continue to look brand new. No more run down and tired looking floors!

Laminate flooring are a healthy flooring choice

With regular cleaning cycles, laminate floors can provide a much cleaner and healthier living environment when compared to carpets. Less dust, pet dander, allergens and dust mites accumulate on the surface, and the laminate surface will not hold residual stain contaminants like a carpet will. Allergists will often recommend to their patients the removal of carpets from the living space.

Laminate flooring is economical

Once you consider the costs of alternate flooring solutions over a typical laminate flooring lifespan it becomes an extremely economical solution. Carpets will require 2 to 3 replacements during this time, solid hardwood floors will require refinishing 4 to 5 times, and vinyl will need to be replaced at least twice, or more depending on traffic loads.

A worry-free family focused flooring surface

Kids can play toys on it, the dog can run through with muddy paws, the neighbor friends can visit with wet shoes, and the baby bottle spills all over the floor... not a problem anymore! Laminate floors are the perfect floor for busy families and growing households.

To read more of the benefits and advantages of laminate flooring visit http://www.laminateflooringzone.com About The Author

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone resource site, and can be reached at http://www.laminateflooringzone.com .

Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

2005-07-03T20:02:00.001-07:00

Why Hardwood Flooring Is Still A Good Investment

by: S.A. Smith

1) Hardwood flooring has a timeless air of quality

Hardwood floors have decorated some of the most exclusive mansions and estates in history and still exudes a feeling of permanence and classic quality compared to manufactured floors.

2) Hardwood floors are natural

Hardwood floors bring the natural outdoors inside, and do not contain man-made chemicals in the wood itself. Homeowners with exclusive design tastes will tend to gravitate towards the quality and natural feel of hardwood floors - there is just something about the feel and look of them that cannot be duplicated in a factory.

3) Hardwood flooring adds value to your home

Installing solid hardwood flooring in your home is a true investment that will retain its value. In many cases, installing hardwood floors with generate a return on investment that exceeds the initial cost of installation.

4) Real hardwood colors will never go out of style

There is a timeless quality about the natural color of hardwoods that will ensure your house never becomes outdated because of its flooring. Recent advancements in laminate flooring have allowed consumers to pick from a multitude of design styles and colors - unfortunately some of these may become outdated and fall out of favor.

5) Hardwood flooring sounds better

If you've ever walked over a floating laminate flooring system you'll hear a muffled echo sound, which is one of the few downsides of laminate floor systems. With proper installation of solid hardwood floors, you will not have this distracting hollow noise. Hollow sounds and vibrations are not an issue with hardwood floors - and this is actually one of the "good feelings" people can literally sense with real hardwood floors.

To read more of the benefits and advantages of hardwood flooring visit http://www.laminateflooringzone.com About The Author

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone resource site, and can be reached at http://www.laminateflooringzone.com .

Selecting Hardwood Flooring

2005-07-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You May Not Know About Selecting Hardwood Flooring

by: Doug Bolton

1) Red Oak is not the only choice

If you want your home to look like everyone else’s, this is a great choice. If you want your home to be unique try hickory, cherry, walnut, white oak, maple or many others. Go to flooring retailers or search the Internet and see what is available. If you really want red oak try using wider widths or character grade for variety and uniqueness.

2) 2 1/4 inch is not the only size available

If all you ask your builder for is a hardwood floor – you are going to get a 2 1/4 inch red oak floor. Why? It is the most common, most produced, most stocked, cheapest option available. You can buy sizes in 3” through 12”. You can put down a single width for a uniform look or multiple widths for a more random look. Typical random flooring patterns are 3”-4”-5”, 3”-5”, 4”-5”-6”. Have fun! Make your home unique! The wider the floor the more seasonal separations between the flooring planks can occur.

3) Import Species don’t support jobs in the United States

While there are vast amounts of imported species available, there are fantastic, interesting species of flooring available right here in the United States. Not all countries have managed forests and renewable resources. This is an important time to support our own economy.

4) All flooring is not select (clear) grade

The most common floors are select grade. These floors contain none of woods naturally occurring character marks. Look around your flooring showroom, almost every display is showing clear flooring. There are warm and inviting options. Look at a character grade or other grades. Make sure to see a photo of what the floor looks like, not just one piece.

5) Prefinished flooring is convenient

Have you ever been forced to leave your home for three days while the flooring contractor sands, stains and recoats your floor? If not ask a friend who has had it done. A professional flooring contractor will leave your home spotless, others can leave dust on all your furniture. Today’s factory finished flooring can be installed today and entertained on tonight with very little mess. With prefinished flooring each plank is allowed to move independently with humidity changes in your home. This makes those seasonal separations (cracks) in your floor less noticeable.

6) Colors can be cool – but mother nature is hard to beat

Some species of flooring are so beautiful in their natural color, they do not require any added color. Look up hickory, cherry or walnut flooring on the Internet and you will see what I mean.

7) Prefinish warranties are a gimmick

50 year warranty – WOW! Lifetime warranty – fantastic! Oh really? These are wear-through warranties only. Your floor will loose its “sheen” or luster and require refinishing long before you ever wear through the finish. The best way to make a floor last is to vacuum it often to keep away abrasive material that might scratch your floor. Remember a lower sheen floor shows less wear.

8) Not all flooring is smooth – texture is popular

Hardwood flooring does not have to be smooth. Many companies are offering hand scraped, distressed and reclaimed flooring. These floors have a classic look and add great value to upscale homes. They do not show much wear or scratches since they have a great deal of character interest to draw attention to different parts of the floor. These floors will be a guaranteed conversation piece with your friends and neighbors and are often the focal point at luxury home tours.

9) In a basement use engineered flooring

Most people use engineered flooring to glue down to concrete or in higher moisture areas. This flooring has a thin layer of hardwood with a cross banded plywood base. This makes the flooring more stable and does not require nailing like a solid hardwood floor.

10) Laminate flooring is not Hardwood flooring

A great steak does not taste the same as a picture of a great steak. If you want the beauty and warmth of hardwood flooring in your home – buy the real thing, not a cheap imitation.

About The Author

Doug Bolton is the owner of Homerwood Hardwood Floors located in the heart of the Pennsylvania hardwoood region - Titusville PA. You can learn more by visiting their website at http://www.homerwood.com

How To Shine a Hardwood Floor

2005-07-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

I've heard people recommending vinegar to make a hardwood floor clean and shiny, but others say to avoid it. I wonder...this article provides some insight.

Make Your Hardwood Floors Shine

by: Craig A. Mouldey

You have just installed hardwood flooring in your home. Now what? How do you keep your hardwood floors clean and shiny? Read the following Q&A in which two hardwood floor owners are asking just that.

Q: "I was reading your site and saw that one should not use oil based cleaners. Why? Our installer told us to use vinegar in water, and use a damp cloth to clean the floor about once a week. Will this damage the floor? What is a polyurethane cleaner? Where do you buy it?"

A: If an oil based cleaner is used on polyurethane finished floors, it leaves an oily residue on the surface which can not only make cleaning the floor more difficult, but after a period of time, when the floor is showing signs of wear and needs to be buffed and recoated, this residue can present adhesion problems. When cleaning any hardwood floor, or furniture, minimal water should be used. In other words, wipe with a dampened, not wet cloth. Adding a capful of vinegar can help and is suggested by the National Wood Flooring Association. However, I have heard one floor finish manufacturer dispute this, believing the vinegar is too acidic and can break down the finish eventually. The absolutely simple and safe way to clean any sort of wood that is finished with a urethane is to use polyurethane cleaners which are manufactured by both hardwood flooring manufacturers and manufacturers of polyurethane. I use Squeeky Cleaner from Basic Coatings. Any hardwood flooring supplier near you should carry this or similar product. Also, Home Depot is a likely place to look, since they do sell hardwood flooring. This cleaner is usually blue in color, and is mixed 4 parts water to one part cleaner in a spray bottle. Mist some on a cloth and wipe. You can use this to clean any wood finished with urethane top coats.

Q: "We bought a beautiful old home with wonderful wood floors throughout which were installed in 93. They looked pretty good when we moved in two years ago, but now they look dull and mottled. Our cleaning person uses ****** for floors and some floor dusting cloth called ********. Could they be the problem? What can we use to get the shine back?"

A: There are any number of cleaners on the market, found in supermarket that say they are for hardwood floors. Your safest approach is to purchase a cleaner created by hardwood flooring manufacturers or floor finish manufacturers. This can be purchased (these products, as far as I am aware, are all basically the same) from local hardwood flooring retailers or a big box store that sells hardwood flooring. Best bet is the Hardwood retailer who specializes in hardwood. I use "squeaky cleaner" manufactured by Basic Coatings. See their web site: www.basiccoatings.com.

Mirage cleaner is another one.

It sounds likely that the cleaners being used on your floors are leaving some sort of film on the wood surface. This can create the situation you are describing and can make buffing and recoating in the future impossible to achieve due to adhesion issues.

To sum it up, your best bet to make your floors shine is to purchase a cleaner created by hardwood flooring manufacturers or floor finish manufacturers.

About The Author

Craig Mouldey is the owner of http://www.FaceLiftFloors.com . He has been in the flooring business for over two decades. You can find more flooring Q&A at http://www.FaceLiftFloors.com .

webmaster@faceliftfloors.com

Laminate Floors Offer Beauty, Durability

2005-07-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

Laminate Floors Offer Beauty, Durability

by: ARA Content

(ARA) - You might not give your floors much thought -- until it comes time to replace them. Then you realize that there are many options out there. For busy families whose floors need to stand up to kids and pets, laminate flooring is an excellent choice.

Laminate flooring has been a fashionable option in Europe for more than 20 years, and it's rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. The most common designs have a wood grain appearance; some are made to look like stone or marble. Laminates are designed to look good for many years with a minimum amount of maintenance.

Laminate flooring consists of four main components that are bonded together. A wear resistant decorative surface made of resin-based melamine/aluminum oxide is bonded to a moisture resistant wood composition-based core. A balancing backing is bonded to the underside of the core. On the top is a clear cap sheet of aluminum oxide, which provides the protection and stain resistance. Since the resin-filled wear layer is so dense, it becomes extremely difficult to stain, scratch or burn.

Ease of installation is one factor that contributes to the popularity of laminate flooring. It uses a tongue and groove interlocking system, which can be installed over the top of an existing substrate. Plywood, concrete slab, sheet vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring or virtually any other basically flat hard surface is a suitable base for laminate.

Most brands of laminate flooring require that the joints be glued with specially formulated, water-resistant glue placed between the tongue and grooves of every plank. However, Alloc, Inc., located in Racine, Wis., has a patented glueless interlocking system that provides strong, tight joints without messy glue or special tools.

Because installation is so simple, and because you can walk on your new floor immediately (no waiting for glue to dry), beautifying your home with new laminate flooring is truly a project you can do in a weekend. "Installing a laminate floor, especially with our glueless system, is a lot easier than people think," says company president Claes Wennerth.

No matter what your décor or your lifestyle, you can find a laminate floor to fit your needs. Alloc's Home Flooring can be used in virtually any area of your home, such as kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms and bathrooms.

Taking care of a laminate floor is even easier than installing it. To keep your floor looking like new and avoid scratches, simply vacuum or dust mop regularly to remove loose dirt or grit. Glides or cushioned bottom protectors under chairs and table legs also help prevent possible scratching, and floor mats at all outside doorways keep dirt from coming inside.

Alloc Home Flooring is backed by a 25-year, five star plus warranty which covers five areas: joint integrity, stain resistance, fade resistance, wear resistance and water resistance.

To find an Alloc dealer in your area, or to get more information on available patterns and installation procedures, call (877) DO-ALLOC or visit the company's Web site, www.alloc.com.

About The Author

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Laminate Flooring- Attractive and Long Lasting

2005-07-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Laminate Flooring Is Attractive And Long Lasting

by: Mike Yeager

Laminate flooring is perfect for people who want to install a floor covering that is easy to install and combines the rich look of hardwood with the easy care of a laminate counter top. Laminate floors that have been constantly gaining popularity since their creation a few years ago. Laminate flooring can be properly installed on sheet vinyl flooring, concrete slab, plywood, hardwood flooring, or essentially any other flat hard surface. Laminate wood flooring has a special composite of layers that makes up its construction. Most of the flooring plank is a thick and water resistant core material that is designed for uniformity. The top level of laminate wood flooring is the finished flooring material, which is usually decorative and waterproofed to protect against common household spills. Because of flooring harmonics laminate’s design, most laminate flooring will last longer than other types of flooring.

Choosing the right Laminate Flooring

If you are interested in buying laminate flooring but worry about the price and availability of certain colors and patterns, there is no need to fret. Flooring harmonics laminate is actually cheaper than most other kinds of flooring. Also, laminate wood flooring comes in many different patterns and colors, so you will be sure to find exactly the right type of laminate flooring that you are looking for. If you are relatively inexperienced with common household installation projects, you might want to consider hiring a contractor to install the laminate flooring. However, laminate flooring manufacturers have made it fairly simple to install, so it should not be beyond the grasp of people who have at least a little experience in common household installations.

About The Author

Mike Yeager

Publisher

http://www.a1-interior-design-4u.com/

How To Select Distressed Hardwood Flooring

2005-07-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

How To Select Scraped//Distressed Hardwood Flooring

by: Doug Bolton

Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in today’s upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history. Before today’s modern sanding methods, floors were hand scraped on site to make the floors flat. Today’s hand scraping is done to add texture, richness and uniqueness.

Distressed hardwood flooring is done by machine or by hand. In an effort to reduce high labor costs, manufacturers have created machine-made distressed/scraped looking floors. These are cheaper imitations of the real thing. The problem with machine distressing is repetition of the pattern. As you look across the floor you see the same pattern repeating across the floor. This lacks a natural feel to the floor.

True hand scraped is exactly that – done by hand. When properly done this method creates a truly unique floor. These floors differ greatly in the amount of the texture added to the floor and the skill of the person scraping the floor.

Some manufacturers are just denting, scooping, or roughing the floor. Others are sanding the floor unevenly to create a worn look. Still others are scraping the entire surface of the flooring creating the most unique hand made look. Some product lines allow the customer to choose between heavy, medium and light scraping. True artisans can create a reclaimed look complete with wormholes, splits and other naturally occurring character markings.

The labor used in hand scraping varies greatly. Some floor installers simply have their crew scrape the floor after it is installed in the home. Results vary widely based on the skill of the person or persons doing the scraping. Lack of control and expertise can lead to disastrous results. Scraping is a plant environment is also varied. Some are using illegal immigrants for the scraping labor; one company uses the federal prison system, smartly not advertised as such. Yet another uses Pennsylvania Amish craftsman to create their Amish Hand-Scraped collection.

Some homeowners are buying scraped floors unfinished and applying the finish on site, but most are choosing prefinished. These floors require special methods to prepare the floor for finishing. Regular on site sanding can destroy the texture of the floor that the customer is paying for. The most expensive lines are being finished by hand sometimes referred to as “hand rubbed”. Most of the prefinished floors are excellent and create convenience and speed of installation for the contractor and homeowner alike.

One of the great benefits of a prefinished floor is the ability of each plank to move independently with the changes of humidity in the home. On site finishing bonds the finish between planks requiring the finish to split as the floor contracts at dry humidity levels. These cracks rarely create a problem and are natural in hardwood floors, they are less noticeable in prefinished microbevelled floors.

Scraped floors that have darker finished tend to show the scraping more than natural finished floors. This is due to the finish pooling in the scrapes causing shadows drawing your attention to the character in the floor. Most hardwood flooring manufacturers have web sites showing the consumer what the floors look like. Many have displays at dealers near your home so you can actually see and touch what you are buying.

Hand scraped floors are not cheap. They are for those looking for a truly unique look. The cheaper machine made distressed hardwood floors material can retail around $10 per square foot. You will pay $15 and up per square foot for hand scraped. With most things in life, the real thing is hard to imitate and most people know a fake when they see it. A true hand scraped floor will give a unique, warm, rich look to your home and will be an absolute guaranteed conversation piece with your friends and guests.

About The Author

Doug Bolton is the owner of Homerwood Hardwood Flooring, located in the heart of the Pennsylvania hardwood region - Titusville PA. You can learn more by visiting their website at http://www.homerwood.com .

dbolton@homerwood.com

How To Care For Laminate Flooring

2005-07-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

One of the big selling points for laminate flooring is how easy it is to care for.

How To Care For Laminate Flooring

by: E. Timothy Uy

It's hard to damage and easy to care for laminate floors. Here are some tips on how to properly maintain them:

Carefully read the warranty and care instructions provided for your flooring. Follow them as much as you can and refer to them if a problem develops.

Ask for post-installation care instructions.You may not be able to mop the floor for 48 hours or you may be given other care instructions,depending on the flooring brand.

Don't wet-mop laminate floors, because puddles could seep behind basebords and under your floor, damaging them.Only vacuum and then damp-mop them.

Don't ever apply wax or acrylic floor finishes.

Use only the stain-removal products recommended by the flooring manufacturer.Typical suggestions in product literature are: acetone, for cigarette burns and nail-polish spills, and mineral spirits for grease and tar.

Buy doormats for doorways that lead to the garage or outdoors.These doormats will trap grit that can gradually cause light scratching on the laminate floor's surface.

Put easy-glide protective buttons on the feet of the furniture.

Use dollies when moving a large piece of furniture or a heavy appliance across a laminate floor or else you could leave a scratch by getting tiny peebles caught under a furniture foot or a wheel.

Take common-sense precautions to protect your floor when working with sharp or heavy objects.For example, put down a thick tarp or a carpet scrap to protect the laminate floor when installing a ceiling fan and using a drill; you can damage the floor by accidentally dropping it.

About The Author

Laminate flooring enthusiasts unite! Installation, maintenance, selection, e.g., Harmonics, Pergo, Shaw, Mannington - you name it, we are talking about it. Join us at http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com .

timlaminate@yahoo.com

Protect Your Hardwood Floor

2005-06-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

One of the things that concerns me about hardwood floors is how to protect it from water damage and gouges. Here's a great article on how to protect your hardwood floor...these tips would also apply to laminate flooring.

5 Easy Steps to Protect Your Hardwood Floor From Disaster
By Michael Nelson

Common knowledge states that hardwood floors are a great investment for a homeowner. They add a certain charm and character to a home that can’t be replicated by laminates, carpeting, or any other type of flooring. However, the investment does not stop with the decision to purchase hardwoods. To retain the value, the hardwood must be properly cared for and maintained. Fortunately, with a few simple, easy, inexpensive steps, your hardwood flooring will always remain in perfect shape.

1. Do not use Murphy’s Oil Soap. Murphy’s works great on wooden furniture, but don’t make the mistake of using it on your hardwood floors. You won’t notice anything wrong after applying it once, but if used consistently, residue will build up and leave your floor with a dull appearance.

2. Do not use a Wet Swiffer. A Dry Swiffer is great for collecting dust, dirt, and pet hair from your floors, and it is also less abrasive than a vacuum cleaner. However, a Wet Swiffer can cause major long-term damage. The chemicals in the cleaning solution can break down the urethane finish on your floor and leave it dull, faded, and lifeless.

3. Place area rugs anywhere that might collect water. Prime areas are in front of the refrigerator, by the dishwasher, and near any sinks. Make sure that the floor is protected in any spot that is susceptible to minor leaks and water collection. A pool of water is the quickest way to destroy your floor.

4. Use floor mats in spots where people step on the hardwood directly after being outside. In addition to protecting against wet or muddy footprints, floor mats will help collect any sharp or abrasive materials stuck in the treads of shoes. This step will help prevent accidental scraping or scratching.

5. Use felt pads when moving furniture. Or better yet, lift the furniture off the ground instead of sliding it across your hardwood floor. If felt pads must be used, please make sure that they are free of any debris. Even if a tiny little object like a staple is under that pad when heavy furniture is set upon it, your floor could receive some serious gouges.

These steps will help ensure that your home retains its value by protecting your hardwood floors against major damage.

Accidents do happen, however, no matter how careful you are. If your floor becomes damaged, contact the manufacturer or the installer for advice.

You can read more about hardwood flooring at http://www.hardwoodflooringspot.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Laminate Flooring- What You Should Know

2005-06-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

What You Should Know About Laminate Flooring
By E. Timothy Uy

Laminate flooring imitates the aspect of traditional wood. Their biggest advantage is that they are very easy to install and very durable. Laminate flooring are suitable for many of your rooms: hallways, family spaces, bathrooms, kitchens. Also they are perfect for an active home.

At first look, laminate flooring seems to be a natural wood floor but in fact is a layer of paper under a tough protective film that is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. There are also types of laminate planks that are installed over a moisture barrier which levels any uneven areas of the floor. You don't need any glue or nails for them because the planks snap together.

Before choosing a laminate flooring material you should think about the type of traffic in your house. One other advantage for laminate flooring is the durability. So this type of floor is one of the best choices for households with heavy foot traffic, kids, or pets. But, best of all, laminates will look like new for years.

Laminates are also highly resistant to stains, fading and moisture and many laminate flooring manufacturers offer warranty protection against them for a long period of time (usually from 10 to 25 years).

If you already have a type of floor this doesn't represents a problem for you. Laminate flooring can be installed over floors like wood, tile, vinyl or linoleum because most of them are floating which means they do not fasten directly to the subfloor. Also, at this moment, many manufacturers offer snap-together laminate flooring systems.

A typical laminate flooring is and extremely economical solution, if you take in consideration the costs of alternate flooring solutions. Solid hardwood floors will require 4-5 refinishings and carpets and vinyls will need to be replaced at least twice (depending on traffic loads), while laminates don't require anything.

Laminates come in different styles an types. You can find transition strips, end caps, stair nosings, moldings and baseboards. Almost anything you need you can find at a laminate flooring manufacturer. There are companies that offer floor registers for heating and air vents.

Laminate flooring provides a much cleaner and healthier living environment when compared to other floorings such as carpets, with regular cleaning cycles. It accumulates less dust, pet dander, allergens and it doesn't hold residual stain contaminants on the surface. Allergic people will often be recommended to remove the carpets from the living space.

In conclusion laminate floors are a very good choice for your home because there are durable, resistant, economical and easy to install.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Laminate vs Hard Wood Flooring

2005-06-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dh is a bit of a wood snob and wants hard wood flooring or nothing...but I'm leaning towards laminate for a few reasons.

I love the look of "real" hard wood flooring but it is more expensive than laminate, and we are planning on moving in 3 years, maybe less. $5000 or so is a lot to drop on hard wood floors for someone else to enjoy.

Laminate flooring seems a great low maintenance choice for me...Mom of 3 (almost 4) kiddos. I want something easy to clean, stain/scratch resistant, etc.

Here's an article on how to select Laminate Flooring.

How to Select the Best Laminate Flooring for You
By E. Timothy Uy

Hardwood flooring - its' traditional look is almost timeless, its' beauty is unmatchable. However, it's pretty hard to maintain a hardwood floor, not to mention the price you have to pay for it. Even with the most recent floor treatments they will still scratch, fade, dent and stain in a rather small amount of time. That's why laminate flooring was invented. Because it's machine made and its' top layer is a hardwood photographic laminated surface, laminate has the look and appeal of real hardwood floors, but it's more durable and it requires less maintenance.

Unlike real hardwood floors, laminate flooring is more resistant to scratching, staining, fading and denting. Laminates warranty range from 10 years to lifetime and it covers all of the bad things mentioned above, while entry level laminates come with a 10 to 15 years one. But they are designed for light traffic areas. I mentioned this because many people mistake and think that they will remain the same if used in a high traffic area during the warranty period. This is not true. Used in a high traffic area, they will begin to show wear and tear rather quick (usually within 3 to 5 years).

Remember that choosing the right laminate flooring is not as easy as it seems, but by doing that, you will save money in the long run. Just think of things like the amount of time you are planning on staying in that house or the amount of traffic, because there is no point in buying really expensive laminate flooring with extended warranty if you know that you are moving sometime in the near future. Another thing you should know is that people usually replace the floor first when moving in a new house, so, with expensive laminate with an extended warranty, you will either pay an amount of money for nothing, or for the people who will move in after you.

A thing you should consider when buying laminate flooring for bathrooms or kitchens is it's core. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable and sounds more like the real hardwood floor when walked on. Quality laminate cores are treated with water repellent chemicals. Also consider buying laminates with Paraffin wax impregnated joints, as this wax acts as a water repellent and prevents water from penetrating down to the core.

As glueless locking mechanisms has been introduced to the market, laminate flooring has become the perfect choice for households because it has a quicker installation, it's easier to repair and it can be installed by people without experience or specialized tools. This will save you a considerable amount of money.

Laminate flooring enthusiasts unite! Installation, maintenance, selection, e.g., Harmonics, Pergo, Shaw, Mannington - you name it, we are talking about it. Join us at http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Tips

2005-06-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages of a hardwood floor over laminate is that a hardwood floor can be refinished. If you get a big water stain or gash in laminate, you're up the creek. Here are some do-it-yourself tips for refinishing hardwood floors.

Refinishing A Hardwood Floor

Want to bring your hardwood floors back to their former beauty,
but don't have the money? Then read on for some tips on how you
can refinish the floor yourself.

If you have the time and don't mind doing the work, then
refinishing your floors yourself is a great option but before
starting out, it's not a bad idea to get an estimate from a
professional so you can compare the cost of doing it yourself
to what they would charge. You'll get quite a shock at the
amount that is charged. It may cost over $1000 to have just 1
room done. You could carpet over it for less, but doesn't
carpeting over beautiful hardwood floors seem, well, wrong?

It is actually rather easy to refinish a wood floor - if you
pay attention to what you are doing. To sand the floor, you
need a drum sander and possibly a belt sander which can be
rented at your neighborhood Home Depot or hardware store. They
can help you figure out which machines you need to rent, what
kind of sand paper you should buy and also can help with the
type and amount of stain and finish for the floor. You might
also want to get some dust masks and plastic to section the
room off from the rest of the house. Fine particles of dust
will get everywhere - even if you section off the room, but you
may be able to minimize the impact on the rest of the house.

The most important part of refinishing your floors is learning
how to control the sander. The key to running the sander is to
make sure it keeps moving at all times, otherwise they are
simple to use, although a bit hard on the ears. If you stop in
1 spot, you will probably get a big gouge in your floor. Equate
it to using an iron on your clothes - if you stop in 1 spot too
long you'll burn a hole. The sander is similar since it creates
a lot of heat, keeping it in 1 spot can burn or dent your floor.

You do need to be careful with the sander as it is self
propelled. When you first start it up, make sure you hold on
firmly. Don't be afraid of the machine but make sure you
maintain complete control. Relax, after a few spins, it may
even start to seem like fun.

After the old finish is removed, you need to apply the stain
and new finish. Think of this as the same as doing your nails -
first you remove the old finish, then basecoat, color and
topcoat. Sometimes you don't want color on your nails so you
skip that part. In your floor you might also skip that part
(the stain) but you still want to use a finish to protect the
floor.

When selecting a finish you can pick from an oil based or
polyurethane (water based) finish. When selecting an oil based
finish you will need to decide if you want a satin, gloss or
semi gloss finish. It's probably best for you to use satin on a
hardwood floor as it will help hide any flaws in the wood and is
much more pleasing then a bright shine Using oil based finish is
better for wood floors as it casts a warm amber glow. Water
based, on the other had dries quicker and resists yellowing.

No matter which you choose, you must let each coat dry before
putting down the next coat. Think back to the nail polish
analogy! Follow the manufacturers instructions on the finish
before you occupy the room again. Usually you can move your
furniture back in after about 24 hours.

As you can see, the task of refinishing your floors need not be
overwhelming. Think of it as giving your room a manicure. Take
it one step at a time and use care in the process and you can
have a great looking floor and save yourself almost $1000 to
boot!

About The Author: Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for home
improvement resources such as
http://www.refinishing-hardwood-floors.com. Visit our site
and see how you can refinish your hardwood floor:
http://www.refinishing-hardwood-floors.com/Solid-Hardwood-Floor.html

Hard Flooring Decisions

2005-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Dh and I are going to be replacing our floors very soon and while researching our options, I've learned a little bit in the process. I thought...why not publish what I found the world wide web for the benefit of others trying to decide on which hard floors to choose?