Category: Flooring


Problems With Engineered Flooring

Filed Under: Flooring
Dec.12, 2010

As you enter the world of hardwood flooring you have many options. Engineered flooring is one of them. What is engineered flooring? Engineered hardwood flooring is composed of a hardwood “wear layer”, from 1/16″ to 3/16″ thick, laminated or glued to plywood. The plywood backing is assembled in a crossing pattern, usually of 3 or 5 plys. Then there is a thin layer of hardwood, which normally comes from waste material, or reclaimed wood. This is the catch, the thin layer on top is normally only 1/8″ which does not give you much wood on the surface to sand or refinish. Solid wood floors have an expected lifetime of approximately 100-120 years, as to where engineered flooring only about 5-10 years “IF” you get a good product than can be refinished more than once. With engineered flooring you take the risk of the wood delaminating from moisture, or from certain cleaning products you may use. Looks can be “deceiving” when looking through engineered products; they give you the look of solid hardwood but not the durability!


Labels, brand names and colors are often discontinued or changed in engineered flooring, leaving you in a dilemma if you ever have to replace for damage, or an addition to the room. Solid hardwood can be re-sanded and refinished several times to remove dents or deep scratches if needed, which makes it much more durable to the daily wear and tear of our family and our playful pets. With engineered wood flooring, you will have to live with some of those deep dents or scratches that come from everyday living. It is also easily found in the wood industry. ãEUREURMother Nature shows her magic with vibrate colors ranges in solid wood that we could never match with engineered flooring products.


Moisture issues are another factor you must consider on your flooring choice. Engineered products are made from laminating thin stock together, and you take a chance on it delaminating with moisture issues. This will make your flooring move apart, swell, and eventually have to be replaced. Laminated flooring is not good for bathrooms, kitchens or places with a lot of water for that reason.


Working with engineered flooring on the milling side of things is very hard to get perfection. The wood is very thin, making it harder to get the edges straight. They may be ridged, too making it hard to install and it can be uneven. Also something to think about is nearly every floor endures some separation between boards. If water gets down into the wood, it can cause it to cup, or rise off the floor or it can stain very easily from spills. If you can, train your family and friends to remove their shoes when they enter your home, then that would be ideal flooring option, but in reality that is not a logical choice. What is a good alternative to engineered flooring? Recycled hardwood flooring made of solid strips of lumber can be installed over concrete and resists the pressures from moisture. Like solid wood flooring, these products can be sanded and refinished for an even longer lifespan. There’s also cork flooring which offers a softer surface, but can wear faster overtime. Cork is a renewable material so it’s still a promising alternative. What’s the lesson here? Always do your homework. Before you shop around, gather your “pros and cons” to what will suit your flooring needs. Do not go by looks alone, see where your floor will take you in the future. You’ll be glad you took the time.

Discover more about recycled hardwood flooring and other engineered flooring alternatives.

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Tools a Carpet Installation Company Uses That a Do It Yourselfer Needs

Filed Under: Flooring
Dec.03, 2010

Beautiful new carpet is an exciting way to increase the comfort and enjoyment you feel in your home. You have two options when it comes to laying the carpet – you can hire a carpet installation company or you can do it yourself. If you think you want to do it by yourself, be aware that you will have to have many tools on hand, including some specialty tools.


Safety Glasses and Work Gloves


Many do-it-yourselfers do not bother with safety equipment, and that is why the incidence of injury accidents is so high while doing these projects. Do not cut corners. Get the safety glasses and use the work gloves just like the carpet installation company does.


Hammer


You will need a claw hammer after you take up your old carpet to pull out any old staples and tackless strips. This is a very important step in the process because if you do not do it you will have a lumpy new carpet.


Measuring Tape


A good, professional-style measuring type will help you get all the measurements, not only of your room, but of the carpeting as well.


Chalk Line


If you do not have a chalk line, or even know what one is, you must find one and learn how to use it to mark the back of your carpeting before you cut it. A carpet installation company will have no trouble taking care of this procedure for you if you hire the work done.


Knife


A carpet knife or utility knife will allow you to cut the carpet. Without it, you will have trouble doing the job. With it, it can still be difficult, and easy to cut yourself. It is a better idea to have a professional do it for you.


Tack Strips and Staple Gun


Tack strips have to be installed around all the edges of the room. This is what the carpet is stapled to, using a heavy duty construction-type staple gun.


Seam Cutter


If you have to have a seam, you can overlap the carpet on the two sides of the seam as you work. Then, you can use a seam cutter to cut through both pieces of carpeting at the same time. A carpet installation company has the proper seam cutters to use for the job.


Knee Kicker


A knee kicker is a specialty tool that you will almost certainly have to rent or buy if you are not affiliated with a carpet installation company. It is used to stretch the carpeting into place. This part of the job is a difficult and sometimes even painful one. It is best left to experts.


Power Stretcher


You can use the power stretcher to stretch the carpet as well, once you have gotten one side in place. The up side of the power stretcher is that it is not so physically difficult to use as the knee kicker. The down sides are that it may be harder to understand, and it is an expensive rental. A carpet installation company will bring their own when they come to do your job.

Shawn Hickman is the Search Marketing Manager for Sears Home Improvements.


To read more articles about Home Flooring Installation Services, visit the Carpet Installation section of our website.

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Vinyl Flooring – Avoid Putting Tiles Directly on Top

Filed Under: Flooring
Jul.05, 2010

It is a common thing that people do and which has many disadvantages: placing tiles over vinyl flooring. While in the short term is might save you time in installing your flooring, in the long run it will simply damage the floor and make it less durable, which will only lead to extra headaches and costs down the road.


One of the main reasons why this should be avoided is because vinyl is quite similar to plastic, which means that it is not the best material to glue something on it. Vinyl has an extra layer of shine which is non-porous, so it’s very difficult for anything adhering to it. While there is a certain way of roughening the vinyl to stick better to it, it’s not the best process to go about it. You might find yourself down the road with the floor lifting once it has been laid down. The vinyl might simply push upwards the ceramic tiles which might crack in the process. You might end up having to replace your entire flooring which will cost you a small fortune too.


Another issue that people who do this shortcut will be facing in the long run is the fact that the floor will not be smooth and level. You won’t be able to properly gauge the patterns in the tiles which is important to have a level and stable flooring in your home.


Also if you placed the vinyl directly over plywood will not help you when it comes to laying tiles on top because this is an entirely different material from the one you used before. Not only that but it will jeopardize the floor stability, making the surface prone to cracking, particularly if you also have other materials involved, such as linoleum. The fact that the floor is cushioned by previous materials will speed the cracking process of your tiles, making them useless after a short period of time.


This is why when you want to use tiles on top of vinyl, you need to prepare the vinyl the proper way so it is just right for tiling. First you need to screw down your own vinyl layer followed by the adding a mortar mix of mesh and concrete over it. Pouring cement is actually a good way to stabilize the sub-floor for the new layer of tiles that come on top. Alternatively you could easily add a sub-layer of plywood, or something else that will protect your tiles from cracking later on. Once you do the process the right way, you will be safe in the knowledge that your new tiling is properly laid down and it is quite safe and durable, without cracking.

Glueless vinyl flooring is one of the easiest flooring types to install at home.


Visit sheet vinyl flooring to learn more.

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Prices of Wood Flooring Systems

Filed Under: Flooring
May.15, 2010

If you have decided to install wooden Mannington flooring to your house than you have made the right choice because it not only make your floors look elegant but will also improve your room décor. The price of any product has great influence on your purchasing decision because you won’t be able to invest in anything that is beyond your spending range. You will find an assortment of wooden Mannington options available on the market but you have to select the one that meets your flooring requirements and fits within your budget.


The prices of each type of wooden Mannington flooring option depend on the choice of material and quotes that are provided by the retailers. Many companies are now producing engineered wooden flooring and these are available at relatively higher prices compared to other types. Some of the types such as laminate are cheaper than the traditional hardwood. This type resembles wood and provides almost the same look as other wooden floors. Many people invest in laminate types because of its less price and affordability. However other options that are made from using high quality material or superior quality wood are usually available at higher prices.


The price of these also depends on the style and color you are selecting. You can choose from a variety of available styles and colors. Plain flooring options would be cheaper compared to patterned and lined ones. The standard solid strip floors are available at an average rate of $8 where as the factory finished rates ranges from $10 to $14. The high quality options also range from $12 to $16. However people with high incomes can only afford investing in superior quality options.


The total cost of the floors largely depends on your room or house area. If you have smaller area then you can easily get your floors installed at cheaper prices where as if you have large area then you will have to increase your spending range. Once you have decided about the type you want to purchase you also will have to incur some installation costs. However with so many options available you can easily find some type of flooring option that fits within your spending range.


Wooden flooring systems are perfect alternatives for the carpet systems and are easier to clean and maintain and play an important role in boosting your room décor.

Visit mannington floors or for more information.

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Slate Flooring – What an Excellent Flooring Choice!

Filed Under: Flooring
Feb.21, 2010

A natural, extremely durable stone, slate can be cut into many shapes, sizes, thickness and texture to create floor designs easy to maintain. Smaller sections can be installed in a way similar to ceramic tile while larger sections create a more interesting rough-looking floor pattern. You also have the option of having slate tiles cut to your own specifications if there not available in the open-market.

A wide range of natural colors are created from the minerals and impurities in the silt and clay that make up slate. Slate flooring distributors will have many color choices available n rust reds, greens, grays, maroons, browns, charcoal blacks and mottled mixtures of these colors incorporated into each slate tile.

An important advantage of slate flooring over other natural stones is its ability to resist stains. A unique mixture of fossils, sand grains, crystals and bonding of the elements is how slate is formed. This combined structure prevents liquids from permeating the surface of the stone, thus the floors surface as well, and makes slate flooring an excellent choice for areas where all kinds and types of liquids are a constant factor.

Slates durable, toughness will easily withstand heavy trafficked areas, plus its stain-resistance and waterproof abilities definitely make it a wise flooring choice for inside a home, business or outside patio and driveway. This is one stone that is built to withstand nearly everything handed to it… short of demolitions and earthquakes…

Another benefit of slate flooring is the natural properties that create a texture that is slip-resistant without being treated. It is smooth enough to walk barefoot on, but minimizes the potential for slipping if your feet, or soles of your foot wear, are wet. The texture can be lightly sanded for a smoother surface, but that is usually not necessary.

Although hard and cold to the touch, installing radiant heat underneath the tile will eliminate the coldness and provide another source of heat that is not seen or heard.

Maintaining the natural stone look of slate tiles requires very little work. Regular cleaning with a soft bristled broom or dust mop and an occasional mopping of the surface, with the proper cleaning agent, is all that it requires. No need for waxes or finishes to keep slate flooring looking like new.

For the serious do-it-yourself handy person, installing a slate tile floor is not impossible. It fact it is very similar to installing any ceramic flooring. Just take your time, follow expertise directions and you will have a terrific looking floor!

Learn more about Slate Flooring and other types of flooring materials at Flooring Specialty.

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How to Install Your Hardwood Floor Without a Hitch

Filed Under: Flooring
Feb.20, 2010

No matter what type of flooring you want to have installed in your home, be it hardwood or engineered flooring, real wood flooring, laminate flooring or something else, you need to know something about installing hard wood floors as you will need them for installing practically each of these flooring types. One of the best ways to have your floor looking great is by using hardwood. There are so many different types of flooring nowadays that not using hardwood is almost impossible to imagine.

When using regular hardwood flooring, your first task is to place a sub-floor which will secure your hard-wood flooring in place. This will make sure that you can have your wood floor installation over concrete slabs or over already existing floors. It also gives an additional layer of insulation that keeps moisture away.

If the area has too much moisture anyway, you should avoid using hardwood material. For places with less moisture using engineered flooring will help because it usually holds up low levels of moisture without being adversely affected by it.

Also bathrooms are not a very good place to use hard wood as flooring option because of the spills of water which can ruin the material quite easily. A better option would be laminate flooring which is able to keep getting wet without major problems. Laminate wood is not the real deal, however it has an appearance of wood, so for a cheaper alternative this material also should do in relatively hidden places.

When laying down the hardwood flooring, there are a few things that you need to do, such as sanding down the floor so it loses those rough spots that are covering the nails and also becomes smoothed out. Next you need to stain and finish the floor. While a tedious and tiring task that can take a while, it has to be done. Just make sure that you don’t have children or pets walking all over the area while doing this, as it cannot be trampled over.

You can do the hard-wood floor installation by yourself if you have the know-how, materials and the tools, however if you have never done it before, just learning from the web or from a DYI 101 book will not suffice. This is when you need to enlist the help of a professional who has done it countless times before. There are many professional flooring installation services available that for a price will do a great job on flooring your kitchen or designated area. The most important is to find a nice, appealing style of hardwood material that will match that of the room it will be put in.

Engineered wood floor is very popular nowadays without being as expensive as the real wood floor, while still being the real deal. To read more about it visit my website at http://www.engineeredwoodfloor.org/

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What Are Laminates and Why They Are a Popular Choice For Many Floors

Filed Under: Flooring
Feb.19, 2010

Laminate flooring is very popular these days in our homes. But first of all what are laminates? Laminate is basically a manufactured product that looks just like hardwood, natural stone, tile and many other flooring types.

Previously laminates were quite easy to notice, however modern technology allows for very genuine looking flooring which is increasing in complexity and sophistication. This makes for very realistic textures that match that of many homes. Some of the very popular laminate styles are matching that of natural wood or stone, as people like to have these at home. If the price is too high for the real thing, a laminate floor will do just as well. Also maintaining this type of flooring is much easier than taking care of the real wood.

Laminate cost much less than regular wood flooring and this is why. Although it looks just like the real wood floor, there is no actual wood used in its construction. There are several materials glued together under a very strong pressure. A moisture resistant layer is added to a high density layer of fireboard. On top there is a layer of high resolution image of some kind of natural wood flooring which is finished with a very hard and clear coating allowing to show through the high quality image. This is why it is very easy to confuse laminate with real wood unless you are carefully looking.

Some of the benefits of a laminated flooring are:

  • Superior stain and fade resistance
  • High durability
  • Can be installed over many types of subfloors allowing for greater flexibility of material
  • Great impact and resistance of indentation
  • Low cost compare to real wood
  • Very realistically looking
  • Easily replaceable later on
  • No nails involved in installation
  • Easy and quick installation

Laminate flooring can be installed in practically any room of your home. However there are some locations that it is not recommended to be used, such as in the bathroom or washroom, in the sauna or veranda, simply because the locations might be wet. This will make the laminate warp or even swell due to the water. If you do happen to spill water on the laminate surface, you need to mop it up right away so it can dry immediately.

Prior to installing the laminate floor there are a few things you need to be aware of:

  • The subfloor should be dry, flat and smooth
  • You can install it over wood flooring, vinyl tile, concrete, tile, linoleum and pretty much over every surface that is smooth and flat
  • Read carefully the instruction manual that comes from the manufacturer for proper installation and handling
  • Check each flooring panel for any damage or defects that might exist before installing and replace with a good piece

If you are on a tight budget, laminate flooring is your best option. If you want, however, better quality and durability using real wood while still maintaining low costs, you should check out the engineered wood floor articles on my website at http://www.engineeredwoodfloor.org/ for something better.

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Making the Best Choice in Flooring Material

Filed Under: Flooring
Nov.18, 2009

Flooring is at the top of the list when it comes to adding value to a home. When it comes to making the best decision for choosing the right flooring for a room it can be difficult at times. However, if you apply a few basic rules you can find just the right style to meet your flooring desires. This article will help you in your next flooring decision.

So, How Much Traffic Does The Room Get?

When putting together your plans for a flooring remodeling project on a room you must ask how much traffic the room will have on a regular basis. If it is a highly walked on area then the flooring must of course be ore durable. Is cleaning the flooring of importance? Will it be susceptible to dings, scratches, and dropped items? Will the cost be more important that the look?

OK, once you have determined your most important aspects to the flooring you can move to the next step of making a good choice in flooring material. Ok, what is going to be the true investment in this flooring project? If it is an investment for along period of time then you will want to think about longer lasting materials. The biggest mistake is actually made when people put in an expensive carpet or flooring material and then up and try to recap the value immediately. If you feel that you might move in the next three to five years you may want to add this to the consideration of using a lesser expensive flooring material.

Now that you have most of your ducks in a row by knowing the traffic flow and the longevity of the home for your needs it is time for another phase in the deciding factor. Money is always a word that must be talked about when it comes to any home remodel or building a home. If money is of no problem then you will not need to worry. If money is tight you might be able to get some nice flooring and still stay within your budget.

Just Because It Cost More Does Not Mean It’s Better!

If wood flooring is on your list of possible choices you may try some of the other choices on the market like laminated wood flooring. If you are looking to install a flooring material in a room that will perhaps be lower on your lost of priorities then you may be able to get high end at a low end price. Most people look at cheaper material because they do not use any creativity in find the best flooring choices. You can often find overstock material that is priced at a fraction of the cost. This is extremely effective if you are not as worrying as much about the style.

The last question you must answer to make your flooring choices easier is who is going to do the labor? If it is you then you then you want to find out the best flooring material for a self install. Do you have the proper skills and tools for the job? Some times the tools needed to really do the job correctly will make the choice a little easier. Maybe it will be slightly more to have someone else install it after you consider the cost. If you plan to have a flooring contractor install the flooring material for you then make sure they will bid it on the right dimensions.

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

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Ceramic Tile

Filed Under: Flooring
Nov.17, 2009

So, if you should choose to use ceramic tile in your home, what are some of the things you should look for? The following are five features to consider when shopping for your ceramic tile.

1. Finish. Ceramic tiles come in a number of finishes. You can get glazed or unglazed tiles. So, how do you know which is best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each. Glazed tile has the benefit of being more water resistant than unglazed. This is a great feature for someone with small children as they tend to spill often, and thus, water resistant flooring becomes a must. Also glazed ceramic tile is easier to clean than unglazed tile, which with children is also a plus. So, what are the cons? Well, for one, glazed ceramic tile tends to be more slippery when wet. This could be a hazard, but do not worry, this does not eliminate the pros of glazed tile from your options. What you can do, is use a glazed ceramic tile with a non-slip feature or material.

2. Size: Depending on where in your home you want the tile, and the look you are going for, will determine what size of ceramic tile is best for you. Ceramic tile come in a variety of sizes, from about 1/4″ square, to 12″ x 12″ squares and in some instances are even larger. The size is definatley a matter of choice, but for floors, a popular choice is 6″ x 6″ up to 12″ x 12″ sizes. Larger tiles work best for larger areas. For areas that may get more water, and thus become slippery, smaller tiles are a great choice as the greater number of grout lines help make the tile less slippery.

3. Shape: the shape of your ceramic tile is going to make a huge difference in how easy it is to lay, etc. So, shapes include square, rectangular, diamond, hexagon, octagon, triangular, round, and a variety of several of the previous options, or you can also have custom shapes made up for you, but this increases your costs. If you want to go for the custom look without the cost, then use more than one shape and even color of ceramic tile.

4. Color: Color is the decorators favorite option, and when it comes to ceramic tiles you aren’t limited by your choices of colors, you can find ceramic tiles in just about any color you can think of, as well as the natural hues of slate, granite, marble, and other natural stone tiles. So, to choose the best color for you home, you should realize that while some of the brighter blues, and more vibrant colors may be very attractive to you as you shop, if you stay with the neutral colors, or natural tones, the ceramic tile will be easier to match to your other flooring in your home. Also, because ceramic tiles are pretty much one of the very most durable flooring types you can find, and you will not likely need to replace it for a number of lifetimes (although you may need to regrout occassionaly), staying neutral means staying up to date. Instead of colored tiles try colored accent rugs and other colored décor. Also it is best to choose your tile first and then match the color of carpeting, vinyl flooring or other materials to the tiles, rather than the other way around.

5. Grout: The grout you choose to cement your tiles in with is going to make a difference in how your tiles look. You can use colored grouts, neutral grouts, really fine, or really course grouts. For easiest cleaning, choose grout that is a neutral color, and stay away from white white unless you want to use a lot of bleach. A gray or tan grout will hide dirt better, and leave the focus on the tiles themselves not the material holding them together.

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information. For free articles delivered daily by email, visit HomeBuildingRemodeling.com and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.

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Going Green With Bamboo Floors

Filed Under: Flooring
Nov.16, 2009

Bamboo is like a hardwood, but is not a wood at all. As a hollow-grass, it is considered a renewable resource because it grows rapidly, replenishing itself. Bamboo can reach maturity in 5-6 years, growing to 80 feet in height. Considered environmentally friendly, many people are taking a whole

new look at bamboo flooring.

Did you know that bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant on this planet. Some species of bamboo can grow as much as 1 meter per day.

For the environmentally conscious, bamboo is critical in emitting oxygen in to the atmosphere; generating more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees does. As the fastest growing canopy, bamboo lowers light intensity and protects against ultraviolet rays, while acting as an atmospheric and soil purifier. Simply put, bamboo is a plentiful natural resource and a viable alternative to deforestation of the world’s trees. Choose a bamboo floor and you are helping to curb the problem of global warming.

Bamboo a Practical Flooring

Bamboo floors have a similar hardness to any hardwood floor. When bamboo goes through the manufacturing process to become flooring, the bamboo becomes hard enough to be made into solid and engineered floor planks. You would consider installing bamboo flooring in any similar location that would be good for wood floors.

Just like wood, bamboo will scratch. So, look for bamboo flooring with a solid finish on it for durability.

And just like wood, bamboo flooring can be stained. Although many people leave their bamboo floors natural preferring the lighter blonde coloring that the naturally milled bamboo offers. Keep in mind, that just like woods all stain differently, so it’s also true with bamboo. So, expect some variation in your plank colorings.

Bamboo flooring comes in both a vertical and horizontal graining pattern. Check for samples to see which style you prefer … with the grain or cross-grain cuts. The grain patterns are very different from each other, so be sure you choose the bamboo cut that is right for you.

Installing your Bamboo Floor

Bamboo can be glued to concrete slabs, stapled to wood sub-floors, and floated over most existing floor coverings. Anything you can do with wood flooring, you can do with bamboo flooring. Bamboo floors are also available in floating floor styles as well.

Installing your bamboo floor is much the same processes as with conventional hardwood flooring. The type of bamboo flooring you pick will dictate the installation process. Want to learn more about the types of bamboo floors available, visit FastFloors.com.

Marifer Vergara writes about flooring products you can buy for the home including bamboo flooring and cork flooring for FastFloors.com.

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