Tips on Wood Floors
Almost everyone can say that wood flooring just has a special look to it that can not be duplicated by any other flooring type including elegant marble flooring. Wood flooring is often associated with warmth and elegance. It is seen as a classic décor feature and adds charm to a room. It is also a type of flooring that requires care when choosing it and maintaining it. This type of flooring is well worth the money spent on it, but you just have to make sure you are spending the money wisely.
Reasons to go with Wood
Wood flooring is one of the most durable and longest lasting types of flooring. It also increases the value of a home. It comes in many different style with many different types of wood to choose from. It can be made to fit any style of home, room or taste. It looks as good with a Persian rug as it does with a für rug. It can be sophisticated or rugged. It is also a perfect choice to add warmth and dimension to the room.
Tips on Shopping
One of the biggest considerations when shopping is your budget. It is very easy to spend quite a bit of money on this project. Before shopping you may want to look into the different types of wood and their prices. Some wood is far more expensive than others. Additionally, you have to be careful because it is important to get a good quality wood. Trying to go too cheap could result in buying low quality which will require far more repair and maintenance and likely need to be replaced. Buying good quality wood will give you a floor that should last a lifetime, of not longer. You have to shop around and compare prices. It should not be too hard to find something you like within your budget that is also good quality.
Advice on Care
After you have bought and installed your floor, you have to care for it so it will last. You will need to understand how it is cleaned. Usually you should avoid water on wood as it can warp it and cause major problems. Additionally, you will need to make sure you do not drag furniture that could scratch it or put dents in it. You want to make sure you clean it and take care of it so it will stay looking as beautiful as when you installed it.
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Give Your Floor a New Look With Wood
Installing Laminate Flooring - Dos and Don'ts!
Every manufacturer of laminate flooring provides very specific instructions on the proper method of installing their product.
There are however, some common dos and don’ts that apply to the installation of any laminate floor. Surprisingly many people ignore these instructions, believing that they know better than the manufacturers.
* Laminate flooring must acclimatize to your home. This is done by placing the boxes in the room where you are going to install the laminate for a minimum period of 48 to 72 hours. Failure to do this will cause floors to buckle. This is the number one mistake made by most people including contractors.
* There must be a gap between walls and any other obstacle, (columns, stair risers, heat vents, etc.) of between 5/16" and 1/2" depending on the manufacturer. This allows for the expansion of the floor. If a gap is not left, the floor will buckle.
* If the laminate flooring is going to be installed on a concrete slab floor where there is earth below the concrete, a vapor barrier must be placed between the concrete and the laminate. The seams should be taped with a moisture resistant tape. Laminate flooring should not be installed on any floor that has a drain.
* Some manufacturers will allow the installation of laminate flooring on carpet. The carpet should be a hard twist (Berber), or a very low pile (commercial carpet). If the underlayment is spongy, the flooring will separate when walked on.
* The smallest piece of flooring should never be less than 8 inches long and the width should never be less than 2 inches. Measure your room before you start the installation as it may be necessary to cut the first board in length and the first row of boards in width to avoid having small pieces.
* Joints should be staggered a minimum of 16 inches apart and a minimum of 3 rows for repeating of the joint.
* If installing base board or quarter round on top of the laminate, do not nail through the laminate. A laminate floor must be allowed to expand and contract.
* Repair any and all squeaks and soft spots in the sub-floor before installing the laminate. Laminate flooring will not correct squeak or soft spot problems.
* Do not continue the installation of laminate flooring through a doorway that is less than 48 inches in width, use a transition molding.
* Do not hammer on the groove end on the board – ever!
* Always start the installation of the laminate flooring with the groove side and end towards the walls.
* Always use a tapping block to help tighten joints, but do not over hammer or you will damage the surface of the laminate at the joints.
* Floors must be level, no more than 3/16” slope over a ten foot span.
* Floors must be flat. Any dips in the floor should be filled in with self-leveling compound and left to dry at least 72 hours.
Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you will end up with a quality floor that will last for years.
For additional information on flooring products for your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.
Cork Flooring for Musicians
Musicians have special needs when it comes to flooring in their home, especially if they live in an apartment or other form of multiple housing unit where neighbors might be on the other side of a thin wall. To practice most effectively at home, musicians need the right acoustics as well as insulation to protect them from the wrath of neighbors. Carpet has been used by many, but cork flooring might offer a more attractive and long-term solution.
Cork Flooring and Insulation
Cork flooring is made from the bark of tree from the Mediterranean, Quercus suber. Every nine or ten years, the bark is harvested from carefully preserved trees grown especially for this purpose in forests in this region. The cork is used to make stoppers for wine bottles as well as cork floor tiles.
The attribute of cork that makes it terrific both underfoot and as insulation is the special shape of the cells within the material. Cork is comprised of fourteen-sided cells that are extremely strong yet very flexible. The cell walls are also airtight and waterproof. Joined together in a honeycomb pattern, these cells make up the perfect material for the homes of practicing musicians.
Cork not only insulates your home from extreme temperatures, but is also dampens noise considerably - more so than many carpets. Cork flooring tiles are attractive and can be finished to make a unique and fashionable floor, or cork can be used as underlayment for other flooring options. In addition to an attractive flooring option, cork is also designed for use on the walls and ceilings. This can effectively make a completely insulated room for practice, or if you prefer to practice in the living room, a cork floor installation might be enough to keep neighbors from complaining.
Cork Flooring and Acoustics
The design elements of a natural flooring option other than carpet are easy to see. Large expanses of natural wood and the ease and practicality of laminate flooring make it hard to settle for carpet if you're interested in the material only for acoustics. Unfortunately, both laminate and hardwood flooring create very poor acoustics with sound waves bouncing and echoing off the hard surfaces.
Many musicians think carpet, however undesired for aesthetic reasons, is the only option when it comes to creating the right acoustics for quality practice. This is simply not the case when you expand your flooring options to include cork flooring. Cork might not be the most common flooring option, but it has been used commercially and residentially for well over a century. It also comes in a wide variety of hues and patterns which means anyone that has it mind to buy cork flooring will have no trouble finding something that suits their preferences.
A warm honey tone from a natural material is easy to have installed and lasts as long as most hardwood floorings, especially with a protective finish. Cork flooring is durable, cost effective and attractive. It is especially suited to individuals seeking a flooring material as beautiful as hardwood or bamboo flooring, but with the insulating and acoustic benefits of carpet.
For more information on all types and brands of cork flooring visit Cork Flooring Biz
Ideal Flooring
Ideal Flooring Pergo Select
If you are looking for laminate flooring for your home or business you should take a serious look at Pergo Select, This laminate flooring is specially made to withstand the heavily trafficked areas of you home or office. Pergo Select comes in a variety of styles and colors it looks like a natural wood floor such as Maple Cherry, Oak, and others. This flooring will last for years and look like it was just installed.
Pergo Select features a thicker laminate surface then other laminate floors and this surface is specially treated so it is impact resistant. This means that you will not be looking at indents that you would see on other flooring types. This thicker surface will give you better wear protection then laminate flooring has seen since they came out on the market.
Pergo treats this laminate flooring with LusterGard a specially formulated treatment to keep you flooring looking new for years. This treatment protects your floors from normal everyday spills and water damage so it stands up to those daily life accidents.
Pergo Warranty:
"Pergo Select features the industry's best Lifetime Residential warranty against wear-through, fading, stains and water damage from everyday spills."
The snap in place design makes this flooring easy to install and does not require any special tools as does many of the other flooring types. The special underlay-meant will effectively quiet the floor and prevent moisture from entering under the flooring. This underlying layer is available in a number of different materials and they have a varying price range as well.
If you are looking for good quality laminate flooring Pergo Select is the one to look at first you will be hard pressed to find a better product on the market today give Pergo a Try.
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What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?
When you have laminate flooring it is important to know the proper ways to clean and maintain the floors. When you properly take care of your laminate flooring it will last for many years to come and you will be surprised how long it maintains the new and beautiful look.
Laminate flooring is very low maintenance and long-lasting. There are only a few simple things that you need to do to ensure your floors stay clean. You can dust mop and vacuum your laminate floors with a soft brush to remove dust, dirt, or grit. A damp cloth will not damage the laminate flooring panels. However, when you use anything damp on the laminate flooring, do not use too much water and be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If you do have a spill on your laminate floors then you should immediately blot them up with a clean, dry cloth, sponge, or paper towels. Excess liquid tracked in by feet or spills should not remain on the flooring for long periods of time and be cleaned immediately.
To prevent damage to your laminate flooring while you are cleaning you should not use soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or any other type of cleaners on laminate flooring. There is no need for it and chemical products will only damage the flooring. You also should not use steel wool or scratchy scouring pads when you are cleaning because you will damage the laminate panels. These panels do not need wax or polish as these products will also cause damage. You should also never steam clean laminate panels.
There are also other ways you can maintain your flooring to ensure a longer life, such as: Placing a doormat outside so any sand and grit picked up is not bought inside. Using only colourfast carpeting and pads on your floor surfaces.
If you wear high heels then you should avoid walking on the surface. High heels and other sharp objects are the biggest problems for scratching the laminate panels. Furniture legs can also be damaging and you can avoid this by putting pads underneath the legs of furniture to avoid scratching.
When you move furniture you should also lift it entirely and never drag it across the surface of the floor.
The less you arrange the flooring in the home, the less you have to worry about scratching. However, you must rearrange the furniture occasionally because furniture will cause indentations if sitting in the same place for too long.
There is no reason to treat your floors with a sealant after you install them because the panels already have sealant on them. You don't need to use lacquer or any type of refinishing product on your floors. These products will only cause damage.
When you clean and maintain your laminate flooring if you practice just a few simple things, then you can ensure a longer lifetime of your floors and they will maintain the beautiful look for many years.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For laminate flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Quick Step Laminate Flooring.
Discover How To Clean Laminate Flooring And Save Money At The Same Time
Laminate flooring is a beautiful addition to any home. Not only does it increase the value of a home it also makes any room appear much more elegant. However that initial shine will not last forever unless you know how to clean laminate flooring properly.
Many people assume that to make their wood floors shine they need to spend money on special cleaners that come in fancy bottles. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact with just simple inexpensive chemicals you can clean and maintain your floors easily.
How To Clean Laminate Flooring Cheaply
The first step is to lightly sweep you floors and remove any large debris. Some people like to vacuum their flooring first but a vacuum can actually blow large debris around the floor making clean up take longer then it should. Then you can proceed to moping the floor.
The easiest way to mop laminate floors is with a simple vinegar and water mixture. By adding around 1/4 cup of vinegar to a standard 2 gallon cleaning bucket full of warm water you will make a very effective cleaning solution. You can also put this solution into a spray bottle to tackle any tough stains or dirty spots you come across.
The best part about this simple cleaner is that it leaves virtually no streaks on your flooring and produces an incredible shine, and it costs only pennies to make!
For shiny flooring a cleaning solution is only half of what you need to complete the job. You will also need a good mop to actually apply and remove your cleaner. In this case a micro fiber mop is considered the best for the job, these are available from any hardware or large retail store. These mops have reusable pads with deep grooves in them that trap and hold the dirt so it cannot just be spread around.
When applying this cleaner only lightly dampen your mop head and do not saturate your floor. To much of any liquid on laminate floors can result in damage and possibly buckled flooring! So use common sense and get the mop just damp enough to lift the dirt!
By using a simple home mixture you can clean and shine your wood floors for almost no cost. You may however need to experiment with the exact amount of vinegar needed for you flooring. Smart small and work your way up!
Discover more useful Wood laminate flooring installation and care tips at http://www.bestwoodlaminateflooring.com
Tips For Preventing Laminate Floor Dog Scratches In Your Home
Laminate flooring is a very durable and beautiful material. Not only does it add beauty and elegance to your home it is also very affordable. Laminate flooring is was also designed to be very durable and hold up to daily abuse that walking on it can deliver.
Although very strong and durable your flooring can easily be damaged from your family pet. Laminate floor dog scratches are one of the most common problems that is reported.
Having a dog and owning laminate flooring requires you to realize a few things. First you cannot change your pet. Secondly if you want both laminate flooring and a dog you will need to take preventative measures before damage occurs.
If your pet is easily excitable and jumps around you are going to have to put down protection on the floor.
Entry mats and hallway runners are probably the most common preventative measures a homeowner can take. However if you employ these methods of floor protection always make sure to use something to hold the mats and runners in place. This material can be purchased at any hardware or large retail store and is usually tacky rubber. Never use anything that actually uses adhesive to stick to your floor. This could damage the protective coating when you try to remove it.
Many canine owners also use dog booties to help prevent laminate floor dog scratches from occurring. However always be certain that the booties you choose have a bottom with traction. Otherwise your dog could slip and hurt himself or damage other items in the home.
Not allowing your pet to play indoors will also be very beneficial to the life of your flooring. Whenever a pet gets wound up and jumps around indoors your wood floor takes a beating. Running pets also attempt to get traction on your floor with their claws that can severely damage the floor very quickly.
Although most laminate flooring has a very hard surface and is very durable it can still be damaged by your pets. By employing some common sense and easy preventative measures your flooring can enjoy your pet and your flooring for a very long time.
To learn more tips to keep your floors in great shape visit http://www.bestwoodlaminateflooring.com where you'll find everything you need to know about Wood Laminate Flooring care and much more.
How to Know What Laminate Flooring to Use
Laminate flooring is an excellent option if you are looking to save money and have a nice looking floor that doesn't require the work that wood floors do. You should know the difference between the different types so you know which kind is best to purchase.
This is extremely durable and versatile. It is best used in high traffic areas that are normally damaged by people coming and going. It is more durable because it is made of materials bonded by high pressure consisting of a moisture resistant layer under high density fibreboard. It is then topped with a high resolution photographic image of the look you are hoping for and then finished with resin-coated cellulose that provides total protection. They are protected from stains, dents, scratches, and they are water resistant.
There are many places throughout the home that you can use laminate flooring. You can pretty much install this anywhere in your home. It is recommended that you do not install it in an area that gets wet a lot. This means that if you have a laundry room with a hot water heater that leaks or any area that is consistently wet is recommended that this type is not used.
This is much cheaper and easier to install than other types used. One of the best reasons for the installation is that it can be installed over a sub-floor. Installing laminate flooring is quick and easy because the tiles lock together. Real wood floors require nailing and gluing that is time consuming and extremely expensive. The most you might need to do when installing is to use a mallet to lock the tiles into place.
You can give yourself the wood flooring look with laminate flooring. Wood flooring is extremely expensive and very hard to take care of. If you want to maintain the rustic look in your home but you cannot afford to buy the hard wood you have wanted for so long, you don't need to wait any longer. You can install the flooring that looks exactly like hard wood for a fraction of the cost. Also you don't need to keep up with the cleaning of like you do with hard wood floors.
There are different types of hardwood flooring ranked by AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4, and AC5.
AC1 laminate flooring is designed for areas that don't have as much traffic.
AC2 is commonly used in areas like the dining room and the living room with a small amount of traffic also.
AC3 is often varied in the locations in the home and used in areas like offices and commercial locations throughout the home.
AC4 is commonly used in high traffic areas like restaurants, boutiques, stores, and commercial offices.
AC5 is the most durable type of laminate flooring available and commonly used in public buildings and department stores.
Note: It is not common to install AC5 in your home.
Overall, laminate flooring is therefore substantially cheaper than real hard wood floors and require much less work maintaining them.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For laminate flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Quick Step Laminate Flooring.
Laminate Flooring Gives Great Looks Without Great Cost
There was a time when having great-looking wooden flooring meant spending a fortune on genuine wooden planks. This is still an option for many people, who prefer to spend thousands of dollars on something like antique pine flooring in order to make their room look special. However, this kind of money is out of the reach for many people, and so they need to look for a cheaper alternative. Luckily there is one, and it is one that can make a room look absolutely wonderful and without having to spend a great deal of money.
The way to make a floor look absolutely great, and look as though you have spent maybe hundreds or perhaps thousands of dollars on laying a genuine wooden floor, is to look at some of the great designs of laminate flooring that are now available. Many people think that laminate flooring has just a few designs and that unless you want something very simple you don't have much choice. However, over the past few years the laminate flooring designers have been busy at work producing many different styles, which means that no matter what type of design you're looking for you are sure to find some type of laminate flooring which will suit your style.
Of course, the old favorites such as antique pine flooring are still going strong, and many people still prefer this option. However there are now styles available which look like genuine antique mahogany, for instance, which can look really great in a room that is fitted out with vintage furniture, especially furniture that is made from a similar wood. There is something amazingly relaxing about a room filled with dark wood, as though history is right there in the room.
Still it doesn't have to be antique, and even the darkest styles of wood laminate floor can look modern. A really great style is chestnut flooring, which can go with either traditional furniture, since it has some dark variations, but can also be suitable for more modern furnishings. It is also worthwhile looking at some of the various types of oak laminate, since there are many styles within this range itself and there is almost certainly one that will suit the furniture you have in your room. One major supplier of laminate flooring that has a good range of styles is Kronotex.
The next time you're thinking about a new floor for a room in your house don't just stick with the usual styles, laminate or otherwise, but take a look at some of the modern designs that are now available in this flooring material. After all it is better to be spoiled for choice than to have very little choice at all...
Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.modernflooringchoice.com, a website dedicated to providing information on Flooring and especially Laminate Flooring.
