Hardwood floors have come a long way in the past thirty years. There is a hardwood floor for every room in your home, including those places wood has never gone before, like the kitchen, bath and utility room. There are more choices, styles, colors and even healthy finishes available today. These choices will make your floor one-of-a-kind!
To help you make an informed decision on what wood floor is right for you, keep reading!
Step 1 - Types of Wood Floors
Choosing the perfect floor for your home or office is simply a matter of having the facts, comparing the types and selecting an experienced wood flooring professional to do the job.
Let's start with the wood itself. There are three categories of wood flooring on the market today. Following is a comparison that will help you choose which wood is right for you.
Solid Flooring: All wood flooring, regardless of width or length that is one piece of wood from top to bottom is considered solid flooring.
Solid flooring gives you a great opportunity for customization. Your choice of species, stains, and finishes all contribute to the personalization of a solid floor. Adding borders, medallions, corner treatments, etc., can further customize a solid wood floor.
In most cases, solid flooring is nailed down to ¾" exterior grade plywood, and is excellent inmost area of a home on the ground level or above. Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and great rooms are excellent for solid wood flooring.
Engineered Flooring: Also know as laminated. Engineered wood flooring is available in a 3 and 5 ply. It is a wood flooring product that consists of layers of wood pressed together, with the grains running in different directions.
Laminated/engineered wood flooring is perfect for those areas of the house where solid wood flooring may not be suitable, such as basements. Because the grains run in different directions, it's a more dimensionally stable than solid wood. This means it will expand and contract less than solid wood during fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Usually this is experienced in such areas that are below grade, with a cement subfloor.
Many different species and colors of engineered wood flooring are available. While most engineered wood flooring products are finished at the factory, factory finished or "prefinished" solid wood flooring is also available.
Step 2 - Job-Site Finished or Factory Finished
You should next take a look at whether your prefer a finish that is applied on the job-site, or a flooring product that is finished at the factory.
Job-Site Finish
A job-site finish is one that is applied at the place of installation. The floor is sanded, and finished. You will not be able to walk on the floor after final sanding until 12 hours after final finishing. There is always some dust even though many systems are dustless, and there is the noise from equipment. A job-site finished floor does however result in a smooth floor that has been handcrafted in place in your home.
Prefinished
A prefinished floor is one on which the finish is applied at the factory. Most (but not all) laminated products are prefinished, and some solid products are available prefinished. Prefinished flooring eliminates the dust and noise factors (you will still get some noise), however your subfloor needs to be perfectly level to achieve the best results.
Step 3 - Choosing A Species
More than 22 domestic and imported wood species are used for wood flooring. The most common of these are:
* Red Oak
* White Oak
* Maple
* Pine
* Hickory/Pecan
Other domestic woods that make beautiful flooring are:
* Ash
* Beech
* Birch
* Black Cherry
* Douglas Fir
* Mesquite
* Walnut
If your looking for something more exotic, consider:
* Brazilian Cherry
* Australian Cypress
* Jarrah
* Mahogany
* Merbau
* Padauk
* Purpleheart
* Teak
* Wenge
Step 4 - Stains/Finishes
There are many ways to stain and or finish your wood floors, but we're going to focus on an environmentally friendly option: the Non Toxic and Low Toxic OSMO Polyx Hardwax Oil Finishes and stains. OSMO is a remarkable natural floor and wood finish from Germany, that is:
* As durable as polyurethane.
* Preserves the look and feel of natural wood, rather than masks it with plastic.
* Easy to spot-repair, so you can keep the finish looking great indefinitely
Not to be confused with traditional oil finishes, OSMO Polyx-Oil is an engineered finish made with plant oils and waxes. This remarkable finish offers excellent durability and renew ability with a unique lustrous finish. It will never crack, blister or flake off. Instead of forming a plastic film, like polyurethane does, OSMO Polyx-Oil has open pores that "breathe." This allows any moisture that does get through to get back out again without pushing off the finish.
Because it is micro porous, Polyx-Oil works well in rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens. It meets German standards for resistance to stains from wine, cola, coffee, tea, fruit juice and, of course, beer.
Spot repairs are easy. Make repairs regularly, and the finish will last indefinitely. If maintained, you will NEVER have to sand your floors again! This product provides no protection against ultraviolet rays from the sun, so it is not suitable for outdoor use.
Step 5 - Selecting your Wood Flooring Professional
Once you decided you want a hardwood floor, it's important to select the right flooring contractor to do the job. Make sure to choose a professional that has access to the most current information in the industry, the most technologically advanced products and systems, and a wealth of information and history. Ask for photographs of recent jobs as well as references who you can contact.
Installing wood floors in one of the largest investments you will make in your home. It can also add significant value to your home if you're trying to sell it, so make sure to choose your wood floors, and wood floor installation company contractor wisely.
Leblanc Floors is a green flooring contractor using low and non toxic finishes. We install and refinish hardwood flooring in Seattle; offering a full range hardwood floor installation services in King, Pierce & Snohomish Counties. We are the #1 recommended flooring contractor by Ecohaus (formerly Environmental Home Center) and OSMO Germany in the US. LeBlanc Floors leads the industry with experience in the application and use of the non toxic finish, OSMO Polyx Oil.
5 Steps to Help You Choose the Right Wood Floor
Beautiful, Elegant Marble
The material you choose for the flooring in your home will have a great effect on the looks of your home. Ironically, it will also reflect upon your taste and personality. An elegant material such as marble flooring will reflect very favorably upon the homeowner who chooses it. Marble flooring is always in elegant style, everywhere.
What exactly is marble? Metamorphic rock is a rock that has metamorphed from limestone or dolostone and has a high concentration of calcium. This metamorphic rock is more commonly known as marble. Marble has been used since antiquity for the beautiful works of art that we still admire today. These sculptures can be viewed in museums around the world, including Turkey, Spain and Italy. The Romans and Greeks extensively used marble both for their artistic and architectural creations along with mosaic tiles and mosaic tables.
Today's marble comes from the same regions that used it over the years, such as Italy and Spain, but it is also now being imported from China. Italy remains one of the biggest exporters of marble and they have developed an industry based on their vast experience in quality, design and execution.
Anyone who sees a marble floor will automatically think of a luxurious mansion where the expression of lavish beauty is paramount. To get the full benefit of a marble floor, it should not be covered by rugs or any other covering.
Marble should be allowed to let its own beauty stand out. This is the reason you will see marble used in warm climates where rugs are not necessary, or in areas where you would not normally put a rug, such as the entrance, a bath or a kitchen.
Unexpectedly, marble can stain easily, and it therefore has to be cared for properly. Most of the time, it will have to be cleaned on a daily basis with a specialized product that will allow it to shine while removing any stains. For a stunning effect, there are specialized marble cleaning machines that make the floor positively glow. These machines can be rented, or a professional can be hired to clean the marble periodically.
If you are going to make the large investment in a marble floor, make sure you do all of your research so that you buy the best marble for the price. In addition to the cost of the marble, you will have a large shipping bill because of the weight of marble.
Despite its cost, marble flooring is one of the most beautiful materials you can use in your home, and if you want to make a dramatic statement in your decorating, one that cannot be beat.
Adam Peters is a freelance writer for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com Read additional info on tile ideas or mosaic tables
Hardwood Flooring Adds Beauty and Value
For one of the best investments you can make in your home, consider installing hardwood floors. The look of hardwood floors changes everything. They can make a room look bigger because of the clear open space, but at the same time keep it warm and inviting because it is wood. Hardwood flooring is more expensive than other flooring alternatives, but well worth the extra cost because it is so popular among home buyers.
The simple elegance of hardwood flooring has always been in vogue, but never as much as today when people like clean, elegant looks for their homes.
It doesn't matter what kind of decor you have chosen; hardwood flooring looks equally beautiful in a formal dining room or in the casual family room.
Hardwood flooring adds warmth and beauty to a home, and in today's hectic world, the home has become a sanctuary where we seek such peace and beauty to comfort us after a hard day's work. Picture coming in the door after being out in the cold winter and being greeted with the warm ambiance of glowing wood.
Another valuable feature of hardwood flooring besides its beauty and the warm feeling it imbues, is the fact that it is so durable and long lasting, moreso than laminate flooring. If you take proper care of your hardwood floors, they will last for years and years. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding proper cleaning and treatments, and you will not only keep them looking gorgeous, you will also be protecting your valuable investment in your home. Keeping on top of any minor repairs will forestall larger problems in the long run, so be sure to do the proper upkeep.
You will be amazed and even a little overwhelmed when you start to shop for hardwood flooring since the range of choices is so great. You want to make sure you make the right decision, since this is a large, long term investment in your home. Better to spend some time in shopping and researching exactly what the right kind of hardwood flooring is best for you than to shop in haste and be disappointed in your decision.
Another thing to be careful about is looking for a bargain when you are shopping for hardwood floors. Yes, they do exist, but there are many inferior products that just sound like bargains but may not be over the long run. If you end up replacing these floors after a few years, they really cost more than the better quality, more expensive ones. For such a large item as hardwood flooring, you can usually get financing for the product, or you may consider a home equity loan since it is an improvement to the property.
You do have to give your hardwood floors a bit of the velvet glove treatment. You don't want to put heavy furniture on it without pad under them, and you certainly don't want to drag any furniture over the floor. High traffic areas should be covered with area rugs, and you might consider scuff rugs for entrances, so that dirt, sand or grime is not dragged onto the floor. Kitchens are not considered the ideal place to install hardwood floors because of the high risk of exposure to moisture and water damage. If you do decide to use hardwood flooring in the kitchen, just be prepared for frequent repairs or replacements.
Adam Peters loves writing for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on reviews of laminate floors and laminate flooring
What Is The Cost Of Laying Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring differs in price for the type that you decide to purchase but not so much in the cost of the installation. Factors that weigh on the prices of flooring may include warranties, durability and many more.
The type of the laminate flooring that you decide to install in your home is 'what will be the major factor of your price range'. Which can be commonly found for as little as 60p per square metre up to anything around £18.00 per square metre. You might even pay more money if you wanted extra features. There are many different types of laminate panels depending on the amount you expect to be 'walking over' the floors. Laminate flooring is much cheaper for a home than it is for a place of business. The main reason for this is because the flooring designed for your home is not as durable, as homes do not withstand the type of traffic that a department store does. If you are purchasing for a business there are several types of you might select which will also depend on the amount of traffic that you expect to have. Businesses should expect to pay a much higher rate for laminate flooring than if installed in a home.
Another factor to consider, that will impact the price of your flooring is if you are looking for a long warranty. You can also find laminate flooring that includes a lifetime warranty. When you decide on flooring that is guaranteed for life then you have to expect to pay more money for the panels. If you don't care about the security of a warranty then you can pay a very small amount of money per square metre.
When you are considering your flooring, you are not only purchasing the panels for the floors, you also have to consider that you must purchase underlay for the panels, which is very important when it comes to fitting. This usually includes only the planks. It does not come in a package with the underlay and the panels.
When you are making a decision and looking at the prices you must also consider the quality. You are saving a lot of money using laminate flooring than you would with most other types. Therefore, it should be worth it to choose quality laminate panels, as these will last a lot longer. They are easy to install and you don't have to hire someone to install them for you. However, the quality, value, and a warranty should be considered.
The cost of laminate flooring can vary greatly. Your purchase and decision will depend on the amount of traffic that you expect and the durability of the panels needed. You should also consider warranties and any other issues that you might have. Be sure to shop around but don't forget about quality when you consider the cost. It is important to remember; by spending out a little more in the first instance will save you money in the long run!
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.
Real Wood VS Fake Wood
Are you trying to decide what type of flooring to put down. We recently went through the same thing. We were torn between putting real wood vs. fake wood. We ended up putting real wood flooring throughout our entire house. Wow, what a difference. As we looked into real wood vs. the imitation wood, we found that the real wood looks better and holds up better.
I was also worried about the cost, but when comparing apples to apples, the real wood was only slightly more than the imitation. We decided to tackle the installation ourselves. We were a little bit afraid at first, but with the new technology, it was fairly simple to do. I would certainly recommend doing it yourself. It really is simple and quiet a bit cheaper. Of course, every female is concerned with the maintenance.
I was worried about how to take care of my new flooring, but it turns out that with all of the new technology that exists, it's really easy to keep clean. You only have to mop about once every 2 weeks. As long as you sweep it regularly, it stays looking great. I use a floor cleaner and water to mop. I recently bought a steam cleaner with a mop attachment, I can't wait to see how well that will work. I would recommend real wood because it looks so beautiful, it really made a huge difference in how my house looks. I hope this information has been helpful to anyone who can't decide which flooring to go with.
Cork Flooring Can Enhance the Beauty of Your Home, Office or School
Cork has been around for many years; just a bit of research into the history of its uses provide some interesting facts and ideas. Today we see the return of popularity for cork flooring as well as cork wedge heels, wallpaper, pillows and cork sofas.
Do you know that the composition of the cork tree offers a wonderful benefit for tile flooring or wall tiles, by naturally being heat resistant in comparison with other wood products? A cork tree may catch fire and be scorched, but by nature does not easily burn. Being a natural fiber product it does not give off toxic fumes if it does catch fire, while being naturally resistant to mold, mildew and rotting, not does it catch and trap dust, dirt allergens or fungus. Cork is also resistant to many common wood burrowing and damaging insects such as termites and mites.
Cork has a natural honeycomb structure that produces numerous mini-pockets of air, this gives cork its resilient soft warm features for comfortable walking and sound absorption. It is able to withstand a great deal of pressure and heavy traffic areas, however precautionary measures of using furniture pads with heavy furniture is a wise investment for maintaining the looks of cork flooring.
Natural raw cork offers many benefits for flooring use, such as it is:
- Recyclable
- Lightweight
- Soft
- Buoyant
- Compressible
- Expandable
- Fire Resistant
- Rot Resistant
- Insect Resistant
Therefore, any area that you want a non-slip, hardwearing floor is perfect for cork flooring such as inside any home, school or business. They are especially good for ramps, gangways, walkways and decking, whether they are in bedrooms, playrooms, gymnasiums, hospitals, kitchens or any other multi-purpose area.
When choosing to use cork in high moisture areas, such as the bathroom or poolside, remember to apply caulking in the areas as well to seal out any water or you should consider the installation of cork floating floors.
You should keep in mind while choosing your tile flooring that cork has its own set of characteristics such as coming in various natural shades such as light and dark hues of blues, reds, greens and sometimes yellow, which gives each flooring treatment its own special appearance.
Cork, as any other wood type can fade over time, and when a polyurethane sealer is applied it will deepen the color of the cork. Cork has a high density factor that cuts down on noise pollution, however it is a softer type of wood and is susceptible to dents and damage if not taken care of properly. It is recommended that any heavy furniture should also have protective floor pads for ease in movement without damaging your cork flooring.
Always inspect your cork flooring before installation, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to install it for you. An unfinished or un-sealed cork floor can be painted, stenciled or stained to compliment its surroundings.
With proper care and maintenance cork flooring can offer you many years of wonderful, complimentary use in any area you choose to apply it. You can enhance the beauty and value of your home, business or school by applying a beautiful cork flooring today.
Brand Names are Better - Aren't They?
Our first indicator that something was amiss with the Brand Name products we all have grown to trust should have been the recent lead paint scandal. China is the latest society we have decided to use and abuse. It's funny how abuse always seems to go both ways when "we want our cake, and to eat it too". Huge, brand named toy companies have had to remove innumerable products from retail shelves, due to sub-standard (even dangerous) quality issues. Who can we blame for this? The Big Brand names for wanting to make a greater profit by using cheaper Chinese labor and materials? Should we just blame China for having low quality control standards? Should we blame the consumer, because they seem to only be willing to buy products that are "CHEAP" (in every sense of the word)?
I believe it is the responsibility of every trusted business or business-person, to educate the consumer as to what constitutes a quality product, and what will give you the best value for your money. I refuse to sell inferior products, which has probably cost me many sales over the years, because if I won't sell the "Cheap Stuff" the dealer down the street propably will. There are cycles in the flooring industry where it seems that people are satisfied with the cheapest product and service they can find. Even if the guy down the street has no sense of moral obligation, and will sell what ever product people will buy, that does not mean it is the right thing to do. Consumers need to be well informed as to what constitutes a Bargain. To me; a bargain is a good to excellent product or service that is sold at a reasonable or discounted price.
It is my responsibility to make certain that my clients are well informed about the products they are considering. If they choose to ignore my advice and suggestions, Well... that part is out of my control, but at least I can sleep at night with the knowledge that I did my best to make certain they were going to get Good Value for the money they spend. There have been many occasions when I have refused to introduce a certain product to my clients simply because I knew that it was not up to the standards that it claimed to be. However, can we truly blame the consumer for being a cheap-skate and buying sub-standard products, when we are the ones who offer it to them? If a product is low quality and we know it, we should not offer or sugest it to the consumer, No matter what Brand Name is on the label. My dumpsters have been overflowing with flooring products that I absolutely refuse to endorse. They just do not give good value for the price people have to pay. I could tell many stories about how we have had to repair or replace what another dealer was willing to pass off as "good enough", but I will keep my comments to Company Branding and Brand name products we should be able to trust.
What does it say about our society and our values when you can't trust a Brand Name Product? This is what happened recently... I returned home one afternoon and saw a new area rug in a chain-store bag hanging on the dining room chair. It was a typical "cheap" area rug. Since I sell area rugs I wondered why it was even in my home. I was informed that my daughter bought it for her room because it was such a good price for a Brand Name Rug... ("No Big Deal" I thought, because I could clearly see the tag and price). Then I noticed something else. Something strange and bewildering. The Tag on this cheap fuzzy rug had the Brand Name of one of the best known manufacturers of good quality flooring, specifically Carpet. I will not name the company but it has the same name as a Native American Indian Tribe (you can probably guess it easily). When I saw the Brand Name, and noted the quality of the rug, I thought that it had somehow been mis-tagged, or some other mistake had taken place. But when I read the details on the tag, I was shocked and surprised. Like I said before;
The rug in question was a cheap (inferior) rug that had the cheap latex backing on it (supposedly to keep it from sliding around on a hard-surface floor- Further info on rubber or latex backed rugs can be read on our web site). This kind of rug backing is notorious for causing damage to linoleum, vinyl, and even laminate or wood floors (they can cause discoloration, fading, or worse... they tend to draw moisture up through concrete slabs). Anyway as I read the tag further, I noted the type of fiber that this rug was made of; It was Olefin. Olefin fiber tends to hang on to things that are oily or greasy (even body oils from the bottom of your feet), and they can have a tendancy to crush and cause your rug to go flat. Olefin rugs of this quality do not usually hold up for very long. Six months to a year depending on traffic. This is the fiber most cheap rugs are made of, so no surprise there. The shock factor for me was that this, Brand Name Company, had allowed it's name to be prominately displayed on the rug.
A huge manufacturer of fine quality carpet is either making or endorsing a Cheap Fuzzy Bath Room Rug! Needless to say, I informed my daughter that despite the Brand Name on the Tag, She had been robbed. Even a paltry sum of money is wasted upon a rug of this quality. Brand Names used to mean something... It used to mean quality and integrity. I suppose that we should expect such situations as this in today's global economy. But as for me, from now on I will be reading tags and ingredients, I don't care what Brand Name is on the Package (or rug).
I guess it is just a disappointment, that a name I have trusted and suggested to so many clients for so many years, could allow such decay in quality and craftsmanship.
When you are tempted to buy a chain-store area rug, ALWAYS READ THE LABEL! Or, to quote Mr. Gump, "you never know what you're gonn'a get."
Article By: Charles Beason
Charles is a Flooring Design Consultant in the High Desert of Southern California.
Visit his website at http://www.rugrunnerbiz.com
Have Questions, Ideas, Tips, etc... Submit them to us for inclusion on our web site.
mailto:chazbeason@rugrunnerbiz.com
This article is copyright (c) 2007 by Charles Beason, and may be reprinted in it's entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.
How To Lay Ceramic Tile - The Worst Mistake You Can Make
The first ceramic tile installation I've ever done turned out to be a complete disaster. Hopefully after reading this, it will help prevent anyone interested in installing ceramic tile on their own, to be aware of the potential problems you can run into.
I had just bought over thirty boxes of tiles from Home Depot and had managed to deliver them to my house. The tiles I chose were rather expensive, probably not a good idea because I decided to attempt to install the ceramic tiles for the first time on my own.
The area that I was going to tile was the entire kitchen area with a countertop island in the middle. The first mistake I made was buying the fast-drying thin-set instead of the regular thin-set, and unfortunately I didn't realize this until later on. First things first, I snapped chalk lines for the layout of the room. The room wasn't square so I knew that I had to compensate for this otherwise the ceramic tiles would start to run into each other and the grout lines would begin closing on each other.
First of all, laying out the room correctly for ceramic tile installation is one of the most important things you need to get right the first time. Everything has to be square, because if it's not, and you simply follow the walls of your home then you are going to end up with a huge expensive mess.
I failed to make sure the layout was done correctly and sure enough half way through the job, the tiles started to close together. At that point the thin-set started drying underneath the tiles , and I ended up having to rip out 16 tiles so I could start over with a correct layout.
It's not rocket science to do a correct ceramic tile layout, like anything else there is a right way to do it and a wrong way. Make sure you buy chalk lines so you can snap lines to follow and get a good tape measure! I also recommend watching a video showing how to do this properly first before jumping into it on your own.
For more information on how to do ceramic tile layout correctly and to avoid making other expensive mistakes when installing ceramic tile visit How to Lay Ceramic Tile.
Flooring Instillation Tips - Fitting Laminate Flooring
Laminate is a great choice of flooring for nearly all ground floor living spaces except kitchens and bathrooms where moisture may cause the flooring to warp or swell. Laying laminate does not have to be difficult, nearly anyone who is willing to follow instructions can do a good job of laying laminate flooring.
The toughest part about laying laminate flooring is tackling those tough to fit around corners and angles. This article will help you tackle those tricky angles for a custom fit.
One of the most important steps to take for a well fitted floor is to make sure the surface beneath the flooring is level. To level the surface cover with a layer of self-leveling compound, sometimes referred to as latex screed, which is available from hardware and home repair stores. Follow directions for use.
After you have finished applying the leveling compound and you have made sure it is completely dry, cover it with a polythene damp-proof membrane. This material serves as a barrier between the surface and the laminate flooring to keep moisture from damaging the floor boards.
The second step for insuring a proper fitting of the flooring is to open the boxes of flooring and leave it in the room for 24 to 48 hours so that the boards can adjust to the humidity in the room. This is important to allow the boards to shrink or expand according to the environment they will be installed in for a proper fitting.
The third thing you can do to ensure a proper fit is to take off and inward opening doors before you start to lay the laminate. This makes fitting much easier around doors. Also remove any moldings or skirting boards sot he laminate can be fit as close to the edge as possible.
Replacing moldings after you are finished with the job will ensure a final look.
The fourth and one of the most tricky tips for laying the flooring is to fit the laminate flooring around doors and other angles is to use a special tool that is designed to be set as a template which can be easily set around any angle then transferred from the angle to the flooring which can be found at your local home improvement store.
If you choose not to use a specialized tool then using a piece of paper to create a custom pattern or template for each corner and angle in the room will help to ensure a snug fit.
Use these simple, yet very effective fitting tips for a professional looking, hassle free do it yourself job.
Find out more about fitting laminate flooring with the Anglebuster flooring tool at http://www.anglebuster.com
How To Tile A Bathroom
How to tile a bathroom is a lot trickier question than tiling a room since it involves many water inlets and outlets and is usually smaller than a room. If you want to add a design element to your bathroom tiles, then be prepared to do some additional planning before laying the tiles.
The first procedure of bathroom tiling is quite similar to laying the tiles in any other part of the house and involves removal of the previous flooring as well as shutting off all water faucets and may require removal of the commode and cistern. Closing the flange with a wet cloth is important so that the gas from the sewage does not come up. Once the old flooring is off and the floor is more or less even, you can begin planning the tiling location.
Simply laying tiles without any design is the easiest to do and you can either start from the centre or from one of the sides. Throw in a design element in the tiles and you have to first decide where to place the design and then work around it. Though it takes a little more effort, adding a design element helps give the bathroom a special touch.
You can begin bathroom tiling by placing the tiles after this and leveling each one of them so that you get a level floor. Special cut-outs can be achieved by using a template with the help of which help of which you cut the tile and fit it. The grout comes next and you might need someone's help to help you clean it after it has dried to a light haze. A grout sealer is recommended since the bathroom flooring is used lot more and faces plenty of watery situations! All these are about How to tile a bathroom.
Hi, My name is Max Collins and I have been installing tiles for years now. Read great guides and tutorials that I wrote on How to Tile center. Check it out on http://www.howtotileguide.com
Flooring Options for Everyone
There are a plethora of types of floors that are available to homeowners today. Carpet, hardwood floors, laminate flooring, cork, bamboo, and ceramic tile are some of the most common that are readily available to consumers today. Many households have many types of flooring as well - leaving even more questions about what type for what room. Just hardwood floors alone come in many varieties and types: distressed & hand scraped, engineered wood floors, and glueless floating wood - those options alone can leave one pondering what to pick.
Let's start with carpet. Carpet normally brings luxury, fashion and comfort to mind. Carpet is often the preferred flooring for bedrooms and living rooms. It's quiet, insulates well from cold and the color options are numerous. There are many materials and styles available; so many that you may need a little help choosing. Carpet can be selected based on fiber, density and texture. So like soft, some like a little firmer. Regardless of your preferences many options are out there.
Although it may initially be confusing when it comes to choosing hardwood floors, they can be very attractive and can really add some appeal, and worth to your home. First, you should decide what type of finished look you want to achieve. If you're going after a modern or contemporary look, you may want to lean towards a type of wood hat has a cleaner look with less texture and grain such as Maple, Birch, or Cherry. If you prefer a more casual or rustic look, then you may want to consider an Oak or Pine.
Laminate flooring was first introduced into the US in 1982. Since then the sector has experienced growth of up to 20%, 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.
Ceramic floor tile is an elegant and stylish flooring material whose true origins remain unknown, even today. Ceramic floor tile can come in virtually any color and is tough and durable that it can actually last as long as your home can stand. Ceramic floor tile is actually the oldest form of flooring material known to man, aside from primitive use of dirt and bear skins. Speaking of dirt, creating ceramic floor tile is simply a combination of different clays that have been mixed with water, designed, shaped and then fired in special kilns. You could basically consider ceramic floor tile nothing more than flame broiled mud. Nevertheless it's a sturdy, stylish and dependable choice for flooring.
Regardless of the room you're redecorating or the flooring you're looking into buying, there are many worthy and fun options to pick from.
Christine Beals is a professional writer who provides tips and information on ceramic tile flooring and flooring in general for A1 Market - the Guide for the Savvy Shopper.
How to Cut Floor Tiles
Gone are the days of square ceramic tiles and all you could think of is a chess-board or diagonal design for your floors. These days people go for a lot of funky designs for their floors for example puzzles, bricks, etc. The key to an interesting floor design is to measure your floor properly and then cut the floor tiles correctly. Since you are attempting a complex design it is important that you maintain the smallest possible details and measurement and then cut the floor tiles.
You will also need to cut floor tiles while making the borders. The tiles are manufactured in such a way that those are identical in one batch and adhere to specifications. This ensures that the grouting and the laying are uniform. This is also a reason why one should be careful while cutting the tiles. If the grout lines are not uniform then your floor will not look good. While cutting floor tiles keep a note of the following things:
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Average width of finished grout.
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The finished gap between the two tiles is within 1/8th of an inch which is standard.
There are various standard tools to cut tiles. You may use one that suits your requirement the most. The most commonly used tools to cut tile are the following:
Tile Cutter: It is mostly used when there is a need to cut a number of tiles. Before you begin cutting tiles using a tile cutter remember to practice first. Line the carriage of the tile cutter to the mark where you want the tile to be cut. Then put the blade at the edge of the tile and try and score the tile in one smooth action all the way long. How smoothly you are able to cut the floor tile also depends on the finish of the tile. Avoid scoring the tile a number of times as it may give a rough finish.
Tile Scriber: Mark your tile where you want it to be cut. Place a steel ruler lined to the mark. Now use the tile scriber to score it. Once you are satisfied with the score, place a wire on the board along the score and firmly hold it in place. Then put the tile face-up on the board lining the score to the wire. Put pressure on both ends of the score to break the tile along the score.
Other than the above two, there are more equipment to assist you in cutting floor tiles. A wet saw is used when you have a large tile job to do. Diamond cut-off wheel or a saber saw can also help you in case of complicated cuts. These tools are available with most of the tile dealers and you can rent those as well. Remember to wear your necessary safety gloves while cutting tiles. The cut edges of the floor tiles could be very sharp at times. It is also important that you go through some videos on how to cut tiles, and see first hand how it is done before you actually start working on it.
If you would like to learn more before you start your project so you are totaly prepared. Then you need to CLICK HERE to learn what you need to do.
