Blog : August, 2010 | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 2Flooring Supplies

Finding the right flooring option for different rooms

Flooring is probably the most important part of a home since it can significantly affect the aesthetics of the house. Furthermore, flooring serves a number of practical uses as well; therefore it is important to carefully select the flooring for a room for maximum effectiveness. Different flooring types have their own pros and cons, and you should weigh these pros and cons according to your requirements before making the final decision.

Some of the different types of flooring options include laminate, hardwood, ceramic, stone and carpet. These flooring types generally differ on points such as their aesthetics, durability, ease of installation and cost. There is no fixed rule on which type of flooring should be installed in a particular room. Generally, a few specific features of a flooring type make it ideal for a particular room in the house.

A bathroom is a high moisture area that requires durable and water resistant flooring. It is for this reason that ceramic and stone are considered as ideal flooring options for the bathroom. Ceramic and stone are not only durable and water resistant, but are available in a wide range of colors and designs as well. Linoleum is another option that can offer similar durability and aesthetics as stone or ceramic, at a lower cost.

The kitchen area in the house is also affected by moisture, therefore ceramic or stone flooring can be installed in the kitchen as well. In case you are contemplating on installing hardwood flooring in the kitchen you should select a highly durable wood. Laminate flooring would be the ideal choice for you, if you want the look of a hardwood floor, with added durability. However, irrespective of the flooring option selected by you it is essential to ensure proper insulation for maximum durability.

Since your bedroom is your personal space, you should select a flooring option that would feel good under your feet. Plush carpet flooring would be ideal to make your bedroom more comfortable and cozy. In case you do not want to install ‘wall-to-wall’ carpeting, a carpet tile would be an ideal option. Carpet tiles will offer the same comfort as a wall-to-wall carpet, and offer ease of installation as well.

Basement is one area of the house that causes the most worry amongst homeowners regarding the flooring to install. One of the reasons for this stress is that since this area is not used on a daily basis, people refrain from spending a lot on its flooring. However, one of the cheapest and the most effective options for the basement is concrete. Not only is concrete staining easy to install, but is highly durable and moisture resistant as well.

Although there is a plethora of flooring options available in the market, specific features of some make them ideal for a particular room in the house. You should carefully consider these features, as well as your budget and requirements to ensure that you select the right flooring option for different rooms.

Green Flooring Options for Your Home

With the increased awareness about global warming, people are choosing Environmentally Friendly Product options in every aspect. More and more homeowners are opting for green flooring option for their house. There are many green flooring options available today, which offer homeowners a wide range of options to choose from. They can choose the one which best suits their budget and complements the interior of their home. Installing green flooring options is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps you earn tax benefits and rebates; thus helping in saving substantial amounts of money which offsets the overall installation cost of the green flooring at your home. In addition, you can also gain better financing for your new floor or home.

There are different types of green flooring options available in the market amongst which you can choose as per your budget and preference. Bamboo is a green flooring option which is increasingly gaining popularity amongst several homeowners. This beautifully imitates the look of wooden floor, and is an inexpensive option. It is a highly sustainable and rapidly renewing resource which matures in just three years. Bamboo is also highly resilient and durable which can easily withstand high foot traffic. Since it is moisture resistant, it can be used in any part of your house, including bathroom and kitchen.

Another popular green flooring option is the cork which is becoming a common flooring choice for many homeowners. It is very resilient, hypo-allergenic, inexpensive and easy to install. Since cork gets easily damaged, it cannot be used in areas with high foot traffic. Also, since cork is also not resistant to moisture, it should not be used in bathrooms or areas where risk of exposure to moisture is high. However, because of its cushioning quality it is a great option for kitchen, where it reduces the risk of breakage of crockery on falling. In addition, it offers insulation because of its heat-retaining qualities, which helps in keeping the house warm and saving on electricity bill during the winters. It also helps in reducing noise because of its sound-deadening qualities.

Linoleum is another great flooring option, which many homeowners confuse with vinyl. It is a green flooring option which is made from natural material like resin, wood & cork flour, linseed, jute as well as ecologically responsible pigments. An added advantage is that all the natural material is available in abundance. This natural flooring is soft and highly durable as well as easy to maintain and clean. Linoleum flooring is available in a wide range of vibrant colors which do not fade with time. Other benefits of using linoleum is that it is naturally fire resistant, anti -static, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, and can be recycled as well.

There are some other green flooring options as well which include sustainable woods, wool carpets, sisal, jute and sea grass amongst many others. With a whole world of choices, you can select the right flooring option which, not only suits your budget, but blends well with your home’s decor.

Do you have adequate tools to finish DIY task

A number of individuals undertake ‘Do It Yourself’ home renovation projects as a hobby. Some of the most popular DIY projects include painting, tiling and grouting. However, it is important to properly complete the job at hand. An improper home renovation job can result in significant repairs and maintenance expenses in the future.

One of the prerequisites for undertaking a DIY project is the availability of proper and effective tools for the job at hand. Having proper tools can significantly reduce the efforts involved in completing a home renovation project. Furthermore, the right tools can also ensure that the job is done properly the first time, so that there are no repairs and maintenance requirements in the future.

While tiling, one of the common problems faced by DIY enthusiasts is that of lippage. Lippage occurs when tiles are not set properly, and can affect the aesthetics of the tiled area. Furthermore, lippage can also cause the tiles to crack and break in the future. It is for this reason that you should consider using a tool such as the Tuscan Leveling System. Such tools are specially designed for DIY enthusiasts, and ensure that the tiles are set in a uniform manner.

Another tool that could help you in your tiling project is a tile spacer. The main purpose of a tile spacer is to ensure that all the tiles are set at equal distance apart. Tile spacers will also enable you to create straight grout lines, thereby ensuring a uniform finish.

Most people generally call in a professional contractor when they need to design a shower area, but there are a number of tools that can enable you to complete this task by yourself. Quick pitch systems and ready to tile shower pans are two such tools that can enable you to create a custom designed shower area by yourself. These tools can ensure that a standard slope of 1/4” is created on the shower floor. Furthermore, a ready to tile shower pan can be tiled immediately after installation, thereby saving on the total construction time.

Certain projects such as plumbing, carpentry, roofing and landscaping require you to create a level slope for maximum effectiveness. It is in order to complete such projects in a proper manner that you require tools such as Montgomery degree pitch level. These tools are easy to use, and can enable you to effectively check the pitch or slope.

Finally, apart from the specific tools for particular projects you should ensure that you have adequate safety equipment. Some of the commonly used safety gear includes respiratory masks, knee pads, gloves and cleaning cloth.

Undertaking a DIY project offers a number of benefits over hiring a contractor for the job. Not only does a DIY project bring about a sense of accomplishment, but also results in significant cost savings. Therefore, it is important to have adequate tools and equipments in order to be properly prepared for the DIY project. This will ensure that your project is completed in a timely and a proper manner.

An idea for Kids Room Furnishing

Creating an environment which is a blend of fun, learning and comfort for kids is a challenging task. Parent these days try to make the kids room as exciting as possible so that they learn via every aspect of the room. But, room furnishing comes with knowledge and experience. There are certain aspects you need to keep in mind while furnishing a kids room. The process should be such that each corner of the room speaks volumes for itself. Here are some key aspects.

Bed: Here longevity is the key. Bed is the most expensive thing in the room. Without a doubt kids love their beds. You would often find kids even study on their bed. So, choosing the right bed is very important. There are some terrific theme type beds to really add to a room. There are theme beds that are cars, planes, ships, castles, and under the sea motifs. If you could do the right matching bedding, it can add extra charm to the room.

Book Case: This is where the learning factor comes in. A room should offer fun, but should also carry a weight of responsibility. The room should be a clever blend of enjoyment and study. An ideal book case should club both. If you are completing a theme room, try finding a bookcase that goes along with the idea. If you can’t locate a bookcase that matches the theme, try adding transfers or stencil theme type patterns on the bookcase.

Toy Box: Without a toy box, the kids room can only be described in one word- Incomplete. This fun box should have all the varieties of toys including arcade, sport and puzzles. Consider the room and theme, the child has before picking a toy box for the room.

Chairs: The chairs in the room should be bought depending on the color combination of other furniture items in the room. A chair that is comfortable for kids should be considered. Try purchasing a light weight chair so that kids can take them from one place to another easily. Chairs can be used around a small table for a play and art center, or can also be used to make a comfortable reading area in the room. The modern beanbag chairs can be a good option for the kid’s room.

Floor Heating: This is very important as far as the comfort and health of the kids is concerned. In winter seasons when temperature slips below zero degrees, it is important that the heat frictions between the floor and the foot should have a balance. There are many eco friendly floor heating options available that might be of great help. You can always opt for radiant floor heating mats for a perfect floor heating.

Bathroom: This is the most fun filled part of the kid’s room. A color full bathroom with fancy showers and bath tubs is something that kids look out for. Try to give a more grip based tiles in the bathroom. Greasy tiles may be slippery which is a bit risky for the kids. Unique looking towel bar and toilet holders are also a good idea.

Dresser: Kids like dressing well. So, a dresser with all the essential tools is a must. Having a solidly made dresser that can hold up to having drawers opened and closed is a must. At times people don’t prefer a theme based dresser in order to keep the option of room mobility open. If you don’t want the dresser to be part of the theme, you can always stick to a neutral or basic color such as white, cream or a solid color.

I hope the above mentioned aspects have given some important information on the various aspects of room furnishing for kids.

Month: August 2010

Finding the right flooring option for different rooms

Green Flooring Options for Your Home

Do you have adequate tools to finish DIY task

An idea for Kids Room Furnishing

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