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flooringsupply | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 13

How to Achieve Lippage Free Tile Floors and Walls

ATR Tile Leveling Alignment System

How to Achieve Lippage Free Tile Floors and Walls

For many homeowners, once fall hits, it becomes prime time to shift their focus from the outdoors to indoors – primarily to their interior design, or lack of it, in some cases. With cooler weather, you’ll be spending more and more time inside, and who wouldn’t want to make their interiors as stylish and welcoming as possible when the weather outside is anything but? Plus, with all that time spent cooped up indoors, you might as well make the most of it and add value to your home at the same time!

A much overlooked aspect of almost every home is the floors. While they cover less area, and aren’t quite as visible or immediately noticeable as your walls, they make just as much of an impact on the overall look and feel of a home. They also take much more of a beating than walls do, particularly in heavily trafficked areas like an entryway or the kitchen. That’s why more and more homeowners are looking to implement stable, stylish, and durable materials for their flooring in these areas, such as tile. With tile, you don’t have the same concerns as you would with carpet or hardwood, and the floors will be significantly easier to clean and care for.

ATR Tile Leveling Alignment System

However, many homeowners view the installation of an attractive tile floor as a costly and labor intensive practice, particularly if they’re doing it on their own. That’s where the ATR Tile Leveling system comes in handy. Not only does it help you to get the job done easily, it requires no additional tools, and it uses only 1/3 of the spacer a normal system would take in order to do the same job. The system also cuts the installation time by 75 percent when compared to more traditional methods. For those who want a relatively quick project that isn’t going to take weeks upon weeks to complete, but had previously counted tile out, your answer is in the ATR Tile Leveling system.

The ATR system allows you to not only get the tile floors or walls you want, but makes it much easier and quicker to do so. It only takes three easy steps and afterwards, you’re done! The first step is to spread the mortar over the area you want to tile, then put the tile in place. After this, you’ll need to screw the provided spindle into the spacing plate, which you’ll then need to slide under the tile before placing the adjacent tiles down. From there it’s as easy as screwing in the spindle until all the tiles are aligned and level. Afterwards, you simply let the mortar dry before you screw it out. (For a visual demonstration of this straightforward process you can check out this video).

Think of all the possibilities and looks you can create by easily installing tile. This glossy glass tile would create a fantastic backsplash in a modern kitchen, particularly since it’s moisture impervious, resists fading, and is fire resistant. And these aqua pebble glass mosaic tiles would give any bathroom a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere. For a chic and classic entryway, the classic (but far from boring) tumbled travertine octagonal tiles make the right statement to welcome guests to your home. The possibilities are really endless with such an easy, cost efficient, and time saving installation system at your disposal.

Spencer Blohm is a freelance lifestyle and pop culture blogger for www.albertaenergyproviders.ca. When he’s not busy working he’s usually plotting his next home improvement project.

Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Turn your Old Fashioned Apartment into a Contemporary Pad

bathroom accessories, Corners shelves, Towel Bars, Tooth Brush Holder, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

The most outstanding aspect of contemporary design, when compared with other styles, is the almost immediate sense of modernity it conveys – without the over-simplification of the truly modern design style. Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising, since – by definition – this style is meant to capture advances in the style of interior decor for the 20th century and beyond. Characterized largely by smooth lines, a complementary palette of color and a certain sleekness of form, it provides your apartment or house with a wide range of accessories with which to highlight or convey your sense of taste.

The Contemporary Living Room and Kitchen

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The best thing about this interior decor style is the sheer range it affords you in making your apartment an extension of your personality and taste. Unlike the strong motifs of the traditional style, which aren’t easily amenable to your present life, the contemporary style allows countless arrangements of the softer, less edgy elements of a room to stand out without dominating each other.

When you have guests over, your living room is the first introduction and should make the strongest initial impression. Although you want to give a sense of expansiveness when it comes to the furniture and floors, you want to shy away from the plainness of a modern (retro, today) interior and add color and warmth. Tans, browns and mocha colors are a great option if you’re inclined towards earth-tones, and blacks, greys and muted whites – with spot-lighting and rounded corners – if you like things even simpler. Because the contemporary style blends so many elements of the modern style, it can be hard to visually distill the differences between the two; but, if you have trouble, just think “retro.” If you get this feeling while perusing elements you wish to add, then chances are, it’s not contemporary.

The other room of great importance is the kitchen, since it’s often a secondary meeting place for conversations and a primary place for dining. Just as with the living room, lighting plays an exceptionally-important role in conveying the right sense here. In contrast to the pure white, even harsh, lighting of the modern kitchen, the contemporary alternative will have warm bright light that almost looks yellow. It should cast an inviting ambiance; almost as if the kitchen is an extension of the living room. This isn’t hard to effect; just make sure to employ tone-on-tone color schemes for elements that “touch.” For example, if the hardwood floor is mocha-colored, then the pantry directly above it might be milk chocolate or dark beige. Globe-lights with a chrome finish help to accentuate the transitional elements between the living room and kitchen, as well – there are many things you could do to contemporize your kitchen.

The Role of Color in Contemporary Design

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Often times, you find a considerable amount of attention being dedicated to color, when it’s color combination that actually matters. For the in-home design, the way that similar shades enhance each other, or different shades complement one another, determines the ambiance of the room. Because the contemporary pad is defined more by solid, bright colors and geometric shapes, a transition from the myriad of muted colors that often defines a traditional style can automatically confer a sense of newness to the room. A few options, if you have black, white or dark grey furniture, are grey blinds by Rollerblinds. The contemporary style softly filters light, and is more effective than pure white blinds for muting the light in the room even further for daytime television watching or other.

Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Home Improvement things to know before your next Remodeling

ATR tile leveling system, RLS wedges, RLS spacers, RLS-KIT, leveling, lippage, flat surfaces, spacers, installation

Now that spring has officially arrived, many homeowners are going to focus on finally getting around to those home improvement projects they were never got around to during the winter. One big change you can make to your home, that makes an even bigger impact on it’s appearance, is getting new flooring.

There are, of course, hundreds of flooring options one has to choose from. A flooring type that has often gotten a bad rap is tiles. People have a misconception that they are pricey, difficult to install, and are delicate. What people don’t think about is that, as is with everything, technology has completely changed tiles and how they’re installed.

Tile now days are completely transformed, unique, and almost futuristic. Frosted glass tile along the walls of a shower can turn it into a spa like environment while dark porcelain tiles in the kitchen give it a Tuscan feel.. It has the ability to take a room to another level. While it’s still popular in the traditional settings of the bathroom and kitchen (thanks to its water resistance), it’s almost becoming popular in entry ways and walkways thanks to it’s durability.

A big concern for many when installing tile is proper installation. Whether you do it yourself, or hire a professional, we’ve all heard the horror stories of jagged, uneven tile floors. As I previously mentioned, technology has transformed the installation process with much of that due to the invention of the ATR Tile Leveling System. The system is the only of its kind in that it is a simple, pull out tile leveling system.

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Other tile levelers involve use of force, kicking, or even use of tools. I’m fairly certain the last thing someone wants to do when they install brand new tile floors is start kicking at the leveling system or taking a mallet hammer to the leveling system to try to get it out, running the risk of scratching or chipping a tile. This system is unlike others in that it is simply un screw in few spin or use 10mm socket.

Some advantages below

1. The universal Spindle removes cleanly and easily, without any force applied, eliminating risk of fragmenting tiles or leaving any unwanted obstructions behind

2. ATR Leveling System is also the only system not to leave any straps or obstructions between the grout joints once the spindle is removed

3. NO SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED, for the advanced professional a simple socket and a cordless drill may be used to install and remove spindles so you are not depending on a broken gun or a single gun on the job site

4. The only system that the spacing plates lock the tile into position giving you the most perfect intersection of the tile and straight lines without requiring consistent adjustments

5. no movement in tile position while twisting the spindle

6. Great labor saving 4 to 1 ratio

For those of you looking to remodel on a budget or simply prefer to do it yourself, there is a ATR Tile Leveling System that will give you the same results as with the professional kit. All you have to do are three easy steps: spread mortar and install tile, screw the spindle into the spacing plate and slide the plate under the tiles to align them, and turn the spindle until the tiles are aligned. It doesn’t matter if you’re installing tiles on your floor or walls, it’s all the same for this system. Just like that, your “big project” for your home this spring, just got a little easier.

Spencer Blohm is a freelance home and lifestyle blogger for ViralHeat. He’s currently been on a D.I.Y. binge and has established some unlikely friendships with the employees of his local hardware store.

Should You Consider Hardwood Floors For Your Homes Or Offices

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Should You Consider Hardwood Floors For Your Homes Or Offices?

Investing in hardwood flooring implies a significant investment that can turn out beneficial in the long run. Though there are sources suggesting that modern bamboo flooring is as effective as hardwood floors with a hardness rank comparable to oak, nothing beats hardwood floors when it comes to class, elegance and structural strength. Go further through the post in a bid to acquaint yourself with benefits of installing hardwood floor in your homes or offices.

You might as well be browsing a number of sites including wikipedia.org Interior Design and http://www.designerhq.org in a bid to get a hang of the modern interior designing concepts and ideas. But before going in to details – know for a fact that the flooring would be counted as an integral part of the project and its only advisable that you acquaint yourself with its nitty-gritty.

Convenience of Installation and Easy Maintenance

Superior hardwood floors are engineered to offer a homogenous and steady fit. Those who have due experience in DIY flooring would hardly find it difficult to install it. It turns out to be a more sagacious investment than carpet as its color might start waning with time. Additionally, hardwood is considered to be hypoallergenic as it does not retain debris that can lead to or aggravate your allergies as carpet does. As it doesn’t retain dust you can settle for regular but easy cleaning processes including moping, vacuuming and drying.

Versatility

No matter how diverse or unique your needs are, hardwood offers you variant choices in terms of appeal- styles, stains, species, colors, finish etc. In fact, it can safely be claimed that no two hardwood floors are the same. Additionally, wood is naturally equipped with versatile patterns.

It’s Healthy!

Hardwood flooring unmistakably makes for a healthy interior choice. It does not have embossing or grout lines that would allow pollen particles, dust, allergens or animal dander settle on it, thereby bolstering overall air quality. There are immediate health benefits associated with this attribute as the debris-free air in the house proves conducive for people with respiratory illnesses.

Problems and Solution

Cupping and buckling is a recurrent problem with hardwood. You need to ensure that you’re familiarizing yourself with these concepts before installing the hardwood in your home or office.

It’s phenomenon which refers to a malformation or warping process that is caused by absorption of humidity. Now, “how would your indoor flooring would be exposed to humidity?” Yes, it’s possible. There are several ways whereby the wood becomes vulnerable to moisture. Both the normal ground water saturation levels at your home or else the outdoor humidity levels in the geographical area you’re residing in, make for the standard sources of humidity. Additionally, if the burst water pipelines remain unattended to, for a considerable period of time, the internal structure of your home might be considerably damaged as well. Therefore, as a homeowner if you have noticed cupping or buckling in the floor, make sure you’re identifying the source of water and attending to it immediately.

Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Why Wintertime is the Best Time of Year to Replace Your Flooring

Bathroom remodeling, bathroom accessories, Ready to tile shower pan, Shower remodeling, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom returns anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of the money invested into the project, Remodeling Magazine reports. With each of these projects, old and outdated flooring can be a major portion of the remodeling, as can replacing appliances and fixtures in the room. Remodel now to enjoy the positive changes and make more money when you go to sell your home. While it may not seem like winter offers many advantages over other seasons, especially in snowy areas like Vermont and Virginia, it’s actually a wonderful time to replace flooring: The drier air prevents the boards from gapping while the lack of humidity wards off water damage during the installation.

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Winter works well for floorboard replacement

In the winter, contractors are limited in what they can do. Many cannot complete exterior projects, like adding on a new deck. Replacing flooring is one job they can do year round, because it happens inside the home. For you, this means a faster job completion time because contractors aren’t trying to satisfy as many jobs as during the peak season. Additionally, stores are more likely to stock all needed items so your project won’t hit a supplier-side snafu. Picking out the right shade of stain and discussing the advantages of maple, bamboo and walnut flooring can help prevent some of the winter weariness that sets in when you have long winters.

Because hardwood is so easy to clean and also hypoallergenic, it can make your daily life easier in a season when taking the dog out for a simple walk can mean tracking in wet and dirty snow. A new hardwood floor also increases your home resale value and makes your everyday life more enjoyable. If your old floor squeaked, replacing the floor can reduce the noise level in the home as well.

Planning a floor replacement

While winter is an ideal time to replace your floor, this project comes with a lot of debris. You’ll have your old floorboards that have been ripped out, plus any under layers that need replaced. You’ll also have the trim ends of anything you are installing, plus all of the equipment needed to clean and prepare your floors. In the summertime, it’s easy enough for you or your contractor to run all materials to the dump at the end of the day. In the winter, the dump may have limited hours or a winter storm can make driving unpleasant. If your city has laws that regulate the storage of garbage and debris or that specify that all garbage must fit in your garbage can, you might want to consider renting a dumpster for this project. You can find short term dumpster rentals by the day, week or month. At the end of the rental time frame, the Richmond dumpster rental company will haul away the dumpster and debris.

Additionally, polyurethane sealants have a strong odor. While the sealant will dry faster in the winter, there is a greater chance that you’ll be housebound for much of the day. If you are susceptible to odors, consider using pre-sealed floorboards. These won’t need to be stained and sealed post-installation.
 
Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com
flooringsupply | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 13