Blog : flooringsupply | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 29Flooring Supplies

The fact about Glass Tile

For centuries, glass has been a featured material in mosaic media to decorate and articulate a building. Glass tiles are essentially pieces of glass formed into consistent shapes. Glass mosaic tiles are suitable for both internal and external applications as they are impervious to frost, sunlight, and water. This quality makes it best suited for wet or constantly submerged areas. They are easy to clean, maintain, and they never discolor. Glass tiles have a varied application in black slashes of drawing-room, dining, kitchen, bath-room etc…, They are also used to highlight certain features. The spot lighting has further increased their use. Although glass tiles are complex to install the benefits and beauty makes us over see.

Production methods determine look and feel of a glass tile. There are four major types of glass tile based on their manufacturing method.

They are Smalti tile, Fused glass, Sintered and Glass casting

In addition, there are two other eminent glass surface treatments for these tiles: slumping and etching.

Smalti tile is type of glass tile which is Frosted glass, or opaque glass. It has been in use from ancient times. “Smalti” is an Italian word, and refers to a glass paste. Smalti is made by mixing molten glass with metal oxides for color. Translucent Smalti is a popular variant of smalti glass tile. It looks like stained glass with uniform colors.

Byzantine Glass is another smalti variant made from thinner slabs of glass. Metallic Smalti is a swirl of a copper-bearing mineral added into the molten glass before it is pressed. Gold Smalti are made by applying a gold leaf and a thin layer of blown glass.

Fused Tile is manufactured using the fusion method. In this type a flat glass is cut into tiles shapes and then fired in a furnace. The clear glass will show the tile until treated with a color. In this method colors are added to the top or bottom of the glass. Fused glass tiles are characterized with a translucent area and a layer of opaque color visible through the tile. These tiles are further treated with an etching or other coating, for aesthetics or abrasion.

Sintered glass tile is a variety made by pressing glass powder into dies and then heated until the particles fuse. The color is either added into the powder or added topically after cooling. Unlike smalti tiles, sintered tiles tend to have a uniform look. This milky and scratch-resistant finish makes it versatile.

Cast tile is made by inserting chunks of glass into a mold which gives it a layered look. Most recycled glass tile products are made using this method making it environment friendly.

All these variants can be treated to slumping and etching. Slumped glasses are curved into convex/concave shape during firing. Etched glass is a process of applying a thin-translucent layer on the surface of a tile. All these features give glass tile a unique appearance which is unachievable with the conventional tiles. The reverberant and depth of color makes them unique.

How to install vinyl flooring effectively

There are a number of factors that need to be considered while selecting a flooring type for your house. Durability, ease of installation, moisture resistance and the cost are some of the major factors that people consider while selecting flooring. Vinyl is one of the most popular flooring types since it stands good on all of the above mentioned factors. Vinyl flooring offers high aesthetics and is quite inexpensive as compared to a number of other flooring types.

However, in order to get maximum benefit out of your vinyl flooring it is essential to install it properly. One of the key considerations in installing vinyl flooring is the sub floor. Vinyl requires the foundation to be even and smooth so that the finish is of the highest quality. It is for this reason that sanded plywood is considered to be the ideal choice of sub floors for vinyl flooring. Another effective option is to install the vinyl flooring over the existing one. This will eliminate the need to install a new sub floor before using vinyl flooring.

Before you start installing vinyl flooring it is essential to take the exact measurements of the room concerned. This will enable you to accurately estimate the amount of vinyl that you need to purchase. Furthermore, it is always advised to purchase a little extra vinyl to allow for trimming and cutting after the installation.

In case you are installing vinyl over your existing sub floor you need to ensure that it is smooth and free from any holes. In case there are holes in your sub floor you should use a patching mixture to fill them before you install vinyl.

Cutting vinyl can be a tricky job, and it is not uncommon to hear of vinyl tearing while it is being laid down. You should lay down the vinyl cover over the area that needs to be floored and mark the exact places to be cut. Make sure that you have left some extra space to trim and cut later.

Adhesive is another crucial step that can determine the durability and effectiveness of your vinyl flooring. You should purchase a high quality adhesive material and should apply it evenly to ensure strong adhesive. Apply firm pressure while laying down the flooring. You should allow the adhesion to dry for at least two hours before using the floor. Even after a strong bond has been created it is essential to carefully move any furniture over the flooring. This is so, since even a minor tear would require to re-do the entire job again.

Since vinyl floors require less maintenance, and are highly durable they have become the material of choice in a number of commercial establishments as well as households. However, adequate care needs to be taken while installing vinyl for maximum effectiveness. Although, a number of individuals consider it to be a ‘do-it-yourself’ job, in case you are not confident about it; it would be advisable to avail the services of a professional contractor.

Home Gym A Great Addition to Your Home

Being healthy is what every individual yearns for, and the chase for fitness is ongoing for ensuring a better lifestyle. Shortage of time in today’s busy life makes it impossible to regularly visit gyms, fitness clubs, and other such places. In order to solve this problem, homeowners are increasingly opting for personal home gyms.

Home gym is a great addition to your home, as you have the freedom to exercise whenever you get time. Whatever short-term expenses you incur in designing the home gym, proves beneficial in the long run. This is so because you do not to spend money on paying any fees or on traveling to the fitness center. Hence, a home gym aids in keeping you and your family healthy along with saving a good amount of money.

Arranging gymnasium equipment in your house is a simple process, but designing the gym room properly can become tedious, for which, you need to be little patient, until the room becomes operational. There are several experts who can assist you in arranging and maintaining a home gym. With their guidance and assistance, you need to make a few right choices while designing the room, so that you own a gym where you would love to go and spend quality time by exercising.

Select a room that is large enough to accommodate various exercising equipment. In case your room is not that large, you can put a wall-size mirror to visually enhance the size of the room. Make the room interesting and attractive with the help of happy colors, wall murals and artwork. You can even hang photos of models on the wall with the ideal body you are striving to achieve. Additionally, you can also install music system in the room so that you can enjoy relaxing music while exercising. If you wish, you can even install a television set, where you can catch the latest news updates or matches while exercising.

With the advancement in technology, there are several user-friendly exercising equipment available in the market. Amongst these options, you can easily find equipment that matches your requirements and budget. Buying a treadmill is the best choice if you enjoy walking or jogging; however you should purchase bicycle if you enjoy cardiovascular workout.

It is usually recommended that before you purchase any of this equipment, you must consult an expert. It becomes all the more important to seek professional help if you are totally unaware about the various equipment. You should only purchase branded equipment, as these are safe and often come with a guarantee against manufacturing defects. Additionally, keep in perspective the size of the gym room while purchasing equipment so that you buy only those equipment that will easily fit into the room.

Thus, considering your requirements and budget, along with these simple guidelines, you can easily design your home gym.

Warm and Cozy Floors at Home During the Winter

Winters are beautiful and visually appealing with plenty of snowfall, however this also leads to drop in temperature, beyond comfort One of the biggest discomforts in the winter season are cold floors. This problem however, can be rectified by installing radiant floor heating system which will keep the flooring as well as the interiors of your house, warm all through the freezing winter season. These affordable and easy to install radiant heating system are increasingly being used by individuals around the world.

The thermostat controlled heating system installed in your house keeps the air warm and not the floor, which results in significant difference between the air and floor temperature. However, with the radiant floor heating system you can easily eliminate the discomforts caused due to the cold floors. These are safe, cost effective and can be installed under any type of flooring such as tile, concrete, asphalt or brick with ease. Radiant floor heating systems prove beneficial even for clearing up the snow from driveway, stairs and patios.

However, before purchasing radiant floor heating systems, one needs to take into consideration certain important factors. Radiant floor heating systems should be certified safe and easy to install. Another important consideration is the system’s heat output, which can be varied as per individual choice. In case one wants a warm floor then you need a moderate heating system with low output, however if you want to keep the entire room warm, then you need a system with higher output. Moreover, one must choose a system with a thermostat control which can be conveniently programmed according to the need and maintain optimum temperature throughout the day. This ensures that there is no wastage of energy, which results in low power consumption. Furthermore, since higher EMF is associated with certain ill effects, hence you consider a system that works effectively and does not increase the EMF significantly. There are many reliable companies in the market which offer customized floor heating systems to meet your specific requirements in terms of size and dimensions, thereby enabling you to install these systems anywhere, be it kitchen, bathroom or outside.

There are so many advantages offered by the radiant floor heating system offers that it has become a must for winters. There is no need to make alteration to the room décor as these heating systems are installed below the flooring, without significantly raising the floor level, as it has compact dimensions. Moreover, these systems can be easily installed below any type of flooring, be it tiles, carpet or hardwood; and has minimal maintenance needs. The radiant floor heating systems are ideal for keeping not just the floors but interiors of the home warm as well; consequently you can turn down your main thermostat by few degrees and save on the power bills.

Hence, to have warm and comfortable winters, get the “radiant floor heating system” installed at your place before the start of the winter season. Moreover, this is one luxury which is efficient as well as affordable.

Add a Touch of Class by Installing Hardwood Paneling

Wood paneling adds rich elegance to the decor of any place, be it a living room, dining room, foyer or stairways. Since ages, it has been one of the most preferred home decorating styles, which is not even too difficult to maintain. The Hardwood Molding or Paneling is available in wide range of options, varying in terms of surface finish, patterns, layout, and dimensions. Depending upon your choice, you can either go for waist high paneling or for entire wall wood paneling. For an old-world charm, you can choose amongst different styles like Queen Anne, Colonial, or Georgian. Not only does it adds a touch a class to the room, but can also be used for concealing visible wiring, switchboards or any kind of wall imperfections.

There are different types of wall paneling options to choose from, such as the raised wood panels. The raised wood panels represent the colonial period of American architecture and are available in just about any type of wood. These are generally installed in the lower third of the wall and transform it from ordinary to extraordinary, along with adding class to room. However, if you wish to add old west character to your home, you can select the knotty pine wood paneling. Mostly sold as tongue and groove boards, the wood surface of these panels has knots and strong grain, giving uniqueness to the room.

Another popular wood paneling option is the cypress wood panels that are sold as tongue and groove panels. These are highly sought-after by homeowners because the cypress wood panels are not only appealing and beautiful but are also resistant to insects, rot or decay. Cypress wood paneling may not be the cheapest option available but it is still a great investment that can drastically enhance the appearance of any house and add to its value. In contrast, a more economical but attractive wood paneling option is the beadboard, which is a wood siding with vertical lines, also referred to as beads, engraved on the surface. In order to achieve a stunning outcome, you can install these in a similar fashion as raised wood panels. You also have the option to choose between the veneered and solid wood beadboard panels.

You can also opt for the recessed and flat wood paneling that are often installed on the lower half or third of the wall. These are generally plain and simple, and are often finished naturally or painted, instead of being stained. It is advisable to seek assistance from an expert craftsman regarding the layout, for getting the desired results. Besides these, there are various other wood paneling options available in the market, such as rough sawn plank boards and log siding.

Depending upon the desired results, you can choose dark or light wood wall paneling to change the overall look of your house. Since there are numerous shades of wood available in the market, it can easily blend with any kind of decor. Moreover, these are easy to install and can be done by experienced DIY enthusiasts, without much inconvenience. Owing to all these features, wood paneling has increasingly become one of most preferred choices for enhancing the beauty and character of your home.

Author: flooringsupply

The fact about Glass Tile

How to install vinyl flooring effectively

Home Gym A Great Addition to Your Home

Warm and Cozy Floors at Home During the Winter

Add a Touch of Class by Installing Hardwood Paneling

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