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Different Flooring Options For Your Home

While renovating your home’s flooring can be a very rewarding and exciting process it can also be quite stressful. There are a variety of flooring options to choose from, and each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages. It can be challenging to understand what material offers the most advantageous profile for your home’s Flooring. The following list discusses popular flooring materials and the advantages and disadvantages these materials possess. If you are looking to renovate your home’s flooring in the foreseeable future then this list was meant for you!

Ceramic

Tile Flooring

Ceramic tiles are made from natural elements like sand and clay that have been baked in a kiln. This flooring option is highly durable and offers homeowners the choice of several different designs and colors. Ceramic tile also does not get easily scratched or damaged and is a solid choice for high traffic areas and home’s with pets and children.

There are also several disadvantages associated with ceramic flooring. This material can be quite slippery and can pose a potential hazard to the elderly or young children.

Ceramic also does not conduct heat and can be quite cold to touch. Therefore, walking on ceramic tile, especially in the winter, can be uncomfortable.

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Concrete

A slightly unconventional but widely available flooring material, Concrete can come in a variety of colors and designs that can add texture and depth to a room via its flooring. Floors made out of concrete will also increase the overall energy efficiency of a home and improve a home’s fire protection. The material is not combustible and acts as an additional source of insulation.

Concrete floors are very hard to repair. Any section that does crack or fade can’t be easily patched or replaced. Concrete floors also can be quite loud and uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time. Shop: Concrete polishing pad, concrete cement board

3. Wood

A classic home flooring material, wood floors are an investment and drastically increase the resale value of a home. This material is also highly customizable and comes in a variety of shades, designs, and patterns. Wood floors are also a good source of insulation in a home. However, wood floors are also very expensive, easy to damage, and require extensive ongoing maintenance and care. Shop: hardwood floor cleaner, hardwood floor installation kit

Vinyl

In recent years, vinyl flooring has seen tremendous advances in design and functionality. Similar to linoleum, this flooring material is normally installed in kitchens and bathrooms. The material is very easy to clean using a broom and dustpan. Vinyl flooring is also water-resistant and can be moped and dried quite easily. The disadvantages of vinyl flooring relate to the chemical compounds of the material. These compounds are quite harmful to the lungs and eyes when broken down. Therefore, vinyl flooring has to be removed completely to replace even the smallest of defects.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is designed to imitate hardwood flooring in a home. This material is easy to install and easier to maintain than wood flooring. The material is also highly inexpensive and comes in a variety of shades, designs, and textures. The major downfall associated with laminate flooring is its water resistance. While the material is somewhat water-resistant it should never be installed in a laundry room or other area where water damage is likely.

Carpet

Carpet is making a comeback in the flooring discourse because of its consistency and softness. The material also comes in a variety of styles, textures, and designs. The maintenance of carpet flooring is also rather simple as it only requires regular vacuuming and occasional shampooing. The disadvantages associated with carpet flooring are that the material can make a home appear dated and that it is easy to stain or damage. Shop: Carpet stain remover

Enjoy Your Home’s New Floors

It’s true that there are a variety of flooring options on the market to decide between. However, homeowners who follow the list of materials above are sure to choose the perfect flooring option for their home.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. He is a blogger and content writer for the residential and commercial flooring industry. Skylar is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and manufacturers discover materials and methods of installation that increase property value, improve durability, and discover innovative flooring options for their home or commercial space.

7 Innovative Drainage Options for Your Home’s Property

Drainage problems usually begin to appear as small puddles and wet spots, and can be caused by a variety of factors. These include the slope of your yard, your gutter’s downspout, front walkways that block proper drainage, or water erosion. Luckily, there are tons of drainage solutions that you can do yourself quite simply and inexpensively. Below, we’ll discuss innovative options that will help you tackle drainage issues.

Reconsider Watering Schedule

You could be over watering your garden or yard, leading to improper drainage. If you scale back your watering for a few days and see an improvement, your drainage just wasn’t able to keep pace with your previous schedule. Sprinkler systems can easily be adjusted to operate at longer intervals.

Check the Gutters

The downspout of the gutter could be causing your problem. The first thing to check is if there’s a blockage in the gutter itself – this leads to overflow and excess runoff. Next, try extending the downspout away from the side of your house, although you’ll want to ensure that you’re sending the runoff into a storm drain or other source rather than your neighbor’s property.

Dig a Creek

If a downspout extension isn’t working you can dig a long shallow trench and fill it with gravel. This is essentially a slide for runoff.

Evaluate Driveway Drainage

Experts recommend accounting for slope and placement in order to ensure that your property has effective drainage. For homes that are below street level, a trench drain is often necessary – these are long and run the entire width of the driveway. If your driveway is sandwiched between two downward slopes, you’ll opt for a swale that allows storm-water to make its way back to the groundwater. The most popular driveway drainage solutions are permeable pavement driveways; these surfaces reduce runoff and protect you from flooding and can handle considerable driveway traffic.

Build a Rain Garden

A rain garden is positioned in a particularly low spot in your yard and is designed to house water-loving plants. This is a much more aesthetically pleasing option than a muddy wet spot in the yard and reduces runoff and lawn chemicals.

An Underground Drainage Pipe

If you have an area that’s positioned lower than the inlet, you can install an underground drainage pipe by digging a slowly sloping trench from the source to a catch basin.

A Dry Well

This is no more intricate than a large hole with gravel that catches excess runoff water and holds it while it socks back into the ground.

Proper attention to your property’s drainage will ensure that your lawn always looks aesthetically pleasing as well as that you aren’t faced with problems such as a flooded basement due to soggy patches too close to the home. Many of these solutions can be implemented quite simply and inexpensively and will save you in the long run.

How Heated Flooring Can Increase Your Home’s Value

Heated flooring might sound fancy or expensive, but it’s actually a cost-effective way to heat your home as well as a valuable addition that can raise your property value. Not only will it make your home more comfortable, it can change the entire design of your home and allow you to sell it for a higher price when the time comes.

In case you weren’t aware of the benefits of heated flooring, let’s take a look at why this innovative new heating system is making waves and becoming a staple in homes all across the world.

1. Heated Flooring is More Effective than Forced-Air Heating

Many people assume that heated flooring would only keep your floors warm, without warming the air and overall temperature of your home. Not only is this false, radiant floor heating is able to heat your entire home much more efficiently and evenly than a traditional forced-air system. This is because the heat comes from the ground up and isn’t blown in through a single point of entry.

Because this uniform style of heating eliminates cold drafts, you’re able to stay comfortable at a lower thermostat temperature than you would with a forced-air system. Radiant floor heating will keep everything from your floors to your handrails and countertops warm without any cold spots.

2. Better Energy Efficiency

The duct-work used to transfer heat via a forced-air system commonly develops leaks that let heat escape. Radiant floor heating provides no such escape route for heat, allowing your home to stay warm for longer and lessening the amount of time you need to keep the heat on. This makes your home more energy-efficient and will be reflected in your property value because the monthly energy bills will be lower.

3. Less Noise

Traditional forced-air systems can be heard throughout the house and produce a constant humming sound when the furnace is on. Radiant floor heating is nearly silent, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable heated home without having to listen to a noisy furnace. This is a benefit you can mention in your home’s description and is sure to add value to your home.

4. Better for Allergies

Forced-air systems are terrible for people with allergies. Allergens often settle on your durable countertops and in vents, being spread throughout the house when the air is turned on. This can lead to your symptoms flaring up every time you want to turn on the heat.

Radiant flooring heating, on the other hand, does not disturb the air at all. This allows any allergens to remain settled and does not kick them up into the air or spread them around the house.

Heated Floors are a Quick Way to Boost Your Home’s Value

Heated flooring might sound complex, but the installation process is so quick and simple that it makes for a great DIY project. Not only will installing radiant floor heating in your home make it more comfortable, less noisy, and less irritating to allergies, it will improve your energy efficiency and raise the value of your home by a decent margin.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. He is a blogger and content writer for the residential and commercial flooring industry. Skylar is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and manufacturers discover materials and methods of installation that increase property value, improve durability, and discover innovative flooring options for their home or commercial space.

Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Home’s Concrete Surfaces

house conrete

Concrete has come a long way as a material. Concrete used to be limited to sidewalks, but it has made its way into virtually every part of our homes. There are concrete floors, counters, patios, siding, and more.

Concrete is well-loved because it’s cost-effective and incredibly durable. However, despite its durability, it requires specialized care and maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape.

What are the best practices for cleaning and maintaining your home’s concrete surfaces? Here are some of the top tips to keep your concrete surfaces looking great for years to come.

Tip #1: Routine Cleaning is a Must

Whether we’re talking about your concrete kitchen counters or your backyard concrete patio – it’s critical to have a routine cleaning schedule in place. Dirt and grime can build up over time, and if it’s not washed regularly, it can cause structural damage to your concrete surfaces.

Tip #2: Only Use Certain Cleaners

It’s essential to use certain cleaners with your interior concrete surfaces. Your outdoor concrete can typically withstand a power washer, but your concrete counters are going to need a special kind of cleaner.

Indoor concrete usually has polishes, sealants, or finishes. Harsh chemical cleaners can break down these sealants, destroying the integrity of your concrete. Check the manufacturers’ recommendations for cleaning products. If you can’t find them, your best bet is to go with a non-abrasive cleaner, like dish soap and water.

Tip #3: Seal It

The best way to protect concrete from moisture damage and stains is to seal it. There’s no shortage of sealants on the market. Some sealers are better for outdoors, and some are better for indoors. Some have higher levels of protection and last for years, while others aren’t as strong and require regular reapplications.

The right sealant for your concrete surface depends on the location of your concrete and the amount of moisture exposure you expect it to have. While a sealant isn’t necessary for outdoor concrete, you’ll definitely need sealant for your countertops and indoor floors.

Glaze N Seal Natural Look Penetrating Sealer

Tip #4: Avoid Moisture

While a sealant will protect your concrete from moisture damage, you still want to avoid unnecessary moisture exposure. Concrete is naturally extraordinarily porous. Like a sponge, concrete soaks up liquids, and over time, these liquids can cause cracks and reduce the concrete’s durability and longevity.

Tip #5: Repair Cracks and Damage Promptly

If your concrete surface begins to crack or show visible signs of wear or tear, it’s imperative to fix it right away. Small fixes with concrete are relatively cheap and simple to DIY. However, if you let the issue continue to fester, it will cause more significant and complex damage to your concrete.

There are several signs that your concrete is damaged, but here are few of them:

Cracks – Moisture, temperature changes, and poor-quality concrete can cause concrete to crack.
Blisters – When bubbles get stuck beneath a sealed surface
Curling – When the edges of concrete begin to shrink, dry, and curl
Scaling – When the surface of the concrete degrades

If you see any of these indicators or notice anything peculiar with your concrete, it’s essential to repair it right away.

Tip #6: Remove Stains Immediately

Stains happen. As with any surface, the sooner you clean the stain, the better your chances are of getting it up. With your sealed concrete, it will be much easier to clean these stains, because the sealant should protect the concrete long enough for you to address the spill. However, outdoor concrete tends to absorb spills and permanently stain.

The way to handle set-in stains depends on what stained the concrete in the first place. For instance, the difference between how to remove grease stains from concrete and how to remove rust stains are two completely different processes.

Your best bet when dealing with set-in stains on outdoor concrete is to search for your specific situation. Regardless of what stained the pavement, the quicker you remove it, the better off you’ll be.

Maintaining Concrete Surfaces is Simple

If you follow these six tips, you’ll have no problems maintaining your home’s concrete surfaces. Ultimately, it’s about being proactive. Keep a cleaning schedule going and stay on top of any issues that arise. As long as you do those things, you can enjoy all your concrete surfaces for years to come.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. He is a blogger and content writer for the residential and commercial flooring industry. Skylar is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and manufacturers discover materials and methods of installation that increase property value, improve durability, and discover innovative flooring options for their home or commercial space.

TI-ProBoard Structural Composite Deck Panels

TI-ProBoard® Structural Composite Deck Panels

TI Board is the base of a unique system to form a solid tiled surface to new or existing floors.

Two of the hottest trends in the residential market continues to be outdoor living spaces and open concept curbless showers. Flooring Supply Shop offers a unique underlayment product that fits both applications perfectly. TI-ProBoard is one of the most versatile products offered by International Flooring Center, Inc. The TI-ProBoard is a structural composite board manufactured from pultruded fiberglass that installs directly to joists. TI-ProBoard is the only single component system on the market today for exterior tile installations.

Whether it’s a residential or commercial project, designing a deck or balcony has many challenges in specifying the correct materials to ensure a durable, safe and long-lasting installation. Rain, snow, salt-water and freeze-thaw are just a few of the environmental issues that must be addressed. TI-ProBoard addresses all of these issues and more. It’s unaffected by expansion/ contraction, freeze/thaw or other weather conditions. Each panel is 1′ x 8′ and is only 3/8″ thick.

Blur the Lines Between the Indoors and Out

If you’re looking to specify a sustainable, durable and low maintenance exterior tile deck solution look no further than TI-ProBoard. With its 3/8″ low-profile design, TI-ProBoard allows you to seamlessly carry your interior tile to the deck on residential or commercial projects.

TI-ProBoard is not used in conjunction with any other wood material, such as plywood or deck boards, as an underlayment. Simply install directly to the deck joists, up to 24″ o.c., ensuring panels run perpendicular to joists and that proper slope is achieved to shed water.

Once installed, simply screed an exterior rated mortar to the top of the dove-tailed ribs. If there’s living area underneath, Waterproofing membrane to be applied next. If not, you are ready-to-tile using latex modified thin set meeting ANSI 118.4 or above.

TI-ProBoard has been third party tested and achieved an Extra-Heavy Floor rating in the Robinson Floor Test, ASTM C627. TI-ProBoard also achieved a Commercial Floor rating in the 14′ Suspended Robinson Floor Test. It’s now recognized in the TCNA Handbook under Structural Ribbed Self-supporting Boards (SRSB).

It’s the only board of its kind available on the market and is backed with a 10-year Limited Warranty.

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Category: Hard Surface Flooring