Blog : Home Improvement General | Flooring Supply Shop Blog

Don’t Fall Victim to the DIY Hype

DIY home improvements are all the rage and many homeowners are choosing these instead of hiring professionals. Though it is an easy way to save a few bucks, one must ensure that the DIY task undertaken by you is successfully completed. A properly executed home improvement task will not only enhance the aesthetics of your house but will also add to its value.

You must realize that a DIY home improvement demands patience, perseverance, skill and tool. Hence, if you think that you have all of these you can surely complete any DIY task; but if you have even a slightest doubt about your capabilities, do not start the task. The most important thing that you need to have is time; because if you do not have adequate time to finish it then your house will be in a mess till the time you finish it.

The next thing that needs to be ensured is that you must know how to do the task, along with having all the necessary tools. With the increasing popularity of these tasks, more and more manufacturers are producing and marketing products for the DIYers. To get information about the task, you can take help of a friend who has done similar task as he will be able to guide you better as to what needs to be done. It is advisable to gather all the information about the project and then decide whether or not you have the abilities to complete the task. Moreover, something that may be cake walk for your friend may not easy for you; hence whatever you decide make sure you do not have to face incredibly difficult time while doing the task.

There are certain tasks that may sound simple but in reality they are not. For example, painting a room is a simple task but painting the whole house on your own is not because it demands significant amount of time, stamina and skill. You need to judge whether a task is actually a DIY task or not; fence building may sound easy but in reality it may not be that easy. In contrast, painting a fence is an easy task and can be successfully done by almost everyone. However, task like deck building and dry walling are daunting and should be left for professionals because even after putting in all the efforts you may not be able to replicate what a pro can do.

Since you can judge yourself best, you will be able to make a wise decision whether or not you can complete the task and that too with perfection. In case you feel that certain home improvement task is not your cup of tea, you must avoid doing it. Moreover, doing a task that gives an impression that an amateur did it, takes away the value and appeal of your home. To avoid this, you must hire a pro who is skilled, experienced and have completed similar task with perfection.

Hence, do not fall victim to the DIY hype and do a DIY home improvement task only because your friend or neighbor did the same. Keep every aspect in perspective and then make a final decision whether or not you should do a particular DIY task.

Reasons to select engineered wood flooring

A number of homeowners prefer using hardwood flooring due to its aesthetic appeal and high durability. However, the main concern with hardwood flooring is that it can be quite difficult to install as a ‘Do-it-yourself’ (DIY) project. It is for this reason that a professional flooring installer needs to be called to install hardwood floor, thereby adding to the total cost. On the other hand, laminate flooring offers a cost effective and ‘easy to install’ alternative to hardwood flooring, but it is not real wood.

For homeowners who want a cost effective and durable alternative to hardwood, engineered hardwood flooring would be the ideal option. Engineered hardwood is a combination of real finished wood on top and non-finish plywood underneath. This additional layer of plywood is laid in a cross-way pattern, thereby providing support to the main wood top and enhancing its durability.

The choices available in the engineered hardwood category are almost identical to those available in the solid hardwood category. Some of the most popularly engineered hardwood options include Hickory, Oak, Bamboo and Maple. This wide variety ensures that homeowners are able to select an option as per their specific requirements.

Another major advantage of engineered hardwood is that it is pre-finished, i.e. it has already been sanded and sealed. This means that the floor can be used as soon as it has been installed. On the other hand, unfinished solid hardwood requires sealing prior to being used, thereby increasing the installation time.

One area where engineered hardwood scores more than laminate flooring is that it can be sanded at a later stage. Engineered hardwood can be easily sanded a few times in case scratches or stains develop on it. However, since engineered flooring has low tolerance for any mistakes during the sanding process it is recommended to avail professional assistance.

Although, wood flooring is not recommended for high moisture areas like the children’s bathroom; engineered hardwood flooring can be easily installed in low-moderate moisture areas. This feature makes engineered hardwood ideal for areas like the basement and the bathroom. Relative to other wood flooring types, engineered hardwood flooring would offer high durability in such areas of the house.

Hardwood flooring typically requires to be nailed to the wooden sub floor for maximum effectiveness. However, there are a number of other installation methods available for engineered hardwood flooring. Along with nailing the engineered hardwood floor, it is possible to either glue it or to use it as a floating floor. These installation options make engineered hardwood an ideal option for ‘DIY enthusiasts’.

Finally, engineered flooring is naturally warm and does not result in unwanted noise as is the case with a few other flooring options. It is also possible to install a radiant floor heating system beneath the engineered flooring, thereby providing high value.

Although engineered hardwood flooring can be more expensive than laminate, it provides high value in the long run. Not only can it be sanded a number of times, it is more resistant to moisture than other hardwood flooring options.

Fall and slip the Fact

The Risk is Real

Slip and fall accidents pose a major problem for hotel, restaurant and property operators and managers. The statistics behind them are quite alarming.

• The majority of all food service general liability insurance claims are derived from slip and fall accidents (C.N.A. Insurance)

• Since 1980, Personal Injury Lawsuits have Risen by More than 300% in the Food Service Industry (NFSI)

• The average restaurant has three to nine slip & fall accidents each year (NSC)

• Slips & falls are the #1 Cause of Accidents in Hotels, Restaurants & Public Buildings. 70% of these accidents Occur on Flat / Level Surfaces (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• The average cost of a slip related injury exceeds $12,000 (Wausau Insurance).

• The average cost to defend a Slip and Fall lawsuit is $50,000 (NFSI).

• Plaintiffs win 51% of Premises Liability Claims (JVR).

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) national standard states that owners, managers and supervisors must make a commitment to prevent accidental slips, trips and falls. InvisaTread® helps you do just that.

History of Anti-Slip Technology

Acid based anti-slip technologies have been available for more than 25yrs. Existing technology often employ the use of high levels of dangerous Hydro-Fluoric Acid (HFA) or its counter part Ammonium Bi-Fluoride (ABF) which becomes HFA when mixed with water. These products are highly hazardous to handle and pose terrible risks to the surfaces they are applied to. In reference to increased COF, the industry has historically increased these numbers on surfaces to a COF of greater than .90 WET. These high degrees of etch can damage the surface and making it hard to clean increasing janitorial costs and reducing surface longevity. These products are not just dangerous to the surface. They require the use of professional applicators and specially trained teams to apply these acid-etching products. The requirement for these services often makes the cost of application and post maintenance extremely cost prohibitive. Until now.

InvisaTread®

Our InvisaTread® product line is formulated to be the first in class micro-etching product designed to be safe for DIY or self-installation. Our chemistry is also designed to preserve the surfaces we are treating. InvisaTread® has been formulated to increase the COF to between .60 – .75 on wet surfaces. This level we have found to greatly help reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents while maintaining typical janitorial costs. InvisaTread application can be safely managed internally by your own maintenance teams greatly reducing costs.

How does InvisaTread Work?

InvisaTread® is an acid based microetching product that uses ingredients commonly found in woman’s facial products. Our primary ingredient is Glycolic acid, commonly found in facial chemical peel products. Treatable surfaces include but are not limited to quarry tile, porcelain, ceramic, concrete, honed stone, granite, terrazzo and more. You will notice in the photo above that the 3D landscape of the surface at 500x magnification has not been made deeper than original, but rather a consistent traction pattern across the entire surface. InvisaTread® does not change the look or feel of most surfaces but rather renders them slip resistant when wet. It is not recommended for use on polished Marble or other polished Calcium based surfaces as it could potentially hone or reduce the shine of the surface.

Traction Wash™

Traction Wash™ is nothing short of a High Tech cleaner / degreaser. It has been formulated to break up grease and grime prior to applying InvisaTread®. Prior to applying our InvisaTread treatment, it is important to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface. The application will be less effective should the surface not be free of grease and grime. Traction Wash™ has been specially formulated to leave NO residue on the surface. This is an important characteristic in maintaining the increased COF that the InvisaTread products create. You are welcome to use any cleaner to maintain your surfaces post treatment providing they are a clean rinsing formula with no left behind residue.

Buy now

Tileware Promessa Series Brochure

Buy Now

Integration offers endless opportunities for the tile community. Innovation has just begun, TileWare is in the process of engineering new and creative applications. Each iteration expands the usefulness and function of tile and primes the industry at large for growth. Let’s embrace the connection with inventive surfaces and cover the world with TILE.

Values for Tile Professionals

FlooringSupplyShop is pleased to introduce an installation system designed and engineered specifically for tile mechanics. Traditional hardware installation requires drilling, compromising tile installations. Now, with the PermaTile™ System, tile mechanics have a clear advantage: a simple installation system that adds value to the tile professional and their specialized skill set.

Attach To, Not Through Non-penetrating, Non-intrusive Systems

It’s Time to Integrate

Is it possible to experience a modest revolution while integrating tile and hardware? The answer to that question, from TileWare’s perspective, is a definitive YES! These two industries have been separated long enough; it’s time for a comprehensive solution, one that will serve both tile and hardware communities alike.

New Solutions for Old Problems

The hardware industry has been asking tile professionals to drill through finished tile surfaces in an effort to attach all types of accessory applications. These archaic methods have been met with little opposition, even though the tile industry has developed significant advancements in both tile and mortar systems. This truth is specifically relevant when mechanics try to drill through solid body porcelain that has been engineered for density and hardness.

From a tile installation perspective, drilling into finished tile work will most certainly create problems. These problems translate into cracked tile, pierced plumbing, damaged electrical wiring and, most significantly, waterproofing violations.

TileWare, through its PermaTile™ System, offers an innovative solution to obsolete installation methods that require penetration and intrusion into tile and mortar.

PermaTile™ Fasteners

The first non-penetrating, non-intrusive tile fastening system

This high quality, stainless steel fastening component will attach with unprecedented strength to wall surfaces with latex modified mortar. This system provides a solution that is simple and measurably strong. PermaTile™ Systems will end unnecessary damages resulting from drilling finished tile work.

• Will not violate waterproofing, plumbing or wiring no more drilling

• Mortar-based fastening system

• Non-corrosive stainless steel fastener

• Over 10X the strength of standard fastener

• Tested by TCNA (Tile Council of North America)

• Designed specifically for tile applications by tile installers

• Will work with all standard tile products and thicknesses

Promessa™ Series Baskets

Our baskets have a distinctive look and one touch demonstrates their fine quality. All baskets are designed to fit a broad style palette and will work with any tile motif and pattern.

• Accessories that stay firmly mounted, even with everyday use

• Solid brass

• Each model is easily interchangeable

• 5-year finish warranty

All models are available in all finishes.

Watch the step by step Video installation – Tileware Promessa Series Brochure – Step by Step Installation Instruction

Solutions for Small Kitchens

Many homeowners face the problem of not having enough space in their kitchens. Due to the shortage of space, one may either collide with things kept in the kitchen or step on someone else’s toe while trying to reach something. Moreover, one does not even feel like cooking in such a small space. Additionally, one also has to adjust various kitchen items in the tiny space, making it cluttered and untidy.

In case you also have a small kitchen and face such problems daily, there are certain useful steps that can help you overcome space constraint. Foremost, you can make use of various designing tips to create an illusion of space. An easy way of achieving this is through proper lighting, such as, take measures to maximize any natural light by keeping the blinds up and curtains back. In case you wish to add more lights, but do not want to take up any valuable space, you can install lights under the cabinet. Apart from this, you can also use light colored walls, curtains, blinds and cabinets, to make the room look more open.

You must also ensure maximum use of available space in a proper manner. Foremost, you should take a look around your kitchen and sort out things as per the frequency of their use. Things that you do not use frequently like juicer or food processing machine, can be removed from the kitchen and stored somewhere else, such as the store room or garage. The next thing that you need to focus upon is the arrangement of things, such as you should keep the cooking utensils and oven mits near the stove. You must keep all the necessary and most used items in an easily accessible place, so that one does not collide with other things or people.

You always have the option of arranging various kitchen items in cabinets that can easily accommodate numerous things. However, if the cabinet is not large enough to solve the space problem, you can install lazy susans and dividing trays in these cabinets. This is also an effective solution in case one is not able to maintain different cabinets for specific group of items. Incorporating ample storage facility is probably the most effective and easiest way of overcoming space problem in small kitchens. Besides, you can even opt for hang up pots and pans that empties a lot of space in the cabinets.

Apart from this, you can also have deeper counters as these not only increase work space, but can also accommodate more items. Additionally, to minimize the use of space, you can select drop table, small sized round table or built-in counter along the wall. It is always advisable to install a large kitchen sink, as it is very convenient and suitable for washing pots and pans.

With the advancement in technology, now you have access to various compact and space saving appliances. Numerous brands are designing products for small kitchens, such as microwaves that can be hung underneath cabinets. You also have the option of choosing refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep.

Making use of these simple measures can help you overcome the problem associated with small kitchens.

Category: Home Improvement General

Don’t Fall Victim to the DIY Hype

Reasons to select engineered wood flooring

Fall and slip the Fact

Tileware Promessa Series Brochure

Solutions for Small Kitchens

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