Blog : Home Improvement General | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 21Flooring Supplies

Dealing with a flooring contractor

Installing new flooring or modifying an existing one is a crucial step for every homeowner. This is so, since different rooms are exposed to different environment and foot traffic, and therefore require customized flooring solutions. It is in order to ensure that the right flooring option is selected, and that it is installed in a proper manner that a number of households opt for the services of a professional contractor. However, not everyone has an idea of how to deal with contractors in order to get maximum benefit out of them.

Flooring contractors, although expensive, can ensure to select the right flooring option for your house and install it properly. In order to avail these benefits it is however, important to assist your flooring contractor. Following are a few ways in which you & your flooring contractor can mutually benefit each other.

Most of the problems faced by people while dealing with flooring contractors are due to a communication gap. In order to ensure that the flooring work continues smoothly, you should communicate your exact expectations and requirements to the contractor as early as possible. For example, you should clearly convey your maximum budget, type of flooring you require and the reasons for selecting a particular flooring option. Since these contractors are professionals they might be able to come up with a better solution after getting to know about your exact requirements. Lack of communication generally leads to misunderstandings during the latter stages of the flooring process.

Although, flooring contractors would have all the tools required for the job; they would still have some basic requirements that you need to fulfill. An electric point, source of running water, place to store the tools and a washroom are some of the resources that you need to provide them. Anticipating such needs and making arrangements prior to the initiation of the flooring job would make the job of your contractor much easier. Furthermore, early arrangements will also enable you to create a working space for your contractors and make other areas of your house off limits for them.

Flooring contractors generally do not appreciate frequent interference from the homeowners, but they prefer regular inputs from them. It is therefore, important that you survey the work that is being done and convey any discrepancies from what you had planned.

It is advised to mark the area being floored as off limits for the family members until the flooring job is completed. This step would ensure that there is no damage to the floor, if used before it sets in. For example, stone and tile can crack easily if walked upon before setting. Similarly, wood flooring can scratch, if it is used before the final coating has been applied.

In order to get the best results it is important to trust your contractor and to let them work without frequent intervention. Frequent disturbances and interventions from the homeowner’s side can lead to unfavorable outcomes in the flooring process.

Flooring Products That are HypoAllergenic for Sensitive People

There are several people who suffer from allergies that are triggered by allergens present in their surroundings. People can develop allergies due to a multitude of allergens, such as dust, dust mites, mold spores, sawdust and others. Presence of allergen in the environment may cause adverse reactions in hyper sensitive people, including sneezing, coughing or scratching. Watery-eyes, spots like blisters that are quite painful or lung infection are some other problems which they might face. To prevent these, it is important to avoid all activities and products that aggravate allergens.

There are so many things in the house, like flooring, cleaning solutions and others, which have the potential to harbor allergens, such as dust and dust mites. These can be found in homes where people spend over twelve to fourteen hours daily. Therefore, precaution must be taken to keep homes free from allergic-causing substances.

Homeowners can opt for ‘hypoallergenic’ products which are made using ingredients that are usually light on chemicals. These products are mostly eco-friendly and are manufactured using recycled or organic material. Further, these comprise fewer components, thereby reducing chances of developing allergies. The hypo-allergenic products are generally free from perfumes and odors, which normally make sensitive people sneeze, or feel breathless.

There are many hypoallergenic flooring products that can be chosen by sensitive people. Among all the available options, ceramic tile is the best choice, primarily because of its hard, slick surface that does not allow allergens like dust or mold to settle on it. Ceramic tiles are available in diverse sizes, shapes, designs and patterns. You may also select glass tiles, which are little expensive than ceramic tiles.

People also have the option of selecting environment friendly cork flooring. The tough surface of cork prevents dust and moisture absorption that can give rise to allergy. In addition, cork is free from toxic substances found in few flooring and carpeting products. Besides, you can also choose amongst concrete, rubber, bamboo and hardwood, finished with organic shellac or varnish.

You can also opt for various rugs and carpets, made using natural material like cotton and wool. Linoleum is another great hypoallergenic, Eco green flooring option which is soft, durable, easy to maintain and clean. This naturally fire resistant flooring option is available in a wide palette of appealing colors that can enhance the appearance of any room.

Apart from these flooring options, there are various cleaning and washing formulas that are hypo-allergenic, organic and green. Before purchase, people must read the information and details of each product. This simple measure helps in avoiding purchase of products that contain allergic substances.

In case you are planning to renovate your home and want to install new flooring products, do check whether or not you are allergic to any of them. For example, if you sneeze continuously while walking through the carpet section of a store, probably you are allergic to it. Bamboo can also lead to allergy in certain individuals, causing red rashes all over the body. Thus, it is advisable that you carefully test each product, and purchase those that do not trigger any allergy. With so many options available, you will easily find hypo-allergenic flooring products to which you are not allergic.

Things to know about before tiling

Tiles are one of the most popular choices for various areas of the house, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. Some of the factors that make tiles so popular include high durability, ease of installation, availability of different designs and the related cost. Tiling is generally considered as an easy Do-It-Yourself project; however, there are a number of factors that you should keep in mind before initiating the tiling process.

The first major decision that you will have to make will be selecting from a wide range of tiles that are available in the market. This decision will be based on two factors, namely the tile material and the tile size. Ceramic, porcelain and stone are the most popular tiling material that is selected by people. A stone tile is renowned for its aesthetic appeal as well as its high durability. On the other hand, porcelain and ceramic tiles are comparatively inexpensive that stone times, and are aesthetically appealing as well.

Tiling size can significantly impact your project by affecting the effort put in by you as well as the end result. Generally, tiles of size 12”x 12” are considered to be ideal for a tiling project; however, these days you can find tiles of varying sizes. 6” x 6” tiles are also popular among homeowners, but they increase the effort required to complete the tiling project. Furthermore, large tiles are quite difficult to set evenly, thereby affecting the final outcome of the project.

After finalizing on the size and material of the tiles, it is important to select the pattern and design on the tiles. Since tiles can significantly affect the visuals of a room, it is important to select tiles that match with the décor of a particular room. For example, light colored tiles are generally preferred in the shower area to create a comfortable environment. On the other hand, the kitchen area should preferably be covered with dark colored tiles.

Next, you should carefully decide whether you want to use epoxy based grout or cement grout. Grouting is an essential aspect of a tiling project since it can ensure that the tiles stay in place for a long duration of time. Although epoxy grouts are highly effective, and errors during the installation process are quite hard to fix once epoxy grout has been installed. Grout color is also essential to ensure that the grouted area blends in with the tile décor.

Finally, you should have the proper tools and equipment to ensure an effective tiling job. Spacers are essential to ensure even spaces between two subsequent tiles. Leveling systems, such as the Tuscan leveling system, ensure that you are able to install tiles without any lippage. Being prepared with such tools beforehand will enable you to install a uniform and highly durable tiled floor.

Thus, it is evident that although tiling is quite a simple task, it is important to consider various factors to ensure maximum effectiveness. In case you are not confident of completing the job yourself, it is advised to hire a professional contractor.

DIY projects An ideal option for overcoming the economic slowdown

With the economic slowdown affecting everyone in some way or the other, people are on the lookout for measures to reduce their expenses. A major portion of a homeowner’s income goes towards several home repair and renovation jobs. It is one cost you cannot restrain as there is always some or other home repair or improvement required to be done. Hiring a professional contractor for house repair or improvement proves quite expensive and home owners are now opting to do these jobs themselves.

The ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) home repair or improvement measures have gained popularity over the past few years. Due to the rising price of materials as well as fees of professional contractors, homeowners are opting to do the repair jobs on their house, on their own. These require diligence as well as knowledge since, carpentry or plumbing activities not simple.

Moreover, with substantial information available on the net, the DIY enthusiasts can easily accomplish different projects such as tiling, grouting, carpentering and flooring, easily.

The DIY projects help the homeowners save significant amount of money which they would otherwise have to give it to their contractors. Before starting any DIY project you must gather all the information about the different aspects of the task, including tools and materials required. You can get information on the internet, or better, take help of your friends who have completed similar task before so that you can learn from their experience.

Moreover, since you are not dependent on the contractors for material, you can choose any material as per your requirement and budget. You must also survey the market so that you can get quality material at less cost. Be sure not to compromise on the quality just to save a few dollars. Since you are doing the job yourself, you can define the time and deadlines for the task. Along with saving money, it also gives an opportunity to test your skills and get the sense accomplishment on completing the job properly.

Home improvement and repairs, cannot be escaped if you wish to keep the house in good condition. However it can involve significant expenditure, which is not favored by many, especially due to the economic slowdown. In such a condition, doing the job yourself rather than hiring a contractor can save homeowners a lot of money. Irrespective of the size of the job, any opportunity to save on extra expenditure will always prove beneficial. Before staring any DIY project, you must gather all the information as well as tools required so that you can carry the job effectively. Only precaution while doing the task is that you must judge yourself and ensure you are fit for the task. Apart from this, you must keep in mind that, it takes a great deal of patience to perform any repair or renovation job; therefore you need to approach the repair or renovation task only after you have gained ample knowledge and defined a reasonable time line to finish it. This ensures that you do not mess up things and incur more expenses fixing it.

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.

Category: Home Improvement General

Dealing with a flooring contractor

Flooring Products That are HypoAllergenic for Sensitive People

Things to know about before tiling

DIY projects An ideal option for overcoming the economic slowdown

An idea for Kids Room Furnishing

About Us

Contact Us

Quick Links

Newsletter Subscription