Blog : Flooring Supply Shop Blog | Flooring and Floor Heating Supply - Part 51Flooring Supplies

Eco friendly flooring for your bathroom

While setting up your new home or renovating your existing house into an eco friendly and green home, special attention should be given to the floorings, especially in the bathrooms. Flooring options for your bathroom should be water resistant, durable and long lasting. Costs may vary and some options may be a bit on the costlier side, but ultimately it proves to be beneficial and cost effective for the occupants as well as the environment in the long run.

Linoleum is considered as an inexpensive and eco friendly flooring option for the bathrooms. Linoleum tiles (VCT) are scratch, water, and fire resistant, durable and long lasting. Linoleum is manufactured in vibrant and attractive colors and designs which can provide an artistic touch to your bathroom. Due to its high content of linseed oil, linoleum is anti-microbial in nature and fights bacteria naturally, giving you a clean, green and healthy bathroom. Linoleum grows tougher with age, and therefore you do not need to replace it for years.

Glass Ceramic tiles as a flooring solution for bathrooms are also advisable. These tiles are usually made from recycled products like discarded glass, bottles, jars etc, and its manufacturing process is also quite simple, and does not have any hazardous effects on the environment. Usually ceramic tiles do not get easily damaged by moisture and are long lasting. Moreover, these come in attractive designs, colors and shapes and give your bathroom an elegant look. Cleaning products like EcoStone tile cleaners are easy to use and effective in removing stubborn stains, which can be used regularly to maintain a sparkling clean bathroom.

Having Hardwood flooring for a bathroom is also not a bad option. Bamboo is a good option when it comes to durability, water and moisture resistance and longevity. Bamboo flooring is quite affordable and a sustainable product that can be re harvested easily which makes it eco friendly. Apart from these benefits bamboo floorings are bacteria, mildew and mold resistant and prove to be the perfect option for a germ free bathroom. Bamboo flooring can easily be maintained by using products like “Hardwood floor cleaner’ which is a non-toxic, environment friendly, water based solution that helps to keep wooden flooring in a shiny new state.

Cork is again considered as one of the most eco friendly flooring material and can easily be used for bathroom flooring since it is naturally water resistant. Moreover cork is derived from the bark of a tree which does not kill the tree, and can be harvested every nine years. Eucalyptus is also a fast growing hardwood and a sustainable product that can be used as an eco friendly flooring option.

Though a bit on the costlier side, stone is also another popular choice for bathroom flooring because of its durable and tough nature. Stones like limestone, slate are eco friendly in nature and are obviously water resistant. Nowadays textured stone is available which is perfect for bathroom flooring since it is non-slippery and safe. Moreover eco friendly stone floorings for bathrooms can easily be cleaned and maintained by using popular and effective EcoStone products. Chemical free and eco friendly diamond pads are available that help to polish limestone and other stone floorings to preserve their shine.

Eco friendly flooring solutions for your child’s room

Whenever we think of renovating our child’s room, the first thing that comes to our mind is a safe and healthy atmosphere. This implies that everything in your child’s room, from the paint on the walls to the flooring has to be safe. Proper flooring is of utmost importance since children tend to play on the floor most of the time. Therefore eco friendly flooring materials should be the only choice for your child’s room. There are various eco friendly solutions to build a green playroom for your child.

Cork flooring is a very popular choice for kids’ playroom since it has a soft surface and prevents children from getting hurt. Moreover cork is naturally anti-microbial, tough, durable, biodegradable and does not stain easily. Since cork is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, it can be stripped and removed several times without harming the tree. However, it is always advisable to avoid self-adhesive cork tiles since they may contain toxic chemicals.

For very small infants or toddlers natural woven carpets is an excellent flooring option. These carpets are made by weaving together natural fibers like coir, jute, seagrass or sisal and are extremely soft to touch. Seagrass grows naturally all around the world and helps in insulating houses and also acts as a barrier against sound. Similarly sisal is also a natural fiber and a sustainable resource and is grown without the use of any pesticides or herbicides which makes it highly environment friendly. These products are also appropriate for children prone to allergies or asthmatic attacks and require very little care and maintenance. Wool carpets are again a sustainable and 100% biodegradable choice and have various advantages like durability, fire resistance and are anti-static. Moreover, such carpets use only natural dyes, are not treated with harmful chemicals and are installed without the help of adhesives. All these characteristics make it a complete eco friendly product.

Another truly sustainable eco friendly flooring solution for your child’s room is bamboo. It is a fast-growing grass which can be re-harvested every 5 years and is by far the most abundant and renewable natural resources thus making it a popular flooring choice. Moreover it is extremely hardy, durable and moisture resistant. When we talk of eco friendly flooring solutions for a child’s room, it is necessary to mention rubber flooring. Rubber flooring apart from being an eco friendly flooring solution is extremely safe, durable, soft and appealing. It is stain and slip resistant, has anti-microbial and hypoallergenic properties and has shock absorbent surface; making it an ideal flooring option for your child’s room that is not only safe but cost effective as well.

Last but not the least linoleum flooring is also a safe and eco friendly option for your kid’s room. Linoleum is resistant to fungi and bacterial growth, has hypoallergenic qualities, and is very durable and also scratch and spill resistant. Whatever the option, care should always be taken to provide your child with a green, non-toxic and environmental friendly atmosphere.

Go green with radiant electric floor heating

Heating up your homes and trying to keep it warm and cozy is a tough job during winters. Especially for people living in regions that experience chilly winters and snowfall, it becomes all the more necessary to keep the floors and walls warm throughout the day. There are various heating options available like gas furnaces, electric base board heat, wood and boilers but most of them are quite costly, use up a lot of energy and are not entirely environmental friendly. The only solution to this is radiant electric floor heating systems which works on the principle of thermal heat radiation and is gaining in popularity as a mainstream heating option in homes, offices, industrial places etc.

A radiant floor heating system is usually installed beneath the flooring or inside concrete slabs and this system heats up the entire area from the ground, up into the living area above. These heating systems are user friendly, comfortable, silent in operation and friendly to the environment. Moreover they can be installed underneath any kind of flooring. The electric radiant heating system is very easy to install, comes at a highly affordable price and is perfect for small bedrooms, bathroom and for homes under renovated.

These systems usually consist of electric floor heating mats which are embedded in a thin layer of concrete across the floor. SunTouch electric floor heat mat kit is a complete installation kit which has all the materials necessary for a perfect installation. It consists of a heating mat, programmable thermostat 500670, loudmouth installation monitor, double sided tape, installation DVD and an installation manual. This kit is designed to warm stone and tile floors and can be used in bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms or any other part of the house. The ‘dry’ radiant electric floor heating systems are appropriate for pre-existing structures without having to enclose the coils and heating tubes in concrete flooring.

Radiant floor heating systems are equally effective if installed under hardwood floorings. The only precaution to be taken is to dry out the slab and subfloor before installing the wood flooring. Any moisture left on the slab can enter the wood flooring as soon as heat is turned on which can result in expansion, contraction, shrinkage or cracking of floors. Such heating systems can also be installed under linoleum or vinyl flooring.

There are various benefits of radiant electric floor heating systems as compared to other form of heating systems. Radiant floor heating systems do not create any kind of breeze or air like forced air heating. Moreover, these systems are very comfortable and consistent, easy to install, save energy, do not dry out the air and do not spread dust or allergens and are therefore highly environment friendly. Unlike heating systems which use water pipes or boilers radiant electric heating systems cut down the risk of breakage and leakage of water pipes. The radiant electric floor heating system transfers heat evenly to all places inside the house and is also vey helpful for people suffering from allergies and asthma.

Additional benefits of a radiant floor heating system

People around the globe have realized that by installing a radiant floor heating system they can reduce the discomforts caused due to cold floors in winters. However, apart from this obvious utility offered by a radiant floor heating system, it extends various other benefits to the users as well.

One such benefit offered by a radiant floor heating system is that it can be installed without hampering the visual aesthetics of a room. Due to the compact dimensions of these systems, they can be easily placed below the flooring and would not significantly raise the floor level. Further, these radiant floor heating systems are quite flexible and can be used along with any type of flooring; be it tiles, hardwood or carpet. The compact dimensions and flexibility offered by these radiant floor heating systems ensure that they can be used without worrying about their aesthetic impact on the house.

Not only do radiant floor heating systems warm the floor; they also help in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the house. The problem with traditional heating systems is that the heat released by them gradually rises to the ceiling, thereby leaving the floors cold. Radiant floor heating systems will not only eliminate this temperature difference inside a room, but will also enable you to turn down your main thermostat by a few degrees. This reduction in the main thermostat will ensure that you achieve a significant saving in your power bills in the long run.

Most homes that use a forced air heating system have to install a humidifier as well to counter the effects of dry air. However, since a radiant floor heating system uses radiant heat, there is no effect on the moisture levels in the house, which further results in reduced electrical usage costs.

A number of reputed radiant floor heating products, like those manufactured by SunTouch, are available in the form of heating mats that can be cut into different shapes and sizes. This adaptability ensures that you can use these radiant floor heating systems as per your requirements. These radiant floor heating mats can be cut to create a warm patch below the shower or alongside your furniture. You can customize these systems as per yours specific requirements and create a warm and comfortable environment inside your house.

One of the prime benefits offered by a radiant floor heating system is its maintenance free working. Since these systems do not have moving components or complex circuits, they work effectively with minimal maintenance requirements for a long period of time. All that you need to do is install these radiant floor heating systems once and enjoy their benefits without unnecessarily spending time or money in repairs and maintenance.

It is due to such utility and convenience offered by radiant floor heating systems that they are widely replacing the traditional methods of heating in most homes. However, in order to enjoy these benefits you need to select a radiant floor heating system that is of the highest quality. So make the right purchase decision and enjoy the numerous benefits that are being offered by radiant floor heating systems.

Getting The Most Bang for Your Buck…Increasing the Value and Marketability of Your Home With Quality Flooring

They say that money talks and…well you know the rest. I know that in today’s economy, most of you are holding on to your home longer than you might if the housing market was booming. While you are making improvements to your current property you can increase its value and desirability to your next home buyer. You basically need to keep in mind just two things: Where to make those improvements, and what to improve. Let’s see if we can figure this out together.

I happen to know from sources deep within the housing industry (okay, maybe it is just several friends who happen to be realtors) that the two most common areas people look at when shopping for a new home are the kitchen and bathroom. That is not to say that the other areas aren’t important. Still, there is something about these two areas that attract the eyes of the potential homebuyer. So, when spending is tight, hit these two key areas first.

What types of improvements should you make to your kitchen or bath? Things that have great visual effect will usually be best. You also want to make it attractive, but not too customized to your own tastes. With the advent of HGTV and the bevy of home improvement shows, everyone wants to be a Bob Vila, Ty Pennington, or Paige Hemming. A nice new tile floor in the bathroom in a neutral color will make you much more money than you will spend doing it. Travertine tile or anything that has a stone look is all the rage right now, and the look of marble is timeless. You might also upgrade that shower with a new massaging head, or replace the whole thing with a ready-to-tile model that you can spruce up in no time. Add shelves and people will be wowed at your cutting edge thinking.

Moving on to the kitchen, take a look at those counter tops and imagine them with a new granite or stone look. You could even tile the backsplash and really give the kitchen some pop. If you have a little more to spend, add a new floor in styles similar to those I talked about previously.

Even something as simple as adding trim to an already tiled floor can do wonders for the appearance. This will add extra value to your home, and catch the eye of the potential buyer, without taking much moolah out of your pocket.

So now you are ready to increase the value of your home, make it more attractive, and sell it…when you are ready. Just make a few minor adjustments to a couple of key areas and listen to the money talk!

Eco friendly flooring for your bathroom

Eco friendly flooring solutions for your child’s room

Go green with radiant electric floor heating

Additional benefits of a radiant floor heating system

Getting The Most Bang for Your Buck…Increasing the Value and Marketability of Your Home With Quality Flooring

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