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kitchen flooring | Flooring Supply Shop Blog

Tile tips for your kitchen design

From ceramic to marble, slate to stone, with so many tiles to choose from, tiling your kitchen can be daunting. If you’re completely redesigning your kitchen, it’s tempting to focus more on choosing appliances than the small details like tiles, but they can be the key to your kitchen’s new look and if chosen correctly, will enhance your kitchen beautifully. Here are some things to consider when shopping for kitchen tiles.

Different materials have different qualities

Ceramic tiles
One of the reasons ceramic tiles are so popular in kitchens is their durability. Dropping plates or cutlery, for example, won’t leave a mark. Ceramic tiles withstand lots of traffic and don’t soak up moisture. They can even be slip-resistant with the right finish. Another huge benefit of ceramic tiles is that they are fireproof, which is particularly important in the kitchen.

Porcelain tiles
Similarly to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles have low water absorption which means they are less likely to be stained. Typically a popular choice for bathroom floors, porcelain is a popular choice for bathroom tiling, although the fact that porcelain tiles are easy to maintain with no polishing or sealing means they are great for kitchens.

Natural stone tiles
Natural stone tiles are popular choices for kitchens due to their wild variations in color and quality. Each tile is completely unique and can look really beautiful as a surface, but it’s important to do your homework when looking for colors. Granite is a popular choice for kitchens, the hardest natural stone and a good natural water repeller.

Color

Create a color scheme
When choosing a colour scheme for your kitchen, a good rule of thumb is to aim for two dominant colors and one accent color, which will enable the room to become whole with separate pieces of color and adds depth to the composition. You may also consider painting your kitchen cabinets or furniture, such as a wooden table and chairs, to match your tile choices.

Choose countertop first
Before choosing your floor or wall tiles, you should first pick out a material and color for your countertops, since they are usually what people notice first when walking into your kitchen. When you come to choosing your flooring, take a sample of your countertop with you to ensure colors are coordinated.

Create contrast
The best kitchen designs have a balance of tones and materials. For example, white is a popular color for cabinets and tile backsplash, but by also using white tiles on your kitchen floor, the room will go from feeling light and fresh to institutional. Try to use a combination of light, medium and dark tones, for example, by matching floors and countertops and having cabinets as a secondary color, or vice versa.

Style

Retro
Retro style kitchens are quickly coming back into fashion and can be the key to making your kitchen pop. Classic and sophisticated, black and white floor tiles are a must-have in retro decorating and also have a timeless appeal that can be paired with more contemporary and traditional style accessories. You can also add a hint of colour by choosing a contrasting tile backsplash.

Modern
If your preference is a modern kitchen, emphasizing grey, black and white in your tile choices will keep your kitchen looking sleek. Pairing granite or marble countertops with stainless steel appliances creates an elegant feel. If you want to design a modern kitchen with a little more color, add a bright mosaic tile backsplash or pick out a vibrant floor finish.

Traditional
The traditional kitchen design is warm and classic and can be interpreted according to your taste. Shades of chocolate brown are a popular choice for floors and countertops, while deep blues and rich reds give a hint of colour on cabinets or accent areas. You might see marble, brick, stone and even wood on the backsplash.

How to install vinyl flooring effectively

Vinyl Flooring, Budget Kitchen Projects, Kitchen Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Laundry Room Improvements, Entryway Improvements, Bathroom Flooring, Floor Installation, Kitchen Flooring

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.

Vinyl Flooring, Budget Kitchen Projects, Kitchen Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Laundry Room Improvements, Entryway Improvements, Bathroom Flooring, Floor Installation, Kitchen Flooring

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.

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Flooring advice for your kitchen

kitchen flooring, kitchen tile, kitchen remodeling, diy, ceramic tile, counter tops

It is generally believed by homeowners that kitchen and bathroom are two of the most important areas for a renovation project. This is so, since these areas are exposed to high moisture content, and the flooring in these areas gets affected by moisture very easily. Some of the factors that can affect your decision to select a flooring option for your kitchen include; your budget, design consideration and your usage of the kitchen.

Most people select different flooring for each room in their house. However, selecting common flooring in all the rooms of the house is a popular trend that is becoming popular day by day. So if you are looking to change the flooring of your kitchen, you can select the same flooring as that in the surrounding areas. This continuity will give your house a more comfortable and attractive look. Some flooring options such as stone can be laid in the kitchen as well as other surrounding rooms effectively.

Going green is the latest trend in kitchen flooring. Flooring material such as stone, tile and porcelain would be ideal in your kitchen. Furthermore, wood and wood laminate would also enhance the aesthetic look in your kitchen. However, in case you are opting for wood or laminate, you should select a dark shade and thick grained flooring for maximum utility.

While selecting flooring for your kitchen you should give more emphasis to practicality rather than aesthetics. For example, if you have kids and pets in your house you should opt for a strong and durable option, such as stone. This is so since other material such as hardwood and laminate can scratch easily. Even certain varieties of porcelain, which is considered to be a tough material, can crack and chip easily in the kitchen.

In case you are looking for a low budget option that offers aesthetics, as well as durability, then laminate would be the ideal choice. Laminate would imitate the looks of hardwood flooring, but would offer better durability. Furthermore, the cost of installing laminate flooring is quite reasonable as compared to other flooring options. The low cost and high aesthetics of laminate make it a preferred choice, not just for the kitchen floor, but for floors in other rooms as well.

Talking to a professional flooring contractor is generally a good idea since they would be able to determine the right flooring option for your kitchen. A professional will not only help you determine your flooring requirements but will help you with the purchase process as well. A flooring contractor will ensure that your kitchen flooring offers maximum value for your investment in it.

Kitchen is one of the most actively used locations in a house; therefore, it becomes essential to select the right flooring option. Not only should the flooring match with the decor of your house but should also be easy to maintain and clean. Vinyl, stone and laminate are considered to be ideal options for the kitchen floor. The right floor will go a long way, in the way your kitchen looks

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

kitchen flooring | Flooring Supply Shop Blog