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Slate A Great Flooring Option

Flooring is an integral part of the house, which can significantly affect its appearance. Hence, it is vital to select the right flooring option for your home, which can make it look more attractive and appealing. Among the various flooring options available, more and more people are opting for slate, for residential as well as commercial buildings. Owing to its versatility and aesthetic appeal, it is increasingly being used in interiors as well as exteriors. Not only is it a feasible flooring option, but is also a great option for the walls, ceilings and roofs.

Slate adds elegance and sophistication to an interior, which other flooring options cannot. This sturdy natural-stone flooring option is formed when minute particles of silt and clay bind under high pressure and temperature. Owing to this process, slate gets its monolithic and ultra-fine texture. It is generally gray in color, but can also have shades of blue or green on it. However, it is also available in other colors like purple, brown and white pink, among others. You can make use of slate’s different shades of color for creating unique designs for your flooring. Along with its diversity in colors, slate tiles are also found in varied shapes, thicknesses and finishes. You can combine these variable attributes to your advantage and come up with different flooring ideas for house.

In comparison to various other flooring options, slate is a more durable and long lasting material. Once installed, it can last for many years and you may not have to replace it with any other flooring; thus, proving cost advantage. Additionally, it also has low maintenance requirements, unlike some other flooring options such as hardwood flooring. Slate is also resistant to dirt, and requires regular mopping with mild detergent cleaning.

The fine molecular structure of slate renders several advantages over other flooring options. Along with being tough, it is also resistant to moisture, which guarantees firm footing and avoids slipping or gliding. Owing to this, slate is a great flooring option for high traffic areas, or areas that are exposed to water, like hallways, porches, kitchen and bathrooms. In addition, this anti-stain flooring option is also bacteria and allergen resistant, thereby reducing the risk of diseases. To top it all, slate is quite affordable as compared to most of the other available flooring options, like marble and granite.

Due to the various advantages offered by it, slate proves to be a great flooring option that can enhance the appearance of any décor. However, an important thing which one should always keep in consideration is that the installation must be done in the right manner. If the installation is not done properly, flooring may be susceptible to breakage.

Since slate is a heavy natural stone, it needs to be installed correctly on a strong, solid subfloor instead of a flexible subfloor. Once properly installed, it will last for several years, without much maintenance requirements. Hence, if you are planning to install new flooring, you should opt for slate, which has become a preferred flooring choice of many people.

To seal use Slate Sealer by Glaze n Seal that offers unsurpassed low gloss protection for slate, quarry, tile, and other dense tile. This easy to apply, fast drying, non-yellowing acrylic provides a barrier against oil, water, based stains, acids, and efflorescence indoors and outdoors. With excellent UV and abrasion resistance.

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.

Basement flooring options

Choosing the right flooring for your home is vital, but selecting right ‘basement flooring’ is all the more important. When it comes to selecting the appropriate flooring for your basement, it is important to take into consideration all the challenges, especially that of moisture and flooding. Basements generally have high moisture content, which can actually damage the installed flooring. Hence, before you choose any basement flooring option, you need to figure out an alternative for the problem of moisture.

Other than this many basements face the problem of flooding, and there are very few flooring options that can withstand the damages caused by it. Hence, it is advisable to eliminate this problem before you spend money on installing your basement floor.

Basements are generally used for the purpose of storage, hence are not accessed too frequently; though some homeowners also use it for other purposes. The use of basement is an important factor in deciding the right flooring option. If your basement is relegated to a storage area only, then you can select concrete flooring. It is the most common flooring option chosen by many homeowners because of its high durability. Concrete can easily withstand a lot of pressure and last for a lifetime. Though it is inexpensive compared to other flooring options, it lacks the aesthetic value. To overcome this, you can add thick carpeting over it, only if the basement is dry and has no moisture or flooding problem. Carpets are available in different sizes, colors, designs and patterns, which soften the look of the concrete floor basement.

If your basement is not merely a store room, then you can use ceramic tiles for flooring. A good alternative to concrete flooring; ceramic tiles are available in an assortment of colors and can make your basement aesthetically appealing. Moreover, tiles are resistant to moisture, thereby solving the problem of moisture as well.

Tiles are highly durable and easy to install, and can be done so without professional guidance. Another great option is laminate flooring, which beautifully imitates the hardwood flooring. The biggest advantage of using laminate flooring is its sound-resisting capability. This helps in reducing the noise coming from the basement, especially if you are using it as a game room or a ‘mini-theater’. Only precaution that you need to take is to use a high grade laminate that can withstand the traffic as well as moisture in the basement.

You can even opt for engineered flooring which is made up of three to five layers of hardwood. Despite the layered construction, it is thin and you can add extra insulation if you want. It also offers higher resistance to moisture and traffic. Apart from this, you can even use rubber or foam mats. These mats are resistant to moisture and also have noise insulating capability which makes these a good choice for busy basements with high traffic and activity.

Hence, depending upon the use of the basement and budget, you can choose amongst any of these flooring options.

Proper insulation under your wooden flooring

Wooden flooring can greatly enhance the visual appeal of a house, and can add a lot of value to the house as compared to other flooring materials. Not only is wooden flooring more affordable as compared to marble and stone flooring, but is highly durable and long lasting as well. Further, flooring that has been made from wood grown in sustainable forests is environment friendly as well.

Apart from the above mentioned benefits another benefit of wooden flooring is that it is a good insulator, and prevents heat from escaping. However, irrespective of the fact that wooden flooring is a good insulator of heat, it would still get quite cold and uncomfortable to walk on during the winters. It is for this reason that it is a good idea to install proper insulation beneath the wooden flooring to ensure that heat does not escape. Further, proper insulation beneath the wooden floor will also prevent the infiltration of moisture.

It is quite simple to insulate a wooden floor if the building is still in the construction phase; however, a number of homeowners consider insulation only after they have a bad experience during a harsh winter. In such a scenario insulation will have to be placed through the available crawlspace beneath the floor.

The most commonly used material for insulating a wooden floor is unfaced batts. These batts are traditionally made using fiberglass, and ensure effective insulation of the floor. It is quite easy to cut these unfaced batts according to the size of the floor and to place them underneath. Not only do these unfaced batts provide effective insulation, but also provide moisture resistance and acoustic insulation.

In case you are searching for something more effective you can go in for a radiant floor heating system. A radiant floor heating system uses radiant heat to warm the floor, thereby ensuring complete comfort even during harsh winters. Apart from the obvious benefit of heating up the floor, radiant floor heating systems also enable significant savings in the energy consumption. This is possible due to the radiant heat emitted by this system, which not only raises the floor temperature, but also the temperature of the entire room. This effective heating will enable you to turn down the main thermostat by a few degrees, thereby resulting in significant savings in energy consumption.

In case you are a DIY enthusiast you can install the unfaced batts beneath the wooden flooring yourself; however, it is always a good idea to hire a professional contractor to complete the insulation job. Further, in case you decide to install an electric floor heating system you would have to take the help of a professional.

Thus, it is evident that although, wooden flooring is aesthetically appealing it is important to have proper insulation for maximum effectiveness. A properly insulated wooden floor will enhance its utility especially during harsh winter seasons. Further, proper insulation will also save you on your enormous electricity bills, thereby offering high utility and benefits.

Different flooring options for your house

Never before were there as many flooring options in the market as there are today. However, an increase in the number of options does not necessarily lead to convenience while selecting one for your home. Now, you have to contemplate a number of factors in order to select the right flooring type for your house. Further, there has also been an increase in the number of subcategories; for example, in case you select hardwood flooring you have to further select from rose wood, bamboo wood, oak wood and teak wood among others.

Earlier, vinyl was the flooring of choice for many since it was highly durable, and was available at an affordable rate. Next, the preference for ceramic increased since it offered the same durability at an even lower price. However, now you have a number of options to select from such as laminate, hardwood, carpets, slate tiles and stone, among others.

Carpet flooring is widely preferred by homeowners since it provides an appealing look to a particular room. However, carpet collects dusts and is not ideal in homes where people are prone to allergy or where there are small children. It is for this reason that a number of people are opting for laminate and hardwood flooring.

Wood flooring provides a timeless finish and makes the room aesthetically appealing. Wood flooring have a characteristic of matching with any room decor, thereby ensuring high adaptability. Using wood flooring is not a new trend, and a number of individuals will find that their home consists of this type of flooring. Further, with a little care and maintenance wood flooring can last as long as any other type of flooring can

Bamboo flooring is a type of wood flooring that is available in a number of different shades and varieties. Bamboo flooring is resilient to scratches & stains, and offers high durability as well. However, since bamboo flooring is a bit expensive as compared to wood flooring a number of homeowners refrain from using it.

Laminate flooring is ideal for those people who are looking for the same aesthetic effect as that of wooden flooring, but at a significantly lower price. Laminate can be easily cleaned and is not damaged by water spills therefore it is ideal to be used as a flooring material in bathrooms and kitchens. Further, laminate flooring is easy to install and is completely hygienic, which is why it is preferred in a number of households.

Apart from these options you can also select from either stone flooring or tiled flooring. Stone flooring can be in the form of marble, granite, slate or limestone, and is popular due to its high durability and low maintenance. You can also select from a number of tiled flooring options such as slate, ceramic or vinyl.

While deciding on the type of flooring to use in your house there are a number of factors that you should consider. The size of the rooms, foot traffic in the rooms, pets and the availability of natural light are some of the factors that should be considered before deciding on a particular type of flooring.

Tag: travertine

Slate A Great Flooring Option

Solutions for Small Kitchens

Basement flooring options

Proper insulation under your wooden flooring

Different flooring options for your house

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