Floors Archives | Page 2 of 2 | Interior Decorating Tips

Home
Category: Floors

Floors

Mohawk: Flooring with durability

Like, unfinished hardwood floors, mohawk is one of the respected brands in flooring. It ranges from Mohawk carpets to rugs and now it introduces its new innovative creation called Mohawk Laminated Flooring. These new flooring features InstaClic which is glueless installation based upon preparatory technology. Here are some
reasons why you should have Mohawk Laminated Flooring in your home:

* With the glueless laminated flooring you can just slide and fit together the boards. This provides you fast-fitting and you can never get too tight in a spot

* May it be classic or contemporary, you will surely find a style, color and texture that will fit you. Wooden floors offers you a wide range of designs from real wood to stones or even tiles. You name it and Mohawk laminated flooring has it.

* Similar to linoleum floors, Mohawk will adapt in every room. Just simply follow the right way of installation and you’ll surely get the best results.

* When it comes to resistance, Mohawk is ready to face and wipe off high heels, cigarette ashes and even kiddy calamities and avoid water damage. It is also built with strong resistance from scuffs and scratches.

* Maintaining and keeping your Mohawk floorings is easy. A damp mop is all you need but there are also cleaners which can be purchased in supermarkets. Make sure that these cleaners you bought are recommended by your supplier. When it comes to stains a nail polish
remover will do its magic.

* Mohawk flooring is not sunlight sensitive which means you don’t have to worry about color fading due to sunlight.

* Mohawk flooring comes with padding which makes the floor more comfortable like in the kitchen and this will make your feet much comfortable and relaxed. It has also underlayment which diminishes the irritating hollow sound laminated floors produce.

Things to remember in keeping you laminate floorings:
– Keep your floor from dogs and cats or other animals that will damage your floors. Although Mohawk floors are durable but they can be scratched with untrimmed pet claws.

– Never drag furniture with laminate flooring instead place underlayment below the heavy object to be drag in order to protect your floors.

– It is also advised to use walk off mats in your doorways and felt pads under your all furniture legs.
– There are colored burn-in, filler sticks available for deep scratches, gouges and chips. These are used with special electric knives in order to repair these areas.

– If the damaged plank is severe you can do replacements without destroying the whole floor. Special tools, router bits and wood spines are used for plank replacements that make work easier.

So if you are looking for floorings that will fit your personality and style, this floor is for you!

Floors

Dealing with unfinished hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring is in the class through itself; not just a selection in flooring, but more similar to a custom. Hardwood floors make available the tribute of tradition.
Unfinished hardwood floor refers to flooring that needs sanding and finishing on place once setting up is done. This kind of unfinished hardwood floor is normally ¾ inches in thickness, tongue and ridged through end matching and on hand width ranges from 2 ¼ inches to 5 inches wide. Flat timber flooring is wider than 5 inches is on hand, but usually on a special order basis. Some times, hardwood floors are damaged by water.

Unfinished hardwood floor is usually a square edged item for consumption through a few exemptions. Board lengths on manmade flooring will range from 12 inches up to 78 inches on a random length basis. Elongated length flooring is on hand on a special order basis. This kind of flooring ought to be nailed or stapled over accepted plywood sub floor and should be fixed on or exceeding grade. There are 3 grades; the first grade of flooring is the clear part that refers to the most spotless grade of flooring, surrounding the smallest amount of color difference and no knots. Board lengths can differ from 12 inches to 78 inches but in general it has a longer standard length, normally approximately 3 inches long. It provides a cleaner, contemporary appearance for your interior. Additionally, fewer boards make installations fast and simple. You may use vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors.

The second grade of flooring is the select and better part that refers to flooring that has further color difference and can include some small pin knots. It as well permits for some sticker soil. Board lengths can differ from 12 inches to 78 inches but in general having a medium standard length of 2.5 inches long. Shady and dramatic flooring makes a statement in any living space. The last grade of flooring can be referred to as the first grade of flooring or the second grade of flooring ordinary and in general describing flooring through a total range of color which consists of mineral streaks, sticker stain, and solid knots of differing size. Board lengths can differ from 12 inches to 78 inches but having a shorter standard length, normally in the region of 2 inches in length.

Wooden floor is an ordinary thing that is the staple of the hardwood floor production ever since the turn of the last century. The red and white oak or palisander rosa being is the most ordinary domestic specie with the 3 grades of flooring and a variety of each cut. Whether its strip is1 ½ inches or 2 ¼ inches x ¾ inches in thickness through random lengths or hardwood floor includes the fresher engineered are the most frequently used for each and every job finishing, staining, and the custom wood floor systems.

Floors, Wood

Solutions 101: Hardwood floor water damage

No matter how careful and how hard you try to keep your hardwood floor clean and dry all the time, exposing it to water and moisture is just inevitable. High levels of moisture and water spills can cause significant damage to hardwood floor if not properly dealt with. Here are some ideas and tips on how you can restore and fix hardwood floor water damage.

When wood is exposed to heat, water and humidity, the wood expands due to the increase in its moisture content. The wood becomes wider which often results to cupping or buckling. But keep in mind, there is no problem that can’t be solved. A lot of various techniques can be applied to repair warm hardwood floor water damage. The most basic step is to effectively dry and restore the hardwood flooring. Immediate action is important so as to avoid prolonged exposure of the wood to moisture. Different drying methods can be done depending on the size of the wet and damaged area. Small water spills can be dried using soft towels. Air drying and using dehumidifier are solutions too. Increase air circulation by opening windows and doors or by using fans while a dehumidifier can be used to remove moisture from the air resulting to faster drying out. Never use heaters for drying the wet area for it may cause permanent damage on the wood.

If the hardwood or linoluem floor has cupped already due to the moisture imbalance on the bottom side of the wood planks, the only way to bring it back to normal is to balance the humidity in the area. After the top and bottom side of the floor has stabilized, a professional can sand and flatten the hardwood floor to re-finish it. You can also do it on your own provided that you have the know-how. This goes the same for buckled hardwood floor where boards are already lifted up from the subfloor in which they are attached to. A hardwood floor installer can help you in reattaching the wood planks to the subfloor. Another hardwood floor water damage which is very common is the occurrence of mold and mildew stains. Badly infected floor boards have to be replaced already. If it can still be helped, scrub the floor using mild alkali like washing soda and mix four to six tablespoons of it with a gallon of water. After scrubbing, rinse it with clear water and let the floor dry thoroughly.

Now, if the mold has already grown under the paint of the hardwood floor, remove the finish and then scrub the wood using an abrasive cleaner. After that, use a solution of trisodium phosphate, a cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water. The wood needs to be sanded after all spots have been removed. Rinse it with clear water, allow it to dry and apply a wood preservative. Do all these before repainting the hardwood floor. For unpainted wood surfaces, warm soapy water can be used then dry it using an absorbent cloth afterwards. Once you have seen any minor problem on the floor, it is important that you find a way to fix it right away so it won’t lead to bigger hardwood floor water damage.

Floors

Radiant heating floor systems

Radiant heating floor systems includes a lot of different components. So here are several information about radiant floors, it is not always more efficient or cost less in the use of fuel. If your home in size is small to medium and is especially finely insulated or makes use of a number of the highly developed construction techniques you will not save away through Floor heating an if your house style is not in the swing of things with the requirements of radiant heat.

If you try to make use of a non-modulating or cast iron boiler you will raise the fuel costs significantly over forced atmosphere. A radiant heated house ought to be insulated in a different way to be efficient. A floor heating system can lose as much as down as up. Purchasing the incorrect equipment can cut down the functional life of incredibly pricey equipment or even smash up your house. Inappropriate or lack of insulation under a slab can charge a lot further than forced air heating.

A very well designed floor heat radiant system through a 96 percent competent condensing boiler, stainless steel not direct water heater, PEX tubing, brass manifolds thermostats and in addition to each and every necessary equipment to set up it. The good news is the radiant heat floor system is well designed and set up as it should be will be the most comfortable, efficient and can frequently be installed for lower than a forced air system. A correctly designed radiant system should make use of the most efficient source of heat that is convenient.

So far, the largest selling point for the radiant heat floor system is for comfort. The large radiant exterior stands for that most of the heat will be carried by the radiation by its heating residents straightforwardly to a certain extent than by convection. The warmer surfaces in the living area will result in elevated mean radiant warmth, a gauge of surface warmth in an area that manipulates the rate of radiant heat loss from residents.

In the midst of elevated mean radiant warmth, a lot of people are more comfortable even at a lower air temperature. Release of the heat through the level of the floor with the warm floor surface will as well let residents to stroll in the order of barefooted even during the time of winter. An improved comfort ought to be a large selling point in whichever green home, as a result in a strong case can be prepared for this heating approach.

There is a prospective for saving power through the radiant floor heating with a lot of devices, involving the lower thermostat settings, as well as reduced infiltration. People with homes that has a radiant floor heating are possibly to be more comfortable at a lesser air temperatures since of the important mean radiant temperature in such homes, the need of important airflow, and the release of heat at the level of the floor.

Floors

Electric warm floors are the best

Have the benefit of the comfort of warm floors with electric floor heating system. It offers a soothing comfort and reliable even heat for your tile, stone, laminate and engineered wood floors with no cold spots at all. Electric Floor Heating are trouble free to install, energy efficient, as well as it can be in command of making use of a selection of programmable and not programmable thermostat selections. Electric Floor Heating is a reasonably priced treat so as to fast fame amongst owners of houses. Involving heating the floor of the bathroom, kitchen and the living area changes has been encouraged by the comparatively up to date introduction of trouble free installation of electric systems.

The technique of installing a floor heating system is somewhat alike to that of a floor covering installation and is carried out making use of a lot of similar tools. Through a bit of care, as well as cautious observation of the subsequent directions, a first time installer ought to have a bit trouble in finishing their floor heating development. On the other hand, installation of the floor heating thermostat as well as last electrical hook ought to be carried out by a qualified electrician. Electric radiant floor heat is much further efficient than other heating techniques; as a result you can save energy and money at the same time as making your home much more comfortable and pleasurable through under floor heating. Previously installed just in pricey custom homes, floors that are heated are currently reasonably priced in each and every home. Save money by purchasing radiant under floor heating systems straight from the manufacturer.

Compared to forced air, electric floor heating systems do not release heat all the way through the ducts, nor does radiant floor heat increase to the ceiling. Since you feel warmer with the sub floor heating, you can set the house thermostat to a lesser temperature. Get the pleasure in the comfort of efficient heated floors in your bathrooms, the kitchen, and basement or anyplace in your home at the same time as decreasing energy costs up to 40 percent. Just have the benefit of the warmness of safety, reasonably priced, trouble free to install systems for heated floors and go with the hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers of electric floor heating. Electric floor heat can make bone chilling tile or stone into a very warm as well as a hospitable incident instead. Reflect of what a distinction it would make to step away from the shower on a chilly winter morning onto a floor that’s warm. In general, hydronic or the water based radiant heat, is made use to heat the whole house at the same time as to isolate rooms like the bathroom to be the best room to be electric radiant floor heat.

Floors, Kitchen

Great kitchen flooring choices

One of the biggest challenges in kitchen planning is the kitchen flooring. A lot of facets should be considered. The floor should be comfortable enough, however, it should also be able to resist stains and the damage brought about by walking. The proper kitchen flooring should be maintained but at the same time it should also meet the demands of a fast-paced kitchen. Accidents in the kitchen are also unavoidable, and this has a staring effect on the kitchen floor. To avoid such consequences from occurring, it is beneficial that right form the start the right kind of flooring is installed.

The largely familiar type of flooring is wood. This is very traditional flooring but if often results to high maintenance costs. Wood can acquire water causing it to crack and warp. Moisture can also cause a wood floor to cup or coronate, thus, resulting in uneven surfaces. One way to address this problem is by defining the sand bow section or by ripping the whole floor and building it again. Both of these options are not favorable and would cost a lot of money. A more reliable kitchen flooring option is pottery slate tiles. This type of flooring cannot take up moisture, so the problem of warping of cracking up is not a concern. Also, since these materials re rigid, they also do not undergo an increase or decrease in size.

An extensive array of slate and ceramic or linoleum floorings in various colors is offered in the market. They are also make ideal floor surfaces as they are slip resistant, unlike wood floors which can become slippery upon absorption of moisture. To further boost the anti-slip ability of a slate kitchen surface, make sure you are using one with a low gloss or destination point. Another good option for kitchen floors is laminate flooring. Laminate flooring enables you have to the wood floor effect nut without the need for constant maintenance. It is also very affordable, simple to install, and has a high-resistance to moisture, stains, and other damages. Laminate flooring is also designed to handle high pressure and excessive walking.

Vinyl flooring is a viable option too. It also very affordable and it’s even good to look at. A very busy kitchen floor can make good use of vinyl flooring as it very durable and moisture-resistant. Vinyl flooring is a very popular because like laminate flooring, it can be installed in the likeness of a stone, marble or wood floor. This floor type also does not require high maintenance- little dusting and mopping would do. If you are going a natural look, without compromising the durability, stone tile flooring is a good option. Stone flooring tiles are very unique that each tile piece would have the same exact color and texture. They come in all forms form elegant, to rustic and even contemporary. Though this cost some money, it still one of the floorings that is proven to last for a long time. There are a lot of kitchen floorings to choose from. In picking out the beast flooring in your kitchen it should be within your budget and it should serve your kitchen’s purpose the most.

Floors, Refinishing, Wood

Restore the glam of old wooden floors with DIY floor refinishing

Among all the flooring materials we commonly use, hardwood is the most practical material to use. Beautiful floors made from real hardwood can be considered both an asset and an investment to any home owner. After a period of time, these floors that used to be beautiful are now damaged and covered with dirt or scratches. If you see your floors starting to get worn out, then consider doing a refinishing as your best choice. Although this can be a bit tough and tiring, just bear in mind that after all the work, a new floor is awaiting to be revealed. For those do-it-yourselfers, refinishing a hardwood floor can be a very challenging job. So if you want to learn how to refinish wood floors, then you better arm yourself with patience.

Refinishing your old linoleum floor is a very great way to increase the value of any area of the home. A dull surface or a floor full of scratches only needs a top coat of finish, and then your floor is now as beautiful as it once was. Many has considered refinishing a very difficult job, but then most of the important materials needed are just available around the corner and the steps on How to Refinish Wood Floors are just very easy to follow.

If you are scheduling to do the refinishing of the floors in your residence or basement, then better get these things in hand:
> Heavy and light sandpaper.
> Gloves.
> Wide brooms.
> Rollers with long handle.
> Floor wax or polyurethane finish.
> Brushes.
> Dust masks.
> Wood stain.
> Rags.
> Floor sanders and edger.
> Shop vacuums.

After preparing the necessary materials needed, you are now on your way to start remaking your old floors. Here are the fundamental steps and ideas on refinishing wooden floors:
1. Remove anything from the room, including all the rugs and furniture where you are going to do the refinishing of the floors.
2. Make sure that all the nails in the wooden floor are countersunk to avoid any accident or injury.
3. Using mineral spirits or wax removers, clean the floor to remove the dirt and ventilate after.
4. When sanding, use a course to medium sandpaper to avoid clogging of the wood due to heavy dust.
5. Upon noticing the appearance of the new wood, start using fine sandpaper.
6. Lastly, clean the floor thoroughly again before applying finishes like oil based seals.

A potential home buyer usually looks at the appearance and quality of the flooring of a house they want. After years of usage, you’re what used to be a beautiful hardwood floor can become ugly and dirty because of scratches and damages and due to old age. But then you don’t have to worry anymore because if you know How to Refinish Wood Floors, then with just a little grease and sweat, you can transform the old damaged floor into a new floor in just a few simple steps.

Floors

Working your floors with Linoleum

The floor cannot just be taken for granted because it reflects the shape and use of the room. There are actually a lot of materials that you can use on your floors, like linoleum. Linoleum is natural flooring with good and durable quality, and inexpensive also. It was invented in year 1863 by Frederick Walton and became popular on 1950s where it was widely used in residential and commercial structures. It slowed down when vinyl flooring reduced its cost but linoleum still keeps resurgent. It rises again and now we can sight linoleum flooring in malls, offices, schools and other buildings.

Linoleum flooring is made up of organic resources such as linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone and jute. With linoleum you can have your own unique flooring design in your home or office because of its character that it can be cut. This is not only what’s beautiful with linoleum, other advantages of it are as follows:
• Biodegradable –when it comes to disposal and manufacturing.
• Creates no toxin –it is environment –friendly.
• Comfortable and supple.
• High life expectancy –lasts for decades with a minimal maintenance.
• Water resistant –a good choice for kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and mudroom.
• Anti-microbial –also good in hospitals and schools as well as in kid’s nursery rooms.
• Has a traditional and contemporary design which makes it flexible and beautiful to use.

If linoleum flooring has its strengths and advantages, it also has it s weakness and disadvantages. Here are some:
• Not heat resistant -so placing an oven or stove near it is not advisable.
• Cutting and preparing directly to it should be avoided.
• It must be protected from moisture in the sub floors so this is not a good choice in the flooring of your basements or concrete sub floors.

These advantages and disadvantages mentioned will be a guide for you in choosing linoleum in your flooring. If you already have it installed and sealed in your floors (basement included), the next step to be taken is on how you can keep it with you for years and decades. Here are some tips and things to remember in maintaining your linoleum flooring:
• Sweeping and mopping your tiles will maintain its cleanliness and beauty.
• In mapping, use a little amount of water and mop it in the area.
• Remember not to keep the water for a very long time in the linoleum floor because it might loosen the tiles.
• Adding a small amount of baby oil in the water will help restore the natural oils that was lost over time.
• A small amount of detergent too will be good in cleaning the floor.
• Always keep in mind not to use strong and harsh cleaners in your tiles. Cleaners who have high and low ph can discolor your tiles.

Maintaining and keeping your linoleum floor lasts is that easy and stress-free. One can do it in a quick and lesser time. Indeed this beautiful and inspired flooring will make your home more marvelous and interesting with the unique and decorative tiles which can go from traditional to modern design.

Page 1 of 8

First

Last