Posts filed under 'Laminate Flooring'
Finding just the right kind of flooring for your home is a very important process that deserves an investment of time and research. There is no single answer as to what kind of flooring is best, as each type caters to a unique need. Hardwood can help to establish a stately and beautiful appearance, while carpet allows a more relaxed atmosphere.
Tile and stone flooring provides the home with a greater degree of durability in flooring. Deciding which kind of flooring is right for your home requires answering some simple questions.
When children and pets are involved, a more rugged type of flooring may be in order for the home. While carpet provides a great surface that retains warmth and comfort, it sometimes is inadequate when children and pets are present. A laminate or tile surface provides greater resiliency when faced with these conditions. Carpet, although it provides warmth and comfort, also absorbs moisture and dirt. Without regular cleaning, carpet has a tendency to become very dirty. Carpet may also take on an odor after a while if it is not cleaned appropriately. With appropriate cleaning, however, carpet can be a great choice.
Should you settle on carpet, be sure to select one that has a deep pile. Deep pile carpets are far more resilient, and resist stains more effectively. Carpet has the advantage of comfort over hardwood, which can be rough and cold. Hardwood can provide a great surface that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. Although not as diverse as carpet, hardwood can come in a variety of species and shades. Maple and oak are more traditional, while cedar provides a rustic feeling that is great in some homes.
Moisture is a big problem for hardwoods, although some are designed specifically to provide greater protection against this. With a hardwood floor, it is important to avoid frequent spills and excess moisture. Doing so will extend the life of the hardwood for many years, and prevent warping and buckling that can occur otherwise. Regular cleaning is an important part of hardwood maintenance, but harsh chemicals and excessive amounts of water should not be used. Professional cleaning services must typically be contracted to deal with cleaning carpets.
Tile and stone flooring is a great choice for garages or kitchens. Water, spills, and scuffing are not an issue with these tough surfaces.
Popularity: 96% [?]
December 14th, 2008
Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring is now widely available in North America and Europe. Many early adopters of bamboo flooring point out its environmental friendliness. The bamboo plant regrows very quickly when compared with the time it takes a forest to regrow. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows much quicker than any tree. When done responsibly, bamboo plant harvesting can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.
How does bamboo flooring compare with traditional hardwoods? High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring. Moisture is also less of a problem for bamboo flooring. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack because of water exposure, bamboo flooring can absorb the moisture without a problem. Bamboo flooring is processed as a laminate and treated under extremely high pressure with a high quality glue. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where less treated hardwood floors may show scratches after a while. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past few years as well.
Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is produced with a tongue and groove construction, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, let the planks sit in their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to their new climate before installation.
What should be done to maintain a bamboo floor? Maintenance requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Be sure to clean the floor after installing it, using a mop with only a little bit of water. Regular dusting and sweeping should be done after installation. This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish. A mat should be placed at the entrance to prevent dust and dirt from coming into the room. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can go a long way in preventing this problem.
Popularity: 100% [?]
December 11th, 2008
There are many situations where traditional flooring solutions simply will not work. In cases like this, an added degree of durability or safety may be required. Hardwood floors are prone to scratches from abrasion, and may also be too slick in some cases. Carpet frequently does not provide the steady traction or shock absorbing properties needed under some circumstances. Sports facilities such as gyms, ice rinks, and tracks commonly demand a higher level of reliability from their flooring. Rubber flooring is a very simple answer to this problem, as it provides all of the needed properties for an affordable price.
Rubber flooring is both flexible and rigid, giving a high degree of comfort as well as toughness. A rubber floor can absorb the shock of a falling weight, while also maintaining its rigidity under the extremely heavy load of exercise machines. A high quality rubber floor will not tear or rip under pressure. Rubber flooring is also very easy to install, as it is usually sold as a set of tiles that interlock. These interlocking tiles are simple to fit together, and do not require any industrial adhesives. This makes rubber flooring an environmentally friendly option, especially when recycled rubber is used in its construction.
Rubber sold as gym flooring commonly has a great traction surface that prevents any dangerous tendency to slip. The antislip surface is usually double sided, ensuring that the rubber flooring will remain in place, while also preventing those on it from falling. This is essential in a sports facility, where safety is of great concern. Rubber flooring will absorb the shock and noise of a falling weight, where concrete and hardwood would crack and suffer permanent damage.
Commercial Mats and Rubber is a large manufacturer of rubber flooring, specifically engineered for use in sports facilities. Their Diamond Mega Tiles are great for use in a gym, and provide great protection against falling weights, as well as a high traction surface on both sides. Diamond Tiles are made with an interlocking design, making them very simple to install without any professional assistance. The Diamond Tiles are available in a wide range of colors and textures. The tiles are produced with high strength rubber that will not tear or rip under great loads, but remain firmly in place as they must.
Popularity: 100% [?]
November 29th, 2008
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