Thursday 26 February 2009

Flooring Material Can Be Vinyl, Slate, Wood, Or Even Brick

Whether the location is your bathroom, the kitchen, the sun room, tiles are a great option as a floor for your home. Tiles are long-lasting and appealing. Tiles will endure forever and provide beauty for any room. Are you doing many home improvements yourself? After exploring all the alternatives that are available, you'll certainly discover numerous alternatives that will satisfy your requirements

Tiles and flooring material are versatile.

The term tile doesn't mean only 'ceramic' any longer. Nowadays flooring material can be vinyl, slate, wood or even brick. This wide array means that they're flexible as a resource for floors. Tile can be employed with equal effectiveness in the basement, a playroom or in the grand foyer. That makes selecting your tile a lot of fun.

There is an abundance of types and designs to choose from. Perhaps you require a super durable floor product to cover the entrance of your home. Ceramic is a great product for this. Snow, mud and environmental grit will not be a problem. On the other hand, you might want to dress up your bathroom. Ceramic, vinyl, finished hardwood, or even slate will give your bath a rich, relaxing functional appearance.

Easy to install Tiles are durable.

Simple and easy procedures make laying tile straight and level easy with very little instruction. At first, it may appear that getting grout into the space between the tiles could be hard to do. What happens when smearing bubbles and cracks happens? Once the tiles are down, even inexpensive vinyl tile will last for years. Numerous ceramic tiles that are hundreds of years old are still on the job in ancient buildings.

The durability of the material modularity and design arises from the hardness of the composition of the material. Flooring material including tiles will be replaced even if one cracks because of weather, faulty manufacturing or just random ware, it's not that hard to take up and red tile the area.

Most stains, dirt, and food will wipe up with a quick wet mop. Dust and dog hair will easily whisk away with a broom or a vacuum. Laying grout requires a certain flair and little more knowledge. It will need some effort from you as well. Your tiles will remain sparkling if you are diligent about its care. Treat it properly and don't forget about grout cleaners. Today many floor materials are for sale as slate, polished porcelain, among others, whatever you choose for your decor will enhance your decorating flair and taste. Your own preference may run to the feel of cherry rich red brick or the subtle of pink ceramic, but whatever the material theirs is a tile that will meet your own artistic pleasure. Tiles are a historic form of art work and all to often they are ignored when looking for durable flooring.

Being very passionate about bamboo flooring, Nils Wulfend is writing various reports on this particular subject. You can learn about his publications on how to install bamboo floor at http://www.insidewoodworking.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nils_Wulfend

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Care For Your Wooden Floors

If you take care of your wooden floors they’ll look great for years. There are a few essentials you need to know in order to keep the floors sparkling and fresh. Installing wooden floors adds ambience to any room without the need for carpeting. They are easier to clean than carpets and look warmer than tiles, although tiles require less maintenance. Wooden floors look great but they don't come cheaply, so you must ensure that you maintain them properly and stop any wear and tear in its tracks.

Consulting your wooden floor manufacturer is the first step to understanding what care is required for your floors. They should provide you with a manual otherwise you can consult a directory service to locate them. The floor manufacturers know exactly what wood and finish were used for the floor, which is important because different finishes require different care.

The second step seems simple enough - keep them clean. The one disadvantage of wooden floors is that they can easily become dull and the longer dust settles on them, the harder it is to remove. The floors should be swept with a soft bristle brush or vacuumed on the hard floor setting daily, if possible. Use a damp mop after you've swept but don't swamp the floor and don't use chemicals in the water. A good way to stop dust from getting into the floors is to place rugs at all entrances as these will capture the dust, but again, they need to be vacuumed frequently. If you have wooden floors in the kitchen, you should place mats in front of the sink and stove to protect these areas from water and heat. If you use heaters or air-conditioners, consider investing in a humidifier as dry air causes cracks in the wood.

Most modern wooden floors have a urethane finish and these should never be waxed. Older floors may need to be waxed from time to time, so it's important that you find out from you manufacturer if the floors are made with urethane or not. If they do have a wax finish, you can restore the shine with a buffer. Under no circumstances use any cleaning or polishing products that are not specifically designed for wooden floors as these will only serve to damage them and you'll have to sand the floors and refinish them.

Lastly, beware of furniture scratching the floors. Try to use furniture that has padded feet, and if you move furniture around, place the items on carpets first instead of scraping them across the floor. Another important point about furniture is that we often forget to clean underneath it. If a couch is left in the same place for years and you neglect the floor underneath it, when you move the couch you'll be left with a dull, grey patch of floor where your couch once stood.

Wooden floors will last you decades and always look classy if you take proper care of them. Although they are easily taken for granted, taking care of them will pay off in the long run. People jump at a chance to buy property with beautiful wooden floors when they are used to cold tiles and wall-to wall-carpets that stain easily.

Frances wrote this article for the online marketers Assist 247 business directory services a one-stop online business directory of South African Business Listings.

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Saturday 21 February 2009

Floor Ideas For Luxury Homes

Sometimes you have to choose the flooring for a home before the home is decorated: how to go about this. Choosing different kinds of flooring to go with your decor.

Usually, the color of the floors is chosen after the color of the walls is chosen. However, in many expensive houses, where beautiful custom designed flooring such as tile, marble and parquet is installed, the flooring material is an integral part of the original architectural design, frequently requiring that the color choice of these expensive materials be made early in the design process. There may be some room for flexibility; for example, elaborate mosaic floors are used in limited areas and wood floorings are in natural colors that blend with any color scheme. Natural wood floorings even from the lightest to the darkest can blend with most color schemes and because of their tone become almost neutral with a strong color scheme. Some may even consider this a negative feature of wood flooring, since flooring can be considered such a strong feature of a room, combining the appearance of strength with the ability to blend into the background.

This is what makes the choice of flooring one of the most difficult in decorating a house. This may also explain why rooms that are decorated in lighter colors work better with hardwood flooring than rooms decorated in darker colors. A well installed wood floor should never be covered with another material; wood floors are clean, easy to care for, a good value and can complement almost any decorating theme. Yet, its very unobtrusiveness usually requires some additional treatment to give it some drama and carry through a certain style. The best solution is a combination solution. that is. cover the flooring with a rug that reflects the decorating scheme of the room but. at the same time leaves enough of the beautiful natural feature of the wood flooring showing through. A few smaller rugs might achieve the same effect, depending on the size of the room and the placement of the furniture in the room. The main idea is to make sure that the colors and decorating theme of the room is carried throughout on the floors, walls and furniture. If the room is very large. or the decorating theme requires a more luxuriant feel to it, more of the wood floor area will have to be covered. Bare wood floors convey a minimalist feel, so a room that is decorated in a luxurious style would need more of the wood covered.

The design and colors of the rug or rugs must complement the scheme of the entire room, but once that requirement is met, a great deal of variety can be added to the design without ruining the overall result.

About the Author
Andrew Caxton is a freelance writer for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on floor coverings subjects visit his flooring ideas web site's section

Published At: www.Isnare.com
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Water Damaged Floors - Will You Replace Carpeting Or Change To Hardwoods

As we all know, water can and will do a lot of damage to old and new carpets alike. Water that gets into the fibers of your carpets and is left there, can cause them to rot and break apart over time, so that you will have no choice but to remove them and replace them with new ones. This is often the result of over saturating carpets while cleaning them or from a home flood of some kind. In some cases, you might not be able to save them if the water is from a natural disaster flood because it is so filthy. If you had a plumbing break flood, then chances are they can be saved if the water is cleaned up quickly enough.

In you have to remove carpets that could not be saved after a flood, sometimes there will be hardwood floors underneath. You might be able to clean them and keep them in place if they are not bowed or warped. Sometimes the water will have damaged these as well, so repairs might be needed or the entire floor could have to be replaced. The only bad thing about leaving your floors bare is that they tend to be cold on your feet. But if you do this, you can go out and buy small rugs or area rugs to put down. Hardwood floors are a good choice because they are very popular these days. You might be surprised and pleased with the whole new look that the wood floor gives to the room. If hardwoods are not your thing, then you can still put a new carpet down.

The good thing about having hard wood floors is that if they get wet, you can simply mop them up. When carpets get soaked, you will have to rent a machine to get the water up or bring in professionals to do it for you. Although a water flood can destroy hardwood floors too, it can be easier to get the water out. All you might have to do is grab a mop and bucket or wet dry vacuum if the flood is small.

When you have experienced a flood in your home either from a natural disaster or a plumbing break, you must make sure the water is dried out thoroughly or you can develop a mold problem. This is why sometimes it might be a good idea to call in a professional water damage crew even for a small home flood. They can make sure the water is dried out the right way and many times carpets and hardwoods can be salvaged without having to replace them. Your insurance policy would likely cover the cost and it would be much easier for you in the long run.

About the Author

Visit Aydan Corkern's water damage illinois and flooded carpet drying sites for fast help.

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Wednesday 18 February 2009

Ceramic Floor Tile Installation - 5 Tips For Success

Ceramic floor tile installation is a great way to get a long-lasting beautiful floor. There are several tricks to getting a great looking floor tile job though. Really getting off to the right start is key to a good looking floor. Get started right and you'll be pleased with the results.

The right start begins with the base over which you install the tile. You see tile can be installed over all kinds of materials. You can put tile over plywood, concrete, vinyl flooring or even over other ceramic tile. But the one must is that the surface must be stable. It can't be flexible and it can't bend. That's because the tile floor will crack if the underlying layers moves. Often the first step in a professional tile installation is installation of a layer of cement board. That often guarantees a rigid surface.

That solid base is part of the planning of a tile project. Planning and design of a tile project is a big part of a successful installation. Before that first tile is laid, check the squareness of the room. Have you ever seen a perfectly square room? You want to work from the best corner and plan to put he cut tiles in the least visible spot. Plan for where the cuts will be to get the best results.

Once you get started, the goal is to keep the tile spacing as even as possible. Tile spacers in the right width are the best tell to get this done. Also a simple carpenter square helps to keep a close check to maintain alignment. Often nailing down some straight guide boards, batten boards, is another helpful move. Especially for the first row of tiles, a guide board can help get you off to the right start.

At one or more walls you will cut the border tiles to fit the remaining space. Now cutting is one of the skills a tile setter gets to practice. You'll need tile nippers for small trim work and probably a wet tile saw. Sometimes on a floor job with just straight cuts, a cutter board may be all you need. This tool scores a tile with a groove so it can be easily broken. It takes a little practice to break the tile on the line.

Grouting the joints is the finishing step. Grout comes in several types. Some are acrylic. Some are masonry. Some are epoxy. The epoxy grout is really waterproof and is especially well suited in bathrooms to keep water from soaking into the floor.

Ceramic floor tile installation requires quite a bit of planning. A well planned job will result in the best looking floor with the minimum of waste. Ceramic floors also are a great place to show creativity in mixing tiles into patterns. There are some tricks to getting a tile floor just right. If you get a chance, it helps to watch a pro work on a job or two.

You can get access to video tutorials showing a master installer do ceramic floor tile installation in several different rooms at our website.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Bullington

Easy Tips For Epoxy Floor Repair

If you think it's hard to repair epoxy floors, think again. This may seem to be quite a task to some homeowners. But then, if you have the makings of a handyman, things like these can be easy as pie. It's not hard to follow the steps of epoxy floor repair. In fact, anybody can actually do it if they try.

Buy epoxy floor repair kits from the hardware or anywhere else that sells home improvement tools and products. You will be given a complete package and it would contain everything that you need to repair your epoxy floor.

There would be epoxy patches included, and they would be the ones you have to put on the damaged areas. These kits work with almost all types of concrete floor, regardless of the use and traffic it gets.

Epoxy paints used on floors are quite easy to repair. This is one reason why a lot of people prefer to use this floor covering option. While the initial application of epoxy paint may take too much of your time, repairing it would take just a few minutes.

If you use paint on the floor, you don't have to break the tiles or concrete just to repair it. This may happen with tiles but never with paints. The process of repair is so easy you can do it yourself. You surely don't need a handy man to mix solvents together and apply the paint on the affected areas.

Just follow the instructions on the label and you should be all set. Buy repair kits from trusted sources and go for the ones that are odor-free for ease of application. Another good thing about it is that these repair kits dries out easily.

As such, your garage won't experience downtime, to say the least. Apply the repair putty tonight and everything should be fine tomorrow.

If you want more expert advice on garage flooring and other garage floor covering options, then be sure to check out epoxy floor repair info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sal_Farzin

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Is Under-Floor Heating Hard To Install Beneath A Hardwood Floor?

Thermatec electric under-floor heating system is suitable for most types of wooden flooring.

Normal methods of installing electric under floor heating systems in rooms with wooden or laminate flooring involved using cable systems covered with difficult to use and time consuming liquid floor screeds These tend to be messy and extend the installation time and costs because of drying and curing times. They are also far less efficient than Thermatec as they need to be run at a far higher temperature.


Flexible carbon heating film is the ideal solution for providing an economic electric under floor heating solution for a variety of floor coverings. Flexible carbon heating film is ultra thin, strong, and is a completely dry lay system for heating under laminate or timber floating wood flooring.


Flexible electric carbon heating film is supplied Made to measure to fit your room exactly. At Birbek, we use three different widths (400mm, 530mm and 1003mm) and design the layout using C.A.D. to ensure every part of the floor area is covered. All wiring connections are made in our factory so that the heating mat can be laid, and the wood floor fitted long in advance of the electrician providing the 230V mains connection. This makes a considerable saving in time and money. It also means you do not have to invest in crimps, presses or heat shrink tape to complete the installation.


Installation of carbon heating film requires no previous experience. Installation is completely dry and is simply a matter of It can be laid upon most concrete or timber sub-floors when used in conjunction with the correct Depron thermal insulation.

Flexible carbon heating element is less than 1mm thickness Even with the recommended floor insulation layer of closed cell polystyrene the floor build-up is only 6.5mm. This avoids potential problems with skirting boards and door thresholds.


Carbon heating elements are super reliable, safe and robust. They come without any moving parts, so they are completely maintenance free. Brands of carbon heating film like Ecofilm from Flexel International are fully approved to the relevant electrical safety standard IEC60335-2-96 and comply with the 17th Edition electrical wiring regulations. Ecofilm and Thermatec heating elements come with a 10-year guarantee.


The heating film can be used as an effective direct acting radiant heating system. It can be used as a substitute for traditional convector radiators by providing primary heat or just be used to warm a cool floor surface and provide background heat.


Flexel Carbon Heating Element has become a firm favorite with installers and users because it is simple and economic to install and efficiently creates gentle under-foot warmth that heats the entire room. This means leaving no overheated or cold spots.

It ensures clean balanced heat distribution at the lowest possible temperature, resulting in high user comfort levels and improved economy. The heating is totally safe, even under wood floors,its radiated heat provides overall warmth and comfort without the usual dust carrying convective air currents of conventional radiator systems.

This form of heating is easily controlled by room thermostats and is particularly suited to new build, extensions, hard-to-heat areas, conservatories, hallways, kitchens and bedrooms. It becomes invaluable in many other locations where the absence of radiators is a distinct space-saving advantage.

About the Author

Paul is the installation manager at Birbek Wood Floor Heating Birbek is a UK distributor of Thermatec made to measure underfloor heating for wood flooring http://www.birbek.com

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Thursday 12 February 2009

Use Floor Candle Holders For Impact

For years alter candles were found in homes and churches on the alters, thus their name. Over time their popularity dwindled until they were completely off the radar scale. But recent years have seen a new version of these holders. Use floor candle holders for décor impact!

The difference between a floor candle holder and an alter candle holder isn't that much. Designs are often more modern and trendy although some reproductions are available too and many are larger. Rather than holding a single candle they might hold 6 or a dozen. You also have all the holders for different types of candles including tapered, pillars, and tea lights, and votives.

Because of their size these style of holders have terrific impact if placed correctly. So where are good places? Well let's have a look.

1. Entrance
If you have a foyer or entrance that has plenty of floor space a holder on each side of door way can look great. If your entrance has a hall bench place a single on each side of the bench or place a multi in the corner.

2. Living Room
Mantle place? One large single on each side. A corner you need to do something with? Choose a 5 foot wrought iron pillar candelabra for the corner. Place an contemporary vase and silk flowers at the base.

3. Bedroom
A great choice for a master bedroom is a holder on each side of the bed. Choose a style that meets your bedroom style. Queen Anne then choose accordingly. Modern - choose to compliment.

4. Bathroom
You can even use a floor holder in your bathroom, especially if you have open spaces. It can add a real finishing touch.

5. Den
A den is generally a very personal room with a real personal touch and that's one of the reasons using a floor holder can be a lot of fun. With so many choices you can pick “the one" that you love and that suits your room. This is generally the room with the least restrictions.

Floor candle holders are available in many material choices. Wrought iron is very popular as is brass, and other metals such as pewter, aluminum, silver, sterling, and even stainless are readily available.

Pottery is another popular choice. You can buy pieces produced by a manufacturer or you can get that exceptional piece by purchasing an artisan piece. These are always fabulous one of kinds.

Wood is also available and an excellent choice if it matches your décor. You can easily change the color just by staining or painting. It will last forever and is virtually unbreakable so will

And finally there is porcelain. Although not commonly found in modern pieces if you looking at vintage pieces you are likely to find some beautiful porcelain holders. Don't be surprised if they have damage. Porcelain is fragile and having it last years in itself is a real bonus but very often these holders have been broken and repaired.

Floor candle holder will give your room impact. So why not go shopping online and find the perfect ones for your room?

About The Author:
Joanne is an author of Decorz.com. If you're looking for more candles & decor ideas for your home and garden visit http://www.decorz.com.

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Tuesday 10 February 2009

Tips On Fitting Wood Flooring

When you install wood flooring there are things that you should know prior to and during the installation to be sure that you have the best fitted floor possible.

- To prepare your flooring you first must be sure that the sub-floor is dry, flat, and smooth. You should use an underlay or a barrier over the concrete first. If you have radiant heating in the flooring then you should be extremely careful and follow instructions per the radiant heating guides and by the flooring guide so nothing gets damaged. The flooring panels should be left in the room that they will be installed for over 48 hours so they can acclimatise to the temperatures of the room.

- When you lay laminate planks you will stagger them. The first row of flooring will be full sized planks. The second row will include 2/3 planks and the third row will include 1/3 planks. The joints of the planks should remain greater than 8" from one another. You should also repeat the patterns of the wood grain every 20 planks.

- When you decide on the direction of your laminate floors you need to think about the incoming natural light from outside. The planks should run parallel to the light coming in from the windows or any glass doors that are in the room. In any installation, the starting wall that you begin the installation should be as long as possible.

- When you are installing your laminate flooring be sure that you have enough. You should expect to have at least 10% of the flooring go to waste. This is because when you cut the planks you might damage a few and some may already be damaged. Other pieces of planks may not be usable. So when you purchase your laminate flooring, don't buy exactly enough to cover the floor or you will probably run out of planks.

- It is recommended to leave a 10mm gap around each of the planks. This is called an expansion gap because wood expands from temperature changes and humidity. When wood is exposed to warmer temperatures, humidity increases, and other issues, then there must be room for the wood to expand or when the planks do push outward they will buckle.

- You should also remember that the first line that you lay is the most important. The first line is the longest and must be totally straight. If the first line that you lay is not straight then you should not continue. You should pull the line up and start over. Poor alignment can cause problems with residue getting caught in the grooves of the planks. Mouldings can be glued or nailed to the wall only and not to the floor.

- You can install laminate flooring on stairs but remember on stairs you must use regular wood glue and the mouldings should be nailed. Laminate flooring should not be installed in areas that are controlled like porches or patios. You should also never install laminate flooring over carpet. Be sure to remove carpeting prior to laying down the flooring.

You should follow these few simple steps when you are installing laminate flooring to ensure the best installation possible.

About The Author

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For laminate flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers Quick Step Laminate Flooring: http://www.completelyflooring.co.uk

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What is a Floor Sink?

A floor sink is more or less a drain that is placed into the middle of the floor. While it is not actually a sink that is in the floor, it does allow water to flow through, and is more like a bathtub or shower drain than a sink. You can not get water out of a floor sink, nor do they have handles and spouts. They are simply there for the purpose of draining water, not getting water.

Floor sinks are mostly found in public areas. You will often see a floor sink in a public restroom, or maybe even in the kitchen area of a restaurant. This is because these places are more likely to flood, or be over flown with water. The sink that act as a drain, is then placed into the floor, to allow any water to flow through so that there will be minimum damage from over flown things, and water all over the floor.

You will also notice that when you see a floor sink in a public place, it is often sunk in lower into the floor, and maybe even the floor will have a slight tilt towards to it. This is to ensure that if anything was to over flow, and flood with water that the water would drain out of this sink. This is a great way to ensure that any water that does end up on the floor will not damage it.

While many people have never heard of the drain in the floor called a floor sink, it is actually referred to as many things. This is just one of the things that you can call it when you are looking for one to purchase.

If you have a floor sink in a public place, you will want to be sure that it is kept clean so that it will not become clogged. Doing this will ensure that it will do the job it was put there to do, and you will not have a bigger mess on your hands. These sinks can be found in many places, most of the home improvement centers carry them, and you can even search online for one.

About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on sinks ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

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Thursday 5 February 2009

The beauty and power of varathane wood floor finishing

There are many ways to finish a wood floor, of course, but varathane wood floor finishing has been one of the most consistently popular and sought after ways to finish or refinish any kind of wood flooring.


One of the best things about varathane wood floor finishing is how easy this great finishing product is to install. The easy three step process takes only a matter of hours, but it can provide many years of beauty and trouble free performance from all brands of hardwood flooring.


No precleaning or sanding is necessary to use varathane wood floor finishing, and in fact the patented formula used by varathane actually does the job of a good sandpaper, without any of the hassle or the mess of actual sanding. In fact, the varathane process helps to eliminate common contaminents on the floor that may otherwise prevent the adhesion of the finishing product.


In addition to eliminating the need to sand the current hardwood floor, varathane wood floor finishing also provides a special chemical formula which helps to provide a receptive surface to allow the finish to be applied in a straightforward and effective manner.


The varathane wood floor finishing process also includes an excellent system for rebuilding damaged hardwood floors and helping them shine their best. The unique catalyzing formula used by varathane helps to permanently lock the original formula with a clear and beautiful finish that is also very hard and very durable.


There are a number of important advantages to be had by users of the wood floor finishing programs using varathane. For instance, the product will not alter the original color of the floor, it requires no sanding and no need to wear a dust mask, it requires no specialized equipment or tools and it features a low odor, eliminating the need for additional ventilation. When you use a varathane wood finishing product, the room is ready within 24 hours, and the process can be completed even by those with no hardwood floor refinishing experience.

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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Home Improvement

The beauty and power of varathane wood floor finishing


There are many ways to finish a wood floor, of course, but varathane wood floor finishing has been one of the most consistently popular and sought after ways to finish or refinish any kind of wood flooring.


One of the best things about varathane wood floor finishing is how easy this great finishing product is to install. The easy three step process takes only a matter of hours, but it can provide many years of beauty and trouble free performance from all brands of hardwood flooring.


No precleaning or sanding is necessary to use varathane wood floor finishing, and in fact the patented formula used by varathane actually does the job of a good sandpaper, without any of the hassle or the mess of actual sanding. In fact, the varathane process helps to eliminate common contaminents on the floor that may otherwise prevent the adhesion of the finishing product.


In addition to eliminating the need to sand the current hardwood floor, varathane wood floor finishing also provides a special chemical formula which helps to provide a receptive surface to allow the finish to be applied in a straightforward and effective manner.


The varathane wood floor finishing process also includes an excellent system for rebuilding damaged hardwood floors and helping them shine their best. The unique catalyzing formula used by varathane helps to permanently lock the original formula with a clear and beautiful finish that is also very hard and very durable.


There are a number of important advantages to be had by users of the wood floor finishing programs using varathane. For instance, the product will not alter the original color of the floor, it requires no sanding and no need to wear a dust mask, it requires no specialized equipment or tools and it features a low odor, eliminating the need for additional ventilation. When you use a varathane wood finishing product, the room is ready within 24 hours, and the process can be completed even by those with no hardwood floor refinishing experience.


About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

http://www.articleclick.com

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Tips for choosing the best kempas wood floor

There are of course many types of woods that make up the hardwood flooring market, but the kempas wood floor is among the most beautiful and the most durable on the market. It is important, of course, for every homeowner to shop carefully in order to get the best possible deal on the hardwood floor they need, just as it is important to care for that floor properly after it has been installed.


There are of course many places to shop for a quality kempas wood floor, and these days wood floors are sold in more places than ever before. One good place to start searching for a quality kempas wood floor is at the local hardware store or home improvement warehouse. Many of the best warehouse stores and hardware stores have an excellent selection of quality traditional and exotic hardwoods on the market, and shopping around a lot will help you find the best type of wood for your floor, as well as helping you get the best possible price on the flooring you need.


The beauty of hardwood flooring is that installing a quality hardwood floor is one of those few home improvement projects that can actually pay for itself through the increased value of the home. It is possible to install a quality hardwood floor and have its cost recouped by the increase in your home's value. Your family gets to enjoy years of the beauty and durability of a quality hardwood floor, while you get to enjoy an increased home value.


Of course installing a kempas wood floor yourself is the best way to maximize the value of the project, while keeping its cost to a minimum. Hiring a flooring contractor can be very expensive, and it can greatly reduce the value of the hardwood flooring project.


fortunately, installing a hardwood floor yourself is not beyond the means of most homeowners, and with a few instructions, some research and some knowledge it should be possible to install a great hardwood floor with little hassle. Most hardwood flooring products these days come with complete instructions, and many even come with their own adhesive to make installing the wood floor even faster and easier. If you are a beginner, buying one of these hardwood flooring kits may be a good solution.

About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Tips-for-choosing-the-best-kempas-wood-floor/952374

Monday 2 February 2009

How To Creatively Decorate Using Floor Lamps

When it comes to setting the mood or atmosphere in a room, not only does proper illumination add to the allure of your personal space, but also the sources of light. While table lamps and ceiling lights serve a functional purpose, floor lamps are expansive in the many different ways one may decorate their space and showcase their creativity. Whether you choose an antique selection to brighten your den or side with a traditional Victorian fringe design for the bedroom, the never-ending possibilities of a floor lamp shine through in the mind-boggling variety in choices.

Antique Lamps

There is a certain elegance and intrigue associated with displaying an antique floor lamp. In home design, the mystery and unknown past of such an item is enough to spark the imagination, as well as provide a delightful conversation topic when family and friends visit. Today, there are manufacturers that strive to recreate this very look by emulating flowery, ornamental approaches towards antique furniture, which allows homeowners to match their lighting sources with other elements of their décor.

A few common features of antique lamps include the stained-glass lampshade, brass finishes, and intricate designs. When one is interested in truly decorating their home with antique floor lamps, genuine specimens may cost quite a bit, such as French antique lamps carrying a price tag of more than thousands of dollars. Usually, an antique or antique-styled floor lamp is selected because of its look and fit within a setting, rather than bringing light into the room.

One-of-a-Kind Pieces

Floor lamps are also known to serve as a work of art, as some artists fashion one-of-a-kind pieces that sometimes depict odd, creative, or unusual displays. Some of the unique possibilities of artsy floor lamps include planetary designs, sculpted wooden figures, wild animals, and abstract images. Artistic floor lamps may also use unusual objects to construct the base of the lamp, such as animal antlers, petrified wood, branches, or heat-treated metal. They may rise in the air like an ivory torch or bring the look and feel of fantasy with fairies decorating their base.

Some floor lamps are fashioned with a specific art movement in mind, such as colorful Art Deco pieces. Artists may also hand craft their samples and hand paint customized detailing on the outside of the shade to add characteristic touches for home and/or office use.

Regional Flair

Floor lamps are sometimes used to represent or pay homage to regional pride, as seen in Southwestern selections showcasing characteristic elements added to a lamp, such as images of cacti and rattlesnakes. A New York City-themed floor lamp may showcase a silhouette of the Empire State Building. Cozy wilderness scenes of Colorado and other rustic locations may utilize the image of wild critters, such as the grizzly bear or bald eagle.

Create a Mood

Floor lamps allow individuals to create a mood within their home or office that becomes the focus of the space when one enters the room. A gateway to the past may come alive with a Victorian-style street lamp displaying the soft, burnt orange glow of a custom crafted glass lampshade. Perhaps, the theme of your living room is Oriental – a solid hardwood floor lamp with a Chinese raw lacquer finish with mother of pearl and metal chrome accents will fit into the décor. Color also helps create a mood, such as the vibrant shades of red in Asian-style floor lamps.

Mix and Match Color Bulbs to Match Lampshades

The unique part of purchasing a floor lamp is that you may change lampshades to the base of your favorite lamp, just as you can match different colored light bulbs to create varying effects within a room. Depending on the time of day and other outside factors, various lampshade colors transform light into an array of shades, but red, blue, green, and even yellow lights can establish the atmosphere into a controlled setting, such as a romantic environment to a room set aside for contemplation, withdrawal, or reflection.

In conclusion, the many uses and décor ideas regarding floor lamps are quite vast, as homeowners may choose from a host of inviting and exciting selections on the market. Today, an assortment of contemporary, traditional, hip, artisan, and antique lamps expand the possibilities of floor lamp interior design.

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