Sunday 18 December 2011

The Best Laminate Flooring for a Bathroom

The best laminate flooring is the kind of floor that not only stands up to spills and splashes, but also continues to look great with a minimal amount of upkeep. Laminate is renowned for its durability and lasting style - making it one of the most popular choices of flooring for any room in the home. But you may not give much thought to the bathroom - arguably the "most popular" room in the house! Here's how laminate "stacks up".

Incredibly Resistant to Scratches, Dents and Fading

Laminate floors are highly resistant to things that would damage or degrade cheaper floors - like scratches, dents, scuffs and fading. The mimics the look of more expensive floors, such as hardwood, stone and tile - and comes in a variety of colors, patterns and designs so you can create the perfect look for your bathroom that fits in with your color scheme and style. Laminate lets you express your creativity like few other types of flooring can.

Easy to Maintain and Care For

Unlike traditional hardwood floors, the best laminate flooring never needs to be re-sanded or refinished. There's no need to wax or polish them either. Just regular floor care is all that's needed to maintain your floors and keep them looking clean and neat. Because laminate "floats" over your existing floor, it can be installed over nearly any type of sub-floor, including plywood, vinyl flooring and concrete to name a few. You do want to be certain that the area is level, however, to ensure your new laminate floors won't bend or bow.

Do it Yourself Installation

Depending on the type of laminate you buy, you may be able to install it yourself. The best laminate flooring features a simple tongue and groove installation feature that lets each piece lock together - sort of like a puzzle. There's no special glue or installation needed - just snap and click the pieces together. You can also buy trims and moldings to make your laminate floors look like authentic hardwood. Some of these trims are actually made with hardwood and are designed to accentuate your floors with a more realistic look.

Get a New floor in as Little as a Day!

Laminate floor makes for a great do it yourself project that requires no glue, staples or nails. It's a floor that not only looks good in your bathroom , but its beauty can also be the perfect fit for your living room, den, dining room, bedroom and more. Laminate floors feel right at home in nearly any space - giving you the freedom you want to create nearly any look imaginable while adding aesthetic space and easy care maintenance throughout your home.

To learn more about the benefits of laminate, ask a flooring retailer near you or browse their laminate selection to be inspired by different ideas and even bold, fresh new patterns. It can be an exciting time to imagine the possibilities with this versatile and remarkably sturdy type of flooring.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Flooring - Getting Scratches Out of Wood Floors

Hardwood flooring can be the most beautiful feature to your home, if it is taken care of and given some attention for its long life. If your hardwood flooring is neglected or not cared for it can get scratched or dented, and a scratched or dented floor is not a happy floor.

There are some simple ways to keep your floors scratch and dent free. One is not to wear any high-heeled shoes on the floors! High heels create a tremendous amount of weight in one tiny point. These can easily dent and damage floors. I know from experience! Every morning when I dress for work I walk in front of the full length mirror in my bedroom. One day I noticed hundreds of small dents and scratches from my shoes. Since that time I have not wore my high-heeled shoes inside the home.

Another factor that can damage floors is pets. Pets sometimes have sharp claws and walking or skidding across the floor can scratch and dent your hardwoods. A way to help prevent this is keep your dogs nails clipped. I often will clip them outside then let them run on the concrete before coming inside. This allows the nails to file down before entering the house. Children are also a factor in contributing to scratched floors. Between playing with toys and normal child mischief it is easy for the little ones to scratch the precious wood flooring.

There are some simple ways to keep floors looking new and free of scratches. If your floors do happen to get scratched many products and just a few simple steps can address this problem and provide a quick remedy.

The first tip for removing a light scratch is to take a steel wool to the scratch and rub along the grain. Make sure to rub with the grain, not against, or you'll have more scratches. Next is to take light sandpaper and rub along where you have you used the steel wool. After you have rubbed with light sandpaper, apply some mineral oil to the area. If there is still area that looks damaged you can use wood filler applied to scratched area. Make sure to let the filler dry completely! Once the filler has dried, use lightweight sandpaper again over the area to remove any excess filler. Finally, the last step is to use a varnish over the area to seal with moisture and beautiful shine!

Monday 14 November 2011

Hardwood Flooring: How to Keep Wood Floors in Top Shape

If properly maintained, hardwood floors can beautify a home for decades, adding warmth, character and value to your house. When neglected, however, wood flooring can deteriorate and quickly begin looking shabby. In order to get the most possible life out of your flooring, and to preserve it for generations to come, apply the following techniques for proper care and maintenance.

Clean Up Spills Right Away

Lingering spills can cause damage to your wood flooring. To protect your floor, clean up spills right away using a dry cloth. Avoid pushing down as you soak up spilled liquid; the pressure will only make the stain enter deeper into the wood grain. Rinse out your cloth often, and wring it out well before returning to the spill zone. After you're done, dry off the area completely with another clean cloth. Repeat this process if any sticky residue remains.

Lastly, if these techniques are not working for certain stubborn stains, call a hardwood flooring contractor who will know the best ways to remove blemishes without harming your flooring.

Place Rugs Purposefully

Every hardwood flooring contractor suggests shielding your flooring by putting rugs at entrances and in high- traffic areas. Interior and exterior rugs capture dirt before it can scratch your wood flooring.

Religiously Apply Furniture Protectors

Felt furniture pads protect your hardwood floors by preventing scratches. A wood floor may be refinished to remove scratches, but this is an expensive, time-consuming procedure best entrusted to a professional hardwood flooring contractor. The more diligent you are about applying felt protectors to your furniture, the fewer scratches your wood flooring will sustain.

Sweep Consistently

Sweep wood flooring every other day to remove dust, dirt and other debris. Unless you have dust allergies, a broom is the best choice since it won't scratch your floors. If you do suffer from allergies, suck up dirt with the soft-bristle attachment on your vacuum cleaner; this will reduce the amount of allergens that are kicked up, and it minimizes the chance that vacuum wheels will cause scratches.

Prevent Water Damage

Because water is one of wood flooring's worst enemies - it can cause the wood to warp as well as stain - it's important not to wet mop your wood floors, no matter how much you may be tempted. When in doubt, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. For example, laminate flooring can be designed to look like hardwood floors; sellers of laminate flooring typically do not recommend cleaning with water. If you come across a particularly hard-to-clean stain, check with a hardwood flooring contractor for safe cleaning methods that won't blemish your hardwood floors.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Kegel8 Reviews-the Popular Pelvic Floor Toner

A quick internet search reveals a number of Kegel8 reviews and it is fair to say that most of the comments about these popular pelvic floor toners are very complementary towards this particular product range. Kegel8 was devised by a physiotherapist with the aim of providing a satisfactory and workable solution for the common problem of weakened pelvic floor muscles following childbirth or simply due to the aging process.

Until recently, women were always advised to do their "kegel exercises" after giving birth. These consisted of a set of repetitive "squeeze and release" exercises performed by the vaginal muscles.

Now, those of us who have given birth can appreciate just how difficult this can be - on many levels.

Firstly, when you have had a baby, your vaginal muscles feel extremely slack. Indeed, I couldn't tell if I was squeezing or releasing as I seemed to have no muscular tone at all. As the muscle fibres began to repair themselves and some kind of feeling returned, I was just too busy looking after my baby to remember to perform exercises which, in my mind, had little effect. Pelvic floor toners are therefore seen, by many, as an easy answer.

There are a number of Kegel8 reviews to be found at various locations around the internet and it has to be said that the vast majority are very positive indeed, with many women reporting that this range of pelvic floor toners has literally changed their lives, freeing them from embarrassing and inconvenient incontinence and enhancing their sex lives. Indeed, Kegel 8 is used by physiotherapists within the NHS and this in itself provides a degree of "authority" to the claims made by the manufacturers.

There are 2 units in the range-the Tight and Tone and the Ultra. Kegel8 reviews often refer to the range rather than pointing out the differences between the two models. In some ways, this is fine as the differences are subtle and relate mainly to the number of programmes offered (the Ultra has 14 and the Tight and Tone, 9) and the appearance of the handheld units. The probes are interchangeable and both devices come with the option of a standard sized probe or a wider one, which is suitable for toning up particularly slack muscles. One of the additional programmes available on the Ultra is an anal programme and you therefore also have the option of this type of specialised probe should this be a requirement.

In a number of Kegel8 reviews, it is reported that some women started off with the standard Kegel8 Tight and Tone version and progressed to the Ultra, thereby buying two pelvic floor toners. Whether the additional programmes justify this additional expense is, in my mind, questionable and I feel that for the extra few pounds, it may be worth getting hold of the Kegel8 Ultra to start with.

Thursday 20 October 2011

Wide Range Of Floor Plans Options For Your Home

Good floor plans can change overall look of your home. There are different floor plans to choose. While choosing a suitable style, you must take into consideration individual requirements and specific region of yours. You must rely on professionals for technical drawing of floor plans, elevations and the related things. In this article, we shall discuss about some of the floor plans, which you can consider.

1. Colonial Style of floor plans: This traditional style comes in rectangular shape. floor plans of this type are found in homes with barn roof and chimneys.

2. Floor plans with Conventional Ranch Style: The shape “L” characterizes House designs of these kinds. Bedrooms are arranged together in a single wing that is separated from the master bedroom in the main floor. The scope of these kinds of designs is limited in nature and is generally a storey high.

3. Traditional floor plans: Most of the houses in America have traditional floor plans. The design comes with a lot of grandeur. Interiors come with lot of space.

4. Contemporary floor plans: House plan come with plain exteriors. Some of the characteristics that make it unique include open floor layouts, play of levels. Contemporary floor plans come in asymmetrical designs and bold shapes. Glass, steel are some of the modern day materials used in the floor plans.

5. Floor plans with European Style: floor plans of this type derive inspiration from prevailing styles in Spain, France and England.

Apart from the categorization stated above, there is a different classification of home design plans that are stated below:

1. Single Storied floor plan: Construction and design of this kind requires high investment and more land to accommodate functions. All living areas come under a single level and there are no stairs inside the design. This design is highly suitable for those who find it difficult to climb stairs.

2. Double Storied floor plans: House designs of this kind come with two storied plans and accommodate same number of functions like the single storied structures.

3. Floor plans with Three Stories: This is quite similar to the two storied plans, with the only difference that it comes with another extra floor.

4. Floor plans with Multi Levels: In this kind of design, staircase is used for connecting different levels. Good floor plan has some characteristics of its own. One should not have problem navigating the available space. There should be sufficient scope for natural ventilation and day light to filter inside the house. This helps to reduce energy load on buildings.

These are some floor plan options for you to choose. You can get in touch with the architectural designers, who can help you choose the floor plan according to your taste, available space, and budget. You can browse online to find experienced architectural designers to help you find the appropriate floor plans to increase beauty and utility of the homes as well. Make sure to communicate all your requirements and considerations, so that you can realize your dream of the most beautiful house.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Cork Flooring: The Floor Of Choice For Households And Buildings Everywhere

Cork flooring has observed a boom in popularity within the home marketplace, giving you the two sturdiness and comfort. Even though an a bit expensive alternative regarding floors, cork features a lot of strengths that allow it to be a fantastic investment. Cork is harvested from cork trees within an amount of Mediterranean nations, and it might only be gathered as soon as each nine many years. This aids make the resource of cork actually constrained, driving up rates all through the planet. cork flooring is comparable in price to ceramic floor tile. The many advantages of the cork ground, even so, help to create cork an attractive option.

Since the principal protective mechanism of age aged trees, cork has biological attributes that allow it to be resistant to dampness, pesky insects, and wear and tear. Cork is additionally comprised of about 90% air, allowing it to absorb jolts gently, whilst additionally swiftly rebounding to its former type. This kind of potential provides cork flooring exceptional sturdiness, permitting it to assist these standing on it whilst maintaining balance.

As tree bark, cork floors is additionally extremely tough towards moisture. Rather than a normal actual wooden ground that can warp or buckle when subjected to dampness, cork flooring can keep its shape with no breaking. Easy preservation and clean up of moisture will keep cork floors in prime problem for many many years.

A cork ground will retain its attractive finish for several many years, by utilizing even a little of appropriate treatment. Suberin, a natural compound inside cork, repels bugs and prevents h2o hurt. The compound is also fire resilient, and doesn't generate any damaging pollutants when burned. The springiness with the cork composition moreover permits exceptional noise absorption, absorbing noise instead than bouncing it as hard wooden is vulnerable to do.

Making use of minor servicing, cork floors might preserve for fairly a while, the way in which it's in public properties for years. As cork flooring has become a growing number of well-known, the choices connected to it have in addition improved. cork floors these days could be picked up in a very fantastic spectrum of shades, shades, and patterns.

Cork flooring can typically be set in by the two gluing down portions, or employing interlocking sections referred to as a "floating ground. Interlocking sections are a bit far more pricey, but you will definitely expend significantly less on installment costs, in addition to a lot better overall reliability. Cork flooring can be a wonderful replacement for hardwood, and it's found at present in tons of fairly priced types.

Saturday 13 August 2011

Make Your Old Tile Floor Look New Again

If you have tile floors that are dated, you can paint them instead of tearing them up for cheap interior decorating. There are several ways that you can paint your tile floors inexpensively and quickly, using a variety of different paints. Before you put any paint on the tile floor, you need to prime the tiles first with primer paint. Primer paint will allow the paint to adhere to the tile.

If you have dark, dingy tiles, painting them is the inexpensive solution that will allow you to give your entire room a new look. After you have painted the tile floors, you can throw down an area rug or area rugs to even give it more color and pizzazz. You should make sure that you either use an enamel paint to paint the tile floors or use a gloss overcoat to enable you to keep the floors clean and the paint on the tile.

Here's some information to help you in choosing the paint - latex and enamel paints are two kinds of paint used for tile floors. Latex is less dangerous and is water soluble, while enamel paint is more toxic and has to be cleansed with a paint thinner or alcohol because of its fumes content. This kind takes longer to chip off, thus lasts longer. Latex paint should be covered with a gloss overcoat for protection and for long lasting quality. Using a gloss enamel paint can finish the job faster.

There is an option for painting other than with a brush - spray paint. This is faster and more efficient. With the aid of an enamel spray, you will have easy control on the surface, even the hard to reach ones, and you will have a more even paint application. Spray paint dries up quicker too, so no need to wait it out for hours. Just make sure that you have ventilation to let the air out. Even if this paint dries fast, give it ample time before putting down the area rugs.

If you want to change tile floors in the bathroom or the kitchen and want to make use of area rugs as well, choose those that have a secure hold by selecting heavy materials. This is to prevent slipping accidents, especially in the bathroom. There are rug guards used for securing rugs to the floor so it can't be moved about. This is a good preventive measure notably if you have kids at home.

Another alternative to rug guards are area rugs that are rubber backed. This kind sticks on well to the floor and is especially useful in the bathroom when water can make the floor extra slick. Protection is better than cure. Let's bear that in mind.

Sunday 31 July 2011

10 Steps to Floor Sanding

Floor sanding is not really a DIY job. It is in fact a job for the professionals. Anyway just in case you want to know how to sand a wooden floor I will give you a a little guide to sanding and restoring wooden flooring.

First of all you will need to use a belt floor sandin g machine with a very coarse 36 grit on to remove all of the old seal and to level the floor. Always sand the floor going with the wood grain or at a 45 degrees angle to the grain.

Next you will need to start the smoothing process by using a 50 grit sanding belt. This will remove the scratches left by the previous 36 grit belt.

Next use a 80 grit sanding belt to remove the scratches left by the 50 grit sanding belt.

Next you will need a rotary sander or a buffer with a 100 grit or 120 grit disk to remove the fine scratches left by the 80 grit sanding belt. The buffer will leave the floor very smooth and prepare the floor for priming.

You will then need to apply a wood flooring base prime to prepare the wood floor for lacquering.

After you have primed the wooden floor you will then need to run the buffer machine over it with a 150 grit disk to remove any raised grain, leaving the floor very smooth.

Hoover the floor to remove all traces of dust and begin to roller on the lacquer of your choice e.g Bona or Junkers.

Next apply the second coat of lacquer after the first coat is dry.

You can then apply a third coat of lacquer if it is a high traffic area to protect the floor more.

You should then try your best to keep the floor free from any grit and dirt to keep the floor looking at its best for a longer period of time.

Floor sanding and restoring wooden flooring can transform a whole room from looking dull and dirty to looking new, fresh and very trendy. Wooden flooring is a very expensive material for flooring when you include the product and the installation cost, so it is therefore very beneficial to sand the floor and restore it as the cost is kept very low. Floor sanding again is a professional job so if you can help it do not try and start a floor on your own as it may end up ruining your beautiful wooden floor.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Important Features Of Limestone Floors

Limestone floors make a perfect choice for residential establishments and this is apparent from builders and constructors using this flooring material for designing apartments, condos and other residential units. They believe that this particular flooring has the capacity to withstand everything from high temperature to scratches and from moisture to spill. In recent years the demand for limestone has increased to manifold because it has demonstrated that it can last long even under adverse conditions. This stone is suitable for kitchen, bathroom and high traffic areas like entrance, terrace and patio. The beauty is limestone is this that it is convenient to install and easy to maintain.

In this time and age, when people have little time to look after their home decoration, limestone floors provide the best option. Once installed correctly, this flooring lasts much longer than the concrete, wood or tiles. Limestone slabs require less maintenance as they have excellent resistance power. They remain unaffected from moisture, caustic and acidic liquids, fruit juices and vinegar. It is due to this feature that limestone tiles are recommended for use on kitchen backsplash wall, shower area, entrance and backyard porch. These tiles will never let you down, if you take care of them.

When remodelling your home, you have two options - full remodelling and selected remodelling. Full remodelling is required when floor and walls start displaying signs of aging. Selected remodelling is done when home owners want to accentuate or improve the look of a particular portion of their dwellings. If you are going for full remodelling of your home floor then use limestone floors and get peace of mind for decades. If you are going for selected remodelling then consider using limestone because it comes in a wide range of colours and textures. In addition, you can cut limestone tiles easily into different shapes and sizes according to your requirement. These tiles are quite handy to use hence you will find no difficulty in working with limestone slabs.

Limestone floors are said to be maintenance free flooring because of its high resistance capacity. This flooring can brave bulky objects and also it doesn't develop cracks or breaches overtime. You can construct a comfortable sun bath area using limestone tiles. Or create an amazing pool floor with these slabs. Since they are easy to install, you can try fixing limestone tiles with the help of a quality adhesive and a few helping hands.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Condo Flooring Options

The floor may be the one thing you use most in your condo. Unless you can fly, your floor is in constant use when you are home. Given the large amount of use it gets, it is worth spending some time thinking about your floor, whether you are buying or selling, or just thinking of ways to improve your condo. The four types of flooring we will discuss are carpet, hardwood, laminate and tile.

Carpet - There are few homes that do not have any carpet in them; it remains one of the most popular floor coverings available today. Available in a huge variety of colors, quality and styles, many people have carpet in areas like living rooms and bedrooms. Carpet is cozy and exudes a feeling of warmth. At the same time, it may not be the best option in high-traffic areas like doorways, as it will become worn and dirty. And in places like kitchens and bathrooms, carpet gets dirty, and sometimes ruined, rather quickly.

Hardwood - While hardwood is one of the most expensive of the floor-covering options, it probably is the most desirable. If you are selling your condo, replacing the flooring with hardwood is a great way to catch the eye of potential buyers. One of the best aspects of hardwood floors is their durability. Though it is a large initial investment, hardwood can last for decades. It also is easy to clean and maintain. If something spills, simply sweep or soak it up. Hardwood also is available in a variety of colors. It naturally reflects light and lends a more open feeling to your condo, and choosing a light color can actually make your space appear larger. Some people have nothing but hardwood hardwood floors and put down area rugs in places like bedrooms and living rooms.

Laminate - Laminate flooring is designed to look and function like hardwood, but at a cheaper price. It is a good option for people who do not want carpet, but cannot afford hardwood floors. It does not last as long as hardwood, but most laminate floors have a longer useful life than carpet. Like hardwood floors, laminate floors can make a room seem larger.

Tile - For many people, tile occupies a small flooring niche. This floor type is a good option in bathrooms because it is not sensitive to moisture and water. Many people also like tile in their kitchens because it is easy to clean up spills. And tile is especially popular in high-traffic spots like doorways. One of the main drawbacks of tile, especially in cooler climates, is that it does not retain heat well. But if you really want tile, and you have a healthy budget, you can always have heating elements installed underneath it.

Saturday 11 June 2011

Floor Wax for Hardwood Floors: Protecting Your Investment

The beauty, elegance and grace of a hardwood floor can only be described with the warmth an inviting nature that is reflected. Adding significant value to the interior or any home or place of business, hardwood floors are rapidly becoming the flooring selection of choice, replacing its predecessor, the carpeted floors.

Hardwood floors, un-finished, finished or engineered, require daily cleaning with a periodic annual maintenance program to retain the luster, deep rich tones and the overall beauty of any wood floor. Contrary to popular belief, these floors do require occasional waxing, depending on traffic flow across the floor, with specialized cleaners designed to seal and protect the floor from scratches and abuse. In the past, presumptions have indicated that all the maintenance that is required for a wood floor is light sweeping and mopping. Although, there is some truth to this theory, depending on the selection of flooring material, failure to provide adequate protection to any floor will result in deterioration and damage of the flooring surface at an accelerated rate with possible replacement in as little as five years.

Water and sunlight is a wood floor's worst enemy causing more damage to all layers of the flooring material than all other elements combined. Mopping wood flooring surfaces with excessive water in the mop head, allows water to seep in between the seams of the flooring material gradually but eventually destroying the substructure of the hardwood flooring material. Mopping a wood floor with excessive amounts of water also institutes possible mold infiltration under the flooring surface, which will continue to grow unnoticed, a major health hazard in any home. Application of a manufactured recommended sealer and wax combination, seals all joint and seams, preventing water damage to under layers while adding brilliant luster to the finished top layer.

Ultraviolent rays of the sun exposed to hardwood surfaces for long durations, fade and dry-out, crack and cut wood flooring material at accelerated rates. Direct rays of the sun often produce extreme temperature build-up on hardwood flooring material surfaces not blocked by modern advanced engineered glass of today's windows. Closing of drapes to protect wood material contradicts the original intent of installing such flooring material, to reflect light in an otherwise dull and dark room. Adequate application of an approved wax, protects the top and under-lying surfaces, blocking all harmful expose to sunlight, maintaining and protecting the flooring surface with an coating of the top layer continuing the warmth and relaxing nature that hardwood floors provide to any interior room.

Choosing the correct hardwood floor wax is best determined by the composition of the hardwood material installed. Using an unapproved wax with harsh cleaners creates counter- productive results damaging hardwood flooring material surfaces, of which may become permanent. All floor waxes and cleaners are not designed for all wood floors. New wood floors are often sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic sealers designed to protect the top finished surface. Application of an inappropriate or unapproved hardwood wax/cleaner combination will damage the manufacturer applied sealer dulling the luster, leaving steaks that are clearly noticeable. Seek out professional experienced advice when selecting a hardwood floor wax and cleaner designed to protect and beautify the particular hardwood material installed prior to application of any such substance.

hardwood floors, regardless of finish or manufacturer's specifications require periodic maintenance including the application of an approved wax/polish designed for a particular wood flooring material species. hardwood floors left unprotected will in time, fade, discolor revealing signs of visible deterioration under normal daily use. With proper care and maintenance of all hardwood material, the original beauty and luster can be maintained with reflections of pride in your home while protecting your investment.

Monday 6 June 2011

Bathroom Flooring: Making Choices in Flooring

Picking out flooring for your home is always a bit tricky. There are so many different factors to take into consideration when looking into what is right for your home. It is also important to realize that each room needs to be considered separately when making flooring decisions. It is important that each factor be taken into consideration and ranked by importance then a determination can be made on what flooring is right for your home.

For instance, if you're budget is the most important consideration than hardwood throughout your home is obviously not really a viable option. The same is true for safety. If you need assistance from a walker to move about your home it is not wise to think about flooring option have a large gradation between them. An example of this is linoleum to shag carpet the threshold would create a sizable difference making it hard to maneuver a walker. It is best if you have special issues to take them into consideration BEFORE the new flooring is in place.

Another thing I like to remind people is to gauge the amount of traffic that will be on any given floor. Bathroom flooring and kitchen floors remain the most highly used areas within households. It is important to use materials that can withstand the wear and tear of your household traffic while maintaining the original look and feel. Laminate squares might be okay for a house without a lot of traffic but in a house that maintains a constant flow they the squares will begin to separate overtime.

Special conditions may also exist in certain rooms. For Instance, it is important that kitchen and bathroom flooring are moisture resistant. Getting out of the tub onto a carpeted floor is going to create mold and mildew underneath the carpet surface sooner rather than later. My parents have always had a carpeted kitchen and dining room. It is always in need of a cleaning especially with six grandkids and a grandmother that loves to make cookies with sprinkles.

It is important that the flooring type fit all of the conditions the room and home owners present. Remember that just because one floor works in a certain room for one homeowner it might not be the right product for you. Different households create different situations. It is important to look into your needs before spending money on flooring.

Flooring options are so wide and very in material, style, color, durability and cost. Determining the needs of your family before you install flooring materials will help save you money in the long run. Really looking at your needs might make you realize that it is worthwhile to save up for a more durable, but more expensive option like hardwood. Or it might make you realize that you really need to create unity throughout your home and are ready to do that using a different variety of materials within the same color family. Flooring is one area that can really make or break a home's feel so make sure you choose something that is consistent with your homes look and feel.

Sunday 15 May 2011

Polished Concrete Floor: The Long-Lasting Floor Solution Available

When it comes to polished concrete floor there simply might be no other comparison. Unlike other flooring, concrete floor polishing does not require much equipment and can be done in no time. Moreover, the maintenance costs that tag along with polished concrete floor is almost nil. This undoubtedly becomes the reason why today concrete floor polishing is a must in every home and the most resorted option ever.

A single polishing on your concrete floor can save you a considerable amount of money for years to come. The money can be saved from electricity bills, low-maintenance, durability and less air pollution. Hence, say no to stripping and waxing on your floor, as all your allocated maintenance labor cost for waxing and stripping can now be eliminated easily.

The biggest attraction a highly finished floor is the shine it brings along. The reflective material of the concrete floor polish reflects natural light and makes your home look extremely glamorous. Concrete floor polish is often mistaken for marble due to its smooth and sleek surface. Polishing concrete is a relatively new idea that was inspired from traditional stone polishing technology. Thanks to technology today these polishes have various equipments that can do this process really easy.

Why should you choose polished concrete over other hardwood or carpets?

With so many options for flooring available in the market ranging from various material and color choices of bamboo, cork, wood and even carpet, choosing flooring can be quite easy. However, these flooring can be quite expensive and can also be a big headache when it wears off. This is the reason why people spend extensive amount of money to maintain their flooring. flooring with concrete on the other hand does not require such kind of extensive maintenance or even installation cost.

The base concrete after your construction can be left just like that and a little polishing over it can keep it durable for years to come. In the case of wooden flooring, maintenance is extensively high and replacement can be also quite difficult. Carpets on the other hand should be dealt very carefully for any stains and permanent marks, and if a hole appears on the carpet your all set to replace it.

The stain resistance and durability of polished concrete floors is unsurpassed in the market and its polishing is done for very cheap and causes zero waste. Hence, for those who are under a budget can surely opt for concrete floors and its polish.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

How Cork Flooring Is Made

Manufactured with little environmental impact and no waste products, cork flooring is valued as much for its eco-friendliness as for its durability, comfort, sound absorption and beauty.

Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is grown primarily in coastal regions of the western Mediterranean. The millions of tiny air pockets designed in a honeycomb pattern inside the bark create cork flooring's exceptional ability to absorb sound and provide a durable yet cushiony surface. Strict regulations govern the harvesting of bark from cork oak trees. A tree must be at least 25 years old to be harvested, and may have its bark removed only once every 9 to 11 years using a centuries old method of making small cuts in the bark then pulling off large pieces by hand. Because the trees have the ability to regenerate their bark, cork oak forests are valued and protected rather than clear cut, as many hardwood flooring sources are. A single mature cork oak tree can supply up to 450 pounds of cork per harvest for centuries.

After the bark is hand-stripped, the slabs are stacked and left exposed to nature's elements. The chemical changes caused by sun, wind and rain improve the cork's quality. Slabs may be left exposed from several days to six months or longer. Once cured, the slabs are cleaned, boiled and dried. The rough outer surface is stripped off to make the cork easier to process into different forms. The highest quality cork is used to make bottle stoppers, which are punched from the best sections of the slabs. The remaining scraps are ground into granules of various sizes, leaving no waste. The granules are mixed with a non-toxic resin to bind them together, molded into blocks under high pressure and baked. Color variations develop based on the size of the granules and how long the blocks are baked. As the blocks bake, the natural sugars in the cork caramelize, so a longer baking time yields darker cork.

Cork flooring planks and tiles are cut from the baked sheets. Custom colors can be created by painting or staining unfinished cork prior to the application of an acrylic finish. Unique mosaic cork floors can be pieced together using tiles with different naturally developed or stained colors. Floating cork floors are made of four layers of cork: the underlayment, a stabilizing layer adhered to fiberboard for structure, a third layer to maximize sound absorption and comfort, and a top layer for color. The top layer is sealed for added protection and durability.

Tag : floor,floor,flooring

Friday 29 April 2011

Update Your Home With Flooring Wholesale

Nothing completes the home quite like beautiful flooring. It brings the home together and can offer more flexibility in terms of decorating or expanding a room. If you're interested in updating your home with hardwood floors or carpeting, purchasing wholesale may be an option for you. By shopping for flooring wholesale, you reap the benefits of quality flooring selections at lower prices. Shopping online offers the greatest selection, which means you can choose between a variety of flooring options, as well as the color, style and level of quality.

At first glance, shopping for flooring wholesale may seem to be the most economical option for your home. While this is often the case, there are also other costs to factor in that will drive up the total price of your project. For example, prices don't include shipping and handling, which can sometimes cost almost as much as the flooring itself. Also, when purchasing wholesale flooring, you may be sent the floor selection in bulk, which means you'll have to do the work yourself. Saving on the cost of labor from an outside company certainly has its advantages, but you'll need to know how to do the labor on your own.

With laminate flooring, doing the work yourself is a viable option. Most styles of laminate use a snap-and-lock installation process that involves snapping the pieces together. Others use an adhesive that is moistened and then sticks the boards together. Purchasing laminate flooring wholesale is a great way to save on the cost of flooring, while being able to install the wooden boards yourself. Although solid wood is a bit trickier to install, some selections can be installed on their own as well.

With carpeting, the installation process is more difficult and includes lots of cutting and precise fittings underneath the base boards. Carpeting can also be difficult to ship, as the weight is very heavy and can drive up the total cost of your flooring project. Fortunately, buying carpet flooring wholesale comes at an extreme value, which means you can get your materials for a modest cost. If you don't know how to install carpeting, consider hiring a contractor on an individual. This will be less expensive than going through a carpet company and also give a private contractor work.

To shop for wholesale flooring, the internet is your best tool. By searching online, you can compare prices and shipping costs, finding the best value for your money. Be sure to keep quality in mind, as manufacturing companies are vague on the quality of their flooring selections. For example, laminate comes in many styles and the thicker the boards, the better class it is. It will be more durable, resistant to scratches and nicks, and also have a wood-like sound when walking on it. Cheaper selections will be thin and have a hollow sound, one of the staples of traditional laminate floors.

With carpeting, there are two construction types: Cut pile and loop pile. With cut pile, the carpeting has a smooth and even look to it and is available in a wide selection of colors. Higher end carpets will hide footprints and vacuum marks, as well as be thick and feature longer pieces of carpet. If possible, request a sample from the wholesale company to determine the quality level. Peel back the carpeting to see how hard it is to get to the backing, as this will determine its density.

Loop pile carpets on the other hand, loop together the strands of carpet, giving it a unique look. Berber is an example of a loop pile carpet and this type of flooring is strong and durable, a great choice for high traffic areas. While loop pile carpets aren't available in as many color selections, there's still a broad natural color palette to choose from.

When you've determined the right flooring wholesale company to work with, you can order your flooring selection in bulk quantities. You'll need the square footage of the entire room and remember to overestimate, as wholesale flooring can be discontinued at any time and isn't available in small "extra" quantities. Most companies will have a minimum square footage you can purchase. If you're lucky and have a wholesale retailer in your area, check with the company to see if you can pick up the flooring to save on shipping costs.

Overall, buying wholesale flooring is an excellent choice for updating the home without spending a lot of money. This option is especially helpful for do-it-yourself homeowners on a budget.

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Best Reclaimed Flooring Options: Antique Heart Pine, Oak and Douglas Fir

Reclaimed flooring is the most affordable and stylish flooring option available to homeowners nowadays. Interior decorators and home design experts always recommend reclaimed wood flooring because they add beauty and grandeur to your floors. The warm worn beauty of antique lumber on your floor is quite attractive and appealing to the eye.

The Internet is the best place to find reclaimed wood flooring deals. There are some good online shops that sell reclaimed wood furniture and offer affordable flooring options to their customers. They have a wide variety of wood options for flooring, including vintage and antique flooring. The wood used in vintage flooring is salvaged from reclaimed timbers, decking and joints to create a coveted vintage appeal to your home. Both antique and vintage wood floor have a wide range of reclaimed wood options to choose from. These include Heart Pine, Antique Oak, Douglas fir, Elm, Hickory and Barn flooring.

Types of Antique Wood Flooring

While there are many types of antique wood options, Heart Pine, Antique Oak and Douglas fir are some of the best reclaimed wood candidates to adorn your floors.

Antique Heart Pine:
The antique heart pine is known for its elegance and style. This flooring option is free from any imperfections or knots as it is characterized by its "perfect" grain pattern. This reclaimed flooring option comprises of decayed resistant premium heartwood and comes in variety of shades, including splendid red and amber hues. The timbers are usually available quarter-saw and not flat-sawn. You will have to buy the product in widths from 3" to 7".

Antique Oak
Antique oak is simply reclaimed oak flooring, which is a mix of northern Red and White Oak. It is also known as thoroughbred reclaimed Kentucky oak flooring. Very few online shops sell this type of antique wood flooring. The name is derived from an equestrian farm in central Kentucky where a large oak fence surrounded the farm. The wood salvaged from the oak fence is used for flooring and furniture.

Rustic Douglas Fir:
This antique reclaimed flooring option is full of rustic character and is characterized by saw marks and nail holes, making it look as antique as any other reclaimed wood. The rustic Douglas fir is actually reclaimed wood salvaged from many areas, including grain elevators in the eastern Montana prairies. The specialty of rustic Douglas lies in its name. It gives a rustic floor and a great antique look. Hence it can be an ideal choice for your wood flooring option.

Tag : floor,flooring,pine,oak,douglas fir

Friday 8 April 2011

Stone Tiles - Best Flooring Option

If you are confused about the flooring of your new house, go for the most assured option - natural stone tiles. These are one of the best flooring materials a homeowner can invest and count on. Stone tiles are beautiful and have incredible durability.

Building a house is often a massive undertaking, and so is the experience - immensely rewarding. Buying a house may cut out all the hassle involved with building one. However, homeowners who want their dream house to be perfect and would never compromise or settle for anything else like to do it themselves. From an image in your mind to a sketch on a paper to the laying of the foundation to the walls and roof and paint, it is indeed watching your dream materializing, brick by brick.

There are hundreds of choices of designs you can build your house with. Villas, bungalows, castle, chalet, cottage, French colonial, mansion, post modern, ranch etc. are few to name. You could also think of designing your house depending on the location, space available, budget, your choice etc. While you are building a house, it is important that you work on the detailing of the house like walls, floors, furniture and so on, as much as you focus on the design. Your hard work on the design could still go to waste if the house has bad quality flooring or unattractive texture on the walls.

A great idea to ensure the strength and durability of the floor and at the same time endow your house with a stately charm is to go for these tiles. You can choose from a wide range of stone tile types including quartz tiles, granite tiles, mosaic tiles, limestone, marble sandstone, ceramic tiles and many more. These tiles are recommended by expert architects and builders for several reasons:

* They are extremely durable.
* They require very less maintenance.
* Their beauty is timeless.
* There are almost endless choices you can choose from.
* Most of them are easy to install and so on.

Apart from indoors, you can use these tiles on the outdoors as well. They are the best when it comes to paving or landscaping. A well paved backyard with these tiles like sandstone and a proper landscaping can never fail to enhance the overall appeal of your house. You can install them and forget about them, focussing your attention on other delicate corners of your home. The durability of these tiles is one that you can totally rely on, in the long run, nor will their texture fade.

Sourcing stone tiles is practically affordable as well. Durable and affordable, they are a good choice for a wise homeowner. Keeping in mind the functionality and practicality of stone tiles, you could even say that they are the best option around. Building your house using them would be environment friendly too. As said, they require least maintenance and their elegance is long lasting. These attributes make stone tiles a good option.

Finding stone tiles for your floor has become easy. Even if you live in an area that has no dealer of stone tiles, you can find hundreds of them on the Internet, without even having to step out of your room. With so many websites that provide stone tiles and other flooring materials, you can surely get the right tile design and material for your house. You can start by evaluating where exactly you want the tile to go in - for instance, on the floors of your rooms or on the garden as pavement etc. Get your budget decided. This is important and the rest of your search and purchase will depend on it too. Before buying the stone tiles, research on the sellers, find out which site has the most option, best quality and deals.

Just like other items are offered in the market, you can find sales and other lucrative deals if you look around. While searching for the beast supplier of stone tiles, you should go for the one that brings you the materials direct from the source, this will help cut down expenses considerably. Remember, it is your home that you are building, so settle for nothing but the best and invest wisely.

Saturday 12 March 2011

Restaurant Floors - Protection to Avoid Future Problems

The completion of the restaurant floors depends on two factors: the style that you want to give, and the decoration & use it will receive. Make sure you present this data for a proper termination according to your needs and personal tastes.

Once in place, the respective floor should always be polished to achieve a perfect finish. This work can be repeated as often as necessary, also over time, removing layers of plastic or past wax. This feature, characteristic of solid floors, ensures a strong and durable result over time; you may be always able to put back at any time.

You can even plasticize the restaurant floors with a layer of oil varnish that covers the floor protecting and facilitating cleaning. There are different types of finishes: matte, semi-matte or glossy. The plasticized achieves a finish that protects it from stains and wear, making it more durable and easy to clean. As maintenance, you will avoid scratches to deface the floor and remove protective coating. Yet, if you instead choose a simple epoxy style, you won´t have to deal with all these matters. Both are good, but you may analyze pros and cons before the final choice.

When it comes to water based finishes, you are granted a fine result with no strong odors. The floor can be used about 3 or 4 hours after placing the product. Their life expectancy is lower than that of polyurethane varnish, but the effect is just as natural wood (the plastic has a more artificial termination).

Natural

It is left only with polishing, waxing can for a better finish. While it is an interesting aesthetic choice, we must not forget that it requires constant waxing. Good news is, their resistance to stains and water is fascinating.

It is waterproof and highly resistant. Most of the times, restaurant floors, consist of an epoxy layer, of different colors and sizes that gives the area a distinctive appearance. For large areas, or if you want to avoid as much as possible together, epoxy can be prepared on site.

You can always go for traditional tiles with drawings found in older homes. They consist of common or white cement, marble dust or fine sand, and dyes. However, remember that this material is less resistant and more expensive. You can still give your restaurant a very rustic and artistic finish by using epoxy and resin. In addition, for better preservation you should give them a stain resistance.

The restaurant floors range is enormous, because you can get now styles in various colors and designs, plain or patterned. If you want to keep an old floor know that there are some commercially available recycling services for old tiles and even imitation or missing tile design.

Epoxy advantages

The resinous epoxy styles are the most resistant to wear, traffic and the passage of time. You will be able to reach affordable options without exceptions. Consider browsing through online catalogues, many reputable developers care to display all sorts of offers.

Tag : floor,restaurant floors,avoid


Friday 4 March 2011

Flooring In The House And Garage

Choosing to add a new floor into your home is a great choice! If you add a new piece into your household, then you will be changing the way you feel because you will be enjoying your surroundings much more. There are many options of flooring that you can choose, and you can make your floor as personal as you want. A very popular choice is laminate flooring which has grown to the point where it is competing with the traditional hardwood floor.

If you are choosing between hardwood and laminate floors then there are a few things that you need to know. First of all, hardwood floors are much healthier towards the environment, and according to a large number of real estate agents, a hardwood floor can add anywhere from seven thousand to ten thousand dollars to the value of your house. Also, laminate flooring has a plywood base, which has a topping of veneer which is three-ply. When compared to a hardwood floor, laminate is very thin.

When it comes to laminate floors, it is also important to keep note of the fact that most manufactures of laminate floors have a five-year warranty on their floors and the laminate can only be refurbished three times at most. The amount of time refurbishing is needed highly depends on the amount of traffic that your floor comes in contact with on a daily basis. If you expect your floor to encounter a large amount of traffic then laminate would be a great choice because the veneer topping on these floors is about one eighth of an inch in thickness.

If you are considering a hardwood floor, then you should know about the three types. There is a strip floor which will make up a major part of installations and it normally is about two and one quarter inches wide and it can be anywhere from one and half to three and one-fourth inches wide. The installation of this type of floor involves you nailing each panel to the sub floor. The second type is three inches wide and can either be nailed or screwed into the sub floor. The third most popular type of hardwood flooring is parquet. It is sold in six by six blocks and you can pick your own patterns and designs with this floor type.

If you are looking for a new flooring option for your garage rather than your house, then you may want to look at a rubber garage floor. Many manufactures of garage floors use a polypropylene copolymer which does a great job separating your car from your floor. A rubber garage floor is a great option for you if you are a home mechanic. If you are a mechanic, then your garage floor most likely has a large amount of spills and damage caused by chemicals. With a rubber garage floor, the spills won't affect the concrete and they are much easier to clean up. Also if you lie down underneath the car then the rubber will be easier on your back than concrete.

There are many other garage flooring options that are very easy to install. Most of these options may be cheaper than you think. Regardless of the floor you wish to renovate, you still need to make a decision on how to renovate it. It is important that you do enough research where you can be comfortable with your final choice. After all, if you are making the investment to renovate your flooring, then you want to make sure you get your money's worth.

Tag : floor,flooring,house,garage


Tuesday 22 February 2011

Finding the Right Wood Flooring

In the home or office, one thing that can affect the general feel and appeal of a room is the floor. If you're using hardwood, you've made a good choice. It is one of the most durable types of floor material, but you still have to take care of it. There are many types of flooring in the market, but hardwood stands out, not just because it is proven to be durable, even in high-traffic areas. It also lends a classic and charming air to any room. But whatever type of hardwood you're using, be it cherry, oak, maple or any other type, you're going to need to take care of it. The good thing is, there's no need for any special materials or techniques.

To maintain your , there are two things you should do - rid it of dirt and prevent it from getting hardwood floordamaged. To rid it of dirt, very common techniques can be used such as sweeping with a fine-bristled broom daily. About twice or thrice a week, it is also good to vacuum it. In case you spill water or anything moist on the hardwood, wipe it off immediately and follow it up with a dry camp mop. There are types of hardwood floors that need to be waxed and buffed regularly but there are those where these are not recommended. Thus, it is wise to check the manufacturer's instructions on how to clean the hardwood flooring you have installed.

To prevent damage on your hardwood floor is the other task you need to do in order to extend its life and beauty. Very common tips such as avoiding high heels can go a long way. There are heels made of materials that can cause deep scratches or, worse, dents on the wood. It's also a very basic tip to avoid dragging furniture or any hard object on the surface to avoid damaging the wood. There are also gliding pads that you can use so you can prevent this damage from occurring. It's a good idea to put mats at entrances so you can control the dirt that comes with your footwear as you enter.

Aside from hardwood, there are actually different types of wood that you can use for your floor. But hardwood is said to be one of the best, if not the best, because it is durable and quite easy to maintain. It may cost you some, but you can trust that it will be a good investment. Besides, there is nothing that compares to the elegance of real, natural wood on your floor.

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

Thursday 17 February 2011

Careful Planning of Floors Ensures a Place Where Goals Can Be Achieved

At the present time, many investors are into creating of storage houses or warehouses in any parts of the United States. Their topmost clients are the places of Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and New Jersey. Many buildings here are said to be outdated and needed some new ones but most of the time, they only do major repairs instead. Fixes are usually for the floors to have that floor flatness you want. With those old fine buildings, flat floors are the usual problem encountered and when that thing is their main concern, all operations are eventually paralyzed.

Majority of those buildings are around thirty-five years old and that is why a thoroughly monitoring of the stability for those buildings should be performed to avoid any delays in their operation and avoid any danger to the people inside and around the building. Modern day structures possess flat floors and a spacious parking for a more vehicles to accommodate especially those days with many orders to deliver. They also have high roofs in order to place more towering racks or shelves for storage.

A building that is huge but do not have flat floors will not be generate an income. If there are imperfections on the floor, racks cannot bear the weight of the products for they might fall down. Another thing is that delivery trucks or lift trucks cannot run smoothly for they are always cautious of holes or loosening edges of the floor. In this way, delivery of products and the placing of materials into those shelves are not possible. In worst cases, repairs for the truck and for the floor are always executed resulting to a more delay of operation.

Some even lead to serious damage to the truck and to the products but in some cases, this might lead to the death of the operator. You can avoid these things and go on operating without problems if only you could be assured of the proper flatness of the floor. Contractors usually use the F-number measurement which is proven to be helpful with regards to the exact readings obtained. Choose the proper materials for the construction which is the best quality they could offer.

Be sure to hire persons who have enough knowledge and experience in building new warehouses. There should be enough workers to handle any task for that day to ensure the proper procedures are followed strictly. Invest on high-standard materials rather than those damaged and cheap materials in order to save some amount of money on repairs. Materials with high quality allow the owner to use it for a long time and it is worth the money spent.

Maybe, in just a matter of time, the investments could easily returned and earn profits in double amount. Easy money with just the right amount of effort will be on your way for there are always clients who would like to do transactions with you again. Any traffic on the floor will be accomplished in a day if all issues are properly given solutions.

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

Tuesday 1 February 2011

The Durability and Strength of Cork Floors

For some reason when consumers think of cork they think of a weak material. However, cork is far from a weak material. The best example to give is a cork wine or champagne stopper. These cork stoppers can last hundreds of years and keep the contents of their bottle flawless when properly cared for. This is why you should give cork a consideration for your flooring solution. Cork flooring is a durable, strong flooring material that will benefit every homeowner in virtually every room in your household; including the basement and bathroom.

You might be thinking, "How can cork be durable?", will it all comes down to the chemical and cellular make-up of cork material. Naturally cork contains a chemical called suberin; this waxy substance helps prevent moisture, mold, mildew and pests in the wild. Suberin is a key chemical in making cork flooring a durable product. Another key thing cork has is its cellular structure. Millions of tiny honey combs, per square centimeter make up corks cellular structure. Inside each of these combs is trapped air; around 90% of the volume is this trapped air. This allows cork to be compressed by as much as 40% without damage and allows it to return to its normal shape.

The same cellular structure we mention in the paragraph above also allows cork floors to be quite comfortable. Odd isn't, that you can have a strong durable wood-based floor that is comfortable? The trick is that cork isn't really wood, instead it's bark. It's the bark of the cork oak tree. A fact that shouldn't be forgotten is that behind its durability and comfort it's also eco-friendly. That's right; it's a sustainable natural resource due to the process of how the bark is harvested from the cork oak tree. So, not only will you have a strong, durable flooring product you'll also be helping the planet.

It's a good idea to visit a vendor's showroom that has a live example of cork flooring. This allows you to get an idea of how comfortable, durable and strong cork can be. Honestly, no article can give you that experience, so when you get a chance locate a vendor that sells cork floors and give their showroom a visit. If you need help locating a vendor or what more information on this amazing product then just follow the links below. We hope this article helped you learn more about cork and the value it can have in your home and for the environment.

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

Monday 17 January 2011

Limestone Floor Tiles by Mother Nature

There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to choosing what type of hard surface you want to use in your home. If you're like most homeowners, you travel to the local showroom and you find hundreds of products to choose from. There are laminate, wood, man-made materials, and natural stone, made by Mother Nature, and it all comes in every color under the rainbow.

To further complicate matters, certain products can only be used for floor, and some products have many uses. Limestone is one of those products that has many uses. From counter-tops to floors, back splashes to shower cubicles, the benefits of limestone tiles are almost endless.

This natural stone is a popular choice for many reasons. While the reasons why you should consider limestone floor tiles in your next project are almost endless, here are five that show the versatility in the product.

1. Limestone flooring has a distinctive look and natural beauty. With a wide range of colours to choose from, they are equally stunning in traditional or contemporary settings. They also work equally well in a formal, or more casual setting.

2. The limestone flooring tiles can be used in basically every room in your home. Flexibility is one of the key benefits If you're replacing a bathroom floor, or even a kitchen back splash, be sure to consider limestone floor tiles for surface. Its flexibility makes it a great product for all your design needs.

3. It is a natural product. With the growing interest in reducing our carbon footprint, using stone tiles is becoming a popular way of doing that. Since it doesn't require any manufacturing, your impact on the environment will be lessened.

4. They are hard, oil resistant, and have low porosity. Limestone floor tiles offer a very durable solution for high traffic areas and ensure your improvements are in great shape for a long time to come. With the beauty and durability of limestone floor tiles, you will be satisfied for many years to come.

5. Limestone is easy to maintain and is very hygienic as it does not allow bacteria to grow. This makes it perfect for kitchen or bathroom due to the moisture typically found in those rooms. You will be able to keep it clean with ease, and not have to worry about mold and other bacteria because you chose limestone flooring.

You will love your stone floor, counter-tops, shower surround, or anywhere else you decide to use limestone tiles. And in the event that you decide to place your home on the market, you will get a nice return on your investment!

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