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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Tag : flooring,home,wholesale