Great Hardwood Floor Ideas

Here are our ideas about hardwood floors. First of all don't underestimate the power of a hardwood floor in your house to improve it. Like a fine piece of furniture, wood flooring increases in value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for more money.

Unlike many floor coverings, wood floors can last the lifetime of the building in which they are installed. Home owners who want them to last that long, however, should note the number one enemy of a hardwood floor: moisture. Wood floors naturally expand when moisture is present and shrink when it is not. Whether the reactions are a problem or not depends on the severity of the situation. So, do make sure that you maintain your house well and be sure to avoid damp occurring in the area of you very special wood floor.

If you have recently moved into an old house with hardwood floors throughout you may find that the only problem is that they are old and that they really should be refinished. But, if you cannot immediately find the time and/or money to do that there are water-based clear finishes that will make it glossy again. If you are going to sand and re-finish later, then this might be something to consider. One coat will 'get you by' for now.

If with your hard wood floor you want the perfect floor to complement your original style and unique taste. Whether you're searching for something in particular or waiting to be stunned by he look of you house. We suggest that many people do like Bruce Hardwood floors. They offer premium hardwood flooring designed to keep up with your family's lifestyle. Bruce says that it offers the largest selection of colors and styles in wood flooring, and that these are virtually care-free finishes and come with their assurance of quality.

Hardwood floors are readily available from other manufacturers as well that are incredibly beautiful, highly durable and extremely affordable. And as an added bonus, they're natural and safe for the environment.

Hardwood Floors is also the name of an official magazine of the NWFA. It is distributed free of charge to NWFA members and other qualified wood flooring professionals upon request. We understand that it is the only magazine serving the hardwood flooring industry exclusively. It is published seven times a year, and is sent to more than 24,000 hardwood flooring professionals throughout the world, including contractors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, builders, architects and other industry professionals.

It includes an annual Resource Book which they say is the ultimate guide to companies and products in the wood flooring industry. A searchable version of the Resource Book is available online.

Embarking on the search for just the right flooring for your home can become daunting. But if you want hardwood flooring ideas just think of plush, luxurious carpets in thousands of hues and patterns. Consider the hand crafted beauty of exotic and domestic hard woods in hand-scraped, distressed and smooth surfaces. There's also the diverse styles and durability of laminate flooring.

Also, do not forget the richness of ceramic tiles. Put these choices together from so many choices available at good stores and for every room in your home you can express your unique ideas express and your personal style against the ageless backdrop of a beautiful wood floor.

Steve Evans is a fan of hardwood floors visit the Hardwood Floors 'How to' website now for more information and additional ideas.

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How To Care For A Hardwood Floor

Hardwood floors are an excellent investment for any home, promoting resale value and interior warmth. However, if the floors are not properly cared for, this investment won’t yield as well. Hardwood floors are not hard to maintain, and compared with carpet and other surfaces that are more difficult to clean or require replacement, hardwood floors can be considered relatively low maintenance. But proper care is essential to keep the floors in good shape, and to give them a nice shine.

As with all flooring, hardwood floors must be cleaned, but they must be cleaned correctly. The correct way to clean urethane-stained floors is to mop them with a damp mop. Using vacuum and bristle brooms daily will help keep the floor clean. But when it comes time to really clean the floor, use a damp mop. Allowing dirt and grime to collect on the floor, and walking on this grime over as period of time can damage the finish. Using a small amount of water shouldn’t hurt the finished wood, but don’t pour out water and mop it like you would with kitchen tile. A damp mop or dust rag is all that should be needed, and it should be light enough in water that it will dry in minutes. Be sure to understand what type of finish your floor has, and what the suggested cleaning methods are. Using soaps and oils can void manufacturer warranties on many floors.

Another way to protect hardwood floors is to use throw rugs or walk-off mats in areas of high traffic. For example, in the entry way where people come in through the house, the traffic is likely to be greater in an isolated spot, and thus the floors will wear unevenly in this spot. This would make a great place for an area rug. Watch your floors over time, and consider putting some sort of rug or other type of protection on areas that receive more wear. It is especially important to use rugs on wood floors in kitchens in front of sinks and stoves.

Floor protectors on the bottom of furniture is highly recommended. You will want to pay special attention to rolling chairs with rubber wheels like those often found in offices. These chairs have a tendency to leave rubber trails on the wood floors. If you have such a chair, consider putting a rug underneath it.

There are two primary finishes on hardwood floors: urethane finishes and wax. You should never wax a urethane finished floor. If your urethane floor is extremely worn, you may need to refinish it which will involve sanding and applying sealer. However, if you clean the floor regularly, using only soaps recommended by the manufacturer, and you protect problem areas, you should avoid needing to refinish the floor for many years.

Wax floors require occasional waxing. It really isn’t a lot different than cleaning and waxing your car. You will need to clean the floors first, and buff areas that are worn with high traffic. Occasionally, you will need to buff on additional wax in the worn areas. With wax finished, just as with urethane finishes, you should know the manufacturers recommended care procedures.

With proper maintenance, your hardwood floors should last for the lifetime of your house, and look shiny and new for many years.

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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.

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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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

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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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Green Flooring Tips

Going green on your floors is not just good for the ecology. If anyone in your family has allergies, it will benefit them as well. Our carpeting is a magnet that attracts dust, bugs, dirt and toxins. This is especially true of wall-to-wall types. Instead of using all those resource destroying synthetic fibers, use area rugs made from natural, easily replenished materials that are stitched instead of glued.

Wood floors should only use easily restocked woods (FSC-certified) which are not endangered, or bamboo, which, when harvested properly, simply continues to grow without interruption. Any hard flooring should use recycled glass, stone or wood.

Recycled wood not only stops the forests from being depleted, but also has advantages for you.

• Older woods from older trees have a tighter grain; are harder and denser than new wood.
• The well-used appearance gives the wood floor a more distinctive look. The hand finishing is noticeable.
• It will cost you up to 50 % less.
• It lowers the rate at which landfills are being filled.

Bamboo is a sustainable material because it grows so quickly in the wild, providing a constant and plentiful supply. With reasonable caution cutting the bamboo does not damage the host plant. Properly dried bamboo rarely breaks, cracks or splinters. It can be used for hard flooring, area rugs, indoor and outdoor mats, countertops, walls, furniture, molding, cutting boards, place mats, and much more. It is less expensive than hardwood flooring.

Natural linoleum , when made of linseed, cork, tree resin, limestone, and jute, is biodegradable, non-toxic, and less expensive than wood.

Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork Oak tree, and is very durable, as well as a good insulation. The cost is similar to that of hard flooring.

Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.

Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company (http://www.liti4.com), public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com

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How to Decide on Flooring For Your Home

One of the easiest and fastest way to change the look of your home is by changing the flooring. There are so many choices out there that can be tailored to your needs and pocketbook. In this article I will give you some tips for choosing new flooring for your home.

First, you must establish a budget. After you have set a price range that you can spend you can begin to see what is offered at those price points.

Second, you must evaluate your needs. Stop and think where this flooring is going and how much wear and tear it will receive. If the flooring is going into a living room or spare bedroom that receives little traffic one type of floor is possible, but if it is going into an area that Whether you have children or pets that is something else that is very important to consider when choosing your floor. If you have old people in your home that have devices with wheels you may also want to take that into consideration.

Third, today floors that are hypo- allergenic have become quite popular. With so many people suffering from allergies some families have decided to go with wood or tile floors instead of carpeting.

Fourth, if tile or hard wood floors are what you want, but are too expensive there are many synthetic choices available that give you the look of the real thing but at a much cheaper price.

Fifth, whatever flooring you choose make sure you decide on one that works well with the colors and theme of your home. Keep in mind whatever you choose you will be living with for quite awhile.

Lastly, as with most anything you do I suggest you check with an expert to see if you are making the right choice for your home. It is better to know the downsides of any flooring before you have spent good hard earned money to have it put in your home.

Tag : floor,floor tiles,floor covering,hardwood floor

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Bamboo Floor Maintenance

To reduce the amount of dust and grit brought onto your floors, install mats at all outside entryways. Make sure these mats are kept clean and in good condition as well. Be aware that oil from driveways and/or roads can stain quite easily. Make sure shoes are clean before walking on the floor.

Another note about shoes: High heels (particularly stiletto), work boots, shoes with cleats, and hard soled shoes can quickly damage your floor. Avoid walking on your floors with these types of shoes as much as possible. If you must walk on your floors with high heels, make sure the heels are in good repair to minimize damage to the floor. Also, check any shoe for rocks, pebbles, etc. lodged in the sole before walking on your floors.

Make sure dust and grit are cleaned up daily or at least as often as needed. When walked on, dust and grit act like sandpaper. This can and will quickly damage your surface. A soft bristled broom, dust mop or vacuum with an attachment for cleaning bamboo (or hardwood) floors is the recommended tool for frequent cleanups.

Make sure all spills are cleaned up quickly. If necessary, a lightly damp mop or soft cloth can be used to clean up wet or sticky spills. Make sure you dry the floor completely with a clean soft cloth afterwards.

Use area rugs to protect high traffic areas or areas that are prone to liquid spills. In the kitchen it is suggested to have a rug in front of the stove and one in front of the sink. These are both places that see a lot of traffic and are highly likely to experience liquid spills on the floor. Make sure the rugs are kept clean so dirt and grit do not get trapped underneath. Also, make sure the backing is not too rough, which could damage the finish.

Protect your floors from dents and scratches from heavy furniture. Place soft protective pads under the feet of all furniture. Make sure the pads are kept in good condition and replace as necessary. Never drag heavy furniture unprotected across your floors. If furniture has casters, make sure the casters are made of soft, non marking materials such as rubber. Hard casters made of metal or plastic will quickly damage your floor.

Clean your bamboo floors as necessary with the manufacturer’s suggested no-wax, non-alkaline floor cleaning product. Although, more resistant to moisture than wood flooring, bamboo can still be damaged by too much water. If the product requires mixing with water, follow the label directions exactly. Also, do not let the cleaner (or any other liquid for that matter) to pool on the surface of the floor. This could result in damage to the finish or bamboo itself.

To prevent shrinking or swelling of your floor, use a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity of 30-50%. Excessive humidity can cause your floor to swell, while a lack of humidity can cause the floor to contract (shrink). This can eventually lead to an uneven floor and/or gaps between the boards.

As much as possible, limit your bamboo floor’s exposure to sunlight. Use good quality drapes or blinds and rotate area rugs. If the floor is exposed to too much sunlight, the floor may darken in some areas and lighten in others.

If you notice the finish of your bamboo floors has lost its sheen, or you notice lots of scratches and nicks, it may be time to re-coat or restore the floor’s finish. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for what product to use to restore the shine.

Never use abrasive cleaners or tools such as scouring powder or steel wool on your bamboo floors. If you have stains remaining after general cleaning, first attempt to remove them by rubbing a clean soft cloth moistened with wood floor cleaner. If the stain is still visible, try another clean soft cloth moistened with mineral spirits. Make sure you carefully read and follow all directions on the cleaning product label.

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Cork Flooring, the Resilient Advantage

Cork Flooring: The resilient advantage Cork flooring products are mainly viewed as an earth-friendly flooring choice because no trees are harmed in the making of these earth-friendly floors, but being a green flooring option is not the only advantage of floors made from cork. Floors made from cork are also known for their "giving" nature. Cork offers the user the look of a hard surface floor with a much softer and warmer feel to them than many hard surfaces floors. Cork is often used in kitchen spaces due to the fact that dishes and glasses have a much better chance of surviving a fall. People also like a cork floor in the kitchen area because a knife dropped with point down may stick into the floor, but it will not cause any permanent damage as cork is known to "self-heal".

Self-healing may sound like something out of an X-Men movie, but in the case of cork flooring it simply means the cork part of the floors will go back to its original form. The resilient nature of cork also comes into play if there are small children around who are prone to falling. A nice soft cork floor is a much better option for a falling child then a hard ceramic tile floor. Here are some examples of Cork Flooring prices and colors.

Cork is also good for uses in places where people will be standing for long periods of time. A properly constructed cork floor is much gentler on the leg joints of a person who needs to stand for long periods of time making it a perfect flooring choice for work rooms, artist studios or children's playrooms. Another great property for floors made from cork is the fact that when a heavy item like a armoire or a large sofa is removed the indentation that formed will slowly return to the original smooth, cork surface. If a consumer tried that with a carpet they would have to work to get the indentation out of their carpet.

Tag : floor,cork flooring,floor tiles,hardwood floor,wood floor

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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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Laminate Hardwood Floor Installation - 7 Reasons For Laminate Floor Solutions

A laminate hardwood floor installation rips out all the high-maintenance management and warping woes that accompany real wood flooring projects. Flooring frustrations are replaced with easy-care, authentic wood looks and textures that are a snap to install. What are the seven main reasons behind the phenomenal growth in do-it-yourself laminate hardwood floor installations?

Reason 1. Laminate Hardwood Flooring Installations Happy Over Any Sub-Floor

There is no need for an expensive and time-consuming tearing up of the sub-floor. Glueless laminate hardwood floor installations can be done with confidence and success over virtually any existing type of flooring. This includes vinyl, tile, concrete and real wood strips. The only exceptions to the rule are carpeting and real hardwood on concrete.

Proper preparation of the sub-floor is vital, however. The surface needs to be absolutely smooth and even. Sand down all peaked joints and other bumps. Use a filler material for any holes or uneven areas. Make sure that the floor is spotless. Any bit of gravel trapped under your new floor, will eventually become an eyesore.

Reason 2. Laminate Hardwood Floor Installations A Long-Term Investment

With today's technology, the core and wear layers of laminate flooring are of a superb quality. Floors are treated to be highly moisture resistant. The aluminum oxide finish of the wear layer ensures maximum protection against scratches, fading, scuff marks, and stains. Many manufacturers include warranties of between 15 and 30 years. By choosing a quality decorating and interior design product for your floors, and following installation and maintenance instructions carefully, you will be ensured of stylish, elegant looks for years to come.

Reason 3. Care-Free, Calamity-Free Flooring For Your Family Home

No overloaded parent has time for finicky floor care day in and day out. With a laminate hardwood floor installation, you will lighten the cleaning load significantly. A mop and brushless vacuum take care of most chores. When necessary, a damp mop is used for a quick wipe. Flooring manufacturers supply dedicated cleaners for tougher spots. If there is a mishap with lipstick or paint, acetone nail polish remover should take care of it instantly. Always check with your flooring supplier to make sure that any cleaning process or solution complies with your warranty conditions. If you deviate from the guidelines, you may void your warranty.

Reason 4. Banish Allergies And Asthma With Laminate Flooring

If your kids suffer from dust-related allergies, new floors may offer the solution you are searching for. No matter how diligent you are with cleaning, carpeting remains a dust-trap. By replacing the flooring surfaces of your home with laminate hardwood floor installations, you will minimize your family's exposure to the offending, irritating particles. The hard, smooth surface is easy to keep spotless. There are no fibres that are reluctant to give up their share of dirt. A quick wipe with a damp mop takes care of the dust problem in a jiffy.

Reason 5. Easy-To-Install Project For Home Remodeling Rookies

Laminate hardwood floor installations are a snap with the latest click-'n-go engineering. No more sticky, messy, frustrating and apprehensive adhesive struggles. Even the most 'unhandy' amateur handyman can tackle these glueless flooring projects with confidence. There is no need to call in the services of a professional hardwood flooring contractor. You can successfully install a new, ready-to-use floor within about a day. As long as you make sure that you don't have problems with moisture in the sub-floor, and are able to follow the manufacturer's guidelines closely, you should be able to complete the installation on your own.

Reason 6. Tempting Authentic Real Hardwood Grains And Textures

From Pergo Flooring, to Armstrong Flooring and Bruce Hardwood Flooring now include every real wood grain under the sun. Shadings vary from light and airy to the rich, warm hues of the darker woods. Textures are as close to the real thing as possible. Planks are now even beveled to give the appearance of real wood planks. A laminate hardwood floor installation can now come with rustic, weathered looks.

Recently the ranges have been expanded to include a variety of realistic ceramic tile and stone tile finishes, complete with grout lines. Every type of decorating or interior design project is catered for, from old-world to contemporary. The flooring planks can be matte or may present a gleaming, shiny face to the world. Thanks to innovative technology, the days of plastic and fake-looking laminates are long gone.

Reason 7. Much To Do About Mishaps On Laminates

If you have kids and pets you will fall in love with laminates. No only will you have far fewer worries about crayon stains, puddles, and other potential flooring fiasco's, you will know that in the event of a major accident, a section of flooring can replaced with ease. As long as you keep an unopened box or two of flooring planks in storage, you will be equipped to re-do an area of flooring in no time. Whereas a damaged carpet has to be replaced completely, a laminate hardwood floor installation allows you to handle the inevitable family mishap with a smile.

Have a bit of decorating and interior design face-lift fun by joining the laminate hardwood floor installation crowd!

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Making Your Flooring Match Your Life

With the myriad of flooring options available, it makes sense that some are more effective than others with certain lifestyle choices. When deciding on a new floor selection, be sure your choice is the perfect match.

Carpet
Carpet is a relatively inexpensive choice for a basic option and it is a uniform color in most cases that suits just about any home. Carpet does trap dirt, dust and allergens, even with a powerful vacuum, so after a certain amount of time your carpet will need to be replaced. If you are sensitive to dust or have pets, carpet will hold on to dust mites and dog hair making it a challenge. Carpet is insulating, however and soft underfoot making it a good option for homes with children or where you prefer a quiet interior.

Marble and Stone
Marble and stone, such as granite or travertine, are beautiful and speak of wealth and grace. However, they are hard underfoot and very expensive to install. Stone options are beautiful in homes that are open and airy with a modern or classical feel. But homes designed to be comfortable, traditional or casual will likely feel at odds with a stone floor. Families with small children will also have difficulties with a stone or marble floor as it is not ideal for running and playing throughout the house.

Tile
Tile is less expensive than stone and is easier to maintain. Not as formal as marble, tile is suitable for any style of home as you have so many different options available in color and styles. Tile is wonderful in homes with pets as hair and dirt are easy to sweep up, but small children might not be able to play as comfortably as you would like and the hardness of the floor underfoot might be a concern if you stand for long periods of time.

Laminate
Laminate has a similar appearance to hardwood flooring or tile, but is a manufactured product designed for a quick and easy installation and very easy maintenance. Laminate is popular in homes with pets and with children as it scratch resistant and doesn't trap dust and or pet hair and allows for very easy clean-up. For formal homes, the less expensive styles of laminate might not be ideal as they might show up as too informal. The top forms of laminate, however, have an almost indistinguishable wood-like appearance and would be at home in any style of home.

Hardwood
Hardwood floors are made from planks of hard wood which means they are beautiful in any home, but require more upkeep than some of the other flooring options. The wood is prone to scratching and denting, but can be refinished to repair any damage whenever you like. Wooden flooring can be expensive, but it is an option that lasts for centuries and is ideal for virtually any sort of home. Homes with small children and dogs might opt for distressed or especially hardy forms of hardwood, however, to avoid damage from something as simple as dog claw scratches as pets walk around.

The author is a flooring specialist that regularly contributes to a variety of online blogs, corporate websites and home decor magazines. Discover more information about laminate flooring by visiting laminateflooringco.com with additional advice provided on obtaining cheap laminate flooring.

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

Eco Flooring Options - Where to Start

What are the available solutions for Eco Flooring and how are they different? There are several, proven floor covering options for Eco Friendly conscious consumers. Some you may be aware of, some you may not. There is a lot of information available on Green and Eco floors. The basic types can be considered as hard surface and soft surface textile.

Hard surface Eco flooring products are the most commonly heard about. Bamboo has gained a lot of popularity in recent years due to it's great sustainability factor. It grows very quick and can be processed into a very nice wood looking floor. One thing to keep in mind is that lower priced Bamboo floors tend to have fairly significant levels of chemicals, including formaldehyde, so off gasing can be an issue after installation and over time. If considering Bamboo, get a better quality product and stay away from the cheap stuff.

Another, rapidly growing hard surface Eco floor type is Cork. Cork is harvested from the outer part of the tree, so the tree itself is not killed in the process and more Cork can be taken from the same tree years later. This makes Cork a great Eco floocovering option as it is very sustainable. Cork is very durable, provides a great insulation factor for temperature and noise and is even hypo allergenic in some forms. It also can give a very unique look to a room.

Some actually consider true, solid, hardwood floors as an Eco option. True, trees are harvested for the final product. However, the thought is that the floor that comes as an end result is a floor that will last in most cases the life of the home, without need for replacing with other flooring. This eliminates product going to the landfill. When the hardwood floor is no longer needed, it is very landfill friendly as it is a natural product and not synthetic.

There are soft surface textile options as well for purchasing Green/Eco flooring. One very popular carpet is called P.E.T Carpet (Polyethylene terephthalate). This carpet style's yarn is manufactured from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Typically these bottles cannot be used for recycling back into use for human liquid consumption so a large amount annually of this waste is used back into the process for Carpet. This type of carpet does has a great wear factor and is very resistant to most forms of stains.

A second option is a recent breakthrough in Eco Carpet as a yarn made from a fiber from DuPont called Sorona. This fiber is partially manufactured from Corn Syrup which is an extremely sustainable product and also biodegradable.

There are many choices available in flooring for an Eco friendly floor. Once you decide if you want a hard surface or soft surface, you can then decide which of the options best fit your budget.

For great floor covering deals on P.E.T carpet and other Eco flooring, be sure to check out Owen Carpet Company for your Discount Carpet needs.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC's Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floorcovering.
For more information you can visit, http://www.owencarpet.com or call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

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

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.

Tag : floor,wood flooring,hardwood floor,floor covering

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

Taking Pet Stains Off of Hardwood Floors

No matter how great your pet is and how much you love him, there will be times when he will mess on your floors. It doesn't matter whether you have a dog, a cat, or a hamster, and even if you've thoroughly trained them, it's going to happen once in awhile. So how do you keep your hardwood floors looking great when they get difficult pet stains?

It's especially true that older pets and those left alone for long intervals can have accidents. If these accidents happen on hardwood floors, you can have a lot of trouble removing them. If you catch the stains soon enough, they'll be relatively easy to move with the right cleaning. Old, dried-on stains are going to present a greater dilemma, although they can be removed if you're prepared for a bit of hard work.

One of an animal's basic instincts is to mark out his territory. This means that if you once had a pet that left stains on the floor, a new pet will try and follow suit. Therefore, it's essential that you remove all pet stains from floors in order to keep your new pet from smelling them.

Fresh pet stains are easier to remove, because they have not yet had time to be completely absorbed into the floor. There are special stain-removers on the market which you can buy. Just make sure that the product you select isn't one that is going to damage the finish of your floor. The other tools you'll need to eradicate the stain are paper towels, warm water, and white vinegar.

Using the materials outlined above, here is what you need to do:

* Remove all standing urine by blotting the area with a paper towel.
* Use white vinegar and scrub the entire area to reduce stain and odor.
* Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
* Blot totally dry with paper towels. Remaining liquid could cause the floor to warp.
* Apply stain and odor remover to keep your pet from going there again.

Getting Rid of Old Stains

Most likely older pet stains will have already seeped down into the wood flooring as well as the sub-flooring. What you need to do in order to see how deep it went is to sand the stained area until you get to a point where it isn't stained any longer. If the stain has gone down below the floor surface, then the entire stained section of floor will need to be removed. Depending on how much damage was done, you may have to refinish the entire hardwood floor.

A stain that has been there for a number of years has allowed urine and odors to penetrate the sub-flooring. If you're carefully you might try using commercial bleach on the area. Make sure you have gloves and know what you're doing before trying this, though. If you've had to sand stains out of the floor, resurface the area with shellac-based primer.

Tag : floor,hardwood floor,floor installation

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

Anderson Flooring Versus Laminate

Hate laminate? You are not alone. So does The Anderson Company. Anderson hates laminate for good reason - it's in the business of producing beautifully polished, hardwearing hardwood floors. Laminates fake the appearance of wood, at the expense of misled consumers who have no idea of the many benefits they are missing out on.

Not Anderson.

The company originally collaborated with the U.S Navy; and it's first innovation was a method for devising plywood so flexible and strong it can be used for boat hulls. After the company came up with parquet blocks that can be fitted over concrete (a feat that was unheard of in the day), it started producing full-length planks that performed just as well as parquet under damp conditions, and are equally durable. From there, the company perfected its construction of engineered floors.

Enter Anderson flooring.

Hardwearing and effortlessly beautiful, Anderson flooring is famous for being produced under one of the tightest quality standards in the industry. Anyone who has ever used the material can easily distinguish it from the other names on the market. Why? Well, the company uses solid oak core, instead of softer woods. And, while solid oak is much more expensive, it's also more durable and is exceptionally harder. The difference pays off because in a Janka Ball Hardness Test, the company's planks beat oak lumber in all meters but one.

So the next time you get any renovation or construction work done, skip laminate. Why fake it when you can easily get the real thing? With Anderson flooring, you get real hard wood that's soft on the pocket.

Considering your Anderson flooring options? Wendy Hubble is an expert on Anderson flooring and a contributing writer of Flooring Central. Check out the website for more info on how you can slash 80% off the price of your discount hardwood floor

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

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

Bamboo - Stronger Than Any Other Floor Covering

If you go for an alternative to hardwood for flooring, bamboo flooring is the perfect for you. The popularity of bamboo flooring is increasing day by day for its stylish look and also for the environment friendly materials used presently. Renowned manufacturers like Columbia flooring, Mohawk flooring and Armstrong flooring offer this item.

Manufacture of Bamboo floor covering

Almost like steel it is very strong and sturdy. Bamboo is much strong than any other objects used in low-priced floor covering and thus perfect for flooring. Bamboo flooring is more comfy to step on than the stone flooring and also stronger than linoleum flooring. You will have almost the same density, feel and weight, like real hardwood in this material.

Floorboards can be made of hard bamboo or be an engineered item. Engineered item means a combined product made of bamboo and another type of wood blended together. Mostly an engineered product contains a plywood core with a bamboo surface. Like all hardwoods the bamboo can also be painted and given a cover of urethane.

Bamboo floors are set up like other hardwood floor coverings. They are most often fixed or attached to the sub flooring. Like laminate flooring modern products are made in this fashion where the pieces lock together and form a floating floor, which doesn't require fixing or attaching to the sub flooring.

To set bamboo floor, the sub floor needs to be in level prior to putting in place. When it isn't level, then asphalt shingles should be utilized to make a perfect level. Confirm that the sub floor material is entirely dried up and there is no damp, which could damage the floorboard.

Bamboo Flooring: Ecologically receptive

People are becoming anxious about the reduction of the hardwood forests in this world. Lots of tree groups take generations or years to grow up, such as oak walnut. No adequate amount of replanting is there and still when new trees get planted, they can't grow up fast to fulfilling the necessity. Hard work is being made to stop the deforestation of forests.

This tree grows much quicker than any tree used in manufacturing wood floor covering. It takes maximum five years to become full-grown. New shoots start to grow almost instantly after harvesting and this comes about automatically and no replanting is required.

Maintaining Bamboo floor covering

Take out dust and debris with a dust mop or broom. Also make a solution using water and vinegar having 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar to clean this bamboo floor. When cleaning, use a slight damp sponge and dry the floor immediately with a mop up. You should never allow the bamboo floor to get soaking wet, since this can spoil the floor.

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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