Natural Stone Flooring: Longevity And Durability At Its Best

Whether it is remodeling an existing home décor or furnishing a completely new home, whatever you do, you need to ensure sustenance of long lasting finish to every aspect of your home. It is an investment of a lifetime and if you plan to design it for generations to come you must make sure that you use state-of-the-art materials with excellent shelf-life. Flooring is one such aspect of home improvement that needs to be given a lot of significance since it is that part of the house that faces a lot of foot traffic along with other things that needs moving around. Flooring issues, if neglected, may cost a lot in the form of undue damages and expensive repairs. It is thus imperative to choose a type of flooring that can sustain all the rough-usage and yet look elegant and posh for years to come. This can be attained by the use of natural stone flooring.

Natural stone flooring is not new a concept to floorings of homes and places of business or even places of worship. The practice of using natural stone flooring traces many centuries back, only now technologies used to carve and polish these stones have evolved. Scientists have strived to come up with inexpensive versions of fake stone tiles but to no avail. Natural stone still constitutes the exquisite floors of some modern décor’s enhancing the overall interiors manifold. Among the natural stone floorings the ones that are much common are marble, granite, slate, limestone and travertine. Travertine and limestone are examples of sedimentary stone, granite is an example of igneous stone and slate and marble like stones fall into the metamorphic stone category.

Granite is a commonly used rather expensive form of flooring natural stone tile that is consists of quartz, orthoclase or microcline and mica that are also used in monuments and possess sovereign handsomeness and glamour. Similarly, marble and slate floor tiles trace back to the ages of palaces and castles that were endowed with the glorious polished surfaces of these exquisite pieces of rock. They get better with age if correctly maintained. There are a range of marble stones in breathtaking colors and textures. It has varied uses other than those in flooring as well. Marble used sculptures are also ravishingly beautiful. These natural stone floor tiles are best for homes that are situated in places featuring a tropical climate, since they tend to stay low in temperature and improve the interior temperature as well.

Unlike other flooring tiles maintenance of natural stone tiles are comparatively easier and there are not many factors that might possibly cause any form of deformity except for certain chemicals. Stains are also easily removed from these floors with the use of the appropriate solvents.

Tag : floor,stone flooring,floor covering,hardwood floor

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!

Tag : floor,limestone floor,flooring,floor tiles,floor covering

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

Options In Travertine Floor Tiles

Travertine flooring is a type of stone flooring. It is one of the most popular stone flooring types. Travertine is well liked for its unique look that comes mostly from how it was formed.

Travertine is formed when minerals dissolve in ground water and become deposited at the ground surface through water sources. As it forms gases get trapped and leave pits and craters in the stone which gives travertine its unique look.

Travertine is know for being long lasting and consistent. When it comes to stone finding consistence can be difficult, but most travertine is consistent and easy to use as a flooring choice.

The different colors of travertine flooring range from a darker brown to a light, almost white brown. Sometimes the stone may contain veins or specks of other colors.

The main differences in the types of travertine stone is the color and the finish. As mentioned, there are a range of different colors, mostly browns, whites and gold. The color is defined during the formation process. Also, there are going to be variances in the stone in regards to veins and speckling of coloring. When the travertine flooring is made it cut from a large piece of travertine, so to get the best color consistency a person would want to get all their flooring from the same batch. However, as mentioned, travertine is rather consistent in its coloring, so even if a person needs to select their flooring from a couple different batches they should still be fine.

There are four finishes that are most common with travertine flooring. Travertine flooring can be polished, honed, brushed or tumbled. The finish will basically determine how the surface will look in regards to shine and texture.

A polished travertine floor tile is going to be the most shiny and smooth. A honed surface is going to have a matte look to it, but it also has a smooth surface. A crushed surface is not going to have as much shine and it will have a slightly textured surface. A tumbled travertine floor tile is going to be a highly textured surface with the least amount of shine. The most popular choice is usually the honed travertine floor tile.

Travertine floor tiles can also be cut differently to give them a different appearance and style. Travertine is usually cut with the grain, but there are also cross cut types, which are cut against the grain. The type of cut will result in more texture to the tile.

The look of a travertine floor tile is also altered sometimes by man. When a company prepares the floor tiles, by cutting them and choosing the surface type, they may also fill in holes or craters in the stone with an epoxy to make it smooth. Other times the texture is left and the tile is sold as it was cut.

Travertine flooring is a very durable stone flooring choice when compared to other more fragile choices. Other stone flooring has a higher risk of being broken or chipped. People choose travertine because it can stand up to the demands made on flooring.

Travertine flooring does require some maintenance and regular care because of its natural design. However, it is worth the time taken to care for it because of its unique look and natural beauty.

Travertine flooring is an expensive choice, but it adds a beauty that is unmatched to any home. It is unique and it is natural, which makes it a popular choice. Travertine flooring is something that a person can use inside and outside. It can be used almost anywhere in the home.

Sources:

ww.findstone.com

ww.bohemianrange.com

www.guide4home.com

www.builddirect.com

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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.

Tag : floor,flooring,stone tile

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

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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Are Tiles Suitable for a Bedroom Floor?

A friend of mine works as an interior designer for the rich and famous and I happened to mention that I needed to replace my bedroom carpet as it was a bit old and threadbare. He then told me that more and more people are opting for porcelain floor tiles in the bedroom. At first I thought this was pretty funny. I told my friend in no uncertain terms that I didn't want to sleep in a bathroom!

He then went on to convince me to look into it though as he had a solution for every objection I raised.

My main concern was the look of it. My previous comment about the bathroom still stuck with me, but he then went on to tell me about all the gorgeous new porcelain floor tiles you can get that look like marble or resemble natural stone. I have to say it's a good few years since I went shopping for tiles and I could only really picture the glossy small square bathroom wall tiles you used to get. My friend fired up his laptop and showed me some of the tiles you can get these days and I have to say they looked amazing and really there were tiles to suit any room at all, even a bedroom!

My next concern was safety. I'm not the most alert first thing in the morning and having to negotiate slippery floor tiles underfoot didn't seem like such a good idea. My friend assured me that you could get plenty of non-slip porcelain floor tiles. He reminded me of all the hotel bathrooms I'd used on my frequent business trips and he was right of course, they all had non-slip tiles on the floor.

Then my concern was that it would be cold. Floor tiles are great in summer, that's why they work so well in warm countries. I'm happy with terracotta floor tiles underfoot when I'm on holiday in Spain, but not in the UK. I want a warm cosy bedroom, not a cold one! Of course there was a simple solution to this objection too. Under floor heating. Apparently it works especially well under porcelain floor tiles as they warm up quickly then retain the heat well. He also suggested that if I wanted a cosier feel I could simply add some rugs.

There were some other good reasons to tile the bedroom floor that I hadn't thought of too. floor tiles are much more hygienic than carpet. They simply don't harbour dust and germs like a carpet does. Tiles are also much easier to keep clean and they are a lot more hard wearing than carpet so it would mean a much longer time before I'd have to replace the flooring again, so it would also probably work out pretty economical. So anyway after all these facts he convinced me to give it a try. I could always lay a carpet on top if I hated it, and I have to say I actually love my tiled bedroom floor. The underfloor heating is amazing; it's so warm and cosy on the coldest of winter days. I'm really glad I chose this option now.

Floor Tiles - Cover Your Home

Are you considering on having some Floor Tiles installed in your home? Well, that is a rather great choice. It is elegant, economical, and best of all, efficient and easy to clean. There are a few things you may need to keep in mind when selecting tiles to be installed for you to have the best outcome there could possibly be in this sort of flooring. There are different kinds of Floor Tiles; the most common ones are made from porcelain, ceramic or stone.

First off, you must be able to distinguish Floor Tiles from wall tiles. They make look exactly the same and you may get inclined to the design of wall tiles as they often have great designs. You must always keep in mind that having wall tiles installed on your floor may look great but may not be safe and may not withstand the same amount of wear and tear of a floor over a wall. Floor Tiles are thicker and are often given a finish which is greater in safety to walk on.

Cleaning is a breeze when it comes to Floor Tiles; especially if it was finished with gloss and treatment. You can mop it and sweep it as you please without having to worry about the stains or liquids to set in. If your concern is the possibility of scratches on the surface due to the weight of the fixtures and furniture in the room, you could always use non-slip and scratch free tapes on the base of the furniture so you can move it freely without having to worry about damaging the surface or hiding furniture marks.

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

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

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.

Karndean Flooring Can Be Great If You Want A Stunning Look

If you have decided that you want to install a new surface for the floors in your home then you have got quite a variety of choices to select from. Whether you are going to lay a comfy new carpet in some areas or wooden flooring in others, the decision you make is going to be in your home for a lengthy period afterwards so you need to think carefully about it. A possible alternative to both carpet and wooden floor surfaces is Karndean flooring, this can give a stunning look to your Sutton Coldfield home and should definitely be considered. We have provided a brief outline of what this type of flooring is and some of the main benefits of getting it installed below.

Karndean International are the manufacturers of these surfaces and they have been operating for more than thirty years. The floors that they provide are made using high quality vinyl materials and are suited for both business and residential property. Due to the fact that they are made from vinyl, they can be manufactured so that they replicate the appearance of a wide range of other materials. Some of the possible options you could choose are floors that have similar appearance to marble, stone or maybe a wooden effect. Whatever variety you decide to go for you will more than likely end up paying a lot less than you would if you installed a proper wooden or marble floor.

One of the major advantages that can come about as a result of having a vinyl surface is that they are generally more hardwearing than some other types of floor. This means that they will ultimately retain their original quality and appearance for a much longer period of time so you get even more value for money. If you are looking to lay a new floor surface in your kitchen or bathroom then choosing this can be a very good option as a vinyl floor can cope much better in moisture rich atmospheres than a wooden floor or carpet.

Karndean flooring is definitely worth taking into consideration when you are looking to lay any new surfaces in your Sutton Coldfield home or workplace. With the variety of styles that are on offer you will more than likely be able to find something that will suit your personal preference and you will certainly get a quality end product whatever variety you go for.

Tag : floor,floor tiles,hardwood floor,floor lamps

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

Vinyl Floor Tiles - Perfect Choice For Flooring

It is among the best options to enhance the interior décor of your home. it has significant features that make it a top priority among interior designers. The beauty of your home depends partially on the type of floorings that you choose to install. So it is important to choose stylish, durable and affordable floorings to embellish your home.

Reasons Why Vinyl Floor Tiles are Preferred

There are endless benefits or advantages of using vinyl floor tiles in your home. Some of the most important benefits include:

Easy installation: It is very easy to install unlike the other flooring materials. Similar to stone flooring in appearance, it can be installed by anyone. Moreover, it can be easily cut into any shapes and designs which make it even more versatile and popular.

Highly resistant: It is known for their high resistance to pressure and traffic. It can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms too because it is stain resistant and does not react with acid or alkaline.

Durability: Long lasting and tensile are the two most important qualities attributed to these floor tiles. Most often we seldom tend to change our floorings so it is important to use long lasting floor tiles which can endure spills and pets too.

Easy to clean: It is quite easy to clean and maintain. As it does not absorb liquids or cause any sort of stains, it can be installed in kitchens too. It can be maintained cleanly by just mopping it with soap and water.

Innumerable designs and shapes: It is perhaps the only kind that can be cut into various shapes and designs to create beautiful floors.

Cost effective: Compared to ceramic tiles and other flooring options like wood, marble and granite, it is cheaper and an excellent alternative to expensive floor tiles. These tiles appear similar to ceramic and wooden floorings but are relatively cheaper in cost. Does not produce sound: Another notable advantage of these floor tiles is that it can suppress sounds and does not create echoes while walking.

Buying Vinyl Floor Tiles Online

An interesting variety of these tiles can be bought from manufacturers listed in the online directories. There are numerous online stores that offer a diverse range of designs of flooring tiles at different prices. You can easily choose type of flooring you require for your home.

It can actually be divided into two, mainly-the VCT or the Vinyl Composite Tile and the Solid Vinyl. The VCT contains fillers and additives whereas the Solid vinyl contains a pure form of vinyl without any additives.

With their infinite qualities, It is much in demand in the markets today. You can find endless designs, colors and shapes of these to amplify the beauty of your rooms. Though the branded floor tiles are quite expensive there are many other varieties which are equally superior in quality.

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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.

Choosing A Linoleum Floor For Your Home

Nothing can make over your home faster than new flooring. It can breath new life into an old looking living room or kitchen. There are many different types of flooring available on the market today, vinyl, laminate, wood, and linoleum to name a few.

Linoleum is considered by those in the flooring trade to be a resilient type of flooring. A linoleum floor is durable and, with proper care can last up to 40 years, which is longer than vinyl flooring. Regular cleaning of all of your floors will help prolong their life and preserve them. Linoleum flooring can be easily cleaned by damp mopping with clear water and a mild cleaner. Newer linoleums have surface protection applied by the manufacturer which help make them water and stain resistant.

Linoleum floors are almost limitless in design and color choices and linoleum is better suited for areas that will be getting moderately wet than is laminate flooring. Linoleum flooring is perfect for use in a kitchen. Linoleum can be ideal in a foyer area or laundry room as mud and water are easily cleaned up. While many use ceramic and natural stone floors in entry ways and kitchens, they are harder to upkeep than linoleum.

Linoleum can tear. It is therefore imperative that you use all caution when moving any kitchen appliance on a linoleum floor. Lay a piece of plywood down on the floor and carefully slide the appliance onto the plywood. Make sure that when you move the appliance it is resting evenly on the plywood. You don't want to make any impressions onto the floor beneath.

Linoleum is thin and must be laid carefully. The sub flooring beneath the linoleum must be free of any bumps or irregularities or nail heads. These irregularities will come through a linoleum floor.

If you are thinking of replacement flooring check with family and friends to see if they have had any experience with a particular type of flooring or installer. Do your homework. Expect anyone who sells flooring to be knowledgeable, if they aren't, go elsewhere. The best way to get the perfect flooring for any room in your home is for you to do your homework first.

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Bathroom Floor Tiles - Best Flooring Material For Your Washroom

Ceramic bathroom floor tiles are simply the best because they are durable, beautiful and available at cost effective prices. Price is a big concern for everyone whether he is an average working professional or a businessman. A majority of homeowners choose affordable ceramic slabs and you will be amazed to know that these slabs are also preferred by eminent architects and seasoned home interior designers. These slabs are convenient to install as they set decently on every kind of surface. The good thing about these slabs is that they are highly resilient towards moisture and they can also withstand mild chemicals available in detergents, shampoos and hair colors.

Ideal bathroom floor tiles are ones that are anti-slippery. Ceramic slabs are anti-slippery and one will be amazed to know that these pieces remain anti-slippery even after coming into contact with water and soap. There is no harm in walking over wet ceramic slabs. If there are children and old members in your family then you should be careful when selecting bathroom flooring material. Children and old people can't balance their body on a slippery surface. Families with kids should choose ceramic slabs for their wash rooms because these slabs are anti-slippery.

If you want to give your bathroom the look and feel of a royal bath then consider remodeling you shower room with designer travertine or granite slabs. Travertine bathroom floor tiles are just perfect for every setting. Travertine is a natural stone that is found near hot springs. It is lightweight and beautiful. The great thing about travertine is that it comes in natural colors and you can't two similar stones. Travertine flooring material is expensive than ceramic but you can buy this material at cost effective prices on leading online stone and tiles stores. Granite is also a good choice, if you are willing to spend some extra dollars in your home renovation.

Prior to installing bathroom floor tiles, you should get your plumbing pipes checked for any fault or leakage because a leaking joint or a broken pipe can render all your renovation work redundant. When installing slabs, make sure that are properly grouted and all the gaps between the slabs are filled. It will be much better if you could seal the bathroom slabs. Sealing will provide added protection to the slabs from water and moisture. Or you can choose polished slabs. Polished pieces don't require sealing.

Laminate Flooring - Easy Maintenance Option

If you are looking for an easy maintenance option in flooring, laminate flooring would be ideal. It adds beauty and style to your home and is preferred by a vast majority of homeowners. These flooring's provide the same kind of classy appearance that is offered by natural stone, tile and hardwood floors. In addition, compared to the natural products, it is more affordable.

Durable Flooring Requiring Minimal Maintenance

Right from the origin of laminate flooring, its ease of maintenance has been one of the contributing factors behind its popularity. This type of floor is designed with several different layers. The wear layer normally referred to as the overlay layer is made of special melamine resin saturated cellulose. Laminate floors can be cleaned without using any costly cleaning materials. It does not require frequent refinishing and replacements; it can maintain its freshness for several years.

Ideal for All Areas of Your Home

Laminate floor covering is resistant to stains, moisture, dents, twists and scratches. Therefore it can be used in almost all the areas of your home which are frequently accessed. You can use it as a safe and durable flooring option for your hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and other rooms.

Laminate floors come in a variety of textures, colors and patterns to match all kinds of home décor. At present laminate flooring designed using interlocking technology is available in the industry. This kind of floor completely avoids the use of glues and can be installed within a short span of time.

Recognized Dealers Offer Quality Products, Installation and Maintenance

Laminate flooring can be purchased from authorized dealers who take care to make available genuine products from leading manufacturers. These dealers also take care of flooring installation and maintenance, and offer hassle free services.

Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings - New Jersey Laminate Flooring - We offer easy to maintain and very affordable laminates that are a stylish way to create more look for less. Get premium quality NJ laminate flooring options from our store locations at Edison and Lawrenceville in New Jersey.

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Two Classifications of Floor Tiles

You can be like an expert home designer and Raleigh home improvement professional with proper designing and effective planning. When you are properly informed of the functional and practical considerations about home improvement, you will easily turn your home into a most beautiful piece of property.

One of the more important aspects of Raleigh home improvement is the flooring of your home. There are many design and material options to choose from when deciding on the final finish and look of the floor and the home interiors. Are you going for the rustic or rugged finish with stone cladding or do you prefer the smooth finish of a ceramic or porcelain tile Raleigh. There are still quite a number people who can't distinguish ceramic from porcelain tiles. If you are serious about sprucing up your home interiors, then the types of tiles and other equally important aspects of home improvement must be adequately understood.

There are two major classifications of floor tiles. These are porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. Non-porcelain tiles are also known as ceramic tiles. Under the porcelain tile main category, there are three sub-types, namely, glazed porcelain, natural porcelain and polished porcelain. The natural porcelain types are generally known as unpolished and unglazed. These dense tiles have 0.5% and less absorption rate making them extremely resistant to frost. Further, porcelain tiles also come in 3 common finishes; high polished, unglazed and matted finish.

The natural porcelain tile Raleigh has less than 1% absorption rate. However, the absorption rate has no relation to the tile surface as this type of porcelain tiles is referred to as through body tiles. This type of porcelain tiles follows different design and texture between the top half and the bottom half thus being referred to as double loaded tiles.

On the other hand, glazed tiles can be completely glazed or partially glazed. The degree is achieved by altering the process of tile manufacturing. The overall absorption rate of glazed tiles is 0.50%. However, there are a few glazed tiles whose absorption can go as low as .10% especially when the top layer of tile is made of pure clay. What is great about glazed tiles is that you can do further polishing.

Polished porcelain tile Raleigh comes with a near granite finish with an unglazed tile surface. This type of porcelain tiles are actually natural porcelain tiles that went through an extensive surfacing polishing process. They undergo additional process during the manufacturing of the tiles to increase their resistance. The manufacturing process creates pores on the surface. Thus, it is important that the prescribed sealer is used while doing the grouting work and tile setting. Failure to do the necessary sealing would lead to the staining of the tiles.

When deciding on the specific type of porcelain tiles for your home improvement projects, it is important that you consider the overall look that you want to achieve and the specific needs and requirements of the floor surface you are working on. In cases where the situation warrants expert advice, you may consider to get technical advice from interior design experts.

Chuck R. Stewart was very impressed with some porcelain tile Raleigh installation he had done in his home. He also was very impressed with some of the Raleigh home improvement firms he saw at the home improvement convention.

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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.

A Brief Guide to Floor Cleaning.

Cleaning floors is one of the most important aspects of any cleaning programme and an essential element of any property, also depending on what kind of surface you have in your house; it will require different specialist equipment and techniques. Some general tips for keeping floors clean are to employ a proper selection of mats at doorways, often an entrance area with easy to clean floors (for example laminate flooring) and a dedicated area to store shoes. Just some of these simple techniques can make a dramatic impact on the cleanliness of a house that doesn’t have these ideas properly implemented.

Carpet Cleaning & Care

It is always a good idea to regularly vacuum the surface of carpets, this helps remove dirt that can cause permanent damage to fibres and also try to deal with spillages as soon as you can, the longer a spillage stays on a surface the more damage it can do. Often people look to get carpets or rugs cleaned professionally but there are various ways in which carpets can be cleaned to a very high standard without hiring professionals. Always use recommended or qualified products that are specified for use on the surface that you want to clean and so it is a bad idea to use generic cleaning products such as soap or dish washing liquids, these will often damage the surface far more then they clean it (for example the colour will bleed). It is a good idea before any new cleaning is done to a carpet to test the quality of the finish in inconspicuous areas, but always make sure you use a quality carpet cleaning machine.

When it comes to specific floor types, each different surface requires different cleaning techniques and products, some of these include,

Marble Floors

Marble and limestone flooring is surprisingly delicate to clean, these surfaces are very tough and will last for a very long time but in order to keep the best possible surface there are some techniques that can be employed to ensure its lasting quality. Due to the nature of the surface it is a bad idea to use strong acids or alkalis that are often used to attack dirt as this often damages the quality of the surface. It is also a good idea to not scrub the surface of marble or limestone floors, especially with coarser cleaning equipment such as scouring pads, this also includes buffing or scrubbing machines as these can leave visible marks on the surface which can only be removed with polishing. Marble surfaces will clean efficiently with dilute detergent solutions and should be well rinsed after washing and left to dry, often surfaces such as marble are polished professionally but can be polished with a dry cloth.

Wood Floors

Often wooden floors are polished so this has to be taken into account when cleaning; it isn’t a good idea to use detergents, bleach, vinegar and ammonia. It is always a good idea to purchase wax based detergents to maintain wax flooring, and use a damp cloth to remove scuff marks, which should be removed quite easily with a bit of water and some scrubbing. You should always remember that the majority of normal detergents remove wax from flooring, always be careful when cleaning waxed floors as water can make them very difficult to stand on. After wooden floors have been cleaned it is a good idea to fully buff the finished floor, and it always a good idea to regularly re-wax wooden flooring to ensure that it keeps the quality of shine that it had to start with.

Laminate Flooring

Often a good idea for houses that want a low maintenance solution, it is often considered as an alternative to genuine wood or stone surfaces. Often have a greater adaptability then genuine surfaces such as wood and stone, for example they react far better to water so can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. The first cleaning required on laminate flooring is the simple sweeping and vacuuming of the entire area, always clean the flooring with solutions specified by the manufacturers and use a simple flat mop and use smaller quantities of cleaning solutions then perhaps you would use on normal carpets. It is a good idea to never polish or wax laminate floors; these will damage the current finishes and make the flooring appear patchy, and also never clean with abrasive cleaning products such as scouring pads or steel wool.

Concrete Flooring

Often cleaned using mild cleaner or dish soap, never using ammonia or vinegar, concrete floors are often quite easy to maintain and obviously have a high resistance to stains and ware. Always make sure to remove any remaining soap residue with warm water after the area has been cleaned and always wring the mop thoroughly during cleaning, too much cleaning solution or water may degrade the finish and generally only small amounts of water are needed to clean concrete.

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How to Select the Best Bathroom Flooring For Your Home

Bathroom flooring is one of the essential elements of a renovation project. When choosing the type of flooring to use, it's important to consider the pros and cons of each type, in relation to your other bathroom remodel ideas. The following tips will help offer some insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the different bathroom flooring options available.

• Tile-Bathroom tile is the most popular and, probably, the most practical choice available. Tile is durable, moisture resistant, and available at some very economical prices. There are also wide varieties of colors, borders, trim pieces, and mosaic accents to choose from. Going with tile, however, is not the end of the decision process. There are several different types, shapes and sizes. You must make the choice between clay, porcelain, or stone and decide on the best size, such as; 2x2, 4x4, 12x12, or larger. As you can see; there are options available to fit any need or décor.
• Wood-Whether or not to use wood flooring in a bathroom is a decision that should be given careful consideration. While it is beautiful and can be durable and long lasting; excessive and extended exposure to moisture can be harmful. Before making this choice; evaluate the pros and cons of each choice in relation to your situation. Solid hardwoods, while beautiful and extremely durable in other parts of the home; are more susceptible to the effects of water than other types of wood. If you choose this option; make sure the floor is properly installed, leaving no gaps or cracks for water to penetrate, control moisture with the use of bath mats, and protect the surface with more frequent coats of polyurethane finishing. If you choose to go with a laminate; use a top grade with a protective top layer and avoid excessive or standing water, which will destroy the bottom layer. Engineered wood, which consists of a top layer of real wood over a plywood base, is the most durable and best option if you decide to use wood in your bath.
• Vinyl-Sheet vinyl or tiles (VCT) may be the best option available when it comes to bathroom flooring. While being extremely durable and moisture resistant, it's also available in a wide variety of colors and patterns and is extremely economical. The main drawback for most homeowners is they believe it looks cheap. However, in recent years, manufacturers have introduced some very attractive products that make it worth giving vinyl a second look.
• Carpet-Most everyone in the flooring or building industries (myself included) will advise you to stay away from carpet in the bathroom. The combination of fabric and water is a recipe for disaster. If, however, you've made up your mind to use it; there are some advantages. Many people like it for the warmth and comfort on the feet, the relatively low cost, and the ease of replacement. If you decide to go this route; use a 100% olefin, indoor outdoor for the best resistance to moisture and use bath mats or rugs to control water exposure.

For more help with bathroom remodeling ideas; go to http://www.yourselfhomerepair.com/bathroomremodelingideas.html

Install a beautiful, professional looking tile floor in your bath. For more information; go to http://www.yourselfhomerepair.com/bathroomtiling.html

Glenn Whitehead is a former general contractor with over 25 years experience in the construction industry in Houston, TX. He is currently the webmaster of YourselfHomeRepair.com, a do it yourself home repair and improvement site with how to articles, tips for finding contractors, and help preparing contract documents

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