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Archive for the ‘Flooring’ Category

So you have decided that you want new flooring in a room in your home but what is the next step? You most likely want to call in a professional flooring company to do the work for you. More and more homeowners are taking on the task of home decorating jobs such as floor installation themselves, but if you don’t have the time or money to devote to this you are better off calling in the pros. Deciding between the different companies can be challenging. With a few pointers you can decide which company is best and which is worth hiring for their services.

First start by making a list. Find all the different companies that even install plank flooring to begin with. This gives you something to work with and whether you are interested particularly in Brazilian teak flooring or any other type, you can always use this list to work from. Go down your list and find out more information on each of the companies. Find out how long they have been in the business for, what services they offer, how many workers they have employed at their company and what their asking price is for floor installation. Keep in mind that they may need to come into your home before they can give you an accurate quote.

You want a company you can trust in. Your goal should be finding a company that is going to get the job done right for you the first time around and who is going to work around your schedule. As a busy working professional you may only have certain times of the day where they can come in and work on the floor so you need a versatile company willing to meet your needs.

It is very important to choose the right company for installing plank flooring in your home. You should get your money’s worth and have a beautiful floor at the end of this all.

Cleaning tile can be more challenging than other types of flooring. However, with a few pointers you will be well on your way and can stop spending so much time cleaning tile floors in your home.

The biggest problem with ceramic tile floors is that even when grouted properly, dirt and debris can still easily make their way into the cracks in between the tiles. This makes for messy work and it can be difficult to get in those cracks and get the dirt out without scraping out grout along the way. This is why it is so important to learn how to clean tile floors properly.

Using a homemade heavy duty cleanser is one idea. It saves you from having to buy regular products at the store and you know exactly what is going into it. For this mixture you need ¼ cup of any all-purpose cleaner. Head to the supermarket and take a look at the selection, usually the lowest priced stuff works just fine. Along with this you need 1 cup of ammonia and ½ gallon of cold water. Make sure you wear a pair of rubber gloves while making and using this solution, especially if you have rather sensitive skin. The ammonia is potent and can be very irritating to skin.

Now for tile floor cleaning you simply take a sponge and start rubbing this mixture onto the floor, moving in circles as you go. This is the best way to clean tiles because you cover the entire space but are not digging in between the cracks of the tiles.

If you have just grouted the floor and need to start cleaning floor tile grout, you need to take a different approach. Using bleach is the trick here. If the grout has had a few days to dry it is going to be really hard to scrape off the floor. Bleach helps soften the grout making it easier to wipe off. Now that you know how to clean tile floor your household chores will be much easier.

Whether your home has floors that are inexpensive vinyl or are made from the finest hardwoods, all can benefit from having some type of colorful enhancements. While there are various types of kitchen and bath-specific oval rugs on the market, if you are the kind of person who likes to change your décor from month to month, you may be interested in purchasing a more versatile type of rug that can be used in multiple rooms.

For example, if you feel like using red rugs in your kitchen and dining areas for the December holiday months and plan on outfitting your bathroom during the summer in an Americana theme, to save closet space; you may just wish to purchase one type of rug that can be used in either room. This is an ideal situation for people looking to use seasonal décor in their dining, hutch and outside bathroom vanity areas, as in-kitchen and in-bathroom rugs, for kitchen sink, shower and toilet areas, are only intended for a specific purpose. These will have a rubberized backing on them or they will be thicker, as is the case with kitchen rugs. More general purpose rugs will usually not have restroom-intended, gripper backs on them and will be a higher quality than traditional “disposable” kitchen or bathroom rugs.

Higher-quality rugs will have a tighter weave, will be bound together more professionally and may be made of more upscale materials, such as wool. Sometimes these kinds of rugs are created by an artist, are historical re-creations, or are featured in a designer boutique. When choosing to use them from room to room, upscale rugs may have related accessories that coordinate with them such as pillows, throws or artwork. These are excellent to purchase and if possible, move from room to room as décor is relocated.

Remember, if choosing to save space by implementing this technique; be sure that rugs will be clear of water, harsh chemicals or food particles. This will ensure your rug lasts and is able to function year-round.

For floor coverings that are easy to care for and offer plenty of style options, consider polypropylene rugs. They come in a wide array of styles, colors and shapes. They are very durable as well. There are many places inside the home in which these items can be used, as well as outdoors on a patio or deck.

Made of synthetic fibers, a polypropylene rug can be spot cleaned or even machine washed in many instances, depending on its size. For common areas of the home, such as an entry, kitchen or hallway, this type of product can protect a nicely finished hardwood floor or keep dirt off the carpet, making it perfect in areas of high traffic. For pet owners, having a moderately sized carpet just inside the door can help keep the home much cleaner, as most of the mud or dirt will be tracked onto the floor covering.

An outdoor polypropylene rug is a nice accent on a patio or deck used for entertaining guests. It can bring out colors in patio furniture or the umbrella. It can also serve as an area of interest. Using such an item near the poolside or a back door can help prevent slips or falls in places where water tends to stand. The material used in this product is similar to that used in many types of patio furniture, so it can withstand all types of weather. It will not rot like products made with natural fibers can. Polypropylene outdoor rugs also dry quickly, so you can be back outdoors enjoying your space soon after a heavy rain.

With a look similar to those floor coverings you may remember in your grandmother’s house, polypropylene braided rugs can withstand quite a bit of traffic. They are even more durable than ever with the new materials that are used. Many new color schemes and patterns make these items as desirable and fashionable as ever. Many products provide the additional benefit of being reversible. This feature helps them wear more evenly, so they last much longer.

For a seating area in the living room or under the dinette, polypropylene area rugs can be a suitable accent, helping to pull many colors in the room together. They can also come in some interesting or eclectic prints, which can make them the focal point of a room. Polypropylene rugs come in many different price ranges, so anyone can afford to protect their floors or spruce up their decor.

If you have wood flooring in your home and you are tired of seeing it scratched, scraped and banged up, there is one quick fix. Invest in an area rug. Rugs protect high traffic areas and keep your floor looking nice while adding a homey touch to any room. But if you have tried putting rugs down and find that they often curl and become stumbling blocks—tripping hazards, you will be glad to know there is a solution for this as well. Purchasing oval rugs will eliminate your tripping problem while keeping your floors safe.

The traditional oval rug is made from woven fiber ropes wound in a flat spiral. You have commonly seen them in vintage houses and often appreciated the decorative style they added to the rooms they were placed in. What you may not have considered was the many needs they fill. Rugs help keep houses warm during the cold season. They prevent scratches to the surface of wood floors and protection from pet traffic as well. They do all of this while providing great fashion to every location you place them.

Considering the material you would like your rug to be is important. For example, purchasing a shag rug can be great if you commonly take your shoes off. They are soft and warm on the bare foot. If it is intended to be protection for your floors you might want a bamboo rug or weave. While they are not warm or cozy, they are the best for keeping finish on wood and breath very well. Any variation of cotton or wool might also be a good choice. Thin cotton and wool rugs are easy to clean if you keep pets in your home. They can be laundered without being damaged and with a variety of colors and patterns, look great.

Have you recently finished construction on a new home or done some remodeling that included the installation of hardwood flooring? If so, it’s probably time you started thinking about adding some rugs.

What’s the point in going through all of that effort, not to mention expense, and then turn right around and cover up your beautiful oak or walnut floor? Besides helping to coordinate the color scheme that you’ve chosen for the individual rooms in your house, certain high traffic areas will benefit from the protection afforded by some sort of floor covering.

Unless your décor is one that calls for an oriental or Turkish carpet, braided area rugs are a very popular choice. They pair well with hardwood flooring and come in patterns, styles and colors to complement any of the variations in types of wood.

In colonial times, our ancestors made these attractive and resilient rugs for the cold floors of their cabins. Passed down as family heirlooms, many of these rugs are still in use, today.

Our grandparents and theirs before them were the original recyclers. Unlike our current throw-away generation, they wasted very little. When clothing or bedding became old and worn, it was cut up and given a second life. Some of it was cut into small squares and pulled out at the next quilting bee while the rest was cut into strips used for braiding into rugs.

As with many other things, machines were invented and mass production replaced making by hand. In the late 1900’s, a wave of nostalgia swept across the country and many of these lost arts were revived. It’s now possible to find someone who does rug braiding by hand. Commissioning one in your choice of style and color is absolutely the next best thing to having one that has been passed down through your family.

Another option is to check out flea markets and second-hand retailers. Not everyone recognizes the value in these old, hand-made rugs. It just might be your lucky day.

Flooring is an intrinsic part of a building’s construction. From a residential house to a commercial structure, every building needs to have a sturdy and durable base provided with proper flooring.

Flooring can be done in innumerous ways. One can make a concrete floor and spruce it with stone stabs, paving stone, granite and marble. Marble has been a favorite flooring material for ages. It lends a serene look and a royal touch to any floor and this can be accounted for its huge demand.

Marble tile flooring is available in a wide hue of colors and patterns to match your taste and requirement. There are two prominently used varieties in marble namely glazed and unglazed.

Glazed; This has a polished and smooth surface. The outer layer of glazed marble is hard and hence less prone to stains.

Unglazed; This variety of marble is quite sturdy and scratch resistant. But since it does not have a very smooth surface it is quite prone to stains.

Using marble tile flooring is an easy way to add some elegance add spark to your house. When choosing this kind of flooring one needs to remember that a marble floor requires a lot of maintenance. It is preferable to clean the floor using lukewarm water and a semi dry sponge . Use the sponge to rub the floor gently and rinse with water. For removing stains and dirt, you can also use some borax and rub it using a damp cloth to regain its sheen.

There are several benefits of choosing marble over other flooring stones. Since marble is a low heat conductor, it helps to keep the floor and the house cool. Marble is quite tough and crack resistant hence it is one of the most durable flooring options. Remember to check the different varieties and designs for marble floor with vendors in the market or even online to draw a fair idea about prices before buying.

Buying a new carpet for an apartment or home in Atlanta doesn’t have to be a difficult and frustrating process. If you decide upon the important factors of a new carpet before you start looking then you’ll already have narrowed down your options considerably. Here are some of the most important things to think about when buying a new Atlanta carpet.

Firstly you need to consider the style of the carpet. Generally you want a carpet that will blend into the rest of the room rather than standing out so try to get a colour that matches the existing design. The same goes for the overall style of the carpet – it should subtly match the rest of the room whilst enhancing the feel.

Another consideration that you need to take into account is how much traffic the room is going to get. For example, some rooms are used as walkways and hence the carpet needs to be very durable. Other rooms aren’t used anywhere near as much and in this case the style is most important. Different types of carpets have different durability’s and advantages which are vital to understand before making your decision. If you don’t take this into account then you may have to buy another new carpet sooner than you’d hoped.

When buying a new carpet you also need to think about who’s going to be using it. For example, if you have very young children then it probably isn’t a good idea to get a very expensive and high quality carpet as the chances of it becoming stained are high. On the other hand, if you’re planning on using the room only for entertaining then a high priced carpet may be a better choice. Taking into account the purpose of the carpet is vitally important.

For more information on carpets please visit Carpet Central.

A black rug is not a suitable flooring option for every room in every home but there are some styles of decoration where it could definitely give your room the edge. If you are hoping to create a room with a sense of drama then you might very well use a black rug to help you achieve it.

The most important thing to consider is whether such a rug would be too strong for your current (or planned) decoration. Yes, you want to make an impact but you do not want your rug to be the only thing that gets noticed when someone walks into the room.

If your current decoration is full of natural colors or pastels, then black rugs won’t do you any favors at all. They will have a negative impact rather than the positive one you were hoping for.

On the other hand, if you would like your room decorated in the monochromatic shades of black, white and gray, a black rug will be the ideal finishing touch. In these circumstances, you could opt for a plain black version with a lot of texture. A black leather or suede shag rug would be ideal. Alternatively choose a rug with a bold pattern or design incorporating one or two other colors along with the black.

There is no harm in adding black and white accessories to a monochromatic room, but make sure that you choose a bright color for at least some of them so that the room does not verge on being bland. Your plain rug will stand by itself because of the beautiful texture but the room as a whole needs a bit of color.

If you have colors in your rug, you can repeat the shades from it in some of your accessories so that the color scheme works. So, if your rug contains hot pink and turquoise, for example, you could add a couple of cushions in those colors to your couch.

One of the hardest things to do in the home is to keep the carpets looking good. It can be a challenge keeping up with all of the mud, soil, and any number of things that often get tracked into the house. Keeping your carpets in great shape is not that hard if you follow these simple three tips.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your carpets looking good is to not wear your shoes in the house. You should always take your shoes off at the door and walk around the house in your stocking feet. This will keep the bulk of soil out of your carpet fibers. Also, it is important to wear socks so that oil from your feet does not transfer to the carpet fibers. Dirt will stick to this oil like a magnet.

Another important factor in keeping carpets maintained is proper vacuuming. Carpets should be vacuumed at least twice a week with a HEPA filter vacuum. The vacuum should also have a very good beater bar for agitation. One of the hardest things for a vacuum to do is separate the soil from the fiber. Having a good beater bar will aid in maximum soil removal.

Lastly, it is very important to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. Companies like Carpet Atlanta, offer these services at very reasonable rates. Professional carpet cleaning will remove the soil that ordinary vacuuming and regular household maintenance will not be able to take care of. Soil left in carpet fibers will scratch the fiber over time creating lasting damage that will not be correctable.

Follow these simple guidelines and your carpets will last you for many years. Just remember to never wear your shoes in the house, vacuum regularly, and have the carpets professionally cleaned once a year. This is the easiest way to keep your carpets looking their best.

Maintaining your carpets to keep them looking their best is often easier than you think. Carpets are expensive and the more you can do to extend their life the greater cost savings on the road. Regular vacuuming and professional carpet cleaning will help your carpets last for many years.

Many people do not vacuum their carpets enough. This is vital for maintaining your carpets and keeping them looking their best. It is important to use a good HEPA vacuum cleaner with a good beater bar. When vacuuming your carpet, always vacuum in two different directions. Vacuum one way, and then vacuum again at a 90° angle the other way. This will allow the beater bar on the vacuum to come in contact with all surfaces of the fiber. In addition, a carpet rake can also be used to help further separate fibers and loosen tough, deep down soil. A carpet rake will also help the vacuum pickup more pet hair which is notoriously tough to get out of carpet.

Many people go years and years between having their carpets cleaned. Most manufacturers recommend carpets be cleaned by hot water extraction at least every 18 months and once a year would be better. A professional carpet cleaner will be able to remove much more deep down soil than regular vacuuming alone. When choosing a carpet cleaner it is often best to go with low moisture carpet cleaners. You can generally expect dry times of 1-2 hours with these types of methods instead of one to two days with most steam cleaning. Carpet cleaning prices are one reason many people put off having their carpets professionally cleaned. However, spending a couple hundred dollars a year can make your carpets last decades if you choose.

So remember to vacuum regularly and have your carpets cleaned at least once a year. You will be surprised at how great your carpets and floors can look for many, many years.

Carpet cleaning is one of those home services that many people love to put off. It is not usually something that people look forward to. It can be very confusing trying to find a good carpet cleaner and figure out how much it is going to cost. It can be very confusing when talking to a carpet cleaner and they start using words like per square foot, per area, and minimum area cleaned. All you really need to know is that there are two basic methods of determining carpet cleaning cost.

When a carpet cleaner mentions per square foot pricing they are simply figuring the length of the room by the width of the room and multiplying that by their per square foot price. So, if you have a room that is 12 x 12 the square footage is 144. If the carpet cleaner charges $.30 a square foot, the price to clean that room would be $43.20. The average carpet cleaning prices per square foot is currently around $0.26. Most cleaners will have a minimum service charge to come to your home. You may not be able to get a single room cleaned for $43. This is actually quite reasonable since because of overhead most cleaners need to gross about $100 an hour for cleaning time. This may sound high, but when you factor in all of the overhead a carpet cleaner has plus their set up and tear down time and travel to a job, it’s actually quite reasonable.

The other method of carpet cleaning pricing is the per area of flooring price. A carpet cleaner will establish a maximum square-foot per area and charge a flat fee for each area cleaned. For example, a carpet cleaner may charge $35 per area. Their per area maximum may be 200 sq. ft. So, as long as your room is under 200 sq. ft. the price will be $35 for each of the rooms. If your room is over 200 sq. ft. you may be charged for two areas. However, some cleaners will simply charge the area price of $35 and then charge an extra per square foot price for anything over the 200 sq. ft.

Concrete garage floors are very strong and last long but they are also porous and can be stained by the oil, antifreeze, grease and gasoline that may spill and splash onto the floor. It is possible to clean them to look almost like new and they can be left like that or painted with concrete paint. It is best to clean a spot as soon as possible. The longer it is left on the floor the harder it will be to remove.

After the garage has been cleared out the floor should be vacuumed to remove loose sand and dust. The oil stains will be the most obvious. They can be cleaned with an alkaline detergent. Mix a little with water to make a thin paste and put it on the oil spots to soak for a few hours. Then use a pressure washer with hot water and even strokes to slowly rinse off the detergent. Alkaline detergent is toxic so only use what you need.

There are more eco-friendly ways to remove oil stains from concrete. Scrub the stain with liquid dish soap and a little water. Some put cola on the stains overnight before washing. Baking soda, cornmeal, sawdust or kitty litter will absorb the oil. Be sure to wet it before you sprinkle the powder, then brush with a stiff brush. Automatic dishwasher detergent and hot water also work well. After each one of these remedies, rinse with plain water. There are toxic chemicals including muriatic acid and trisodium phosphate that work well, but you need gloves, goggles and protective clothing and these chemicals should not be washed down storm drains. If harsh chemicals are used, baking soda should be sprinkled over the entire area to neutralize any traces of the solution.

The best way to keep a concrete garage floor looking and smelling fresh is to clean it as soon as it is needed. There is garage floor epoxy or paint that can be applied after cleaning and sanding that will not stain as easily as concrete. There are also garage floor mats specifically designed for putting under cars to keep the floor clean.

One of the most popular flooring options for homeowners, these days, is hardwood flooring. It is attractive, fairly easy to maintain, and when well cared for, can last, in a state of high quality for long periods. A slightly lesser known variation on hardwood flooring is bamboo, which undergoes a process known as strand weaving in order to increase its durability. The following article will discuss the advantages of having strand woven bamboo floors installed in your home.

Bamboo flooring has many of the same attractive features of traditional hardwoods. The color variances are attractive and unique, automatically giving the room in which the flooring is installed an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication. The grain of the wood is also unique, which contributes and interesting texture to any surface. One may initially feel concerned about the delicate nature of bamboo, and whether it would stand up to heavy or extensive wear in high-traffic areas. To address this concern, the process of strand weaving was developed.

The individual stalks of the plant are first boiled down, in order to break up the sugars and separate the individual strands. Once the fibers are in their broken down state, they are adhered together with an industrial strength adhesive material, and flattened into planks. The result of this process is a material that is extremely dense, and very durable, making strand woven flooring even more durable than traditional hard woods, and easier to maintain over long periods of time.

One final advantage of choosing bamboo over regular hardwood flooring options is that it is generally a less expensive option, averaging in cost at about $2.50 to $3.50 USD for square foot. In addition, because bamboo is planted specifically with for the intent of harvesting you will be saving valuable hardwood resources, and lowering your own individual impact on the environment.

Epoxy flooring is ideal for garages. Resistant to oil spills and most chemicals, it is a durable alternative to polishing a concrete floor. The smooth, reflective nature of an epoxy floor also aids in the display of cars or other objects in the garage. Additionally, epoxy flooring is easy to spot clean with a wet towel or overall with a broom and dustpan. Epoxy coating is particularly useful for preventing scratches, nicks and the collection of dust.

Select Epoxy and Sealer

Epoxy comes in different shades, textures and colors. Some epoxy products are more useful for indoor flooring whereas others are best suited for indoor use. If you are unsure about the durability of the product for garage use, consult a flooring expert or a representative at your local home improvement store. You will also need to pick up a sealer to prevent damage to the epoxy coat.

Control Temperature and Safety

You will need to achieve a temperature of at least 55º to ensure the hardening of epoxy, so select a day (or use a thermostat) allowing for this. You’ll also want to be safe—open available windows, wear an industrial mask and ensure proper ventilation throughout your work space. You should also seal the garage door entering into your home to prevent fumes from contaminating your living space and affecting your family and pets. For safety, ensure that the mask protects your eyes and have gloves ready as well.

Clean the Floor

Before you apply an epoxy coat, prepare the floor. Remove all cars and objects requiring floor space from the garage. Check for any loose pieces in the cement and remove them immediately. You should also sweep the area to remove any excess debris. You must then remove any grease, dirt or spills that have soaked into the floor. To do this, you may need to rent a scrubbing machine. After you have removed all stains and spills, vacuum the surface of the floor to ensure the absence of rubble. Hair, dust, dead bugs and small pebbles can easily disrupt the smooth appearance of an epoxy floor, so it’s necessary to be thorough.

Strip Floor

After you’ve cleaned the floor, you will have to strip it. You can do this by renting a shop vac and a rotary stripper. This will leave a rough texture. To be thorough, coat the floor with water and use the shop vac to ensure the absence of all stray debris.

Apply Epoxy

Using a paint roller, apply the epoxy. Be sure to apply the substance evenly, smoothing out excess as you go. Before you begin, devise a logical plan for spreading the epoxy on the floor, allowing for your movement around the room.

Most of the work involved in applying epoxy flooring involves careful and safe preparation. Once the application is complete, you will be able to walk on the space within one day. After three days, the flooring can support furniture and cars in the garage space.