Slate Tile Floors-Durable and Stylish

Slate tile is an attractive choice for floors, and can be used even in a bathroom if proper steps are taken to assure it is sealed against water, and that the surface is not too slippery.

When being installed by a homeowner, slate in tile form is much easier and a more practical application.

Slate tile comes in many color variations including reds, beiges, rusts and blues in addition to the darker shades. You may choose a more uniform look in coloration, or a random look.

If you want a more uniform look in the coloration of slate tiles, buy enough all at the same time and place. Do keep in mind though that this is a product of nature so there is going to be some variance.

For a very clean contemporary look, set tiles close together and keep grout lines very slim. If a more rustic and natural look is what you are after, set the tiles farther apart with wider grout lines.
Keep a level handy as you lay the slate tiles. If needed, add more adhesive to compensate for thinner tiles, and keep the floor level. Finish by calking between the tiles and the wall, and using a paintbrush to seal the grout lines. The slate itself is waterproof, but you need to guard against water in any cracks.

Once slate is properly installed it is very durable and it is waterproof. Slate tile has a naturally wet sheen. You can polish the floor to give it more gloss, but if installed in a bathroom it is recommended you go with the natural look. Bathrooms with their water can be slippery places, so less gloss is a safer choice.

Take care when installing and handling slate tile, as it can be very sharp. Get detailed instructions from your home improvement center on how to lay slate tile.

Follow safety precautions by wearing safety glasses, a mask and ear protection when using power tools. Also observe caution and ventilate the room well while you are using adhesives and sealants to install your slate tile floor.

3 Jan 2010
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Easy Cleanup Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring for a busy household

Vinyl flooring can be a good choice for many rooms, especially those that get a lot of traffic, or where moisture is present. Kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms are good locations for easy cleanup vinyl flooring. This is also a good choice for families with children and pets in the household.

Vinyl flooring is not what it used to be. It is available in a diverse range of colors and patterns appropriate for any room of the house. The recent addition of textures and patterns that mimic real stone and tile flooring are ones I find especially appealing. Some are so convincing, that you almost have to feel them to be sure they are not actually tile or stone.

Easy cleanup is another aspect that makes this product so attractive. In a household with children and pets spills and puddles are an easy to fix problem.

Vinyl installation tips
Vinyl flooring can be installed over most surfaces, and comes in a wide range of prices. It is available in the form of tiles that have the adhesive embedded so that they are basically a peel and stick application. I personally don’t recommend these if you are planning for the long term.

You will also find vinyl flooring in sheet form that is available in six and twelve foot widths. This will cover most rooms without any seams. It is usually purchased by so much per running foot.

Installing sheet vinyl as a do-it-yourself project can save you quite a bit of money if you are on a tight budget. If the room is very large, it is good to have a buddy who is somewhat handy to help you manage the bulk of the piece. Working with a large piece of vinyl by yourself can be a bit tricky.

Measure your space carefully, then measure a second time to avoid errors. Make a sketch of your area, and note where there may be cutout areas. Add measurements to all sides of your sketch. This can be handy to take along when you are shopping. Purchase a little more than you need in case of errors, or in case it wasn’t cut square at the time of purchase. Leftovers can often be applied below sink areas for an easy to clean surface.

Prepare the surface you are covering. Smooth out high and low spots. Patch and sand if needed. Check surface to be sure there are no nails or staples protruding. Remove baseboards and if in good condition save to replace after vinyl is laid. Check carefully to be sure there are no nails sticking out. Clean whole surface to be covered.

Use scribing felt to make a template, and transfer this to the back of your vinyl. Use masking tape on top of your vinyl to reinforce corners so they don’t tear while you are positioning it.

Most home improvement stores will have brochures or booklets that lay out the steps for installation, along with a list of supplies you will need.

Some tools that will come in very handy are a utility knife, scissors, a straight edge, measuring tape, and masking tape to strengthen corners of vinyl while positioning. Take your time with this project if you have not installed vinyl before, have patience and you will be rewarded with a shiny new floor.

3 Jan 2010
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Making Flooring Decisions For Your Home

There are many options for flooring choices today
A wide variety of flooring choices are available today for the homeowner. With all that is available, there is something that is appropriate for every need and personal preference.

Flooring is a major investment both momentarily, and in the decorating style that you have chosen for your home, and it is good to give your needs and the usage and location of the flooring some thought before making a choice.

Some of the things to consider when selecting flooring

1. your family’s lifestyle
2. Do you have pets in your home?
3. In what room or rooms will you have the flooring installed?
4. How busy and how many people occupy your home.
5. How long do you expect this flooring to last.
6. How much maintenance and upkeep do you want to commit to?
7. How much can you budget for flooring?

Flooring serves as a foundation for each room, it’s decor, and how it is lived in.

Consider each of the issues above. A busy household with young children and pets will have different needs than a household with only adults.
Each room may also offer different needs depending on how the room is used.

Bathroom flooring is subject to a lot of moisture, and some flooring choices are more appropriate than others. Water on the floor is a common occurrence in a bathroom with people getting in and out of a shower or bathtub. Although care may be taken, it is inevitable that occasionally water will get dripped on the floor.

Kitchens are another area where some flooring choices are more practical that others. Cooking, food preparation and dish washing can all take their toll on a kitchen floor. Spills do happen, and it is more practical to install a floor that is easy to maintain and stand up to the many uses of a kitchen.

Family rooms, play rooms, and utility rooms are also rooms that get hard use and your flooring choice should be considered carefully before making a commitment.

Living areas and bedrooms usually get less hard wear, and for that reason more flooring choices are available that will work out fine in most homes.

Consider these facts, and how you will blend flooring from room to room in your home so you get the most from your new flooring.

3 Jan 2010
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Timeless Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood Flooring for timeless beauty and durability

Like all types of floor material,  hardwood flooring has both good elements and some drawbacks. The hardwood floors of today are more durable than ever thanks to the industry’s efforts to always be improving their product.

Hardwood flooring is the Cadillac of floor coverings. They have been in style for a very long time, and will continue to be so far into the future. Genuine hardwood floors have a special beauty and warmth that adds to any decorating style.

This flooring is softer and more resilient than many other flooring products, and holds warmth. It is a softer product though despite it’s name and can be damaged by heavy furniture if protective disks are not used, and care should be taken not to walk on wood floors with athletic shoes that have cleats. High heels with thin spikes can also be a problem.

True hardwood is also subject to some shrinkage when there are drastic temperature or humidity changes. These are self correcting as the humidity decreases and temperatures stabilize. Although there can be some shrinkage, it is usually minimal and may go unnoticed.

Having said that, consider that most inside athletic courts are covered with wood floors. Basketball courts are typically wood. That should speak well of wood floors and their durability.

What exactly is hardwood flooring?
Traditionally a genuine wood floor was made of hardwood such as oak, birch and cherry. Each piece or plank was made from a solid piece of lumber in one of the hardwoods. These pieces were, and are typically 3/4 inches thick, although they are also available in other thicknesses.

Today there are also wood floors that are engineered. These floors are real wood, but it is put together in numerous layers. These layers are joined in a cross-ply construction with glue. This type of flooring has the advantage that it is not susceptible to shrink or expand due to changes in temperature or humidity.

Wood floors come in pre-finished flooring, or on site finished flooring. There has been much controversy about which is better.

With an on site finish the wood gets a final sanding and then has the finish put on. With pre-finished, the finish is applied at the factory and once the floor is installed it is done, and without waiting or having the extra mess or chemicals. Pre-finished actually offers a longer warranty because the factory finish is considered tougher and longer lasting.

With the great variety of finishes offered in pre-finished, there should be a finish to your liking. By selecting pre-finished you will save on installation costs and have your floor ready to use in less time, and get a longer warranty as well.

Proper care for hardwood flooring
Once you have chosen and made your purchase, get proper care instruction from the manufacturer. Never wet mop a hardwood floor, and always clean up any spills right away with a lightly damp cloth. Use only factory recommended products for care and maintenance. With good care you should enjoy your hardwood floor for a lifetime.

3 Jan 2010
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