Installing laminate flooring can be a nice way to update your kitchen or any room that you aren’t going to lay carpet down. It is relatively easy and cost effective to do. This video shows you how to install the laminate flooring very nicely.
Archive for September, 2008
Cork Flooring: The New Trend
Cork flooring has been a popular flooring over the centuries and the trend for it has come back time and again. The impression that it has made on the mind of people is an ever lasting one.
Cork Flooring and its History
If we look back at history, we will see that cork has been applied for centuries in a variety of uses. It has been used as bottle stoppers, especially in the wine industry. It has also been used by fishermen as fishing net floats. Compared to that the use of cork for flooring purposes has been pretty recent. It was during the last years of the nineteenth century that cork was used for flooring mainly because of its resilient qualities. And it remained a very popular form of flooring being used in several public buildings, including Chicago’s First Congregational Church, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and Lafayette College in Easton, PA. Cork flooring was made popular in housing designs by the world renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
With the introduction of easy to maintain floorings during the 1950s, the interest in cork flooring waned. Materials like linoleum and vinyl had a wide range of colors and patterns, and it allowed people to create bright and colorful rooms. But cork having made such an impression already in the public’s mind, it was again back in vogue during the 1970s.
Cork Flooring Today
Today, cork is back again and the reasons are environmental as much as nostalgia. The concerns for limiting the damage to the environment and preserving the natural resources are priorities for many today. Using cork flooring for their homes is definitely a better option than to go for hardwood flooring. Cork is made from the bark of cork oak tree which is renewable. Since it’s renewable, hence it’s not causing any harm to the tree and there is virtually a limitless supply of the material. There are trees over two centuries old that still produce the bark which can be used to make cork. So it can be classified as a ‘green’ product.
Beyond being environmentally friendly, cork has other attributes which makes it a very good option for flooring. It is non-toxic, resists mold, mildew and insects and is anti-microbial. As flooring it is hypo-allergic, flame retardant and does not produce static electricity. Care and maintenance of cork floors is also much easier today. This can mainly be attributed to the newer techniques of manufacturing.
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Pergo Flooring: A Brief History
Pergo flooring company was founded 120 years ago, but it was not until 1977 that the company designed laminate flooring. It was originally a company that created tabletops and stylish countertops. Pergo was part of the Swedish company Perstorp but eventually went on to be one of the most well known flooring companies in the world, being the first one to design laminate flooring. When it finally reached the US Pergo flooring was already a major flooring company in Europe. Pergo opened stores all over the world and began to make an amazing profit from their sales on laminate flooring. Today Pergo flooring remains to be the top seller in laminate flooring and possibly the most popular of all flooring companies.
Price and Warranty
Pergo flooring comes with a warranty. The company warranties its material, for its sure of its quality. This is what that makes Pergo flooring so special, its durability and quality is what makes it the best, compared to other flooring companies. Pergo offers classy floors, and provides a wide range of choices at reasonable pricing. The price is usually about the same as other flooring stores, with the occasional discount. Pergo’s website provides you with nearly unlimited information about what kind of floors they carry and the necessary care and maintenance. You can buy online as well. In case you are not sure about what kind of flooring you should buy, they can send you a wonderful sample which allows you to get a up close and personal look at the floor before you buy.
Though the samples are not totally free, they are still at the reasonable price of five dollars which is a great option for those who do not have a Pergo flooring company near you. All warranties last approximately twenty-five years and any damage done by moisture or fading can be replaced for free within the twenty-five year warranty.
Benefits of Buying Pergo Flooring
There are many benefits involved in buying from Pergo. They design some of the most stylish and beautiful flooring on the market today, with so much experience they have had more than enough time to find out what makes a good floor. They provide some of the most top notch and up to date floors of today with the newest styles and easy installation. They provide extra comfort and sound proofing in their floors to make it the very best you can get. Pergo is a reliable company, making sure that their floors meet the standards of their customers. They can even help you find a contractor to help you with installation, and they provide a one-on-one phone system for those who have questions about the floors and the company. Pergo has one of the widest varieties of floors today, giving you what you what you want, and when you want it. Any kind of laminate flooring can be had at Pergo.
Carpet Cleaning Improves Its Look And Health
Most people will spend a few thousand dollars, and often much more, to acquire beautiful area rugs and floor to floor carpeting for their homes. So they naturally have an interest in protecting their investment and in keeping the floor coverings looking attractive for as long as possible. Carpet cleaning on a regular basis can help accomplish just that and it can also help to keep potential health and safety issues from developing, by keeping the growth of bacterial and microorganisms in check.
As these microscopic organisms build up in your carpeting because cleaning carpets has not been high on the priority list, they can cause a great deal of problems for people who are sensitive to dust mites and other tiny creatures in your carpets. Many people are allergic to these microorganisms and if they are allowed to flourish they can start to create an unhealthy environment in the home, even for those who are not particularly sensitive to such things and who don’t have allergies.
Keeping these tiny microorganisms in check can be as easy as simply doing a deep carpet cleaning twice a year, minimum, and more often if you have high traffic in your home. You can choose from several different methods of cleaning carpets as there are many options these days. The best method for your particular situation will depend on several factors.
One of the first things that should be evaluated, when deciding how to handle the cleaning of your carpets, is the amount of foot traffic that regularly passes through the carpeted areas of your home. The more people and pets that are going in and out of the house and are traipsing around on the carpeted area or oriental rugs and other area rugs, the more quickly the dirt, dust and microorganisms will collect and start to thrive. A lot of foot traffic in heavily used areas will also serve to grind in the dirt, debris and dust mites deeper into the carpet, making them harder to remove by vacuuming alone.
When cleaning carpets of any type or style, you must also take into account the kind of material that the carpeting has been made out of. Using the wrong cleaning carpet method can damage the rugs and ruin your investment. This is one reason why is it such a good idea to call on carpet and rug cleaning professionals who have experience and expertise. While hiring professional carpet cleaners will cost more than if you were to do it yourself, you won’t need to worry about destroying your new carpeting or expensive Oriental rugs.
Carpet cleaning companies typically offer five different types of carpeting cleaning; bonnet cleaning, dry cleaning, foam cleaning, shampooing and steam cleaning. The professional cleaning service can check the materials that your carpeting is made of and let you know the best method to use. You should get estimates before hiring a service to clean your carpets and ask for references as well.
How to Use Laminate Floors to Decorate Rooms
Laminate flooring gives you all the color options that come with hardwood flooring. However as far as textures go, it falls short of hardwood floors. So in way it is similar to hardwood flooring, yet it is not hardwood flooring.
The Shade
When deciding on the color of the floor you must remember that the color of the floor is basically the background of the room. It is the very foundation that you will have on deciding the scheme of decoration for the room. Suppose, you want to have light colored furniture for your room, then a dark colored flooring should be your preference. The opposite is similarly true. So if you are opting for dark colored furniture, then a light colored floor will best complement the furniture.
The color of the walls will also be dictated by the kind of floor you have and the furniture you keep on them. These three colors that of the walls, the floor and the furniture must all gel well and there shouldn’t be a conflict. Also depending on the color you use, the room will get a character. It might be made to look warm and cozy or bright and cheerful. The kind of look you want will depend on what use the room is put to. A children’s room will obviously have ad different look than that of a living room.
Maintenance
The main reason that one uses laminate flooring is because of its ease of maintenance and its affordability. Laminate floors are renowned for their ability in tackling almost any kinds of spills, dropping and scratches. Yet a minimum amount of maintenance helps.
If you want to use potted plants in your rooms to add more life to the room, then you must use a drip plate below the pot so that the excess water is collected and does not flow on to the room.
One can also use two separate shades of laminate floor boards for the floor. While one shade can be used to form the major base of the floor, the other can be used to form borders of the floor.
While doing up a room, it is not just about making it look good when it’s new, but one must also see to it that the room looks nice even after years. Especially in case of laminate floors where durability is one of the key features why people choose it. So try and keep the as scratch free as possible using felt pads under the legs of furniture and doormats at the entrances.
Introduction to Buying Laminate Floors
Laminate flooring was introduced in America in 1994 and since then its popularity has always been on the rise. As with any popular product, there has been a flood of versions of laminate flooring. There has been this whole host of manufacturers who have jumped on to the bandwagon and are now producing laminate flooring of various types an numerous designs. As the saying goes, the more the choice, the harder it becomes to choose, and it is also very true for laminate flooring. What we are here trying to do is to help you decide on the right laminate floor that you will need.
There are various factors which you will need to consider before deciding on one particular flooring.
Price
This has always been a crucial factor no matter what you are buying. And as much as you would like to save the maximum amount, going for the best deal doesn’t always work out. First of all get your budget done. While researching on the net you might come across unbelievable deals like less than a dollar for every square feet. The best thing would be not to believe them. The normal price range for laminate flooring is generally between $1.5 and $3 for every square feet, with some going as high as $6 per sq. ft. Anything lower than that might mean either they are discontinued products whose replacements wont be available when you need them or you might need to buy a huge quantity to get the special discounted price.
Design Choices
There are numerous designs available today, enough to make you go crazy. If you are looking for wood designs, you will get the designs for all the species. You will also have to choose between:
• Single strip
• Two strip and
• Three strip
Then you will need to decide on laminate boards with
• square edges,
• beveled edges and
• micro-beveled edges
Finally you will have to take a call on the different surface finishes and textures. That is quite a choice. But decide only after seeing the boards, preferably installed on a floor. You can also look photographs of rooms with particular type of floorings. However, never should you decide on a particular kind just by looking at a photograph. Also remember that your floor forms the foundation of the room décor and it should gel well with the furniture and the color of the walls.
Warranty
Before finally deciding on a particular product, look at the warranty on offer. The general trend is to provide a 15-year residential warranty for protection against premature wear, staining and fading. Protection against accidental moisture damage would be a bonus.
The Benefits of a Cork Floor
When getting a new floor for your house, you must be considering a variety of factors to make the most of your investment. And on that count, cork floors score pretty high. In this article we will discuss some of the special features of cork that makes it a truly unique floor. And you can use it both for your house and for your office.
Appearance
With a wide variety of patterns and colors available, cork looks great on the floor. And the variety allows you to have floors that suit your style and taste.
Durability
The life of a cork floor can last up to centuries. And there is proof of that. Both the Library of Congress and the First Congregational Church of Canada have cork floors that are well over a hundred years old. So when you install a cork floor, you are assured a lifetime of peace regarding flooring issues. Such durability of cork can be attributed to its cellular composition. Even in case of friction, cork is much less affected than other hardwood floors or tiles or even laminates.
Liquid Resistant
Cork flooring contains an intrinsic waxy substance, Suberin. What it does is it makes cork impermeable to liquids and gases. So there are very minor chances of cork actually rotting. In fact cork is considered o be one of the best seals available and is still used today to seal wine bottles, a practice that has been going on for centuries.
Resilience
Due to its cellulite structure cork also has tremendous resilience built into it. So when pressure is put on a cork floor it will bend but as soon as the pressure is released the cork floor snaps back to its normal position. This is because on application of pressure the cells are compressed while on release they regain heir shape. So walking on a cork floor with a high heel shoe on is not an issue.
Insect Resistant
The composition of the cork ensures that insects, even termites, cannot cause any harm to the floor. The floor acts as a kind of natural barrier for them. Even microbes cannot set up colonies in the cork floors. Thus it is kind of germ free too.
Value
Cork flooring also wins in value when compared to other floors. Priced affordably, cork can come at almost half the cost of some other kinds of flooring available. And then it has all the features which make it truly one of the best flooring options.
Hardwood Flooring and Your Decor
Do you want your home flooring to be elegant? Do you want to walk on a floor that suits the style you desire and reflects the kind of your personality? Then get that hardwood flooring of your choice.
Your Style, Your Floor!
How would hardwood flooring suit your style? Well, hardwood flooring has been a choice of many people who want a classic feel in their houses. It is elegant and can give a rustic country look as well. It could give your urban home a rural motif that could make your mood more relaxing when you go home from work.
Moreover, hardwood flooring comes in different colors and styles that could really go well with your choice. It has already developed overtime from the simple brown color in different variations.
When you want a plain floor, try installing planks. This kind of hardwood flooring gives you wide pieces of planks. Should you choose this style, you could save energy in installing because you only install a number of woods and could also save you money.
If your home is small and you want it to look bigger, install smaller strips of hardwood flooring. The strips are only three inches or less in size.
Alternatively, single piece hardwood flooring can give you a more solid look in your house. This kind varies in thickness and can last long years. It is also easy to change or refurnished when needed because it is only one piece.
The parquet hardwood flooring gives you a tile look on your floor. Through this kind, you can make patterns in your floor. It comes in wide variety of shapes and colors like that of its ceramic counterpart.
Caring For Your Elegant Floor
Since wood flooring is indeed a major attraction in your house, it as well a major investment. For it to last for long years, it has to receive proper care. Other than regular cleaning or dusting, it should also be maintained and refurnished as needed.
Use hardening oil, not floor wax as used with cement floors, in maintaining your hardwood flooring. It could make your floor shinier and sturdier. Ask your hardware stores to recommend you specified wood wax. Apply such regularly like every one year or 18 months.
Dragging heavy furniture on your hardwood flooring can give it a lot of scratches and damages. To avoid these, you can apply three coating varnish. It protects the wood from possible scratches and makes it more durable. However, it is best that you carry the furniture than dragging them or protect the lower surface with rugs or cloths before dragging them.
Though wet mopping is a good way to clean floors, don’t do it on your hardwood flooring. Vinegar and bleaching agents are also good cleaners, but they are not for your floor, too. Water and vinegar may be the worst enemy of wooden floors. Water loosens the wood fibers and makes in weaker. It could also make the floor swell on its edges. It is not recommended to use wet mops rather use a mister and a dry mop to clean the floor.
On the other hand, vinegar contains a strong acid that could easily cause discoloration to your hardwood flooring. Use vinegar and you immediately loose your floor’s elegance.
The floor of your house somehow reflects what’s inside it and the people living in it. As such, it is best to invest in a floor that suits your style and installing hardwood flooring could be your best choice. It is stylish, it is elegant!
Shopping for Hardwood Flooring
At the height of Internet technology, a customer looking for hardwood flooring or any other kind of products may probably have been checking the Internet and online stores over and over again. Internet provides a lot of information that could confuse a buyer. By typing hardwood flooring on a popular search engine like Google or Yahoo may turn thousands of results. To make the most out of this information, you should establish several criteria for what you are looking for.
In choosing the right hardwood flooring for you situation, you need to take into account the weather patterns and the climate in your area as this would have an important effect on the flooring that you will buy. In this regard, the kind of hardwood that might work best in Southern California might be different for that in Montana. If your location has special climate and weather patterns, you might have to look for a person within your locality who is knowledgeable with wood flooring.
It should be remembered though that wood flooring is usually unfinished when installed in your home. They are then sanded and finished after the installation. In order to create that metallic finish of the hardwood flooring, the suppliers use metal oxides, which the hardwood can handle.
Hardwood flooring offers several benefits to your home. It can help enhance the beauty and the warmth of your home. Also, it will also be easier for you to clean and care for the flooring. Your choice of flooring will also greatly enhance your sense of aesthetics and the overall mood that you want to create in your home. Not only that, hardwood flooring is natural and friendly to the environment.
You also need to select the species of trees that you will choose for your wood flooring. You may choose from Ash, Birch, Cherry, Exotic, Maple, Oak, Pecan, and Walnut. They come in different colors, depending on what you choose them to be. The colors may either be dark, medium, or light. The color you choose should coincide with the overall motif of your home. In addition, there are also several styles that you can choose from. You can actually choose your own patterns for your hardwood flooring. The broader categories of patterns are plank, strip, parquet, wide plank, and your own custom pattern.
When you have chosen the kind of hardwood for your flooring, it will contribute to the homey feeling to our house. In order to maintain that look, you should be able to care for your hardwood flooring by doing the following simple activities. You have to vacuum often and remove grit and abrasives that stick on the floor. Likewise, water and liquid spills should be dried off quickly to avoid water damage. You also need to purchase a spray solution for the hardwood floor. Wax, buff and polish should also be avoided as these could damage your floor. Every now and then, you have to rearrange your furniture and rugs so that the floor will age evenly. Shoes that can damage the floor should also be kept off the floor.
With proper choice and appropriate care, your hardwood flooring can last for a lifetime.
Benefits of Antique Flooring
Antique flooring can add a lot of warmth to the look of your home. But, what are the benefits of having antique hardwood flooring in your home? Antique flooring is awash with benefits. One of the most important benefits is that when you purchase reclaimed antique flooring, you are helping the environment, and are recycling an old wood that might have been thrown out. Antique flooring adds such a pleasant look and feel to your home, making it warm and inviting for your friends and family. It is durable and beautiful all at the same time, leaving you with something that you know you will always love. And not to mention you are saving a piece of history in your very own home for the world to see. Antique flooring always has a lot of character, and the history is clearly there.
More About Antique Woods
Antique wood is used for more than just flooring. If you are going for an antique theme in your home you might want to have some of these fine items made from the same wood as your antique flooring. There is a wide variety of different shapes and sizes, but one of the most popular is the antique wood lamp. the name speaks for its self, it is a lamp made of antique wood, and has a nice classic feel to it that adds a touch of class to your home. Not to mention that it goes perfect with antique flooring. But there are other items that are made from antique woods such as, tables, chairs, and other great pieces that are gaining popularity, because so many people enjoy the look of antique woods. That’s what makes antique floors so popular.
Antique woods can be found in many places and then recycled. Most are extracted from old buildings, and then used in your home. Some can even be hundreds of years old and have stood the test of time while still maintaining its signature classic beauty. Antique floors can be a good choice for your home, for they add charm and grace. It can be like walking on a masterpiece created by the time itself.
The Acclimation Process
This process is important in the installation of your antique floors. The acclimation process is designed to adjust the wood to its surroundings. This can prevent the wood from expanding or contracting too much after installation. This process allows the wood to adjust before it is installed, making the process much easier. During this process the wood is placed in a clean dry area, which should be stored at temperature of no higher then 75 degrees F. And no colder then 65 degrees F. Humidity causes the wood to expand or contract, which is why you must keep it dry. This can be a an important part, because you do not want your wood to expand once it has been installed. This can cause major problems.
Just be sure to follow all directions and if in any doubt about the acclimation process, contact your local craftsman or manufacturer for help on what to do in that situation. In most cases, it is a better idea to hire a contractor to do the installation for you. Just remember the facts and never hesitate to call someone or look online for help.
