Laminate Flooring VS Carpets

There is a range of ways to laminate your floor, and with prices ranging to suit most budgets it could be worthwhile considering the merits of laminate over more traditional carpets or other types of flooring.

Adding value?

One of the first questions to ask about laminate flooring is whether it will add value and convenience to your home. As a modern style and with lower maintenance levels than carpet, many householders find there is a distinct appeal with laminate floors. They look smart and functional, and there is an immediate choice if you miss the soft warm feel of carpet as rugs and mats work exceptionally well laid out over laminate floor.?

The downside is that it is not real wood. It's actually a photograph or image of wood glued to high-density backing board. Choose the wrong type of laminate flooring and you could find that it looks a bit 'tacky', almost as if you're trying to make something look like wood when it blatantly isn't. Vinyl floors with a 'wood effect' finish can also suffer from the same problem. Choosing cost over quality could be counter productive when you're trying to add value and appeal to your property, so always go for the best quality laminate or vinyl flooring you can afford.?

But if you're trying to add value and appeal to your home, laminate floors can be a more affordable home improvement than a real wood floor. Like vinyl, they are easy to maintain and relatively cheap to install. But if you've already got a quality carpet then it might be worth ditching the idea, as on balance a good quality carpet could have just as much appeal as a fake wood floor.?

What's under the carpet??

The whole point about improving your floor is adding style, functionality and visual appeal. An old scruffy carpet is going to look far worse than a brand new laminate floor, but try taking a look under the carpet. Before you spend money on a new vinyl or laminate floor it could be worth checking that you don't already have a great looking wood floor underneath your existing carpet. It might be in need of a bit of sanding and varnish, but you could already be standing on what would otherwise be a very expensive and valuable wooden floor.?

A mix of carpet and laminate or wood flooring can often be a good option, with wood or laminate flooring on the ground floor, and carpet in the bedrooms. This way, you can save money and put the wood or laminate flooring in the areas where they're most likely to be appreciated, and valued. Rugs can be laid over the wood flooring where necessary.?

Essentially, the choice between carpet and laminate is down to individual style. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but while a wood floor always looks better than laminate, it's a question over what is affordable and whether you're really going to get value for money.

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Real Wooden Flooring for Lasting Benefits

One cannot negate the fact that one of the most attractive flooring materials available today is real wooden flooring. The primary challenge with this is is placing it in a part of the house which has moderate to high levels of humidity and moisture because that will eventually make the wood crack, peel, or warp on the surface. Even so, it still adds a a certain kind of warmth, that, if complemented with the right design, would make the entire room a sight to behold.

What kind of material do you use for your floors? If you are looking for a floor tile that is durable and fashionable at the same time, then you should try using real wood for your home flooring needs. This material has a distinctive appearance that will make it very difficult to completely be copied. Some may resort to vinyl to have a semblance of wooden floors but the effect is really different and one will readily know with a quick glance and a quick feel of the feet that that is not real wood.

One crowning trait of real wood is that it is easily repairable. Depending on the degree of damage, a basic way to restore wood is by sanding and refinishing it. Yes, vinyl is a lot more cheaper but you can do nothing except to dispose it once it is damaged.

Another reason why this is one of the most popular floorings is that it adds monetary worth to your property, especially if they are maintained in a good condition for a long period of time. Some antique houses comprise of floorings as old as 100 years back, so the value of the overall property will be much higher.

On the other hand, if you are one of those people who are prone to allergic reactions, it may be favourable for you to know that wooden floors do not heap pollens, dusts, or pet hairs as what carpets may do. Cleaning is basically also just a sweep or mop away. Do for avid pet owners and allergic people, this floor covering is for you.

If you already have wooden floor tiles in your home, it may be a good idea to set up cheap blinds or temporary blinds instead of thick drapes and curtains, so that it would be more convenient for you every time you need to sand down your wooden floors.

One important thing that this material can offer is the environment it creates. Different floorings elicit different feels. Timber is a thick material and is also a good insulator than plain vinyl or ceramic tiles. That is why using this floor covering will definitely be a good investment over time.

It is also good to note that timber is a renewable resource. High quality timber is just around the corner and you do not have to go through lengths to find it. If you are an environmentally conscious individual, you can also ask timber companies if they are initiating tree planting activities every time they cut down trees, and stick with the companies that do that.

To get the best of your wooden flooring, try to regularly clean it and maintain it to last for a lifetime.

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Redecorate With Laminate Flooring

Thinking about redecorating, but?undecided with what to use for the flooring? Then think about cork tile flooring. Cork is being pushed more and more nowadays to be used as a floor option. It is a renewable source which can help leading us away?from using wood. There are many advantages to using cork from versatility, health, and durability reasons.

There are many different colors and patterns to choose from when using cork tiles. This is because that cork goes through a baking process that results in the many different looks and degrees of colors. The longer the process the darker the natural hue will be. With the many different colors that are available, many different patterns can be designed for the specific space, making cork very versatile.

Cork comes from the bark of a tree, which grows back making this a 100% renewable resource. Suberin, a natural substance found in cork, can reduce and be resistant to mold and mildew. It is also naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-fungal, insect resistant, and anti-microbial. These are many advantages to have cork tile flooring in your home, especially in the kitchen area.

As for durability, cork tile flooring naturally resilient. If an object falls onto cork it absorbs the fall and instead of breaking can return to its natural state. Suberin is also fire resistant to ensure that no toxic fumes are emitted in the case of an emergency. Most scratches develop from being un-swept with the buildup of dirt particles. Floating cork flooring is has the same benefits, giving the option to place cork directly above the old floor. Padding is recommended to place under any heavy objects or furniture that are sitting above the flooring to reduce any type of damage.

Cork tile flooring can be purchased either prefinished or unfinished. An unfinished tile is left in a natural state, has been painted or stained but has not been sealed. The seal is necessary because it makes it stronger and adds the advantage of moisture resistant. The prefinished tile is already sealed and will not need to be seal after it has been installed. Purchasing a prefinished tile creates less work for the installation.

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Overview on Laminate Flooring Underlayment

Why do you think laminated types of floors are so durable and can last longer than authentic wood? There is no magic here and it is actually what lays underneath that makes this possible. This is what you call the laminate flooring underlayment. This feature is readily available for certain brands, but for some, you have to buy it separately. You can also opt not to use this in installing the laminated flooring, but how would this affect the quality of the floor?

Without the use of the laminate underlayment, the floor is going to feel stiff and hard on your feet. This is due to the fact that such flooring is thin, so if you will only use the laminated type on its own, the floor is going to feel rigid and it will be noisy when you walk on it. What you place underneath provides the extra cushioning and also helps with regards to sound absorption. This extra feature serves numerous purposes. First off, this is able to give more thermal insulation to the floor. This is also able to bridge gap from the floors. There are also some types of this product that can help in blocking off moisture from penetrating the ground.

You can get the laminate flooring underlayment in rolls. The product is affordable and very easy to place on the ground. The usual measurement that you can avail of this kind of material is three feet wide, with the thickness of about six to eight millimeter and from 30 to 100 feet long. You have to measure the area or have someone do it for you before you buy anything to make sure that you will be able to cover the whole room or the space where you need such. If you already have availed of the laminated pieces for the floors surface, you must check out the specs if the feature is included. If it is, then you must no longer add anything underneath because doing so will only cause squishy feel to the final output. Best of luck in finding the right laminate flooring!

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Wooden Floors and Having Them Installed

For anyone who wishes to install a wooden floor themselves, it is important that they know how tough this kind of job is. On the other hand though, it will also be something that will be the source of a lot of pride if you get it right. Choosing wood as a floor covering means that not only are you choosing something which will look fantastic, you are also choosing a durable long lasting material. Although you could in theory have wooden floors all over your home, it is not really a good idea to put it in a bathroom or kitchen because these areas are prone to excessive water which could cause the floor to either lift or rot.

Tips For Installing Wooden Floors

When it comes to making it easier to install your wooden floors, the following information should help you out.

- When ordering wood it is a good idea to have about 15% more wood than you actually need. This is because it is very likely that you are going to make a few mistakes and when you have to cut some wood you are going to have pieces left that you can't use.

- Before you actually start work you should make sure that your wood has been left sitting in the room where it is to be laid for a few days. The purpose of this is for the wood to acclimatise to the humidity level in your home.

- Moving in a perpendicular direction to the joints in the floor is a wise move when putting down wooden flooring.

- Check the joints in the floor for any squeaks before you start laying the floor. If you do find areas where there are squeaks then you should use a long drywall screw to reinforce the area.

- Before you lay the wooden floor panels, you should add sheets of moisture protection as this is very important. If you want you could use vapor barrier paper.

- It is usual to begin at your longest wall and move out from there. Always make a point of nailing down the first two rows by hand. Drilling pilot holes for your finishing nails is something that you should take care of.

- It is important that the panel joints are not close to the panel joints in the next row - aim to leave a six inch gap.

- If you want to make sure that you are leaving the correct gap between the joints in each row, then the best thing to do is to lay out multiple panels at the same time.

- You can use a small piece of scrap wood for levelling out each row. You can use this piece of scrap wood to make sure that each piece of wood fits tighter against the other by placing the wood at the side of a wood panel and tapping gently with a hammer.

- The job will become much easier if you use a floor nailer and you can start using this once you have got going.

- The last row will probably require the use of a pry bar to ensure that you get a tighter fit.

Above are just a few tips for installing wooden floors; you will also need more in-depth instructions for completing the work.

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Shopping for Wholesale Laminate and Other Flooring

If you have been looking forward to a home make over then you should start with your floors.? Replacing old, worn floors can dramatically improve the overall look of your home.? There are many types of floors that you can choose from including carpet, tile, vinyl, hardwood and laminate.? When shopping for laminate and other types of flooring, it is best to look into wholesale products.? When you purchase wholesale laminate flooring you get the same floor that you would from a regular at a much lower price.? Some popular laminate brands include Shaw, Armstrong, Pergo and Mannington.? Most laminate flooring need a separate foam padding laid out prior to installing the floor, however, some will come with a pad already attached.

Even if you are not looking for wholesale laminate flooring, but instead maybe prefinished hardwood you can still get it at a great wholesale price.? Most people will shop for wholesale flooring online.? By shopping online you get to compare lots of prices in the comfort of your own home.? There are many different kinds of hardwood like bamboo.? You can choose from solid or engineered hardwoods.? A popular look right now in hardwood is a scraped or distressed look which compliments a country design very nicely.

Another choice over wholesale laminate flooring or hardwood flooring is cork flooring.? Cork is a natural product can come in a tile that is glued down or a floating click together square.? It comes in different looks and stains.? Cork is very quiet and warm and makes for a great floor.

No matter what type of floor you are looking for, shopping wholesale can help you save a lot of money.? You will want to pay close attention to shipping charges when comparing prices.? Also, look into local retailers as well.? Even though many don't advertise wholesale prices, if you are willing to install your own materials or have a large quantity?many stores will give you a huge discount and you will also save on shipping costs by buying local.? So whether you are interested in wholesale laminate flooring or any other type of flooring, be sure to shop around for your best deal.

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The Benefits of Using Brazilian Cherry Flooring

Brazilian cherry flooring, also known as Jatoba, is one of the more common exotic species available domestically. The tree for this flooring grows in South and Central America, but the tree itself does not produce cherries and is not related to the domestic cherry tree. While "Brazilian cherry" or "Jatoba" are used domestically to sell this flooring, other names, such as "Brazilian copal," "South American locust," and "stinking toe," are used. The latter of these three comes from the odor of the tree's pulp.

The durability and density are an advantage for this flooring. The wood has a rating of 2350lbf on the Janka scale - a number higher than that of all domestic species. The appearance of the wood, however, makes it one of the most distinct. Brazilian cherry has a tan-to-pink patina accented by darker red stripes. The wood is fine-grained and stain resistant and feels heavier than most.

Because of the density, Brazilian cherry flooring requires a different approach to installation. Bringing the wood inside before adding it is recommended, as the wood can adjust to the temperature of your home or building. Once you need to install it, all planks need to line up and must be installed perpendicular to all floor joints.

After the wood has been installed, Brazilian cherry flooring needs to be cleaned regularly. Sweeping and vacuuming any dirt and dust every day is recommended, while the surface should be cleaned once a week. The solution for cleaning should use as little moisture as possible, and the floor should air dry afterwards. The cleaning solution used, however, shouldn't contain wax, vinegar, or acid.

Because Brazilian cherry flooring is one of the more common exotic species sold by retailers, the wood is offered in unfinished, prefinished, and engineered options. Engineered hardwood, in general, lasts longer in homes with a radiating heat source. Prefinished and unfinished woods, on the other hand, vary with need. If an entire floor needs new Brazilian cherry flooring, prefinished will make installation go quicker. If you're trying to match new flooring to existing hardwood, unfinished is a better choice.

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