What You Should Opt For: Carpet Or Hardwood Flooring? Carpet and hardwood flooring are two of the most common selections. But which one is better? This question occurs again and again in many homeowners' minds. Well, choosing the right type of flooring is, indeed, a difficult process. You find yourself in the same sort of dilemma that you have to face when choosing the paint color for the exteriors and interiors of your home. How you decorate your home reflects on you and your family. In addition to style, there are other important factors to consider when selecting a type of flooring. Durability, room usage and feel are factors you should consider when selecting flooring for your home. Whether you choose hardwood or carpet, you should know what kind of durability and functionality you are expecting from the flooring. If you live in Monmouth County NJ or Freehold like I do, finding the best stuff for hardwood or carpet flooring is not too difficult. There are several flooring stores in Freehold and Monmouth County NJ that provide you with a wide array of carpet and hardwood flooring options. Multiple stores in the area offer a wide range of hardwood and carpeting options. It's always helpful being able to take a look at samples various stores have on-hand. When it comes to choosing between carpet flooring and hardwood flooring, durability is often a significant differentiators. Homeowners with children and pets need to be careful when choosing carpet as flooring option. Keep in mind that children can spill beverages and food on carpeting and similarly, pets can also spoil the beauty of new carpet. If areas are heavily trafficked, carpets require regular cleaning and if they become stained, they look horrible. In terms of hardwood flooring, it's quite durable and won't need to be replaced if it receives some spills. Stains can be easily removed from it and spills can be easily mopped up. So getting rid of stains on hardwood flooring is a lot easier than carpet flooring. If you get dents or scratches in your hardwood floor over time though, you can buff or sand it down. If you don't like the look or feel of hardwood floors though, carpet flooring could be a good alternative Carpet flooring comes in many different styles and colors so you can easily match it with the rest of your interior. In this way, carpet flooring provides you with more options for d�cor. Thus, both these flooring options have their own pros and cons to keep in mind when making your decision. Looking for information about carpet Freehold, hardwood flooring Freehold or carpet Monmouth County NJ? Check out these links. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_FitzGerald_Clarke/729776 10 Reasons to Use Tile Laminate Flooring Renovating on a budget? Use tile laminate flooring! Long the floor of choice for homeowners on a budget, this material lets you have beautiful floors minus the coronary-inducing price tag. If you have not discovered the charms of laminates yet, it's time you do. Drop by your nearest retailer and ask to see the patterns, colors, and textures that they have in stock. You will be surprised by how wide your options are. Here are the 10 major advantages of using tile laminate flooring. 1. It's low maintenance and easy to clean. 2. It's very durable. 3. Its stain-resistant. 4. It fades slower compared to other materials. 5. It can be installed over existing flooring. 6. It can be installed on flooring of all grade levels. 7. It offers excellent impact resistance. 8. It can be easily ripped off, which makes it perfect for homeowners who frequently change the look of their apartment. 9. It's easy to install. You can even do it yourself and save on installation costs. 10. It mimics the texture, warmth, and beauty of real hardwood. This gives you flooring that looks like wood but comes at a fraction of the cost. There are many more reasons you will come to love laminates. They are not just inexpensive, they are highly versatile, too. Do you want one that looks tile stone or ceramic? Just drop by any retailer and ask for samples; they will have those in abundance! Bottom line, if you want to give your floor a speedy face lift minus forking over wads of cash, use tile laminate flooring. Looking for tiles [http://tiles.gearexpectations.com/]? Check out this article on how to slash 80% OFF your discount tile flooring [http://tiles.gearexpectations.com/discount-tile-flooring-price-slash-80-price-tag/] price. Jean Wade is a veteran thrifter and a contributor of Tiles Central, where she writes about all things tiles and bargain-related. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jean_Harrelson_Wade/338472 Flooring Options: Engineered, Hardwood Floor, Ceramic Tiles, Laminate Flooring, Vinyl, and Carpet Here are a few features of each flooring type available on the market today: Engineered and natural hardwood floors - Natural hardwood flooring adds elegance and style to every home while increasing the property's value. Solid hardwood floors bring a special look and feel to a home like no other flooring surface. With brands like Kraus, Kahrs, Armstrong, Pergo and others we give you a floor that will look great and stand the test of time. The Natural hardwood floors create a warm, natural atmosphere. Never go out of fashion. They are more comfortable for legs and back than harder surfaces. They are durable if properly sealed. With oiled floors, a sanding and a coat of mineral oil will hide scratches. Look for longer boards to avoid a patchwork effect. The engineered wood does not expand or contract with temperature changes. Sold prefinished. Can be glued or clicked into place directly over concrete or an acoustic underlay. Vinyl flooring - It's no secrete that vinyl floors in Vancouver take a beating from kids, husbands and pets that track in dirt and mud come rain or sun. That's one of the great aspects of vinyl flooring, because its durability makes it perfect for high traffic zones like the kitchen, recreation room and the garage. But being resistant is just one part of the benefits. Ceramic floor tiles - have always been a favorite among home owners that desire style, a variety of colors and patterns along with a surface that is easy to maintain. Ever since the creation of fire, people have been glazing tiles to cover their floors to give even the most modest of homes a sense of fashion and grace few other floor surfaces can achieve. Ceramic tile bathroom floors have always been one of the top choices when it comes to modern home interior design concepts. Laminate flooring is a multi-layered synthetic type of floor product. The layers are fused together to create a strong bonded surface. The installation of laminate flooring in Vancouver, with its many different kinds of looks, from stone to natural wood, proves to be the best choice for both, office or home spaces, as it can set a tone of corporate professionalism or a warm homey environment. The choices are as varied as the tastes of our customers. Resists stains, scratches, dents, even cigarette burns. Relatively easy to DIY, often directly on top of existing floor. Commercial carpet- Every office can use something that will give it a fresh and inviting feeling the minute you step inside. Commercial carpet in Vancouver comes in a wide selection of styles, patterns and colors. We carry top quality brand names such as Mohawk, Kraus, Mannington and more, all carefully and professionally installed by our expert Vancouver carpet installers. Residential carpet flooring - can come in so many different styles, colors and patterns you might just pick a different one for each room so you'll never get bored. Whether you want it rolled out in one piece or laid out with carpet tiles, choosing carpet for the bedroom, den, family room, kitchen and even the garage has many advantages over ceramic tiles or wood floors. Engineered and natural hardwood floors in Vancouver Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Paul_Gales/809476 Laminate Flooring Installation - The Easy Way When you choose to replace your existing floor with laminate flooring, you will be able to enjoy the look of solid hardwood or ceramic tile without the expense and maintenance that these types of flooring require. It is just as easy to install laminate flooring as any other type. If you have decided on tile laminate flooring, installation can be easy if you are prepared. The best way to do that is to do some research and read all installation instructions that come with your product before you begin. The first thing you will have to do, is to decide the layout. The joints are equal in every direction so it is not necessary to adjust the tiles to the light coming in. You can install laminate tiles in a traditional tile pattern. This pattern brings all the four corners together to a single point. You will need to measure the width of the room and figure out the width of the last row of tiles. The last tile should be at least 2" wide. You will have a more attractive result if you saw the tiles for both the first and last rows. If you are working with a concrete floor, you will need to lay out the foam underlayer with a moisture barrier where the membrane flap extends out onto the sub floor. You should begin the installation with just one row of foam laid out. When you are ready to lay the next row of foam, you can lay it over the extended plastic membrane flap and then tape the foam sections together with duct tape to form a moisture barrier. If you have wood as your sub floor, you then lay out the foam and butt the edges together as needed. You should not overlap the edges. You can tape the foam together with duct tape as well. Be sure you look over all your materials before you install anything. You should never install any material that has been damaged or has any defects. If you do, you take the chance that the warranty on your purchase may not apply. For more information about Laminate Flooring Installation [http://www.aboutflooring.net/Laminate-Flooring.html]?, feel free to visit us at: [http://www.aboutflooring.net/Laminate-Flooring.html] Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Arturo_Ronzon/29274 10 Questions to Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Supplier 10 Questions to Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Supplier Before Purchasing 1. If there are any problems, who do I call? 2. How durable is the finish? 3. What is the structural and surface warranty? 4. What is the waste factor of the flooring? 5. What is the average length of the flooring boards? 6. What is the moisture content of the flooring? 7. What does the supplier recommend for acclimation? 8. What does the stain/finish look like? 9. Does the supplier warrant the work done by their installers? 10. What grade is the flooring? Greg Gaylord is experienced in the manufacturing, prefinishing, installation, and inspection of hardwood flooring. His company Gaylord Hardwood Flooring is a small Canadian hardwood flooring manufacturer producing only the highest quality hardwood flooring products including wide plank engineered flooring up to 10" wide, exotic hardwoods such as Jatoba and Ipe, as well as all domestic hardwood flooring products such as maple and hickory. For more information visit the Gaylord Hardwood Flooring website: http://www.gaylordhardwoodflooring.com. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Greg_Gaylord/773463 Engineered Hardwood Flooring - How to Select It For Your Needs Engineered Hardwood Flooring Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made of a core of hardwood, plywood, or high density fiber and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core. It is available in almost any hardwood species. The product has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer. The "engineered" product has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture or heat pose problems for hardwood floors. Wood floors come in two basic types: o Solid wood flooring Solid Wood Fl is fabricated from 3/4" thick solid wood and tongue and groove sides to join the boards. Some manufacturers make a thinner version that is 5/16" thick. The main advantage of solid wood flooring is its ability to be re-sanded and refinished over many years. It is not uncommon for solid wood floors to last 50 years or more. Solid wood floors come unfinished or prefinished in almost any wood species. The main issue to consider with solid wood floors is its susceptibility to expansion and contraction due to humidity changes in the home. To accommodate for movement, these floors are typically installed with a 5/8" to 3/4" gap around the perimeter of the floor along the wall. This gap is covered by shoe molding and baseboards. The 3/4" thick floors should not be installed in a below grade condition, such as a basement. However, the thinner 5/16" wood floors may be used in that application. When installing a solid wood floor over new or existing concrete, be sure the manufacturer's recommendations on limits of moisture in the concrete are followed. Solid wood flooring is available in three main types: o Strip flooring is denoted by the thickness and width of the wood planks. Strip flooring has a set width, but the thickness can vary. Strip flooring ranges in thickness from 5/16" to ¾" wide. It is available only in widths of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/4". o Plank flooring comes in two thicknesses, but unlike strip flooring, the widths can vary. It is available only in thicknesses of 1/2" or 3/4" and a range of widths from 3" to 8". o Parquet flooring has a very different look from typical hardwoods. They are made up of geometrical patterns composed of individual wood patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive. Laminate flooring is not real wood, at least not in the way that hardwood and engineered wood are. It is comprised of a thin top layer of resin-infused paper, all on top of a wood chip composite. Technically, it is wood. It is an amazing simulation of wood. The resin layer is essentially a photograph of wood. Laminate flooring is an alternative to wood flooring. It is scratch resistant and it works well in topically moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens, unlike hardwood flooring. Additionally, laminate flooring is very easy to install. Engineered wood flooring solves a lot of the problems hardwood and laminate flooring have: o Solid Hardwood does not tolerate moisture well. Basics of Engineered Wood Floors Engineered hardwood floors are constructed similar to that of basic plywood with the top surface being actual hardwood. Products come in two to ten ply construction depending on the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have increased the surface (also known as veneer or wear layer) layer that will result in some engineered floors lasting as long as the traditional ¾" solid flooring. One of the most important factors contributing to the longevity of any hardwood floor is the amount of refinishable material. Solid 3/4" hardwoods have approximately 1/4 of an inch above the tongue and groove construction. Once it is sanded to that level, nails or staples begin to appear and should be replaced. The better and thicker engineered hardwood floors have 1/8" to 3/16" above the tongue and groove. Since the veneer is real wood, it can be sanded up to two to three times. Engineered floors are the ideal solution for hardwood flooring on concrete. The dimensional stability of the way they are constructed. Each ply layer is pressure glued and set in the opposite direction. Engineered hardwood floors expand and contract with high humidity, as opposed to hardwood flooring. The more plies the greater stability. Installation of most engineered hardwood floors are done by the glue down or floating floor method. It is very important to note that not all engineered products have the same type of installation specifications. Some floors may be floating, glue direct, or staple only. Maunufacturers specifications should be followed explicitly. The majority of prefinished engineered hardwoods have limits on lengths at 42 to 48 inches, opposed to most solid hardwoods at 72 to 84 inches. Typically, lower end flooring will have shorter pieces. Typically, longer lengths are preferred as they offer a more appealing look on completion. What is a floating floor? It is a method of installing a floor rather than a specific type of flooring material. In this method, the individual planks or boards attach to each other - either by means of gluing or snapping together, but do not attach to the sub floor on which it is being installed. This is in contrast to a solid wood floor which requires nailing down to the sub floor. A jigsaw puzzle is one great comparison. With a jigsaw puzzle, pieces connect to each other, but not to the table. A floating floor is like a jigsaw puzzle. An advantage of the floating floor method of installation is it allows for the floor to move and expand in response to changes in the room's humidity. Wood Flooring Hardness Rating The hardness of wood flooring is measured by something called the Janka Test. A.444 inch steel ball is driven into the wood to half the ball's diameter. The test measures the force needed to embed a steel ballot half of its diameter in the piece of wood being tested, with rating measured in pounds of force per square inch. So with this rating, the higher the number the harder the wood. Wood hardness is important since one of the key considerations in selecting the species of wood floor, you should be aware how much resistance the wood has to scratches and indentations. For example, if you have a dog with long nails then scratching the floor is a consideration and you should select a species with a higher rating such as hickory, maple, oak, or ash. While it may seem logical to pick the hardest wood, certain factors should be considered: o Soft wood can be hardened to some degree by the application of polyurethane finishes o Hard wood is nearly always much more expensive than the softer and medium grade woods. o Hard wood is more difficult to saw, drill, and nail than other woods, requiring more time and labor, therefore more money. Hardwood Floor Appearances Can Differ Hardwood veneers have the same surface appearances as solid hardwood flooring because they are both natural hardwoods. Different appearances result from the different ways the hardwood is sawn. The different sawing methods are: o Flat Sawn (also referred to as plain sawn) - can be flat grain, which has a cathedral or gothic effect or vertical grain which has a radial or edge grain effect. o Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is peeled off the log using large wood lathes. This peeling method shows dramatic, wilder graining. o Off-Set Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood which gives a sliced appearance and grain pattern with the added cross grain stability of sliced, without the sliced cost. Hardwoods are more dimensionally stable across the grain, and off-set rotary cutting takes advantage of this property. The yield is lower than a regular rotary cut creating a slight price increase vs. standard rotary. o Sliced Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is sawn like regular lumber. This shows finer graining. Alan Trauger is a Building Consultant that performs property condition assessments for residential and commercial properties. An experienced and knowledgeable problem solver, understanding processes and issues related to building structures and their systems. An expert witness, trainer, and educator. To view past newsletters on construction and buildings - newsletters.alantrauger.com [http://newsletters.alantrauger.com/]. To review authors bio, qualifications, and interest in receiving future email newsletters alantrauger.com. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alan_Trauger/500597 Window Treatments Blinds - A Few Tips and Ideas About Window Coverings Today one of the most popular choices for window treatments blinds is the mini blind. It is the most widely used when horizontal is needed, the most readily available or the widest colors available. The minis are made from aluminum or vinyl and will usually have a finish that is somewhat of a dust inhibitor. Due to their design they will work in almost situations and fit in will any decor, come in many sizes such as the most popular one inch wide slats; 1/2", 1-3/8" and 2" are also available. The history on this type of blind will date way back to about the mid 1790 time frame and were initially just called venetian blinds. In the early days most all were made with wooden slats that were narrow and when adjusted would allow light to show through. Aluminum became the material of choice during the 2nd World War or 1940's time frame. The options have come a long way in recent years with aluminum and vinyl leading the way as the material of choice for their manufacture. Many new features have surfaced like total blackout, privacy or room darkening. In the manufacturing process a way was developed to eliminate the small route holes and this increased the privacy to a much higher level. Tapes of cloth have been added to some models for color or decorating contrast on new products. Another window treatments blinds feature is the ability for top down or bottom up. With advent of aluminum it became possible to make the widths from almost zero all the way up to 12 feet. Today you will be able to find any shape or size to help with your decorating, the versatility is unlimited. Most all of the window blinds manufactured today are very easily installed and are pretty well considered DIY (Do It Yourself) products. Most anyone with a few simple tools and the knowledge to use them can do a very fast installation job. All of the instructions will be packed with each shipment and will be easy to read and follow; your window treatments will be up in no time. Most of the time the preferred installation will be an inside mount job where the blind is inside the window opening. Occasionally the inside depth of the window opening may be too shallow, less than 1/2", so you will want to review the details of your product before making a final purchase. Window treatments blinds may also include shades or other materials that offer light and privacy. Do not be confused if you hear the term window dressings used occasionally. This usually refers to curtains, drapes and valances that can be used to decorate windows and may also be used with or instead of other products. You may also encounter the term shutters, both indoor and outdoor. The indoor shutters are known to provide both frill and function. Shutters can be used to block out sunlight or night lights and they are also good barriers as insulation against both heat and cold. Shutters are made from many different materials with wood and plastic (PVC) being the most readily available. Learn more by visiting Home Window Blinds [http://www.homewindowblinds.com/installing-window-blinds.html]. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Keggy_Ambrose/102221 Ideas For Window Treatments Designed To Fit Any Home If you are interested in new window treatments for your home, you have a variety of options to choose from. Whether you want to outfit your entire home with new curtains and blinds, or you just want to regulate the amount of sunlight being let into a single room, you have a number of different options at your finger tips. New curtains and drapes provide a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life and inject your own personalized sense of style into any room in your home. No matter what your ideas, taste preferences, budget, or functionality needs may be, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas for making your interior space look great with new window treatments. Striped Curtains If you want more of a sleek, modern look, clean striped curtains may be the best choice for you. Curtain panels are a simple and popular choice for any room. If you want to inject some color or a simple pattern in a room filled with solids, this may be the solution for you. Modern Blinds If you want a minimal look while enjoying complete functionality, simple blinds can go a long way. With blinds, you get the functionality of keeping out as much light as you want, all while keeping that modern style that you want. Traditional drapes and curtains can be a bit ornate for some people's tastes. Blinds offer a simple alternative for those who want to control their interior lighting situation while staying stylish. Bold Drapes One popular modern interior design idea today is to keep the base color of any room neutral while using bolder colors to accent the room. Whether its throw pillows, lighting, or drapes and curtains, colorful window treatments can add quite a bit of flair and style to an otherwise bland room. Wooden Blinds Wooden blinds offer another great way to make a bold statement in any room. These blinds come in a variety of shades and sizes. There are also faux wood finishes available that offer the same look at a more affordable price. When attempting to determine which window treatments would work best for your home, just consider what styles or patterns would work best with your current furniture and color. Also, you should determine the shape and size of your windows when choosing a suitable option. There is an array of options to choose from, so just consider which works best for your space. For window treatments, NJ homeowners can turn to Ziegler and Sons Window Treatment, Inc. Find out more about their services and offerings by visiting: http://www.zieglerandsons.com. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ace_Abbey/851844 Empire Today Stores Hardwood Floors installation service near me in Greenwich CT 06878 Longwood FL 32752 Bethesda MD 20894 Chicago, IL 60614 Chicago IL 60654 Chicago IL 60610 Chicago IL 60613 Rye NY 10580 New York City NYC New York NY 10028 New York NY 10007 Hunting Valley OH 44022 Beverly Hills CA 90210 Beverly Hills CA 90211 Beverly Hills CA 90210 Santa Monica Ca 90401 Jupiter Island FL 33455 Palm Beach FL 33480 Chevy Chase MD 20825 McLean VA 22109 Scarsdale NY 10583 Atlanta GA 30625 Santa Fe CA 92014 Saratoga CA 95071 Corona del Mar CA 92625 Hillsborough CA 94010 Ft Lauderdale FL 33339 Hidden Hills TX 78669 Los Angeles La Cañada Flintridge CA 91021 Beverly Hills Hidden Hills CA 91302 Calabasas CA 90290 Calabasas CA 91301 Calabasas CA 91302 Calabasas CA 91372 Encino CA 91316 Santa Monica Santa Monica Canyon Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275 River Hills WI 53217 Fox Pont WI 53217 Shorewood WI 53217 Whitefish Bay WI 53217 Glendale WI 53209 Mequon Wi 53092 Brookfield WI 53005 Oconomowoc WI 53066 Vestavia Hills AL 35223 Denali AK 99755 Tanque Verde AZ 85749 Paradise Valley AZ 85250 Prarie Grove AR 72753 Tiburon CA 94920 Sausalito CA Sausalito CA 94966 Indian Wells CA 92211 Palm Springs CA 92262 Irvine CA 92619 La Jolla CA 92037 Huntington Beach CA 92646 Marina del Rey CA 90295 Upper East Side Manhattan New York NY 10021 Mount Pleasant SC 29466 James Island SC 29412 Hilton Head SC 29926 Harrisburg SD 57032 Beresford SD 57004 Hartford SD 57033 Nolensville TN 37135 Arlington TX 76016 Germantown TN 38138 Terrell Hills TX 78209 Bellaire TX 77402 West University TX 77265 Southlake TX 76092 Fair Oaks Ranch TX 78015 South Jordan UT 84095 Hooper UT 84315 Farmington UT 84025 West Point UT 84015 Syracuse UT 84075 South Burlington VT 05403 Montpelier VT 05604 Swanton RI 05488 Vienna VA 22183 Falls Church VA 22043 Leesburg VA 20176 Fairfax VA 22034 Sammamish WA 98074 Snoqalmie WA 98065 Mercer Island WA 98040 Bainbridge Island WA 98110 Bridgeport WV 26330 Hurricane WV 25526 Dunbar WV 25064 Barnaby Woods Washington DC 20015 Au-Tenleytown Washington DC 20016 Georgetown Washington DC 20007 Elm Grove WI 53122 Kemmerer WY 83121 Jackson WY 83002 Lyman WY 82937 Cody WY 82414 Summerlin NV 89144 Las Vegas, NV 89128 Las Vegas, NV 89117 Las Vegas NV 89134 empiretoday |
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