Laminate Floor Installation on Stair

Laminated floor has typically four layers on it. The top is the layer of the transparent one; then right after it there is image layer; right underneath it there is layer of a core layer; then at the bottom there is layer of moisture-resistant. Since laminate floor has many layers, the installation is not easy. On the flat, ordinary room, it needs right calculation to make laminate floor installation precise and quick. What happens if you want to install it on your stair? Well, stair is the hardest part in your house if you want to use laminate floor. The space is narrow and it has so many stages. If you do not put an accurate calculation and right execution, the appearance of your stair will be awful. Instead of getting a fancy look, you will get disastrous look.

Making the accurate stairs measurement

The decoration experts say stairs measurement is the basic thing you need to do if you want to do laminate floor installation. it is quite easy and simple. Stairs threads usually have width of 36 inches with depth about 10 up to 12 inches. The threads will be 3 square ft. Measure the riser with the same length of the threads. So let say, for the riser, it takes 3 sq/ft, too. Then it will take 6 sq/ft lengths for each stair. If you have 15 stairs, then you need to multiple them with the lengths of each stair. 15 x 6 = 90 sq/ft. Make extra length around 10% up to 15% just in case you do miscalculation.

Can you do that on your own?

Yes you can! If you are willing to install laminate floor on your own, there are some steps you need to do. Do not ever skip if you want to make a perfect laminate floor in your house.

• The very first thing action you need to do is removing all the carpet out of the stairs. The carpet will make the stair wavy. Also make sure that the stair is completely flat. Get rid of the creek of the stair before you do laminate floor installation.
• Get rid of the overhang of the stairs
• Cut the threads of laminate stairs. It will take time, but it worth to do
• Cut the risers so they will fit the edges of the stairs
• Cut the mold part of the stair nose into the right size
• Install the nose of the stairs

How to Pick the Best Laminate Floor Cleaner

How to Pick the Best Laminate Floor Cleaner - Sometimes you will be confused to clean up your laminated. Laminated floor has usually four layers on it. The top layer is transparent one; then underneath it there is image layer; right after it there is core layer; then the bottom layer is moisture-resistant layer. Because it has some layers, the treatment of laminated floor must be done carefully. Or else, the layer will be scratched and the water and the dirt will go into it. Sweeping your laminated floor frequently is a must if you want to keep your floor shiny and dirt free. Or, vacuuming your floor can be an option. But do not forget to use hard-floor attachment.

The best laminate floor cleaner

Since laminated floor needs a special treatment, there is some equipment you need to clean the floor. And here they are:

• Clean, soft broom. Sweep it gently with an indoor broom
• Vacuum cleaner to clean the floor that is out of broom’s reach
• Damp mop. Moping laminated floor can only be done using flat mop with has a thickness of an inch. It will make the mop damp instead of being wet soaked. Clean warm water is recommended if you want to keep the floor durable. Also use a special cleaner that is only used for laminated floor as your laminate floor cleaner.
• You can sometimes use polish or wax
• Use abrasive cleanser sometimes
• Apply a cleaner with soap-based material

 

Don’t do this to your floor!

A lot of people use a mix of vinegar and water (and maybe a little bit soap) to clean the laminated floor. But it is not a smart way to clean it up. The soap will leave the residue while vinegar can make your laminated floor dull. If your floor is less shiny, it will give a dirty impression though it is actually clean. Through a study that is conducted by some researchers in Canada, vinegar is not suitable used as laminate floor cleaner. The low pH will erase the natural glow of the floor because does not lift up the dirt. It will only scratch the layers of the floor. There are also other things that you have to avoid like :

• Using oil soaps. Such laminate floor cleaner will leave residue and thicken the laminated floor layers
• Using tile floor or vinyl cleaner products. Acrylic substance on the product may make the floor slippery and it sure is dangerous
• Cleaner with ammonia on it. It will make your floor dull
• Using high pH balance cleaners like harsher soaps, alkaline. It will also dull the appearance of your floor

A Cork Flooring Review to Make Your Floor Classy

A Cork Flooring Review to Make Your Floor Classy - Cork flooring is a new material used to beautify your house and to make your house looks different. Since it is new, people always search for cork flooring reviews to get more information. Cork flooring is a flooring material from the cork of oak tree. It is known as a eco-friendly material, for it takes nine to ten years to take the cork from the tree. It will not make the tree damaged, too. Cork flooring is sold in planks and tiles. It also is available in glue-less or glue installation. To know more about this kind of flooring, this article will give you a cork flooring reviews.

Things you need to know about cork flooring

• It is built from a bark that harvested from a Cork Tree. Cork tree has ability to regenerate itself after being harvested. The harvest is done once every nine to ten years. As the tree can regenerate itself, the harvest will do no harm to it. Cork trees live in Mediterranean forest like the forest in Portugal and Spain
• It is long lasted. Cork flooring will not rot. It will not mildew, too since in its natural habitat, it used to deal with liquids and gases and can resist it. Cork is also resistant to fire because it makes no toxic gasses.

•  Cork is insulator.  Not like any other flooring material, it can live in extreme temperatures. It will give you the same temperature no matter the season is. Try it by walking with barefoot in the summer and winter. It gives no difference.

• Based on the research by the scientists in Spain, Cork is amazingly light. So it is good to install it for the hotel floor or other high buildings.
• Cork is flexible and healthy. It is good for people who have sickness on their knees, back, and joints because it will rebound your body mass whenever you move.
• It is healthy.  It is dust proof and also anti-microbial. That is why, it is considered as hypoallergenic.

Can you install it by yourself?

Of course you do. The benefits of the cork explained in the cork flooring reviews above will give you reasons why it is possible for you to install it by yourself. It is light and is available on glue-less or glue product, so it is quite simple just to install it by yourself. Just don’t forget to clean the floor before you apply it. The clean floor makes it easier for cork to stick to the ground.

Pros and Cons Installing the Two Hardwood Flooring Types

Hardwood flooring types will make your home classy. It gives a fancy, natural impression since it comes with a real appearance of the wood. There are two hardwood flooring types. There are solid wood flooring and engineered wood floors. Solid wood floor is a whole solid wood, while engineered wood floors has three layers of different wood on it. Though both of them are made of wood, those two types have advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of installing hardwood flooring types

• Easy to maintenance. Since it is made of wood, no matter what hardwood flooring types you have, it is considered to be durable and is proven as a material that will last in decades. A house that uses this kind of floor will be last longer a hundred year compared to a house that installs any other material. It can only occur when the hardwood floor is given a good treatment and is cared properly.
• More valuable. If you expect to make your house as an investment, then installing a hardwood floor can be used as a trick to make it fancier. The buyers then will pay more since it has a touch of classy house. A house with hardwood floor is usually faster to sell than those who has ordinary floor. The good-looking floor will also cut the cost of the house decorating, since it needs not a carpet to cover the floor.
• Allow you to be creative. Hardwood flooring types suit with any possible style you might have. It can work with classic or modern decoration. It also fits with minimalist style. It just depends on the furniture you put in the house. Besides, the hardwood floor can be stained to make it fits with your taste.

The disadvantages

Besides having the pros of installing hardwood floor in your house, it also has cons. And here are the lists of the cons:

• High cost. Hardwood floor is an expensive material. For oak wood, it will cost you $3 for a square. The price will increase up to $12 for a square foot if you expect to put on exotic wood. To install this floor, you cannot do it by yourself. The floor must be installed by the professional, so it will cost you more.
• The sound of it. Hardwood floor can be sometimes noisy. It will give you weird sound of a creaky old floor whenever you walk across it. It will be annoying for your neighbor or any other people live in the same roof with you. To reduce the creak, you can put a rug or carpet on it. And again, putting a carpet or a rug will cost you more.

Installing and Maintaining Large Carpet Squares

Large Carpet Squares - There is one thing you can do when you install large carpet in your house. It can be re-arranged whenever you want a new look by applying different installation technique. It will help you to get a different atmosphere in your house. The process of re-arranging your carpet flooring can also be a fun thing you can do with your kids, since the material is quite safe and the process is easy.

Installing Large Carpet Square

You can decorate your own room with large carpet square by following these easy techniques:

• Put on a releasable adhesive on the floor. Put it on the four spots of the corner of the floor. It will help the carpet stay and hold it so it won’t slip. This kind of glue will not be sticky forever. Whenever you want to pull it off, it will never give you a difficulty. Though it is easily released, it does not mean that the adhesive is lame. A survey has been done in Arizona and 89% of the customers say it is a strong product.
• Use a double tape around the carpet flooring. It has the same function with releasable adhesive, but it will make you work harder when you put the carpet off. Double tape will leave some materials that will stick to your floor so you have to clean it up after you pull the carpet off.
• Draw a chalk line. Cross the centre of the room with this chalk line. Of course you do not want to put large carpet square in sloping direction. So, to make the installation easier and nicer, a chalk line will help you a lot. It will give a huge impact when you want to put large carpet that does not cover the whole floor.

How to maintain carpet tile?

Carpet tile of course make your room more warm and comfortable. But it sometimes give you trouble just to clean it. These steps are recommended if you want to keep your large carpet squares clean.

• Daily treatment. If your food (like chips or chocolate) falls into the carpet. Don’t worry. Just remove it carefully. Do not rub it with a broom. You can only pick it with your hands and let the vacuum cleaner clean the tiny food left.
• Spot cleaning and vacuuming. It is good to vacuum the carpet once a day at night. It seems useless to vacuum the carpet at day because the traffic is still busy. Everyone will step on the carpet so it makes the dirt comes back again.

Picking the Right Large Area Rugs Cheap and Stylish

Picking the Right Large Area Rugs Cheap and Stylish - Since summer is only a few weeks away, there is perhaps an urgent priority to prepare for a short weekend getaway or a couple of weeks trips out of town, across the states or even paying a visit to some venues overseas. Yet, do not sacrifice this above interior makeover that you want to do! Finding large area rugs cheap and stylish is not impossible to do!

Contemporary Large Area Rugs Cheap and Chic

Indeed, when it comes to choose proper rugs, your priority is to find the store which is able to provide affordable and many choices of rugs. But, do you think affordable rugs will be good in its quality? One thing needs to be kept in your mind: not all of large area rugs cheap and poor in quality or design. If you know well types and patterns of rugs, matching these variations with an interior concept in your imagination will be simple to do. The key here is actually placing a modern and contemporary rug with elegant or chic design.

Although the design may not be one of the latest in collection, people won’t notice since its concept, modernity and style cover this weakness well. Contemporary rugs usually offer clean design with simplicity and elegance without too much of unnecessary detailed like you can see on traditional, classy designs. This characteristic is very suitable to highlight formal living room, family room and study.

Various Materials

Before actually making a purchase, other than looking at the design of large area rugs cheap and stylish collections, consider of finding out a bit about variations of materials used. Each basic material has a specific characteristic that you need to know in order to be able to maintain it well. Durability of synthetic based compared to natural based materials is different. For ecological reasons, it is encouraged to give a chance for grass-based and wool-based rugs. The texture of these rugs is perfect for indoor use, especially to cover the flooring of private areas like bedroom and study. Synthetic rugs are a lot more tough and resistant to spills and dirt. Hence, it is great for halls and common areas.

DIY Design and Customized Order

Without any doubt, the easiest thing to find great rugs is to get the assistance from proper store which provides customized orders by involving customers to sort of design their own rugs. Thus, the satisfaction can be guaranteed. In addition to that, efficient pricing is the best deal to seek from the store too. Then, make sure that you have carefully measured the room, and searched for matched color and patterns. For elegant look, plain rugs with soft and fluffy texture –wool based- is highly recommended. Go for neutral colors like beige, crème or other soft tones. But if you wish to be a bit funkier and splash some energy in the room, go for patterned rugs. Good luck!

Various Types of Hardwood Flooring Installation for Office and Home

Hardwood Flooring Installation - Are you figuring out some practical ways to improve the look and comfort of your home or office, or both? More and more companies or agencies are currently using more humane approach in building healthier relations with clients and partners. An inviting office will energize everyone in the room and bring positive impacts on pretty much everything. The same thing can be created at home. Whether you want it to be cozy, casual, inspiring, cool, or natural, anything is possible and feasible.

Hardwood Flooring Installation Variants

Several aspects that you should calculate are the characteristics of the room (including size and shapes), its functions and interior (colors of wall paints, type of flooring and furniture). These are inseparable aspects in creating a sharp and stunning room. A meeting room can look less intimidating in lighter colors and natural hardwood flooring installation.

Kitchen will be easily kept clean using hardwood flooring, too. The benefits of this flooring are including easy maintenance, durability and variations of wood species options. Solid wood can be refinished several times and installed either above or on grade. Engineered wood flooring type is also great. It is designed in a way that climate or weather change won’t ruin the installation. Engineered flooring contracts and expands less compared to solid wood.

 

Office Installation

If your search is for office use, hardwood flooring installation that suits the degree of formality and professionalism should go for engineered flooring. Besides it can combine two species of woods, the maintenance is also relatively simpler. The installation is durable and also more stable. Perhaps you wonder is there are differences in quality grades of various available species. Well, basically, all grades are durable and strong.

The first grade has more uniformity in patterns and marks, whereas the second grade has more variations. What you will get is differences in patterns. Don’t worry about the budget ‘cause there is always something available to suit office’ financial range. If you wish to maintain formality but more in a natural way, go for clear wood. It does have minimum marks and make the floor look all the same in tone.

Home Use

Exploring hardwood flooring installation options for home use is a lot more fun. It gives a wide range of effects. Figure what you want. Is it an exotic bedroom? Or perhaps you want to have an artistic living room? All are possible to create as long as you are well informed of wood species, its natural colors and marks as well as its regular service or maintenance. Cutting is also a crucial aspect you should know well. Mostly, wood flooring is cut in Plain Shawn method.  Quarter Shawn cutting method is pricey but it is better resistant, less risk of twisted, firm and more stable. You can always use different species for different rooms and feel its natural energy!