Exclusive Flooring Technology – usbi2016

Deciding to add some durability and charm to hard-surface wood flooring may just be the right decision for your home. On the other hand, laminate flooring is essential to many homeowners, and for good reason. Selecting the right material for your home’s flooring is extremely important. The correct flooring could make the biggest difference to your home’s aesthetic appeal, comfortability, and even your property’s value.

Once you start browsing your options, however, you will come to realize it may not be easy to make a decision. One thing is apparent, though. The debate between wood or laminate hard-surface flooring continues.

Hard-Surfaced Flooring

Wood and laminate flooring are considered hard-surface floors, and they are known to give homes a makeover with an instantly updated look. While wood and laminate flooring are both fantastic options, each comes with its own pros and cons.

Here’s a quick guide to making your remodeling decision much easier.

WOOD FLOORING

There are 2 main types of wood flooring, namely solid and engineered hardwood flooring.

Solid wood flooring is commonly available in narrow strips, wide planks, and parquet squares, while engineered hardwood flooring is made up of several wood or plywood layers glued together.

Both are unique in beauty and character while offering homeowners a more authentic finish. If looked after properly, this product can last for many years, and it is a natural choice for many due to its environmental profile, durability, and restorability.

Wood flooring is recommended for those suffering from allergies. It tends to trap less pollen, dust, and animal hair, all of which are known triggers for an allergic reaction. This type of flooring can also be eco-friendly ( if you are using recycled materials ) and helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Real estate agents agree, homes with wooden flooring sell faster, and for higher prices than homes that do not display this very appealing look. It is timeless, bringing warmth and natural beauty to any room.

Wood Floor Installation

When it comes to wood flooring, there are three basic installation types:

• Planks
• Wood tile
• Strips

Straight-laid planks will cost you less to install compared to diagonal or more intricate installations. Price will also vary depending on the type of wood you prefer to use.

With a range of finishes and more than 50 species of domestic or imported woods, you really are spoilt for choice.

Pros:

• Great return on investment
• Spoilt for choice
•  Environmentally friendly
• Versatile
• Alleviates many allergic reactions
• Can be easily repaired
• Retains heat
• Long-lasting
• Easy maintenance

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Cold
• Tough to install
• Vulnerable to moisture
• Susceptible to rot
•  Not very pet-friendly
•  Needs occasional refinishing
•  Noisy

LAMINATE FLOORING

One of the reasons people don’t invest in laminate flooring is that it is not real. That said, it can look just as great as the real thing, and most people can’t even tell the difference!

Despite the critics, laminate flooring has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. Laminate flooring comes in an array of different colors and designs with the intention to match any style of a room. It is durable, easy to clean, and surprisingly easy to install – you could even do it yourself!

Laminate Floor Installation

This type of hard-surface flooring can be installed almost anywhere in your home, provided your subfloor is flat, clean, and dry. You can also install laminate over existing floors made of concrete, vinyl sheet, wood, ceramic tile, or even carpet.

There are 4 forms in which your laminate flooring will be installed:

• Glued laminate flooring
• Pre-glued laminate flooring
•  Glueless laminate flooring
•  Laminate flooring with attached underlay

The installation process is fast and simple, and you can choose from a variety of wood appearances including maple, oak, cherry, bamboo, mahogany, and many more.

Pros:

• Resistant to outdoor agents
• Low maintenance and easy to clean
• Stain resistant
• Easy to install
• Durable
• Copes well with moisture
• Resistant to the growth of bacteria
• No defects in the flooring pieces ( like imperfect engineered wood pieces )

Cons:

•  Joints wear over time
•  It can be poorly installed
•  Can have a “manufactured” look
•  Slippery
•  Has an unnatural feel
•  Not sandable or refinishable
•  Comes with a limited lifespan
•  Hard underfoot

Wood vs Laminate Flooring

Before you commit to wood or laminate, the jury was in to weigh up some important factors, and here are the verdicts.

1. What sort of look are you going for?

Hard-surface floors have a way of making just about any room look good. With their natural look, feel, and warm hues, hard-surface flooring brings new meaning to clean, simple and inviting.

Wood is luxurious, warm underfoot, and usually used in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. It comes in a variety of colors and widths and will add real value to your home.

Laminate flooring has become a popular alternative to real hardwood and vinyl floors. Unfortunately, they do not have a very natural feel. Laminate also has a reputation for looking cheap or fake in some instances.

Verdict: Wood

Reason: Wood is not just the real deal, it just looks and feels distinctly better.

2. How much sun exposure does the room get?

Beware the sun! The color of your hard-surface flooring can change if it is exposed to sunlight.

Wood flooring, when exposed to excessive sunlight, is known to get damaged pretty badly. The type of finish on the floor, as well as the species of wood chosen, play a vital role in how the wood will react.

Laminate flooring, while not completely sunproof, is highly resistant to the effects of sunlight.

Verdict: Laminate

Reason: Laminate flooring has UV protection, and that’s important in some scenarios.

3. Are there children or pets in the home?

Both kids and pets tend to be quite rough on hard-surface flooring, so it is important to choose a material that is durable and long-lasting. In this case, you may need to take extra care of your floors to make sure they are properly protected.

Wood flooring is easily scratched and marked by kids and pets. Scratches in the finish layer are, however, fairly easy to repair.

Laminate floors can be fairly noisy when walked on, but they are also almost completely impact scratch, and stain resistant. While laminate is not easily repairable, it is extremely durable.

Verdict: Laminate

Reason: Laminate flooring is more cost-effective than wood, and when it comes to child/pet-friendly flooring, laminate comes up tops. It is easily cleaned, durable, and resists scratches better than wood does.

4. Which lasts longer?

When properly cared for, hard-surface flooring can last ages. Maintenance is extremely important, and therefore the lifespan of your flooring will ultimately depend on you.

Wood floors have an average life expectancy of about 25 – 70 years, and last a lifetime if properly cared for.

Laminate flooring is low maintenance, durable, and easy to clean. It only has a life expectancy of 15 – 30 years.

Verdict: Wood

Reason: Wood is easily repaired, and in most cases outlasts laminate flooring. Keep in mind that quality materials and proper installation also contribute to the lifespan of your hard-surface flooring.

5. What will the traffic be like in the room?

If the room you are re-flooring is one which receives high traffic volume, the flooring will more than likely need to be of a harder material. Harder-surface flooring which is subjected to high traffic is less likely to show wear and tear in the long run.

Wood looks good and feels even better. While wood flooring is easily damaged, it is also easily sanded and refinished.

Laminate flooring can sound hollow when you walk on it, but there are special underlayment paddings you can try to help reduce the noise level. In high-traffic areas laminate is tough and reliable.

Verdict: Laminate

Laminate flooring is more durable, while wood is susceptible to damage in heavy traffic areas.

Ultimately Your Choice

So there you have it. Now that you know more about wood and laminate flooring, you are more than able to make a well-informed decision to suit your home’s needs.

Remember to be realistic.

While there is no doubt your home or apartment will benefit from hard-surface flooring, the final decision on either wood or laminate is, of course, up to you.…

Wood floor refinishing brings new life to your wood floor. Wood floors are beautiful if they are maintained, but even with regular maintenance, over time, they can start to show some wear. By refinishing wood floors, you can bring elegance to any room. The process leaves the floors both sparkling and shiny. A wooden floor can show wear and tear for many reasons. Common ones include:

• moving furniture
• foot traffic
• pets
• dirt that is brought in

What Does It Cost To Refinish a Wood Floor?

The cost can vary depending on several factors. Typically, the more the wood is damaged, the more it will cost to refinish it. The cost can also depend on the square footage and whether you need additional services to refinish it. You can expect to pay a minimum of $200 to have your wood floor refinishing done. On average, homeowners spend about $1400 for this service. However, on the high end of the cost curve, some pay as much as $3000. These costs take into account many different factors, including:

• size of the area (sq ft)
• the current condition of the floor
• floor color
• materials required
• stairs
• additional services

Experience definitely counts when it comes to a good floor refinishing job. Mistakes show up big time on wood flooring, and you may end up devaluing your property. To get the wooden floors back to their naturally beautiful state, you may require a professional wood floor refinishing service. Doing this for your floors not only results in a beautiful finish but can also increase the value of your home.

Square Footage

Many of the companies you will find charge per square foot to be refinished. However, there is a minimum charge, so if you choose to do a small area, your cost could be higher per square foot. The more space you refinish, the lower the cost will be per square foot.

Floor Condition

If there’s a lot of damage, it will take longer to and cost you more than it would refinish a wood floor with little damage. If you had carpet on the wood before, it can be labor-intensive and expensive to get all of the debris off, which will naturally increase the price.

Floor Color

For people who have light floors and want a dark finish, this will not increase the cost. However, if you want to go the other way with it, lighting the floors is a much longer process. It will not only take longer but will cost more through labor and materials.

Materials Needed

The price can increase drastically by choosing high-end materials. However, this usually results in a better quality finish as well as a longer-lasting result. Some of the materials that have options for both the low and mid-range of the price spectrum include waxes, sealants, and more. For special projects that require more work, a professional contractor team may have to use special machines or more labor, which increases the price overall.

Do You Have Stairs?

If you happen to have a flat surface and no stairs, the job will be easier to complete. When you add wooden stairs, the labor becomes much more intensive and expensive. The machines that many professional companies use are not made to be used on stairs. Because of this, the work will need to be done by hand, which can greatly increase the cost. Additionally, stairs typically have a lot of foot traffic, which means they are generally more worn than in other areas. If you do have stairs, be prepared for the company to charge you per step in addition to the other costs already outlined.

Additional Factors and Services You Should Consider

Apart from wood floor refinishing, you should consider other renovations that will often be companies offering additional services for their customers. To get your refinished floors looking great, you have to do more than just the floors. Some common additions include:

• refinishing the wood baseboards adjacent to the floors
• banisters if you have stairs
• rails
• door frames

If you have other wood components in your home, you may want to consider those as well. Doing all of this at the same time will not only add to the beauty of the finished product, but also to the cost thereof. You will want to consider all aspects during your price quote so you do not have unexpected surprises.

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A lot of time is spent in the kitchen cooking, enjoying family and friends, and having dinner with loved ones. You want a kitchen floor that will last and withstand all the things that can occur in this area of the home such as spills and messes as well as items that might break on the floor causing possible damage we don’t want. Not to mention it needs to be able to endure all the high traffic of children, family, friends, and pets. So, let’s discuss the best possible flooring options for your kitchen needs.

 Hardwood Floors

Hardwood is wood such as oak, teak, and mahogany, which is very strong and much sought after for its timeless beauty.

• Easy to clean up by sweeping, mopping,  and vacuuming
• Easier and warmer on your feet than most other floors
• Offers warmth and elegance to the house, which will never go out of style
• Can provide a sense of spaciousness
• Very durable and tough if you choose a good quality hardwood
• Can last many lifetimes as it can withstand heavy foot traffic
• Hardwood flooring is great if you have an open concept in your home it brings everything together nicely.
• Believe it or not, it adds value to your property, and as time goes on your floors become more valuable.
• Unlike many floors that might need replacing in the future, hardwood flooring won’t. If it’s looking tired or worn out all you have to do is get it refinished and it’s back to new.

 Laminate Floors

Laminate is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. This is a composite flooring material that has remained popular for many years.

• This flooring is great because unlike hardwood it can withstand sun exposure and will not fade.
• It is durable and can handle impacts and scratches, and will not stain as it is easy to maintain with sweeping and light mopping daily.
• Laminate is a breeze to install you don’t have to worry about nails, staples, or glue. This floor pretty much just snaps together.

Tile Floors

• With tile flooring, you will absolutely not have to worry about spills because tile is waterproof, durable, and easy to wipe up and clean.
• The tile is scratch resistant so you won’t have to worry about something sliding across the floor scratching it all up or heavy foot traffic damage from animals and shoes.

 Vinyl Floor

• Vinyl flooring is easy maintenance just make sure to sweep up dirt and use the mop daily to keep it looking clean and new.
• As long as it’s installed properly this floor is water-resistant which is great for the kitchen.
• It will be warmer and softer on your feet than tile and hardwood.
• Vinyl is more affordable compared to other floorings on the market. This can be great if you are on a strict budget but still want great flooring.
• Vinyl provides durability that can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
• The flooring is easy to install into a kitchen on your own.

 Linoleum 

• Linoleum is durable and can last up to 25 to 40 years.
• This flooring is eco-friendly because it is made from renewable materials that are also biodegradable.
• It is easy to maintain with sweeping and mopping.
• Vinyl flooring can reduce noise which is a great quality when you have pets or children.
• It is also one of the least expensive floorings you can choose from which is nice for families on a budget.
• Like vinyl, this floor is pretty easy to install as well.

The Bottom Line

As you can see each flooring has qualities that can suit any family and their particular needs. You just have to decide which one is the best. This is not an easy decision to make, but hopefully, this information can help you decide which type is right for your home and kitchen.

 

 …

Stone floors are a popular, elegant, and timeless choice for home flooring. It’s durable, attractive, and available in a variety of unique styles to match any interior design theme.

The first question you might have as somebody considering a new floor material is whether a stone floor installation can actually be affordable.

Fortunately, there are a variety of natural stone materials available and in most cases, they tend to hold up very well over time.

Once you get a stone floor installation specialist to visit your home and provide you with a detailed estimate, you’ll be able to make a final selection that fits your home decor and budget.

How Much Will It Cost To Install Stone Floor?

The cost to install the stone floors in your home can range quite a bit depending on the area you’re looking to cover, the material you select, and where you live. In a best-case scenario, you’ll only pay $500 to get the work done, but it could range all the way up to $5000 for the entire job.

Most stone floor installation jobs cost homeowners $1800. The final price you can expect to pay depends on a number of factors, but you should make an effort to have a one-on-one consultation with some local stone floor installation professionals who can sort out your options and the related costs.

Stone types and their advantages and disadvantages:

• Granite: One of the most popular stone choices, it’s resistant to stain but is somewhat less ornate than some other stone flooring options.
• Slate: A less-common, yet attractive stone choice, slate stone floor installation does require incredible care to prevent chipping and damage to the stone.
  Marble: A high-end stone floor choice, it looks very special but is also somewhat fragile and can be prone to staining.
• Quartz: More affordable than other (stone floor installation options, quartz is rather resistant to staining but lacks the intricate appearance of marble.
• Travertine: A great material for bathrooms and shower floors, this material is not slippery when wet. Also even with its attractive and distinctive appearance, it is usually more affordable than marble.

As you can tell, there are many distinct stone material choices and some of them require very special care during installation. You definitely don’t want to try and install stone flooring on your own unless you have a background in doing so and have the proper tools for the job. Many of these stone types such as marble and slate will definitely chip, shatter or crack if dropped or bent with even a minor amount of force.

Always Compare Quotes From Local Professionals

To get a precise estimate for stone floor installation in your home, you’ll want to get a few local professionals to visit your home and give you a written estimate.

Once you have cost estimates in hand, you’ll be equipped to make the best decision for your home’s look and your own personal financial situation.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to stone floor installation – from the type of stone you choose to the size and shape of your space. But with a little research and planning, you can find the perfect solution for your home or business. And, with our quick guide to installation costs, you can be sure you’re getting the best value for your money. So why wait? Get started on your stone flooring project today!…