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We all know than in any space, flooring is essential. Indoors or outdoors flooring pulls together the look of any room. Installing different flooring materials will have different impact and effects on the rooms or surfaces where they are installed.

In today’s decorating small interiors series, we’ll look at the different flooring choices available to small homes and spaces.

There are certain elements to consider when choosing flooring for small spaces. The most common of these is color. For small interiors, it is generally recommended that the color of the flooring is light. However, that’s no longer the norm. Light or dark will both work, depending on your preference. Light colors give that open and airy feeling while dark colored ones gives the space more definition.

The different light colors in this small kitchen may have highlighted the small space but it did make it appear light and easy. The color of the kitchen cabinets doors and drawers also helped, there is an illusion of openness and continuity.

Another neat trick is to choose your flooring pattern well. Like what this diamond wood parquet did to the narrow entryway.

If you want to define open space, simply use area rugs to set the mark.

In our previous post, we gave you popular flooring and the pros and cons of each. Today we continue with the list together with their respective advantages and disadvantages:

4. Carpets and Area Rugs

Carpets – whether in form of wall-to-wall carpeting or carpet tiles, carpet runners and area rugs has always been the top choice in terms of comfort. Carpets and area rugs tend to rank on the higher side of the scale and in general can be a bit expensive but there are also those that range from $2-3 per square foot and you can even get a fair deal with installation for $50.

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Most people favor carpets be it wall-to-wall, area rugs or carpet tiles mostly because of the warmth, softness and comfort that it brings. They are good for minimizing sounds and also looks amazing even with uneven subfloors. The number of materials have also grown from the traditional wool to involve more variety of fibers including some recycled materials. There has also been significant growth in variations of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes which sustain the appeal of carpets and area rugs for both residential and commercial users.

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Technological advances have made carpets and area rugs more resistant to its constant enemy – stains. It does was however unable to make them stain-proof. So there is always that risk of having your beautiful flooring ruined by some stubborn stain. Next to stains, the second greatest disadvantage of having carpets and area rugs covering your floors is that no matter how much you sweep and vacuum, dirt tends to cling to the fabrics and pile up underneath. This dirt and dust is often a major cause of allergies among kids as well as adults. This means that aside from frequent cleaning, carpets and area rugs should be regularly steam-cleaned to ensure that it is safe and fresh.

5. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is probably the most popular and the most common choice when it comes to home improvement for flooring. It comes in many different varieties and adds value to the home. It may cost a little more expensive than expected especially those exotic hardwood varieties but in the long run, hardwood flooring is a worthwhile investment.

Aside from the warmth and sturdiness of hardwood flooring, it’s greatest strength as a material of choice for homeowners, designers and builders lies in the fact that it increases the resale value of the property. Once installed, hardwood flooring is very easy to clean and maintain.

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Solid hardwood flooring is prone to expanding and contracting because of changes in the weather so it doesn’t work okay with moist or is appropriate for places that normally gets wet. Since it costs more that laminate flooring, installation is almost often done by a professional. Finally, at least once a year, this type of flooring requires staining and refinishing, especially those who are in high traffic areas.

6. Natural Stone and Ceramic Tiles

Natural stone and ceramic tiles are sturdy and adds that touch of elegance to any room they are installed in. Natural stone like marble, slate and granite come in distinctive colors while ceramic tiles are available in an ever wider color palette.

Aside from the quiet elegance people pick stone tiles over natural wood or carpet because it’s durable and is easier to maintain. It is suitable for places that normally gets wet or is in general, exposed to moisture.

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The major disadvantage with both kinds of flooring is the cost – especially for natural stone flooring like granite and marble and in general, the cold hard surfaces of both, including the ceramic and porcelain tiles. Next is installation and repair since this will definitely require the experience and tools to be able to pull it off DIY.

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In the end, there really is no single best flooring solution that will work for the rest of your property, no single piece of tile or plank of wood can single-handedly give you everything you need in a house. Based on some category, one will always be better than the other, we just have to know which so we can use it correctly and to our advantage.

Earlier, we gave you the best flooring choices for each room in your house. Today, we’d like to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each flooring solution so you can better understand how each can help you identify which ones will best meet your needs.

1. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a popular choice among DIYers and other home improvement enthusiast. There are a number of reasons why designers, decorators and home improvement have this on the top list of their favorite flooring choices: cost, design and durability are just some of a few.

Now, don’t be fooled. In terms of course, yes, laminate flooring can come in really cheap but this does not mean that it is indeed cheap. The price range for this type of flooring can go from 50 cents to $3 per square meter. In some cases, the best kinds of laminate flooring can even cost more than real hardwoods. Whether or not you are decided that this is indeed the best flooring that suits your needs, be sure to consider installation costs.

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Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of shades and textures, some mimicking the actual feel and appearance of real hardwood or natural stone tile flooring without the common sensitivities of hardwood – like expanding and contracting when climate changes, being prone to scratch and low tolerance of water and moisture. It’s also not as cold and slippery as stone and tile flooring. Another advantage is that it is easier to clean laminate flooring and virtually needs to maintenance, unlike hardwoods that requires refinishing.

Downside: well, its not the real thing. No matter how much it looks like granite tiles, at the end of the day, laminate flooring will not add even a fraction of the cost having granite flooring does to a property. Since you will not be able to refinish it, when the laminate flooring begin to look like worn and old, well, you eventually have to replace it.

2. Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring

Vinyl and linoleum flooring are entirely different flooring solutions that fall into the same categories which sometimes leave people confused on  which is which. Vinyl is sourced from synthetic materials while linoleum is made up of natural components. Both comes in sheets and are highly flexible and durable while vinyl flooring is also available in planks and tiles.

On the price scale, linoleum and vinyl flooring can go from somewhere between $1 to $5 per square feet and having it installed can cost a few hundred dollars more.

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Aside from the price advantage, vinyl is easy and comfortable underfoot. It requires no maintenance and can be made to tool like either wood or stone tiles. In general, vinyl is flexible and can very much tolerate water and moisture. Its polymer core also does not permit the growth of bacteria and microbes that causes allergies and infections. If you prefer something more environmentally sound, linoleum is a great contender. Its as durable a vinyl and also required very little maintenance. Just a once a year waxing to keep it shiny and buffed.

Looking like another flooring material really doesn’t add any monetary value to the property and some of these “look alikes” well, they don’t look and feel alike that much. Also be sure to check your brand and the quality of the vinyl flooring you are going to buy because there are some that tears and dents easily. As for linoleums, the most challenge shoppers and designers face is the limited designs.

3. Cork Flooring

Cork flooring has been around for a couple of decades. Resilient and quiet, it is prefered by those people who wants comfort and warmth. Each square feet of cork can go from $2 to $8 per square feet.

Cork is an excellent insulator and provides a very warm and comfortable feet under foot. It’s also great at muffling sounds and hypoallergenic which is why it is very ideal for families with small children. It is also the flooring of choice for the environmentally conscious since it is sourced from the bark of a cork oak tree which does not cause any harm on the tree when the raw materials are harvested.

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Some disadvantages of using cork flooring is that unprotected constant exposure sunlight may cause fading. Also, since cork is made up of numerous air sacks, it has a tendency of retaining its shape over time. Having heavy equipment and furniture might leave marks on the surface. This sensitivity also makes it a not so good of a choice for homes with pets since their paws and claws can easily damage the cork flooring surface.

Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of other cork flooring solutions in our next post.

Because they are value adding, more and more homeowners are installing hardwood flooring in their properties.

However, over the years, most homeowners have chosen to installed prefinished hardwood flooring instead of having one done onsite.

So what is the difference? Simple, as the term implies, prefinished hardwood flooring is already sanded and sealed. All you really need to do is get it locked or nailed down on the subfloor and you’re good to go unlike those ones that are finished on site after installation which requires some waiting time for the finish to dry up and for the smells to tone down.

The Pros

• Durability. Aside from convenience, this is perhaps one of the greatest advantage of prefinished hardwood flooring. Its not uncommon for prefinished hardwood flooring to have about 5 layers of urethane or 8 layers of aluminum oxide baked onto the surface making it more durable than those finished on site.

• Consistency. Factory prefinished hardwood flooring are coated with greater consistency and leveled or even appearance.
• Easier to purchase. For some reason, it is easier to buy prefinished hardwood flooring than those that requires on-site finishing.
• Less mess. Since there is no more sanding, staining and coating required, it is definitely easier to install and would require lesser cleaning up once the installation is completed.

• Less maintenance. Since the coating is thicker, it is more resistant to moisture, scratches, staining and discoloration. The factory grade in flooring’s finish also makes it suitable for most over the counter cleaning products, though be cautious enough to read the labels.
• 25-Year Warranty. Yes, that’s right 25 years!This is evident of the product’s durability. Manufacturers are confident that prefinished hardwood flooring can live up to its promise.

The Cons

• Beyond repair. One thing to be careful for with the installation and usage of prefinished hardwood flooring is that any damage on the surface of the flooring is irreparable. This is simply because we cannot manually recreate the coating that was applied by the manufacturer.
• Delicate installation process. The installation is a critical point in getting your prefinished hardwood flooring. All that work sometimes causes unwanted damage on the flooring planks. So, if you don’t have that much DIY knowledge or experience better leave it up for the contractors to do.

• Seal the seams. Since seams won’t exist until the prefinished hardwood flooring has been laid out and installed, it can only be sealed afterwards. Be sure that you use a product recommended for your flooring and be sure it dries up well to ensure that your prefinished hardwood flooring is completely protected.
• Refinishing is a challenge. I think most contractors would agree. The downside of having prefinished hardwood flooring comes in when the floor covering has run its course and everyday use and foot traffic as well as exposure to the elements has taken its toll. The layers and layers of protective material is really tedious to remove.

Prefinished hardwood flooring gives us the best of both worlds: the convenience of having hardwood flooring minus the fuss how long you get to keep it depends on how you are going to take care of it.

We’ve all heard that one of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint is to use natural products and more than once we’ve heard and read about natural flooring. We are guessing you, like most other homeowners are thinking what are the green flooring choices and options available and are eager to learn some basic info to help you decide which one best meets your needs.

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Aside from being green or environmentally sound, some benefits include cost effectiveness and durability.

Here are some suggestions that can help you decide in picking out the best one for you:

Natural Flooring Options:

• Natural Stone Tiles. There are several varieties of natural stone tiles and they are by far one of the most durable and environmentally sound flooring solutions available. Stone tiles, as the name implies are sourced from natural stone deposits that developed over time. The most popular of these varieties include:

  • Granite – considered as the second hardest natural material, second only to diamonds, is known not just for its hardness but also for its unique patterns and classic shades of grey, reds and browns as well as greens, blacks and blues.
  • Marble – may not be as hard as granite but it is malleable and durable enough to win the favor of ancient craftsmen and artisans. Architectural wonders and other artifacts are proof of this natural stone’s graceful endurance.

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• • Slate – while slate may not be on the same level of prestige as Granite and Marble, and definitely on a lower price range as well, it has something that the two lack, and that is traction. Unlike granite and polished marble known for their luster and slipperiness, slate holds the esteem of remaining friendly even when wet.

• Linoleum.  If you want something easy to install, cheap and eco-friendly, then go for linoleum. We get it, we know you have some doubts on the friendliness of this particular flooring solution so we’ve written about these myths in our recent post and another on how to take care of linoleum flooring.

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• Bamboo. It grows without the need of farming, matures easily and have been know for a wide variety of uses in different cultures and across ages and mostly for its resilience bamboo flooring can indeed be a sustainable flooring choice. Its offers variety in design and installation and is low on maintenance. Just make sure to check out this post for some things you need to know about bamboo flooring.

• Carpets. You can never run out of options with carpets. Aside from the design and considering the variety of materials available, it’s almost guaranteed that something will suit someone’s needs and preferences. There are those made from natural fibers as well as recycled materials.

Recycled Flooring Options:

• Salvaged Woods. Whether they came from old ships or worn down homes, salvaged woods have this certain history and rustic character that makes it unique and more appealing. Depending on the condition of the wood – its thickness, texture, size and color – you have the option to refinish it to make each piece look more uniform or just keep it distinct for a more detailed character.

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• Recycled Tiles. Tiles, just like carpets are being manufactured from pre-used, pre-loved and pre-worn materials like plastics, metals, glass and carpets. Aside from the lesser strain on natural resources, these recycled products also reduces waste. Another advantage is the cheaper cost, and more importantly, these are usually more precisely cut than natural wood or stone making it more manageable in terms of installation.

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Antique Stone and Bricks. These are technically salvaged stones – cobble stones, bricks and pavers that are used to highlight, line and even cover floors and paths. Materials are reclaimed from old structures cut from local stone. Just like re-purposed wood, salvaged stones add a sense of history and pedigree.

Vintage flooring is a thing of beauty, in fact some home buyers wouldn’t mind shelling out a few hundred bucks to get just that. Some who already owns a home would go leaps and bounds scouting and sourcing for the right materials to give their abode a rustic appeal.

If you just bought a house with wood vintage floor that lost its former beauty, don’t fret. All is not lost…and definitely don’t rush into replacing it at once. It can be restored back to its former glory and you can have it looking brand new, in a vintage kind of way of course. Vintage wood floors are durable and beautiful, its an authentic timeless piece of your property that should be given  proper care to maintain its durability and rejuvenate its luster

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Caring for vintage wood flooring

A lot of people may be thinking that vintage hardwood floors are difficult to maintain and care for. Most of us initially tend to turn a cold shoulder and frown at properties listed with such type of floors. Indeed there are a lot of considerations when it comes to maintaining vintage wood flooring but aside from its natural beauty, well-maintained wood flooring can endure years and years more.

Here are some basic rules you might have to observe at home if you have vintage wood flooring in order to care for it properly and be on the preventive side of things:

1. Shoes should not be allowed inside the house. This includes stilettos and other sharp and jagged boots as well as dirt-filled shoes as they can not only create a mess of earth but scratch the top coat finish of the vintage wood planks. Instead, provide soft sole slippers to be used inside your home. If the use of shoes cannot be avoided especially when you have parties and guests, make sure to have doormats and carpet runners on high traffic areas to prevent excessive scratch and stains.

2. Add rubber furniture protectors at the bottom of your furniture like chairs, table, cabinets and any other fixtures and objects that are being frequently moved around the house.

3. If you keep your pets inside the house, clip their nails. Ensure proper grooming since their sharp claws can easily scratch the surface of the floor.

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4. When there are children in the house, its best to designate their playing areas in places where rubber mats and other protective floor covering can be used to protect the surface of the vintage wood floors. Teach them at a young age its not right to write on the wood floor’s surface or scrape their toys at them.

5. In cases of spills, immediately dry any droplets on the floor. Longs standing beads of droplets may cause unwanted ugly stains. Be sure to blot it with a soft rag or cloth, do not wipe as there is a greater chance of spreading stains instead of containing them.

Refinishing your wood floor

Shine and luster of the wooden floor does not last for life. Daily wear and tear will eventually leave your vintage wood floors bare and prone to moisture seeping in. Generally, it is ideal to refinish wood floors once a year. This is best done by professionals as the top coat has be removed by sanding and buffing but here are some basic steps you need to know:

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1. The first thing to do is to know is the finish of the floor is waxed or polyurethaned before applying any floor shining products.

2. For waxed finish, find cleaning products that goes along with waxes. Do the same for the poly finish.

3. Use floor scrubbing machine with flannel cloth. This machine is not popularly used these days. You can find on flea markets and garage sales at a very affordable price. Some sellers are willing to give it to their customers at for only $5.

4. Always allow the finish to completely dry before putting back furniture and fixtures into the room.

Cleaning dirty vintage wood floors

Unlike ceramic tiles, natural stone tiles and laminates flooring where you can simply sweep and mop off the dirt, wood floors vary a little in terms of cleaning regimen. Here are the ways on how to keep it shiny and clean:

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1. Sweep away the dirt with a broom.

2. Vacuum the spaces between each wood plank. This is the place where dust and mites accumulate.

3. Rub a cotton swab over the stain spots. Inspect it afterwards to know the origin of the stain.

4. After determining the stain, select the correct product for both the stain and the floor. Then, scrub it over the spots.

5. Leave to dry.

6. Apply shine solution.

7. Mix an equal portion of oil and white vinegar oil. Spray a little over the floor.

8. Buff the floor to shine.

Caring for vintage wooden floors needs extra patience. The satisfaction you can get, however, overshadows the whole process of making it shine like new again.

Most of us would think of something from the past: dirty, worn and in dire need of replacement when we hear the words linoleum flooring. The first images that probably pops up in most people’s brain is a grainy brownish-yellowish images of their grand parents having coffee in the old diner.

Well, as part of our green posts to commemorate Earth Day this month, this post will try to set the fact straight about linoleum flooring and dispel about some myth about linoleum flooring.

“Lin” + “oleum”

Linoleum is a biodegradable product. It is made up of all natural materials which makes it an environmentally sound flooring choice. Based on its patent year, linoleum has been around for 150 years.

Invented in 1863 by Frederick Walton by combining linseed and oil, hence the name together with other natural products like powdered cork, resin, limestone, ceramics and wood flour pressed together in a sheet. The earlier linoleums did not have colorants or stains and basically had the natural patterns from the manufacturing process.

 

Some appreciated the authenticity of these patterns while others find it a little too bland and common to make any room where it was installed stand out. This is one of the reasons why linoleum, despite its natural beauty and endurance became a second choice, next only to vinyl flooring. The good news is that recent technological developments have made it possible for linoleums to have more colors and hues.

Linoleum and Vinyl, which is which?

After World War 2, with the introduction of synthetic and oil based vinyl flooring, the popularity of linoleum began to wane. This is largely due to the fact that vinyl was easier to mass produce, hence they are cheaper, they come in a wider color range, while linoleum required a little maintenance, vinyl offered far less.

Both vinyl and linoleum flooring come in sheets and tiles, installation can be done by a professional or DIY, depending on the skills you you have, as well as time and tools.

One major difference is in the colors of the flooring solutions – linoleum’s colorants are included in the mixture before it is pressed into a sheet or tile. This makes the colors and patterns more vibrant over the years.

Designs on vinyl flooring surfaces is printed on top and sealed with a sealant coating after the sheet has been manufactured which makes it prone with constant exposure to sunlight and daily wear and tear.

Cleaning Tips

Linoleum is fairly easy to clean. A regular sweep with a damp mop after vacuum will suffice. Since linoleum is sensitive to acidic cleansers, be sure to check cleaning materials you use in order not to damage the flooring’s surface.

Also keep in mind that waxing might be necessary to keep the floor shiny, this usually requires once or twice a year. Be sure use the recommended wax stripper for your product before waxing and check that tools won’t scratch or damage the surface to make sure your linoleum flooring will last longer.

Though the surface is generally waterproof, be sure to prevent prolonged exposure to water and clean out stains using the proper materials.

Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood deem to always be going head-to-head against each other when it comes to the best floor covering in terms of factors like durability, design and cost. During a home renovation, many people get confused on which is the better one: use laminated planks or the engineered one which is a form of hardwood. Homeowners are often faced with questions like: which one best serves my purpose; which one costs cheaper; and which one will last longer?

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To help you arrive at a sound decision, keep reading and learn about their differences and other characteristics so you’ll know which one will perfectly suit your needs.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a combination of wood materials, paper and other synthetic materials combined together through lamination – pressed together to form single durable board or more appropriately, plank. A protective and stabilizing underlayer is put at the bottom to make it sturdier and on the top layer, a sheet printed with the design is added before the shiny, strong and protective topmost layer to give it a more appealing and realistic appearance. The top layer can be textured to make it more realistic. It is also designed to keep the image inside protected from sun and water damage.

www.sunspeedfloors.com

This type of flooring material is one of the best-selling floor covering material  all over the world because of its beautiful decors that can mimic both wood and natural stone, not to mention the easy installation process at a fraction of the cost of these materials that it imitates.

What is engineered hardwood?

 Engineered wood is like a sandwich. It is a combination of 1/16 to 1/8 inch of top wood and rough

Plywood underneath. It is a total 100% wood. The underlying plywood is placed perpendicular to the wood pattern of the top wood to make it stronger than a regular wood plank. It also has a number of wood varieties to choose from such as oak, cherry, pine, mahogany and maple and because of its construction, most builders agree that hardwood engineered flooring is better than solid hardwood and it is recommended for all around flooring.

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What are the pros of using laminate over engineered hardwood flooring?

There are many things you can think of why you have to choose laminate flooring instead of engineered hardwood and some of these are:

• Laminates flooring planks cost less that engineered hardwood.

• They are easy to install. You can finish a room as large as 300 square meters in a single weekend. It has easy click and clock design. Or, you may also want the one where you need glue for easy construction.

• They are inherently shiny and require minimal maintenance. They can easily be vacuumed to take away the dust. They are also stain-free.

• They are perfectly cut. Unlike real hardwood planks which have different cuts and require a professional measurement and cutting procedure, laminates have flawless pieces.

• They are moist-resistant. If you love the wooden appearance of the floor yet you live a very humid region, laminates are the answer to your dreams. They do not absorb moisture because of the resin cover over them.

What are the pros of engineered wood over the laminate flooring?

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Although, laminate flooring may have many advantages, it does not mean that engineered wood fall short on this list. Here are the reasons why you should love the engineered hardwood flooring:

• They are genuine wood. Anybody can feel that is the real thing and what is not. Engineered hardwood is 100% pure wood. The beauty of the authentic may be imitated but, cannot be completely copied by the laminates.

• They feel smoother and softer under your feet. Real wood feels warmer than resin.

• They are less slippery. Real wood are naturally non-slip surfaces.

• They have high resell price. Have you heard of reclaimed hardwoods? You can do this too, with your engineered wood floor planks.

• They can be sanded off. Scratches over the floor surface develop over time. You can make your wood floor look like new by sanding it again. Laminates cannot be sanded. Any scratch over the resin surface may require it to be replaced.

Every home has its own ambiance as anyone living in it has his or her own lifestyle and preferences. now that you know more about laminate and engineered hardwood flooring, choose wisely and have fun!

Linoleums is one of the good flooring choices around especially if you are looking a home improvement project that’s quick and easy to do, affordable, trendy and good for the environment. Oh, yeah! Linoleum is all of the above and more!

In a previous post, we have debunked myths surrounding this great flooring material that has been around for quite some time and well, there is a reason why it never quite got out of the picture.

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Linoleum flooring is flexible. It can be installed above and below grade. You just have to be mindful of your subfloor and moisture when you are putting it somewhere where there is direct exposure to water.

Aside from that, linoleum comes not just in timeless neutral shades but they are now available in hip and trendy designs and a wider range of color, texture and thickness. If you are a DIY-er, this definitely gives your creative soul plenty of room to breathe.

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Like any project or investment, especially with home improvements, we want to make sure it is well taken care of so we not only make the most out of it but we also make and share beautiful memories with it. In order to help you best take care of linoleum flooring, we have gathered some basic tips on how to clean and maintain linoleum floors.

Cleaning Linoleum Floors

Since linoleum is made of natural components like linseed oil, cork dust and other starchy particles, extreme scrubbing is not a great idea as it may dent and scratch the flooring’s surface. Though linoleum can endure some heavy thorough cleaning, it will have to be done sparingly.

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On a daily basis, its enough for you to do the following to make your linoleum covered floor squeaky clean:

1. Remove dirt, debris and other dust particles with a broom, dust mop or a vacuum. Though we would recommend a dust mop to be sufficient and capable.

2. Afterwards, make an appropriately light solution of water and cleaning agent – whether it’s soap, detergent or a manufacturer-recommended one and work it with a mop to remove debris built-up and dirt lodged into the linoleum surface.

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3. Begin from the farthest part of the room, regularly rinsing your mop in the solution given the size of the room and the degree of dirt, and go towards the exit.

4. Be mindful when wiping exit and entrance areas as they are more prone to dirt. You might also consider having some door mats and runners in place for protection.

Maintaining Linoleum Floors

At least once a month, or at least when you think your floors needs it most, have your linoluem flooring deeply cleaned.

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• By deep cleaning we mean  having as much furniture covering the surfaces turned or removed from the room and the following the steps mentioned above.

• After which using a wax stripper or making an ammonia and boiling water solution to remove the wax and reveal bare linoleum surface using a mop.

• Let the surface wax and apply fresh wax to protect the surface before moving furniture back in.

There you have it. Simple and doable steps to clean and maintain linoleum flooring.

Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain and they are also very durable. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors so anyone is sure to find a design that perfectly goes well with their preferences and needs. These are just some of the advantages of having ceramic tile flooring.

The most repair you would do is having to replace a tile should it get broken, cracked or severely damaged. For the most part however, it will be cleaning most of the time and regrouting once in a very long while.

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Yes, the grout on your ceramic tile flooring tend to look dirty, ugly and worn over time so you’d need to have it replaced to make your floors looking brand new.

So how to regrout ceramic floor styles? Here are some quick, easy and useful steps:

1. Choose the right type of grout. There are basically 2 types of grout: sanded and un-sanded. The sanded ones offer more strength and hence, it is recommended for spaces larger than ⅛ inches. If its smaller, then use an un-sanded one. This will make it easier for the grout to be applies and penetrate smaller spaces. Also, since the gaps are smaller, you won’t be needing the additional tensile strength offered by sand. Regrouting marble tile flooring however changes that rule since the and will severely damage the marble floors beyond repair, though the tiles should have been installed with less than ⅛ gaps, it won’t do you no harm to be mindful of these things. Finally, be sure to have the right color of the grout to match your tiles. If you were able to save some of the old one, then check if it has an expiration date or if its still suitable for use. Another neat trick is to chip off a piece of the old grout or take a photo of the floors and bring it to your local hardware store or home improvement shop.

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2. Clean and remove old grout. Clear away the old grout using an oscillating multitool that you can either rent or purchase from your local hardware shops. Two things to keep in mind if you plan to clear the old grout yourself; one, be sure you know how to use the tool and two, that the blade is sharp enough to do the job. Grind away following the old grout line, make sure to go as deep as the tile’s thickness. Next, sweep or vacuum and lightly mop to remove the dust. Using a small hammer and chisel set gently chip of remaining bits and pieces of grout. Note the word: gently. We are going to take out the grout and not the tiles. Sweep off the dirt and wipe the surface with isopropyl alcohol. If there needs to be any repairs or replacements, this is the best time to do it.

3. Apply the grout. Following manufacturer instructions, mix the grout with the right amount of water in a small plastic tub and stir well until you achieve the right consistency – it has to be smooth: not too crumbly and not too soupy. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and stir again before application. Using a rubber grout float, force the mixture into between the tiles. Swipe the grout in the direction of the gap and force it in. Work from one area within your reach to another. Avoid stepping on freshly applied grout to prevent it from gouging out. Occasionally stir your grout mixture to avoid it from drying out. If you are working on a rather large space, mix small portions of the grout to avoid it from drying up. Dried up mixtures should be discarded as using it might compromise the quality of your work.

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4. Clean it up. Once you’ve finished applying the grout, allow 10-15 minutes for it to dry. Be sure to check the entire floor and make sure the grout is applied evenly and that there are no sections where an excess amount is bulging out. Be quick to scan and immediately remove any before the grout dries up. Use a spatula or a wooden stick to scrape them off. Also using a squeegee, non-corrosive rug or a foam sponge, wipe off excess grout on the tiles. Rinse the sponge often as you work from one section to another.

5. Add the final seal. Allow the grout to cure following manufacturer’s instructions. This is usually about 24 hours. Then apply a penetrating seal on the grout’s dried surface using a spray bottle or a sponge. This will protect the grout further and make it less prone to molds and mildew. Be sure to quickly wipe off excess sealant on the tile surface as they may cause staining.

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