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Welcome, this is part 5 of our floor buying series. We’ve gone over hardwood, laminate, and natural stone, today we’ll look into another popular flooring product and share with you a thing or 2 that you must know before you go shopping.

Ceramic and porcelain have been interchangeably used in referring to one or the other, today we aim to share some important information about these popular flooring products. Ceramic is composed mostly of clay and is mixed with various minerals and water which is then baked at very high temperatures. The product is quite porous which is why it is glazed. Glazing makes the end product harder, and non-porous giving it the following characteristics: stain, scratch and fire resistant, better traction, easy to clean and won’t fade even with constant exposure to the sun.

On the other hand, porcelain tile is actually a form of ceramic tile. It is made up of finer clay infused with the following minerals: kaolinitic, feldspar and quartz, pressed dry and fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles.

Porcelain tiles are moisture resistant, they are also resistant to daily wear and tear, deep abrasion and frost which makes them more suitable to harsh climates. They are available glazed or unglazed and comes in various finishes and textures.

One important thing to understand about tile flooring is the PEI Rating. This is a classification ranging from 0 to 5 that can help shoppers, builders and homeowners pick the correct tile based on their needs. This applies to both ceramic and porcelain tiles, 0 denotes the lightest foot traffic and 5 the heaviest.

The PEI rating scale can be described as follows:

• Class 0 – No foot traffic; this types are wall tiles and should not be used for flooring;
• Class 1 – designed for very light traffic to be used in bedrooms, suites and spas;
• Class 2 – meant for light  traffic, generally recommended for second level installation;
• Class 3 – for light to moderate traffic, suitable for all areas except for those where heavy abrasive traffic can be expected: entryways and kitchens;
• Class 4 – means moderate to heavy traffic, ideal for areas with abrasion possibility and heavy traffic – balcony, living rooms, kitchens and entries; and
• Class 5 – heavy traffic suggested for heavy residential and commercial/industrial installations.

Looking at designs and aesthetics including accessories, there are both a lot to choose from between ceramic and porcelain tiles, there’s also not that much difference in terms of cost and prices, the key is knowing your flooring needs and finding if ceramic or porcelain tiles best meet these needs.

Carpet tiles and area rugs are practical and comfortable flooring materials. This is the last part of our series and today we’ll tell you a few essentials when buying carpet tiles and area rugs.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are slowly but surely becoming a more popular alternative to traditional wall to wall carpeting. Not only does it offer the comfort and warmth of the conventional carpets we’re so used to but it also makes having carpeted floors more manageable and practical as it is easier to install, maintain and eventually replace. Oh, and did we mention it only costs a fraction of the cost of bulky wall to wall carpeting?

And it allows room for more creativity and personality in designing rooms and layouts of colors and patterns since carpet tiles are available in various colors, sizes and types.

While some people are critical of carpet tiles’ performance compared to wall to wall carpeting, others have found it both convenient and functional.

If you’re thinking of getting carpet tiles for your home, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

1. To make installation easier and ensure that you’ll save from getting additional padding, consider the carpet tiles’ backing when scouting for your bet. Most backing have attached adhesive or a rubbery surface that’ll automatically stick on the subfloor’s surface making it a great DIY choice. Also look check out if the padding is thick enough for you to give your floors not just a comforting feel but a luxurious one.

2. Plan it up and map it out. Visualize your floor and the places where the carpet tiles will be installed think of the design or pattern layout so that you’ll have an idea of how you want it to look like and how much it might cost.

3. Speaking of costs, be sure to talk to salespeople while looking for the right carpet tiles and ask them if there are additional items a particular type of tile will require like underpads or if the subfloor needs any treatment so you can add these to your estimated costs. Also be open to suggestions that might come from the store personnel.

4. Be sure to read manufacturer’s instructions to find out if there are particular cleaning products they recommend and how much it’ll cost you or if the product has certain restrictions like overexposure to heat or direct sunlight so you’ll know how to properly take care of your floors.

5. As a precaution, be sure to buy extra pieces of your chosen carpet tiles, not just as an allowance for waste and error should you decide to install it yourself but also as a remedy should a piece of the installed carpet tiles get stubborn stains or damaged and needs to be replaced.

6. Lastly, compare prices from different stores and the type of services they offer. Always go for the one that offers not the cheapest but the best added value and those that would not only recommend the product but would personally use them.

Area Rugs

Rugs generally have a dual purpose: to protect and to decorate. For areas exposed to heavy foot traffic or damaging elements like sunlight, water and dirt, accent rugs are often placed over the floors for protection. It can also work the other way around, for example they can be put over cold and hard concrete doorstep to give a more welcoming appeal.

For communal areas where heavy traffic is expected and a constant thing, area rugs are placed not just for protection but to accentuate the look of the room – living spaces, kitchens and entertainment rooms are common places where area rugs are used.

They are easier to clean than wall to wall carpeting and can be changed frequently to suit the decor in season and is also relatively cheaper than other flooring products. Area rugs are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, sizes and textures providing customers with a lot of choices and endless design possibilities.

Before buying area rugs, here are some few things you should keep in mind:

1. Since there is a wide variety of choices, in order to prevent confusion, be sure have the correct measurement of the area you want to put the area rug on.

2. To decide between round or rectangular edges, first, try this trick: put a piece of paper in each of the corners then measure the area so you’ll know the dimensions if you’re thinking of square or rectangular rugs or those with rounded edges. If you’re considering getting a round one, you’ll be able to identify the circle’s radius.

3. Always bring your measuring tape with you so you can double check it the size on the store before buying – while you may be able to get the merchandise replaced, there’s no need to go through the inconvenience. Get it right the first time.

4. Allowance is another important thing to consider. If area rugs are intended to go under furniture – like the couch or dining table, be sure that the part that’ll show will still look good. This is particularly important on dining areas, the allowance should be big enough to accommodate the chairs, aesthetics should bring both comfort and function together.

5. Colors, patterns and overall style should go together with the color of the room and the existing furnishing in it.

Enduring resilience, viable resource, exquisite beauty are some of the benefits and advantages offered by bamboo flooring to a wide range of builders, designers and consumers that are slowly but surely following bamboo and its various uses and applications.

Today we’ll work into understanding the basics of buying bamboo flooring, welcome to part 7 of our floor buying series.

The Bamboo Basics

First off, bamboo is not a tree it’s a grass that  grows abundantly in warmer areas of the globe. It’s been used for over 4,000 years, mostly in early civilizations in the Far East and South America. Bamboo’s uses ranges from the kitchen, the battlefield, libraries, hospitals and the buildings themselves.

Aside from its different uses, bamboo, the grass also ranks high in the Janka Hardness Scale. With a tensile strength of 52,000, this fragile looking tall grass swaying in the direction of the wind is actually harder than most commercial soft and hardwoods used for flooring.

As we earlier said, bamboo is a grass and the shoots are harvested without damaging the roots. Ideally, it is harvested during the fall or winter and the bamboo shoots are cut into strips called fillets, the green covering is also removed. The fillets are then boiled at very high temperatures to remove its natural starches and sugars making it more stable and less attractive to insects.

Before it was not uncommon for the dried bamboo fillets to undergo carbonization to give it more color but since the process entails use of chemical and tremendous amount of energy to carry out, more and more people now prefer its natural  hues.

Bamboo flooring is made in 2 ways:

1. Strand Woven – this type is made by adding byproducts from other wood types during the milling process and having then pressed together into a single material which is both durable and detailed.

2. Horizontal and Vertical Bamboo flooring simply denotes the direction in which the bamboo strips were cut. Vertically cut ones will show a more uniform look while the horizontal ones would look more random and the horizontal ones would look a bit more casual and random.

In an earlier post, we wrote about how bamboo is manufactured and some important facts, deciding whether or not it is indeed an environmentally sound flooring product can take a rather long debate but one thing’s certain, when you set out to buy bamboo floor it will be because it’ll have certain advantages. Aside from its natural beauty and resilience, bamboo is also remarkably easy to keep and maintain making it a great choice of flooring material.

They might look and feel like real hardwood or even stone tiles without the cost but laminate flooring is not indestructible. Just like hardwood planks and stone tiles, laminates are prone to stains from day to day wear and tear.

Below are some tips on how to handle common and stubborn stains on laminate floors:

1. Blood – a quick trick is to spray some window cleaner on the stain then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
2. Liquor – fresh from the holiday parties perhaps, clear it up with detergent and water. If that doesn’t work, grab a rag and moisten it with denatured alcohol, that should take care of it.
3. Grease – better apply an icepack, if you don’t have one grab something from your freezer. When it hardens, gently scrape of the grease with a plastic spoon or a butter knife. Be careful not to scratch the laminates’ finish.
4. Crayons – these easily be removed by using mineral spirits. If that fails, tooth paste and a dry cloth can solve the problem.

5. Ink – warm water and detergent should do the job, however if it doesn’t try using commercial ink removers.
6. Nail Polish – can be a bit stubborn and might cause some unwanted damage so be very careful. Use a little scouring powder, warm water and a mesh pad and gently rub away the stain.
7. Marks and scuffs – any materials that can cause marks and scuffs should be avoided as a general rule but if it is inevitable, make sure to have pencil erasers. Mr. Clean magic erasers are great for these so be sure to keep on handy all the time.
8. Chewing Gum – gently scrape it off using a plastic spoon or a rubber knife, for the residue, wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with mineral spirits

Before trying any of the tips we mentioned above, its always best to check manufacturer’s instructions about the product first. If they have a blog, sign up for a subscription so you are aware of any updates or product care advices they might have. Some big stores offer support over the phone or through chats and forums, you may want to check that out too.

If you can’t find anything useful and the stain is quite big, always, always test first if the cleaning process or product is effective in a small area or the part which is less visible, should the test create a damage, it cant be spotted easily.

Taking care of your laminate floor properly will greatly ensure you get to keep its perfect and pristine condition for years ahead.

With all these talk of green and environmentally sound flooring solutions, how do we truly recognize if a flooring product is indeed green? Does it end with picking one which came from renewable resources. manufactured in a non-degenerative manner and installed in your property.

What we often forget that thinking green doesn’t end with buying green. Sustainability has to be considered too. After you’ve installed your new eco-friendly flooring product, how do you get rid of the old one? How about keeping and cleaning the new one, is it environment friendly?

A really environmentally sound product goes beyond using trees for raw materials. It involves credentials like manufacturing: the chemicals used in the process or perhaps hazardous compounds created in the process that either becomes component of the flooring material or waste; transportation – if it comes from halfway across the world, imagine the fuel it burned to get to where you are; disposing waste materials from these processes and renewal of resources – all of these are part of the products’ carbon footprint.

We think these are basic stuff we should all consider before we decide to buy a flooring solution – just because it is parading itself as all-natural and not made from trees, just because they claim to be green, it doesn’t really mean they are.

In this series of posts, we aim to inform consumers and homeowners on the different facets and issues on “eco-friendly” flooring products available in today’s market. We hope you find the succeeding posts useful and timely.

• The VOC Connection
• Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

So far, we’ve covered almost all of it. Looked at the trends to all the rooms inside the house: the kitchen, the living room, bathroom and the bedroom. We’ve covered most parts of the home’s interior, we’ll try and come up with cheap decorating ideas for the outdoors next but for now, we’ll focus on one important aspect of decorating on a budget: flooring.

We’ve made a number of posts about flooring like our floor buying and floor installation series. Today, we’ll look into getting the right type of flooring to meet your needs and other requirements.

1. Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is one of the more popular choices when you want to renovate flooring on the cheap. Some big box stores carry private label brands and renovating a room of about 6×8 will cost bout $20 only. Plus, you can save more by installing it DIY style.

Vinyl is ideal for kitchen improvements or in places where there are great chance of moisture.

2. Linoleum

Linoleum is eco-friendly, durable and now comes in trendier designs. If you have the right tools and measurements, installation can be fairly easy too.

If you prefer to be more environmentally adept, then linoleum is definitely for you since they are made from all natural raw materials.

3. Laminate

Laminate flooring is perhaps the most recommended flooring product when it comes to do it yourself installation as it offers a lot of choices, light on the pocket and easy on maintenance.

Laminates come in standard planks and wide planks as well as different textures imitating either wood or natural stone flooring.

4. Area Rugs

Area rugs are also another way to save on flooring expenses and yet allows you to highlight or draw sections in your home. They are cheap and you don’t need to fuss about a lot of things during installation.

5. Carpet Tiles

A great substitute to area rugs, carpet tiles offer versatility in terms of design and patterns and convenience in installation since some already have pre-attached adhesive. Further, these are washable and can be installed without expert knowledge or experience.

We hope you find the perfect flooring material that suits your needs and we hope you find our earlier articles useful in your quest for the perfect flooring.

Next on our list of flooring myths to dispel is those that surround vinyl. When it was first introduced a couple of decades ago, vinyl captured a large following because it offered more variety that carpets and linoleum and it was also reasonably priced.

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However, this wide following saw some pretty low points because vinyl became associated with unsound environmental practices – that it was made from chemicals whose emissions harms the air, that its synthetic and disposal is a big issue and all.

So today, we set out to give you some hard facts about vinyl and why it is a strong contender for flooring materials that are user friendly in terms of DIY weekends and home improvement projects on a budget.

Myth #1: Making vinyl is harmful to the environment.

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The assumption that vinyl is less friendlier to nature than those sourced from natural resources like wood and stone-based flooring is based on just that. Stone and wood are natural and well, vinyl is polymer-based. This, however, is not always the case. Some flooring materials, when processed emit more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes compared to vinyl.

What’s more is that its extremely flexible and durable that it will last longer compared to other flooring materials, hence lesser waste.

Myth #2: Vinyl is unhealthy.

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Next to polymer, one major component of vinyl is salt. It does not have any hazardous emissions classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic. Again, while vinyl is mostly synthetic, manufacturers follow regulations and standards to ensure the health and safety of consumers.

Myth #3: Vinyl is not durable.

So not true. Vinyl may feel frail and too flexible but its proven to be one of the most enduring flooring material available. Like other flooring products, vinyl is exposed to daily abuse. However, studies have shown that vinyl’s wear layer is not easily damaged, dented or scratch and that it can stand different weight stress and static load and is equally tolerant to movement and foot traffic.

It doesn’t deteriorate easily and that requires less frequent replacement.

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Myth #4: Vinyl cannot be installed just about anywhere.

Wrong again. Vinyl is synthetic and therefore it doesn’t share the imperfections of wood or the coldness of stone. Modern technology has allowed an even more sturdier design of vinyl and it can be installed just about anywhere. When putting them down in kitchens, bathrooms or areas where there is a possibility of exposure to water, make sure that the water will not remain stagnant and pool down in the vinyl flooring surface and everything is sure to work out all right.

Myth #5: Vinyl is non-hygienic.

Vinyl’s polymer base does not allow the growth of bacteria. Vinyl is and can be further treated to ensure that no harmful microbes will grow on it.

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However, when it comes to hygiene, homeowners must ensure the cleanliness of the floor and the rest of the house if its a question of hygiene we are talking about. Regardless of the material composition of the flooring it is exposed to all sorts of dirt and materials so cleaning must be a regular habit to ensure hygiene and health.

Myth #6: Vinyl is hard to keep and manage.

Vinyl is highly flexible and can cover your floor’s imperfections when set up right. It is highly flexible and has a very smooth and durable surface that’s easy and inexpensive to maintain. It has a sturdy polyurethane layer that does not only protect the surface but also retains shine and repel dirt seeping into the surface.

Linoleum. You might have a faint memory of this growing up. More than likely your grandparents had this type of flooring somewhere in their house. It was cheap and doesn’t take so much effort to install or maintain, who wouldn’t have had enough sense to install linoleum back in the days.

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That was then and today we are busting some myths and making known some facts about linoleum and how this might be one of the best flooring home improvements you can make.

Myth #1: Linoleum flooring is passe.

This is perhaps the most important thing to know about linoleums. They do not belong to your grandmother’s house or in the attic or basement, not anymore.

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Changes in technology together with the penchant for sustainability have brought laminate flooring into the limelight with a richer detail and color selection.

Myth #2: Linoleum is synthetic.

Another important belief to dispel is that linoleum is made of synthetic material. Contrary to what others might think linoleum flooring is actually composed of natural oils and starches mixed together.

www.commonfloor.com

While the design, coloring and printing process may have changed, linoleum remains to be manufactured the way it has been for the past decades.

Myth #3: Linoleum is not green.

Since linoleum is sourced from natural materials, it is definitely green. So if you are concerned about managing and minimizing your carbon footprint then linoleum flooring is a must for your home or a room in it.

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Myth #4: Linoleum is difficult to install.

Well, cutting up curves and corners might be a bit of a challenge as well as making sure designs and patterns match when you are laying it out and gluing it down but when compared with other flooring products, linoleum is definitely one of the easiest to install requiring minimum adhesive and no nailing.

Just ensure you have the right measurement and it will help if you’ll use a paper pattern when measuring the layout. Installing linoleum flooring is definitely something anyone can do DIY!

www.thedailygreen.com

Myth #5: Linoleum is hard to maintain.

Maintaining Linoleum flooring is way, way easier than hardwood that requires yearly treatment or tiles that needs regrouting every once in a while. All you need is a regular wipe and sweep and a deep cleaning monthly to keep it spotless and looking brand new.

Myth #6: Linoleum is not a durable flooring material.

Well, this is also not true. Linoleum is one of the sturdier and more reliable flooring materials available, otherwise it wouldn’t have lasted in the market that long.

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When choosing your linoleum flooring be sure to ask about the product and specifics like sensibility to heat or light and the thickness of the material to prevent unwanted holes and tears.

Next in our roll of flooring myths busting posts is laminate flooring. Commonly know in US households as Pergo, because of one popular brand, laminate flooring has been one favorite flooring alternative because of a number of reasons which include cost-effectivity, variety, durability, installation and maintenance.

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So here are some basic things to set the record straight on laminate:

Myth #1: Pergo is laminate.

Pergo is not laminate, its just one of the popular laminate brands in North America. Laminate is made up of several layers of veneer and very, very thick and durable paper pressed together and printed with a design then finished with very thick topcoat. However, it is not pergo who created all this.

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Laminate was first introduced in Europe about 30 years ago mainly as a material for counters and tabletops and well, while it was fared quite successful, it was more successful as a flooring product when it crossed the Atlantic. Pergo was the one who introduced laminate in the US home improvement market and the rest is history.

Myth #2: Laminate flooring is fake hardwood.

Laminate flooring is not fake hardwood, it does not claim to be wood at all. Yes, it mimics hardwood but it also mimics other flooring materials like natural stone and ceramic tiles, not just hardwood flooring.

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It is made up mainly of wood veneer and has the image of the material its trying to mimic – whether its wood or stone – printed on the surface of the topmost layer. The finish on the other hand mimics the texture of that material to make the whole experience more realistic.

Myth #3: Laminate flooring is cheap.

Laminate flooring’s price depends on the the quality of the material you’re getting. Laminate flooring is not some a cheap imitation, a good quality laminate flooring can cost as much as hardwood flooring.

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Aside from design and texture, other factors that can contribute to laminate’s high cost includes the top layer’s AC grade – the lowest one being for home-use and the highest, an industrial grade. The installation – like if it needs a moisture barrier or the laminate flooring itself has a backing installed together with sound-absorber and adhesive as well as patented click-lock technologies compared to simple tongues and grooves. These factors can greatly affect the pricing together with manufacturing and transportation costs.

Myth #4: Laminate flooring is not durable.

Compared to wood, laminate flooring has better resistance to water and a higher tolerance to moisture. It is not affected by climatic changes that much and is not prone to cupping or decay.

www.callahans-flooring.com

Further, the top finish is designed to withstand not just daily foot traffic but some also have protective UV protection to ensure that the printed images and the rich details and color on the flooring will not fade easily.

Myth #5: Laminate flooring is easy to install.

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Despite claims of laminate flooring being a favorite among DIY enthusiasts because its “easy” to install, don’t buy into it that easily. What everyone should know is that it is easier to install compared to other flooring materials since it can be laid out and put down straight out of the box. It can be cut using regular saw and can be installed by simply locking one piece to another or by using manufacturer-recommended adhesives.