“One of the most frequent questions I hear from homeowners relates to what to choose for tiling in their kitchen (and other rooms) and how they can make it look totally pulled together and not a mish-mash of tiles,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile & Marble . “The thing with tiles is sometimes a mish-mash isn’t a mish-mash and the resulting design is eye-catching and very appealing. That’s the beauty of tiles.”
When in doubt about how to proceed with tile installation, sit down and figure out the project on a piece of paper. It acts as the roadmap to the finished product. Want a design in different colors? Plan it out and mark which areas are to be certain hues. Know in advance where everything is going to go, and use the predrawn pattern to place tiles in the chosen location.
“Even though tiles look good anywhere you put them, make certain to visualize the finished project,” adds Dupre. “Go to the store and choose tile samples and bring them home. Do a dry run of your design. The more you do in advance of tiling, the better the outcome.”
Finding the right tile is typically about what the homeowner likes and finds appealing. However, before just choosing tiles based on looks, research differences between various tiles on the market. There is a wide range of tile options available, including porcelain, cork, ceramic, vinyl, glass and quarry. Pick tile according to best fit for the chosen room and surface. Flooring tiles are usually bamboo, cork and vinyl, while counters and backsplashes may be ceramic, porcelain or quarry. Glass is usually reserved for backsplashes and walls.
“It’s important to also decide before you go tile shopping just what your budget is going to be and absolutely stick to it,” Dupre points out. “Search for reasonably priced products and stay within your limits. You may always upgrade later. Don’t buy a tile based on looks alone. You might get a shock at the cash register.”
Tile choices should also be based on the lifestyle of the householders. If the family has several children and numerous pets, tiles that are durable and easily maintained are in order. If the tiles meant for the kitchen, choose tiles that are not prone to break, chip or crack. While trying to choose the right tile for the right location may be confusing at first, one only has to keep in mind that choosing tiles is closely tied to a family’s lifestyle.
The post Tiling Does Not Need to be Chaotically Stressful first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Backsplashes didn’t used to be as popular as they are now, but these days, most kitchens have them,” says the owner of Clearwater’s Champion Tile and Marble, Dean Dupre. “And they have, over time, become a way to add a touch of personality to the room. Most people also use them to make a personal statement with color, pattern and design,”
Backsplashes not only keep water off the walls, but also catch food splatters. This is important when it comes to materials that stain easily, such as oil, wine and tomato-based products. Without the protection of a backsplash, walls can easily get permanent stains. For backsplash installation, choose materials that are easy to maintain and wipe clean.
“Although the first inclination is to install a backsplash that matches the flooring, you might want to reconsider that option,” Dupre adds. “Easily installed backsplashes, ones that are lively, exciting and relatively inexpensive, as well as easy to keep clean, are those made from tile.” Try to avoid choosing a granite backsplash as they retain stains and are difficult to clean unless a specific solution is used. This applies even if the granite is sealed. Granite must be resealed every few years.
Tiles have the added advantage of being highly versatile and visually appealing. An owner can also lay out and install them in a design pattern of his or her creation and are relatively inexpensive.
When choosing what material to use for a kitchen backsplash, keep in mind how often various pots and pans may spatter, splash and ding it, and plan accordingly to install something durable. Durability does not have to mean dull, uninteresting and so-so looking tiles that do not add to a kitchen’s ambience, but can now mean exciting colors and patterns, all of which are definitely affordable.
The post Cut Down on Kitchen Messes With Tile Backsplashes first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Laminate flooring is extremely popular with homeowners for a variety of reasons, including price point, easy installation and superior durability, not to mention ease of cleaning, especially with kids and pets. And laminate flooring is better designed than it used to be, so it might be the answer for a busy hub of a home.
These days, laminate is so chic that one may mistakenly assume it is really hardwood. Given the quality of most laminates nowadays, the two materials are almost identical twins when seen side-by-side. However, that natural hardwood look that laminate boasts is really only a paper layer sealed under a hard-as-nails protective film. Under the paper and protective coating is a backing board with the product glued and pressed into place. The coating makes laminate flooring so popular, easy to clean and durable.
Laminates today are so dense, thanks to the backing board, that they are resistant to punctures, cuts and scraping. The coating repels stains and blocks liquids from seeping under the boards, provided correct installation. Move furniture, drop stuff off the counters, wear spike heels or let the family dog pack run loose and the laminate still looks great.
However, if the family pet is older, laminate flooring can be dangerous, as older dogs are often unsteady on their feet due to arthritis. If they come inside with wet paws, laminate floor offers no grip and the canine in question can frequently end up doing four-footed splits and face plants. For a dog with arthritis or other hip and joint issues, this is excruciatingly painful and may also result in further injuries, such as pulled and torn ligaments, or strains and sprains.
If upgrade plans include laminate flooring in a residence with older dogs, consider using rug runners or other kinds of rugs that provide them with safer footing. Although older dogs can handle walking on dry laminate, it is still an exercise in caution for them, as older canines do not always have the same sense of balance that they had when younger. For them, walking on laminate becomes like skating on ice. Wet laminate is also very dangerous for older humans who may find themselves flat on the floor if they hit an errant wet or greasy spot.
Deciding what kind of flooring is best for a home upgrade needs to include all members of a family, even the pets.
The post Homes with pets may want to steer clear of laminate flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>For those that love hardwood, but can not bring themselves to use it in high traffic areas in the home, there is some good news. Try oak hardwood. It is one of the most durable options out there and not only does it add a classy touch to any home, it does double duty as a tough surface for the kids, pets and constant company.
Hardwood is supremely popular for many reasons, but some species of hardwood have a fatal flaw – they do not do well in homes with pets and kids. However, that does not have to rule out hardwood if that happens to be a long held dream, not when oak hardwood is an available choice for classy, yet durable, floor. It is also good for increasing the resale value of a home.
Oak has won a spot in consumers hearts thanks to its classic elegant, yet understated quality of being the best kid on the block when it comes to adding a touch of fancy, charm and warmth to any home. It comes in engineered hardwood and solid hardwood forms. The choice, usually based on budget, is up to the consumer. One very appealing bonus is that the number of species of oak on the market allows for a wide variety of colors and looks.
Red oak has a hardness rating of 1,290. Red is hugely appealing to many homeowners for its unique gloss, shine and coloring, ranging from pink to red tones. Its classy grain patterns are also very exciting and do well in any room, as an accent or laid from wall-to-wall. In short, red oak is a workhorse of sorts and performs like a pro anywhere YOU want it.
White oak is the hardest oak, with a Janka hardness scale rating of 1,360. Just think of the serious style that floors would have with white and red oak as compliments to one another. Contrast white oak with the red and a home’s wow-factor shoots through the roof. While oak has a finer grain and a more defined pattern, it may be stained to any chosen color, or left to make a statement about simplicity. It’s up to the homeowner what to choose when it comes to oak flooring, but the choices are stunning and add lasting beauty to any home.
The post Oak Hardwood the Best for High Traffic Areas first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many older Americans may remember vinyl flooring, the kind mom and pop had in the kitchen or the grandparents swore by for ease of care. The black and white, red and white or yellow and black checkered patterns or the plain Jane flooring that yelled “It’s the 60s and this is grooving.” The good news is that although vinyl is back, it is definitely not the same flooring grandma and grandpa had.
Technology has brought some remarkable advances,some of these have been in flooring, vinyl in particular. Rather than down-the-street café or diner flooring, the new offerings are luxury vinyl, more resilient and flashier than the flooring of years past.
While gran or mom had to wax the floors? No more. The latest in chic vinyl flooring has a no-wax surface. In order to clean up, just wipe it with a wet mop, and voila. This vinyl is also scratch and stain resistant and applying a specific coating material in heavy wear and tear areas spiffs it up nicely. Check with the manufacturer for the right flooring formulation.
Unlike old vinyl which did not hold up for very long, the new vinyl flooring is four-layered, making the flooring highly wear resistant and providing a much longer life span. Layer one is the top, also referred to as the wear layer.
Beneath that is the printed pattern layer, then an optional cushioning layer, which makes the floor even easier to walk on, and the base. Flooring like this has the pattern just on the printed layer, as opposed to inlaid vinyl flooring where the pattern is imprinted on every layer. Inlaid flooring does not have a wear layer and is more expensive.
Along with all the maintenance aspects of the new vinyl floors, there are aesthetic options including wood, marble, tile, brick and stone and in any color imaginable. Even if the budget is a bit tight, with the wide variety of textures, patterns and colors, this choice of flooring is a homeowner’s dream.
Today, there is a wide range of styles and colors to choose from that are uniquely suited to just about any room in any house. Stuck on a particular color for the kitchen? Want a certain kind or look or pattern? Well, vinyl is now printed using a process called rotogravue that rolls the design on the second layer of the flooring. It involves using a rotary press and photoengraved plates, meaning that it can imprint just about any design desired.
No matter what look a house is aspiring to, it is available with today’s vinyl flooring choices. If renovators just do the research before buying, the home renovation project will go well.
The post Shades of the 60s Flooring Makes a Comeback in Elegant Style first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Flooring choices for environmentally conscious homeowners were once very limited. Today, however, the sky is the limit, or rather, the imagination is. Just about any type of green flooring conceivable, from bamboo to rubber to concrete, is readily available. A home can be a modern showcase of flooring that neither harms Mother Earth nor costs an arm and a leg.
But is concrete actually an indoor flooring option? Oddly enough, yes, concrete is becoming a very appealing choice because of its range of colors and the ability to customize, by stamping patterns into it or even using a circular saw. Color is not a limitation, as paints, stains, and dyes can create a whole spectrum of desired shades and hues for any given room in the house. But the major selling point is its durability. Even the relentless traffic of kids, pets and visitors can’t wear down a concrete floor.
If concrete is too bold an option, bamboo or even cork flooring are wonderful alternatives. They are not easily shredded and are far more resilient that people realize. For instance, bamboo is actually used as an alternative to hardwood and according to flooring experts, it is actually studier than hardwood. It appeals to homeowners who want their flooring to be both biodegradable and recyclable. Plus, bamboo has a renewal story that cheers that hearts of most green conscious people. It is rapidly renewable in its natural environment and, although light colored, it may be dyed or stained. Its ease of installation makes it a big hit with the DIY crowd.
Cork flooring, meanwhile, has an enviable reputation for being biodegradable, renewable and recyclable, also coming in a huge range of colors and sizes. No matter what the project, there is a suitable cork option. Installation is a snap and the finished product is appealing for several reasons: it acts as a natural thermal insulator, reducing heating costs, and is a comfortable surface to stand on.
Believe it or not, anyone can use eco-conscious tiles to create a floor of their choice. For instance, a creative renovator can lay cork and bamboo in a variety of ways. Experimentation is one of the best motivators for a unique floor design, so try using tiles creatively, mixing and matching, using thin and thick to contrast and using various colors.
This is not to say it is impossible to go wildly overboard with tile choices, but trying different approaches can make rooms come alive. Drawing out a pattern before actually laying the tiles can help avoid regrets once everything is glued in place. A tasteful, creative approach can make eco-conscious flooring into a beautiful part of the home.
The post For the Eco-Conscious Flooring Choices Are Eminently Exciting first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“It’s true, marble in the kitchen is one of the most attractive, elegant stones you could possibly use to upgrade your personal cooking space,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Marble & Tile in Clearwater, Fla. “Kitchen countertops in particular are spectacular done in white marble.”
Marble is a much sought after stone for a number of reasons, but its main attraction is the uniqueness of the erratic veining that provides an inner elegance that homeowners love. Marble feels like an old friend, yet still holds the power to become a new acquaintance when it comes to improving the home’s interior. The Greeks and Romans used it to good effect and of their creations still standing today, all look breathtakingly beautiful. There is no reason the modern design eye should see it as just a stone for the fireplace hearth or mantel.
Installing marble in any room provides a showcase for this mysterious stone to show off its inner light in a softly reflective manner. Honed marble almost glows in the dark and has an eerie, yet elegant look. “I have heard many of my customers say that marble almost seems to have a life of its own,” Dupre adds.
Trending kitchen upgrades tend to include marble as a backsplash, a countertop or both. The ambience is incredible when smartly paired to compliment wood graining in the cabinets and/or flooring. For that incredibly crisp and authoritative appeal, white Danby, Carrara or Calacatta marble fit the bill. It is considered to be high-fashion and versatile enough to appeal to both modernists and traditionalists.
Although marble holds incredible appeal, it should be noted that it does require more maintenance than other stones, due to its softness. Extra care must be taken to avoid staining and scratching the surface. “If you want marble in the kitchen, choose a harder stone,” advises Dupre. “In general, darker colors are harder and the lighter marbles are softer. If you want a more durable white marble, choose the Danby white, sourced from Vermont. However, you still need to take care not to stain and scratch it.”
The post White Marble is a Huge Hit for Kitchen Renovations first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Self-reclaimed wood is not always ready to be nailed down either. Most of it comes with nicks, gouges, staples, nails, glue, screws and all the other things that originally went into making it what is once was. It takes time to clean these boards up and make them look passable enough to be used in a home as reclaimed flooring. The only way to get wood that looks good as new is to buy it from an outlet that has already done the work needed to make it acceptable for use for flooring.
Aside from reclaimed flooring, solid wood flooring, the old standby, is still a great option when upgrading. It is not laminated and is ready to be laid down right away. While somewhat expensive, much of it comes at a price that is competitive with reclaimed wood.
Engineered wood is another option, but consumers should keep in mind that it is layered plywood backing with a chosen top layer of wood, hence the lower price tag. It’s durable flooring and would suit those with a tight budget.
In general, solid wood flooring may range in price from $4 to $9 per square foot, with a higher price usually indicating a higher quality wood. Engineered flooring may range from $7 to $15 per square foot. No one should let the price of flooring be a bar to their dreams though, because even if doing a whole room in the wood of choice is out of the budget, there are certainly ways to get creative and use it just in key areas or as an accent.
Anyone on the hunt for wood flooring should sharpen a pencil and do some fancy calculating. Exercising a bit of imagination in using the chosen wood can easily yield stunning results.
The post Reclaimed flooring might not be as cheap many think first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“People think that to upgrade their home they need to redo the bathroom, tear apart the kitchen, replace flooring and other such major projects,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Marble & Tile in Clearwater, Fla. “Truth is choosing the right tiles to spiff up a room works wonders instead of spending a lot of money you may not have.”
Water resistance is usually an issue for homeowners, particularly in the bath and laundry room areas – two locations that tend to get makeovers when it comes time to sell. Porcelain ceramic tiles handle moisture with aplomb and reduce the chances of slipping and falling. Other types of stone tiles do not handle water well and tend to pool moisture in a thin layer, making secure traction difficult.
One of the best ways to upgrade a home’s flooring into a higher selling price range is porcelain ceramic tiles. They are well-known for their durability and even have the ability to handle more wear-and-tear than either granite or marble tiles while keeping their aesthetic appeal intact.
“Porcelain tiles are made to handle heat and do not burn, so they’re perfect for the kitchen,” adds Dupre. “This tough flooring can even handle having a hot pot dropped on it and not melt or scorch. It may chip a bit if it hits the right way, but it doesn’t burn.”
If choosing ceramic tiles for the kitchen floor, be aware there are various grades or groups of hardness and each grade is suitable for a variety of different things. Group 0 tiles are not fit to be used for flooring and are typically used as wall tiles. Group 1 tiles can only be used in light traffic areas. Group 2 tiles are not for kitchen use or for any areas with high traffic. Group 3 tiles are not for commercial use, but are suited to residential and light use applications. Group 4 tiles handle regular traffic well and Group 5 tiles are specifically for heavy duty traffic, where anything goes.
“Know the area you want to upgrade, do the research and get the right type of tiles for the job,” advises Dupre. “If you get the wrong tiling, you’ll have wasted your time and money.”
The post Porcelain Ceramic Tiles a Trending Choice for Home Makeovers first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>But if you have both carpet and animals, for example, you may need to step back and take a look at your options. There are many practical reasons to choose tiling instead of carpeting.
If you don’t like cleaning carpets on a regular basis, then tiles would definitely be an improvement. Carpets retain vestiages of just about everything dropped on them, from a present from the dog to a glass of red wine. Professional stain cleaning can be prohibitively expensive. Tiles make cleaning up accidents much easier and less stressful.
Those who love tile have an artistic side that revels in the lovely mosiac patterns they make possible. They have choices one cannot find with carpeting. Homeowners get to create their own designs, choose the type of tile to suit each room, mix-and-match their choices and, perhaps, spend a lot less on tiles.
The choice of tiles is truly stunning in colors, surfaces, glazing and patterns. Even if the exact right color does not seem to exist for a home, tile can be painted to match. Carpet does not offer the same flexibility; buyers can’t change the color without replacing the entire surface, and options are far more limited.
Of course, there are also plenty of reasons to love carpeting. It all comes down to personal preference. Just make sure to choose a floor that truly suits your lifestyle.
The post Does Tile or Carpet Suit Your Lifestyle Better? first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The actual installation is easy. The tough part is the preparation: smoothing and cleaning, tearing out old fixtures or features, making decisions, scheduling and gathering supplies. If you intend to install anything new in a home, always protect the flooring before beginning work.
Without protection, the floors might unintentionally become the next renovation project.
Any home construction project, large or small, can destroy home flooring if not handled properly. The damage is an extra, unnecessary cost to incur, and there is no sense in destroying one part of a home while enhancing another.
The best methods of protection vary from surface to surface and from location to location. Find solutions that keep surfaces clean and safe while allowing work to proceed above them.
It is easy to spill on or damage carpeting, leaving stains, rips, texture damage or frayed edges. Use carpet protection film to protect soft flooring. On acrylic carpet, use adhesive film, which will not move around or leave bare gaps, and which removes easily. Wool rugs need a non-adhesive film.
The film can also offer protection from workers walking in and out with supplies, dirty feel and equipment. Who needs dry grouting or sawdust ground into an unprotected floor?
Hardwood floors need a heavier layer of protection to compensate for their vulnerability. Wet wall jobs, like tiling in a living room, require waterproof plastic film or a multiple surface shield, which is handy for just about any surface. In addition, installers will need several reusable, padded rubber mats for a docking spot for tools and other equipment.
In two-story structures, simple craft paper can be used to cover stairs. The solution is portable and inexpensive, and it can easily be collected when the stairs are in use (and the project is on pause).
Think ahead, and the completed project will look even better than expected.
The post When Renovating a Home, Protect Existing Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Concrete is gaining a real following with eco-conscious homeowners who want something a little different. The material lasts for more than a lifetime and is chic, impressive and unusual — not to mention environmentally friendly. Concrete can be more than just the gray stuff you find in sidewalks. It comes in a variety of colors with a choice of patterns and designs.
As such, it is finding a niche in the residential sector.
The advantages of this type of flooring are numerous, but the most obvious one is durability. This type of flooring will not require replacement any time soon. Those with kids and animals are especially likely to benefit from its toughness.
Concrete flooring also adds value to a home on resale. Before investing in hardwood, laminate or tiling, research concrete floors. Easy to clean and maintain, with no seams and a smooth finish, versatility is its middle name. Installation is fast, and cracking and heaving are rare.
However, concrete is harder underfoot than softer wood flooring is. If desired, one can certainly use carpeting to give polish to certain areas or install a foam-backed runner to give the surface some spring. These finishes also add desirable warmth, as concrete will feel cold during the winter months. On the other hand, some prefer concrete flooring precisely for its cooling ability in warmer climates like Florida’s.
Pouring concrete needs to be done correctly. If errors are made, moisture finds its way under the surface and can mar the top of the flooring, creating the possibility of chips and cracks in variable temperatures. One needs to ensure the material is handled in just the right manner to ensure a level floor when the concrete hardens.
Concrete is a viable and worthy alternative flooring, and the price is extremely attractive as well.
The post The Good and Not-So-Great of Concrete Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Tiling is not as easy as it looks. House, home and hearth need professional installation and finishing to look stunning. Those wishing to install tiling themselves should strive for a professional understanding. Read and study proper techniques. A poorly done job becomes a massive expense very quickly, especially if flawed grouting and sealing are involved. Installers can run out of tile because a job was not measured properly or tiles broke, then be unable to find a matching unit for replacements. Mistakes damage durability and jump out at the eye.
Experience in placing and fitting tiling is a major advantage. Start with a draft map design laying out the precise desired result. A reference keeps installers on track.
Rethinking the idea of tiling a bathroom or kitchen independently? It never hurts to ask a professional flooring expert for assistance. Many are happy to answer questions, and all are happy to step in and complete the work. The extra expense also buys confidence: the homeowner will know for a fact that the tiling will withstand just about anything.
Tiling is an investment in a home that makes it look the very best it can. A professional flooring contractor’s services are among the best investments to further that goal.
The post Tiling Projects Require Professional Handling first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Radiant heating is omni-directional, moving in all directions and heating indirectly. Installers need to understand how the system works when installing different kinds of hardwood in a home.
The installation of this heating requires sinking tubing into concrete or tucking tubes underneath plywood sub-flooring. Homeowners need to be aware that radiant heating causes hardwood to dry out. If a person wants to have both hardwood and radiant heat, bamboo flooring will be the best option. Bamboo weathers heat well and is not troubled by variable humidity. If choosing bamboo, be sure to find high-quality, older bamboo and evaluate its maintenance needs before you purchase.
In installation, make sure to use glue, not nails. With nails, installers run the risk of rupturing the embedded heating coils. Floating bamboo, which is durable and stable, is the best choice to partner with radiant heating.
Take care to not install hardwood right on top of heating coils. You need a barrier between the floor and the heat source. The recommended thickness for a plywood barrier is two thirds of an inch. The wood is not just a barrier. It also supports the floor planks, offering more stability.
Once installed, the floor will need at least three days to adapt to heating cycles and shifts in humidity. Ideally, heat the floor slowly and keep the heat at a steady temperature below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bamboo makes impressive flooring and withstands radiant heating very well. It may be the perfect solution for an eco-conscious homeowner.
The post Pair Bamboo Flooring with Radiant Heating for Safe Installation and Eco-Conscious Living first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>By the time it is installed, bamboo no longer resembles the stalks of the tropical, green, grassy plant from which it comes. Though its fast growth is one of its most prominent qualities, flooring bamboo is not harvested every year. It takes up to five years to harvest a crop that is not only practical, adaptable and elegant, but also environmentally friendly.
After upgrading flooring to bamboo, homeowners may find that the value of their home is higher on resale. Although bamboo is regarded as a grass, its durability is legendary. It repeatedly outperforms traditional hardwood flooring. Bamboo is fire-retardant, requires very little maintenance and resists insects and mildew well. The fact that bamboo is made of organic material often appeals to those who suffer from allergies.
As with any material, bamboo has its drawbacks. Most of bamboo’s relate to weight and foot traffic.
Bamboo is firm, durable, resilient and charming. Better still, the material naturally resists moisture and staining. It is easy to install, and it can be laid in a number of ways to showcase its stunning patterns – woven, horizontal and vertical. Bamboo’s gold-blonde coloration enhances any pattern when installed.
The post Bamboo Flooring Leads Trends for the Environmentally Conscious Homeowner first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Ask for a quote and an estimate of how long the project is expected to take. Professional tilers should be able to estimate the number of tiles needed and the amount of labor that will be involved. They will be able to source the right kind of tiles and grouting for you, including extra materials to protect themselves from delays from cracked or broken tiles.
There’s also nothing wrong with doing it yourself. Tiling on your own can be a lot of fun. Make sure you study the techniques you’ll need to make the job looks good when it’s done. Many DIYers, for example, forget about adding in a number of extra tiles to take care of the smaller pieces needed for the corners of a room and awkward spots that require handcutting.
Usually, it makes more sense to hire a tiling expert unless you enjoy the actual assembly process. Whichever you choose, your floor will look beautiful with a little planning.
The post Tiling: DIY or Go Pro? first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Wood-look tiles, as you might imagine, mimic natural wood, but they also contribute the strength of tiling to your floors. Sturdy and durable, these tiles are moisture-resistant and can withstand high heat. They are easier to clean than conventional wooden floors, and they require little upkeep and no polishing.
Typically composed of porcelain and/or ceramic, the tiles mime natural woodgrain surprisingly well. Plus, wood-look tiles are far easier to install and maintain. Tiled surfaces will not shrink or swell with changes in heat or humidity, and each tile is much easier to replace when damaged than strips of hardwood.
Indoors or out, wood-look tiles can withstand water, heavy traffic and frequent sun exposure. They are particularly cost-effective in their maintenance; once wood-look tiles are down, they require very little upkeep and continued funds.
The post Wood-Look Ceramic Tiles Offer a Cost-Effective Flooring Alternative first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When new trends hit the market, you tend to see a lot of homeowners rushing out to try the latest fad. Right now, the hottest trending new idea is to tile walls. According to a number of real estate agents, properties with elegantly tiled walls are selling very well. And why not? The tiling slabs add a whole new dimension to a home or office and the good news is that they can withstand pretty much anything.
The ability to stand up to whatever is thrown at it is the hallmark of a sturdy wall slab. Homeowners should consider this when tiling walls of areas such as the kitchen, laundry room area and bathroom. Tiled walls definitely create a unique look, and with the wide variety of colors, tones, patterns and shades on the market, there is a whole lot of latitude in creating just what you want. Hands down, tiling a wall beats painting it, when you consider that the minute paint comes into contact with the moisture that touches it on a daily basis, it begins the long, slow process of disintegration.
For those creative souls that love to design a room around a theme or hand-paint their own slabs, this newest way to make a room stand out is most welcome. Additionally, tiling walls is a much cheaper alternative than some other options out there. For instance, if you want to save some serious money, consider using ceramic wall tiles. They’re not only cost-effective, but they’re also attractively durable and they are not hard to keep looking good. It helps that they are also water-resistant.
If your budget is more generous, then you might gravitate to slate, granite, marble, quartz or travertine. The choice is yours for each room. For instance, try granite in the kitchen, marble in the bathroom and travertine for the study. The sky’s the limit when it comes to installing tiling on your walls. This is one trend that will definitely increase the resale value of your home.
The post The Latest Hot Trend Is Tiling Walls first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many DIY homeowners feel they can install their own flooring, and many do a fine job. However, when it comes to hardwood, there are a few extra things to be aware of; buckling and cupping are two of them. A warping process transforms wood flooring after prolonged exposure to humidity and moisture. The wood absorbs the moisture, retaining it until it dries. When it does dry, the floor warps, and it doesn’t matter if your floor is older or brand-new.
As surprising as it may seem, many homes have high levels of humidity and moisture. Humidity inside or outside the home can damage floors. Outside factors are outdoor climate, heat and humidity; so living in a rain forest is not good for hardwood floors. Inside moisture is generated in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry rooms. And for those of you who have lived through ruptured water lines and burst water heaters, you know how much damage that can do to the inside of your house. It helps to catch that kind of situation early, but that does not always happen.
If you’re going to lay hardwood floors, you want to make sure they are protected from absorbing moisture. After all, hardwood flooring is a significant investment. Make sure to seal the floor properly by glazing it and using a transparent sealant or waterproofing stain.
However, before the real work is done, always lay the planks on waterproofed and insulated layering. This gives the underside of the boards the protection they need from moisture. Now is not the time to cut corners, because this floor needs to last a long time. If you don’t install it the right way the first time, chances are you’ll be taking it up again due to water damage causing buckling. It is quite rare to have hardwood cup and buckle as a result of being defective. In nine cases out of ten, warping is related to improper installation and a poor job applying sealant, which allows moisture to work its way under the wood.
Take the time to research carefully how to install hardwood floors the right way. When in doubt, consider reaching out to an experienced flooring expert who is able to advise you on your project or do it for you. Ultimately, you want your home to look great. Make sure you do it up with class and attention to detail.
The post If You DIY a Hardwood Floor, Factor in Cupping and Buckling first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Ceramic tiles offer beauty, flexibility, texture, color and value. Moreover, ceramic is exceptionally durable. Tiles have survived the test of time for centuries. Some have been recovered in sound condition from ancient Egyptian and Roman ruins. Your home will hardly need to become an ancient ruin for its tile to be appreciated. Ceramic enhances its beauty now and into the future.
Ceramic tiles have at least one feature that makes them unique — ceramic refuses to harbor germs, making it an ideal and popular surface for kitchens and bathrooms. The smooth surface is also easy to keep clean. Just make sure that the ceramic tiles you purchase all come from the same lot, which will ensure that they are uniform.
Additionally, make sure to choose the correct hardness for the job at hand. Ceramic tiles range in hardness from zero to five. If you want to tile a wall, then the best choices are tiles rated zero through two. For in-home floor use, go with a three-rated tile, and if you want tiles for a commercial application, a ranking of four or five would be suitable. Backsplashes, walls, floors and countertops all benefit from ceramic, as it is easy to maintain, very versatile, highly durable and reasonably priced.
Porcelain is considered a subtype of ceramic, and its clean look makes it a good alternative. Porcelain is the tile of choice for truly high-traffic areas, especially in industrial and commercial settings. The tiling you find in airports is almost always porcelain. Your personal tastes will determine whether you like that look for your home, but its extreme durability may not even be the driving factor in your choice. Usually, homeowners choose ceramic tiles due to their unlimited versatility.
Another alternative may be natural stone tiling, which is often considered to be an agglomerate/aggregate tile: it is a mixture of marble and other rocks held together by epoxy. Stone tiling comes in a variety of engaging colors and designs. If you choose to install it yourself, be sure to measure twice and cut once. Since stone tiling is man-made, measuring and cutting work needs to be very precise.
The post Think Tiling for an Elegant Home Renovation first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Without a doubt, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just about everything — from cooking to entertainment to homework — happens in its friendly atmosphere. People come. People go. People pass through and spend time. It’s always a room with stories to tell, and over time, the floor begins to show signs of its wear. So when a family upgrades their kitchen space, they want to make sure to find something durable, attractive, easy to maintain and within their budget.
Today, many Americans are choosing stone and tiling for this high-traffic room. Tile and stone are well-known to stand up to the demands of children and pets.
Nothing performs better than stone for resistance; it does not scratch as other flooring, like laminate or hardwood, would. Stone lends itself to a natural look, and it gives a room an interesting, warm ambiance. Slate, sandstone and limestone are most popular. While these choices do need to be treated to maintain their elegance, they are tough and sturdy.
If budget is a concern, you may opt to use porcelain tiles that look like stone. It takes some sleight of hand, but the solution is very appealing to the eye when all is said and done. Tile is also smoother underfoot than stone would be. Porcelain tiles come in multitudinous patterns, designs and colors, and they can even be ordered with a metallic finish. With an eye to quiet design, metallic-finish tiles energize a kitchen in an understated, elegant way. The right choice of tile will also withstand a virtual army’s worth of tromping.
Concrete flooring is a third, newer trend. Popping up on floors across the nation, concrete holds heat well and is one of the toughest floor materials on the market. These surfaces are nothing like the sidewalk material you may be picturing. Concrete can be acid-stained, colored, polished or honed. In many cases, the final result looks like another substance entirely. With coloring, you can choose between various shades of yellow, gray, white, red and even green. And concrete can even be used for countertops.
Your kitchen can be the inviting, central hub that you want it to be. Think about your choices and how they fit your budget before investing in any surface.
The post Flooring Choices for High-Traffic Kitchen Areas first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>But before you begin to shop for replacement materials, pull up a corner and check the surface underneath the carpet. If you find underlying hardwood flooring, it may change your plans. Instead of laying new flooring, you might opt to bring that dusty, scratched hardwood back to its former glory.
You probably bought your home thinking you won’t be moving again anytime soon, but life often holds surprises. An illness, transfer, divorce or job loss could change your plans. So, if you find hardwood under your carpets, work to save it. Hardwood is extremely popular with homebuyers, and it tends to raise the asking price for and value of your home. If you still want to include some carpeting after wood renovations, you can add area rugs for a cozy, lived-in feeling.
Are you uncertain that you have the time and budget to rip up the carpets immediately? If so, consider keeping the current carpets, provided that you can clean them well enough to restore most of their original softness and beauty. There may be more life left in those rugs than you would expect. Consider giving them a second chance and a thorough, professional cleaning. They may offer you several more years to save for a major flooring upgrade.
You may have carpeting all through your house, but chances are that the flooring is different in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry areas. Here, you could consider a “mini” flooring renovation and opt to use natural stones and/or tiles. Tile and stone are smart choices for areas in the house that see high traffic and deal with spills and stains on a regular basis. Stone and tile, provided they are properly sealed, remain durable, beautiful and elegant for years to come. Additionally, the rainbow of colors available makes it a joy to brighten your new home to your tastes.
Flooring is a very personal choice. It may be tempting to choose an “unusual” surface to express a distinct style, but always keep your resale value in mind. An off-the-wall montage of tiles in the living room and an electric-neon-tiled kitchen certainly make a statement, but they also reduce the number of people who will be interested in buying your home later. While resale value should not completely constrict your flooring or tiling choices, it is best to find compromises with an eye to the future.
The post Welcome Surprises in Flooring Updates for Your New Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There are a vast number of flooring options on the market today. So many, in fact, that it can be confusing to consider every choice. Would ceramic look good in the kitchen? Would marble work in the bathroom? What about hardwood flooring? They are all valid questions, and the simplest solution is to choose something that instinctively appeals to you. Find something you love on sight. After all, you will be living with your choice for a long time.
You may find yourself falling in love with a hardwood surface. Many people love how elegant hardwood flooring looks. It offers beauty, durability and class. Hardwood adds inviting warmth to the atmosphere and works to pull a room together in a very visceral, visual manner. If you have an open floor plan, hardwood may be the perfect choice. It is versatile and warm on the feet. It can be refinished without too much effort and, should you ever choose to sell your home, its resale value will bring your investment back to you.
Just be aware that hardwood does contract and expand in response to the level of humidity in the air, so it’s not a good choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms or the kitchen unless it is properly sealed. If you do choose hardwood for a high-humidity location, expect to reseal the floor every six years or so.
Not sure you want the work of sanding, refurbishing or sealing? You might want to consider engineered wood flooring. These surfaces are hardwood, but they come in layers. Their cross-grain construction makes them even stronger and more durable than solid pieces of wood on their own. Engineered wood flooring offers more structural integrity: it does not gap, buckle or warp. Engineered wood is perfect for the kitchen, and it can be laid directly on concrete without a subfloor if you are finishing your basement.
You might also consider bamboo flooring, especially if you are environmentally conscious. It does cost more than hardwood, but it is even tougher. It offers an excellent walking surface, and it acts to muffle sound. Bamboo is an excellent choice for high humidity locations, but it must be sealed. Be aware that if you plan to revamp your own floors, it can be tricky to cut bamboo. You may particularly wish to hire a professional installer for this job to avoid losing material to waste.
The post Consider Elegant Hardwood to Revamp Your Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It used to be that vinyl flooring didn’t wear well and just had a “cheaper” look, even when it was newly laid. The product has definitely changed, and today’s Americans may not be aware of the new benefits (no matter how they felt about Granny’s white-and-red checked kitchen floors).
You can still find that checked vinyl flooring, and now it is considered to offer a clean, retro look. However, the vinyl that composes it is now resilient and durable, able to withstand applesauce, Kraft dinners, soup, dog bones and even wine. Be careful how you install the flooring, and it will last for years. Vinyl can now be installed with no-slip sheets, which enhances its safety and makes it even easier to clean.
Vinyl is also water-resistant, making mopping easy. Spills are not an issue if wiped up promptly because the material’s virtual seamlessness will prevent leaking underneath it. No mold, dirt, bacteria or other pathogens will slip beneath your floor, making vinyl a safe, healthy choice for homes with children. Vinyl flooring offers a huge variety of colors, patterns and textures. Modern vinyl has been known to fool a discerning eye with intelligent mimicry of other types of flooring. Smooth? Yes. Rougher and more rustic? Yes. A pebbled surface? You can find that too.
Vinyl flooring is extremely economical, and it will serve those with a strict budget well. You can save even more if you lay it yourself. Just pay attention to the directions for proper installation. There are smart buys on the market for those who appreciate the versatility of contemporary vinyl. The option is well worth exploration.
The post Consider a Place for Vinyl Flooring in Renovations first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Don’t buy anything to upgrade your floors on impulse. Take the time to study each room you want to enhance. What do you want it to look like when you are done? Is your home styled in a modern, western, contemporary or chic way? Do you want carpet, hardwood, laminate, rubber or bamboo? Decide before you visit any flooring stores. The concrete decisions will help you stick to your budget and beautify your home.
Let’s say you want carpet in the master bedroom, just to add some warmth for your feet during the winter months. Finding precisely what you want can be challenging (not to mention expensive), but it is possible. There are a number of options to check out for less expensive carpeting. Your local carpet store might hold a treasure trove of discounted carpeting, and sometimes you get lucky and find a sale piece at a 75 percent discount. Not a bad deal, even though the carpet may be discontinued. Search out precut carpeting that was returned. If you can snag a large piece (larger than the area you want to carpet), you’ve got new, high-quality carpeting for pennies on the dollar. Explore carpet remnant stores, estate and yard sales. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when you find a piece you like within the budget range you set.
What about hardwood and laminate? Typically, laminate is a lot less expensive than hardwood, but don’t eliminate the option automatically. Companies that sell discounted hardwood flooring do exist. If you have your heart set on hardwood, start with a wholesale flooring outfit. You may find the prices are about 50 percent lower than retail prices, though be aware that you may be required to meet a minimum to order. And if the budget just won’t tolerate hardwood, even at a discount, compare discount laminate flooring, which typically costs only two-thirds what hardwood does. Plus, it’s easy to install without nailing the material down. It all depends on the look you have planned. If you love the hardwood of maple, red or white oak or hickory, try reworking the budget. You will live with the new flooring for many years to come, so perhaps a splurge is worth the durability after all.
With so many discount flooring options, you are likely to find what you need quickly. It is absolutely worth your time to explore the available alternatives to save money and and maintain quality.
The post Consider Discount Offerings for Your Next DIY Flooring Project first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>These days it’s hot to trick out your décor or stage your home for a quick sale. Staging can make a huge difference in how fast a home sells, not to mention it may even increase the price some. The latest trend in staging is using reclaimed wood for just about everything, from floors to accessories. Called re-purposing, it’s catching on fast because it is eco-friendly and means hacking down fewer trees. People love the idea of using reclaimed wood for flooring and, of all things, furniture and home interior accessories with a twist.
Just be certain, if you want to have reclaimed wood in your home, that it is indeed “reclaimed.” As with many other things in this world today, there are even scam artists out to make buck off fake reclaimed flooring. Check your prospective purchase carefully to see if it is correctly labelled, meaning it should be certified as being from a reputable organization such as the Rainforest Alliance. When in doubt, don’t buy if it does not feel right for you.
You should also be aware that depending on where the reclaimed lumber came from there may be chemicals or toxins in the wood. Or, it may have been treated and prepared for reuse by the manufacturer. Reclaimed wood may have paints, insecticides, unknown chemicals, preservatives or adhesives and even lead in it. You don’t want to live with that in your home if you have inhalant allergies. Always make sure you find out where the wood came from and what is in it.
Don’t want to pay the price for reclaimed wood because of the labor and processing involved in obtaining it? You could DIY, particularly if you already have some experience in doing that kind of work. One thing’s for sure, you’ll likely fall in love with reclaimed flooring because the quality and durability is bar none the best.
Did you know that reclaimed woods can be even more durable than original, virgin wood, that has never been used before? That’s due to the fact that it comes from old-growth trees, not the younger ones. Some of the best reclaimed wood is from barns, a fact those with a love of the Western look find appealing. There’s just something about the rustic, old-fashion look that goes well with antiques, and staging designs that use reclaimed flooring or furniture, are noted for being colourful and eye-catching. That’s what versatility is all about.
The post Re-purposed flooring is a great option for home renos first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Resin flooring is not made of that sticky stuff which comes out of trees. Resin flooring is a relatively new player in the home flooring upgrade arena, and perfect for someone who wants a different look in their office. It has the quiet ability to add a little something special to any room it is installed in. It’s an interesting alternative to the usual upgrade choices of marble, tiling, ceramic tile, carpet and various wood flooring options.
New does not always mean better, or even that people will agree it is a choice worth considering. However, with resin flooring, it is slowly coming into its own and making a name for itself. One thing is for sure, it is not boring flooring. It is robust, durable, interesting and does the job in any location in which it is placed. While those characteristics may sound bland, they are anything but. Resin can be functional in even the most elegant of locations and settings; that is part of its enormous consumer appeal.
What are its benefits, besides beauty? Did you know resin floors are stronger than concrete? Concrete, especially in locations where there is high, heavy traffic, crumbles and breaks. Not so with resin. It holds up to anything put on it, whether it is a heavy stainless steel fridge, or a tractor, or a classical sculpture of a bronze mountain lion, or a washing machine. “Versatility” is the keyword when it comes to resin flooring.
Contrary to popular opinion, this type of flooring is not dull. It has a nice shine that catches the eye and stays appealing over the years. Yes, you do pay more for this kind of flooring. However, since it is a one-time upgrade, because it will almost outlast your house, it is worth the investment, plus it may well increase the sale price of your home. Another bonus!
If you’re thinking resin is dark and dreary, not so. You can get any color you like, including yellow, blue and red. If you have a retro or pop culture-like kitchen, you’ll love resin flooring. This kind of flooring is not ranked well for a D-I-Y project; you’ll want to call a professional flooring contractor on this one. After all, you want it to look good. Don’t take the chance on tackling a project like this on your own.
The post Resin flooring, a new player in home beautification first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When you want to upgrade your living space, your first consideration is to keep an eye on what adds value for a potential sale. Choosing the perfect floor and wall tile can really make a huge difference in the marketability of your home. Hands down, tile is the best choice for interior upgrades in the bathroom(s) and kitchen, but you want it to be just perfect.
If you have not tried Crema Marfil marble, this may be something you should check out. Crema Marfil is well-worth having in your home and a good option for those who love the sense of beauty it brings to every room. It is elegant, soothing, and adds a touch of class to any location.
This particular tile is noted for its range of attractive patterns, color tones and interesting and arresting presence once installed. It is versatile and may be laid for flooring or used on walls. Put it into any room, and the whole atmosphere changes to an appealingly charismatic place to hang out.
Most homeowners find this marble choice appealing thanks to the wide variation of tiles sizes, making it a natural choice for those handy do-it-yourselfers, who pride themselves on a difficult job well done. The interesting trick with Crema Marfil is that depending on what size tiles you choose the look of a room or hallway changes dramatically. For instance, bigger tiles create the appearance of greater length and width. If using a combo of short and long tiles, the resulting mosaic effect is dynamic and stunning.
Another hugely popular bonus with this marble is its elegant finish. It is perfectly serene, clean, easy to maintain and soothing to look at. It’s not often you get a tile that is this versatile and universally admired by many. And, if you are a stickler for durable flooring, but don’t think this would do the trick, think again. It is durable, beautiful, fashionable and highly useful. What more could you ask for in terms of superior flooring?
Still not convinced? Take your time and do research on the various options on the market today. There are hundreds of options that may appeal to you and even offer you colors you never though you would see put to use for wall or flooring jobs. That’s the fund part of shopping for tiles when you are looking to do an upgrade project. The tough part is choosing just one among all the tiles that are reasonably priced.
The post For tiling that adapts as you need it, consider Crema Marfil first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>While it may be time to do something to upgrade the older, and perhaps unattractive, flooring in your home, today’s homeowners are far more environmentally conscious than ever before. It is imperative for an eco-focused consumer to choose flooring products which are sustainable.
Thankfully, designers, architects, interior decorators and home builders have been working on practical ways to work with sustainable materials, things that are environmentally friendly, both now and in the future. What does “sustainable” mean and why should you care?
Sustainable materials are those which carefully and consciously maintain balance in all of our natural resources, whether it is water or wood. If we do not have balance or maintain a necessary balance, it has an enormous affect on our lives. We must be willing to work with products that can replace themselves. This is vitally important with virtually everything we use today.
What are the choices in terms of flooring for those who want to go green and are serious about it? You can upgrade your flooring with sustainable options, materials that are easy-to-find and a snap to install. For instance, bamboo flooring is a good sustainable choice. Bamboo is water-resistant, hard as nails and has an innate anti-bacterial agent. If you want to install it like hardwood flooring, you can, or you can cut it into smaller planks during installation.
This next sustainable recommendation may raise some eyebrows: recycled leather. Where does recycled leather come from? The leather used to make car seats. The seats are ground up, and the resulting mixture is glued, using natural glue and fillers. The end result is tiles that you can install in any room. They look natural and are richly textured.
If your goal is to have aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally-sustainable flooring, think outside of the box and find out what other interesting options you could apply to your floors to make them look unique, yet classic.
The post Green flooring is important in today’s world first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s a no-brainer that hardwood floors, or hardwood lookalikes, sell houses. Hands down, people love the look of hardwood and this type of flooring is one of the better investments you could make to increase the resale value of your home. Would you be surprised to find out that hardwood may even add up to 6 percent to the value of your sale price? Worth considering, right?
If you already have wood flooring in your home, that is half the battle. Keep those floors in tiptop shape and you likely have a quick sale on your hands. If you do not have wood floors, maybe it’s time to dust off the budget, take a good, hard look at your existing floors, decide which rooms need to be done and start some serious shopping. You do not need to put hardwood floors in every room, unless that is something you want to do and can afford it.
Many people simply start with hardwood floor upgrades their bedroom, but you may wish to begin in the kitchen or living room. If you have carpeting right now, you need to decide if you want to keep it or take it out. If you replace the old carpet with new carpet, stick to neutral colors if your goal is to sell your home. If you want hardwood flooring to capture the eye of a potential buyer, then spend time looking for the right kind of hardwood that suits your style and is simpatico with where you live. For instance, if you live in Florida, you might want to gravitate to tiling in the main living areas.
If you prefer hardwood, then check out the latest trending flooring, handscaped hardwood. Handscaped hardwood excites buyers with the country charm it lends a room and the aura of authenticity it brings. Some call it “vintage planking;” wait until you see how many different finishes and breathtaking woods are available to choose from. And the bonus? Handscaped hardwood blends well with every other kind of flooring on the market.
Do you prefer the wooden planks narrow, or wide? These days, wider planks are leading in the popularity polls, because that is they way they used to be when older factories and warehouses were turned into stores and living spaces. This type of flooring is a nod to history, but it works very well with today’s more modern interiors.
The post Handscraped flooring is hot for home upgrades first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Even when the urge to get really creative with flooring and tiling choices may be strong, it is best to picture what your choices may look like down the road, or to someone who was interested in buying your home. Red, black and yellow tiling may be a powerful conversation starter when people use your bathroom, but not everyone wants that kind of ambiance. Plus, even though you may like the colors when you buy and install them, you may not like them so much a few years later when color trends and tastes change.
While there is nothing wrong with red in a bathroom, or any room for that matter, you may want to use it carefully, more as an accent than a predominant color. Bold and exciting might be the order of the day, but remember, you have to live with it long-term, unless you plan to rip out the tiles in a few years and do it over.
Limiting what you do in terms of too much color is not as great a disadvantage as it may seem. This is because you have other choices to complement what you want to achieve for an overall look and feeling. For instance, consider glass mosaic tiles or even pebble tiles for that “something different” kind of look. If you tile you walls in a memorable and unique way, it will stand the test of time, even if you have standard flooring, provided it does not need to be upgraded as well.
Another different approach is to use complementary inlay tiles on the wall or floor. Inlays can do wonders for a room and act to give it a unique focal point. You may use an inlay to highlight a feature in the room, sharpen up the edges of the tiling around the room or showcase a stunning feature in your bathroom or kitchen. It’s all up to you what you choose.
Consider mixing various tile mediums for another different look. An example would be using natural stone with pebble tiles or using odd-size mosaic tiles to create a work of art on the floor or wall. It’s exciting when you get right down to the final choices you have before your begin your project. If you aren’t sure what to choose, how durable a choice may be or what would suit your lifestyle, drop in to your local Tampa flooring contractor and take a look at the various jobs they have done. You will know instantly what would work in your home.
The post Tile can make you smile with tasteful choices for your home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Home is where the flooring is, and home is the one place you find peace and tranquility. For some, looking at floors that have seen their day, first placed years ago, can take away from the enjoyment of owning a home. Flooring is far more important than many people realize. In fact, it is one of the first things a potential buyer will look at when you have your house on the market.
Homes are not just about flooring alone. They are a reflection of the people living there. Accordingly, you want the best-looking possible decor. You want compatible colors and/or wallpaper throughout the house, perhaps matching the furniture and the ambiance you wish to create. Think what the overall effect would be if the flooring was retro 1930s and the decor was 21st century.
Flooring sets the tone of each room in your home. If you want to change flooring in each room, you have the freedom of creativity to do so. Consider hardwood for the living and dining room, marble for the bathroom, rubber flooring for the kids play area and ceramic for the kitchen. It all depends on what kind of mood you want for each room. Decide what works for your imagination, figure out a budget, shop online and in person and stop by your local Tampa flooring contractor to see what they recommend. It’s time well spent.
Lighter-colored flooring makes a room look larger, while darker planking or other floor coverings, shrinks the room. If you have high-traffic areas to worry about with the kids and pets, then stick with a flooring that is not only durable, but does not show too much dirt. As an alternative, you could always opt to use runners to protect the floor or carpet.
The choices on the market in terms of flooring are so diverse, even if you are a dedicated go-green kind of person, there are flooring choices just for you such as reclaimed barn wood or bamboo. If you plan to do something different, just do the research first before investing your money in a floor choice you might not like once it is installed. You may even decide that since flooring comes in far more colors than it used to, to opt for colored flooring instead of carpets. The nice thing about shopping for floors for your home is the wide variety of choices.
And, if you are worried that wood may make a room look smaller, you’ll be happy to know that it actually makes it look bigger. This is due to the way the wood is cut, but also a result of how it is laid in longer lines across a floor. If you want the visual effect of a larger room, try wood flooring, as it widens and lengthens a room.
The post Your home is the biggest purchase you ever make first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If you really want to add some punch and pizzazz to your home, think about using marble in the kitchen, the bathrooms, the laundry room or wherever you think it would look good. Marble does it all, including countertops. Ever noticed in those fancy home magazines the kinds of marble used for kitchen countertops? Quite elegant and super easy to have done in your own home.
Why not get stone countertops in the room you spend most of your time in cooking? The look of marble can rejuvenate any room in your home and give everyone who sees it a feeling of timeless beauty. You just need to decide what color of marble you want, what would look best in the rooms you want to redo and how to compliment the rest of the room when the marble is installed.
Even though most associate marble with bathrooms, it is making its way into other locations in the home, like fireplaces, vanities, kitchen countertops, laundry rooms and tiling in other locations. It has a clean look; a polished presence and gives each room a quiet, yet classy finish. Just keep in mind that if you do choose marble for the kitchen countertop, that you need to treat it with respect and care to maintain its elegance.
Yes, marble does break and chip as a result of kitchen accidents, and some people, if they spend a lot of time in the kitchen, would prefer something less prone to marring, like granite. It’s tough and not as prone to stain, like marble. It just depends on what kind of look you want in the kitchen. Some like the idea of a slightly worn and chipped marble counter because it adds an old world vintage look to the room. It’s sort of like distressed clothing on the market today. People love the retro look.
It’s certainly a personal decision as to what you want for a new look. Keep in mind that marble tends to look better the more it ages and acquires character and it is water resistant, which means you do not have to worry about getting it wet when washing dishes. Just make sure it is sealed properly and don’t cut corners doing it, either. The sealing will need to be done more than once.
In the final analysis, marble is the look of now and the future. You just need to treat it with respect to keep it looking its very best.
The post Marble does multiple duty from flooring to countertops first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>You spend so much time in the kitchen that you want it to look good. Maybe you even entertain in there, or the kids love it and the all congregate there after school. Whatever the reason you want a new look for your kitchen, there are a whole slew of options out there. It won’t take long to find precisely what you need to make the heart of the home look spectacular. Just remember, you want it to be durable, classy and look like a million bucks.
For heavy traffic, stone or tile is just about the perfect solution. Stone would be your first choice if you want a natural look in your home. Start with the kitchen and then work your way through the rest of the house. It’s a bit like eating popcorn —- once you start upgrading flooring, love how it looks and endures, you want more. You might want to consider slate, limestone or even sandstone. These are the current trending natural floorings and you can choose a rougher look or one that is slightly more polished.
Not into stone? Then you may like the smooth, glossy and sleek finish of porcelain. Although, if you do have kids and they drop things a lot, this might not be a good option for you. However, if your kids are older and don’t drop glasses anymore, porcelain could be a crowd pleaser. And here’s another tip: you can use porcelain tiles to make the floor look like stone, but spend fewer bucks on the deal. While they are smoother than stone, they have a wider variety of patterns, designs and colors. Coming into its own these days is metallic finish tiles. Quite eye-catching indeed.
If porcelain or stone don’t appeal to you, you could always think about concrete flooring. While that may sound really odd, and more like something one would find in a mall, concrete flooring is being installed in many newer homes. This is because it holds heat well and if you’re worried about longevity, this stuff lasts for decades.
Don’t think for a minute that it just lays there and looks like concrete, the stuff outside we use for sidewalks. It can be tricked out in ways you would not believe, like acid stained, polished, colored or honed. And believe it or not, it can be used for countertops, as well.
You could also select woods such as oak, bamboo or laminates, or go modern with glass and resin. No matter what look you want, you will find it out there.
The post Don’t let your kitchen ‘floor’ you when it comes to upgrading first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many people when asked about whether they would consider vinyl plank flooring, get a deer in the headlights look and mumble something about vinyl being kind of ugly and they want something that looks good in their home.
You’re in for a real surprise, because luxury vinyl plank flooring has elegance, functionality and lots of style. This happens to be due to the fact that being in style is hot and flooring manufacturers know a good thing when they see it. Today’s vinyl plank flooring looks great and even more realistic in mimicking other flooring choices that are more expensive.
In fact, choosing vinyl plank over hardwood or laminate is actually a good idea, largely due to the fact that it is far more durable and tougher than either of those two choices. Its ability to withstand spills and scratches is phenomenal.
Just keep in mind when you start shopping around for this flooring, that not all flooring, and this applies to every choice you ultimately make, is created equal. For instance, check the backing system, how it is constructed, does it have a commercial or residential warranty, come with a mold inhibitor and is it certified hypo-allergenic?
You will also want to check whether or not your potential choice is water proof or water resistant, as that makes a huge difference as to where you have it installed. Find out how thick it is, as the thicker, the better, for some locations. There are so many options to choose and no matter what you do choose, you will find the pricing quite reasonable.
There aren’t too many flooring options on the market these days that can boast of a starting price of $.99/sq.ft. Certainly there are more expensive choices, but if you have budget issues, the least expensive flooring choice still looks good.
You just need to take your time choosing what works for you, as you would with selecting more expensive flooring. You will want to check that what you are being quoted does match up with your product choice. For example check the thickness and layering to ensure you are getting what you want, and make certain that when you compare various options of the same flooring, that you are comparing the same kind of product within the flooring range. It’s pretty easy to shop, but just take your time and you will end up with a good deal for something that really looks great in your home.
The post Vinyl Plank Flooring As An Appealing Option first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Protective flooring is also referred to as safety flooring, and its main distinctive feature is its flexibility to work in multiple environments. If you have young children, you know that any flooring that is hard-wearing, non-slip, virtually stain resistant and thrives on heavy traffic is a winner.
Although you tend to find flooring like this in factories, warehouses, hospitals, nurseries and so forth, the simple fact is this type of flooring is go to go no matter where you want to put it. It has a stellar record when it comes to safety by preventing falls or slipping, and what could be better than that with young toddlers?
Safety flooring does well in the kitchen and even the bathroom, but don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s ugly and utilitarian. Sure, it is handy, does yeoman’s duty and can handle just about anything thrown at it. Putting it down in a kitchen would be a smart choice.
When considering safety flooring, take an inventory of what it is you need before buying anything. For instance, rubber vinyl flooring goes well in rooms designated as children’s play areas. On the other hand, you would want a non-slip surface in a kitchen or bathroom. If in doubt, ask your local Tampa flooring contractor what would best in your home.
People used to think that safety flooring was only something you hid behind a closed door. While that was true once, it is not now. It comes in beautiful colors and designs, and you can even choose what kind of finish appeals to you. Safety flooring is coming into its own and if you take a good look around the next time you are out, you’ll notice it in open areas frequented by the public.
Imagine being able to choose safety flooring that looks like wood, right down to the finish. It even offers quality acoustic abilities to reduce the happy sounds of children at play.
Whether you choose to install it at home or work, you’ll find you will be pleased with this hard-working, smart-looking and versatile flooring. It’s definitely a long-term solution for a reasonable price if you want to upgrade existing flooring.
The post Safety Flooring Protects Kids first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Focusing on green products for the home is still going strong, and many people are giving serious thought to what kind of flooring to have in their homes. It’s about protecting our habitat and environment, protecting the earth and our forests. One alternative flooring that is piquing people’s interest is reclaimed rubber. Talk about cost effective flooring. It is even less expensive than natural rubber. While you may think it sounds too different and while you might not be able to visualize what your home would look like with reclaimed rubber floors, check it out online. The look is quite appealing.
While gyms, spas and fitness centers might come to mind, reclaimed rubber has a role to play in your home. You can’t beat it for maintenance. Imagine a floor that is completely stain-resistant and will not scratch up, not even if you have pets and busy kids. This kind of flooring lasts for years and years and years. If you have a need for safe flooring in your home for children or older or disabled adults, reclaimed rubber flooring may be just the thing for you.
As you might expect, reclaimed rubber flooring is made from cast off automobile tires. After processing, it ends up as rolls of flooring and as tiles. It is environmentally friendly in terms of a green flooring option. Recycled rubber also uses less energy, as opposed to creating new rubber, a process that requires an enormous amount of energy, which often gets wasted during its creation. Starting from scratch is not always a great idea. It is also more expensive than reclaimed rubber and if you are on a budget, reclaimed rubber is a great fit for you.
It might take some work to adjust your perception of rubber flooring as something you would only find in commercial buildings. Think “outside of the box” and you’ll see that rubber would be beneficial for many areas in your home —- the laundry room, playrooms, the garage, pantry or even a bathroom. The best use of this type of flooring is in a kid’s playroom. It cuts the noise level and prevents them from slipping and falling. Also, if you have pets, a rubber floor is a breeze to keep clean.
One further point in favor of using reclaimed rubber is that, contrary to what you may think, it is not pitch black, unless that is what you want. It comes in different colors, formats, thicknesses and designs, just like any other type of flooring. Why not give it some thought? It might be the right thing to do if you have concerns about preserving the planet.
The post Looking for something different in flooring – try recycled rubber first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>One thing you may wish to consider when upgrading your flooring is what type of covering you want. For instance, do you prefer a soft covering, hard or wooden flooring or chemical flooring? Choosing something that suits your lifestyle might sound easy, but with the various options available, sometimes the choices are overwhelming. Start with the basics by considering whether or not you want carpets to cover your existing flooring. Do you have kids and/or pets? Would carpet work with your busy lifestyle? What kind of carpet would best address your needs? And what type of budget do you want to work with? Will you do-it-yourself or have someone install it? Then of course, there are various colors and textures to decide on as well.
Let’s say carpeting is not for you. What about hard flooring? In this category of floor choices you would find terracotta, ceramic and porcelain. Its material designed to withstand pressure. The bonus with hard flooring is that it is colorful, versatile, easy to clean, reasonably priced, easy to find and easy to install, provided you follow the instructions. For example, ceramic flooring can be a nice whimsical touch in a kitchen and liven it up considerably. Think resale value if you choose to sell your home.
If you don’t care for hard flooring, then wood may be a good choice for you. For instance, the marketplace has a full range of wooden laminates that come in various designs and colors. These days, many laminates very closely resemble hardwood, but are considerably less expensive than the real thing. The only issue you may have with laminate flooring is if you choose a very inexpensive one. They are typically hard to keep clean.
Why not consider chemical flooring? Simply put, this is polyester, epoxy or latex applied to an existing floor to provide a seamless covering. One of the more popular choices today is an epoxy coat that keeps the flooring from degrading and creates a strong surface, resistant to acid. This may be perfect for a high traffic area recreation room, a laundry room or workshop area. Check it out. It may offer you an alternative to the traditional types of flooring.
The post For eye-catching floors, try chemical flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Homeowners with hardwood flooring just love it. They couldn’t be happier. However, even though they love it, they notice early signs of warping and gapping. This has to do with variable moisture levels in your home. Your floors are also affected by what you bring inside with you when you come in. Although it is difficult to keep all the sticks, leaves and small stones outside, making sure you have an area rug right by the door will help protect your floors.
Since it tends to be drier outside during the winter, this also affects your indoor temperatures. It is warmer inside to stave off the cold. Over time, the hardwood dries out and the boards shift, leaving small gaps in the flooring. Dry, cold winters mean a lower moisture level, and when you remove moisture from wood, it shrinks. You know that horrid squeak you have in the middle of the living room floor that makes everyone jump in the middle of the night when the dog walks over it? Thank dry hardwood flooring for that, and take steps to increase the humidity level inside your home.
One way to increase the relative humidity in your home is to use a humidifier. However, before you invest in one and keep it running all the time, ask a flooring contractor what the level should be, ideally, for the climate you live in. For instance, if you live in northeastern U.S. area, you get really harsh winters, and a humidifier may be the answer to help keep your hardwood flooring from shrinking. Think stand-alone units or one that may be attached to your furnace.
Again, mats make all the difference in the world when making sure your hardwood floor stays as clean and debris free as possible. They also help absorb rain, slush and other gunk, like runny mud. Better to have it on the carpet that you can wash, than on your hardwood floor. A mat also keeps small stones embedded and off the floor, avoiding scratches and abrasions.
Although all of this might sound like a lot of work to keep a floor looking nice, it is well worth it. A home with hardwood flooring that is in good shape and has been well-kept, brings a better price on the market.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Winter can wreck your Tampa flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Senate Bill 1770, sponsored by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, is a large insurance reform effort, containing many changes that the insurance industry has long advocated for. However, critics say that if the bill becomes law, property insurance policy holders will see their rates go up. The bill targets the government-run Citizens, but may also cause rate increases.
Sen. Simmons said that the bill would reduce the high level of risk the state faces in the event of a major hurricane and would also reduce reliance on state-run insurance. Some Senators from coastal areas said that the bill would result in unmanageable rate increases for homeowners’ insurance. Consumer advocates criticized the lawmaking process, saying that public comment had been limited.
The bill would make the following changes in current law:
The rates charged by Citizens would be required to be actuarially sound, to not compete with private insurers and to carry an appropriate risk load. These measures could cause rate increases for customers of Citizens, who currently have a cap of 10 percent for increases in their rates.
When insurance companies purchase reinsurance to cover a potential hurricane, they would be permitted to charge higher rates. This means that customers of Citizens may be charged an additional 3 percent per year, though the assessment they would face after a major hurricane would also be lower.
Some of Citizens’ $6 billion surplus could be lent to private companies that would take over some of its policies, a move that would reduce the insurer’s resources and could result in higher rates for Citizens customers that remain.
For new policyholders at Citizens, as well as existing policies for second homes and homes worth more than $300,000, Citizens will be required to charge rates higher than those charged by the top 20 private
insurers.
When it comes time for renewal, Citizens policyholders will lose their coverage if a private insurance company offers a policy that can be up to 15 percent pricier than Citizens.
The bill has cleared the Banking and Insurance Committee and the Government Operations subcommittee. It must clear the Appropriations Committee before it faces a full floor vote in the Senate. If the bill passes both the Senate and the House, it will go to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature.
Learn more about Florida home insurance by visiting FloridaInsurance.com.
The post Homeowners in Florida May See Insurance Rates Rise Under New Bill first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s never a good idea to cut corners too much when it comes to buying Tampa flooring tile for you home upgrade. This isn’t to say it may not be a steal of a deal, but when it comes right down to it, it won’t last as long as you want and you’ll be replacing it sooner than later. That means you haven’t really saved any money at all, just delayed the re-install a few years and then you need to put more cash out to fix or upgrade the floor again.
Another thing many do when it comes to selecting tile for their next home renovation project is choose discontinued tiles. Those typically come in at a really nice price, and are often high caliber, high quality tiles that will last longer and look good. However, check the bargain bin, because you will also find every day, not so wonderful tiles in the mixture as well. If you get lucky and find discounted marble, granite or limestone tiles, you’ve hit pay dirt and your budget will love you.
Certainly buying discontinued, quality tiles is a smart way to go, but be aware there are a couple of things you should know before buying them. The first thing is discontinued actually means no more tile like the one you are planning to buy will come on the market any time soon. So, what you see is what you get, and what you get will be all that you can get.
If the tiles are neutral enough to go anywhere and look good for years, this isn’t a drawback if you take care of them. However, if the discounted tiles are an interesting, brash shade of red or perhaps green, you might want to rethink buying them, unless you don’t mind replacing them in a few years when you tire of the color or a new color trend hits the market.
You may also get lucky on a hunt to try and match existing tiles in your home; the ideal solution to do the flooring in that laundry room extension you have been planning for years. The bonus here is that what you find should match flooring already down, making the job that much easier.
Or, you might only need a few replacement tiles to take care of the flooring you have right now. It might not be damaged now, but you can’t predict if it will be blemish free in the years to come. Pick up extra tiles for the “what if” things that happen in the life of your flooring.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Cheap is not always good when it comes to tile first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many Tampa flooring contractors choose slate for floors, walls and counter tops, and the reason for their choice is that slate is a natural material and no two tiles are the same. They can be used in a residential or commercial job and still look appealing and attractive. Slate tiles suit any décor.
One of the latest trends is slate flooring in all rooms of the house, but if you prefer, just do the kitchen and bathroom. Slate is very durable; making it an ideal choice for high traffic areas, and being slip resistant means a great choice of flooring. If you are not sure what to use in the room of choice, there are different kinds of slate. Choose what you want according to the theme of the room. For example, black slate will offer a nice contemporary ambiance. The choices are endless and no matter what you choose, slate will do right by your interior.
You might even want to think about using slate for any countertops in either the bathroom or kitchen. This adds a nice touch of class to any room and you can have whatever look suits your fancy. Slate is regarded as being low maintenance and relatively stain resistant and you can match the countertop to the flooring or select a complementary color instead. You can’t go wrong with slate.
When the interior is done, consider the outside. What about the patio area? Slate does wonders for just about any outside area and provides an appealing touch of charm to any space. Simply choose the right color to suit a mood or theme and then choose the size and pattern that best suits your lifestyle preferences. It’s a slam dunk and will likely be the talk of the neighborhood.
But if you really want to capture people’s attention, use slate tiles on your roof. They’re ideal. Weather resistant and long lasting, not to mention a bit less expensive than other roofing materials you could choose, using slate also means replacing the roof less often; a real bonus in the long run.
In short, slate tiling is highly versatile, attractive, reasonable priced, long lasting, flexible, adaptable, easy to maintain, and looks good in any room. Try to choose the best quality tiling you can, as it will serve you well over the years. If you have concerns about installing it, talk to a local Tampa flooring contractor.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post For Tiling Versatility, Choose Slate first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>You’ve finally decided to put in a tile shower. The plans look great, and the expectation is the new addition will make the room even more attractive. You have all the tiling you need and yen to get at it. You’re good to go. Well, wait. There is one more thing you need to take into account, and that is sealing the tile. This is where a large number of people make their first mistake. There is a difference between tile and grout.
The grouting is the “gunk” that is used to fill the gaps between the tiles. This gunk needs to be sealed because that protects it from mildew and mold, and means it is easier to clean. However, remember that you do not seal the group right away. You need at least one day for it to set. If you had the tiling installed by someone, the chances are that they did not seal it. This is a do-it-yourself job, but it is relatively easy. It is also something that needs to be done every few years or so, and not doing it allows water to leak behind the tiles, leading to mold. If you don’t want to replace all of the tiles in about two years or less, seal your grout.
Sealing the tile is optional and this largely depends on what kind of tile you use. For instance, if you choose slate, matte tiles, natural stone or marble, you should seal it. Most natural stone is porous and absorbs water. If you don’t want mildew in the bathroom, seal your stone tiles. On the other hand, if you choose to use ceramic tiles, you don’t need to seal them. Bonus. Sealing tiles means less cleaning.
There is one thing to consider. Sometimes sealing the whole tile causes issues. This is because some sealers cause tiles to darken, or they may become stained. It also takes a lot of time to seal a whole shower. However, having said that, some of the newer sealants on the market last for up to 15 years. Gone are the days of re-sealing every year.
Also remember not to seal your shower tiles or grout until it is completely dry. For an older shower, you may need to wait for up to five days, because there is usually moisture behind them and it needs to evaporate. If you don’t let it get completely dry, expect trouble down the line. When in doubt, ask a Tampa flooring contractor what works and what does not. They may also be your best choice to hire the job out and get it done professionally.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post For bathroom tiling, seal the deal first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Some people don’t care for wooden floors, or ceramics or vinyl or even hardwood. They want to stick to tried, tested-and-true carpeting, because that is what they like. They want the warmth and durability that a good carpet offers. This more than makes good sense if your house happens to be built on a concrete slab. The bottom line is that carpets may be just as durable as other flooring choices. It just depends on your lifestyle and what kind of look you want inside your home.
Carpet has the knack for changing the whole ambiance of a room. It can make the floor cushy to foot traffic, depending on the thickness of padding. It can brighten up a room, give it elegance, and make a previously dull room come to life. It can also make a once forbidding looking den or office look like a relaxing place to be and work.
Many families with small children would prefer having carpeting in their home, as the kids are less likely to fall and hurt themselves. Of course, maintaining a carpet with kids in the house can be a drink spilling challenge, but there are some very good carpets today that will take drinks and other horrid drips and splashes with aplomb and still look good. This is the case for pet owners as well. There are ways to keep the carpet looking good, even after a “gift” was deposited.
Additionally, homes with stairs appreciate carpeting for the traction it provides. Wood is slippery and has the potential to be dangerous if you misstep. You may wind up at the bottom of the stairs at lot fast than you expected. This is the last thing you want when your kids are small and just learning to get around.
Either way you look at it, no matter what type of flooring you choose, it all has to be cleaned, one way or the other. That would include dusting, scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming, polishing, and so forth. So it all comes down to which method of cleaning is less arduous for you and what ultimately suits your lifestyle.
In the final analysis, you need to make a flooring choice based on many things, not the least of which is the budget. From there, you consider the “look” you want, the style and color that would work and which rooms need to be done right away. The choices you make will dictate the comfort and style you are looking for in a quality flooring.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Carpets are more durable than you might think first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Most people ignore their floors and then wonder why, when they have done the painting, papering, changing fixtures and matching accessory routines, why the bedroom (or other locations), just does not quite “do it” for them. Look at your flooring. More often than not, the floor needs to be upgraded to match the rest of the modernized room. You just can’t have a glamorous bedroom with silk, satin and lace, and an old lino floor. It looks like a mish-mash and detracts from the rest of the room.
For the bedroom, you want something that says comfort, elegance and is pleasing to the eye, something with warmth and character and easy to care for over time. Many of the options on the market are expensive, and if you have the budget to go that route, more power to you. However, many people just don’t have that kind of money these days, and are looking for something less expensive, but still elegant.
Some of the more popular options are hardwood flooring, wood laminates, vinyl and ceramics. Which is the best choice for you? That depends entirely on the look you want to achieve and the amount of money you have to spend. Hardwood for instance, is hugely popular, but also a bit on the expensive side. In its defense though, it is one of the longest lasting flooring options you could possibly choose; a choice that will not let you down as time goes by. In short, it is quality flooring.
Wood laminates are also a good choice, and somewhat more reasonably priced. They look and feel like wood, are relatively easy to install, easy to clean (provided you get a good quality laminate) and retain their appearance quite nicely if cared for properly.
Another option, vinyl, is also quite popular and many homes these days have it installed for the ease of maintenance it offers. It comes in sheets and tiles, and depending on the look you want, and where it is to be installed, you have choices that would work either way. One neat trick to remember is that vinyl sheets (or tiles) are a great foundation for laying wood laminate. So if you want, you could lay both.
If you aren’t sure what would work in your environment, start asking around and checking with Tampa flooring contractors to see what the latest rage in flooring happens to be. You may like it. You may not. However, either way, any good contractor will have plenty of other ideas and options to show you. You’ll never leave a Tampa flooring outlet without tons of great alternatives to upgrade your home’s flooring.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Bedroom flooring needs to be pleasing and cost effective first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Hardwood is a hugely popular choice of flooring for many homeowners, as they know it enhances the overall value of their property. Hardwood is a smart investment, but it does need to be kept looking its very best, in order to allow the natural grace and beauty to captivate visitors and potential buyers.
Many think hardwood is difficult to keep. That is not the case. You do not maintain it, but maintenance is not that difficult. You just need to be aware of a few pointers. For instance, hardwood does not react well to moisture, so spills need to be cleaned up as soon as possible. Additionally, humidity, or the lack of it, will also affect hardwood flooring. Low humidity can cause the wood to pull apart at the planks seams. Simply using air conditioning will alleviate this issue.
If you’re concerned about moisture on the floors, particularly in the kitchen or laundry areas, then opt to use synthetic rugs, largely because they handle spills very well, and will protect your floor. They also act as a barrier to protect your floor from ground-in dirt, which cuts down on scratching and gouging if you have high-traffic areas where kids and pets wander. The best placement for a rug in a room with hardwood floors is to put it down by the doorway, where it acts as a debris collector. Remember to use synthetic rugs and not plastic, rubber or foam, as these materials may discolor the floor.
Once a day, vacuum or sweep your hardwood floors to get rid of debris that might scratch the surface, and move your area rugs around to prevent a rug outline on your floor from being in one spot too long. You do not need to use very much water. In fact, just use a mop that is barely damp, or use a specially designed spray cleaner and a microfiber mop.
Yes, hardwood flooring does take a bit of extra care, but the results and the look are well worth the extra effort. This type of floor is a major investment, but it will last you for years and remain elegant and inviting, provided you take the time to maintain it. If this isn’t something you want to consider, or are too busy to do the floor daily, you might want to look into other types of flooring that would suit your lifestyle demands.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Hardwood flooring is easier to care for than you might think first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s easy to get carried away when it comes to home renovations. It’s exciting trying to find precisely what you want, in the colors you hope to use, and for a price that’s reasonable. Interestingly enough, most people, when it comes to home renovations, forget about, or leave the flooring, to the last minute. They’re completely focused on having the kitchen or living room look “just so.” What about the floor?
If you have tired, old lino in the kitchen, it does not blend well with your new, sleek, modern black and white kitchen interior. Let’s face it: the kitchen floor has seen better days, and now that there is a new look to the heart of the home, it’s time to upgrade the flooring, too. Perhaps you went country with a bit of city slicker blended together and want a floor that carries on that type of theme. You might want to consider antique heart pine flooring. Now, that would give your kitchen a stunning ambiance!
Pine is notably one of the toughest, most durable and strongest materials you could use. It has a long life, too, longer than carpet, vinyl or even tile. You just need to make sure you take care of it properly. If you don’t know what that would involve, make a call to a Tampa flooring contractor with extensive experience dealing with a variety of flooring materials.
Just remember, over time, even pine flooring will need a spiff up, and luckily, that is not a difficult task, because pine flooring is so dense. It is super easy to work with and can withstand just about anything you do to restore its original beauty. You can even easily get rid of blemishes, water damage or stains. You just need to know how to accomplish that task to preserve the eternal beauty of your pine flooring. Don’t be talked into getting the whole floor replaced if you just have a small area or two to restore.
Talk to the experts, ones willing to be honest with you and tell you exactly what you might need to do to restore the beauty of your antique heart pine floor. You’re dealing with quality flooring, so don’t cut corners. This is particularly important if you have plans to sell your home at some point. The better it looks as an overall package, the better the dollar value you will recover on a sale.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Home upgrading is not complete without a nod to flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Limestone is one of the natural stones that people seem to gravitate towards when they are considering what kind of flooring to have in their homes – either as it is being built new, or as an upgrading project. This stone is noted for its varying degrees of hardness, and since it is natural, it ages well, with its appearance improving over time.
Cost-wise, limestone is a good choice as well, and comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors. The sky is the limit and limestone has the ability to match any kind of setting, whether it is used as flooring, or on your walls. An added bonus is the fact that each stone has its own hue and shade, making it one of a kind. The overall effect is quite stunning.
Still not sure which way to go? Consider the various finishes available in limestone tile flooring – honed, polished or semi-polished. By the way, polished limestone does not shine like quartz or granite. It offers a lovely subtle glaze that many find very appealing. Plus, limestone has a depth of character than many enjoy. For instance, filled stones are just that – pits and holes are grouted closed. Unfilled stones retain the holes and pits. It depends on what kind of look you want to achieve, and which style would work for your project.
A honed finish is a smooth surface, sometimes with a slight reflective gloss that brings out the true character of the stone. And, bonus — limestone is super easy to clean, provided a good sealant was used on installation. Keep rugs in high traffic areas, such as doorways, and just sweep or vacuum grit up regularly. If the right sealant was used, the wear and tear on your limestone flooring will be minimized.
What about spills? Thanks to the calcium carbonate reacts when it is exposed to acid-based spills, like orange juice. Clean spills up promptly. Do not let the spill stay on the floor and dry. If you are not home when the spill occurs, and it does dry out, simply use a mild cleaner that has a neutral pH. It won’t harm the sealant or the grouting.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post For good, hard flooring, try limestone first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s easy to get caught up in the process of choosing new fixtures and countertops for your kitchen. It’s exciting to see it all come together and pleasing to the eye. However, eight out of ten times, the floor gets ignored. This is a real shame, since it is the flooring that ties all the elements in the kitchen together. If you have a red and white lino floor and your countertops are granite, the kitchen is going to look odd. If you’re going to spend the money to upgrade the kitchen, then do the floor first.
Don’t know where to start? It’s not a huge problem, as there are a multitude of choices. Just keep in mind your lifestyle and what you find appealing. If you want to mix and match styles from the ‘50s and the futuristic look of all chrome or steel, then go for it. However, if you would prefer things to all pull together, then spend some time choosing what feels right for the way you live.
For instance, if you have a family and pets, you want a floor that takes a beating, cleans up well and is easy to maintain. In the kitchen, you will want something that takes a lot of traffic, spills and paw prints. This doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice beauty for utility, as there are flooring choices that would suit your requirements. First, what color is the kitchen? Will you change the color? Do you have prints or checks in your kitchen? Do you prefer ultra-modern or an older antique kind of look? Does your backdoor lead out to a muddy garden? Do the kids track in all manner of leaves, sand, dirt and grass?
Your first choice may be either vinyl or laminate flooring. Either is super easy to clean and is highly resilient, but still stylish while being functional. The nice thing about vinyl and laminate is that they have the innate ability to complement just about every type of kitchen. However, if you prefer a rustic feel to the kitchen, you would likely gravitate to wood flooring. It offers your kitchen a cozy ambience; homey and relaxing. Yes, wood takes a bit more time to maintain, but you may find the effort well worth it.
In the final analysis, if you are overwhelmed with the choices facing you for flooring for your new kitchen, check out kitchen design software. You get an instant visual by choosing various styles and colors, not to mention have a lot of fun.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post When choosing a new kitchen, pay attention to your Tampa flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The inner beauty of your home is largely determined by your flooring. While it is nice to have good furniture and nice wall decorations, if the floor looks awful, the home loses its luster and appeal, not just to you, but to potential buyers. Walls can be papered or painted. Flooring is long-term and permanent, so be sure to do it right when you upgrade.
Keep in mind that there are at least three factors you want to consider when it comes to choosing your new flooring: location, use, and budget. Let’s say you live in Tampa, where it is hot and humid. Those are not exactly ideal conditions for wood flooring. You might want to consider granite, but again, your budget will determine what you ultimately purchase.
There are other flooring choices to consider, such as vitrified tiles, which are glazed clay tiles. They are joint-free, so you don’t get the gapping between adjoining tiles, and are larger and more durable than regular tiles, can be cleaned by acid wash and don’t hold stains. However, one main disadvantage is that they scratch easily, so if you have pets, this is not a good choice for you. Additionally, they are known to be slippery, not the best choice for bathrooms or for rooms where there is traffic by children or older people who may unsure on their feet.
Another choice is mosaic tiling, which comes in a veritable rainbow of colors and designs. If you can imagine a pattern, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you can find it. Additionally, mosaics are one of the more visually appealing tiles on the market. One drawback, though, relates to fading and powdering. If you’re up to polishing your ceramic tiles on a regular basis, this may be the flooring for you.
Or, you might want to consider ceramic tiles, largely because they are really versatile, have a nice range of finishes and are relatively inexpensive. They are considered to be stylish and very easy keepers when it comes to maintenance. They have a minor problem, and that is if they are glazed, the color may fade over time.
Ultimately, it is your choice, and what a choice you have. It’s the best of everything: lots of choices, a range of prices and multiple options make upgrading your home a snap.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post The Floor Is Permanent; Do It Up Right first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There is nothing worse than spending money to upgrade your Tampa flooring to laminate tiles, and then discovering you installed them incorrectly. What’s the fuss, since there is no glue or nails? While laminate tile is relatively easy to lay and can go down on just about any surface, you still must take care to not lay them on carpet. Instead, they typically go on top of a thick, padded layer, which must be placed correctly and trimmed on completion in order to have a nice finished look.
The nice thing about laminate is that no matter what room you want to use it in — the basement, the kid’s rooms, the garage — it always looks good. In fact, it can look like stone or ceramic tiles or even wood flooring, but it isn’t. Rather, the tiles effectively mimic the look of pricey material, which does not stop them from being really durable and easy to maintain.
Want other ideas? Consider interlocking carpet floor tiles. They save time, are colorful, come in a wide variety of textures and are easy to install and take up again. These tiles come with padding under the tile, so installation time is just about cut in half. For a homeowner needing a quick job to upgrade their older wooden floors, carpet floor tiles are an ideal solution, and far less expensive than ripping out the old floor and starting all over.
You might also want to experiment with cork tiles, particularly if you are concerned about the environment. They are noted to add flexibility and a nice cushion to the rooms they are installed in, and they look terrific.
If you are looking for something that is slip resistant for use in a pool area, saunas, spas or showers, think interlocking vinyl tiles. They offer the right kind of drainage to make sure the water sloughs off. No matter what you want to accomplish on your tiling project, there is something on the market that will suit your project specs to a T.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Laminate tiles are great, but make sure they are installed properly first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There are so many Tampa flooring options on the market, it is hard to decide what would look best in your home. Most often, what appeals to you personally is the right answer. Having said that, one of the newer options to consider may be limestone tiles from the southwestern part of Turkey.
These tiles are gorgeous, creamy, snowy white and unusually consistent in color, which makes any home renovation project far easier for the do-it-yourself homepreneur. These tiles are also an excellent choice for hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas, as they offer a clean, contemporary and edgy ambiance.
The other unusual thing to note about the Turkish tiles is what is referred to as low-density fossiling. This makes them look quite similar to polished ceramic tiles; a point that many homeowners find very appealing, particularly if they love the texture and color of natural stone. The bonus with these tiles is that they are available in honed straight and smooth cuts, and semi-polished finishes. The straight and smooth cuts are usually used in kitchens and powder rooms, while the semi-polished are great for use outside.
In fact, many architects are starting to incorporate these tiles in their designs for building exteriors, driveways, garden landscaping and stone pavements. It’s an exciting and eye-catching concept, not to mention these tiles are excellent for use in the garden, as they are highly porous, meaning fungus or mould cannot grow on them. They create a certain ethereal ambiance in the garden and make it a place for quiet contemplation.
One word of caution; maintain these stones properly. They are prone to wear and tear, and you need the right kind of sealant before you lay the tiles. Additionally, if you have a space that typically gets heavy traffic, consider using the non-slip matte finish. Ultimately, the most appealing feature about the Turkish tiles is their price – considerably less than marble, but equally, if not more so, beautiful.
If you don’t know what kind of tile to choose, or even if it would work in your home, then consult with a professional Tampa flooring contractor. Get samples. Try them out at home. Ask questions. Ultimately, when you have enough information and are pleased with the “look,” you may make an informed buying decision.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Limestone tiles are a Natural Choice for Your Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>While many people love the look of hardwood floors, or natural stone when they upgrade their Tampa flooring, another nifty alternative is tile. In fact, designers are using tile for floors and walls, as they are impressed with their versatility. It is a trend that is beginning to sweep the nation, and if you want to get on the bandwagon early, now is the time to try tile in your personal living space, or office.
Some think that tiles are not that luxurious. However, if they are used in the right combinations, colors, styles and patterns, they become far more than just a hunk of clay. These seemingly small, but elegant tiles have the ability to turn a room into a work of art, add color, and add presence to a room. If you want to really get wild and crazy, plan tiles for inside and outside. Now that is a personal statement, and an eye-catching one at that.
There are a wide range of tiles and patterns on the market; enough to suit any budget. However, if you have a bit to spare, why not consider designer tiles. Get a bit of a kick with some extra character in each room you tile. And remember, you could do the floor, the wall or both. While designer tiles may cost just a bit more than the regular ones, it is worth it when you see the stunning results.
For a styling bathroom, why not have a tile mural created for one wall? Say seahorses, shells and a waterfall. It’s easy to do with tiles. Just create your design on paper first, and then make sure you have enough tiles to complete the job. To that end, always buy a few extra, so if you come up short, you’re covered.
Designer tiled walls are in. How about designer tiled floors? It’s likely the next trend. Imagine smooth tiles on the floor, creating a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. or pebble Tampa flooring in the laundry room. If you want to add some fresh style in your home, tiles are the way to achieve it, and tiles are easily installed if you want to install them yourself. Tile floors add style with class.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Tile Beats Carpet and Wallpaper, Hands Down first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Choosing colors can be a bit of a pain, so just remember that each room has its own ambience – and furniture – and plan accordingly. For instance, if the living room is done in reds and yellows, the last thing you want in there is pink flooring. However, having said that, the choice is are up to you, depending on what kind of look you want to achieve.
The main feature of quartz tile that people find appealing is their durability. This is important if you have kids, animals and want a virtually maintenance-free floor. Want them in the kitchen? Good choice. The bathroom? Even better choice. Experiment and bring home some samples. Try them in various rooms and get a feel for how they can make a room come alive.
Say you want white in your bathroom with red tiling accents. While this look can be achieved with a variety of other materials, like porcelain and granite, durable quartz tile will do you proud. And cleaning it is a breeze. Who doesn’t want a nice looking tile that is easy to clean? While white is popular, simply because it is adaptable to any other accent color, black would also be a good choice.
If you want a more modern look ian your home, try quartz tile for that unique and appealing combination that says classy and unique at the same time. And something else you might want to consider when choosing quartz tiles – they are easy to install, easy to clean and are relatively inexpensive. If you plan on doing the installation yourself, always remember to get more than you think you will need in case there is a problem installing them, or if you need to replace a tile later. Better to be safe than sorry.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post For a Different Look in Your Home, Try Quartz Tile first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>While you know it’s time for home improvements, you don’t know what to do with your flooring. Hardwood? Bamboo? Cork? Rubber? Laminate? While all of these choices have benefits that may appeal to homeowners, the choice usually comes down to a personal preference for a certain look and feel in flooring.
Some like carpeting. Others like wood. There are even some who won’t use anything else but natural stone. That’s fine, but what do you want to do inside your home? Depending on the room, the amount of traffic it receives and your tolerance level for cleaning, you may want to choose laminate flooring.
Laminate is a synthetic material that looks like wood but is considerably less expensive. It is easy to clean, so if you have kids, this might be an option you want to consider. And if you are thinking about installing it on your own, this is a good DIY project that won’t end in catastrophe.
There are just a few things you need to know before making a final decision about laminate flooring. First, keep your floors clean, because if there is dust, dirt and grime on them, it will get ground into the floor and may scratch it. Second, keep the floor dry. If you leave moisture on laminate flooring, the planks may warp, so wipe all spills quickly. Also, if you have water that is as hard as nails, washing the floor may leave a white chalky residue, so check out special laminate floor cleaners to avoid this. Finally, if you re-arrange the furniture a lot, invest in felt pads for the feet so they don’t scratch the floor.
Laminate flooring is a great choice for consumers who want the look of hardwood but the durability of a synthetic material.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Laminate Is Great Option in Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Maybe your vision of a rubber floor is black and boring. In reality, rubber flooring comes in a variety of vibrant colors and varying styles and thicknesses. You can buy it as a roll or in the form of interlocking mats. With so many options in color and design, your kids will be able to help decide how the flooring in their playroom looks.
Even non-residential spaces use rubber flooring to brighten up their play areas. Some business, like McDonald’s, can brand the matting with their logo and/or their design. It’s good advertising, plus it’s easy to keep clean. From pet accidents to spilled drinks, there is no challenge too big for rubber flooring.
Impact is not the only thing absorbed by rubber flooring; parents will love rubber because it absorbs sounds instead of reflecting them. While this does not mean sounds are completely eliminated, they are definitely toned down, which is music to the ears of parents.
As for maintenance, this is one easy floor to clean, largely due to the fact that it is stain and dirt resistant. Throw in a bit of routine cleaning with a broom, and you’re good to go. If you want to, you can use mild soap and water. That’s how easy it is to keep clean.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Rubber Flooring Is the Perfect Answer for Children’s Play Areas first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>These days, people are putting more into their homes to upgrade and invest in them, largely because their home is a major asset. One of the smartest moves to make, if you want to increase the value of your home for resale, or just want to make it look even better, is to upgrade your flooring. If you have a lively family that is always on the go tracking in and out of the house, you might want to consider Australian cypress flooring for your upgrade project.
While some prefer natural stone for their flooring, there are just as many others that love the look of wood flooring. For those with a yen for hardwood floors, you will love the unique look of Australian cypress, largely because it has an unusual variety of tones that make it stand out from the usual kinds of hardwood. It will make everyone who sees it, ask about it, if not get busy and do their own homes with it.
A word about the tones that lurk in this flooring. This refers to the wide variety of hues and shades this striking wood comes in. For instance, it ranges from honey brown to a rich cream, which, when laid, creates arresting contrasts and a variety of shades. It is so unusual, you will want to do more than just one room with the delicate, yet tough, intricately patterned hardwood.
Look for knots and whorls, various patterns, slashes of color, and tones of creamy coloring that create a homey ambiance in any room. If you are fond of the rustic look, this flooring will be the right choice for you. It is not only interesting, but seems to have its own story to tell as it takes up the job of making your rooms look their very best. But, Australian cypress flooring is not just another pretty face. It is tough, rugged, durable and hard; a superb choice for those high traffic areas in your home. It stands up to just about anything, including dogs, cats, kids and the odd lizard or two.
For warmth, durability, quiet elegance and character, consider choosing Australian cypress flooring. You can either install it yourself, or if you have concerns about that, contact a Tampa flooring and tile installation company and discuss what you want done. You will love the unique look of this wood.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Australian Cypress Flooring is Great for Kids and Dogs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>There is nothing quite like slate tiles to make your home a really ‘with it’ place. Imagine using tiles both inside and out, adding that modest touch of natural, with the quiet whisper of nature in each room. Additionally, this is one of the easiest tiles to take care of, a bonus for those with hectic lives, kids and pets. Let’s face it, we all have enough to do these days to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads to spend too much time worrying about what our floors look like.
Slate tile is a natural stone, often cut from slabs of slate. In the raw, you will recognize this stone by its intriguing layers. It’s the layering that many homeowners appreciate, as each layer often contains bands of different color, created by different mineral deposits. This offers an interesting ambiance for your rooms, and often turns people’s attention to the beauty of your floors, as no two tiles are alike, but yet they all blend into an overall presence of elegance.
Resale value on a home with slate flooring is quite respectable too. If you want to make a difference in how your home presents for a possible sale, consider upgrading your floors and use slate tiles. Chances are when you see how great they look, you might decide to stay and get reacquainted with the new look of your home.
Families typically need flooring that is durable and can take what it thrown at it and drops on it. Slate is ideal, as it is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear over the years. In fact, the floor may last longer than the owner lives in the house, and if you have kids and pets, this floor does not show nicks, scratches, dings, denting, chew marks or anything else that would damage its beauty.
The nice bonus is that it is stain resistant and any spills or gifts from the pets that land on the floor are easily wiped up. All you need to do is use warm water and white vinegar to buff up your floor’s natural shine and get rid of any dirt build up over the week. In other words, unless your household is a high traffic area and you run a day care, you don’t have to do your floors daily. Once a week is enough and they will pass muster, even with your fussy mother-in-law.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Slate Tile is a Good Choice for a Natural Looking Floor first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Marble is popular for a good reason,” indicated Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “It is not only versatile and can look good in any room in your house; it is a useful natural stone that is beautiful at the same time, making it beautifully utilitarian.”
Marble is more than just a pretty face. It comes in an appealing variety of patterns and designs that may be used for just about anything a person can dream up. The other interesting thing about this natural stone is that it has been around since ancient times and held up under some really adverse conditions. There is nothing in a home these days that even comes close to what the Roman marble tiles were subjected to over time. Marble tells no stories or lies. It is what it is, and it is beauty in a natural form.
In fact, marble is a hot choice for today’s homeowners for redoing the bathroom or even creating a stunning table top. There are no limits to what people may use marble for in their homes and offices. It has withstood the test of time and will continue to endure for many reasons, such as they are water and heat resistant, as well as highly appealing.
“They come in a dizzying choice of colors and personalities, as every marble tile is unique unto itself. If your job is making your home spa look chic, marble with do you proud. If your project is your bathroom, marble will create a room of tranquility and charm,” Dupre added. “In fact, there is a really durable marble on the market, just coming into its own, the Bidasar brown marble. It comes naturally finished and is fire resistant.”
The Bidasar marble is a fine choice for use in the kitchen, is easy to keep clean and looking beautiful and it lasts a long time, probably longer than the original owner of the house. Additionally, this choice comes in different patterns and designs, and deep, rich gradients. “If you don’t fancy brown, try the Bidasar green marble, which is and isn’t green, as it ranges from deep elegant green to greenish yellow. It’s quite striking,” commented Dupre.
The most important thing to remember is that no matter what is envisioned for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or pool area, marble will enhance each location. Of all of the renovations possible, installing marble will greatly enhance the resale value of the home.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Marble Mosaic Tiles are Quite Appealing Indicated Tampa Flooring Contractor, Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The first thing people think about when upgrading their Tampa flooring is how it will look. They consider the room’s décor, whether it will last a long time, be easy to clean and moisture resistant. Next, they want to know how much it is going to cost them. Rarely, if ever, do homeowners consider how safe their floors are, which an important point to ponder, since we walk on them all day. We are in constant contact with them. If they are not water resistant, chip resistant and the like, we may end up flat on our faces on the very floor we wanted installed.
Does that mean you need to sacrifice beauty when you choose flooring? No, but it does mean you will also want to consider the practical points about your choice before you buy and install it. Remember, once you have it down, you will be living with it for a fair length of time. You want a long lasting, good looking, stain-resistant, durable, safe, and reasonably priced choice.
What are your options? Today, there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of choices, and the only limit is your imagination. Bamboo, cork, marble, rubber flooring, ceramic or traditional hardwood – it’s all out there. One of the most enduring choices of many American homeowners is tile.
Tile flooring comes in a wide variety of patterns, designs and varieties and can be used inside and outside to spiff up walls, on stairs and backsplashes in the kitchen. In other words the choices are unlimited and you can work with vitrified, vinyl, ceramic or mosaic tiles. Additionally, ceramic tiles only need minimal maintenance and are water resistant. Just keep in mind they need to be dead level on installation or the tiles will break over time. Grout properly or water will seep between the joints on the floor.
Another water resistant option is vitrified tiles, and they also happen to be more scratch resistant than ceramic tiles. Luckily, you can butt join these beauties and don’t have to worry about grouting. You don’t have to worry about them turning color over the years either. They keep their original color quite nicely for many years.
If you don’t like tiles, you might prefer vinyl, as it can be installed on top of your existing flooring. It is easy to care for, inexpensive and lasts for a long time, provided you maintain it properly. This isn’t to say it needs a lot of maintenance, but even just keeping it dust free and mopped now and then is good. The real people pleaser when it comes to maintenance though is mosaic flooring, largely because it’s darn hard to see any dirt or stains on the floor due to its design.
Flooring is about choices and convenience, and with the types of flooring on the market today, you will find precisely what you want.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post When Upgrading Flooring, do not Overlook Safety Features first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>One of the latest and more popular choices for Tampa flooring is cork. Yes, cork, from the cork oak tree. What many people do not realize is that it is one of the toughest, most sustainable floors around. It’s also watertight, so it performs really well in places like the laundry room, the kitchen, the sun room and the bathroom. That doesn’t mean you have to limit where you put the flooring, because its natural color makes it a superior blend with just about any décor you have in mind. Talk about versatility.
If you have a family and pets, then you want durable floors. Oddly, since most people think cork crumbles easily, cork flooring is really tough and takes a lot of pounding. In fact, this kind of flooring will last for years and still look as good as the day it was laid. One of the main reasons cork flooring is so rugged is the production process. The wood’s volume is reduced using gas compression. When the pressure is released, it springs back, looking good, which explains why it can take the five dogs and seven cats thundering around on it, while playing with the kids.
This kind of flooring is really nice looking and very strong, but it has another feature that appeals to homeowners: insulation. If you want to reduce your energy costs, try cork flooring. It will also dampen down the noise level with the kids and pets. Nice.
You would think that flooring that is literally 50 percent air would not be all that tough. Contrary to that popular myth, the secret lies in the compression, and in the fact that it reduces body heat you lose through your feet. That also means heat loss in any room you lay cork flooring, will be significantly reduced. No more cold floors in the winter months and lower heating bills. Bet you could sure live with that.
If you want yet another benefit of going with cork flooring, you will be pleased to note that it does not allow fire to spread. It also does not release any noxious gases if it does happen to catch a slow burn. You also won’t find any termites or other bugs in this flooring. It’s a natural bug repellent. You’re probably thinking this kind of flooring is going to cost a mint. Nope. It’s at very reasonably prices, and actually costs less than other kinds of wooden flooring choices. It’s even considered to be a great alternative to laminates and real wood. Now that is a pretty significant benefit on its own.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post It might be 50 percent Air, but Cork Flooring is a Good Green Option first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“Even in this tough economy, people still buy and sell homes; even those on a budget. It is possible, provided you choose with care. For instance, one of the best ways to remodel a home is by using marble mosaic tiles. You don’t have to go whole home; just do a bit here and there and keep working on it over time. The results will be quite amazing and very attractive,” assured Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Marble mosaic tiles add style to a home with their beautiful artistry. Additionally, they come in ready-to-install sizes and shapes. What could possibly be easier? These mosaic tiles are not only easy to install, they are easy to clean and maintain. The polished tiles are typically the tile of choice, largely due to their water resistance. “So if you want to liven up a room or two, you could put these attractive tiles in the kitchen and bathroom or by the outdoor pool,” Dupre suggested.
Every home could have marble mosaic tiles on the same block and no one would have the same thing. They come in an enormous range of colors and texture, and a buyer can get literally anything they want. Whether they choose to buy online or visit a showroom, the price of marble mosaic tiles is still affordable, and the results are stunningly impressive.
“If you’re looking for long lasting tiles that are cost effective, decorative and easy to self install, marble mosaic tiles would fit the bill. Yes, it takes patience to install if you’re doing it yourself, plus an eye for detail, but it can be done. If you’re not certain about wanting to tackle such a job, you might want to call a Tampa flooring specialist and have them quote the job,” Dupre suggested. It is always better to hire an expert if there any doubts about the quality and ease of self installation.
There is a myth floating around that marble mosaic tiles take a lot of time to clean. Typically, if there are serious spills, frequent exposure to moisture and improper care, this would be true. However, if a homeowner takes the time to care for their tiles, they are easy to maintain. “If you want, you can cover the flooring with a rug and sweep it daily to keep the grit factor at bay. It would be a shame to cover such a beautiful floor with carpet, but the choice is ultimately yours to make. Just know that marble mosaic tile is a breeze to care for and will retain its beauty for years to come,” stated Dupre.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Marble Mosaic Tiles are a Good Choice for Remodeling a Home Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“The bathroom is likely the second most frequented place in the home, right after the kitchen. Why not make it look marvelous? After all, if you spend a lot of time in there, it might as well be appealing. If you’re thinking about upgrading it, take some time to sit down and sketch out some bathroom designs. For this, you will want to take a look at what is on the market in terms of bathroom tile, and visit a Clearwater flooring contractor to see what is popular,” suggested Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
There are so many different types of bathroom tiles on the market today that it should not be hard to find something to make the powder room come alive. The sky is the limit, and when considering what would work in the bathroom, go with what is appealing, colorful, unique and creates a relaxing atmosphere. “After all, it’s your bathroom and you can do what you want in it,” added Dupre.
For those that would rather let a Clearwater flooring contractor do the work, they might want to spend some time finding out what types of tile would work in their living space and what kind of tile would add value to the home and improve its overall appearance and presentation.
Selecting tile for the bathroom is more about determining the mood that makes everyone feel like they want to spend time in there. It is about themes, textures, patterns and eye appeal. “Based on what you want, like and feel comfortable with, you can pick anything that appeals to you, and even have it suit your budget as well,” Dupre indicated.
Remember that when choosing bathroom tile, making the right selection for the moisture levels is a main consideration. There are a wide range of tiles to consider, including natural stone tiles, glass mosaic tiles, ceramic and porcelain tiles. “If you want a very distinctive look and feel to the bathroom, you might want to consider natural stone tiles. They are in big demand, plus they are virtually ageless and will appeal to just about everyone,” he added.
For those that like the appeal of bright and bold colors, the world of tiles is full of choices. Consider different graphics, appealing and unique patterns, natural stones, vibrant tiles or something subtle and elegant. Ideally, staying away from darker colors is a smart move, as that can make an area look smaller. “If your bathroom is a postage stamp, try neutral colors or lighter shades. It will liven the whole room up,” Dupre suggested.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Give The Bathroom Some Style by Installing Tiles Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Despite what you might think, foam floor tiles are really a good choice for businesses and homes. Just ask your local Tampa flooring specialist about the advantages of foam flooring in a business where you have to stand for long periods of time. This flooring helps cut down on your level of fatigue and will also help you avoid injuries. If you run a daycare, imagine the degree of safety for the kids, not to mention that it is highly functional, durable and not that expensive.
Light weight, portable, soft, easy to install, easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors, the foam floor tiles might be just want you need for your recreational area or even the children’s rooms. And, if you really want the floor to look like wood, but still be foam, you can do that too.
If you do have kids, you will be pleased with the choices offered in foam puzzle tiles. Think about the story you could tell the kids about the green tiles being made from recycled rubber and plastic bottles. Kids learn all about recycling at school, and understand far more than we usually give them credit for when it comes to being environmentally conscious. Pop into the play area and find thicker tiles for the rough and tumble of play time. Go outside and find playground tiles in bright, neon colors that kids find attractive too.
Not sure you want to put these tiles in your home? Guess what – they are easy to install and can be moved, as most people install these over an existing floor. If you have any questions, contact a Tampa flooring specialist and ask about these tiles. While they may not install them, they would be able to give you their opinion on what would work for you in your particular home environment.
Doing a self install? These tiles are easy. They all interlock, just like the puzzles you create on a table. Cleaning them is a snap, and all you need is a damp mop with a bit of household cleaner splashed in. If you get one big spill, like the bottle of juice hitting the floor the wrong way, you can move the tile and wash it in the sink. Imagine how convenient that would be? And if the stuff on the floor is something you just don’t want to touch – say the pup had an accident – cart the tiles outside and spray them with a hose.
Are you wondering why you never thought of these foam tiles before? Join the crowd. They are becoming very popular, thanks to how affordable they are, not to mention how easy they are to install. It might be worth checking out if you want something different in your home or business.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Foam Floor Tiles Can Be Another Flooring Alternative for the Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If you are going to upgrade your flooring, then do not choose the cheapest laminate on the market. If you do nothing else, first talk to an experienced Tampa flooring contractor about your choices. They will make it perfectly clear why the cheap stuff is just that – cheap.
While you may want to save some money, the end result of putting down lousy laminate is not going to make you happy. The cheaper it is, the harder it is to clean no matter what anyone tells you. The cheap stuff is virtually impossible to do anything with, short of cursing the day you installed it. Vinegar, ammonia, bleach, specially formulated cleaners for laminate, plain water, cold water, warm water, dish soap, special soap, mop and glo, Swiffer sweeper, and the list goes on, do not work. You are only left with a floor that smears everything.
While the directions for cleaning a laminate floor are simple enough, always wipe in the direction the boards are laid. Laminate can and does offers a certain degree of elegance to your home, which is good for resale value, but for the effort, get decent flooring or you will be pulling your hair out trying to entertain guests at your house. Get 12 mm laminate, as it also helps to reduce noise in your home, and since it is wider, it tends to be easier to install yourself.
With a good laminate, the click-lock stuff, you get a virtually foolproof install. If you are hesitant to try this, talk to a Clearwater flooring specialist about hiring it out or getting some installation tips. It is actually possible to install at least 300 feet of durable laminate over a two-day period.
When the floor is done, you have a nice floor that won’t scratch (unless you really work at it), won’t dent and won’t fade. The nice thing about laminate is that most manufacturers are pretty sure you won’t do their product any harm, so they tend to offer an unheard of bonus – a ten year wear-layer guarantee (the top layer you walk on).
Now with the good stuff, you won’t have a problem cleaning it. You do not need to polish it. It is stain resistant to a high degree, and should you manage to get a stain, you only need water and mild detergent to get rid of it. This, hands down, beats having hardwood in your home, but then it’s entirely up to you which you prefer and what you don’t mind cleaning.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post When Installing Laminate Buy Good Quality Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Let’s say you want to do your bathroom in some modern black and white tiles and you like the look of marble. You’d love the most elegant tiles, but before you call a Tampa flooring contractor, figure out a budget. While you may adore marble, it may not be something your budget can handle, in which case you will want to consider other alternatives.
There are so many styles of bathroom wall tiles on the market today, that even if you need to rule out something that is too expensive at the moment, you are bound to find something you love and can afford. If you are having trouble figuring out what would work in your home, when you call a Tampa flooring contractor, ask them for their recommendations. They have been in the business for many years and have done hundreds of bathrooms and kitchens. For sure they will have some great ideas that you can afford.
So let’s get back to the budget. You want to redo the bathroom, but do not want to go broke doing it. Figure out how much you are able to spend and then stick to the budget. Sure, it is always a good thing to have a bit extra, just in case. When you just pick a tile, assume you can pay for it and a then a problem crops up, you could be in a jam.
Once you have a price range in mind, you will need to decide if you are going to install it yourself or line up a Tampa flooring company. Either way, you will not have much of a problem choosing what you want, as the market is full of so many different choices – you could do a thousand bathrooms and still not have run out of choices. By the way, do not let anyone tell you that budget tiles are cheaply made and not durable. That is not the case. For instance, ceramic is a budget tile and it is not only waterproof and durable, but quite beautiful.
Start your search online and if you do not like what you find there, visit some tile stores. No matter what way you choose to shop, you are bound to find something that really makes your kitchen or bathroom look terrific.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Work on a Budget Before Buying Tiles first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Glass kitchen tiles are such a good choice because of their range of colors and styles and they can be applied to your walls, floors, the backsplash by the sink, and even be used as accents throughout the room. It is up to you what you like, but you will be absolutely delighted with the range of choices. If the heart of your home needs sprucing up, glass kitchen tiles may just be the answer to your dilemma.
You might not know this, but these tiles can be either porcelain or ceramic. This makes them ideal for domestic use, in particular as a decorative border or that backsplash you have always wanted. If you plan to do the floor though, those tiles need to be stronger in order to withstand high traffic.
Going to do this upgrade yourself or have a Tampa flooring contractor do it? Either way, the sizes you will likely want are 110 x 100 mm. However, having said that, it largely depends on what you like. Another favorite size is the rectangular tiles, which are 100 x 300 mm. Floor tiles are larger of course, and you can expect to find them anywhere from about 333 x 333 mm to 600 x 300 mm. Again, there are a plethora of sizes and styles, and all you need to do is choose what you like.
Speaking of style, most people choose a design and color that suits their furniture; something that either matches it or complements it. While that is what the vast majority of people do, you do not have to do that if you would prefer something completely different like a checkerboard pattern in black and white or an avant garde brick look in the living room. In other words, do what your intuition tells you to do and do not always follow what is in fashion. You are the one that has to live with your choices for years to come, so you need to love it.
Some people love country-style kitchens and will choose the appropriate kind of tile to achieve that look. For example, matt tiles look quite natural and add a certain quiet, charming elegance to a kitchen. Or, you may prefer a more modern look and want a style that says chic and trendy. The great thing about glass kitchen tiles is that there are no rules to follow. That is why homeowners really appreciate glass kitchen tiles for their versatility and attractiveness.
If you do not want to try and install tiles on your own, then make it a point to call a Tampa flooring contractor and ask them for their recommendations on how to change the interior of your kitchen. With the experience they have, you will love their ideas.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Glass Tiles for the Kitchen Can Create a Whole New Look first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>You might not like hardwood, and that is perfectly fine, as not everyone does. However, if it is something you would definitely consider when upgrading your interior floors, then you will be pleased to note that it is making another comeback. The nation has, once again, fallen in love with hardwood. Whether you know it or not, it is one of the oldest materials available for floors.
However, being old does not mean being blah – far from it. Today, hardwood is customized and detailed, much like buying a new car with options, and you can have pretty much anything you want. The benefits of hardwood? It is long lasting, durable, beautiful, easy to keep clean, and improves the value of your home.
What are the latest trends on the market? They are pretty exciting and will offer you a wide range of choices. For example, wider boards are all the rage and the advantage here is the ability to make a smaller room look bigger. The bigger boards are typically 3 ½ inches wide, as opposed to the usual industry standard of 2 ¼ inches, and this creates a nice, spacious looking room.
Try reclaimed exotic wood for your flooring. The beauty is timeless and the colors are rich and interesting. Additionally, exotic woods are in great demand because they are unique. However, in an ever green conscious world, consumers are starting to demand reclaimed exotic wood, instead of destroying threatened rainforests. Reclaimed wood also has a story; one that will make you feel proud of being green and making an environmentally sustainable flooring choice.
Another trend today is to choose the lighter tones in hardwood, and to ensure they are, like the exotic woods, reclaimed oak. You might not know this, but oak flooring comprises about half of the hardwood flooring industry. If you chose the reclaimed oak, you would have flooring that came from a shipping container, a barn or even an old gymnasium floor. Did you know that the reclaimed oak is tougher than newly harvested trees? This is because the material culled from old buildings used old-growth heartwood.
The whole idea when installing hardwood flooring is to make it look antique and this is a very popular trend to make the new look old. This is where vintage and weathered finishes are coming into play. There are a number of ways to make a new floor look old, such as hand-scraping or using an industrial press, but honestly, this is not something you want to try to do on your own. Check around and talk to contractors if this is the look you want.
Above all else, the leading choice of new flooring for most people is eco-friendly, so if you choose to upgrade your flooring, try the green options. It is a good thing to do and you can choose what is suited to your budget and still feel good about it.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Hardwood Flooring Is Making a Comeback first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Those who love porches will know they are an essential part of a home that is used for nice days to sit and admire the weather in sheltered comfort. Many also kick off their shoes before entering the house, so porches play an important role in keeping your home clean and presenting a welcoming ambiance to visitors. Trouble is, many people considering upgrading their Tampa flooring tend to forget all about the porch. The end result? Nice looking inside floors and porch flooring that has seen better days.
When it is time to do some remodeling or upgrading, why not consider tile, marble, hardwood or even carpet. The choices are endless and you can choose what best suits your living style. For instance, if you have animals, carpet is not the wisest choice, as you could be forever trying to get the grit out of it. On the other hand, tile is easy to sweep and clean, plus, no one gets their nails caught on it.
Let’s assume you have already decided to do something about your porch, but are not sure where to begin. One of the things to keep in mind when upgrading your porch flooring is the age of your home. Flooring that is historically representative of the era it is from can be a great choice. If you have a home built in 1949 with a porch, you may want to consider dark, rot resistant wood such as old-growth Cyprus or longleaf heart pine. If your home is even older, for example old enough to be on a registry, you will need to work with a Tampa flooring contractor to select the best impermeable lumber on the market.
What happens if you rip up the existing carpet or flooring on the porch to prep it for a new look and you find concrete? No worries. Yes, it is a bit difficult to work with, but not impossible. For instance, did you know you can paint or stain concrete and make it look simply smashing? You can also nail into concrete with the right materials too.
Slate is another good selection to upgrade your porch. However, be careful which variety you ultimately choose as some are slick when wet. The last thing you need is to fall on wet slate. If you like how it looks, opt for slate with a rough pattern for traction. Not into slate? Perhaps you would like tile instead. It is very popular right now and the options range from non-skid to frost and water resistant, and it is so easy to find a color scheme you will love.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Porches Are a Great Place for a Flooring Upgrade first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Marble is grand, elegant, timeless and almost ethereal in its look. It can add so much character to your bathroom, so make it a serious contender on the remodeling check list. It has been around for centuries and will be around for at least that length of time or longer.
This type of rock is easy to work with, polishes to perfection and gives every room it graces a visual punch that all will appreciate. While most often it comes in white, there is a rainbow of other colors and hues to choose from, including purple and brown. And the thing that really enhances its beauty for homeowners and Tampa marble contractors are the crystal swirls embedded in the stone. Yes, marble is highly sought after. However, there is another, more budget conscious alternative.
You might want to consider marble tiles made from composite, which is marble dust bound with resin. It is a nice alternative to solid marble and may suit your budget better. These days, you might want to check out something called Dark Emperador marble tiles. Honestly, it is difficult to tell the difference between natural marble and a composite.
In fact, try this test if you want to see for yourself. Find a showroom and look at Cappuccino tiles cut from natural marble, and then examine manufactured Cappuccino composite tiles. You will be hard pressed to tell them apart, as visually they are just about identical. You may be pleased with the composite or artificial marble, particularly if your remodeling job is subject to budget constraints.
Composite marble is often used for bathtubs, bathroom fixtures and shower trays, which can provide a home owner with a substantial savings on their renovation bill. And as for the Dark Emperador marble tiles, they originate from Spain and China, and they are strikingly beautiful in large kitchens and bathrooms. However, if you do not like the idea of using a dark tile in either room, consider the lighter beige tiles (like the Cappuccino ones). Their tone is mid-range and they are easy on the eye if you prefer less stark colors like white.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Various Marble Colors and Price Points Can Make a Big Difference for a Home Renovation first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Are you thinking about selling your home, or it is just time to do renovations and update it, think about hardwood Tampa flooring. It will boost the look of your home, brighten a room, give it a whole new ambiance and yes, increase the value of your home. Think all hardwood is the same? It is not, and the wide variety of choices available makes it so appealing.
Of course, you do not just decide instantly to install a hardwood floor in your house. You do some research, check out what your friends have, visit some flooring stores and go over a few magazines with home makeover articles in them. The hardwood floors you saw really impressed you and the various looks and colors of hardwood were really appealing. But what will work for your home?
This is a good question that you do need to spend some time considering. This is largely because every house has its own unique personality. You would not want black hardwood floors in a home with red and yellow walls. Or, if you do, then your decorating might be a touch eccentric and you like experimenting. However, generally speaking, most homeowners prefer the warm wood color of quality hardwood.
Hardwood has numerous variations in grains and wood coloring. For instance, there are some dark cherry hardwoods that are gorgeous and can do wonders for your home. On the other hand, some are lighter and have creamy, honey tones. These look marvelous in the sun and can be a favorite place for cats and dogs to soak up the rays will inside on your warm hardwood flooring.
What kind of home do you have? Will its look be enhanced by hardwood? For instance, what if you have a home built in 1949 and it still has original doors and light fixtures from the 1940s? Hardwood would make this place come alive. Linoleum, carpet or something else would kill the atmosphere.
Want hardwood throughout your home? You can definitely do that, but before you do, walk through your home and try to see the rooms with fresh eyes. Are there lots of windows? Do you want contrasting colors in the rooms? Do you already have certain accent pieces of furniture and wall hangings that may dictate what color of floor you could have installed? Ultimately, you choose what feels right to you, but you might want to talk to a Tampa flooring installation expert to see what they recommend.
In the end, choosing hardwood flooring is not always about how it looks, but more about how durable it is and how long it will last and still look good. Select the type of Tampa flooring that will address your needs and once it is installed, enjoy the look.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Hardwood Flooring Enhances the Character of a Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Make no mistake, concrete flooring is still a mix of water, aggregate and cement. When dry it looks like stone and has superior durability in any location such as retail floors, driveways or in homes. In a home it is ideal for high traffic areas and works well if you have animals with long claws such as a dog.
What is on the market in terms of concrete flooring? Let’s take a quick look at some of the options you can choose for concrete flooring. For instance, stained concrete can have a really interesting speckled and blotchy appearance achieved with stains and acids. This may not be for everyone, but you have a variety of really colorful textures and designs you can try. It is the stain that etches and grabs the color, adhering it to the surface of the concrete.
If the stained look is not your style, then you might like polished concrete flooring. This is treated with a chemical densifier, followed by 12 other steps to finish it that involve grinding and polishing. Needless to say, the grinding and polishing is done with diamond and resin grits. The results are quite esthetically appealing and offer a glossy look. Other bonuses include it is easy to clean, always looks neat and will not allow anything to penetrate it.
Want a wood look? No problem. This is done by combining stained and scored concrete to mimic natural stone surfaces, and yes, you can have it in whatever color you want. Who knew concrete flooring could be so interesting? After all, consider some of the advantages of having a concrete floor. It is strong, cost effective, really easy to keep clean, very hygienic, and highly stain resistant. It is likely that you will not need to replace it any time soon as concrete flooring does not chip, peel, fade or crack.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post New Concrete Flooring Mimics Marble and Wood first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The one thing you need to remember though is that the tile will get a very steady flow of water on it. Thus, it is imperative to have the right tiles in this room. They must be water resistant and not be susceptible to cracking over time. More often than not, these types of tiles come in slabs and in a wide variety of pleasing colors, designs and textures. In other words, if renovation is on your mind or it is time to upgrade, you will love these tiles.
One really smart choice for a wet room includes granite. Not only will it offer you a very unique look, but it has an advantage over other types of tiling. This natural stone has an antibacterial surface that does not hold onto the soap scum, shampoo and other grungy things that fall on it. And of course, the tiles are waterproof and do not need sealing except along the grout line. While granite is a major expense, it is worth it for a variety of reasons. Granite increases the resale value of your home in the future, is very attractive and will last a long time.
For those with a limited budget, there are other attractive and cost effective choices such as ceramic or porcelain flooring. These surfaces have the ability to give a wet room a real lift thanks to the remarkable array of designs and colors. The sky is the limit when choosing ceramics or porcelain. Both are tough and water resistant and when the day is done, they make a statement about your style. Either tile may be sealed for that extra protection against residue build up and water.
Other options include travertine and even slate. The one thing you should know about these surfaces is that they need resealing on a frequent basis – usually every six to 12 months. If this is not something that bothers you, then the only limit to what you do in your wet room is your imagination.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Wet Rooms Need Special Tiles For Water Resistance first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>For the best look you could possibly ever want in your home, consider using marble tile. It is an elegant addition and not that hard to install. In fact, it is accomplished in much the same manner as installing ceramic tiles. The major difference of course, is the difference in the look when you are done.
The nice thing about marble is that it is a totally natural material that is mined from the earth. It is a type of limestone and has been around for centuries. Marble is a timeless, revered stone that originally adorned churches. So when it comes to beautifying your home, it can be stunning.
Marble is loved for its versatility and natural color variations. People are most impressed with the color variations when they use marble to redo their interior spaces. There is one thing you should be aware of, and that is that the natural veining present in marble is a small crack, which means these locations can possibly develop cracks later.
If you are a dedicated do-it-yourself type, then be careful when installing these tiles and make sure the base is solid and completely flat so there is no give. If you do not take the time to lay it correctly, you can end up with cracked tiles.
Another thing to watch out for is something installers refer to as lippage. What this means is that there is a variation in the height of the tile edges when installed. This is directly due to the fact that when the tile is ground from the slabs, the heat generated during the process results in different thicknesses in each tile. While this is not a huge drawback to self installation, you do need to be aware of this and correct for it.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Marble Tile Creates a Classic, Distinctive Look first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Let’s face it. You cannot have the same bathroom day in and day out, year after year, without starting to hate the way it looks. When it is time to do something about it, it does not take a whole lot of cash to accomplish the look you want. The perfect choice for your bathroom when you remodel or even just focus on one part is the tile. It is ideal for the shower, the walls and, yes, even the floor.
At one time, there was not a large selection of tiles to choose from and it got kind of boring. Now, the sky is the limit when it comes to style and design, and, in fact, you may find yourself having a hard time making up your mind. One thing is for sure though – you will definitely find what you want to add some life, texture and panache to your bathroom.
Ceramic tiles have many attractive features. Just remember that the glazed ones are not such a smart choice for areas that have a lot of water. Remember the expression, “Slippery when wet?” This applies to glazed ceramic tiles, so you want to make that the last choice for a floor. So, what is the best choice instead?
You could consider porcelain, which is typically made from fine-grain clays, and a big bonus is that it is moisture and stain resistant. What more could you ask for? It is also a product that takes a lot of traffic and yet still looks great. It is definitely worth a look and its vivid colors and unique designs can give your bathroom a completely new look. Bathrooms are a place where you can mix and match, and use decorative tiles to accent a solid background. Redoing the look is a fun project and not that expensive.
The only thing that might slow you down is if you choose to tile the floor. Tile flooring takes time and a great deal of care. For instance, it is at least a three day project from start time to laying the last tile. If this is what you are going to do, then choose a wear resistant tile that ranks at 5, the highest level. Tiles ranked at 1 are the lowest on the scale, so you would likely want to stay away from those in the bathroom. However, what you choose will depend on your lifestyle, how much traffic you get in the bathroom, and if shoes will be used in there.
What else can you choose for the floor? Try slate, sandstone or even granite, which is rated highly for its finish and how safe it is in bathrooms. When wet, these surfaces are still safe to walk on and less slippery than ceramic tiles. The other nice feature about the choice of stone is how it makes the room feel earthy and comfortable. As you can see, the choices are endless. The prices are reasonable depending on your selection and bathroom size. Tile will make you love your bathroom again. Bravo!
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Tile Can Create a Whole New Look for a Bathroom first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Time to choose something different for your tired old floors? Can’t decide what to choose? That’s not unusual, as there are so many different things you could pick that trying to select something can give you a headache. No worries. First, start with something that really appeals to you. It does not have to be the latest trend or the hottest color or material. It just has to be what you want and like. After all, you will be living with it for a lot of years, so might as well get something you just love.
One thing to think about is what you want to do in every room. Each room does have its own personality, and what you choose for the kitchen may not work for the living room and vice versa. Equally as important is what to put in the bathroom, as opposed to the bedrooms. Not all flooring is ideal for the whole house, and taking a few minutes to figure out what each room really needs will save you some frustration when you are looking at various options.
On a budget? Then pricing is an important consideration for you. You would not want hardwood right through your house, as it would be too expensive. Have medical issues and need assistance walking about your home? Then you will want to plan for a smooth transition from the flooring of one room to another. You need the safety of being able to use a walker without having different levels of carpet and floors from one room to another. It’s best if you figure all this out before you make any purchase decisions.
How many people live in your house? If it’s just you, you don’t need to be worried so much about heavy wear and tear on the floors. However, if you have ten people in the house and animals as well, then you will want flooring that stands up to anything you can throw at it. It will all come together when you take your time selecting what you want for upgraded flooring.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Different flooring for different needs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If you have been in your home a long time and are bored out of your mind with how it looks, why not consider upgrading your floors? Don’t stick to the tried and true or what everyone else is doing. Go for something completely different, like antique wood. The end results are spectacular.
Antique wood has been reclaimed from old buildings that have seen better days, but the wood that built them made it through the centuries, all burnished, time weathered and unique, looking to become a part of the green movement for the 21st century. Antique plank flooring adds a certain ambiance to your home and nothing else even comes close to duplicating its visceral warmth and beauty.
Imagine the conversations about your flooring choice, stories you could tell those who admire your choice about where the wood came from; perhaps a 200-year-old church or a farmer’s old dairy barn. The wood will hold all kinds of tales to share with its new owners. Reclaiming old wood and re-introducing it to the market in an elegant form like plank flooring is a smart way to make use of abandoned buildings and be creative at the same time.
The best thing about antique plank flooring that is over 100 years old, is that the wood that built the original structure(s) was the best of its kind available at that time. You just do not see wood like that anymore. For instance, it’s rare to find American Chestnut, and when you do, you know you have the “best of the best” for flooring options. It adds character and charm to your home, by bringing history to life and giving the wood a second chance to shine.
Imagine how elegant an antique plank floor would be, as compared to an engineered wood floor, meaning the wood is layers of plywood held together with a finishing veneer. Not that there is anything wrong or bad about this choice in flooring. It is just that some homeowners may prefer to install reclaimed antique wood, knowing that with the wood, comes a hint of history and mystery. Expect to pay a bit more for antique wood flooring. However, in the long run, this may be precisely the look you want in your home, and well worth the extra money.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Old Flooring is Good Looking Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Many people are quite taken with the look of wood flooring. It’s a bit of serenity and elegance, and adds that certain touch of mystery to many homes. We’re not talking about the old-fashioned hardwood floors – although those are also becoming very popular again – but instead, we’re referring to wood flooring that looks like the way it used to look way back when. This is a real trend for homes these days.
May of the newer Tampa flooring options that look like hardwood are very reasonably priced, and super easy to clean. Not like the wood floors of old that grandma used the floor polisher on. Easy to clean has got to be one of the most loved attributes of wood flooring today, because really, who has time to spent on their floors when life is passing them by at the speed of light.
Attractive feature number two is that wood flooring nowadays doesn’t soak up stains like the old floors. It used to be that if you spilled juice or something else, it would seep into the floor and leave a horrid mess. Now, you can, more often than not, just wipe the spill up and get on with your day. The secret lies in the new types of coating floors come with – easy to keep looking good and easy to keep clean – two attractive selling features.
The other thing about wood flooring is that if you are on a budget, this will appeal to you. It’s pretty darn reasonable and you have a whole range of options, depending on your tastes. Not only that, once you have done the deed and upgraded the flooring, it will hold its value very well and you do not need to replace it every few years. Think resale value of your home when you use attractive wood flooring.
And last but not least, the environmental value of wood flooring warms the heart of those who think “green.” Wood flooring hails from a natural, renewable resource and they may be recycled at some point. Interestingly, some wood flooring these days actually comes from recycled building or barns. And think about this too. If you have allergies, wood flooring is a godsend to keep allergens at bay.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Think Green When You Consider Wood Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Carpet is nice when it’s new. Over time, however, it becomes a place where all kinds of weird things hang out in the fibers; things you might not really want to know about. Also, if you have cats or dogs, the little gifts left behind on the carpet do not do anything to enhance its beauty and longevity. So, if you want to upgrade, consider oak flooring.
Certainly, hardwood floors are elegant, even attractive, but with animals and kids, they may not hold up to the paws, claws, spills and thrills of the traffic. Oak flooring, on the other hand, looks good and wears well. Here’s a hint, try the wide plank look. Nice! This will be a conversation piece for years to come.
There is a long history of using hardwood. It was once considered to be the standard thing to include in a new home. Depending on your age, you will probably remember growing up with hardwood floors, but over time, trends changed, new Tampa flooring came out and nicer carpets were the “in” thing. The trend to put carpet over the hardwood caught on like wildfire. A bit of a shame, but if you find hardwood under your carpet when you go to renovate or upgrade, you at least have options these days. One of them is to replace the carpet and hardwood with oak flooring.
If you’re around long enough, you tend to see trends repeat themselves roughly every 20 years or so, and the same can be said about floor coverings. The younger generation loves wood flooring and thinks it’s the best thing to have in their homes. For the older generation, they’ve been there and done that and just want something different, durable, appealing and reasonable – like oak flooring. And the interesting thing is, since we’re talking about trends, is that wide planks are all the latest rage.
You can DIY your oak flooring if you have the skills to do so. If not, no big deal, you can hire it out. You’ll be really pleased with the results, as the look will be very appealing and add an air of authenticity to your home. Solid wood floors just add that certain touch of quiet elegance that many find very attractive. If you’re going to DIY, and want it to look superior, give some thought to engineered oak flooring. It’s real, it’s just that it’s finished already and you only have to install it. And, get this, for the thick boards, you just have to glue them down, not nail them.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Try Oak Flooring If You Do Not Want Carpet In The House first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Let’s give that thought some consideration for a minute. Who hasn’t, at some point in their life, wrestled with a roll of carpet? Fun, wasn’t it? Good news, there is an alternative on the market: carpet tiles, which are simply carpet pieces crafted into squares or tiles. Some of them have an adhesive backing and some do not; your choice, depending on what you want to accomplish.
Thinking that the carpet tiles might not have as much variety as regular carpets? Think again. These tiles have a rainbow of colors available and come with a lot of advantages for today’s budget conscious, do-it-yourself kind of homeowner, who wants to do something with their house, but does not have a great chunk of cash.
What are the advantages of using carpet tiles? One is certainly installation. This stuff is really easy to install by just about anyone, if that is the route you want to go. If you want to hire a pro, that works too. It is just that if you want to do-it-yourself to save money, it is certainly something that will not drive you up the wall with problems on the install. The other thing you might like is that installing carpet tiles goes really fast, even if you have a complicated room to tackle.
Just keep one thing in mind when you are considering installing carpet tiles, and that is they do not much care for humidity. In fact, they are best at room temperatures that range from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, this type of tile would not do that well in a high humidity area like the bathroom or laundry room.
If you are going to tackle installation on your own, be sure to keep the tiles warm before you start working with them. It makes it easier to cut, and the tiles will be more flexible while laying them out. Get extra tiles, because sure as the sun rises every day, you will either make a mistake on several or have not done the right calculations and some up short. There is nothing worse than running out of tile with only two left and when you get to the store, they don’t have that color left any more or it’s been discontinued.
This type of alternative flooring is really easy on the budget and for this reason, as well as the fact that it is easy to do, people are starting to use it for kid’s rooms, rec rooms and family rooms. They are really durable and take a pretty good beating. Hint: if your kids or the dog creates a stain on one of more of the tiles that you can’t get out, it is too easy to just replace the tile square. How convenient is that, rather than having to get rid of the whole carpet? Certainly worth considering, that is for sure.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Keep Your Carpet Tiles Warm Prior To Installation first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>These days, with budgets being tight, but creativity being at an all time high, why not consider wood look ceramic tiles to give your home a much-needed updated look? Easy to use and easy on the eye and budget, these tiles are really popular and best of all, durable. What does that mean for you? It means they look nicer longer and do not lose their shine and beauty; a good value for your renovating dollar. Here is the best part: interceramic Timberland tiles look just like wood grain tiles. Sweet.
Another thing consumers will appreciate about these tiles is that they come in a wild variety of colors, such as country suede, mountain timber, nature valley and golden saddle. These tiles are loved by those who like the look of wood, but want the buff and shine of porcelain. And you don’t just have to put them on the floor. That’s right; you can also set these tiles on walls. If you are thinking small tiles, laid by hand and painstakingly set into a pattern, think again. These beauties come in a rectangular shape, 6 x 24 planks – easy to lay out.
Two things that are added benefits with this type of flooring is that it offers total resistance to any chemical action between the layers of the floors in your home, and it bars moisture from coming up from the earth into the tiles. The advantage of that is, it will stop any breakaway-action of the tiles due to moisture.
Let your imagination run wild when it comes to making changes to your rooms. Want a whole wall done in wood tiles? You got it. It will blend into the floor and create a whole new ambiance for your room or rooms. The natural look of the wood, which is really ceramic tile, is appealing, classy and most of all, easy to keep clean. Gone are the days when you have to try and figure out how to clean wood floors, unless you want to that is. It’s a clean and simple, yet elegant look that many are opting for as an alternative to colored tiles or other materials such as bamboo.
Want to know the best feature of wood look ceramic tiles? The price. It is very reasonable and competitively priced; something that a great many people find attractive in this economy. If you want to upgrade the look of your home with something really unique, why not consider wood look ceramic tiles. You’ll be glad you did.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Wood Look Ceramic Tiles A Big Hit first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>For a really distinctive look in your home, give some thought to using hardwood floors in beech or bamboo. They are possibly the most irresistible flooring out there and offer homeowners a nice, light and airy look and feel that they appreciate. Certainly, there are a wide variety of options out there to upgrade flooring, but if you really have your heart set on something different, the American hardwood frenzy might just be the thing you need.
Beech offers a nice ambiance you will not always find with other types of Tampa flooring and it is certainly something worth considering. If you do not know where to start when you are on the hunt for new hardwood floors, take a good look at what beech has to offer.
It is one of the nicer options for many homeowners, because it has a wide range of eye appealing colors from pinkish brown to pale cream. When it goes down on the floor it brightens up any room thanks to its sheen. Is it hard to install? It may be if you do not have experience handling beech, but if you get in touch with a skilled Tampa flooring contractor, there will not be any problems laying it.
This particular type of flooring is a real winner when it comes to wear and tear, meaning beech wears well and it stays smooth and satiny to the touch. It is actually a great choice for a high traffic area. In fact, did you know that beech is what is used for basketball court floors? Not that we are promoting a basketball court in your kid’s room, but that it will take a good beating and still look good years later.
If you want to go in a different direction and try something that adds a touch of variety and style to your floors, then another alternative for you may well be bamboo. It is interesting and very appealing, but it does have some cons that you need to be aware of before you buy it. For instance, it is not suited for high traffic areas. Also, many of the reviews you will read online will tell you it is flooring that you should take your shoes off to walk on.
The other thing, for those that are environmentally aware, is that bamboo is a treated, imported flooring product. In fact, it has been treated with formaldehyde. If you have concerns about being exposed to formaldehyde over long periods of time, this may not be the flooring for you. And so, the ultimate choice of Tampa flooring is yours.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Think Beech Or Bamboo For Distinctive Tampa Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>You might just like this idea – carpet tiles for a new and different look in your home. It is innovative, kind of a classy new thing to do and you can have as much or as little variety in your results as you want.
The nice thing about carpet tile is that you are able to buy it in a wide variety of designs and materials. You can do pretty much whatever you have in mind, and that would include bamboo, geometric or even bordered. The makeover potential for this kind of alternative flooring is phenomenal and may well wind up being a conversation started when guests arrive.
Before you get carried away with the idea of transforming your room(s), figure out what you want to accomplish and make sure to get accurate measurements. Of course, before you get this far, you should know precisely where you will be doing the installation. Carpet tiles are unique in that they are wider and have cushioning, and that makes a difference in measuring and how to lay them. If that does not appeal to you, then consider hiring the job out to an experienced Tampa flooring contractor.
Carpet tile has a few other nice benefits for you as well. For instance, the soft surface is ideal for homes and they offer an energy insulation factor. It all depends on the thickness of the carpet tile that you lay, as to how well it performs for you. An example would be thinner tiles would likely be needed in high traffic areas or your office. In the bedroom, you would likely prefer thicker tiles for comfort and the feel on your feet. An added bonus? These tiles will last for a long time.
If you are thinking about doing a child’s room, then you might want to take a look into carpet tile made of plastic, rubber or even linoleum. They are perfectly suited for the wear and tear a kid, and even pets, may hand out. Also, if you are on a budget, and who isn’t these days, the pricing for carpet tiles depends on their density and thickness, so choose thinner tiles to save money.
Ideally, the price range for carpet tiles is anywhere between a $1 per square foot to $40 per square foot. If you have extra money to splurge, by all means do so, you will love the results. But having said that, even the $1 a foot tiles can make a significant difference in your home. Gone are the days of wall-to-wall carpeting when you discover the beauty, durability and portability of carpet tiles.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Try Carpet Tiles For A Different Look For Your Tampa Flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Typically, people love to see marble in a bathroom as it gives it that slight hint of class and refinement you do not find in every powder room you might visit. In fact, a marble vanity or marble floor tiles make your bathroom a thing of true beauty and aesthetically pleasing. It used to be that cleaning Tampa marble floor tiles was a major pain in the rear, but these days, with the advent of modern sealants, the risk of that has dropped dramatically.
Yes indeed, the simple and yet elegant marble floor tiles have won a place in many homeowners’ hearts when they see how refined their bathrooms look after the floors have been re-tiled. Imagine a rock so lovely that it transforms a room into something ineffably beautiful. And its adaptability does not stop there, as marble tiles may be used inside and outside and done in any color of the rainbow. Like it mottled or banded? Green and pink? Plain white? Red or black? The choice is yours.
Thanks to recent innovations in the industry, specifically how the marble tiles are made, many homeowners who once could not afford marble are finding the price is within their budget. Go wild in the bathroom with various designs and colors. Make your sink marble and make a statement. There are an endless number of things you could do with Tampa marble flooring, limited only by your imagination.
Marble may also be used for a shower wall. Think about that for a minute. What supreme luxury and a look that will stay timeless. Got a Jacuzzi? Wrapping it in marble tiles will make the whole room a place of elegance. Just remember that if you use marble tile in the bathroom, traction is an issue and you will need rugs with rubber backing to provide you with safe footing.
Hint: tumbled marble is catching on very quickly as it makes the tiles appear rustic, more like travertine and add a bit of an offbeat look to any room. Use them as backsplashes, flooring, in showers or spas, as their hand-carved appearance lend your room a slightly formal air with a touch of the whimsical.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Color Up The Bathroom With Marble Floor Tiles first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Why not consider porcelain when it comes to updating your home’s Tampa flooring? It may be a surprising choice, because you think of porcelain as something the bathtub is made out of. Well, it’s true, the bathtub and the toilet are usually made out of porcelain, but porcelain is also a type of ceramic. It is durable, tough and sturdy, not to mention, in most instances, twice-fired.
Porcelain is different, because of its composition, density and its translucent appearance; a look that may brighten up any room you may have in mind. The reason it has such luminosity is that light passes through the surface and then diffuses. It is almost eerie, but has a lovely touch of beauty that makes any room just about glow in the dark.
While porcelain is made of clay, just like many other ceramics, it also has feldspar in it – a crystal-like mineral that makes the finished product, the porcelain, even more translucent. It is a great choice of flooring for something totally different in your home and a real conversation piece. The nice gleam you will get with this kind of tile will make it look like the floor was just recently polished. True enough, many people like to use this kind of tile in laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens, but really, creatively speaking, you could use it in other areas as well.
If you want something that is durable, this would be a good choice for you, since it is far denser that other ceramic tiles. This means its potential in high traffic areas is superior and it will take a beating and still look good. It will not chip on you, either. And, if you want to do something completely different, then consider putting porcelain tiles on your walls. Why? Well, in part, porcelain is acid-based, which means bacteria and molds do not like it and do not hang around. The fact is, that is why you see porcelain tiles in hospitals.
Like warm feet in the winter and cool feet in the summer? Porcelain is the best selection for either season, as it warms and cools rapidly, typically staying around room temperature. And, when it comes to color, there is no problem matching the tiles should you chip or break one inadvertently. Why not go for something different and think porcelain for your next home upgrade?
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Flooring That Almost Glows In The Dark first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“To make any kind of change in your kitchen, to the floor, the backsplash or the counters, one of the first things you need to take into consideration is what the final product should look like. In other words, you need to have a design in mind before you start. Calling a Tampa flooring contractor and telling him to just do something nice in the kitchen really won’t work all that well,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
It is not that the flooring contractor does not have a wealth of ideas to run by any enquiring homeowner, it is just that it makes more sense for the owner to have something in mind first to discuss. If the kitchen is the room that needs to be revamped and updated, it is usually a good idea to start researching what the current trends are in kitchen makeovers. “Contrasting colors are taking off right now, particularly in the kitchen, as the various textures and colors really make a dramatic statement and change the atmosphere of the heart of the house,” Dupre said.
The kitchen is often a good place to start updating, simply because most kitchens adapt well to having several patterns and designs in the same room. While that may sound eclectic, it is often very visually appealing and blends into a look that freshens up the whole room. A little imagination goes a long way when it comes to redoing kitchen. “Think mix and match tiles, different shades of the same color, contrasting colors and a unique design that acts as the focal point for the room. Kitchen with lively tiles that light up the room have a personality all of their own,” Dupre said.
Most homeowners will want to not only do the floors, but also want to include the counter and throw in a backsplash. The counter and backsplash may act to draw the eye to various points in the kitchen to enjoy the various delightful accents in the room. “This isn’t to say you would want a wild child flowered or patterned design or something that was louder than the family dog, but having a focal point or two in the room is an appealing diversion and makes a subtle statement,” Dupre said.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Kitchen Personality Comes Alive with Tile Explains Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If it Is about time to do some upgrading in your home and you want to tackle the floors, one of the best changes you can make involves choosing ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles may be used in just about any location in your home, but typically, most homeowners will opt for laying ceramic tiles in the living room or the kitchen. These kinds of tiles are not only reasonably priced; they are easy to keep clean. In this day and age when the family is on the go just about all day, every day of the year, having an easy-to-clean floor is a big bonus.
The thing with ceramic tiles is that if you want to tackle this as a home project, you could. Just make sure you have all the proper tools to accomplish what you want. Many homeowners, afraid of not being able to do justice to ceramic tiles when they need to be cut, opt for hiring a skilled Tampa flooring contractor who can get the job done in no time flat. It is another alternative, if you want the job done by a professional.
Ceramic tile is really durable, so choosing this for high traffic areas, like the kitchen and living room, is a smart move. In addition, they are so decorative that you may choose any color you like that brings out the warmth and ambience of your home. Want to go European in style? Spanish? Italian? The choice is yours. With the right choice, your home takes on an instant personality all of its own. Hiring a Tampa flooring contractor will also allow you even greater freedom in deciding what you want done to update your home.
Do not know where to find what you want? Easy, start buy visiting stores to get an idea of size, shape, color, texture and price. Try hunting online for other unique kinds of ceramic tiles. Take your time and make sure you choose what you love. It will give your home a bright new persona, liven the whole house up and be the talk of the town. What more could you ask for when it comes to improving the resale value of your property?
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Ceramic Tiles Hold their Beauty in Your Eyes first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“If a homeowner wants to sell and needs to upgrade their interior, we generally recommend they start from the floor up. Why? Typically, the floor is the canvas or backdrop for every room in the house. If you change the floor, the whole room often undergoes a major transformation,” said Dean Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Oddly, even when it comes to interior design these days, most consultants tend to overlook the value of the floor. In fact, often the floor is one of the most ignored features of a home. “If you stop to think about that, it won’t make much sense, particularly when you consider that if your living room features old, beaten up wood planking that hasn’t looked great in a long time, and you merely change the wallpaper, pictures and furniture, you still have the beaten down flooring. If you’re going to invest in your home, invest in the floors and choose something like Tampa marble,” Dupre said.
As underrated as they may be, the floors in a home play an enormous role in every family’s life. Every event in their lives happens on those floors, from the time they move into the house until the time they leave it. The floor is a direct reflection of the whole room built on it. If the floors have style and class, the rest of the room will reflect that back. It does not take much to make an enormous difference in a home by just changing the flooring. If the floors are changed to marble, the effect is instant, breathtaking beauty. Think the Frog Prince when it comes to the transformation.
“While many homeowners may be thinking that upgrading their Tampa flooring is pricey, it doesn’t have to be. Even with marble as the stone of choice, they can definitely afford to invest in something that will suit their budgets. We have customers call us all the time asking about marble flooring,” Dupre said.
Homeowners may not know where to start to get the information they need to make an informed decision about making a move to marble flooring. Start first by getting samples from a contractor and laying them on the existing flooring. This will provide a bird’s eye view of what a new floor could look like. Marble is a good choice for more than just its inherent beauty. It is durable, smooth, elegant, classy and easy to keep clean, not to mention the fact that it really increases the value of a home when it comes to selling it.
To learn more, visit Champtile.
The post Revamp a Home from the Floor Up with Marble Says Champion Tile and Marble first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If you are one of those people who adore being outside rather than in the house, you might want to get totally creative with your outdoor living spaces by dressing them up with mosaic tiles. You want eye appeal, color, unique presentation and a conversation piece that is also useful and will stand the test of time.
The answer to all of your prayers for color, affordability, flexibility, eye appeal and durability is to opt for mosaic tiles. Why mosaic tiles? Most people love using this type of Tampa flooring because it lets them get wildly personal and creative. Who doesn’t want to put their personal stamp on their home, inside or outside? It is something that we can do to make a place totally ours.
For the look that lasts, you will want to choose the best material that works for you and for your budget. If you are going to be doing the work outside, or having the work done outside, choose the type of tiling that will give you a long lasting and good looking end product. It will save you time and money in the long run if you do your project the right way the first time.
Mosaic tiles are very popular because they offer such a wide range of colors, designs, textures, finishes and prices. Mix and match, go all one color, go with a solid color and a contrasting border or create your own design. You are only limited by your imagination. Just think of it as colors without borders and go wild. After all, it is your living space. There is one thing you might want to do first before pricing out your Tampa flooring and that is draw out what you want the finished product to look like. It always helps to have a map in mind.
Typically, the most often tricked out outdoor area is one around a swimming pool and patio area. The mosaic tiles can transform the whole area into an inviting and relaxing area. It does not have to cost a whole bundle to do the design of your dreams. If you are a DIY kind of person, do your homework first to find out what you need to do. If you prefer to deal with a Clearwater flooring contractor with experience, then contact one that has a good reputation and can help you decide what would look the best in the area you want to makeover.
If you happen to have a fountain outside, consider mosaic tiles for around the base and on the rim. Now that is stylish and classic. The main thing is to just have fun with your tiles and choose something that you can live with and love for the long-term.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Design Your Outdoor Or Indoor Space With The Eye in Mind first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Now and then there comes the time when you want to do something really different in your home; to make a statement and create a space that you resonate with on a personal level. The perfect solution for those looking to make a really interesting change in their décor is to consider wide pine flooring. It Is a look that Is coming back, big time.
Wide plank pine flooring goes with just about any décor you have in mind, which is what makes it so popular these days. It Is definitely a country, but yet very contemporary look. Imagine pairing it with leather, antiques, bright colors and attractive wall tiles to compliment the overall ambiance. This is the true definition of “Home is where you hang your heart,” and that heart is country.
While there are a good number of choices on the market, it is not quite as confusing as choosing tiles. The first thing to start with is to choose a style you like and a stain color that will suit your home. Try showrooms if you like or call an expert contractor who could make some suggestions. Where possible, try to get samples to set on the existing floor that you want to change.
Try to get a wide variety of planking, ranging from narrow to wide. Just because the latest trend is to wider planks, it does not mean you may not prefer the narrower ones. There are several shades you may choose from in light, medium and dark stains. Before you choose a stain, give some thought to what they whole room will look like when you are done. Use the mental picture to decide on what would work best in that particular room.
If you like Clearwater flooring with some personality, then wood planks are the real deal for personality plus. You can get them sanded to perfection and smoothness or opt for the character boards with knotholes and other strange things happening in the plank. For example, many people like old recovered and well-weathered barn wood or salvaged wood from old churches. It is a great conversation piece to have a new floor made from a supposedly haunted old church. Not only that, you are thinking green and recycling wood. Good on you.
If you want to try to install this new plank floor on your own, you can certainly try it, but you might want to keep the phone number of an experienced Clearwater flooring company handy – just in case.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Plank it out With Wide Pine Clearwater Flooring for the Hot Country Look first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Clearwater tile installation done with pebble tile will add a distinct uniqueness to your home. It is worth the admiring comments you will garner.
Most people love to do something different in their homes; something to liven the place up and give it their own personal stamp. They spend a lot of time and money searching for the perfectly different and out of the ordinary thing that will brand their home as their own. Only the homeowner knows what they want to accomplish in their house and trying to tell that to a contractor, other than in general detail, usually does not work.
The best way to accomplish something different and unique in your home is to find something that really piques your interest, such as pebble tiles.Clearwater tile installation using pebble tiles is a smart move, largely because they are clean and extremely attractive. And, if they are installed properly, there are no ugly gaps and the colors are coordinated and even. These tiles really add life to your floor and, believe it or not, they add volume. The room takes on a whole new appearance.
Pebble tiles are really easy to clean and maintain too, which is definitely a major consideration if you have kids and critters. With these tiles, you do not need to clean them every day – unless you have a herd of cats that shed. Pebble tiles are also probably going to be there long after you are gone, as they are one of the most durable of tiles on the market.
If you have a daring streak lurking in you someplace, then do not just use these tiles on the floor. Try using them on your walls or for accessorizing in another room by creating a design you like. It is wild and crazy fun to play around with what you can do with these tiles. Involve the kids in design creation and make them a part of the fun. And the best thing is, you can find pebble tiles just about anywhere. Sweet!
By the way, you cannot only liven up your walls with these tiles, but you might even want to consider them on a pathway outside or, if you have a pool, try incorporating them into the poolside ambiance. Bring the inside out and the outside in. It is a great way to give your home a new lease on life.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Pebble Tile May Be Just The Ticket to Liven Up Your Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Those with travertine tile flooring in their home need to know how they are supposed to keep it clean. After all, the new floor was an investment and they will want to keep it looking spiffy for a long time. The funny thing is that the best way to clean travertine tiles is with a mixture of dish soap and water. Yes, it’s that easy.
If you are like a lot of people who barely have time to say hello to their kids when they get home, because they’re working two jobs, then cleaning house is the last thing you want to do. In fact, by the time the workweek is done and you get a day off, you don’t want to clean on your day off either. Selecting lovely travertine Clearwater flooring, you get a bonus and get off easy when it comes to swabbing it down.
Most people can find a few minutes every day to D & C (dust and clean) in small areas to keep the house up and this is precisely what you can do with your flooring as well. It doesn’t need to be mopped every day and it doesn’t need to be vacuumed every day either. Just do it on the fly and touch it up. Travertine is really a stand-alone stone with a presence and beauty that will make your life a joy. It may be one of the best flooring decisions you have ever made.
For spot cleaning, use a sponge. For tough spots, use that sponge and a bit of elbow grease and perhaps a tougher dish soap. Just remember one thing, don’t use a product that contains acid, because these tiles are really absorbent. Anything with acid in it is quickly absorbed and creates stains, producing streaking on the surface of your travertine Clearwater flooring. After the expense you went to get it installed, you don’t want to mark or ruin it.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post The Trick To Cleaning Travertine Tiles Is Simple And Easy first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Who could possibly resist the ethereal beauty of the right kind of hardwood floor shimmering in the sunlight on a warm day? The burnished elegance that makes a room come alive and gives it a real stamp of dignified, yet exciting stylishness. It’s hard to resist, because not only is Tampa hardwood flooring durable, but it’s reliable and the favorite choice of homeowners and interior designers.
If you’re aiming for hardwood flooring, then there are several things to consider, not the least of which is your budget. Hardwood floors are an investment. You might want to do just one room at a time. It can be expensive, but the results are well worth the temporary financial pinch up front. Be wary of anyone selling hardwood sheets for a low price. Chances are it’s not the real thing, and won’t perform like the real thing either. Don’t shell out hard earned dollars for fake hardwood.
The one thing about hardwood floors is that they tend to go in any room and turn it into a striking room immediately. Choose flooring that suits the rooms in your house; your personal style and your personality. Getting a hardwood floor that blends in with the ambience of your home is also a smart move for resale value later.
Your flooring should match your décor and bring harmony and balance to the room. Spend time mulling over things like the pattern, color, cut and grade and, yes, even the species. These things are important to your overall finished look. If you do not quite know what you are doing or what you need, then take some time to talk to the experts; the designers, contractors and builders who have the experience you need to advise you on what would work the best in your home.
Now that you have a yearning for Tampa hardwood flooring, there is one other thing you really need to consider. If you have dogs, what will their claws to do your floors? This is another thing you will want to ask about, as dog claw damage is almost impossible to reverse. Don’t throw up your hands in defeat. Where there is a will, there is usually a way, and the best advice on this issue will come from those with many years experience in the flooring industry.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post The Beauty Of Hardwood Lasts Forever first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Using rubber as a flooring material is a rather innovative idea that many people likely would not think about. Ever given some thought to changing your flooring material to rubber? It’s a green alternative and easy to clean. If you do want to give this type of flooring a spin, it’s a good idea to think about it before you build a new home or make plans to remodel an existing one.
You don’t know what you need for your new flooring? Easy, do the research and find out what your options are. Having several options will help you choose what you need and what you want, as often those are two different things. First take some time to sort out what you want from new flooring. For instance, what about rubber floors?
While rubber floors may sound a little like something out of a madhouse, it’s honestly a great idea. This kind of flooring is usually found in schools because it’s durable and so easy to clean. Kind of makes some sense doesn’t it? Think about all the traffic a rubber floor can handle and then think about your recreation room or your basement. They’re great places for rubber floors, right? The beauty of this kind of flooring is that it can take just about anything you and your family throw at it and on it and it’s an easy keeper. No fuss, no muss and no wax or scrubbing.
Think a rubber floor might look at tad… different? Well, here’s a thought. You can always dress it up with area rugs. Many families just starting out can’t always go for the gold when it comes to flooring materials and find they have to stick to a strict budget. Rubber flooring may be a viable option for them to consider.
So, if you’re on a budget and can’t really see your way clear to buying marble tiles or other natural stone tiles, then consider all the options out there before deciding what you want to do. Changing your flooring is a big decision. You want to get it right the first time, or at least get something you know you can upgrade later when you have more money.
You will want to keep it simple to install and simple to clean, particularly if you have kids and animals. Maybe you will want to install it yourself. That’s definitely an option, but make sure you choose something that is easy to install in the first place. Think about your lifestyle. How much traffic do you have in various parts of your house? How much time do you want to spend cleaning?
When you have some answers, then you make your decision. You don’t have to be in a rush to do anything. Just take your time. After all, you have to live with your choice of flooring for many years to come. Make it a good one, but don’t stress out about it. If you have questions, call a knowledgeable local flooring contractor and ask what the latest trends are in flooring. They have their fingertips on the pulse of the industry and know what customers like.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post When the rubber hits the floor first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>It’s your home and your lifestyle and you want it to reflect the very essence of you. You want something that is a signature piece; a cornerstone to the inner you on display and something that tells people you love quality and taste. Think marble flooring. Oh yes, you can do it and revel in it. What a conversation piece that would be.
Think about the features you will be getting, like the cooling effect, which makes marble flooring very popular in warm weather states. And it’s scratch resistant and keeps its looks without too much effort on your part. Sure, you do have to do some maintenance, but by and large marble flooring is the bee’s knees of beauty.
You have to also know that homeowners love the resilience of marble. It lends itself to being elegant and naturally beautiful. It’s a flooring option that interior designers adore and largely recommend to their clients for their homes, either as initial flooring or an upgrade. But don’t stop there; your kitchen countertop could use a spiffy new look. Think Tampa marble. Your walkway or your pool, if you have one, could stand an upgrade to something breathtaking and serene and yet durable and sturdy. Think marble.
If you want beauty and sophistication, then marble is the way to go. It will spruce up your bathroom, making it a nifty conversation piece. It will shimmer and shine its way into the hearts of all who see it. It’s the inner beauty of the stone that makes interior designers recommend marble. And they wouldn’t be wrong.
For a wide variety of textures, patterns, styles and colors – yes, color is in again – marble has the key to your heart’s dreams. It will blend into your atmosphere like butter melts on hot corn. Smooth deal. It will offer your home and living spaces a one of a kind appearance you won’t see anywhere else and your friends will envy. You also don’t have to worry that your next door neighbor has the same flooring as you do, because all Tampa marble is different in its presentation and sheen.
Simply put, it just can’t get much better than marble flooring for your home. Whether you choose glazed or unglazed is strictly a personal choice, but make sure a professional installs it, as it’s not really a good DIY project. Glazed tiles are smooth, with a hard water resistant surface. Unglazed tiles are scratch resistant, but you need to be wary of things that stain your tiles.
When in doubt about what to do in your home, contact a skilled flooring contractor to find out the advantages of marble flooring. It’s one of the smartest investments you will ever make.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Marble tile may make your day first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The longer you have lived in a home or owned a business, the more worn out your floors get. It’s inevitable, given the heavy traffic, the cleaning chemicals, the spills, the dirt, the dust and your pets’ little “gifts.” If you had something else on your floors, like carpet, consider Tampa flooring tiles when the time comes to upgrade your look.
Without a doubt, floor tiles are easy to care for and are really simple to adapt to your home décor. Just call them versatile. Some choices for Tampa flooring tiles you might want to consider include, slate, Saltillo, granite, ceramic, mosaic, travertine, porcelain and stone. Your selection will largely depend on your lifestyle and what you want to accomplish in terms of updating your home or business.
There are a few things that you should be aware of when you go looking for tile flooring. You should know that there is a rating system for tiling that ranges from I to V. The most important thing here is that these types of tiles are classified as water absorbing, water resistant and non-vitreous to impervious. For example, let’s say you want to upgrade the kitchen. You would want to use impervious tiles. Ditto that on using tiles in the bathroom.
There are also various kinds of Tampa tile flooring ranked by material, meaning it also comes in a delightful range of shapes, sizes, patterns and colors – just the bee’s knees when it comes to creativity. So, think about malachite, sodalite, designer stone, red jasper, marble, porcelain, semi precious and – well, the list goes on. Just ask your contractor about the surplus of choices from which you have to choose.
Here’s something else you can do, as well. Create your own tile pattern by adding accent tiles. It’s a way to add your own personality to your project. Just by adding a few accent tiles to your main color theme, you can change the look of any room.
Tile flooring is one of the best options on the market if you have allergies, as it’s easy to care for and clean. A quick wipe with a damp mop and you’re done. As you can see, having tile in your home or business can be not only beneficial to give your location a higher resale value, but it adds personality to your surroundings.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Talk about being floored by tile first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If you’re thinking about introducing some color into your bathroom or kitchen, or maybe even your sunroom, then why not think about using ceramic tile patterns? They’re vibrant, attractive, appealing and reasonably priced, not to mention you can get them in just about any color you want. That’s more than appealing – it’s the perfect solution to your decorating challenges.
Before you get all fired up and go looking for ceramic tiles, give some thought to what type of look you want. What kind of ambiance do you want to have in the rooms you’ve chosen to perk up? Do you want a Mexican feel? A Moroccan flavor? Perhaps a touch of the American Southwest? You are only limited by your imagination, so the sky is the limit. While you might know the exact finish you want when you’re done, you may still be checking out books, websites and design magazines to get some inspiration.
Looking around is actually a really good idea. You don’t want to rush a design project because you will have to live with the results for a long time. You better make sure you really like what you ultimately choose. For instance, let’s say you want to remodel your bathroom first. Some people prefer a monotone look, while others love wild and adventurous.
With monotone, the whole room is done in one main color, which is OK, but be careful of the colors you use, as a whole room with just monotone tiles runs the risk of reminding people of being in a hospital. Not exactly what you want to achieve. Look to add a dash of vivid color or tiles with texture, and top it off with plants or flowers.
You’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly once you get started. You might like the idea of doing a black and white tile design in the bathroom and then use black towels, accented with white face cloths and black and white pictures. You get the idea. Match as much as you can to your tiles to bring out their personality.
On the other hand, if you love vivid and brilliant colors, you might want to think about a feature wall or floor. Sometimes, having a whole room done in colors that talk back to you is a bit much to take. Luckily, working with that creative streak you have is a cinch with today’s mosaic ceramic tile patterns. Go to town and do some experimenting with color. It’s your personal space; have fun.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
The post Scheming in colored tiles first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>“If you’ve been reading home decorating magazines lately, you’ll notice that ceramic floor tile is becoming a super choice for just about any room in the house. Additionally, a lot of homeowners feel this is a dandy do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Well, yes and no. DIY works well if you have done your homework and understand the issues involved in laying tile; and if you lay tile over an existing lino floor, well, that’s a whole other ball of wax,” cautioned Dean Dupre who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
Generally speaking, a great number of homeowners have no problems laying tile and that can save a lot of bucks. It also saves a huge chunk of time to lay tile right over lino and it also adds an extra layer of insulation. Warning: if there is a wooden subfloor under the lino, the lino will need to be stripped off completely before installing tile. “This is due to the fact that if you don’t do that, you could get the newly laid tile cracking and buckling because of the flexibility of the subfloor. If you lino is on concrete, no problem, lay the tile over it,” suggested Dupre.
If DIY is the flavor of the day, then before installing tile take everything out of the room; e.g., if it’s the bathroom, take out the toilet, remove any existing trim on the flooring edges (think edge stripping and baseboards) and clean the floor thoroughly. “Note: do not sand older lino because a lot of it has asbestos particles in it. You do not want to be breathing that stuff in,” warned Dupre.
Next, use only the best sealant to block moisture from spots where it tends to happen and then lay out your tiles first and make sure there are enough for the job. “Ventilate the working area because the adhesive will knock you right over with the smell, not to mention the fumes are toxic and flammable. Don’t smoke while laying tile,” Dupre suggested. Do all the cutouts for places like the toilet and bathtub first, as it saves time and frustration later. Also make sure the grouting is quality and that it is worked between the tiles with a grout float. The finishing touch is silicone caulking for those pipes and fixtures.
“If this sounds like a lot of work that you don’t want to be doing on your day off, then it might be time to call an expert and have it done professionally. Installing floor tile is not a job for amateurs despite what some of the DIY magazines may suggest,” observed Dupre who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post Installing Floor Tile Is Not a Job for Amateurs first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When it comes to wanting to ensure a home is shipshape, looks great, has good resale value and is modern, many people gravitate toward new trends. Not the kind of trends that will look great for six months and go out of style, but the kind of trend that has elegance and class; something that will withstand the test of time and the critical eye of visitors or potential buyers.
“Spiffing up your home is easy if you take the time to check out the latest, greatest and hottest items on the market. Often the easiest way to do something spectacular with your home and still stay within a manageable budget is to use tiles. Pebble tiles are something you might want to consider for a variety of reasons, not to mention the fact they are very attractive and eye catching,” added Dean Dupre who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.
It just doesn’t work to tell a interior renovation specialist to go ahead and do something great in the house. “That leaves a whole lot of questions up in the air, not the least of which is how much do you want to spend, do you want tile or marble, what colors do you prefer and where do you want the materials?” said Dupre.
Start at the beginning before the interior decorating journey begins and figure out what would look the best in the house and where it would create a whole different ambiance in a room. Check out colors, types of materials to use, where they would look best, and their cost to buy and to install. “During your search, either in stores or online, you may run across tile pebbles. These are nice alternatives to some of the more traditional choices and if they are laid properly, there won’t be any gaps. In addition, the pebble tiles are quite nicely color coordinated and give your floor new life,” Dupre commented.
“An added bonus with pebble tile is that they are very easy to keep clean and you don’t have to go out of your way every day to ‘do’ something with the floor to keep it looking reasonably nice; unlike marble which needs fairly constant primping,” observed Dupre.
If durability is an issue because there are kids and animals in the house, there are no worries with pebble tile. “It lasts quite a long time, probably longer than you will own the house, and is very durable. So if you have high traffic, busy traffic and animal traffic, this may be the flooring for you,” suggested Dupre, who runs Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. Another added bonus is that if the look of the floor captures the imagination, pebble tile may be used on walls and to accessorize other areas.
To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.
The post For a Unique Look, Pebble Tile Is a Winner first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>If brightening up your home is high on your list this year and you want to make a statement, a quiet one or a bold one, then you might want to consider using marble. Marble is so versatile that it can be used as countertops, floors, accessories or accents in your home décor. Really, the only limit to using marble is your imagination. Other than that, it does pretty much everything with real style.
One of the best and most attractive things about marble is the fact that it has a high shine or polish. It can almost gleam in the dark. When you polish Tampa marble with loving attention, it takes on the feel of smooth glass or silk. It’s quite elegant and indeed, sensual to some. Other stones aren’t formed the way marble is and so their surface isn’t capable of providing you with that special glimmer that marble gets when it’s polished to perfection.
Yes, you do need to be careful with marble, as it is soft, which does mean you may be able to chip or scratch it. If you’re careful with your marble, this should not be a problem, and many chips or cracks, provided they are not too deep, may be fixed or repaired. These are things you will want to check out before making your marble purchase. After all, it’s your lifestyle and you know best what would work for you.
If you have done any research on marble for your home, you will know by now that you need to be careful with spills, particularly anything acidic. If you don’t catch the spill right away, the Tampa marble will discolor and you run the risk of having a permanent stain. While marble may have its drawbacks, most are willing to overlook those and work with the beauty of the stone. It’s darn near irresistible and once you get the hang of caring for it, it’s a snap.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.
The post Be a Queen or King in Your Own Home with Tampa Marble in Strategic Locations first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>