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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 30th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Hardwood Flooring - Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find this information useful.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.

Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core".

Many people quite rightly seek out solid hardwood flooring as the best means to add certain warmth, class, and an atmosphere of homey comfort to an interior. But, as many find out, hardwood flooring can have limitations in areas that are prone to climatic changes; when it is humid or damp, an unfortunate effect in hardwood is often the swelling or cupping of the hardwood flooring boards. When looking to invest in long-lasting and attractive flooring therefore, one of the things to look out for is a flooring material that is likely to respond to these sorts of environmental changes without losing any of its structural stability, or its attractiveness. A solution that many have discovered for versatility, attractiveness, and with a robust design noted for structural stability is engineered hardwood flooring. But what is engineered hardwood, and what makes it so resistant to the climatic forces which usually spell doom for solid hardwood flooring?

Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Anatomy Lesson

Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of two main elements: the top layer and the core. The core is made up of stacked layers of medium or high-density fiberboard, or sometimes plywood, which most often range from 3 ply to 7 ply construction. This stacking design acts as a means to allow the flooring to counteract the effects of humidity on the natural wood, allowing each board to expand and contract without warping or cupping. As you may guess, this makes for a hardwood floor that is suitable for an installation in an area that is not environmentally controlled, or that is characterized by higher levels of dampness or humidity, such as a basement installation. The top layer of engineered hardwood floors is a species of real wood. In this sense, engineered floors are as “genuine” as any hardwood floor, with real wood that lends a space a decorative dimension that most people interested in hardwood are looking for. So, with engineered hardwood flooring, you get the functionality and toughness that the core allows, as well as the refined beauty of the real hardwood top layer that is indistinguishable to the eye from solid hardwood.

Installing Engineered Hardwood Floors

An advantage that engineered flooring has over many flooring options is that you can install it in any room, either above or below ground. It is also generally designed to be installed quickly and easily. This is advantageous not only for the do-it-yourselfer, but also to the hardwood flooring contractor who may offer engineered hardwood as a means of moving from one flooring contract to another quickly, but without sacrificing quality. With many engineered hardwood flooring lines, there is no need for nailing the boards down to the subfloor. This has a couple of implications. First, that a concrete slab subfloor is a suitable substrate on which to install engineered hardwood, unlike solid hardwood. Second, that many engineered hardwood flooring lines can either be floated, as you would a laminate floor, or glued down. As long as you subfloor is clean, level and dry, engineered hardwood flooring is a versatile option that can yield successful results without the need to consider whether or not a subfloor is suitable for a nail-down installation.

In the case of a floating floor, remember to use a reliable vapor barrier between the subfloor and your flooring. The adhesives used in a glue-down option often add the advantage of acting as a built-in vapor barrier. Ask the professionals about the details on your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring.

Locking Systems For Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Most types of engineered hardwood feature a tongue and groove locking system. These are designed for a level of precision that makes for a refined flooring surface that is free of unsightly gaps between the boards. Once again, versatility and practicality are the distinguishing features of engineered hardwood flooring. Often, these types of locking systems allow you to take up the boards at a later date when necessary, if you’ve chosen a floating floor option. So, you can take your floor with you when you’re moving house, or allow you to more easily replace any damaged boards. When making a purchase, it is a good idea to ask whether your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring allows for this feature.

Radiant Heat and the Engineered Hardwood Floor

Radiant heat is a welcome feature to many households and commercial interiors. But, when choosing a flooring option, it is important to note the impact that radiant heating may have in the short term as well as the long term. For solid hardwood, radiant heat can have a significantly negative effect; the radiant heating can severely dry out the hardwood, which in turn causes the boards to warp and cup as they would if they were exposed to excessive moisture. Luckily, engineered hardwood has been designed to counteract this tendency, just as it has in the case of humidity and dampness in a below-grade or non-environmentally controlled interior. Once again, the core of the engineered floor expands and contracts accordingly, while preserving the structural stability of the board and the attractiveness of the top layer.

Freedom with Engineered Hardwood Flooring!

With engineered floors, you are free to consider the possibilities of using hardwood in areas that would mean disaster for a solid hardwood floor. Engineered hardwood floors allow you all of the beauty and organic feel, as well as a greater range of options as far as the location of your installation. With the dual features of an attractive top layer that is a real hardwood species, and a core which is designed to shift and move with climatic changes, engineered hardwood flooring is perfect for a basement installation, or an installation in a summer home or cottage that is not environmentally controlled all year round. Along with these functional benefits, engineered hardwood floors are often less expensive than their solid hardwood counterparts, making them worth serious consideration on a budgetary level. With all of its features that allow these advantages, engineered hardwood truly stands as being in a class by itself.

Here is a list of things to consider when purchasing, installing and maintaining your engineered hardwood floor:

Do:

Braided Rugs - Add Warmth To Your Bedroom With An Oriental Rug

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Add Warmth To Your Bedroom With An Oriental Rug" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find this information useful.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Other articles with the topic "braided rugs" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.

Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Add Warmth To Your Bedroom With An Oriental Rug".

When it comes to the bedroom we all know that bedding and accents are important, but a key area of bedroom design that is often overlooked is the flooring. Many people have wall to wall carpet in their bedroom and, therefore think that they are “stuck” with that color or design. The truth is that you can jazz up your flooring by simply laying a carpet on top of your wall to wall carpet.

Beautiful and durable, oriental rugs can add warmth and charm to almost any bedroom. This type of rug goes with many bedroom design styles, romantic, Victorian, shabby chic, Tuscan, Morrocan, oriental and many more.

Oriental rugs come in many different designs and colors so you should be able to find one that suits your bedroom décor. You can buy them in different sizes so you can add a splash of color and elegance to any part of the bedroom. You can buy them in a variety of price ranges as well, but as with anything else, the more you spend the better quality your rug will be.

A real oriental rug is hand tied - that’s right each piece of wool is tied onto the backing by hand. These rugs are really works of art, and you might think they are fragile but they are actually quite durable. I have been to many antique auctions where rugs that were over 100 years old have survived to look almost as good as they day they were made.

When selecting an oriental carpet for your bedroom, you should only look at carpets that are 100% wool as these will be the best quality. To determine if the carpet you are looking at is hand or machine made there are a few things to take into consideration. First off it’s good to be able to compare two rugs - one you know is machine made and one you know is hand made. Look at the backs - the hand made rug will be much more colorful than the machine made. The machine made rug will have an overall stitch pattern across the back and you won’t see any knots since only hand made rugs are knotted. Another thing to look at is the fringe. On a handmade rug, the fringe is made up of the wrap strings from the end of the rug, on a machine made it is simply sewn on.

When selecting your oriental rug, make sure to choose colors that go with the colors in your bedroom. If you are placing the rug over wall to wall carpeting, it is best to choose smaller throw rugs that you can use as splashes of color around the room and avoid putting furniture on them unless you buy a large rug that covers almost the entire room.

Love the look of oriental rugs but don’t want to put them on the floor? Why not try using one as a wall hanging? You can use it to jazz up a large boring wall or hang it behind the bed in lieu of a headboard.

No matter how you use them, oriental rugs add warmth and character to your bedroom or any room in the house!

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs And Decorations where you can find more tips on decorating your bedroom.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on large area rugs, round area rugs or oriental area rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: area rugs, wool rugs, contemporary area rugs, braided rugs, afghan rugs, persian rugs, oriental rugs, handmade rugs, round rugs, custom rugs, tribal rugs, persian carpets, runners, turkish rugs

Posted on August 29th, 2007 .. More articles on Area Rugs and Articles.

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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 28th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Oriental Rug - Antique Oriental Rugs

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Antique Oriental Rugs" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Related articles on "oriental rug" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.

Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Antique Oriental Rugs".

These are the largest antique Oriental rug dealers, importers, providers, online galleries and companies available in the United States.

Krikor Markarian antique rug and carpet gallery (markarianantiquerugs.com): Located in New York City, Krikor Markarian specializes in collectible antique tribal rugs and other woven artefacts from the main Near Eastern and Asian weaving areas. It features 19th century Caucasian rugs, 19th century Persian tribal and village rugs, antique Central Asian weavings and antique Anatolian rugs.

Nalbandian Inc. (www.nalbandian.com/antiques/antiques.htm): is a floor covering company that includes antique Oriental rugs, tapestries and textiles in its collection since 1826. The business started in Ceasaria, (kaisery) Turkey, extending to Erevan, Tehran, Beirut, Paris, Monte Carlo, Aix En Provence, Marseille, Zurich, Boston and Los Angeles. Services also include Restoration and Conservation.

Oriental Rug Mart (demanesrug.com): An Oriental rug company which has been buying, selling, cleaning and repairing Oriental rugs in central Illinois since 1919, in the name of James Demanes & Sons. Their rug emporium is located in the Demanes Galleries building in Peoria, Illinois. Services include Hand wash, repair, restoration, and appraisal.

Pasargad (pasargadcarpets.com): Pasargad is an importer of hand-woven oriental rugs, featuring an extensive line of hand-woven Chinese, Persian-design, and Indian masterpieces in vegetable-dyed wool. It is a family owned business established in 1904, well-known for its in-house restoration and cleaning facilities, with showrooms in New York and Washington D.C.

Antiqueorientalrugs.com: is an online shopping gallery of an Oriental rug business started by Robert T. Mosby since 1969, who deals strictly in handmade, antique oriental rugs and not in mass produced program rugs. The website has a link to Ebay, where a selection of antique rugs is showcased, changing on a weekly basis. The business is located in Sarasota, Florida.

Abraham Moheban & Son Inc. (moheban.com): The Company offers trade, designers and retail clients a choice of antique Persian, Indian, Turkish and European rugs and carpets. Located in New York City, it has an extensive collection of 18th to early 20th century pieces. Services include hand washing, conservation, restoration and insurance valuation.

A.E. Runge Oriental Rugs (rungerugs.com): Located in Yarmouth, Maine, Runge Rugs was started in the 1880s by Edward Runge. Its large inventory of handmade Orientals has been purchased almost entirely from estates and private individuals in New England and Europe dated between date between 1900 and the 1930s. All the products in the store is claimed to be authentic oriental rugs.

Antique Rug Gallery, Inc. (antiqueruggallery.com): This is an online gallery only, which operates in Massachusetts. The Antique Rug Gallery Inc. offers exclusively antique oriental carpets and tribal rugs, and accepts dealers as well as retail customers at wholesale prices. Services include written appraisals, wash and repair.

Antique Textile Gallery (frankames.com): The Company, buyer and seller of antique oriental carpets, Turkmen trappings, tribal rugs, decorative textiles and Kashmir shawls, was founded in Paris 25 years ago and moved to Manhattan's Upper West Side in 1986. The gallery is also a consultant and appraiser of antique, ancient and decorative textiles. Business is conducted by appointment only.

Persian Rugs http://persianrugshq.com/ can enhance your home. Discover the joys of owning an Oriental Persian rug!

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on round oriental rugs, antique oriental rugs or oriental design rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: oriental area rugs, arak rugs, ardabil, bakhtiari, gabbeh, heriz, isfahan, kashan, kashmar, mashad, nain, qum, sabzevar, serapi, shiraz, sultanabad, tabriz, oriental rugs, persian carpets, runners

Posted on August 28th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Tile Floor - Steps in Maintaining a Laminate or Tile Flooring

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Steps in Maintaining a Laminate or Tile Flooring" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.

Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Related articles on "tile floor" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.

Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Steps in Maintaining a Laminate or Tile Flooring".

Tiles and laminated flooring are becoming a preference these days. These are chosen over similar products because it is economical and gives out the same effect as their counterparts.

Laminate or tile flooring needs some care and attention for it to last a lifetime. Although cleaning these types of flooring is as easy as pie, there are still some things to consider and to remember before proceeding with cleaning it.

Here are the things you should do or not do when cleaning laminated or tiled floors.

1. Never wax nor polish the floor. Some waxes have ingredients that could destroy the outer layers of the tile. This layer is its protective layer against dust and moisture. If it is removed, then dirt could creep in and stick.

2. Vacuum will do for normal cleaning. For your everyday cleaning requirements, you would just need to vacuum the laminated floor or tile and that’s it. Sweeping should always be done prior to vacuuming.

3. Use a mop with soft cloth. So as not to scratch the surface, always use mops with soft materials attached to it. Also, make sure the mop is not dripping. Always wring it out because excessive water is not necessary.

4. Do not use abrasive cleaners, scrubbing pads, or scouring powder. As stated earlier, laminated floors have protective coverings. Abrasive materials will not help clean the floor, it would ruin it.

5. Use floor protectors or pads under furniture legs, especially chairs. Chairs are always moved from place to place. Always check if the furniture legs and chairs are not causing scratches on the floor.

6. Place doormats at entryways. Doormats would collect dirt and grit stuck in the shoes. It would also absorb moisture off it. Placing one on every door is a good idea so that people coming in won’t leave irremovable dirt sticking to the floor.

7. Use only recommended cleaners for your laminated floors and tiles. Each manufacturer will suggest to you a cleaner that works well with their products. It is a smart idea to go with these cleaners than to try others that could be harmful to the floor.

8. Learn how to use flooring touch-up kits. There are repair kits available for tiles and laminated flooring. Better know how to use it so that minor problems can be easily repaired before it become worse.

9. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when replacing a single board. There are times that the damage on your floor cannot be repaired and replacing the whole board is necessary. When doing so, check out what the manufacturer’s instructions are. If you are not sure about it, better ask a professional to do the job.

10. Keep your warranty. Laminate floors and tiles have manufacturer’s warranties upon installation. These would ensure that your floor is protected from any defects and would perform to the maximum. Always conform to the warranty conditions.

These are few ways you can do to lengthen the lifespan of your laminated floors and tiles. Although these can be easily replaced and is relatively cheaper, it is not wise to just let it be and not take care of it.

Your home will look new and appealing if its floor is clean and well-maintained. Always leave a good impression with your guests. Start with a shiny, beautiful floor!

Joyce Dietzel writes articles for -flooring.info.html a website dedicated to Wood and Laminate floor care info. for you

http://www.for-flooring.info/wood-flooring.html

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on laminate tile flooring, kitchen tile flooring or cork tile flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: floor tile, flooring tile, tile flooring, ceramic floor tile, tile floor, tile floors, vinyl floor tile, bathroom floor tile, vinyl tile flooring, marble floor tile

Posted on August 28th, 2007 .. More articles on Cork Tiles and Articles.

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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 27th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Laminate Flooring - Discount Laminate Flooring

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Discount Laminate Flooring" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Similar articles on "laminate flooring" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.

Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Discount Laminate Flooring".

Most homeowners choose flooring for their homes based on two essential criteria, namely, the quality and price of the flooring material. Laminate flooring is considered a good flooring option by many homeowners as it helps their homes appear stylish and yet is not too expensive. A buyer would typically look for a discount on the laminate flooring to ensure that he is able to further lower the overall cost of construction or renovation of the home.

There are various reasons why manufacturers and dealers of laminate flooring offer discounts on their products. Understanding these reasons is important for a buyer to be able to procure the flooring material at the best available pricing. Some manufacturers offer a discount on certain specific designs and models that have been phased out from their product range. Some part of the last batch of production of the design or model may have remained unsold. As it occupies space in the warehouses that could be utilized for stocking other materials, dealers would want to dispose it off. Such laminate flooring designs are sold at discounted prices and a buyer would be able to bargain and settle for a lower price than the original price.

Buyers of laminate flooring may also be in a position to negotiate a better price when they are buying in large quantities. If a homeowner were renovating all the rooms in the house, the requirement of laminate flooring would be fairly large. In such cases, it is possible to convince most dealers of offering a part of their profit margins as an incentive to the buyer.

Some dealers of laminate flooring offer discounts on certain brands when the company manufacturing those brands organizes a special promotional drive. Typically this happens when a new product is launched or an existing product is being repositioned in the market.

Buyers can acquire information about discounted laminate flooring by checking out the Web sites of manufacturers and dealers in their area. Local newspapers also carry advertisements by dealers when a special discount is being offered. It is important for a buyer to ensure that a discount in price does not translate into a discount in the quality of the laminate flooring he is purchasing.

Laminate Flooring provides detailed information on Laminate Flooring, Laminate Wood Flooring, How To Install Laminate Flooring, Discount Laminate Flooring and more. Laminate Flooring is affiliated with Hardwood Laminate Floors.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on laminate floors, laminate flooring or laminate hardwood floors. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: laminate flooring, laminate floor, laminate floors, laminated flooring, laminate wood floors, laminate wood flooring, laminated floor, laminated flooring board

Posted on August 26th, 2007 .. More articles on Articles.

Hardwood Flooring - Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core

Today’s Feature Article. "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.

Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core".

Many people quite rightly seek out solid hardwood flooring as the best means to add certain warmth, class, and an atmosphere of homey comfort to an interior. But, as many find out, hardwood flooring can have limitations in areas that are prone to climatic changes; when it is humid or damp, an unfortunate effect in hardwood is often the swelling or cupping of the hardwood flooring boards. When looking to invest in long-lasting and attractive flooring therefore, one of the things to look out for is a flooring material that is likely to respond to these sorts of environmental changes without losing any of its structural stability, or its attractiveness. A solution that many have discovered for versatility, attractiveness, and with a robust design noted for structural stability is engineered hardwood flooring. But what is engineered hardwood, and what makes it so resistant to the climatic forces which usually spell doom for solid hardwood flooring?

Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Anatomy Lesson

Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of two main elements: the top layer and the core. The core is made up of stacked layers of medium or high-density fiberboard, or sometimes plywood, which most often range from 3 ply to 7 ply construction. This stacking design acts as a means to allow the flooring to counteract the effects of humidity on the natural wood, allowing each board to expand and contract without warping or cupping. As you may guess, this makes for a hardwood floor that is suitable for an installation in an area that is not environmentally controlled, or that is characterized by higher levels of dampness or humidity, such as a basement installation. The top layer of engineered hardwood floors is a species of real wood. In this sense, engineered floors are as “genuine” as any hardwood floor, with real wood that lends a space a decorative dimension that most people interested in hardwood are looking for. So, with engineered hardwood flooring, you get the functionality and toughness that the core allows, as well as the refined beauty of the real hardwood top layer that is indistinguishable to the eye from solid hardwood.

Installing Engineered Hardwood Floors

An advantage that engineered flooring has over many flooring options is that you can install it in any room, either above or below ground. It is also generally designed to be installed quickly and easily. This is advantageous not only for the do-it-yourselfer, but also to the hardwood flooring contractor who may offer engineered hardwood as a means of moving from one flooring contract to another quickly, but without sacrificing quality. With many engineered hardwood flooring lines, there is no need for nailing the boards down to the subfloor. This has a couple of implications. First, that a concrete slab subfloor is a suitable substrate on which to install engineered hardwood, unlike solid hardwood. Second, that many engineered hardwood flooring lines can either be floated, as you would a laminate floor, or glued down. As long as you subfloor is clean, level and dry, engineered hardwood flooring is a versatile option that can yield successful results without the need to consider whether or not a subfloor is suitable for a nail-down installation.

In the case of a floating floor, remember to use a reliable vapor barrier between the subfloor and your flooring. The adhesives used in a glue-down option often add the advantage of acting as a built-in vapor barrier. Ask the professionals about the details on your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring.

Locking Systems For Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Most types of engineered hardwood feature a tongue and groove locking system. These are designed for a level of precision that makes for a refined flooring surface that is free of unsightly gaps between the boards. Once again, versatility and practicality are the distinguishing features of engineered hardwood flooring. Often, these types of locking systems allow you to take up the boards at a later date when necessary, if you’ve chosen a floating floor option. So, you can take your floor with you when you’re moving house, or allow you to more easily replace any damaged boards. When making a purchase, it is a good idea to ask whether your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring allows for this feature.

Radiant Heat and the Engineered Hardwood Floor

Radiant heat is a welcome feature to many households and commercial interiors. But, when choosing a flooring option, it is important to note the impact that radiant heating may have in the short term as well as the long term. For solid hardwood, radiant heat can have a significantly negative effect; the radiant heating can severely dry out the hardwood, which in turn causes the boards to warp and cup as they would if they were exposed to excessive moisture. Luckily, engineered hardwood has been designed to counteract this tendency, just as it has in the case of humidity and dampness in a below-grade or non-environmentally controlled interior. Once again, the core of the engineered floor expands and contracts accordingly, while preserving the structural stability of the board and the attractiveness of the top layer.

Freedom with Engineered Hardwood Flooring!

With engineered floors, you are free to consider the possibilities of using hardwood in areas that would mean disaster for a solid hardwood floor. Engineered hardwood floors allow you all of the beauty and organic feel, as well as a greater range of options as far as the location of your installation. With the dual features of an attractive top layer that is a real hardwood species, and a core which is designed to shift and move with climatic changes, engineered hardwood flooring is perfect for a basement installation, or an installation in a summer home or cottage that is not environmentally controlled all year round. Along with these functional benefits, engineered hardwood floors are often less expensive than their solid hardwood counterparts, making them worth serious consideration on a budgetary level. With all of its features that allow these advantages, engineered hardwood truly stands as being in a class by itself.

Here is a list of things to consider when purchasing, installing and maintaining your engineered hardwood floor:

Do:

Untitled

Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 25th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Oriental Rugs - Area Rugs and Flooring — Two Newly Green Giants

Today’s Feature Article. "Area Rugs and Flooring — Two Newly Green Giants" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Related articles on "oriental rugs" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.

Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Area Rugs and Flooring — Two Newly Green Giants".

Over the years, a debate has taken place in the flooring industry over the impact its products have on the environment. In 2003, a group of industry researches and technical specialists met at the University of North Carolina to examine the science with regard to the positive or negative attributes of materials found in products like carpeting, area rugs and linoleum.

The panel looked at hundreds of studies in relation to how carpet and non-carpet materials contribute to environmental quality and whether there's a significant concern with toxic substances and allergens alleged to have commonly been found.

The intention of the researchers was to try and settle years of anecdotal evidence and set an industry standard to help buyers and sellers of flooring products. A good portion of the information reviewed came from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Health Science Libraries, and other previously published industry experts.

A review of all of the literature led to one major conclusion: materials found in flooring "play a significant role to the quality of life indoors." It contributes to healthy design factors, safety, aesthetics, climate control, ergonomics and physical comfort. When maintained properly, carpeting and area rugs are not at all risks to public health.

While the group's conclusion was great news for the industry and the public, it's still necessary to examine flooring's impact on the whole environment, including the part played by rugs and flooring made from natural materials.

Decorating Like Darwin: By Natural Selection

With so many types of area rugs available today, it's hard enough to make a style selection, let alone having to take health and environmental concerns into account. Keeping rugs clean and in good condition will go a long way in alleviating any concerns. Area rugs do have material differences, though. Here's a quick look at natural fiber rugs and other natural flooring:

WOOL RUGS

Water, water everywhere, so keep it away from wool. Water is one of the biggest enemies of wool rugs. Wool, popular in Oriental rugs, has a high moisture regain and is susceptible to microorganism attack. That may sound like the bad plot to a Hollywood horror film or an episode of Fear Factor. Nevertheless, keep something that requires water, like potted plants, off of wool rugs.

Water aside, wool's long, coarse fibers have the ability to maintain indoor air quality and, unlike synthetic fibers, can absorb indoor contaminants. Since discarded carpet accounts for a tremendous amount of waste – 4.7 billion pounds in 2002 according to the EPA – any rug that lasts longer, like a hand-knotted wool rug, is going to get the seal of approval from the Green Party.

http://www.a1-discount-area-rugs.com/Oriental-Rugs.html

JUTE RUGS

Once used primarily as carpet backing, Jute has made it to the big time. As a full-fledged member of the area rug and carpet family, Jute, which ranges from light tans to browns, is one of the finest and softest of natural floor covering materials.

Composed mainly of plant materials, Jute is a rainy season crop that grows best in warm, humid climates like parts of China and India. While it may grow in rainy weather, the Jute rug won't stand up to areas with high moisture levels. Unlike wool, jute is resistant to microorganisms, but the material will in fact deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture.

BAMBOO RUGS

Gilligan's Island no longer corners the market on bamboo flooring. You don't need to live in a hut to use this material.

Bamboo, which is also a trend in cutting boards and hardwood floors, has become a popular option for area rugs. And its environmental friendliness is obvious. No trees to cut down, no waste. Bamboo is technically a grass, and moreover a highly renewable resource. Maturing in less than six years, bamboo is harvested over and over from the same plants. Its strength combined with a natural beauty can add a contemporary touch to any living space.

SEAGRASS RUGS

Seagrass is not something you may have thought was illegal. You can't grow it in your backyard, but it does look great in the house. Created from tropical grass mainly imported from China, Seagrass, which only comes in a natural organic green color, is smooth to the touch and extremely durable and stain resistant.

SISAL RUGS

Sisal is another natural fiber that has recently gained popularity among designers. The material is derived from a cactus plant, grown in semi-arid regions liked Brazil and Africa.

Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers, making its staying power ultra-environment friendly. Water is not Sisal's friend, either. The rug should never be used in the bathroom or other moist areas of the house.

CORK FLOORING

Now you may be thinking how a rug is made from cork? Well, it's not. Cork has been slipped in to this discussion simply because it can be considered a cousin in the natural fiber family. Used as durable hardwood-type flooring, the cork tree is the only one whose bark can regenerate itself after harvest without damaging the tree or the environment. The tree is never killed or cut down and can produce bark for centuries. Furthermore, almost all of its harvested materials are put to use.

Cork is known for its sound environmental policy, and when feet hit the floor, it's known for its durability. Cork may seem elastic when compared to wood, but its "natural memory ability" and resistance to liquid penetration can make it an attractive alternative.

LINOLEUM FLOORING

This is no joke. Linoleum is back. So break out the disco ball and platform shoes. Vinyl nearly sent linoleum to the flooring scrap yard, but just like bell-bottoms, linoleum is making a comeback. It's contemporary and gets the green seal. While vinyl is synthetic and petroleum-based, linoleum is made entirely of natural materials, linseed oil being the main ingredient.

The resurgence of natural and retro products is behind linoleum's rebirth. As a natural product, linoleum can be recycled and is hypoallergenic, which benefits those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Linoleum also contains antibacterial properties that help stop the growth of microorganisms.

About the author:

Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including braided and sisal rugs.

http://www.a1-discount-area-rugs.com/index.html

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on antique oriental rugs, large oriental rugs or large oriental rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: oriental area rugs, arak rugs, ardabil, bakhtiari, gabbeh, heriz, isfahan, kashan, kashmar, mashad, nain, qum, sabzevar, serapi, shiraz, sultanabad, tabriz, oriental rugs, persian carpets, runners

Posted on August 24th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs and Articles.

Braided Rugs - Oriental Rugs: Know The Differences Before You Buy

Today’s Feature Article. "Oriental Rugs: Know The Differences Before You Buy" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.

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Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Oriental Rugs: Know The Differences Before You Buy".

Oriental rugs can make a beautiful addition to a room giving it a charm an elegance that cannot be provided by any other type of rug. Oriental rugs are available in modern and antique styles. Know the differences in oriental rugs before you buy.

You can usually identify an Oriental rugs origin from the style and design of the rug. Many people think Oriental rugs have their own defining style that encompasses them all. This is not true. Each country tends to produce rugs that are unique to traditional patterns and materials from the country of origin. Oriental rug experts can spend many years learning all the different patterns, materials, weaves, and colors so that they can identify the origin of an Oriental rug.

We'll give you a brief outline so that you can know the difference ins oriental rugs before you buy.

Persian Rugs

When most people hear the word Oriental rug they think of a Persian rug. That's because of all the Oriental rugs the Persian rugs are the easiest to identify and so people remember them. Persia know called Iran, has a reputation for producing the highest quality and most beautiful rugs in the entire world. And they've been doing this for hundreds of years. The traditional designs have the name of the tribal region where they were made. Kerman, Sarouk, Tabriz are three of the most common areas.

Persian rugs are easily identified by their geometric patterns and intricate floral patterns. Antique Persian rugs are very popular and highly sought after often bringing very high prices if they are in excellent condition. Of course you can buy a modern Persian rug for a reasonable price and it will still have the geometric and floral patterns of the area.

Indian Rugs

Most of the Oriental rugs that we buy in the western world originate from India. The rug industry in India is one of the main forms of employment for rural workers. The modern India rugs are made in the traditional designs and patterns but cost a fraction of the price. And of course the quality is as good as it was in the past. They are still hand made by the locals.

There is one rug that is produced in India that actually did originate in India. That is the traditional dhurrie rug which is a cotton and wool rug, sometimes with other natural fibers, created in a variety of traditional patterns, as well as some contemporary patterns.

Turkey

Turkey rugs are a real find and highly sought after because they are all between 50 and 75 years old. The first world war put an end to the Turkish Oriental rug industry and they are just now beginning to make a comeback as the current government now encourages this industry. Turkey rugs are identifiable by their traditional designs and very rich colors.

Tibet

Tibet rugs are one of the most prized rugs to own. Entire families from villages are involved in making Oriental rugs. One rug can take as many as 3500 hours to complete. The wool of the Himalayan sheep is used to make these rugs. It has a high lanolin content making it perfect from rugs. Tibetan rugs can be recognized from their very rich colors and rustic patterns as well as the variations in color and texture. Each rug is truly a unique piece and a work of art. But be prepared to pay a pretty price for one of these beauties!

Now that you know the differences in Oriental rugs you'll make a better buy. Your room will thank you for the beautiful addition to your home decor and your friends and family will envy you!

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit the carpet rugs website.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on area rugs, area rugs or sisal area rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: area rugs, wool rugs, contemporary area rugs, braided rugs, afghan rugs, persian rugs, oriental rugs, handmade rugs, round rugs, custom rugs, tribal rugs, persian carpets, runners, turkish rugs

Posted on August 24th, 2007 .. More articles on Area Rugs and Articles.

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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 23rd, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Wood Floors - Why the Best Flooring Idea is to Install Hardwood Floors

Today’s Feature Article. "Why the Best Flooring Idea is to Install Hardwood Floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.

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Hardwood floors have been around for hundreds of years. Wood floors were probably the first type of floor covering besides dirt. They can be one of the essential elements in designing your home. They offer a level of value and comfort no other flooring choice can. There are a number of benefits to owning and installing a hardwood floor.

One of the best things about hardwood floors is the lack of problem with regard to maintenance concerns. Because technology has allowed for the finish or stain of hardwood floors to require only sweeping for typical cleaning purposes, your floor will stay beautiful without the backbreaking scrubbing hardwood floors used to require. While the use of an appropriately recommended professional cleaning product will be required sometimes, a simple broom will take care of most of your cleaning concerns. It is important to note, though, you should never use anything on your hardwood floors that has not been manufacturer recommended. This helps to ensure your flooring will last a lifetime.

Durability means hardwood floors.

Another great reason to invest in hardwood floors is that they are environmentally friendly. Wood can not only be recycled, it is also a renewable source of material. Many of the products of yesterday like barns and old homes are recycled as hardwood floors. Moreover, wood products are incapable of harboring or collecting dust and other allergy particles. This means your family will suffer less risk of allergies or allergy induced medical conditions. Several health organizations endorse wood floors for people with health risks.

Additionally, hardwood floors are an excellent financial option. While some of the flooring is a bit more costly than the cheap alternative, hardwood maintains its value over time. It does not show the wear and tear that synthetic products do. This will only serve to increase your home's value in the long run.

There are many great reasons to invest in hardwood floors.

Finally, hardwood floors can come in a large range of shapes and sizes. In the past, there have been few choices in the hardwood floor market. Today's market, though, offers styles, colors, and species that will fit any décor. Hardwood floors make an excellent addition to any home.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding articles to a free online home decorating and interior design magazine. Your guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Andrew will inspire you to capture the look you want. Read further information on how to install hardwood floors

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on oak hardwood flooring, refinishing hardwood floors or laminate hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: hardwood flooring, hardwood floors, hardwood floor, wood floors, prefinished, oak flooring, engineered flooring, exotic flooring, unfinished flooring, hardwood flooring, bamboo, laminate, hardwoodflooring, maple, cherry, antique hardwood flooring

Posted on August 23rd, 2007 .. More articles on Hardwood Flooring and Articles.

Tile Floor - Tips On How To Care For Your Ceramic Tile Floor

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Tips On How To Care For Your Ceramic Tile Floor" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.

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Ceramic tile floors have an awful lot going for them, including a beautiful appearance, and ease of maintenance. But as with all flooring, care is needed to make sure that it lasts a good long time. Fortunately, ceramic tile floors are one of the easiest floors to care for and here are some suggestions to help you do that.

Actually, the best form of care is prevention and constant attention. Of course, floors are going to get dirty from time to time no matter what you do. And ceramic tile floors are no exception. But there are a few things you can do to minimize the frequency of heavy cleaning jobs on your ceramic tile floor.

The first is to practice constant awareness by cleaning up any spills on the floor right away. Don't let them dry on the floor. If you do, they will only attract far more dirt to the floor before you finally get it cleaned up. Also be sure to sweep and dry mop your ceramic floor very often. Dirt that is not allowed to stay on the floor long will not be able to be ground in and become hard to remove. So be vigilant about protecting the floor by sweeping and mopping regularly.

Another helpful idea that can cut down on much of your work and maintenance on a ceramic tile floor is to place mats in strategic locations that are good at catching dirt off the bottom of people's shoes before they walk into the room. It's much easier to clean these mats from time to time than it is to have to sweep and mop your whole ceramic tile floor more regularly. The mats also don't show dirt nearly as much as the floor will.

But despite all your efforts, you will have to do a thorough cleaning of your ceramic tile floor at times. It's probably a good idea to check with your flooring manufacturer's recommendations on what floor cleaner you should use before you get started. There are several all-purpose cleaners on the market that claim to do a great job on ceramic tile floors, but just be sure that you test them out first before using them on the entire floor. Another consideration is to make sure that your tile cleaner is compatible with the grout that was used on your ceramic tile floor as well. Once again, your floor manufacturer can usually help out with the answer to that question too.

For cleaning, first sweep up all loose dirt with a broom or vacuum it. Then mix up your cleanser with warm water. Using a soft cotton mop or sponge mop apply the cleanser solution to the floor. Be careful not to allow the solution to dry on the ceramic tiles, so it's best to do a portion of the floor at a time and rinse the floor often. If the floor is very heavily soiled, you may even have to allow the solution to soak on the floor for a few minutes before mopping or scrubbing it.

If your ceramic tile has a glossy or shiny finish, you may even need to dry it with a soft towel to prevent water spots showing up as the solution dries.

As you can see, ceramic tile floors are not very difficult to care for under any circumstances, but if you take a few extra precautions, and give the floor regular attention, your floor will always look great and will need very little maintenance.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find best laminate flooring and cheap laminate flooring by visiting our Home Improvement website.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on tile flooring, laying tile floors or tile floors. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: floor tile, flooring tile, tile flooring, ceramic floor tile, tile floor, tile floors, vinyl floor tile, bathroom floor tile, vinyl tile flooring, marble floor tile

Posted on August 22nd, 2007 .. More articles on Carpet Tiles and Articles.

Laminate Flooring - Laminate Flooring : The Basics

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Laminate Flooring : The Basics" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "laminate flooring" can be found on the articles category page.

Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Laminate Flooring : The Basics".

Laminate flooring is a synthetic alternative to wood flooring. Laminate flooring was not sold in the United States until about 1996, but it has been sold in European countries for about 20 years.

Laminate flooring is made up of several layers:

The surface is a hard as nails film, normally made of aluminum oxide. Right underneath the surface film is a photographic image or decor paper (usually of wood), to give the flooring the look of a natural wood floor. The core of laminate flooring is made of various materials, most often high density fiberboard, or wood particle board. The final layer of laminate flooring is the backing, made of various materials. Backings made of laminate material are superior as far as water or moisture damage is concerned.

Laminate flooring may be installed over any kind of sub floor, as it is not directly attached to the sub floor, but is a “floating” floor. Many laminate flooring manufacturers use a “click system” on the tongue and groove joints, so you can just fit the joints together and you are ready to go. Other manufacturers require you to glue the pieces of flooring together, but in either case, you do not need to nail the floor to the sub floor.

If you are laying the laminate flooring directly over a concrete sub floor, you'll need to lay down a damp proof membrane, a.k.a. DPM, before laying the flooring. This is to keep moisture from seeping up through the floor into the laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring has quite a few benefits: affordability, low maintenance, ease of installation, attractive looks, and more. It also has a few drawbacks, though: it's not as durable as real wood, doesn't absorb sound well, doesn't feel as warm to your cold feet on winter mornings, and may warp if it is exposed to moisture.

Learn more about the advantages of Laminate Flooring at http://www.laminateflooringco.com

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on laminate flooring, laminate floors or glueless laminate flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: laminate flooring, laminate floor, laminate floors, laminated flooring, laminate wood floors, laminate wood flooring, laminated floor, laminated flooring board

Posted on August 21st, 2007 .. More articles on Laminate Flooring and Articles.

Oriental Rug - Persian Rugs Buying Guide: Oriental Rug Care and Cleaning

Today’s Feature Article. "Persian Rugs Buying Guide: Oriental Rug Care and Cleaning" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Similar articles on "oriental rug" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.

Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Persian Rugs Buying Guide: Oriental Rug Care and Cleaning".

Oriental Rug Care and Cleaning

Caring

If oriental rugs have survived centuries in comparatively good condition. It is because of careful treatment. Oriental rugs will give remarkably long service if treated with proper consideration. Their two enemies, apart from the inevitable destructive effect of wear, are moths and dampness. The former are best controlled by frequent moving or handling and by regular exposer to light and air. If rugs must be stored, regular inspection at intervals is essential. A rug in use is rarely in danger from moths. Certain chemical applications will render the wool inedible to moths. Dampness will in time rot the threads and destroy the fabric, so it must be avoided.

If any mechanical damage is sustained, such as cut or burn, the damage should be dealt with as soon as possible by a competent expert, because such lesions get worse very quickly. In ordinary use, quite apart from accidents, the ends sides often tend to wear and fray, in which the damage should be repaired. Places in the middle of carpet that are locally worn or damaged can have knots inserted, and even large holes can be restored to make the rug almost as good as new, though such work is rather expensive. In carpets of less value, instead of new knotting, patches cut from a suitable rug can often be inserted, a less cost, and sometimes small rug can be made from a larger worn one by cutting away the bad parts. The following are few more hints to help you take good care of your oriental rugs.

Rotation

Frequently rotate the from sunny areas to the other side of the room to equalize the effect of the sun. Continued exposer to bright hot sun rays and even indirect sunlight will cause damage to the dyed fabric used in oriental rugs. On bright sunny days, use window shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to reduce the sun damage. You can also apply a sun screen to your windows to filter the damaging sun rays. Also in terms of fading, sometimes gases and fumes (from furnaces, cooking stoves, chimneys, and auto exhaust ) mix with oxygen and humidity in the atmosphere form an acid. This acid reacts on the wool and causes deterioration and discoloration. Usually faded areas are hidden by soil and will not be noticed until the surface has been cleaned. In this case, obvious color fading can be avoided by rotating rugs from time to time so that all parts of the rug will have equal exposure.

Padding

Good quality padding protects the rug, specially in heavy traffic areas. The best padding is Synthetic fiber with rubber backing to keep the rug from mowing and wrinkling. The life of an oriental rug can be doubled with the use of a good quality pad.

Hanging

Before hanging carpets on the wall one should be certain that the warp threads can stand the strain. Do not use nails or staples at the top of a heavy rug to hang for long periods of time. Use a strong poster holder to distribute the weight of the rug evenly.

Storing

If a rug is to be stored for a long period of time, use a sheet of cloth to wrap it but do not use an airtight plastic bag. Oriental rugs need to breathe and they will sometimes rot or mildew in a plastic bag. They could also be rolled up and kept in a chest with some Para dichlorobenzene crystals, which will have to be re-newed every few months. Ideally, large carpets should be rolled around poles, the protruding ends of which should rest on blocks or trestles. It is not advisable to let carpets lie flat on top of one another for any length of time.

Do not store rugs in a humid, damp, warm, or poorly ventilated room. This causes mildew which has a musty odor, discolors the fabrics, and weakens them so that they fall in pieces. Never leave an oriental rug wet. Failure to remove all the moisture might result in mildew.

Do not store an oriental rug in a hot closet. The base of a rug can dry out and become brittle, destroying the strength and durability of the rug.

Moths

Moths can cause extensive damage to oriental rugs. Not only do their larvae eat the pile, but they also eat the knots on the back of a rug. Moths larvae are specially attracted to the areas such as those under furniture that remain relatively undisturbed, It is quite simple to eliminate these pests and safeguard against their return. Both front and back of a rug should be sprayed about every six months with any one of a number of available moth sprays.

Crushed Pile

To right the pile that is indented or crushed area by the legs of heavy furniture, brush the depressed area with a soft brush and faintly mist the area with water and follow up by brushing.

Cleaning

The beauty and life of oriental rugs are depended largely on cleanliness and care. Lack of correct maintenance will contribute to a loss in the potential of investment.

Vacuuming

Never vacuum against the nap of the rug (the direction of the nap can easily be determined by running the hand across the pile from fringe to fringe). Vacuuming against the nap also drive dirt back into the rug. Never vacuum the rug’s fringes. The continued catching of the fringe in the suction of a vacuum cleaner causes the fringes to break and tear. As a general rule vacuum your rug with low level suction, using a newly replaced bag.

Sweeping

Sweeping with a broom is the best way to remove loose soil. A rug should be swept at least once a week with a broom. It helps to bring out the natural patina, or sheen, in the rug.

Beating

One of the best cleaning methods is beating several times on each on each side during dry weather. But this is rarely possible in crowded urban areas. In most cases the carpet has to be washed.

Washing

Oriental rugs should be washed regularly every three to five years depending on the use and the amount of Traffic they bear.

Never clean oriental rugs chemically or by steams. They remove the natural oils and cause the pile to become brittle and wear more rapidly. Do not wash rugs in a machine.

Do not wring out squeeze an oriental rug because it dislodges the pile from the foundation. Let the rug dry on a towel or on grass for a full day. Do not, unless absolutely necessary, submerge an oriental rug in water (unless it is done by professional hand made rug cleaner) . Surface cleaning is usually all that required.

Stain Removing

Take care of any kind of spill immediately. Spills of coffee or milk may be removed without permanent stain if taken care of right away. Dilute the spill with plenty of water and blot the wet area until all of the moisture is removed. Then, brush or scrape any excess immediately to prevent penetration and chemical reaction with the fibers and colors. If the cause and nature of staining substance are known, follow the instruction in the table.

All techniques herein and pertaining to washing and stain removing are of a general nature only. You consult an expert rug cleaner or your rug salesperson for further advice.

Blotting

The most effective way of preventing a spill from turning into a stain, is blotting up as much moisture as you can with lots of clean towels (or paper towels), and scraping up all solids. Begin at the center. Do not rub because this rubbing will only spread the stain.

Do not apply a spot remover until you have done a through job of blotting. The best way to blot any kind of spill is to take a spoon and scoop it up, making sure not to rub the stain further into the carpet.

General Procedure

Always rub or brush lightly from the outer edge toward the center of the stain to prevent spreading or causing “The Ring” when using solvents, specially on twist rugs and pile carpets. On old, dry or stubborn stains, saturate, blot and brush. Repeat this operation as often as necessary to remove the stain completely.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter.

When it is published, may I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio, contact and copyright information) that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an email of notification along with a complimentary copy of the publication.

Copyright 2005 Bijan Aziz.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for Bijan's Oriental Rugs

http://www.bijansorientalrug.com

The best source for fine Hand Made Oriental Rugs on the web.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on persian oriental rugs, persian oriental rugs or oriental area rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: oriental area rugs, arak rugs, ardabil, bakhtiari, gabbeh, heriz, isfahan, kashan, kashmar, mashad, nain, qum, sabzevar, serapi, shiraz, sultanabad, tabriz, oriental rugs, persian carpets, runners

Posted on August 21st, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 21st, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Contemporary Rug - Contemporary Rugs Can Transform a Room

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Contemporary Rugs Can Transform a Room" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "contemporary rug" can be found on the articles category page.

Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Contemporary Rugs Can Transform a Room".

When tackling a do-it-yourself home decorating project, you can use rugs as a relatively inexpensive means of enhancing or transforming a room. There are practical considerations in how to use rugs to advantage, and how to get good value for your money. The purchase of contemporary rugs for one or more areas of your home can make a significant contribution to the beauty and comfort of its interior.

When you use rugs to decorate a room, it is important to assess what you are trying to accomplish: for instance, two or more rugs can visually separate the various living areas of a room, while a single rug can unifying the room into one spatial flow. As well as deciding on the number and size of rugs you need, it is also important that you choose a rug or rugs that will be compatible with other colors and patterns in the room. You must also consider the quality of the rug and the potential traffic to which it will be subjected so that you chose one that can be maintained for many years.

What are the Advantages of Using area rugs?

A benefit of decorating with rugs is that one rug can serve many different functions over time, and will, therefore, provide good value for your money. A contemporary modern rug can hang on the wall as a piece of art work, be moved later to a floor in the family room, kitchen, bathroom, or even a baby room, and end its life on the basement floor. If you move to another house, you can take the rug with you. Rugs can also preserve the beauty and life of your wall-to-wall carpeting or your hardwood floor when placed strategically in high traffic areas, and can be used to warm up both the appearance and the feel of tile, stone, and concrete. Rugs can be used to mute sounds and add a dramatic splash of color to an otherwise bland room.

What Are You Trying to Accomplish?

If you want a rug to be the focal point of a room, the color and patterns should be bold and bright. If you are selecting a contemporary area rug for a room with existing decorating elements, you should repeat either the dominant or the accent colors already in place. You should also consider the rug pattern so that you don’t choose one that clashes with the pattern of another fabric in the room. If neutral colors have been chosen for the walls, curtains, and furniture, you can use a rug to add visual impact by choosing a strong pattern in a bright color like red or royal blue. In general, rugs should not have a busy design if the colors and patterns of the room already make it appear very busy.

Instead of using a rug as the focal point of a room, you can choose one that defines a conversational or work area instead. You can also select more than one rug order to break up a room into different areas. When more than one rug is used in the same room or they are placed in such a way that they can be seen together, they need not be identical but the colors and designs should be harmonious.

You may decide to use a rug to preserve a hardwood floor or wall-to-wall carpeting in an area that has a lot of heavy traffic. If that is the case, it is a good idea to select a rug with a detailed pattern and a dark color that won’t show dirt easily, and is of good quality. If a rug is needed for a room in which small children or pets play, you might consider purchasing several small rugs that can be cleaned by throwing them in the washer and dryer.

What Size Do You Need?

Choose a rug that is proportional to the floor space in the room. If the rug is the focal point, there should be an equal amount of bare floor around it on all sides, even if the room is irregular in shape or there is, say, a fireplace that projects into the room. If you can’t manage that, at least have an equal amount of bare floor exposed on two parallel sides of the rug. The rug should be large enough to unify the furniture by extending under all or part of most items that are placed in the central area.

If you are using more than one rug to define two or more areas of the room, the rugs should be under at least the front legs of each item in the selected areas. If it is a rug for an eating area that is part of a larger room, choose a rug that is big enough to extend beyond the table by eighteen to twenty-four inches. If the rug is in a bedroom, it doesn’t need to be centered if the bed is not centered in the room. Instead, the rug should be situated so that the most visible exposed floor spaces on three sides of the rug are identical in size. When placing your furniture on a rug in any room, there should not be more than two feet of empty rug extending beyond the furniture groupings.

To help decide what size of rug you need, use masking tape to mark the four corners of the area you plan to cover. If you still have trouble visualizing the effect, you can cut pieces from a paper roll to cover the area.

Why Choose a Contemporary Style?

Contemporary rugs feature unlimited choices of color and design, and lessen the need to add a lot of other decorating elements to a room. Contemporary rugs are not only suitable for a modern home, they can also create dramatic appeal in a more traditional home. You can purchase affordable rugs on a limited budget if you shop carefully. Discount outlets and sale prices can lower the cost of adding one or more rugs to your home. The better quality rugs are, in general, easier to maintain and will last longer than their cheaper counterparts.

The cost of a rug is closely tied to the fiber from which it is made. Wool is the most expensive and most durable fiber, and is soft and easy to clean. Wool provides the standard by which all other fibers are judged. Cotton and jute are softer than wool, but not as durable, and jute won’t stand up under prolonged exposure to sunlight or moisture. Sisal is strong and durable, as well as colorfast and static-free. Synthetic fibers include the tough and durable acrylic; the stain-resistant, water-repellent, inexpensive polypropylene, or olefin; and the durable, easy to clean and maintain nylon.

Whether the rugs you choose are made of expensive wool or a cheaper synthetic fiber, they can add beauty to your home, and comfort under foot. Contemporary rugs are artwork for the floor, and when chosen well can add that magical decorating touch we all love.

Scott Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of cheap area rugs, contemporary rugs and oriental rugs

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on oval area rugs, kitchen area rugs or area rugs. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource

Tags: area rugs, wool rugs, contemporary area rugs, braided rugs, afghan rugs, persian rugs, oriental rugs, handmade rugs, round rugs, custom rugs, tribal rugs, persian carpets, runners, turkish rugs

Posted on August 20th, 2007 .. More articles on Area Rugs and Articles.

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Oriental Rugs - Oriental Carpets - Persian Rugs - Persian Carpets - Oriental Runners

Posted on August 19th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

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