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

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

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

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

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

Wood Floors - Wood Floors - All About Wood Floors

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Wood floor installation

Wood is a superior floor covering in all but wet locations. Wood flooring is available in strips, planks and tiles, either solid or laminated. Made of hardwood, generally maple, cherry or oak; the strips and tiles have tongue-and-groove joints for secure laying. Most types are available finished or unfinished, and rough planking can be up to one foot wide, although rarely used because wide boards are more susceptible to curling and cupping.

Laminated wood flooring

Laminated wood floorings are normally comprised of a hardwood veneer over a solid pine core, or several layers of hardwood glued together under pressure, much like plywood. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs, and sometimes parquet tiles will be attached to a fabric backing, to facilitate faster, easier alignment. Laminated wood flooring is usually glued in place, and can be laid over any clean, dry sub-floor. Special methods and precautions must be observed when installing hardwood flooring on concrete, especially in basements where potential humidity levels may be sufficient to cause the wood to swell and buckle upwards.

If your sub-floor is rough or uneven, an underlay of 1/4" plywood properly installed, will aid in the installation, appearance and longevity of your hardwood floor. It will also help reduce squeaks and the potential for cracking. If the new floor is higher than any adjacent floors, the edges (especially in doorways) should be finished with rounded or tapered hardwood mouldings.

The underlay can be covered with 15 lb. felt (sometimes known as tar paper, roofing felt, or building paper) which will further reduce squeaking and add to the life of the floor. Handling and storage is extremely important, and wood flooring materials should be allowed to rest for a minimum of one week in the area in which they are to be installed. This will allow the moisture content of the wood to reach some equilibrium with it's surroundings; otherwise the floor boards may shrink or swell, sometimes quite drastically. The flooring should parallel the room's long dimension, scattering the end-to-end joints, and leaving a perimeter gap equal to the thickness of the boards. Experienced flooring people will know just how tight to lay the boards, depending on the moisture content of the wood, and the relative humidity level in the room(s) on the day of installation.

Nailing hardwood

The choice of nails, or other fasteners, is also critical to the successful installation of your floor. With unfinished flooring, the fasteners must be properly set, to facilitate sanding prior to finishing.

FLOATING FLOORS are made of laminated floor panels, laid over 1/8" high-density foam Floating wood floor system, over concrete slab.underlay, and glued at the joints. For basement floors, 6-mil polyethylene vapour barrier can be laid under the foam. Consult with your materials supplier and/or other experienced people before attempting to install a hardwood floor in a basement.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Selecting, installing and finishing a hardwood floor can be a rewarding experience, but do your homework first! If you have minimal experience working with wood, or you're unsure about the particular installation, you should consider hiring a professional. The cost of the materials is quite high as compared to other floor coverings, and a professional installation will guard against damage, and guarantee satisfaction with your new hardwood floor.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on exotic hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring 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 September 25th, 2007 .. More articles on Hardwood Flooring and Articles.

Tile Floor - Steps in Maintaining a Laminate or Tile Flooring

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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 vinyl tile flooring, marble tile flooring 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 September 24th, 2007 .. More articles on Ceramic Tiles and Carpet Tiles and Articles.

Oriental Rug - You Can't Beat Oriental Rugs For Elegance

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Oriental rugs will add timeless beauty to your home, will coordinate with any décor, and enhance any room, hallway, or entrance. They are also a favorite option when decorating home offices, and are a particularly good choice for high traffic areas because of the intricacies of their designs, which hide wear and tear. The term "oriental" refers to rugs produced on the continent of Asia, such as Persian (from Iran), Indian, Chinese, and Turkish rugs. Imitations of the popular oriental patterns are also available and produced by manufacturers such as Nourison in the USA, and Sphinx, also in the USA but with its parent company in Egypt.

Making rugs by hand is an ancient art and the old designs reflect the religious and ethnic structures of the times in the countries or areas of origin. Many of these ancient designs are still produced today, sometimes hand-woven and hand-knotted, other times woven by machine. The most traditional patterns are those with a floral or garden motif, or geometric or curvilinear designs around a central medallion or a central painting-like scene. Oriental rugs used to be constructed only with such natural fibers as wool, cotton, silk, or goat and camel hair, or blends of these materials, but now you can find them made with less expensive synthetic materials such as olefin (polypropylene), nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Wool rugs remain the first choice in durable, soft, dirt-and-fire resistant, warm rugs, but synthetic reproductions make oriental area rugs more affordable. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes – round, oval, rectangular, and, of course, the popular runner.

How to Choose Oriental Rugs for Your Home
Decide on how you are going to use each area rug. Is it going to define furniture groupings or unify all the elements in the room? Is its primary use to protect a floor or a carpet? Is its prime function to add warmth and comfort? The use of the rug will dictate its size and shape. As well, you should keep these points in mind:
· The colors should be harmonious with other colors in the room.
· If the center of the carpet will be visible, medallions or central scenes are good choices, but if the center will be fully or partially hidden under a table or other furniture, it is better to go with a repetitive design or an elaborate and interesting border.
· A family with health problems will appreciate rugs with natural fibers since they have the advantage of not releasing chemicals into the air as synthetics do.
· Very colorful and busy designs can make an oriental rug the focal point in a room, but if the room is already colorful with intricate drapery and upholstery fabric designs, choose simple designs and subtle colors.
· If you are going to use two different rugs in one room, make sure the colors and patterns blend and complement each other.

Important Cost Considerations
It is not as difficult as you may think to find good quality, cheap area rugs with oriental designs. When you shop online, you deal directly with online retailers who can offer discount and warehouse prices because there are no storefront costs and no middlemen to pay. As well as shopping online, here are other considerations that can make the oriental rug of your dreams affordable:
· An antique rug is the most expensive and should have documentation attesting to its authenticity; imitations are much less costly.
· Natural fibers are more expensive than synthetic.
· Hand-made, hand-woven, and hand-knotted rugs made by weavers are more durable and much more expensive than machine woven and knotted.
· The number of knots per square inch indicates its quality, and a higher number means a higher cost.
· Very intricate and rare designs are the most expensive.
· The country or area of origin affects the price.

Whether you spring for a genuine antique oriental wool rug that has been hand woven and hand knotted in Iran, or you choose a polypropylene machine woven rug with an oriental design manufactured in North America, you will be adding beauty, warmth and comfort to your home. Enjoy!

About the Author: Laura Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of cheap rugs and contemporary 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 history of 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 September 24th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

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

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

Posted on September 22nd, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Laminate Floors - Options of Flooring - Laminate Floors or Wooden Floors

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When you are trying to choose between laminate floors or wooden floors, you must learn a bit about how each one is installed and how to keep them looking their best so you will be able to decide which one will fit into your lifestyle easier.

There are different types of wooden flooring. Remember all wooden floors react to moisture whether they are pre-finished or unfinished. When you look at wooden floors, you will notice there are Engineered Wooden floors, or Factory Pre-finished Wooden Floors. There are also many different types of finishes you can choose from such as UV-cured, polyurethane, acrylic-urethane, aluminum oxide, acrylic impregnated and of course unfinished. Whenever you are choosing a natural wooden floor or oak flooring, you must remember that you have to take care of these wooden floors. They will take a bit more care than other types of flooring. However, if the wooden floors are installed properly and you care for them correctly, they can last a hundred years and look as awesome; as they did the day they were installed.

If you choose oak flooring or any type of wooden floors for your home, it would be best to talk with a professional to ensure that your wooden floor is installed properly and that it will be able to shrink and expand with the moisture so it does not buckle. It the wooden floors buckle you will have quite a mess on your hands trying to repair the damage.

Laminate floors are becoming very popular mainly because of the ease of installation and care. Laminating floors are an interlocking system that is installed on top of the existing substrate. It can be easily installed and does not need a professional.

Many laminate floors mimic the look of traditional woods; however, you can also find several today that have the look of stone and marble patterns.

The major reason many people are choosing laminate floors over wooden floors or oak flooring is the ease in installing, they are hardwearing and not as expensive as wooden floors. Laminate floors are commonly referred to as a floating floor since they do not actually attach to the sub-floor. The planks are just clicked together, which makes them very easy to install.

This system is the Quick-Step Laminate Flooring. The system is the UNICLIC system and all that one has to do is place the tongue of one plank into the groove of another at a certain angle and press down. There is no waiting for the finish to dry. You can walk on your new Quick-Step Laminate Flooring as soon as you are finished with installation.

Choosing between oak flooring, wooden floors, laminate floors or Quick-Step Laminate Flooring is a matter of personal choice. You can decide which one fits with your own personal lifestyle to create the home of your dreams.

Natalie Aranda writes on home and family. The major reason many people are choosing laminate floors over wooden floors or oak flooring is the ease in installing, they are hardwearing and not as expensive as wooden floors. Laminate floors are commonly referred to as a floating floor since they do not actually attach to the sub-floor. The planks are just clicked together, which makes them very easy to install.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on bamboo laminate flooring, cleaning laminate floors or laminate hardwood 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 September 22nd, 2007 .. More articles on Laminate Flooring.

Braided Rugs - Oriental Rug Care - Making Your Investment Last

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Oriental Rug Care - Making Your Investment Last" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find this information useful.

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When you finally find the oriental rug you have dreamed of and purchase it, you obviously want the rug to last. You put it in your living room to be admired by friends and acquaintances. The worst thing that could happen is that your beautiful rug deteriorates with time because of lack of proper care.

Oriental rug care is something that you should consider early on in the life of the rug. If you are careful early on, the rug will look nice and only need a little care. If you let things slip and don't care for your rug, you will have to pay the price of repairs, professional cleaning, and permanent stains. Keeping a rug looking natural and beautiful is like maintaining a classic car. There small yet important things that you need to do periodically for your oriental rug.

Oriental Rug Care in a few simple steps.

The sun is actually one of the rugs worst enemies. Many times a rug is placed in a room with lots of natural light to bring out the colors and beauty of the rug and the rest of the room. Over time the sun can damage your rug beyond repair. The best solution to sun damage, which causes the rug to fade, is to remove the rug from direct sunlight. If you don't like that option, consider flipping the rug around from time to time to even out any wear on the colors from the sun. Make sure that if you are not using the area to keep the sun from shining directly on the rug.

Another unfortunate cause of damage is uneven wear. Uneven wear is where one part of the rug looks rather used while the other side looks perfectly new. This happens because of the traffic that goes over the rug. The people in the household walk over the same part of the rug over and over. Again like the sun damage issue this can be partially resolved by making sure the rug is flipped around every few months.

Vacuuming a rug can keep a rug lasting much longer because it takes away the deeper dirt that can tend wear a rug over time. Make sure that you vacuum both the front and the back of the rug. Vacuuming is not just about keeping the rug clean. When a rug is vacuumed, it allows weaving on the rug to straighten out. Be careful when you vacuum a rug though. Although it can be a preventative measure, it can cause alot of problems. Make sure that when you vacuum that you try to use a vacuum extension such as the hose. A vacuum which is made for thicker carpets can sometimes be too harsh on the rug because of the power brush. A hose is better for the rug. It is easier to maneuver especially if you have fringe on the rug. One of the worst things is to have your fringe twisted into your vacuum.

Using a rug pad can also extend the life of a rug. It might not be considered an absolute necessity but will help greatly. A pad can extend the life of the rug and once it is in place it does not really take any extra maintenance.

For more simple steps in Oriental rug care please visit our site - Oriental Rug Care. If you have enjoyed this article and would like more tips and insights on area rugs, please visit our website Inexpensive Area 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 large area rugs, cotton area rugs or childrens 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 September 22nd, 2007 .. More articles on Articles.

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

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

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

Hardwood Floors - Hardwood Floors : Beautiful, But a Pain to Keep Clean

Today’s Feature Article. "Hardwood Floors : Beautiful, But a Pain to Keep Clean" 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.

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Hardwood Floors are beautiful to look at and expensive to install. But keeping them clean is not necessarily the easiest thing to do. Growing up in a house with hardwood floors, I know how hard it was for my Mom to keep the floors shiny, especially with four kids. With two boys and two girls constantly running in and out of the house with various forms of the “outside world” caked to our shoes, I believe my Mom finally just gave up. If she had followed even the basic rules for keeping a hardwood floor clean with the four of us tracking Mother Nature in on a daily basis, she wouldn’t have had time for anything else.

Dirt and dust is your hardwood floor’s worst enemy. Though microscopic in size, the minute granules scratch your hardwood floor’s finish and over time transforms your mirror-finished floor into a floor more reminiscent of the floors of the log cabins inhabited long ago by our ancestors. Following are some tips to keep your investment shiny and new for years to come.

Though there are many manufacturers of hardwood floors to choose from, and they all have their own rules for keeping your floor clean and grit-free, there are some basic rules you can follow to keep your floors looking good.

For surface finishes:

Always use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products. If the manufacturer is not known, use a generic cleaning hardwood floor cleaner.

When little Junior spills his soda on a daily basis, wipe it up immediately with a damp cloth.

For stubborn stains, lightly dampen a cloth with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner and apply directly to the stain. Do not use petroleum-based cleaners on water-based finishes.

And when the floor loses its luster and shine, it’s time to recoat. Unless you yourself are a professional floor cleaner, hire someone.

For wax finishes:

Dry mop regularly with an untreated dust mop. Vacuum, sweep or dust mop regularly to remove grit from the floor.

Junior can spill his soda on waxed floor as easily as he can on a surface finish. Follow the same instructions.

To remove water spots, use a fine steel wool and a small amount of mineral spirits.

Floors should be cleaned, stripped and rewaxed once or twice a year depending on traffic.

Preventative maintenance for all finishes:

Floor protective pads on the bottoms of furniture. Scatter rugs at entrances will help trap the grit from shoes that is your hardwood floor’s worst enemy. Sweep, vacuum or dust mop both the floor and rugs on a regular basis.

To put it simply, cleaning hardwood floors is not rocket science. It just requires a little effort on the consumer’s part. Dirt, grime and dust, though small and almost naked to the human eye in most cases, are your hardwood floor’s worst enemy. Keep these enemies of your floor cleaned on a regular basis and you will enjoy a lustrous, shiny floor for years to come.

You may use this article on your site as long as you hyperlink the 2 URLs.

Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides tips and information on hardwood flooring and wood flooring in general.

"I am the news director at USA News Network and have been working as freelance writer for 2 years. I've been published in a few magazines, newspapers and websites and my specialty up to this point has been movie and music reviews."

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on prefinished hardwood flooring, prefinished hardwood flooring or oak 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 September 19th, 2007 .. More articles on Articles.

Tile Floor - Flooring: Installing Ceramic Tile

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Flooring: Installing Ceramic Tile" 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. Other articles with the topic "tile floor" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.

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Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a room that Linoleum has yet to truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in any room, however they are most frequently seen in Bathrooms and Kitchens. I particularly like them in entryways, where they serve as a transition point from the outside to large carpeted or hardwood floored rooms. They make for easy clean up and are impervious to water damage.

Tile Types

Ceramic tiles come in two basic types. Glazed and Porcelain. Glazed holds up the best for heavy traffic areas and porcelain works well in bathrooms. Porcelain is typically more expensive, so consider your budget and the size of the area you want to tile. Tiles also come in many shapes and sizes. For flooring, however, I would suggest using larger tiles up to 12” x 12”.

Underlayment

For proper installation the base foundation or the underlayment is critical. Typically it consists of ¾” to 1 ¼” of plywood. Tiling over Linoleum or existing tile is also feasible, as long as it is solid. I also recommend when Tiling over Linoleum that you first apply ring nails or screws 6” on center over the entire area. Tiles can also be installed directly over Concrete. Make sure in all cases that the floor is level and free of dust and debris prior to installation. There are leveling compounds that you can apply before applying tile if necessary.

Preparing the Site

Before actually installing the tile, it is best to lay it out in the room to see how it will look. Pay close attention to how it runs out toward the walls, in the corners and next to cabinets, tubs and toilets. The trick is to lay the tile out such that stubby tiles do not show up in highly visible spots. Once you have completed this, make two marks with a pencil outlining the most centered tile. These lines should be perpendicular to each other. Also take note of the wall that is most visible from all the others. Now remove the tiles. Next draw or snap a line perpendicular to this wall that is in line with one of the marks you made on the floor.

Then, draw a perpendicular line to this first line. This second line should be centered with the first line and fairly in line with the second mark you made on the floor. Once you have completed this task, re-layout some of the tiles along the perpendicular lines and observe if they run out in a way that will limit cutting and stubbed tiles. Once this is completed, remove the tiles and prepare for the actual installation.

Installing the Tile

Again, make sure the area is free of dirt and dust. Next apply the ceramic adhesive or mastic to the flooring, starting in the center, where the two perpendicular reference lines intersect. Apply enough material to cover 6-10 square feet, if no cuts are required. If cuts are required limit the amount of mastic application to about 2-4 square feet. When applying the mastic, first spread it with the flat end of the trowel. Lay it on relatively thick, approximately 1/8” to 3/16”thick. Then turn the trowel around and run the notched edge over it. This creates ridges in the mastic that helps to hold the tile down more securely. The larger the tile, the larger the notches should be. For example, I use a ¼” notched trowel for 12” x 12” tiles.

Note: Only make up enough ceramic adhesive for 30 minutes, as this material has the tendency to harden up rather quickly.

Once the adhesive has been applied, begin installing the tiles working from the center outward. On larger tiles you should back butter them. Basically, apply a thin coating of mastic to the back of the tile prior to laying it on the floor. This will help ensure a good bond.

As you near the walls or edges of cabinets, tubs and toilets, you will need to cut some of the tiles. I highly recommend the use of a Wet-Saw. A Wet-Saw will allow you to make very accurate cuts, both large and small. You will also save money, as you will waste many fewer tiles with bad cuts or broken tiles. Wet-Saws are not that expensive and once you see your finished product you will certainly be installing more tile. Wet-Saws can also be rented as a cheaper alternative.

When applying Tiles, you may want to use Lugs. Lugs are effectively spacers that come in various thicknesses. I typically like to have no more than a ¼” space between the tiles. Employing Spacers will ensure uniformity with your tile spacing.

Grouting

After the Tile has been completely installed, allow it to sit for 24-48 hours before applying grout and walking on it. Grout comes in many different colors and is very easy to install. Simply mix the grout with water or a special bonding agent and apply with a rubber trowel. Run the trowel on a bias when going over tile corners.

Once the grout has been applied, immediately wipe the tile of excess grout, using a wet sponge and a bucket of water. Wait 30 minutes and again wipe the tiles down of any residual grout. Wait another 60 minutes and repeat. If grout is left on the tiles to dry, you will have a great deal of elbow work scraping it off.

Let the grout sit up for 24 hours and it is ready for use and admiration.

Mark J. Donovan
me_donovan@comcast.net

http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Over the past 20+ years I have been involved with Building homes and additions to homes. I have completed many projects that have included: building a Vacation Home, Family Room Additions, and a Garage. I have also finished the upstairs on unfinished homes. My formal education and Profession has been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on cork tile flooring, kitchen tile flooring or kitchen 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 September 19th, 2007 .. More articles on Carpet Tiles.

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

Posted on September 18th, 2007 .. More articles on Oriental Rugs.

Oriental Rugs - Oriental rugs add elegance to your home

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Have you ever thought of decorating your home with a oriental rug? Oriental rugs are beautiful. They have intricate designs and colors. They can be considered as pieces of art perfected through 2,500 years of know how. Where does oriental rug come from ? They come from many locations and countries. Countries that make them include Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, China, Vietnam and Nepal. They were brought to the West during the Crusades and have fascinated the West ever since.

The quality of oriental rugs is such that it can last for decades. There is demand for antique oriental rugs nowadays. Some people even display their oriental rugs on the walls. You can even sell your oriental rug bought many years ago for a higher price than your original purchase price . If you are fanatical about oriental rugs you can start your home decor with the oriental rug first then you choose the rest of the furnishing to complement the oriental rug. Nowadays oriental rugs are made for the modern home in mind so you can easily find rugs with colors that match your room. The range of colors available include black, yellow, pastel pink, red, peach, apricot, green, and blue.

Oriental rugs are characterized by borders. There are different types of design of borders. Oriental rugs fall into two types of design. The geometric and the curvilinear designs. The geometric design consists of straight lines or angular patterns while curvilinear designs have floral motifs and curved outlines. Geometric designs go well in informal setting while curvilinear designs are at home in formal or opulent setting.

Oriental rugs that feature a central medallion are placed in the middle of the room. These rugs would not be suitable for dinning room where the rug is placed under the dining table.A better choice for the dinning would be an oriental rug with repeated motifs. The color of the rug should match the color of the room. It could be the wall color or perhaps chairs and doors of the same color. Oriental rugs go well with classical furniture. You could have Queen Anne chairs placed in the room. Another good idea is to have similar fabric design on the chairs or benches that match the theme of the oriental rug. How do you determine the size of the rug? There is no hard and fast rule. Some people put their furniture such as sofa on the oriental rug while others place their furniture on the floor itself. If you are getting an oriental rug for the dining room, make sure it is big enough to allow for the sliding movement of the chairs without the chairs moving out of the rug.

How do you determine the quality of an oriental rug? Look for natural materials such as wool, silk and cotton. The quality of synthetic fibers is not as good as natural fibers. The next thing you need to check is whether the rug is handmade or machine made. The uniqueness of the design and the intricacy of the design also determine the value of the rug. Lastly, the country of origin also determines the price of the rug.

Fancy oriental rugs that would make great family heirlooms? Get these Persian rugs for your home. The writer is a webmaster at http://www.home-decor-shop.net

Keywords: furnishing, rug, carpet, interior design, home deocor, persian rug

About the Author
ian tham,
webmaster@digiteevee.com
More Details about carpet and rug here. The writer is the webmaster of digiteevee.com which covers the use of technology in your daily life.