Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood floors" 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: "How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors".

A beautiful hardwood floor is an asset to almost any home, and more and more homeowners are using hardwood floors to bring warmth and style to their home. But once you have a beautiful wood floor installed, what can you do to make sure that it stays looking gorgeous for years to come?

The very first thing you should know about hardwood floors is that water is one of its worst enemies. So if any spills take place, be sure to clean them up as soon as you possibly can. In fact, it may be a good idea not only to wipe out the spill, but also use a wet/dry vacuum to make sure that you get all of the moisture out of the floor.

That also means that when you are cleaning your floor with a mop, it's best to use a very dry damp mop that will not leave any excess water on the floor that can seep into the seams and cause problems.

To avoid the moisture problem, most often it's best to either sweep your wood floors or vacuum them instead. Sweeping should always be done with a very soft bristle broom, and whenever you vacuum be sure that it is set properly for use on would floors. Do not try to use the same setting for your carpet on your wood floors too.

Much damage can also be inflicted on a wood floor from moving objects across the floor. From time to time we all move furniture around, but on a wood floor you have to think very carefully before making the move. You never want to drag furniture across the floor, as this is an excellent way to badly damage and mar your floor. If you have to move furniture in the room where your wood floor is located, be sure to take the furniture up off the floor when moving, or use special furniture pads that will allow you to glide the furniture across the floor without leaving a mark.

Keeping dirt, sand, and grit off your floor will be very important. So the proper use of carpeting can really help extend the life of a wood floor. Using a floor mat at each entrance will help catch dirt and grit as a person walks into the room instead of depositing it on the hardwood floor. In addition, using area rugs and runners can be another very effective first line of defense against harmful abrasive materials that can wear down the beauty and shine of even the best wood floor. And be sure to keep your rugs and runners well vacuumed.

If at all possible, try to keep family and visitors from wearing shoes, or especially high heels on hardwood floors, as these can easily do damage and cause dents.

Finally, a good practice is to install furniture pads underneath the legs of any chairs or tables that are placed on your wood floor. They are usually readily available at most home improvement stores or hardware stores and are very inexpensive. That they can go a long way toward protecting your wood floors from unnecessary damage.

None of these suggestions are hard to follow, or will cost very much to implement. But if you put them in practice on a regular basis, you can expect to see your wood floors continue to look bright, shiny, and beautiful for many years to come.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find the 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 hardwood flooring, hardwood floors or bamboo 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

Today’s Feature Article. "You Can't Beat Oriental Rugs For Elegance" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.

Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Other articles with the topic "braided rugs" 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. Here is the reference for your use: "You Can't Beat Oriental Rugs For Elegance".

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 childrens area rugs, sisal 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

Today’s Feature Article. "Laminate Flooring , A Floor For All Seasons?" 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 side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Other articles with the topic "laminate flooring" 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: "Laminate Flooring , A Floor For All Seasons?".

Real wooden floors can bring warmth and comfort to a room, turning ordinary dwellings into cozy cottages, gray office quarters into lounge-like spaces, and a house into a home. But with the current shortage of trees, and with forests disappearing all over the world, hardwoods will be harder and harder to come by.

There is a substitute, however, for hardwood floors. Laminates are sold as planks or panels, and are fashioned to look like wood, stone, or tile. These planks are made of thick, water-resistant material, and are shaped so that they fit together like snug, interlocking pieces. They are fitted through the floating installation method, where they rest on top of a subfloor, which may be made of plywood, concrete, or existing flooring.

Laminates can be made to look exactly like your hardwood of choice, be it mahogany, oak, or cherry. Because they aren’t made of real wood, they can withstand extreme impact, scratching, cigarette burns, and exposure to sunlight, all without fading or being heavily damaged. Not much is needed to maintain a laminate floor: all that laminates need are regular vacuuming, or a wipe-down with a damp mop or rag, and with no wax or polish at that.

Because laminates are stress resistant, they can be engineered for use most anywhere in the home, including wet areas such as the kitchen. They can also be built over heated concrete slabs – an advantage when laminates have to be fitted in countries with very cold climates. Laminates can be easily installed, and as they don’t need much cleaning or protection, need not be covered with carpets or rugs, which can carry dust mites or allergens. Thus, laminates are not only beautiful and cheap, they can contribute to healthy living as well.

Laminates, however, also carry their disadvantages. They can be scratched if heavy objects are dragged across them, or if large domestic animals – such as big dogs or cats – trudge or paw their way through them. They may be largely resistant to sun and scratches, but laminates might not be able to stand moisture. The laminate inner core is made up of a special strong material which is not especially resistant to excessive moisture. If moisture does seep into a laminate floor, the planks may be deformed, and may no longer be as scratch-proof and burn-ready as before.

Since laminates are installed above a subfloor, they can be noisy if walked on. As such, laminate manufacturers also provide special paddings to be installed in between the subfloor and laminate – not quite an advantage if you don’t want to spend more for a cheap, but nature-friendly hardwood finish.

Despite the fact that laminates are considerably cheaper than hardwood floors, and can be installed by most anybody who wants to fix their home up, any damage done to them is not easily fixed. Laminates are maintained through touch-up kits, or chip repair kits, but these kits are difficult to find, and are only designed to maintain the floor, not repair major damage.

Laminates have their goods and not-so-goods, but in the end, the decision all comes down to you. If you think you can install a floor on your own with minimal cost, and if you don’t have large animals for pets, then a laminate floor may be the best for your needs. However, if you aren’t quite sure what animals might come in the future, and if you are concerned about floorboards creaking, or getting misshapen from heat and moisture, then maybe cutting down a few trees won’t hurt.

Whatever the case, wherever you may be, laminates or not, hardwoods or floorboards, a house won’t be a home if the ground you walk on doesn’t appeal to your tastes.

Joyce Dietzel writes articles for-flooring.info a website providing information on the decision to use wood or laminate

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on glueless laminate flooring, laminate flooring or installing 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

Today’s Feature Article. "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 find its contents enjoyable.

The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Similar articles on "tile floor" can be found 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: "Installing Ceramic Tile".

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.

About the Author

Me_Donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and home additions. Mr. Donovan's formal education & profession have been as an Electrical Engineer & 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 ceramic tile flooring, tile flooring or installing 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

Today’s Feature Article. "Laminate 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.

Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Similar articles on "laminate floors" 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. Please use the following reference: "Laminate Floors".

Laminate flooring has been very popular in Europe for quite some time. Now it is emerging in the United States as one of the most popularly used wood coverings for floors. The cause for its popularity can be attributed to the fact that it provides the hardwood look. Though it looks grand, hardwood flooring is expensive too. So, people often settle for laminate floors to get that effect at a lower price.

Moreover, laminate flooring is very durable. It can be suitably used in a variety of places - from a simple home bedroom to a showroom of automobiles. Laminate floors can be made upon just about any flat surface - be it plywood or concrete slab or hardwood flooring or sheet vinyl flooring.

Laminate floors are constructed of different layers. From the top downward as constructed, these layers are: the wear layer, the pattern or image layer, medium/high density fiber board (a processed wood core), and the balancing layer with a moisture barrier.

It may be noted that laminate is also widely used in kitchen work surfaces. However, the difference between laminate on floors and laminate on kitchen work surfaces lies in the capacity to take stress of people walking on them everyday.

A wide range of colors and patterns are available for laminate floors. The quality of these floors is also improving day by day. Laminate floors have become close imitations of real wood floors.

The dense laminate floors are not difficult to clean. They require the simplest maintenance - dust sweeping or vacuum cleaning or maybe light mopping is required. Even with minimum effort the floors look good for many, many years. A 10- to 25-year residential warranty is also often provided against staining, wearing and fading.

Laminate Floors provides detailed information on Discount Laminate Floors, Hardwood Laminate Floors, How To Clean Laminate Floors, How To Install Laminate Floors and more. Laminate Floors is affiliated with how to install laminate flooring.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on installing laminate flooring, laminate flooring or how to install 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

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Oriental Area Rugs - Know Before You Buy 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. Related articles on "area rugs" can be found 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 the following reference: "Oriental Area Rugs - Know Before You Buy an Oriental Rug".

Did you know that you can usually tell the country from which an Oriental rug originated from its design and style? While we often think of 'Oriental rugs' as having an overall defining style, the truth is that there are many styles of Oriental rugs, most of them growing from traditional patterns and materials common to the country or area in which they originated. Experts in Oriental rugs spend years learning the variations of patterns, materials, colors and weave that are characteristic of the different areas of the Orient.

Persian Rugs - These are the rugs that most people think of when they hear 'Oriental rug'. Persian rugs are easily the most recognized style of Oriental rug. Now known as Iran, Persia has a reputation for producing some of the most beautiful and high quality rugs throughout history. The traditional designs bear the names of the tribal regions where they are made - Tabriz, Kerman, Sarouk and others. The intricate floral and geometric patterns are a hallmark of Persian designs, which make them among the most sought after and valuable Oriental rugs.

Indian Rugs - Most Oriental rugs sold in the United States nowadays are made in India. The rug industry is one of the mainstays of rural workers in India. Indian rug producers keep a finger on the pulse of the market, so you can find rugs made in India that are made in designs that originate in nearly every other country. Oriental rugs from India are generally less expensive than from other countries. The one rug produced in India that did originate in that country is the traditional Indian dhurrie rug, a flat-weave rug of cotton, wool or other natural fibers created in a variety of traditional and contemporary patterns.

Turkey - Turkish rugs are prized not only for their beauty, but because most Turkish Oriental rugs are between 50 and 75 years old. World War I disrupted the Turkish rug industry, and it has taken nearly 50 years for the industry to begin to regain its footing. The Turkish government now encourages and supports Oriental rug weaving as an industry, and the rugs produced are striking in their rich use of color and traditional design.

Tibet - Tibetan rugs are among the most prized of all rugs. Entire villages and families are involved in the art of Oriental rug design. A Tibetan rug can take up to 3,000 hours to complete. They are made from the wool of Himalayan sheep, which is generally regarded as the best wool fiber for rug making because of its high lanolin content. Tibetan rugs feature rustic patterns and rich colors, with variations in the wool texture and coloring that increase the value and uniqueness of the finished products.

To view our list of recommended sources for the highest quality rugs online, visit: Recommended Online Rug Stores.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics. Visit the website to read more about decorating and 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 childrens area rugs, contemporary area rugs or kitchen 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

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "How To Select Scraped//Distressed Hardwood 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 "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: "How To Select Scraped//Distressed Hardwood Flooring".

Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in today’s upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history. Before today’s modern sanding methods, floors were hand scraped on site to make the floors flat. Today’s hand scraping is done to add texture, richness and uniqueness.

Distressed hardwood flooring is done by machine or by hand. In an effort to reduce high labor costs, manufacturers have created machine-made distressed/scraped looking floors. These are cheaper imitations of the real thing. The problem with machine distressing is repetition of the pattern. As you look across the floor you see the same pattern repeating across the floor. This lacks a natural feel to the floor.

True hand scraped is exactly that – done by hand. When properly done this method creates a truly unique floor. These floors differ greatly in the amount of the texture added to the floor and the skill of the person scraping the floor.

Some manufacturers are just denting, scooping, or roughing the floor. Others are sanding the floor unevenly to create a worn look. Still others are scraping the entire surface of the flooring creating the most unique hand made look. Some product lines allow the customer to choose between heavy, medium and light scraping. True artisans can create a reclaimed look complete with wormholes, splits and other naturally occurring character markings.

The labor used in hand scraping varies greatly. Some floor installers simply have their crew scrape the floor after it is installed in the home. Results vary widely based on the skill of the person or persons doing the scraping. Lack of control and expertise can lead to disastrous results. Scraping is a plant environment is also varied. Some are using illegal immigrants for the scraping labor; one company uses the federal prison system, smartly not advertised as such. Yet another uses Pennsylvania Amish craftsman to create their Amish Hand-Scraped collection.

Some homeowners are buying scraped floors unfinished and applying the finish on site, but most are choosing prefinished. These floors require special methods to prepare the floor for finishing. Regular on site sanding can destroy the texture of the floor that the customer is paying for. The most expensive lines are being finished by hand sometimes referred to as “hand rubbed”. Most of the prefinished floors are excellent and create convenience and speed of installation for the contractor and homeowner alike.

One of the great benefits of a prefinished floor is the ability of each plank to move independently with the changes of humidity in the home. On site finishing bonds the finish between planks requiring the finish to split as the floor contracts at dry humidity levels. These cracks rarely create a problem and are natural in hardwood floors, they are less noticeable in prefinished microbevelled floors.

Scraped floors that have darker finished tend to show the scraping more than natural finished floors. This is due to the finish pooling in the scrapes causing shadows drawing your attention to the character in the floor. Most hardwood flooring manufacturers have web sites showing the consumer what the floors look like. Many have displays at dealers near your home so you can actually see and touch what you are buying.

Hand scraped floors are not cheap. They are for those looking for a truly unique look. The cheaper machine made distressed hardwood floors material can retail around $10 per square foot. You will pay $15 and up per square foot for hand scraped. With most things in life, the real thing is hard to imitate and most people know a fake when they see it. A true hand scraped floor will give a unique, warm, rich look to your home and will be an absolute guaranteed conversation piece with your friends and guests.

About The Author

Doug Bolton is the owner of Homerwood Hardwood Flooring, located in the heart of the Pennsylvania hardwood region - Titusville PA. You can learn more by visiting their website at http://www.homerwood.com.

dbolton@homerwood.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 refinishing hardwood floors, exotic hardwood flooring or engineered 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

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Add Beauty and Elegance to Your home with Oriental Rugs" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our 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 "oriental rugs" 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. Please use the following reference: "Add Beauty and Elegance to Your home with Oriental Rugs".

Oriental rugs can be purchased in a great variety of colors and patterns, and will add beauty and elegance to your home décor. When you decide to decorate a room, consider choosing one or more of these exciting and durable area rugs as a cornerstone for your color and design choices. If you are adding a rug to an existing decorating plan, you will have no trouble finding one that complements the choices already made. Although oriental rugs are found most often in living rooms and dining rooms, they are also a popular choice as runners for high traffic areas, for foyers, and even for bedrooms. Your home decorating scheme can include them throughout the interior of your house if you really love them.

What is an Oriental Rug?

When the term "oriental" is used in reference to rugs, it means those rugs produced anywhere on the continent of Asia, and includes:

• Persian rugs – made in Iran (formerly Persia), the country that produces more handmade rugs than all other rug-making countries combined, and are considered by many to be the finest

• Afghanistan rugs – still woven mainly by nomadic tribes

• Indian rugs – mostly imitation of Persian designs, but of coarser wool

• Pakistan rugs – from the country that is the fourth largest rug producer in the world

• Caucasian rugs – from the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and characterized by bright red, rust, or burgundy colors, bold geometric designs, and narrow borders

• Rugs from Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Tibet, and a host of other Asian countries

Each country produces its own distinct style and quality of rug, although many are imitations of Persian designs, as well as modern Tibetan and Indo-Persian designs. Making rugs by hand is an ancient art, and the designs reflect the religious and ethnic structures found in the history of the countries of origin. These designs are still produced today, sometimes by hand and sometimes within a modern rug-weaving industry. The common patterns are traditional floral or garden motifs, often with a central medallion, or a geometric or curvilinear design, or central scenes that look like paintings.

How to Choose Oriental Rugs for Your Home

To decorate with oriental rugs, it is important to take both color and design into consideration. The color should be harmonious with the other colors in the room in which the rug is to be placed and should repeat the dominant or accent colors, or include shades of one or more of them. If the colors are compatible with other colors in the room, even a modern home can be enhanced by the popular traditional designs in oriental rugs.

When choosing an appropriate design, consider how you are going to use the rug. If the center of the rug is going to be very visible, a medallion or central motif or scene is a happy choice. If, however, the center of the rug is going to be under a dining room table or under a bed, it would be better to chose one with a repetitive design or one where the most detail and interest is in the borders.

As well, very colorful rugs with very busy designs can bring a subdued room to life; simple designs and a limited color palette are better in a room that is already colorful and busy. Geometric designs work best in new or modern homes, and curvilinear designs are more appropriate for old and traditional homes. It is most important that the rug does not clash, in either color or pattern, with any other fabric in the room in which it is to be used.

How to Find a Good Buy

A reputable dealer or outlet will give you the "good buy" oriental rug for which you are shopping. Before you go to the store, give some serious thought to the color, design and size of rug you need, and how much you are willing to pay. If you have clear ideas of what you want and have made some decisions beforehand, it will reduce the dizzying number of choices facing you when you have to make your selection.

An antique oriental rug is the most expensive rug, of course, and even if cost is not an issue, authenticity is. Documentation for an antique rug, including the appraised value, is sometimes available, but if not, you can ask for an independent appraisal or a guarantee if you don’t know the dealer.

Most people, however, are not buying an antique, and are simply interested in choosing a beautiful rug and getting good value for their money. It is possible to find a discount oriental rug, or a wholesale buy if you shop around. Whether the carpet is cheap or expensive from your point of view, it is important that you understand the factors that affect the cost.

These are:

• Natural or synthetic fibers

• Method of production – handmade or machine woven

• Intricacy and rarity of design

• Region of origin

Wool is the most expensive fabric, but it is warm, durable, dirt-resistant, fire-resistant, and easy to clean, and has become the standard by which all rugs are judged. Other natural materials used in oriental rugs are cotton and silk, and blends of wool and silk. These materials are more durable than synthetics and never release chemical gases into the air, which is significant to people with health concerns. If you are looking for a less expensive rug, synthetic fibers rather than natural are the answer.

The knots per square inch (kpsi) in an oriental rug is a good indication of its quality, and a high number of knots is usually an indication of durability as well as higher cost.

Expect slight inconsistencies and at least one imperfection in a hand-woven rug originating from a country in the Middle East. The philosophy, from an Islamic point of view, is that only God is perfect, and, therefore, nothing man makes should be perfect. A flaw will be carefully woven into each rug.

"Handmade" means that the rug has been constructed by hand, but it does not necessarily mean that it has been hand-knotted. "Hand-hooked" means the yarn has been inserted into a backing with a hand-held tool. Handmade, hand-knotted rugs are superior in quality to those made by machine made because a rug is more durable when each knot has been individually tightened. Expect to pay more for them.

You can beautify your home with oriental rugs if you give some careful thought to the colors and designs that will work best with your style preferences. By taking time to shop around and make sure that you are buying a quality rug from a reputable dealer, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful rugs for many happy years.

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 persian 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 oriental area rugs, large oriental rugs or antique 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

Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "cork 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 find this information useful.

Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Similar articles on "tile floor" can be found 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: "cork tile flooring".

cork tile flooring is similar to floorboard but with additional benefits such as insulation against noise and temperature. cork tile flooring is considered the perfect flooring solution because it is easy to maintain, pleasing to the eye, comfortable to walk on, soft and warm, keeps the noise out, insulates against temperature, and yet is rough and tough.

cork tile flooring comes in a variety of hues from natural browns and beiges to greens, reds, and even black. These multi-faceted tiles come with their own unique speckles and whorls and blend in easily with the décor, no matter what the type.

cork tile flooring was used in the old times but is now making a major reappearance not only because it is fashionable, but also because it is an environmentally friendly product that doesn’t require the cutting of trees. The bark is harvested once every nine years in accordance with strict harvesting standards, giving the trees time to regenerate themselves, when they will be ready for harvest again.

cork tile flooring has all the benefits of natural cork products: resilient, anti-static, sound absorbing, water resistant, insulating, and anti-allergenic.

Cork tiles can be used in any room of the house or office. They are a favorite choice in sound recording studios because they support acoustical excellence and prevent an echo. cork tile flooring is also resistant to friction and, therefore, long lasting; it provides the soft underfoot and insulation against heat and cold. The flooring is capable of “impact sound reduction” and “sound transmission reduction”. Cork floor tiles are priced in the same range as hardwood.

There are two types of tiles in popular usage these days. One is the “glue down” tile, which is the standard type, usually twelve square inches and four millimeters thick. They are available is bigger sizes, with or without beveled edges and in an array of shapes to chose from.

The second type of cork floor plan is the “floating cork floor plank”. These tiles are similar to laminated wood flooring planks. The former consists of a cork base that is typically two millimeters thick, MDF fiberboard at the core and a three-millimeter cork surface layer in a range of patterns. These tiles are bought pre-finished with three coats of UV-protected polyurethane. The installation procedure is the same as that of a laminate floor. The choice of glue used in the installation is of utmost importance. Cork tiles expand and contract with changes in humidity. The soft and flexible nature of cork does not require a flexible adhesive, but a strong one, which will ensure that a permanent bond is created.

Cork Flooring provides detailed information on Cork Flooring, Natural Cork Flooring, cork tile flooring, Discount Cork Flooring and more. Cork Flooring is affiliated with Hard Wood Flooring.

Additional Resources

Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on heated tile floors, vinyl 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

Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Hardwood Versus Laminate Flooring - The Truth!" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.

The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Similar articles on "laminate 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: "Hardwood Versus Laminate Flooring - The Truth!".

Don’t be fooled! No matter what you have heard or people say nothing matches the richness of a real hardwood floor. Laminate flooring is a photograph of a hardwood floor laminated (glued) to a composite material made up of compressed paper and glue.

Laminate flooring does not look like real hardwood nor does it feel like real hardwood underfoot. No two hardwood floors are the same, grains vary on each and every board. It is the inherent imperfections in the lumber that creates the richness that can only be found by using hardwood flooring.

Why then has laminate flooring become so popular, you might ask? The reason is two fold. The first, cost per square foot for the material. Laminate flooring can be purchased for as little as $0.80 per sq. ft., with a top end price of $3.00 per sq. ft. The second reason is installation, laminate is very easy to install and can be done by most home handymen, it requires little in special tools (a power saw with a carbide tipped blade is really the only required tool). Laminate can be laid over any flat surface including carpeting, an underlay of thin foam is recommended to reduce floor movement, comfort and sound transmission. Even contracted out, a laminate floor, complete with foam underlay can be had for less than $3.00 a sq. ft.

A quality oak, tongue and grove hardwood flooring material will cost at least $4.00 a sq. ft. and some of the exotic hardwoods can take the cost to more than $20.00 a sq. ft. Installation will cost another $3.00 to $5.00 a sq. ft. Hardwood generally, should not be used below grade or on a concrete slab floor because of dampness rising from below the boards and producing a warping effect. Hardwood should be installed by a professional, to ensure that subtleties in grains and colors are taken into account as each board is laid. As well, on delivery of the hardwood boards some will be warped and it takes some expertise to straighten them during installation. Installation is usually accomplished using a tongue and grove nailing machine, either pneumatic or manual. Although this is a simplistic tool, it takes some practise to utilize it properly and not damage the hardwood boards during installation.

Falling in between hardwood and laminate (although it really is much closer to hardwood than laminate) is an “engineered hardwood floor”. An engineered hardwood is a piece of hardwood, anywhere form 1/16” to 3/16” glued to a plywood. The engineered floor can be floating, similar to laminate where it is not glued down to the sub-floor or it can be glued down. Engineered hardwood is approximately the same price per sq. ft. as regular hardwood the difference is in the cost of the installation. It is easier to install because the boards are all flat and there is usually a high grain and color consistency. Installation of an engineered hardwood floor is around $1.75 a sq. ft. The engineered hardwood can also be used below grade and on concrete slabs because it is the plywood that is in contact with the sub-floor rather than the hardwood itself.

For additional information on flooring products for your home or information on other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

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, glueless 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