The Beauty of a Carbonized
Carbonized bamboo is becoming a favorite among home renovators. It’s rich dark caramel color goes nicely with just about every décor. Homeowners especially like the fact that a bamboo floor is easy to clean, environmentally responsible and ideal for allergy sufferers. A bamboo floor will not harbor dust mites or promote any dust at all.
Installation is not more difficult than installing a hardwood floor. A contractor doesn’t need any extra training or tools and will therefore, not charge any more than he would for installing hardwood. Although with a few simple instructions, you can easily install it yourself. The simple tongue-and-groove design snaps together and the boards can then be nailed, stapled or glued to the sub floor.
Five things you need know about bamboo flooring:
- Carbonized is not stained:The bamboo gets the darker color from inside. Instead of sap, like we see in trees, raw bamboo has sugar inside. By boiling the bamboo strips the sugar caramelizes to produce the darker color.
- Carbonized is softer than natural bamboo:The boiling method softens the bamboo by about 30% leaving it a little more vulnerable to scratches and dents, but still quite durable.
- The difference between vertical and horizontal flooring:Bamboo stalks are small in diameter and hollow. To turn them into boards the manufacturer laminates them together. Horizontal style is when the strips are laid flat, showing the top surface of the bamboo’s growth rings. In the vertical style the strips are turned and laminated on their sides, creating long slender rows. Although the same strength and durability, two completely different appearances.
- Strand woven bamboo is stronger:Natural and carbonized bamboo can both be woven. For a more exotic look, they can be woven together, giving the boards a ‘tiger stripe’ appearance. In the weaving process the strips of bamboo are coated and then compressed together with heat. Resulting in the strongest, hardest form of flooring.
- Cleaning your bamboo floor:Use a broom or soft mop for regular cleaning, just as you would with a hardwood floor. No harsh chemicals or scratch pads. Water can be used for excessive dirt, but don’t let it sit on the floor. As with all wood products, water can stain and cause the wood to swell. There is no need for waxing, but you may want to varnish every few years, especially in high traffic areas, to maintain the natural luster and shine.
Linoleum Flooring – Quick Installation Guide
The Healty Tips To Linoleum Installation
While renovating your house if you are looking for a change in the flooring and if you cannot afford much on it, then the most apt choice is Linoleum flooring.
Linoleum flooring is a less expensive choice for flooring. If you are thinking of changing the flooring in your house with linoleum, you can do that all by yourself. You need to take care of basic things and the work will be done. You will need to clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner so that no dirt will remain on the floor. It should be dry as well.
Once you do that you need to choose between the linoleum tile and a sheet. Sometimes laying linoleum tiles may be an easier option. Whatever may your choice be, take measurements of the room very carefully. Once you have the measurements roll out the linoleum sheet and mark it on the linoleum sheet with erasable marker. Leave about an inch extra space before you cut it. You can trim that extra when you install it.
Roll half of the sheet and let the second half flat on the floor. Apply the gule and start rolling the sheet carefully. Once you finish half the room roll up the other half of the sheet and repeat. Make sure that the sheet is attached firmly to the glue and there are no air bubbles left. Let it dry as per the instructions.
Exotic Hardwood Floors
One of the hottest trends in decorating can be found right beneath your feet. Flooring can seem simple with only a handful of choices available. One of these choices, hardwood floors, is breaking new ground.
Exotic hardwood flooring is gaining in popularity as the desire to possess something truly unique is at the forefront of every designer and consumer‘s mind.
Traditional hardwood floors can be static and down right boring, but with the options that are available with exotic hardwood floors there will be no more embarrassment from having something so out of date and blasé.
Often times the subject of floors are overlooked and even taken for granted, which is a shame when options such as exotic hardwood floors are available.
Exotic Hardwoods provide an array of design options and flavors. Most of these hardwoods come from places such as South America as well as Africa, Australia and many other countries.
Differing grains, colors, and patterns are found in exotic hard woods. Some of them like the Olivewood from Brazil feature yellows and oranges while having dark green tones that can be used to bring out the color and contrast to any interior design.
Other exotic hardwoods offer other unique qualities that can add just the right touch to a décor. Exotic flooring can be just what any home needs to gain that truly wondrous and breathtaking appeal.
There are numerous options available with their own qualities and attributes. Take time to browse through the options and be open to any opportunity presented.
Images courtesy of: designerscorner.wordpress.com, michigan-flooring.com, and trbflooring.com.
Get further articles and information about exotic floors like bamboo flooring and tips for cleaning bamboo floors properly.
Smart Flooring, Childproofing Your Home is Easy
When you’re expecting a new child, you want to make sure you’re bringing them into the safest world possible. And that means baby proofing your home. Soften those rough corners and make sure that outlets are covered, sure you know that, but what else can you be doing to help your new son or daughter stay out of harm’s way?
You need to actually think about keeping yourself and your partner safe when you are walking around the house so that you’re not getting hurt and then potentially leaving your baby in a dangerous position.
To help yourself stay safe, you need to think about things like flooring, how slippery it is and whether it is safe for you to walk on.
Some people prefer hardwood floors while others prefer carpeted – that choice is up to you. Also think about keeping things within reach so that you don’t reach up and lose your balance in the kitchen or other rooms.
Child proofing needs to be about mommy too!