Archive for the ‘Hard Surface Flooring’ category
December 16th, 2011
A common practice seen nowadays is that most of the homeowners have started doing repair, renovation and up-gradation of their homes on their own. Homeowners are less dependent on the experts for these jobs as the market is flooded with products that are easy to use, irrespective of the skill set they possess. A common task which has gained immense popularity among DIY enthusiasts is floor installation. Proper floor installation is vital to enhance the aesthetics and render a completely new look to the abode.
There are several flooring options available in the market, amongst which there are few that are easier for homeowners to install. The flooring options that most of the homeowners opt for while doing installation on their own are laminate, engineered wood, cork and vinyl.
Laminate flooring is generally chosen by DIYers as it is quite simple to install. Most importantly, it does not require removal of the old flooring, which is quite time-consuming. Laminate flooring is popularly known as floating floor as it floats above the floor and is not permanently attached to it. These are available in a wide range of choices that suit the budget and preference of almost every homeowner. Besides, laminate flooring can be engineered to resemble wood or stone flooring that are quite time-consuming to install as well as expensive in comparison to the floating flooring.
Another flooring option that homeowners often choose for their homes while doing the installation themselves is the engineered wood flooring. These come as tongue and groove installation system that is extremely easy to install and does not demand any expert guidance. Homeowners have to install this flooring over an underlayment that is mostly rubber-foam. This type of hardwood flooring is considered durable and comprises three layers. The wooden cross-band is sandwiched between the veneer bottom layer and pre-finished hardwood exterior layer.
Cork flooring has also gained immense importance as a preferred DIY flooring option as it is not only easy to install but offers various advantages as well. It is soft, long-lasting and natural insulator, along with being resistant to irritants like mold and mildew. Besides, homeowners can render a unique look to their flooring with the help of numerous stains and finishes. Many homeowners think twice before using this flooring option as it is one of the most expensive flooring options. However, it is one of the flooring options that actually add value to the house and is thus considered as a profitable investment.
With the coming of vinyl flooring in the floating floor format, vinyl sheet flooring has become one of the preferred choices of DIYers. Homeowners just have to lay the dimensionally correct sheets and install shoe molding at the meeting point of the wall and sheets. This is so simple that every homeowner can install vinyl flooring over the old flooring without any hassle.
Thus, homeowners who wish to change the look of their house, but do not want to spend money on seeking professional help can do this easily by installing floor on their own.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
November 14th, 2011
Flooring is an integral part of the house, which can significantly affect its appearance. Hence, it is vital to select the right flooring option for your home, which can make it look more attractive and appealing. Among the various flooring options available, more and more people are opting for slate, for residential as well as commercial buildings. Owing to its versatility and aesthetic appeal, it is increasingly being used in interiors as well as exteriors. Not only is it a feasible flooring option, but is also a great option for the walls, ceilings and roofs.
Slate adds elegance and sophistication to an interior, which other flooring options cannot. This sturdy natural-stone flooring option is formed when minute particles of silt and clay bind under high pressure and temperature. Owing to this process, slate gets its monolithic and ultra-fine texture. It is generally gray in color, but can also have shades of blue or green on it. However, it is also available in other colors like purple, brown and white pink, among others. You can make use of slate’s different shades of color for creating unique designs for your flooring. Along with its diversity in colors, slate tiles are also found in varied shapes, thicknesses and finishes. You can combine these variable attributes to your advantage and come up with different flooring ideas for house.
In comparison to various other flooring options, slate is a more durable and long lasting material. Once installed, it can last for many years and you may not have to replace it with any other flooring; thus, proving cost advantage. Additionally, it also has low maintenance requirements, unlike some other flooring options such as hardwood flooring. Slate is also resistant to dirt, and requires regular mopping with mild detergent cleaning.
The fine molecular structure of slate renders several advantages over other flooring options. Along with being tough, it is also resistant to moisture, which guarantees firm footing and avoids slipping or gliding. Owing to this, slate is a great flooring option for high traffic areas, or areas that are exposed to water, like hallways, porches, kitchen and bathrooms. In addition, this anti-stain flooring option is also bacteria and allergen resistant, thereby reducing the risk of diseases. To top it all, slate is quite affordable as compared to most of the other available flooring options, like marble and granite.
Due to the various advantages offered by it, slate proves to be a great flooring option that can enhance the appearance of any décor. However, an important thing which one should always keep in consideration is that the installation must be done in the right manner. If the installation is not done properly, flooring may be susceptible to breakage.
Since slate is a heavy natural stone, it needs to be installed correctly on a strong, solid subfloor instead of a flexible subfloor. Once properly installed, it will last for several years, without much maintenance requirements. Hence, if you are planning to install new flooring, you should opt for slate, which has become a preferred flooring choice of many people.
To seal use Slate Sealer by Glaze n Seal that offers unsurpassed low gloss protection for slate, quarry, tile, and other dense tile. This easy to apply, fast drying, non-yellowing acrylic provides a barrier against oil, water, based stains, acids, and efflorescence indoors and outdoors. With excellent UV and abrasion resistance.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
October 16th, 2011
How To Seal & Maintain Concrete Interlocking Pavers & Brick
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The following information is based on product application reports and manufactures information and is provided in good faith to assist the consumer. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND PRODUCT LABELS COMPLETELY BEFORE USING. PRE-TEST IN AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA PRIOR TO APPLICATION TO DETERMINE IF THE DESIRED RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED.
Unsealed interlocking pavers & brick are subject to staining, fading, sand loss, and can sometimes develop weeds and mildew growth. With proper sealing and maintenance your pavers will be more likely to have a long lasting, beautiful and durable life and appearance. The sealer selection for Interlocking Pavers, brick and other types of sand set pavement material is generally based on the desired “finished” look and the degree of stain resistance required as well as the need for joint sand stabilization. Most paver installations will benefit from a sealer that has joint sand stabilizing properties. Use of Glaze ‘N Seal’s Paver Sealer & Joint Stabilizer will protect from stains, oil and fading as well as sand erosion.
| Recommended Product |
Stain Resistance |
Finished Look |
Comment |
| Paver Sealer/Stabilizer |
Excellent |
Low-Medium Sheen |
Water-based – Film-forming |
Surface Preparation
Newly manufactured concrete pavers should cure 14 days or more before sealing. Follow paver manufacturer’s recommendations. Prior to the application of Glaze ‘N Seal’s sealer products, surface must be thoroughly clean. Remove all dirt, oil, grease, paint, efflorescence and any previous sealers that may not be compatible with the new sealer. General cleaning may be done using Glaze ‘N Seal’s alkaline base Heavy Duty Cleaner. Mix the concentrated detergent according to label instruction depending on severity of surface soils. For Efflorescence stains or hard water deposits, use Glaze ‘N Seal’s mild acidic cleaner Efflorescence Remover. Note…(When acid has been used for any reason, surface must be neutralized). For neutralizing, we recommend Glaze ‘N Seal’s Neutralizing Rinse. Always read cleaning product instructions and cautions with any cleaner.
After tamping down joint sand and sweeping the sanded areas for new installations, be sure the sand is at least 1/8 inch below the surface of the pavers. Make sure all sand residue and fine powder is removed with broom & blower before application of any film forming sealers. Allow any moisture in or on the surface of the pavers to dry at least 24 hours. Allow 48 hours or more if temperatures are cool or a pressure washer has been used. For best results the sand should be dry to its full depth before sealing. It is always recommended to test the sealer of choice in a small area first. Always read product label and directions carefully before beginning to use any sealer products.
Seal
- Apply Glaze ‘N Seal’s Paver Sealer & Joint Stabilizer to a clean dry surface using a compressed air hand pump garden-type sprayer. Apply a heavy saturating coat of sealer. Ensure that all joints are flooded to maximize sealer soaking into the dry sand. Immediately squeegee any excess product down into the sand joints using a large foam or rubber squeegee. Avoid puddling on the surface. An optional second thin coat may be applied to the surface of the pavers after two hours if desired to increase protection & gloss. Ideal surface temperatures should be above 55° and below 85°.
- After final coat, allow sealer to dry 2 hrs before foot traffic. Limit heavy traffic. Keep vehicular traffic and moisture off for 72 hours while sealer cure
Maintenance & Other Sealer Options For Concrete Interlocking Pavers & Brick
Seal
- Maintain your pavers with periodic cleaning of grease, dirt, loose soil and hard-water stains with Glaze N Seal’s (Heavy Duty Cleaner). For stubborn grease spots use Heavy Duty Cleaner in a more concentrated formulation. Rinse surface well with water.
- Reapply maintenance coats of sealer as needed. All Glaze N Seal sealers are re-coatable. Make sure surface is clean and dry at time of reapplication.
If Considering Other Glaze ‘N Seal Sealers For Concrete Interlocking Pavers & Brick, See Options Recommended From Chart Below
Stain Resistance: Stain (S ) Oil (O) Water (W)
*Economical water repellant. If a natural look with oil resistance is needed, use Stone Sealant Impregnator.
- If a deeper wet look appearance is desired, Glaze ‘N Seal’s “Wet Look” Lacquer can be applied to an unsealed surface, When applying film-forming sealers as “Wet Look” Lacquer or Multi Purpose sealer, use 2-3 thin even coats. Minimize foaming. A solvent resistant spray applicator is recommend when applying “Wet Look” Lacquer“.
- Glaze N Seal’s Natural Look Penetrating Sealer may be used to provide a long lasting water protection that looks natural on the paver surface. Glaze ’N Seal’s Stone Sealant Impregnator will provide premium stain, oil and water protection that looks natural on the surface. When using penetrating-type sealers Stone Sealant Impregnator or Natural Look Penetrating Sealer, apply one liberal coat using a sprayer or roller. Do not allow excess Natural Look Penetrating Sealer to dry on the surface. Wipe up excess sealer before it dries. After 10-24 hrs check repellent by dropping water droplets on surface to check for water bead. If need apply second coat.
More information on how to clean Seal and maintenance your hard surface
September 13th, 2011
Flooring can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your house, provided it is appropriately installed. Right installation of the flooring is as important as choosing the right flooring material. Nowadays, people are increasingly opting for floating floor. Floating floor, a misnomer, is actually a floor installation method, which is wrongly confused by many as a type of flooring material. In floating floor, the flooring material generally consists of planks, which are installed without being glued, stapled, or nailed to the subfloor. Instead, of being fastened to the subfloor, the planks are joined to one another; allowing the floor to ‘float’ over the surface underneath.
Homeowners can choose amongst the different types of floating floors; such as the ‘glue together’, which is an older version of floating floor. The glue together floating floor is assembled with the help of appropriate adhesive and pressure applied on the planks, to bind it together. Another version of floating floor is the ‘click together’, which is also referred to as ‘enter click’ or ‘tongue and groove’. In this, the edges of the planks are so designed that these easily click together, when combined and tapped on the edge toward one another. This does not require the use of any adhesive, making installation hassle-free and time-saving. The latest as well as the fastest floating floor option is the ‘lock and fold’ system, which requires neither tapping of the planks nor sticking them with glue. In this type of floating system, the planks are attached with the help of a special milled interlocking system.
The rising popularity of the floating floor is due to the various benefits it offers. The biggest advantage of choosing floating floor is that it is convenient and hassle-free, which saves both effort and time. This installation method is so easy that the flooring of the room can be completed in just a few hours; irrespective of whether the installer is amateur or experienced. In addition, the floating floor is available in a wide range of material, such as hardwood, linoleum, bamboo, cork and plastic laminate. Depending upon their preferences and budget, homeowners can choose amongst any of the available options.
Floating floor is an ideal choice for areas with high humidity or moisture problem. Most of the flooring options are affected by fluctuations in moisture and humidity. Wooden planks, for example, tend to contract when humidity is low and expand when humidity is high; thereby causing gaps and buckling, respectively. In contrast, since the floating floor is not fastened to the underlying surface, it contracts and expands as one complete unit without giving rise to gaps or buckling. Besides, spacers are left alongside the walls to allow for expansion.
As floating floor is generally available as planks, homeowners only need to replace the damaged ones, rather than change the whole flooring. As a result, homeowners tend to save significant amount of money. Additionally, it is less expensive than most of the other flooring choices.
Owing to all these benefits, floating floor has become a preferred choice of more and more homeowners.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
August 17th, 2011
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Eco Friendly Stone Polishing Pads Video’s
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