Using Combination Tiles on the Kitchen and Bathroom Floors

Using Tiles which are the same size is obviously easier than using multi sized tiles but the effect that multi sized tiles can have on the floor can add real design and elegance to any kitchen, hall or bathroom floor. Making sure the tiles are of a smooth consistency is paramount in order to avoid tripping hazards and although using multi sized Tiles is a little trickier, it is not impossible.

Tiles can be cut to size but you can also purchase cut multi sized Tiles and sketch out a design on paper before you embark on the tiling project. Smaller tiles can be arranged into a pattern, with smaller ones around the edge of the room and bigger ones taking up the main central area.

Multi sized Tiles are generally known as combination Tiles with the same background colour that can be arranged in different patterns to create a perfect finish. Using squares and rectangles is a common design pattern, a sketch of the area and the amount of tiles you need is important for this design to ensure you have availability of Tiles. Using a checkerboard pattern is also a popular design and can be found in both kitchens and bathrooms. The design consists of using two different colours to to create a checkerboard pattern and this particular design will open up the room and leave a real design statement.

Mosaic patterned tiles can also be used using traditional designs or you can make up your own floor design, this works especially well for larger surface areas where you can make a real focal point of the centre of the room and then depending on the scale of your design, you can use a uniformed colour of smaller or larger tiles around the border.

Using a uniformed colour of the same tile and colour on the main central area and then using a different tile and size around the border is a popular design and easier to install than other more complicated designs.

Using traditional black and white ceramic tiles is a lovely design for the kitchen floor and the hexagon flooring design works especially well in the kitchen. Placing alternative black and white tiles in a row pattern is another grand design. These designs also work really well in the bathroom area and the black and white combination gives a new and fresh feel to any bathroom.

Pondering Wood Flooring Installation In Your Home? Here's What You Must Know

Species and Environmental Suitability of Hardwood floors

There are many kinds of Hardwood flooring options to choose from when considering installing wood flooring in your home. The main thing to know when choosing a solid strip or plank hardwood floor is to never forget job site suitability. The wood species of flooring to be installed should be chosen not only for its color, looks of the wood-grain, width, and length, but also for its suitability with the job site environment in which it will be installed. You may wish to learn more about all of the options available on contractors websites that specialize in Site Finished Hardwood floor Installation to guide you in making your decision before buying or installing your plank floor.

Wood floors are Recommended in:

Kitchens - Residential kitchens are fine as long as you keep your hardwood flooring swept and clean regularly and do not have a lot of salt & dirt on your feet coming in from the outside.

Bedrooms - Living Rooms, Sitting Rooms, Family Rooms, Sun Rooms, Dining Rooms, Mudrooms (with tile inlay), Enclosed or 3 Season Porches, attics, at or above grade basements, workshops, and tool sheds.

Wood floors Not Recommended in:

Full Bathrooms

Entryways

Many people have had hard wood floors installed in bathrooms but you must take extra care to clean up any standing water as this could potentially cause damage to the planks of wood in a floor in a very short period of time that could cause you to have to sand and refinish, or even worse replace the damaged boards and then refinish.

Basement floors

Engineered products would be the only suggested product for below ground level installation due to moisture concerns. Flooring in rooms with little or no ventilation that have a lot of moisture evaporating into the air could be result in a buckling issue.

Prior to Installation of wood flooring it is necessary to test the humidity levels of the subfloor plywood or concrete. If the subfloor has excessive moisture, then it is best to wait until they reach 6-9% humidity before starting the installation, because if the subfloor has too much moisture it will acclimatize once installed and make your new wood floors swell up and possibly buckle under pressure

How to Clean Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring offers an inexpensive and attractive alternative to traditional hardwood flooring and tiles. While laminate flooring can replicate the look of hardwood or ceramic tiles, it can become stained or discolored over time. The following guide provides several simple tips for cleaning and maintaining your floor.

How to Clean up Loose Dirt and Debris
Never use a vacuum cleaner on laminate flooring. The roller wheels on a vacuum cleaner can can damage the flooring, leaving rubber marks that are hard to remove. In addition, the brush roller on a vacuum can create small scratches, allowing dirt and debris to embed itself in the floor.

Use a soft broom to clean. A swiffer-style cleaner can be a great way to pick up dust and other debris. A swiffer-style cleaner uses an electrostatic cloth to attract dust, preventing it from spreading around a room.

Mopping with Baking Soda
Many cleaning products can leave stains on laminate floors, creating the appearance of streaks when the floor dries. In addition, some cleaning solvents can eat away the surface of a laminate floor, ruining the appearance and increasing the chance of staining. Never use any cleaning product not designed for laminate flooring.

For tough stains, a 5-1 mixture of baking soda can provide powerful cleaning. Mix 1 part baking soda to 5 parts warm water, and stir. Apply the mixture directly to the stained area, and allow to the solution to sit for 10 minutes. Using a rag, wipe up the baking soda mixture. The stain should be lifted out of the floor, leaving a clean surface underneath. It may be necessary to rinse the area with water afterwards, as baking soda can leave a fine residue on the floor.

Mopping with Vinegar
Vinegar can be a safe and effective way to remove many stains on a laminate floor. Mix 1 part distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Using a soft-headed mop, clean the floor in a circular pattern. Make sure to use distilled vinegar without any odor -- vinegar can impart a sour smell in a room.

Cleaning with Ammonia-Based Solutions
For tough stains, an ammonia-based cleaner can be effective on many types of laminate flooring. Ammonia is a common ingredient in many window cleaner solutions. Ammonia is effective at preventing streaking on windows; it's also effective at preventing streaking on floors.

Before using any ammonia-based cleaning solution, test the agent in a small area of flooring. It's best to use flooring that isn't visible, as some cleaning agents can damage the floor. If the ammonia-based cleaning solution is effective at cleaning a small area, it's usually safe to use on a large section of flooring.

Mix 1 part window cleaner to 1 part water, and add to a mop bucket. Clean the flooring using a soft-headed mop, and allow to dry. Ammonia may have a strong smell, so it's important to provide ventilation in an area where ammonia is being used. Never mix any ammonia product with bleach, as it can create a dangerous gas.

And there you have it, some ways to ensure your flooring, whether the most expensive or even cheap laminate flooring never has to look dirty again!