Yes, wood flooring may look wonderful, but if your budget is limited then it is worth considering laying vinyl plank flooring instead. As well as providing you with some great savings this type of flooring is much easier to install and is far easier to maintain.

So what are the other advantages and disadvantages associated with the installing of this type of flooring in your home? Below we take a look at some of these.

Advantages to Laying Vinyl Plank Flooring

As mentioned above the cost of laying this type of flooring over solid wood flooring is much less. You will find that the cost of laying this type of flooring is half the price. As well as the actual flooring costing less than solid wood flooring you are also saving on the cost to install it. In most cases with this type of flooring, you will be able to lay it yourself. However, when it comes to solid wood flooring then you will need to employ an experienced contractor to complete the work.

When it comes to the installation of this type of flooring type does not need to be spent on removing the trimmings or doors around the room before it can be laid. To lay it you just need to make sure that the subfloor on which it is to be laid is even. Plus should you be laying it directly onto a concrete floor make sure that it is sealed first as this will help to prevent moisture from getting into the flooring once laid? Then just roll out the flooring and cut to the room’s size using a utility knife.

The other advantage to laying this type of flooring instead of conventional wood flooring is that it is so much easier to maintain. When it comes to this type of flooring all that you need to do is just sweep or vacuum it regularly to remove any dirt or debris from the surface. Then mix some all-purpose cleaner in a bucket with some warm water before wiping the surface over with a mop. Make sure that the mop you use is wrung out properly so that it is damp rather than sopping wet.

Disadvantages to Laying Vinyl Plank Flooring

There is only one disadvantage that comes to mind when it comes to laying this kind of flooring in your home. Unlike solid wooden floors, this type of flooring may not last as long and cannot be refinished once it has been laid. Generally, if you do look after vinyl plank flooring well it can last for between 5 and 8 years, so providing you enough time to save the money to then have a real wooden floor laid in the future.

When a floor has reached the end of its life and cleaning it no longer enhances it, it may be time to consider replacing it. Whether you are looking to repair the worn wood in your entryway, replace wall-to-wall carpeting, or place ceramic tiles in your kitchen, you may be contemplating saving money by undertaking a flooring installation yourself. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional for your project.

Costs

Money tends to be the driving factor in home improvement projects. Assuming you can save money by tackling the project yourself depends on things such as your skill level and availability. It is important to list out all costs for your flooring installation project before taking action so that you are aware of what lies ahead of you. Compare the costs for a DIY to the costs of hiring a professional.

DIY costs:

• Flooring materials
• Equipment for removal of old material and placement of new materials
• Tools and supplies (i.e. grout, stain, sealer, nail guns)
• Repairs for mistakes made

Professional costs:

• Preparation and installation labor fees
• All materials needed
• Cleanup and disposal of debris

Hiring a professional may seem expensive due to labor costs, but you can cut down some of those fees by doing some of the work yourself beforehand. Clearing furniture, prepping before the flooring installation project, or performing the cleanup and disposal yourself will save you money and speed up the process. Additionally, electing to spend the extra money to hire a professional will ensure you receive high-quality and hassle-free work.

Skill Level

A DIY project may appear to be an opportune time to learn new skills, but you must be willing to put in the time and effort required to complete the task. The placement of different flooring materials requires varying skill sets and levels.

Tile – The placement of tile is tricky if you lack experience with adhesives and it requires a moderate level of proficiency. Many homeowners place tiles incorrectly, resulting in uneven surfaces or cracked grout lines.

Hardwood – Knowledge of woodworking is required to accurately measure and cut boards. You should also be very familiar with hammers or screw guns.

Carpet – If you want the finished look to appear professional, the carpet requires a high level of proficiency. Special tools and accuracy are needed.

Laminate – Knowing how to prevent buckling and how to choose the best underlayment material is required. Laminate needs to be acclimatized to prevent expansion and contraction under certain weather conditions.

Additionally, if the design of the room where work is being performed is complex, it may be ideal to have an expert do the work.

Typically, most homeowners find it is far more convenient to have an expert do the job. Trying to do it yourself could easily be outweighed by the damages you could cause. The professional is skilled in operating the equipment and can ensure your flooring installation job will be done accurately.

Many kitchen renovations take only a couple of days to create major changes. A few cans of paint, a new floor, and updated window treatments can completely alter a room.

The simplest and quickest method for updating the look of any space is to change its color. Custom paint color can be bought inexpensively. One of the most popular kitchen colors is yellow. It is a joyful color and a small room will appear enlarged and bright. Many people choose to paint their eating spaces red. It is a powerful color and also helps people feel hungry. That could be a wonderful thing for an eating space!

It is quick and fairly easy to give a small room a new floor in about two days. Before putting in a new floor, you will usually need to remove all of the old floorings and get down to the underlying subfloor. While it takes specialized tools to install ceramic tile and wooden floors, they are fairly easy to install with a little instruction.

Vinyl flooring in sheets or individual, self-adhesive squares can be installed quickly. Just cut into the size and shape needed and glue into place with the correct type of glue. When you install vinyl flooring, you only need a clean, flat surface. While this may involve pulling everything off down to the subfloor, it is not usually necessary.

Whether you make them yourself, buy them from a store, or have custom-made draperies, replacing window treatments can be accomplished in a single weekend. This will create a rapid change in any room. Many curtain patterns are easy to sew or that require no sewing available on the World Wide Web.

If you need the privacy of curtains but also desire to see more sunlight, you can install miniature blinds. Available in many different standards and custom styles and hues these may be adjusted to let in as much or as little sunlight as you want.

Quick and easy kitchen renovations can give your space a spectacular update. Changing the color of the ceiling and/or walls will swiftly and completely alter the mood of any space. Putting down new flooring can modernize and clean up a room. New draperies are quick to make or purchase and will dress up a room. Any of these changes can be completed in two days.

The Advantages Of Using Glass Shelves

Glass shelves are normally used for display rather than storage of things. This is because glass is a delicate material and storage of heavy or crude materials can destroy it. Therefore they are used as beautiful displays for exquisite and simple objects in the home.

They are made up of metallic or wooden frames and brackets that securely hold the glass in place. The glass that may be used varies in strength which determines the weight of the objects that are going to be placed on the shelf. It can be annealed, tempered, or fully tempered with the fully tempered one being the strongest and the annealed being the weakest. It can also be thick or thin depending on the weight it will hold. The shelf can be wall-mounted or floor mounted. One should ask the manufacturers what materials and design to choose when buying one.

If you have vinyl tile as your flooring, you need to spend some extra time getting it clean. This type of tile tends to look dirty quite easily. Dirt hides in the joints between the tiles. Vinyl tile is subject to scuff marks. And what makes it worse is the tile is prone to scratching. Sure, there are many commercial cleaning products that you can buy in the market, but you also need to know how to clean your vinyl tile to effectively use these cleaning products. There is no hurt in trying several cleaning products and just go with what works best for you. Here are the basic things you need to do to clean vinyl tiles.

First off, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust and dirt on your floor tiles. Make sure that you clean the grout lines too. Use a toothbrush to loosen tough dirt in the lines.

Start with the mildest cleaning solution. If that doesn’t get your floors clean increase the power of the solution. A quick mopping with plain water and drying with a towel may be all you need. If that does not leave your floors sparkly clean, you can mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid into a gallon of water. Use this cleaning solution and with a rag or mop, wipe your tiles.

Next, mix a tablespoon of ammonia product with water and soap mixture and use this solution to wash your vinyl floors. Leave it for a couple of minutes to allow the solution to loosen up the dirt on the tiles. Start on the corner farthest away from the entry to the door and work your way out of the room. Turn on the fan or open the windows so the ammonia fumes don’t bother you.

Don’t scour the tile with a rough pad. That tends to scratch the tile. Scratches can’t be repaired so the tile will have to be replaced. When moving appliances over tiles place the appliance on a cardboard sheet so the legs don’t rip the tile.

Make sure to rinse off the ammonia, soap, and water solution because it can leave an unsightly residue. Drying the tiles with an old towel helps prevent slips on wet tiles.

If you are not satisfied with the result, your last resort is to use a self-cleaning cleanser that you can buy at your local DIY or home improvement store. Apply the cleaning product using a fresh, damp cloth. Unlike other home products, self-cleaning cleansers do not leave any wax build-up or residue.

Clean your vinyl tile every week and the dirt won’t have a chance to build up. You’ll avoid a major cleaning job.

Some of the most common flooring materials include wood, ceramic, and vinyl, and these work well for the most common applications. But there are a lot of other flooring materials available, some as old as the building itself, others representing the latest in high-tech materials science. We take a look a the best applications for many of these other less common materials and see what might be the best flooring material for your application.

Sandstone

Sandstone has been used in buildings for thousands of years. In ancient structures, it often formed sturdy walls that lasted for centuries or longer. Today, used as flooring, sandstone tiles can provide that old-world look yet stand up to modern punishment. Sandstone has an earthy tone that is attractive and natural-looking. At the same time, it provides a durable surface that is easy to care for.

Travertine

Travertine is another material that has been in use for millennia. Yet, as a material for floors in modern homes, its use is only now being rediscovered. This natural stone was used in the construction of the Roman Coliseum. Yet, modern homes look both classic and up-to-date with travertine floors.

Similar to marble, though typically with less sheen, travertine provides an ultra-durable surface that looks great. It forms over thousands of years from high pressure acting on materials that occur naturally in subterranean springs and underground rivers. But, thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, you can have a travertine floor anytime.

Smooth, dense, and possessed of a natural cream color, your home can have that travertine touch of Italy whenever you choose.

Slate

Slate is another natural stone material, one that contains a mixture of quartz, mica, and other compounds. Because of the intense heat and pressure that form it in continental coastlines, it has already endured more punishment than the kids could ever give it. It will last forever.

But, not only is it durable, it’s easy to care for. The surface resists stains well. It’s also naturally non-slip. Even smooth slate flooring has micro-edges that help prevent falls.

Last, but far from least, slate is universally recognized as a rich, beautiful flooring material. Its dark, sensual color provides a touch of elegance wherever it’s used.

Porcelain

More modern in origin, porcelain is ever popular. In the West, techniques for forming it into flooring material developed relatively recently in historic terms. The 18th century saw considerable advances in its manufacture. But as a home flooring material, it is right up to date.

Hard, ultra-easy to clean, and available in dozens of colors, porcelain can be used in a uniform design or a mosaic. A solid, pink cream can make for a bathroom that is soft-looking and elegant. A multi-colored mosaic of porcelain tiles creates a cheery look limited only by the imagination of the designer.

Cork

While cork has been used for centuries for wine stoppers, its introduction to the flooring world is relatively recent. Thanks to modern hardening and reprocessing methods, it can form an ideal flooring material.

Even hardened to become highly durable, cork retains its elasticity. That gives the floor a softer feel. Because of its porous nature, it’s also excellent at soaking up sound. But, thanks to a natural waxy compound called Suberin, it is highly moisture resistant. That makes it easy to clean and resistant to mildew.

Investigate some alternative flooring materials. There’s no such thing as too many choices where your home design efforts are concerned.