How to Choose the Right Flooring Option for Your Home

 

Choosing the right flooring option for your new home can sometimes be very hard and frustrating. A new floor will bring a breath of new life into your home. If you want to make your home feel more yours or are planning to upgrade it for sale, changing the flooring is the thing for you. The big question arises, how to choose the right flooring option for your home? Thankfully, we are here to discuss the various options and help you decide.

What to know before selecting the flooring option

The right flooring option will have a high impact on your home. Changing the flooring in your home can be very expensive and time-consuming, which is why it is always good to get it right. It would be more straightforward and practical to consult a professional designer to help you choose. On the other hand, if you feel enthusiastic and want to save some money, here are some factors that may help you decide:

• Style

• Space

• Practicality

• Type

• Budget

Flooring style

Selecting the right style can help you match the flooring option with the rest of the rooms. While surveying your local showroom or checking on the internet, you can sometimes forget that the flooring might not fit the need of your room. During your design phase, don't hesitate to ask professionals for advice. If you don't feel qualified to match the new flooring style with things in your home, it would be good to consult a professional designer. When changing the flooring style, you could also make some changes to your furniture.

Flooring options depend on space

The critical factor when selecting a flooring option should be the room where you will put it. Each room has a different utilization, a quality precursor to choose the right flooring option for your home. The room shape and size are also important because they can narrow or extend the options you can pick from. Depending on the room size, lighter colors can make a narrow room look wider, while a darker color will bring warmth. While installing the new flooring, you might need extra space to move things in the room. That is why the professional movers from miamimoversforless.com always recommend you empty the room before starting. This will give you extra mobility while working.

Checking the sample palette during design is a good way to choose the right option

Flooring option practicality

The practical use of your flooring is the foremost principle. Defining the activities that will take place in the selected space can help you choose the type of flooring suitable for the room. The flooring usage amount can help you select the required quality of the flooring. If you rarely use the room, you can save some money by installing less durable flooring. Keeping in mind the utility of the room is also valuable. There will frequently be a lot of spilling in the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms will require hardy and easy-to-clean surfaces capable of suppressing moisture.

Type of the flooring

The modern era provided us with uncountable flooring options. Selecting the correct flooring option can be a time saver when it comes to maintenance and keeping the place clean. First, you should choose one of four main types:

• tiles

• wood

• carpet

• vinyl

Most of the time, selecting the type will be affected by the factors mentioned above, but always keep in mind that it is your choice in the end. After choosing the material, you should find out what subtypes are available and the shapes they come in.

Budget

Whatever renovation you plan to do, your budget is the most direct filter to guide you. Most of the time, you will find costly flooring options in the showroom. Essentially, your budget will decide if you can get the flooring option you want. If the one you are looking for doesn't fit the budget, there is always something similar that might. For an easier flooring installation, consider renting a storage space. You should leave some room in the budget for storage solutions during the renovation as a place to keep your things while the work is ongoing. If you move your furniture out, the floor will probably be finished sooner.

Preparing your budget for your flooring option.

Our flooring recommendations

To help you, we analyzed the basic areas of an ordinary home and the most suitable flooring options. My Home Sweet Home created suggestions based on the room utilization and the factors it needs to withstand (sunlight, moisture, chemicals, and foot traffic). We hope that these flooring options will help ease your choice.

Flooring options for kitchen, bathroom, and mudroom

Kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms are the hardest-working floors in your home. The tests show that wood floors are susceptible to constant foot traffic, and you should avoid them in these areas. The best flooring option for these areas is naturally porcelain tile. It can resist scratching, dents and moisture. A broad style range provides excellent and innovative design opportunities. Vinyl is also a good choice if you don't prefer tiles. Easy installation makes it suitable for DIY projects.

Dining, living, and family rooms flooring

Dining, living, and family rooms are where you will spend a lot of time during the day. These areas require an extra added value that only wood can provide. Your flooring option can set the quality and the mood of the room. Prefinished wood flooring is always a proper selection. Engineered wood is also a good choice that is easy to install, making it a good choice if you plan on doing it by yourself. You should consult a professional if you are thinking of a different flooring option for these rooms.

Choosing the right flooring palette

In summary

Each floor covering is unique in its specific way, providing different benefits and limitations. The endless options and features like color, texture, durability, price, resistance, shape, and others can get you heading. Overwhelming choices might set you back. Quality research will help you with the question of how to choose the right flooring option for your home. Understanding the best options for your home and lifestyle will get you in the right direction. Before you start, it is always an excellent idea to get samples from a selected supplier and put them in the room you want to make changes. Make sure that the flooring samples you take are available in stock. This will provide you with an idea of how it will fit within your style. In the end, remember the choice is always only yours.

Images:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/paper-in-neutral-colors-fabric-and-other-craft-materials-4968690/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-standard-color-book-near-green-eraser-159045/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-person-holding-a-paper-7433836/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/hand-of-a-person-holding-wooden-plank-samples-6583355/

Why the Vinyl Flooring In Your Mississauga Home May Be Shrinking

Summary: While vinyl flooring is a durable option, it can shrink and cup when exposed to certain external stressors. So, if you have chosen vinyl flooring installation for your Mississauga home, be wary of exposing it to rapidly changing temperatures, floor damage, and breakdown of esters. 

Vinyl flooring is made from a variety of synthetic materials such as PVC vinyl, plasticizer, and fibreglass. It has multiple layers, including a sturdy wooden core, which creates a durable product that stands up well to wear and tear. And it is available in many styles, designs, and colours which helps homeowners not only update their interiors but freshen the space. Being an artificial material, it’s more affordable than natural flooring options like hardwood. 

However, vinyl flooring is known to shrink after just a few years of use in certain conditions. 

What causes this? And how can it be prevented? 

Experts at a leading vinyl flooring store in Mississauga, Ontario, have researched the answers to these questions.

 

Let’s find out what they are. 

Why Does Vinyl Flooring Shrink? (Advice from Experts in Mississauga)

There are a few reasons why your vinyl flooring planks may be shrinking. Let’s look at some of the most common ones. 

1. Exposure to Fluctuating Temperatures

One primary reason that your vinyl flooring may expand or contract is exposure to heat and sunlight throughout the day. When vinyl becomes warm, it expands slightly which causes buckling over time. 

Moreover, if your vinyl flooring was glued down or came with a self-stick option, sunlight, and heat can release the glue bond and cause the tiles to shift. When it’s exposed to colder climates, this flooring will contract, resulting in gaps becoming visible between the planks or tiles. 

If you live in an area that experiences frequent temperature fluctuations, choose luxury vinyl tiles. While they may be slightly more expensive than regular vinyl tiles or planks, they are more durable, making them a suitable option. 

2. Floor Damage

Your vinyl flooring can sustain damage from furniture being moved around, when it is exposed to water, or when heavy objects are dropped on it. The result is gaps appearing between the planks.

If you need to move heavy furniture around, it’s better to either carry them or place furniture sliders or pads beneath them before sliding it across the floor. They will reduce friction on the planks and diminish chances of them sustaining damage. 

Alternatively, if your flooring has sustained water damage because of a leaking water heater or busted pipe, make sure you mop the area promptly; failing to do so can cause separating and cupping. 

3. Breakdown of Esters

Esters are also known as plasticizers. These liquid solvents are added to synthetic resins to promote elasticity and flexibility in vinyl planks. They allow the material to offer superior durability and to expand and contract easily. 

But this can also have the reverse effect when the planks are exposed to a drastically changing environment. Over time, these esters break down, resulting in gaps appearing and edges cupping. 

Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable options available, but it can shrink and cup when exposed to external stressors. This makes it necessary to have experienced professionals install your vinyl flooring in Mississauga and elsewhere. Along with ensuring they look beautiful, it will also help the material last for many years to come. 

Your Quick Guide to Recycled Timber Flooring

Wooden flooring is quite popular, and a lot of people are opting for it. There are different types of wooden flooring to choose from to design your house as per your requirements. It adds elegance and class to the entire house, and you can enjoy an awesome view with ease. Timber flooring has been a popular choice, but its durability and longevity have long been questioned. As the name says, recycled timber is the woods from old houses, barns, factories, warehouses, to name a few, that are treated and recycled using various methods and processes. 

They are comparatively stronger than the new timber wood as they have dried out completely and have been under various weather conditions. The best thing about using recycled timber is that they prevent the growth of molds because of the process they have gone through. 

Benefits Of Opting for Recycled Timber Flooring:

• Affordable- They are very affordable since they are recycled and used wood. It is great if you have a defined budget and want something different for your house. You can experiment with them as they are budget-friendly and is easy on your pocket. 

• Eco-friendly-They is eco-friendly; since you will be reusing the wood, it does not impact the forest, which is when you choose wooden flooring.   

• Good aesthetics- There is a certain beauty to recycled timber flooring from the usage, nail holes and age knots. They have a finer grain pattern that adds beauty to the entire flooring. 

• Strong and durable- As we mentioned in the beginning, apprehensions surround the durability and strength of the recycled timber, but the fact of the matter is that this wood is treated with chemicals, which enhances its durability. When you use the same wood for your place, you get the same strength and durability. 

• Vintage appeal: The vintage look you have always wanted for your home décor can now be easily found with recycled timber flooring with ease and not paying a hefty amount. You can get that antique style for your home and enjoy the view.

With the above advantages of using recycled timber, you are now aware that recycled timber is a good flooring option. With proper care and maintenance, you can increase the life of the flooring. But before that, you must choose a good supplier, who can provide quality products.

There are numerous companies and service providers that offer wooden flooring options. However, you need to make sure one thing that you pick the best company for the purpose. You can ask them about the type of floorings they offer, and to be specific, ask about recycled timber flooring so that you get what you are looking for. They will help you to get customized flooring options so that you have nothing to worry about. 

Wrapping it up!!!

Recycled timber flooring not only looks good, but it is also economical, which means you can save a lot of money in the process. Choosing a reputed company is important as you will get the best services with finished flooring that will help you get a nice and attractive looking floor. Since they are recycled wood, you might not get sizes easily available in the market. So, you should always get the flooring done by expert professionals so that there is no scope of error and flaw. Ensure that you discuss the same with your contractor and inquire whether they can provide the right supply of flooring material.  With these few tips and tricks, you can easily have the best flooring for your house and will love to see it. 

The True Benefits of Using Liquid Screed

If you are considering renovating your home’s flooring, perhaps you are already overwhelmed by the number of options you have. Nowadays, you will not only choose the type of floor finish, but you also need to think about the sub-floor and which type is most compatible with the flooring material you want.

For many years, the most convenient choice was a sand and cement mix. Unfortunately, this choice has many disadvantages. For instance, it is labour intensive because you will have to mix and apply the blend manually. If the area is large, it will take a significant amount of time to finish. Although you can buy sand and cement premixed or delivered in slabs, there are still many steps involved in the process.

Liquid screed: a better choice than sand and cement

A better alternative would be to use liquid screed. Contractors like liquidscreed.co.uk will deliver the mixture on-site and use a pump for the application. From contacting the supplier until the screed gets delivered and applied, the process is incredibly swift and hassle-free. Liquid screed is also DIY-friendly which means that you need not be an expert to handle the installation and curing.

Underfloor heating compatibility

Since energy-efficient heating systems are popular today, many homeowners are considering the addition of underfloor heating. As such, you need to find the right sub-floor material to produce the best results. Luckily, liquid screed is the perfect solution. Once you pour the screed mix, it coats the heating pipes and does not leave any spaces or bubbles. This characteristic is critical to ensure that the heating appliance performs optimally.

Quick-drying and easy to manipulate

Although liquid screed appears to contain a significant amount of moisture, it dries out pretty quickly compared to other cement mixes. Another excellent characteristic of this type of screeding material is how it can achieve evenness because it flows and coats every corner covering any lump or bump showing in the concrete base. Also, liquid screed does not shrink or curl when applied in the right thickness. As such, you get excellent value for money, and the final floor finish will be high-performing.

Essential considerations when choosing liquid screed

Indeed there are many benefits to using liquid screed over traditional sand and cement. However, there are also critical considerations you need to keep in mind, especially during the application and curing process. Miscalculations can lead to problems, especially when it comes to drying time.

Although the liquid screed layer is ready for floor installation after drying, you still need to prep the surface and check if the surface is free from laitance and other contaminants. There are also different methods of applying liquid screed such as bonded and unbonded. Choosing a method depends on the floor material you are using. Hence, it is vital to consult with an expert contractor during every stage of the construction process. You need to ensure that you are not only following the right steps but have also accounted for all the factors that could impact the floor’s overall performance and quality.

Factors To Consider While Choosing the Right Floor In A High- Rise

The population in cities is rising but the space to accommodate the growing number of the population remains limited. At this time, vertical living is becoming the norm for most cities in India. With the evolving needs of Indian home buyers, buying preferences are changingn and new parameters are added while finalizing the home. However, selecting the right floor becomes quite perplexing and many a time buyers are confused as to which floor is the best for home.

We were looking for an affordable residential complex in Joka but couldn’t decide on which floor should we buy the home. High or low, both have their own advantages and
disadvantages. So, we started weighing all the factors involved before settling in our
residential apartment in Pailan.

Here is a parallel comparison of living in the upper and lower floors:

1. Serenity:

If the residential tower is located close to a scenic place, the higher floors will offer a better view. Residing on top floors allows you to cherish an uninterrupted view of the city skyline.

Also, residing in higher floors minimize street noise and usual cacophony of the city and will provide you an exclusive lifestyle in serenity. It’s an empowering feeling to enjoy a hot cuppa overlooking an amazing view outside. If you want to feel ‘top of the world’ in your own home, go for top floors.

2. Security & privacy:

Ground floor apartments can pose a higher risk of criminal activity and break-ins than apartments on higher levels. In congested areas, living on the lower floors might not be safe.

But, if you live in a gated community, crime is less likely to occur as there will be on-site security equipment and personnel. If you wish to avoid unwanted intrusion, the higher floor is suitable for you.

3. Energy consumption:

Upper floors are generally flooded with ample sunlight and wind. This results in reduced usage of artificial lights. At the same time, abundant sunlight drenching your apartment will lead to heat rises. Eventually, the electricity bill in summer is higher on the upper floors as the residents are dependent mostly on air-conditioners. Lower floor units do not get much sunlight as they are flanked by tall buildings on their sides. Thus, ground floors become relatively cooler in summers and help you to cut down utility bills.

4. Accessibility:

In case of emergency evacuation living up high can prove to be a disadvantage. From lower apartments, it’s easy to quickly get in and out of the apartment, giving better access to parks, the swimming pool and clubhouse. Whether it’s bringing in the groceries or a new piece of furniture, owning homes in lower floors makes it a lot easier. For senior citizens, it’s better to own home on lower floors.

5. Rental Returns:

According to property surveys, lower floors command better rental returns, as Indians generally have an affinity for staying closer to the ground. If you are buying a home for investment purpose, better buy it on ground floors. Less utility bills and easy accessibility might be the reason for this preference.

Add Stair Runners at Home for Better Aesthetics

You might well consider the addition of stair runners if your home showcases a wooden staircase. This is by its literal terms means the carpeting for your stairs. You can bring about a dramatic improvement at your home as there are people who do not think about the addition of carpeting to your stairs.

image:www.floorspace.com.au

Factors for choosing stair runners

There are several reasons behind stair runners becoming a great addition to your home. The noise that comes from the creaky wooden stairs can be subdued with the help of these stair runners. While going up and down, they also make the stairs warmer and a further amount of traction is also provided. If stairs are dusty, wood tends to become quite slippery. You are less likely to slip and fall with the carpeting, which is there on the floor.

They act as protectors

These stair runners also protect the hardwood flooring. They can get on them the scuffmarks and scratches even when there are significant amount of traffic in there. You can also protect the area of the stairs that are usually used for walking as by using carpets they usually last longer.

Add of style

When it comes to the stairs, the stair runners allow the homeowners to add the beauty and elegance in them. Every homeowner can show their ideal personality as the runners comes in several different styles, colors and patterns. A stair runner can be used to cover a single area in the middle while also allowing some of the floor to be visible instead of covering the complete staircase. While protecting them to add style you can still showcase the hardwood stairs.

The installation of the stair runner is an easy thing that can be done by anyone. They are even more challenging when it comes to the winding staircases. You can also take in the instructions from the experts and hire professionals who can do the job for you.

You can get hold of the stair runners even in the carpeting stores. There are carpeting stores that would allow you to get hold of a piece of carpeting as they will cut them and bind it for you as they can well be purchased from a store.

To know the measurement that is required for a stair runner you can have the professionals decide this for you. This is also important if there is winding staircase in your home. The professionals would most likely install them after coming to your home for the measurements and install the runner once it is ready. It is simply money that is well-spent when you add a stair runner to the staircase of your home. To make sure that they last long in the years to come you can also add up to the luxury, safety as well as the protection of your stairs. These runners are not completely rare that you will not get a hands on them, they can be easily bought from the stores both online and locale.