E-Materials » Flooring Materials

Sealing a Slate Floor

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:23:43 +0000

There is one simple answer to this question. It will not hurt your slate flooring if you seal it. In fact it will only make it stronger and less susceptible to future damages. The best time to seal slate floor tiles is before you install them, but it is still okay to seal them after installation, in fact it’s a very common process. The following article has been designed to answer any questions you might have about the sealing process.

The first thing to ask yourself is if you want your floor to have a shiny of natural finish. If shiny is what you are looking for than proceed to seal. If you want the floor to continue having an aged and natural look than I wouldn’t suggest sealing. It is not a must, and your floor will still continue to be beautiful.

Secondly, try to avoid high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds when applying your sealant. VOCs are present in nature but they can be harmful and toxic if you are working in a closed off area. Be sure to open the windows and get fresh air often. I would recommend using a water-based polyurethane sealer. They’re low in VOCs, dry quickly and can be cleaned up with warm water.

If you’ve already installed your floor than be sure to clean all the tiles and let them dry before adding any sealant. Also fix any mortar or grout problems, and let them dry before beginning the process. This can sometimes take three to four days to dry. Once everything is dried and clean, you can proceed to seal the tiles. For the best results follow the grains of the tile when applying the sealant. Let the first coat dry for a few hours before starting the second coat. Once the second coat is finished and dry you should be all set to walk on the floor and return the furniture.

If you are installing and sealing a slate floor then I would recommend coating the Slate Tiles with one coat of sealant before setting them in the mortar. You can simply let them dry and install them just as you would if they were new. I would wait for the mortar to dry after the tiles have been set in place. Once that is finished drying then you will be all set to grout the tiles. To improve the water resistance of the floor and strengthen the bond between the tiles and the grout, mix some sealant with the grout instead of water.

Once the tile has been set and grouted you must clean the surface very well. I would suggest cleaning the tiles at least two different times, before adding a second coat of sealant. Once the slate tile flooring is ready to be sealed follow the same instructions you would if you were sealing an installed floor.

For more tips about floors please visit www.floors-web.com

We’ll help you make the right choice.

Thing to Think About When It Comes Carpet For Stairs

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:42:57 +0000

When it comes to carpet for stairs there are a few key issues that you should consider before you make your decision on what type of stair carpet treads you are going to purchase. Overall, carpeting for your home and stairs can be very expensive, so it’s important to make a good decision up front–otherwise you will end up staring at carpet you don’t like for years to come.

First, when it comes to carpeting on your stairs, remember that you will always look at your stair carpet in a very different way than you will the other carpets in your home. All the other carpets in your home you will see from above only as you look down, thus it is very easy to ignore many of the flaws, stains, and other issues in these areas. However, you are naturally forced to look at stairs from all angles–you will look at your stair carpeting from above, from below, and from eye level. This fact will (or at least should) affect your decision on what type of carpet to install.

Mainly, you need to remember that carpeting will look different while it is curved over the stairs than it does when it is laid down flat on the floor. Essentially, what you need to notice the most is how much of the stair carpet treading you can see while it is bent/curved as some carpets will show the backing much more than other carpets. Make sure you find a good stair carpet that does not shoe the backing.

Second, because the stairs are at or above eye level, you may notice stains and other carpet problems much more readily on your stairs than you otherwise would with floor stains and problems. So, if you have a very nice staircase that many people will see and use, you may want to consider purchasing a higher quality of carpet for your stairs so that it lasts longer and looks nicer.

About Cork Flooring

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:56:46 +0000

It was a time when I considered cork the material that kept my wine safe in the bottle, but today I am looking at it in a new light.

Cork flooring is really the floor covering of the future. All I can find are qualities!

Cork is natural and ecological, good looking, warm, water resistant and easy to clean. It has excellent acoustic properties and it is comfortable. It is also very durable, hypo-allergenic and anti-static. It truly is a material with unbeatable qualities.

Cork used for flooring, is made from cork collected from oak trees, that grow mostly in Mediterranean countries. One of the largest producer of cork is Portugal. The collected cells are turned into a pulp that is mixed with natural resins with binding properties. Then, blocks are formed and stabilized in rooms where excess humidity is removed (just like wood). The blocks are then easily cut into tiles, or segments to make floors.

This process can vary a little from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some might use colorant in the process others will keep the natural coloring of cork. However even when no coloring is added you will find different colors resulting from the stabilization process.

Cork tiles used for flooring come in a great variety of colors and effect, all of them are naturally obtained during the manufacturing process without chemical additions. You can view samples of Cork tiles, on the sites of online manufacturers of cork flooring.

In addition to the qualities already mentioned, you cannot ignite cork, and it
does not burn well, giving you one more added protection.

Care of cork flooring is very easy. A vacuum cleaner and once in a while a wet sponge light wash are all that is needed. Even spots from a variety of causes are removed easily, wine spills, scuff marks, do not damage your floor permanently. The only precaution would be to avoid strong direct sunlight.

Installation is not very difficult and can be done by any handy person.

Call Up The Karastan Carpet Dealers!

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:38:44 +0000

When you decide to get new karastan carpet, it’s important to make sure that you get it from a quality source. It’s an expensive purchase, and there’s nothing worse than putting in new carpets, only to find that a year later they are hopelessly stained, looking dull, and wearing thin in high traffic areas.

When you are looking into carpeting options, why not consider Karastan carpet for your home? Karastan has made a great name for itself over the years due to products that are not just beautiful but well made and durable.

Their carpets are made very well– instead of being tufted, they are woven, and this will increase their life span. You can expect a woven carpet to last double the time as tufted carpets will, so it’s worth the added expense. You will also find that Karastan products are particularly stain resistant, soft, and easy to maintain, so you don’t have to clean them as often.

Read reviews before making your decision, but you will find that most customers are more than thrilled with their purchase and would buy again and again. It’s always good to know that you are going with a company that other people are satisfied with and would recommend to use.

You can find Karastan carpet dealers in your area relatively easily. A few phone calls should help you identify the one closes to you so that you don’t have to travel too far to make your selection.

Before going, take note of the rooms that you are thinking of having carpeted, and figure out what you want to do with them in terms of color. Carpeting can really change the tone of a room, so think about if you want the carpet to stand out or be a background to the rest of your furniture and make your selection accordingly.

Sparkling Up Your Garage With An Epoxy Garage Floor

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:13:12 +0000

After organizing the shelves, finding places for all the tools, and putting in some nice lighting, what else is left to do to your garage but putting in an epoxy garage floor to make the foundation shine and gleam? Epoxy is an amazingly flexible thermosetting polymer based on the reaction between a hardener and a resin to create a material with many different applications. It can be used as an adhesive with either flexible or inflexible qualities, as exceptionally durable molds or fixtures, and even as various parts for intricate computer circuits. But the most valuable use for epoxy in your garage is to use it as a coating on your floor, for various reasons from protecting the floor from gas, oil and other chemical spills to beautifying the space. Two-part epoxy coatings are extremely safe when used properly, and have many advantages over other coatings or leaving your garage floor entirely uncoated. Epoxy dries quickly, so that the disruption to your ordinary parking habits is minimal, and the resulting coating is resistance to UV, abrasions, and other forms of damage. And it wipes off extremely easily, just like a countertop, making the dreaded task of cleaning your garage much less dreadful! Besides all the protective benefits, epoxy also gives the floor of your garage a certain aesthetic boost as well. Epoxy can offer a shine as professional and sleek as that of any mall, office, or car store. In fact, it can even smooth over blemishes in the original floor, making them less noticeable. Epoxy is extremely cheap as far as high-quality coating materials go, and can be bought for about the same money that you would spend on a delivered pizza. So if you’re having trouble figuring out the right final touches to make your garage perfect, give epoxy some thought. It can do wonders for your garage floor. Visit epoxy garage floor and gps car tracking for more information.

Updating Your Garage with an Epoxy Garage Floor Covering and New Storage Units

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:53:00 +0000

For most people, the garage is one of the last rooms in the house to get a make-over. This is the reason that so many people are living with garages that contain cracked floors, inadequate storage and that are generally unwelcoming spaces. Whether you are someone who just uses your garage as a place to park your car or you are someone who spends a great deal of time in the garage working, giving this space a facelift will make you more comfortable during the time that you spend there and increase the value of your home. There is no need to invest a great deal of money in garage restoration. In just a few easy steps, your garage will look like new.

One thing that many overlook in terms of garage maintenance is the state of the floor. Garage floors typically receive a lot of abuse, and must hold up against the weight of a car, and all the detritus that is tracked in with the tires. An epoxy garage floor covering is a great way to make your garage floor better than new, without investing a lot of time or money. These coverings are designed to be “painted” over your existing floor, covering it with a waterproof, stain resistant synthetic coating. Epoxy kits for self-installation are available through a number of companies and they will give any floor, regardless of its age, a showroom look. Epoxy garage floor covering is available in clear or tinted finishes, so it is easy to find a kit that will match the existing color scheme and furniture in your garage.

If space is at a premium in your garage, consider installing garage wall storage systems. Most of these systems are incredibly customizable, so you can find one that will accommodate perfectly all the tools and cables that you kept in your garage. Garage wall storage systems will allow those with the messiest of garages to bring some order, and create a place where they are happy to work. Garage storage systems can be purchased in hardware stores and online, and their cost will depend on the amount of storage that you require. Most of these systems are designed to be easy to install, so there is no need to bring in an outside contractor.

For those who feel their garage is an eyesore, investing a little time and money in an epoxy floor covering and new storage system will make a huge difference.

Epoxy Garage Floors For Style And Durability

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:04:45 +0000

For years, garages have been havens for do-it-yourselfers and housewives alike. They provide a weather-protected location to complete everything from laundry to engine repair. The only downside of the garage is the mess that all those projects can leave behind. Spilled dyes, oils, and adhesive products can cause your garage floor to be an eyesore and a burden to care for – this is definitely not where your focus needs to be when you’ve completed that project which has taken so much hard work. Now there is an option, which is simple to apply, that can make your garage floor the perfect companion to all your tools and appliances – Epoxy Garage Floors. Epoxy floor coatings allow you to improve the look and durability of your garage floor without a high price. They can be applied professionally or can be a weekend project for the do-it-yourselfer. The steps of coating a garage floor with epoxy are fairly simple. They include removal of all non-permanent appliances, tables, and tools; masking of all areas which will not receive epoxy; application of an etching product; application of epoxy; if desired, addition of a texture or color; and application of a top coat. If you decide to complete this project on your own, always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions when preparing, applying, and drying epoxy coatings for best results. Once your coating has been applied and dries, your floor will clean easily, repel stains, and protect your concrete from wear. The smooth surface will allow rolling machinery and tool cases to be relocated with ease. The cured epoxy coating will resist fading and abrasion. Imagine the possibilities these coatings can bring – a cleaner, safer, and longer-lasting garage floor. Epoxy coatings are made to last. With proper care by adding a top coat every one to two years and an occasional wax coat, your concrete floor will endure indefinitely. Epoxy garage floors are a great investment for your home. Visit epoxy garage flooring and gps tracking systems for cars for more information.

Cheap Flooring for Halls and Entrances

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:42:46 +0000

The hall should be one of the most welcoming places in your home. After all the hall and entrance are the firsts part of your home that your visitors (and you) see. But the hall is also one of the places where flooring suffers the most from dirt and wear. So you need some kind of flooring which will withstand a lot of foot traffic and which can be easily cleaned.

The Romans had the right idea with their mosaic tiles. The mosaic floors looked beautiful, were extremely hard wearing and yet they could be easily cleaned. Other ancient civilizations used marble which was equally effective and looked especially majestic in public buildings with wall to wall marble. These days you can buy marble flooring material for halls in the form of tiles but it is very expensive and only for you if you have a large budget. This makes it more likely to be found in top public buildings and corporate headquarters than the average home.

Other effective flooring materials for halls are wood and laminate wood flooring with laminate having the edge as it is more resistant to the water which might be brought in from shoes and wet umbrellas. Quality laminate (which would be required to give a hard wearing surface) and solid hardwood are not cheap when it comes to flooring either however so these may be beyond a limited budget too.

There is one solution to flooring you hall which does not cost the earth.

If you are looking for cheap flooring for your hall which is also attractive take a look at vinyl tiles. If you lay alternate black and white tiles in a checkerboard pattern you will have a very attractive floor which is hard wearing and easy to keep clean. Alternatively use vinyl tiles all in one color and then brighten up your floor with an entrance runner or mat.