Home Flooring Upgrade – Refinish Or Replace?

Wood flooring has certainly advanced since the floors we had in our homes when we were children. The technology used in today’s flooring manufacturing eliminates the required waxing. Neither do we always need the expertise of floor installation professionals. Pre-finished products we have today also eliminate the old process of labor intensive sanding and finishing so DIY flooring projects are not out of the ordinary.

Back in the day, red oak was the typical selection for interior flooring. Present day flooring shoppers have many options for texture and color. It can be a difficult task selecting the right floor match that will mesh with the interior of your home. You should spend plenty of time researching the types and colors with online vendors or by visiting a local home improvement or supply store.

Once you have purchased your flooring you should always allow it time to get used to the room’s humidity by leaving it stacked in the room for a few days.

The wood will expand when it is exposed to the moisture. The edges of the room needs room for the wood to expand so you should leave a half inch gap when laying the floor. You can always cover the gap with some type of molding.

DIY doesn’t mean without direction so you should always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Your floors may not look professional if you fail to properly install. Today’s flooring is micro-beveled in the factory so spacing isn’t an issue for summertime expansion.

Due to scratches or traffic wear you may be considering new wood flooring. If this is the case, you may want to consider refinishing the floors you have now, which will be an economical solution.

Start by removing all contents in the room that touch the floor. By keeping windows and doors shut you will reduce excessive dust. You should allow 3-5 days for sanding and refinishing before moving furniture and other items back into the room.

If you’re simply looking to enhance the appearance of the floors in your home, you should take a look at laminate flooring. The appearance looks like wood and requires minimal maintenance.Laminate is also resistant to stains and scratches caused by children and pets. It’s a snap to lay with a tongue and groove interlocking system.

Technology is widely used today in producing refinishing and flooring products. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore all options before purchasing.Floor products are substantially easier to use now. By properly researching your options and following directions, your final product will be something you can truly be proud of.

Visit World Floors Direct for more information on new flooring products and tips on installing bamboo, wood and cork flooring.

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Replace A Cracked Floor Tile Easily

Somehow one of the tiles on your bathroom floor cracked. Luckily its a standard issue so finding a replacement wont be a problem. Sometimes hardware stores have a collection of random ones out back so be sure to ask if needed.

Ready to work? Your preparation should be as follows: wear goggles, have gloves (rubber and work) available, and apply painters or other heavy duty tape along the contours of the adjoining tiles to keep them protected.

Steps:

Using a carbide-tipped scoring tool grate the grout along the edges of the broken tile. Be careful not to apply too much pressure which may result in you breaking the neighboring tile.

Make the tile easier to chisel out: Using a nailset strike the tile in the middle or drill evenly spaced wholes in the broken tile. NOTE: careful not to perforate the foundation level too much. Its also good to have a vacuum handy to quickly dispense of small debris.

Remove the tile: Remember, youre not mining for gold. Banging lightly with a hammer, chisel out the broken tile until the space is clear. You can use a putty knife and brush or other small tools to aid you. If youre finding its not coming out as easy as you would like there may be an adhesive holding it in, which is normal. It will just take a bit more time.

Test the new tile: Placing it in the whole is anything obstructing a perfect fit causing it not to be level with the surrounding tiles? If so keep cleaning it out.

Adhesive: With a putty knife spread an adhesive on the bottom of the tile keeping some distance from the edge so it doesnt fill the gout crevices.

Placement: place the tile with adhesive in the hole wiggling it around a little, which helps spread the adhesive. Give it a little whack on top and make sure its even on all sides. Wait for it to dry, if necessary up to 24 hours.

Mixing gout: Mix it according to the directions and wearing rubber gloves push it into the crevices. You can use a piece of rubber of other semi-soft object to help you push it in. After it hardens for 15 minutes the excess can be cleaned up with a damp sponge.

Last step: give yourself a pat on the back

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com where you can find more information about tile instillation.

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Kitchen Cabinets Repainting Or Replace

If the kitchen cabinets are looking a little spotty, it may be time to consider redrafting. The question is, will they repaint or replace? If the budget for home repairs only allows you to paint, the choice is already made. However, if you have the option to do one or the other, the following list will help you make the decision on which option is best for you. Kitchen Cabinets – Solid Surfaces Before committing to the replacement of kitchen cabinets , evaluate them first. If the wood or metal is weak, or parties to do so may be harder to look good with just a simple paint job. However, if the cabinets are in good condition, but the painting aesthetically unappealing, it can be a cheaper option. The wood cabinets with a smooth front can be molded easily added to the doors to change the appearance. If the doors are cut so that the original design cannot be altered, you should keep in mind that even with a paint job, you still have the same look you’re trying to change outdated.

The cabinets can be modified and are in good condition and in sound condition are the best surfaces for repainting.

Time and Space Needed to Paint Kitchen Cabinets. Repainting the kitchen cabinets is not a short and easy process. Old paint should be removed, the furniture must be sanded, a sealer should be applied and then two coats of paint to go to the next. If you do not have the tools necessary to complete the work and space is limited, repainting cabinets can become a huge nightmare. The amount of time needed to complete the work must also be taken into account. The job requires more than a weekend to allow adequate time for drying and paint adhesion. If you speed up the process, the cabinets do not go as expected and will not be satisfied with the look of your kitchen is. The most important factor when deciding whether to repaint or Replace Kitchen Cabinets. The most important factor when deciding whether to paint or replace the kitchen cabinets, is the cost of kitchen cabinets. Although the painting is more time for you, is much less expensive than replacing the kitchen cabinets. A couple of cans of high quality paint, sealant, a hand sander and a little time and patience can make a few attractive kitchen cabinets an integral part of a beautifully designed kitchen.

Replacing the cabinets is much more expensive and often requires the help of a professional contractor. The benefit of replacing them is that if the boxes are constructed of materials broken or weak or of poor quality, the new cabinets will last much longer and look better in the long term. If you decide to replace the cabinets, go with a reputable contractor and get written estimates before you start. Note that if the boxes are being replaced with full kitchen will not be available for use during the duration of the remodel. If they are painted, you will still be able to cook on a limited scale. The kitchen remodeling is one of the most important steps homeowners can take to increase the value of your home. Deciding whether to paint or change is one of the first steps in this remodeling. Remember that if you want to change the design of the kitchen, a remodel is really the only option. Analyze the pros and cons of each option before choosing to work best for your home and your lifestyle.

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