Megablab Home Improvement

Archive for the ‘Flooring’ Category

You’re remodeling the bathroom and have dreams of adding some spa like comforts. A garden tub with pulsating jets, luxurious tile and comfortable fixtures come to mind. And maybe even a heated floor. Lots of people are considering radiant-heated floors because of that extra level of spa-like comfort. Before you make a decision about a heated floor, you should know some of the pros and cons of these types of heating systems. Here’s a brief run down on the main types of systems and the pros and cons for using this type of heating system. Of course, your local HVAC professional will have more detailed information.

Heating Floor Systems: Which to Choose?

There are two main types of radiant-heated floors. The first is electric, which provides heat through electrically heated coils. The second is hydronic, which provides heat through water-filled tubes. The tubes can be heated in a variety of ways using solar power, oil, gas or kerosene. Not sure which to choose? Ask your local HVAC professional for their advice. Read the rest of this entry »

Flooring professionals are always looking to source flooring to their commercial and residential clients that will stand as being both visually attractive as well as long-lasting. Homeowners are looking for these benefits too, but many people are becoming more and more aware of the issues of renewability and the protection of the environment. This awareness has caused many people to seek alternate sources of flooring materials that will still serve the needs of look and practicality, but with the added benefit of sustainability of natural resources. One of the most popular choices for these reasons remains to be bamboo flooring. Bamboo is noted for hardness, beauty, variety, and its “green” friendly nature. But, how exactly is it made, how many types are there, and just what makes it so renewable anyway?

Bamboo Is A Type of Grass

A common error some make about bamboo is that it is a type of hardwood. Not to be confused with common associations of many species of grass, bamboo is actually a type of grass which matures into a material that can rival the hardness of maple! Read the rest of this entry »

The right kitchen flooring can not only make your life easier, but it has the ability to set the mood for the entire room. The three main factors to consider when deciding on the type of flooring for your kitchen are durability, use, and style. We’ll start by taking a closer look at some of the most popular choices in kitchen flooring.

Hardwood Flooring

With its warmth and inviting tone, hardwood flooring creates a traditional feeling in any kitchen. Hardwood floors are known for their beauty and prestige and are sturdy surfaces that are easy to clean. One of the most popular types of hardwood floors is oak which is neutral in color and very durable. Other popular types of wood used for flooring are ash, cherry and walnut. Read the rest of this entry »

Your basement flooring options are not really any different from the flooring options elsewhere in your home. Everything from ceramics to hardwood, all are possible choices for your basement floor.

What Role Does Your Basement Play in Your Home?
That’s the first question that needs to be answered before deciding on your best basement flooring option.

A Place for Your Things
If your basement is used mostly for storage, and not for additional living space, then a few good coats of paint will give you a good looking and easy to clean floor. If you want to use your imagination, use tape or masks and create patterns in the floor. In any case, painting is probably the least expensive flooring options and, if you don’t like the results, simply paint it again! Read the rest of this entry »

You can use all the carpet cleaning tips in the world, and guess what? You still probably can’t get your carpet as clean on your own as a professional carpet cleaner can. On the other hand, who needs perfection? The tips here will help you get that carpet clean enough.

Heat helps! Above 118 degrees fahrenheit, every 18 degrees higher changes chemical reactivity by 100%. Hot water extraction cleaning is done between 150 and 200 degrees. Is that too technical? The point is not only that hot water extraction, or “steam cleaning” is far superior to “dry cleaning,” but that if you do it yourself, use heat!

Actually, there are three inter-related factors at work when you clean carpet. Heat, Dwell Time, and Agitation. To some extent, if you can’t maximise one of them, Read the rest of this entry »

Laminate flooring gives your floor that overall look of wood that can be enjoyed for years to come. The best thing about laminate flooring is the ease in care that you have when you have it in your home. Laminate flooring is one that will look like wood, and that will feel like wood but often times is a bi product of wood. Real wood will require waxing and cleaning every year to keep the floor shiny. Real wood flooring is going to be sanded down and varnished again as the shine is worn off the flooring. Laminate flooring is going to require no waxing, no sanding and the wear and tear on the flooring is something that is not going to happen in the manner that the coating on other wood flooring will have.

Laminate flooring can be cared for by using a dry dust mop on the floor for every day cleaning. During those times when you feel that you need a good deeper clean, you can use a wet mop, one that is not really all that wet, to clean up sticky messes or to clean up mud from the floor. Read the rest of this entry »

Read how area rugs can break completely the look of any room into your house. However, how to choose the perfect rug that more fits with your home decoration? Keep in mind that area rugs can start as well as finish off the fashion of your living room, bedroom, entrance, kitchen and even your patio deck style. You must reach a decision on the most suitable rug that complements the overall environment scheme and color for a room. Area rugs come in many different color schemes, basically there are 2 or 3 to work with. Choose the one that more fits with your desired decoration.

The Importance Of The Furniture

The kind of furniture in the room is also very important when choosing an area rug. Most people that want to compliment any room of their houses with a rug, know what are looking for before start. For example, if your room features dark wood furniture, probably your best choice might be darker colors in the mood of the area rug. No matter what pattern you have chosen, you will be totally surprised on how the feeling of the room has changed. Anyhow, there exist a wide range of colors, patterns and sizes that reflect all possible styles for enhancing your home. Just choose the correct one and your house will seem totally different. Read the rest of this entry »

With the invention of Carpet, the invention of a Carpet cleaning machine was not far away. The first hand held Carpet cleaning machine was designed and tested in the 1860’s in Chicago, while the first power operated vacuum machine was invented in the early 1900’s by an English man named H. Cecil Booth.

At around the same time as H. Cecil Booth’s invention, a man by the name of James Murray Spangler came up with his own vacuum cleaner invention, which he later sold to his cousin Hoover. As you well know, Hoover has become one of the most prominent names in the vacuum cleaning machine business and is certain one of the most popular household names in the western world. Read the rest of this entry »

If you haven’t considered bamboo blinds as a classy addition to your home, read on! You will discover some of the many benefits of bamboo blinds.

These blinds are economical, naturally elegant, and smart- looking. As home-makers lean more and more towards a contemporary and natural appearance, bamboo blinds have become very popular recently.

Bamboo blinds are an inexpensive way to dress up your room in various shades of wood. And they add a warm texture and depth to your room. The basic color of bamboo is enhances and complements the color of curtains and furniture to give the room a naturally trendy look. Woven bamboo blinds make a particularly distinctive addition to the traditional house and give a stylistic flavor to modern houses. They also become a practical solution for light control from doors and windows that let sunshine in throughout the day. Read the rest of this entry »

Wood flooring is beautiful and increases the value of your home. They continue to be loved more than stone flooring or slate flooring. Wood has depth and warmth that looks great and gives your home a warm feeling.

A variety of choices are available in both hard woods and other wood types. The type of wood you will choose depends on your personal preference and the décor of your home. Wood is suitable for nearly every room in your home. It may not be best in kitchens and bathrooms due to the amount of moisture found in these areas. Read the rest of this entry »