May 17, 2008
Flor Carpet Tiles
Carpet tiles are a new and exciting way to design your floors in anyway you want. This do it yourself home improvement project is fun, easy and best of all portable. Flor carpet tiles allow you to have wall to wall carpeting or an area rug to any size specification that you want.
The disney collections are ideal choice for area rugs in childrens bedrooms and even teenagers. The Martha Stewart designs are very upscale for the living room, dining room and as a kitchen rug.
View all flor carpet tiles here including disney and Martha Stewart flooring designs.
Think of this type of modular flooring to be a build your own area rug or wall to wall carpeting. It is an ideal choice for renters that would like to have nice carpeting or area rugs and want to take them with them. It is sort of like a floating floor, the same as a laminate floor would be, just easier to put together. You can use this type of carpeting easily in a store, office or apartment where you might want the versatility to take it with you when you move.
FLOR is our choice because it is easy to install, and recently made even easier with what they call easy dots. These are one-sided adhesives that you place underneath adjacent carpet tiles, fasten the tiles to each other instead of to the floor. Easy Dots can hold together even the largest area rugs.
When it comes time to cleaning underneath the rug, replace a tile or disassemble a rug to move it to another room, Easy Dots™ make the job quick and simple. It also makes FLOR wall-to-wall easier than ever to put down. Install anywhere that is covered and dry with a smooth surface (if used on cement, the floor must be sealed with a non-solvent based sealant). You can get more details on our main site at flor carpet
tiles here.
January 02, 2007
Friendly flooring for the kitchen
With the new year underway many people are thinking about remodeling or renovating their kitchens. The normal place to start is looking at the cabinets and then the flooring. But because replacing you kitchen cabinets is a more costly project to undertake we are starting the with flooring.
There are three flooring choices that were gaining popularity at the end of 2006 and will be becoming a standard for new homes in 2007, namely Linoleum, cork and bamboo flooring.
Linoleum flooring for the kitchen is not what we used to call vinyl floor tiles, the two products are only similar in that they are both easy to install and easy to maintain and clean after that they are very different. Vinyl usually purchased as tiles is a plastic product with enviromentally unfriendly chemicals in them like chlorine and plasticizers. Lino on the other hand is a mixture of wood fibers, cork, plant resins, powdered limestons and linseed oil on a backing of jute.
Back in the day you could only buy linoleum in a few colors, not many patterns and it had a tendency to crack or curl with age. New manufacturing standards and higher quality products have taken care of this. You can now buy your favorite colors in reds, greens, blues and with a blend of shades in between to use with very decorative patterns. If this type of flooring is installed properly it will last you upwords of 20 years if cared for and cleanded properly. The nice part about lino that vinyl doesn't have is that the color goes right throught the sheet so that if it scratches or someone puts a gouge in it from moving something it doesn't show up very well. Vinyl the color is only on the surface so scratches on this type of flooring stands out. To fix a deep mark in a linoleum floor you can simply fill it in with a colored wood glue. Read more aboutsheet vinyl and linoleum floors here.
Bamboo is more eviromentally friendly than wood planks made of oak, because it is more like a grass and only takes 6 years to mature and is easier to grow back. This exotic looking floor is a fovorite in new kitchens. How they get bamboo flooring to look like real wood is throught the manufacturing process. Narrow strips are cut and then glued to a tongue and grove strips or planking that then shows grain lines as if you where looking at a piece of hardwood. This type of flooring is as hard and durable as maple or oak floors but is less likely to shrink in humid climates. To read more information about natural bamboo flooring go here.
The number one choice for quality has to be cork flooring, it is a soft material made from shredded bark of cork trees. It is available in tiles or boards. The pattern options are vareried so you don't have to have the standard cork board looking floor, although it looks really cool when finished. This type of flooring is strong enough for family traffic and has a very soft feel to it when walked on. For more information about natural cork flooring here. Other home flooring ideas can be found on this page.
Posted on 08:13 PM | Details | Comments (0)November 30, 2006
Buy Vinyl Floor Coverings
If you’re building a new home, or renovating your old one, you’ll need to think about what type of floor covering you want to use. One good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms is vinyl floor coverings. A vinyl floor covering is extremely functional and will last for a long time are great if you have children that can often be hard on floors.
Vinyl is a great material to use in floor coverings because it is functional, durable, easy to install, and comes in many different styles and designs. In fact, you can by vinyl in any type of color and design that you can envision. You may want to consider using Living Room area rugs but these can be more costly to buy and again, if you have children, won’t last long under hard wear and tear.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in your flooring needs from local stores search online stores that carry a unique line of flooring. Many times you can order a catalogue so that you can take it along to flooring stores to make some comparisons or to buy something of a similar style. The one thing that you want to keep in mind is that once you install your vinyl floor that you won’t want to make another flooring change for quite some time. This is why it’s important that you make the right decision the first time around. The same can be said about any area rugs that you buy.
Posted on 09:05 PM | Details | Comments (1)November 21, 2006
Laminate wood flooring for bedroom
Should you change the carpeting in a room and install a laminate wood floor?
If you suffer from allergies, yes you should take out the carpets in your home and install new laminate wood flooring. Carpets and rugs are the worst thing on a floor for allergy suffers. All they do is collect dirt and dust, even if they are vacuumed properly. One easy way to tell is look underneath the underlay and see how much dust and sand has collected there even if you clean all the time. Vacuum cleaners just cannot get dirt from that far down.
Even tile and linoleum flooring is a better choice than carpeting. If this would be your first home flooring project start with a small room like a bedroom and see how it goes. Installing laminate wood floors is one of the easiest home handyman jobs to tackle for the first time.
Start by moving everything out of the room and then ripping out the carpets and underlay. Now you will see why people have allergies because of dust and dirt.
Find a good flooring book that shows you how to install hardwood or laminate floor planks with easy step by step instructions.
Now after your new floor is installed you may want to add an area rug by the bed so that it is not too cold on the feet in the morning. These types of rugs come in all shapes and sizes. Contemporary to modern designs. Play rugs for children to keep them active and entertained in their bedrooms to natural fiber rugs.
When you think of the other options for redecorating a room, the decorative area rug, for what it brings to a room, is a very inexpensive route to go. They look great and can give you the colors you desire so easily. You can use them in the living room, dining room, porch, sitting areas, bedrooms and just about any other room.
Review and compare other flooring choices for different rooms from this page about selecting flooring.
- Vertical woven bamboo comes in a two pre-finished colors honey oak and a more of a coffee colored wide plank.
- Cork flooring is a durable non slip flooring material that resists water and other types of liquids which makes it an ideal choice for the kitchen or bathroom floors.
- The real beauty of installing laminate wood flooring is that it looks like real hardwood when you are finished.
- decorating a teenagers bedroom.
- Ceramic floor Tiles - Of all the flooring materials a ceramic tile floor will last the longest. It is a little harder to install and takes more floor preparation and planning.
- Linoleum or Sheet vinyl is beneficial if have large floor areas like play rooms or rooms like the laundry room where water may end up on the floor.
You will discover that you can find a decorative area rug that will suit any décor. For example, if you like the contemporary look, traditional, classic, modern, Persian or oriental, children themes and more. Compare a few different ones before you buy. If you are planning to place the rug on hardwood or linoleum, don’t forget to check out the pads as well. You are sure to be very pleased with the variety and prices you will find online.
July 08, 2006
Transition Rugs
European rugs blend in well with your home furnishings because they have simple geometric patterns, almost hidden within the weave. With muted accents, soft shades and earth tones these visual characteristics of a European area rug a very elegant and sophisticated decorating theme. One such rug is hand-woven at home in the Tibetan Plateau, Safavieh's High Touch Tibetan carpets feature the finest hand spun wool area rug.
- - large selection with free shipping on sisal, bamboo, jute and seagrass area rugs
For centuries these Persian rugs have been made from natural wool offering durability and unique traditional styling. Many carpet designs are available based upon customary designs. In recent years Tibetan rugs have become more popular, with many new compositions that have been crafted with more modern artistic European designs.
July 04, 2006
Stair Runners
Many people will use rug stair runners to cover up a worn carpet or other flooring. Rug stair runners can also be used to prevent wear on the stairs, which are often a high traffic area.
The stair runners are also an excellent way to add color, pizzaz, or accents to an otherwise pretty boring area. In many cases you can also get a matching area rug to place at the bottom or top of the stairwell. This can also enhance the whole décor of the household. These rugs are very durable and you will want to ensure that you read the measuring instructions before you confirm the order. Each company may have their own set of measurement guidelines. You will want it to be custom fit perfectly.
Another common reason many people choose them it to cover up a worn area of carpet of other flooring. Or to prevent wear & tear on these areas because they are high traffic areas, whether that is in your home in a hallway, or in a commercial building.
One of the important things to remember once you’ve found the rug runner to suit the area you have in mind, is to ensure you have it attached properly or that a pad is put underneath to prevent sliding or slipping. Take your time to find the right length too, which is usually custom cut to fit perfectly.
Posted on 09:59 PM | Details | Comments (0)June 19, 2006
Kartasan Area Rugs
For some of us, we have heard of Karastan rugs already as they have become a popular choice with interior designers. They have been manufacturing rug/runners for quite a while and definitely have a good quality item. As far as the selection goes though, you may want to check out the original designs along with new classics of the karastan rugs, but also we would recommend that you compare or evaluate a few of the other manufacturers or companies as well. It is always a good idea to check two or three to ensure a good quality product along with comparable prices.
As you may already know, this company has been manufacturing the Karastan rugs since 1928. Today, they are recognized in the world of carpets and offer styles like the Lascaux collection, the Originals, Persian Treasures, Royal Court, Samovar, Sisalwood, Williamsburg, Mahira Sunwash, Persian Renaissance, Antique Legends, Loft Collection, Palazzo, English Manor and more. Take a few minutes to shop through the Internet for the best one to suit your home.
June 03, 2006
Making Good Flooring Choices
Flooring makes a huge impact in any room. Choose dark flooring and your room will instantly look more dramatic. Choose colors too dark, though, and your room will look smaller. If you choose wood flooring, you can add warmth and beauty to any room.
Wood Flooring: The Choice of Beavers?
There are many types of flooring available to homeowners today, and most have their advantages as well as their drawbacks. Real wood flooring, for example, is often prized for its beauty and its old-fashioned charm. Many people consider real wood flooring healthier, as well. However, this type of flooring can be very expensive to install and maintain. Wood is also a soft flooring and can scratch. If you want to enjoy the beauty of
Real wood flooring in your home, you may want to install it in bedrooms and living rooms and keep high-traffic areas of your home covered by rugs to protect the floor. If you have small children or lots of traffic in your house, laminate flooring can be a good choice. It has the soft glow of wood but is much more durable and is especially designed to be easy to clean.
Is Tile and Lino Still 1950s?
Even homeowners who love wood flooring don’t always want to put it everywhere in their house. For high-traffic areas and for places like the kitchen and bathroom, there are a number of synthetic options that look great and take wear well. Ceramic tile is often used in bathrooms, for example, because it does not soak up water the way that wood can. Ceramic tile is tough and very easy to clean, making it possible to keep your bathroom completely hygienic. With time, however, it will crack. Some homeowners prefer linoleum, or lino, which is plastic and just as easy to clean as tile. Lino is perfect for floors and is very inexpensive, making it easy to replace. Unfortunately, lino may yellow or curl, especially if a cheaper lino is installed or if the flooring is not installed properly.
May 29, 2006
Decorative Area Rugs
People like area rugs because as a floor covering they are so easy to buy. It doesn't matter what style of furniture you have you can always find one to match,. The intricate designs of oriental rugs to the unusual shapes of some modern designs. Hand-woven area rugs for an up-scale look in dining rooms and formal living rooms to fun shapes for family rooms and bedrooms these decorative rugs are pretty useful when you want to change or break up the look in a room.
By placing an area rug on your floors you not only are adding a safety feature but you are saving wood floors and tile floors from damage. People always track in little pebbles from outside on their shoes and if you slip on these you can scratch your floor.
A decorative area rug will catch the dirt before it gets onto your floors. They come in many styles from oriental to western designs. So it will be easy to match up with your furniture and color of floor.
Another purpose of these floor coverings is as a decorative floor design when you are trying to break up the look of too much dark wood. The play rugs serve a useful purpose in childrens bedrooms. They come in many attractive styles that kids love to spend time playing on. They have many unique shapes and styles from roads to educational rugs that help your child learn. It is recommended that you use a rug pad underneath any area rug that is placed over wood floors, whether it is real wood or wood laminate.
May 08, 2006
Floor Tile Sizes
If you want to be creative with your floor styles then shaped tiles are for you. Squares and rectangles now join forces with rhomboids, subways, octagons, hexagons and ovals or circles. By mixing it up you create a unique looking floor that shows you creative talents.
The 4x4 inch other standard tiles are still important and should be used with all designs. Overized tiles can be used when you need a pattern for an area that won't quite fit an even number of smaller shapes, these will ellimiate a lot of cutting if you are doing it yourself. The larger tiles are usually around 18 inches square and will make an intersting pattern to mix and match.
Mini tiles like the Ann Sacks penny round Line are the size of coins and mounted on a net of backing for easy installation. Sort of like the older style 1 inch tile sheets. Cut mosiac tiles for borders and corners are even smaller than these, some being less than an inch. Most mosaics come in a wider range of colors and patterns now so if you wanted to install a matching splash guard for the counter top it is fairly easy to match the floor tile patterns and colors.
Metal tiles come in copper, pewter and stainless steel in styles ranging from contemporary to traditional. These are mainly used as accents and not for large surfaces like the floor. If you like the look of these you can cut your costs in half by using metal glazed tiles instead of the real deal. You won't be able to tell the difference once the job is completed.
Posted on 07:31 PM | Details | Comments (0)April 26, 2006
Carpet Pads Prevent Sliding and Slipping
If you have a hard floor surface that you have placed your area rug on, you may notice that there may be sliding and slipping once in a while. For example, a rug placed on your living room hardwood floor may not stay exactly in place unless you have an area rug pad underneath it. There are a few different kinds of area rug pads or underlay to choose from, but the purpose remains the same.
These carpet pads can also help extend the life of your new purchased rug by providing a smooth and supportive base to the runner. This will also allow your rug to breathe. It is treated with an anti-microbial to inhibit the growth of odor causing bacteria or any mold or mildew.
Most pads can be custom cut to fit any size you need or you can trim and resize yourself with normal household scissors. The cost of the underlay is very minimal and it is a good idea to include it in your carpet or floor treatment budget when you are purchasing your rugs. You will want to protect it as best you can right from the beginning.
The other thing to consider is that if you have a hard surface that you have placed your rugs onto, you will notice that there may be sliding and slipping once in a while. In order to prevent someone from injuring themselves, the area rug pad can easily help prevent the injury. For example, a linoleum, hardwood, or laminate flooring are all surfaces that will need a pad placed under it.
There are a few different kinds to choose from, but the purpose of them remains the same. Some will have a longer warranty and will provide a supportive base as well. The area rug pad is usually treated as well with an anti-microbial to inhibit the growth of odor causing bacteria or mold or mildew. You can check a few before you buy, but they are usually very inexpensive and well worth it.
April 22, 2006
Deciding on which type of area rug to use
If you have decorated your home in the modern or even traditional themes there are beautiful and sophisticated rugs in the Kathy Ireland Home Collection have that unique comfortable, family feeling. Created by Shaw Rugs with designer KATHY IRELAND, the relaxed elegance of each area rug makes decorating easy in both traditional and transitional interiors.
These rugs are wilton-woven of synthetic fiber for lasting beauty, easy care and remarkable value. Other online area rug products can be found at the guide to buying shaw rugs
Other designs from people like Tracy Porter, Susan Welch and Jane Keltner have created a lines of area rugs and carpets that really liven up ones home. Beautiful hand hooked English and French designs for formal dining or living areas. Wool and silk tufted area rugs from china.
One of the best designers of these types of floor coverings and in out opinion the most colorful are from Ottavio Missoni. A man whose entire creative life has been inspired by the possibilities of color. For him color is a means of self-expression as legitimate as any of the great works of art that are on display in the museums and galleries of the world. And this is not just his opinion; far from it. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Dallas and the Costumes Museum of Bath in England all house Missoni pieces. The difference between a Missoni rugs and the more traditional works of contemporary mediums is that the Missoni pieces are textural woven pieces and not painted. This is an excellent choice when looking for a woven area rug full of rich texture.
Posted on 10:21 AM | Details | Comments (0)April 17, 2006
Activity rugs for kids bedrooms
For fun you can buy different play rugs in themes of animal print rugs, sports themes, interactive and cartoon and comics. Children of all ages love these area rugs. With the large collection it’s easy to find a floor covering that matches the décor of the room. They are small enough to place them in any room that you are, den, kitchen, family room or bedroom. You don’t need to leave your child alone in any room to entertain themselves.
Prices range from $35 dollars to $500 dollars. Some are made in the USA while others come from china, India and Belgium. Most are machine made of 100 percent nylon for easy clean up, while others are more elaborate and are hand hooked like the wool area rugs. Sizes range from 3X5 to 9X12 and everything in between. If you want to carpet the entire floor in your child's room the selections are just as good as the smaller play rugs. Just keep in mind that the larger the rug the price goes up also.
More about selections at decormotif.com kids rugs.
There are many different styles, sizes, shapes, types of play rugs to choose from. For example, an educational play time rug, math, numbers and letters, shapes and animals, maps, interactive, and more. Within each of these categories, you will find more specific ones. It is fun to shop for the perfect one. These are for a slightly younger child, but there are types that will suit a bit older one as well. There are area rug themes for sports, flowers, shapes of cars and much more.
Kids rugs incorporate all aspects of everyday life with a rural to urban transition. Agricultural, suburban, and city areas are represented as well as a busy airport and train station for commuters, and of course, roads and parking lots for travel around town. Other types of childrens play rugs are soccer balls, animal prints, nascar racing, and more.
Posted on 01:09 PM | Details | Comments (0)April 16, 2006
Most Unique Rugs On The Market Today
Couristan's power-loomed area rugs offer beautiful, distinctive designs at a very reasonable price. These power-loomed rugs come in a vibrant and diverse selection of colors, designs and patterns made from natural fibers like NewZealand Wool, as well as synthetic blends of fibers.
Style selections range from traditional to contemporary, from novelty to natural textures. Handmade area rugs are like works of art. Couristan's handmade rugs have extraordinary detail and elegance in unique motifs including antique-washed looks, traditional, deeply contoured Orientals and fashionable open field area rugs with intricate borders in brilliant hues.
For those who take a more eclectic approach to decorating, the Metropolis Collection offers a refreshing assortment of abstract area rugs, vibrantly designed in aggressive hues of Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and earth tones. These fashion forward area rugs are the perfect choice for economical sophistication.
About Carpet Patterns
Tufted carpet in what the majority of carpeting sold. Other pattern types include woven which is made on a loom and needle punch. The two types are called cut and looped.
Saxony is a dense tightly twisted fiber. It is soft to the touch and hides tracks well. The other type is the plush which is lightly twisted and less dense. It will show vacuum cleaner marks and foot prints.
Level Loop has tightly packed loops all made from the same height of fiber. Unlike berber which is also a level loop rug but made with thicker yarn. This type of flooring will snag and has the best feel to it when used over top of carpet padding.
If you are looking for an area country French rug, try out the online resources. You are sure to be very pleased with the selection or sizes, shapes, colors, designs and more for the area country French rug variety you will find on the Internet. The other great thing about shopping online is that you save yourself much time and effort as well as often you can save money too.
You will see that there is plenty of options for any décor ideas you may have. There will be the more classic styling, or traditional, contemporary, area country French rug and much more. You will find shapes like the rounds, runner, oval, square and rectangle. The materials are often made of 100% wool, but you can also find others blends or materials as well.
There are so many colors to choose from, it may be a good idea to have some ideas in mind before you begin shopping. Or possibly you will just know the perfect area country French rug when you see it and you can work the room around the rug. Have fun shopping right from your home.
Posted on 09:41 AM | Details | Comments (0)April 04, 2006
Bathroom Flooring
A bathroom addition is more complex than a bathroom remodeling. You'll probably have to add plumbing and make some structural changes to create the necessary space even for a small powder room. To keep the remodeling cost down, you usually can do the rough-in and finish carpenter work with standard hand tools.
Your floors must be structurally sound to support the weight of bathroom fixtures. Although most homes are constructed to handle the extra load, be extra cautious if you're planning a second-story bathroom addition. The area you are considering using might not be supported by a partition wall below, or have joists that are strong enough to hold the weight without reinforcement.
Since most bathrooms are relatively small in space as compared to other rooms in your home, the key to remodeling them successfully is to preplan the design. Measurements are critical more so than in any other room in your home. For example, you can't put a six-foot bathtub in 5 1/2 feet of space unless you change a wall or rearrange the structural members in the room.
Remember, too, that bathrooms are damp. You must choose materials that are moisture-resistant. There are plenty on the market, so this shouldn't be a problem for you.
Read more about bathroom flooring
Posted on 11:36 AM | Details | Comments (0)April 01, 2006
Contemporary Area Rugs
Contemporary area rugs are not only for saving expensive wood flooring and carpets from heavy traffic but are the new home decorating ideas. Classic and modern styles will also change the entire look of a room in minutes without painting or wall papering. The choices in contemporary and traditional rug designs will enable you to match any color scheme you have in the home.
In the bedroom a round rug really is a nice touch when the floors are cold. These styles also come as a play rug in many colors with roads and games on them so your children will have hours of fun playing on them.
When Buying a contemporary rug think of the different texture and feel that they have. A contemporary styled area rug or floor mat is a very inexpensive floor covering that comes in a variety of sizes. These carpet runners will also add a unique decorating theme to any home. It only takes a minute to place these carpet rugs and if you are concerned about it slipping you can also place a inexpensive rug pad underneath to soften it or hold it in place.
Posted on 07:39 AM | Details
