In this article I would like to cover the re coating procedure for hardwood floors. Re-coating is a cost effective way to revive worn out or dull hardwood floors. However, it is not for all floors. Floors that have deep scarring or scratches that have penetrated the top finish layer cannot be re-coated. In addition, floors that have been cleaned with wax cleaners such as; oil soaps, orange glow etc also cannot be re-coated. Other floors that cannot be re-coated are floors with aluminum oxide finishes. If you are considering re coating a pre finished floor or an engineered wood floor it is a good idea to check the manufacturers recommendation for re coating.

Now that we have covered all of the floors that can’t be re coated, we can discuss how to get started on those floors that can be.

Here is what you will need:

A floor buffer. These can be rented at your local home store or tool rental shop. If you have never used a floor buffer, it is a good idea to use what is called a square buffer. Square buffers vibrate instead of oscillate, so they are much easier to operate.
A white buffer pad and a couple 150 grit sanding screens. These will be found where ever you rent the buffer.

Mineral Spirits
Microfiber dust mop
Sanding sealer
Wood floor finish that is specifically for wood floors – The choices are oil based polyurethane or water based finish, both offer great durability
Foam Brush
Lambswool applicator for oil products or a water based applicator for water based finishes. Also, one water based applicator for the sanding sealer
Vacuum (shop vac works great)

First, you will want to buff the entire floor with the floor buffer with the white pad and the sanding screen on it. This will remove some of the surface scratches as well as rough up the finish that is already there. Roughing up the finish help allow the new coatings to bond to the floor.

After the floor has been thoroughly buffed. You will want to vacuum the floor. Be sure to get every bit of dust or debris vacuumed up. Next, Take your micro fiber dust mop and dampen it with some mineral spirits. Then mop over the floor a few times, being sure to shake out the mop after each time and re damped the mop before each time.

After the floor is cleaned, allow the mineral spirits to dry for about 15 minutes. Next, take the sanding sealer and stir it up really well. Then apply the sanding sealer with one of the water based floor applicators. This should take about 1-3 hours to dry.

After the sanding sealer has dried. You are now ready to apply the finish of your choice. For the oil based use a lambs wool applicator. Or for the water based finish use the water based applicator. It is usually easiest to apply it thin to prevent streaks. If it was put on thin, you may want to re buff the floor, clean it again and apply another coating of finish. It is not necessary to apply the sanding sealer again.

Finally, wait for the floor to dry and wait the finish manufactures recommended time for curing before moving furniture back onto the floor.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up a bedroom or are decorating a property for the first time, you should be sure to consider the relationship between flooring and the rugs you have in your home.

Both modern rugs and old styles of such furnishings can be selected, so no matter which you select you are bound to find something that matches your flooring, whether this is made from vinyl, laminate, solid oak or otherwise.

Polypropylene and acrylic pile are just two of the choices of materials that are on hand with modern-style rugs.

Wool rugs are one popular option that you may also wish to select. This could be an ideal choice if you’re seeking out something to match your organic flooring and is sure to be soft underfoot.

The proportion of wool pile that your rug contains can vary depending on the specific product that you take out, but you may well find yourself opting for a 100 per cent wool pile rug.

However, wool rugs that are tufted in appearance are also available, as are rugs which are silky both in terms of feel and look. If you’re considering the relationship between your rugs and flooring, this latter trend may prove to be especially impactful if you want something that will match the gloss and shimmer on hand with laminate or bamboo floors.

Wool rugs are also hardwearing and come with a natural coil spring which helps it to keep its shape for a long time, meaning it will not wear out easily, a feature that you may well consider when seeking out flooring options.

With their versatile nature and widely-regarded for their noise-absorbing properties, you may find rugs an ideal choice to help cancel out the noise created by people’s shoes and boots as they walk across the top of your flooring.

Of course, rugs ought to have an aesthetic appeal to them and you should be sure to select something which matches the rest of your flooring, as well as the rest of your decor.

There are a wide variety of materials that modern rugs can be made from so be sure to pick one that suits the style of your home, although you may want to bring out ones in certain patterns to match the changing of the seasons or different times of year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dipika_Patel

By Dipika Patel

Advantages of Bamboo Flooring

The biggest advantage of this kind of flooring is that it is durable and also can sustain the appeal for a very long time. It is so durable that it can stay strong and not get damaged even after the use for several years. Another advantage of this form of flooring is that it is eco-friendly and does not harm the environment in any way. This is because it is a product of the bamboo plant.

This plant can be grown easily and there are no toxins or form of waste that arises from it. It can also be recycled easily because it can be planted and grown easily. It is available in large quantities and grows really fast. It takes only about three years for a bamboo plant to grow to its full potential. When you compare this with any other tree then it is really short because most take several decades to mature.

Why Bamboo flooring?

This is an excellent option because it gives a very ethnic look to your house and this is one look that will never go out of fashion. They are available in different patterns and you are sure to find one that you will love. No matter what the theme of your house this kind of flooring is one that will fit in and look perfectly in sync with any existing decor. This flooring option comes from an industry that creates an excellent opportunity for employment for everyone.

It is resistant to moisture and therefore it lasts for a long time. All you need to do is to install it for it to last you a lifetime. If there is chance that things could be spilt on it but you need not worry because all you need to do is to wipe it with a dry cloth. Because this is a kind of material that does not soak in stains it is very durable and suitable in the kitchen and also in the bathroom. It is most suitable for a home with kids. The flooring adds value to the property and enhances the visual appeal of your interior decor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Caxton

By Phil Caxton

Hardwood floors are a beautiful option for your home. Wood flooring is available in a huge number of versatile looks and even eco-friendly options. Contact your local wood floor dealer today!

Hardwood flooring is a stunning and cost effective option for any home. Wood floors not only create a polished look but also stand up to extensive wear throughout the lifetime of your home.

Versatile Look

As one of the largest surface areas in your home, your floor plays a vital role in defining the look of your entire space. The warm tones of natural wood flooring can unify and accent your space without overwhelming the other features of your home. Depending on your choice of wood you can create anything from a traditional, elegant ambiance to a clean, modern look. Choose from an array of wood selections including:

• Oak
• Cherry
• Mahogany
• Walnut
• Maple
• Ebony
• Heart pine
• Bamboo
• Cork

In addition to the type of wood used, many flooring contractors offer custom inlays as a way to personalize your floors even more. There is no “one size fits all” option here. Your hardwood floors will be designed to speak to your style and will be instrumental in creating the exact look and feel that you want for your home.

Eco-Friendly

For those who love the aesthetic of hardwood flooring but worry about the environmental impact of that choice, bamboo and cork flooring fit the bill. These are two modern, environmentally friendly options for people who want the style and benefits of wood floors without taxing traditional timber resources. Both bamboo and cork are considered to be sustainable woods, so you can enjoy the advantages of wood flooring without compromising your environmental principles.

In terms of overall environmental impact, though, any hardwood floor choice recommends itself to those with “green” sensibilities. Hardwood floors are one of the only flooring options known to consistently last throughout the lifetime of a home – and often beyond! You will never have to clean these floors with harsh chemicals and, if they do start to show wear and tear, experts at wood flooring refinishing can refinish or repair them instead of replacing them.

Whether you are looking for traditional character or cutting edge sensibility in your home, hardwood floors lay the foundation for that style. Not only do they provide long-term value and beauty, but they also let you express your personal taste in a sophisticated manner that will last a lifetime.

These tiles are not only utilised in homes, but these days a number of commercial enterprises are also aspiring to use limestone to decorate their flooring. Limestone is a tough material and very endurable. Limestone is often utilised as concrete in its crushed form in creation of building material. It is also resistible to freezing and thawing states. This supplies a range of cobble stones, limestone, wall rocks, boulder outcropping rocks and a large assortment of garden stones. There are various minerals used in the composition of a huge range of rocks.

Created in the deep pits of ocean and water bodies, limestone is constituted of dead beings and water particles like shells, amphibian moss etc. The way of how this stone is formed is very interesting. What occurs is that the sea shells accumulate at the bottom of the marine bed, and are there for some time. After this, sedimentary rocks combine with them when they are in extreme decayed situation. As time flies, they convert into smooth cemented layers which inch by inch concert into a size of the hard rock because of high sea pressure. It is in this shape that they are extracted and then used as pedestrian zone and flooring material at high traffic places.

In many places of Europe and North America, this element has been used frequently for construction of gigantic monuments and lavish edifices. They are even used as foundations and in several cities; limestone tiles are put on top over roads to make them look good as well as stay everlasting. Limestone is even preferred by scientists all over the world for various experimental and development work and especially for the cleansing of glass.

Glossy sealers look beautiful and also protect the porous slate from spills, dirt and contaminates. Most topical sealers for slate are water based wax sealers. While these sealers look beautiful and bring out the natural beauty of slate they do have a limited lifespan. While the sealer will continue to protect the slate, over time it will get scratches and scuffs making the sealer look dull and loose its beautiful glossy appearance. To restore the slate tiles back to their beautiful appearance the wax sealer must be stripped from the slate surface.

To remove the wax sealer you need a water base floor stripper. Water based floor strippers can be found at most janitorial supply stores. Additionally the big box stores carry water based floor strippers but generally they are not as effective as professional strippers from janitorial supply stores. Mix the stripper with water in the strongest ratio recommended on the manufactures label. As with most harmful chemicals wear rubber gloves and also a rain suit to keep the floor stripper off of your skin. Generally water based floor strippers do not have very strong fumes but you may want to consider wearing a respirator if you are sensitive to chemical odors.

Apply the stripper to the slate tiles with a scrub pad or mop and let it dwell on the tiles and grout. Do not let the stripper dry on the surface. Let it dwell there for as long as it takes to emulsify the sealer from the tiles and grout. While you are letting the floor stripper dwell on the tile and grout you can begin to scrub the sealer coating with an aggressive scrub pad. Do not use any type of steel wool or metal pad that can scratch the tile surface. Always test the surface you are about to scrub to be sure your scrub pad will not make any permanent scratches on your slate tile surface.

You will most likely notice that the sealer can be removed from the tile surface with minimal scrubbing but the grout will require some extra scrubbing to emulsify the sealer. Keep scrubbing until the sealer is completely emulsified from the grout lines. After you have emulsified all the sealer from the tiles and grout remove the emulsified sealer and excess floor stripper from the tile and grout with a shop vac. Then use a mop and water to remove all the excess stripper from the tiles and grout. After you have completed this process you may notice that there is still some sealer left on the slate tiles and especially the grout. It may be necessary to repeat the process until all the excess wax sealer is removed.

Carpet squares are a great way to achieve your flooring goals without spending an arm and a leg either. There are many reasons that I’d endorse using them, and I’ll go into them through the course of this article.

Have you ever had to choose a carpet for a floor or office? If you have, I’m sure you can relate to the frustrations that many buyers experience.

There’s the whole process of choosing a pattern that looks good (which is often hard to find), choosing the thickness of the carpeting, and then making sure that the measurements of your room are conducive to the amount of carpeting that you buy.

Then you have to hire someone to install the carpet, which is equally frustrating, not to mention expensive in and of itself. The whole experience becomes quite the task!

As a result, carpet squares have picked up in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. They really do make the process of choosing and installing carpeting that much easier.

Here are a few advantages that you’ll find from the use of carpet tiles rather than a floor to floor carpet system.

First of all, carpet squares will allow you to mix and match different patterns if you should so please. This allows for a lot of flexibility depending upon the environment.

Another key selling point is the fact that they’re very easy to lay down. Most carpet tiles or squares will be adhesive, and can be put onto floors and removed from them just as easily. This will save you money on the often expensive costs of installing a carpet.

Lastly, they’re very affordable in comparison. You’d be happy to know that you can definitely save some money by choosing carpet squares over any other traditional forms of flooring. When there’s money to save, there’s one more reason to love this means of covering a floor.

These days everyone wants to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We refill our water bottles instead of using disposable plastic. Recycling our newspapers and magazines is a must. Some of us are even trying composting to reduce our waste. If you are like most people, you want to make sure your choices in home remodeling are as green as possible. Of course, you also don’t want to sacrifice your style either. So, what are the choices when it comes to replacing or installing new quality flooring?

Cork flooring is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to balance their environmental concerns with great looking rooms. Why is cork an earth friendly material? The cork used to make this type of flooring is actually the bark from the cork tree. Removing the bark does not harm the tree and it will grow back again in about 10 years. That is much shorter than the time it takes for an oak tree to grow to a useful harvesting size. Most flooring manufacturers use cork that has been taken from trees in the Iberian Peninsula. These forests are government regulated which protects the trees from unsafe practices.

Installing cork flooring has more benefits than just environmental. This type of flooring is great looking. It comes in a variety of colors and styles to fit your home perfectly. Many people like to put cork flooring in their kitchens. For those who love to cook, having cork floors can make standing for long periods more comfortable as it has a cushiony feel that is good for your feet and joints. Cork is also a good choice for those who like to be in their bare feet. It doesn’t get as cold as tile, marble or hardwood floors.

Having a cork floor is great for families. It is a low maintenance choice. Once it has been sealed, it requires very little care other than a quick wiping every so often. Cork is resistant to mold and mildew, which makes it perfect for crawling babies who like to play on the floor. Cork flooring is also very hard-wearing, so your kids won’t damage it, even when they forget to take off the soccer cleats. If your house has some four-legged kids, otherwise known as pets, you will love the sturdy qualities of cork. As an added bonus, cork is great for dulling sounds, so your toddler’s tantrum might not be quite so irritating in a room with cork flooring. What could be better than that? ]]> http://ins-data-mgmt.org/what-to-look-for-in-cork-flooring/feed/ 0 http://ins-data-mgmt.org/differentiating-epoxy-coating-from-other-floor-coatings/ http://ins-data-mgmt.org/differentiating-epoxy-coating-from-other-floor-coatings/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:02:10 +0000 admin http://ins-data-mgmt.org/?p=30

Typically, floor coatings are applied on the floor to give it life and protection. The main purpose of these coatings is to protect different surfaces from atmospheric pollution and corrosion. With the introduction of new durable materials, more products that are chemical were formulated to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal of numerous flooring. Now there are different types of floor coatings that have different level of durability and are use for different types of surfaces. Two good examples of floor coatings are epoxy coating and polyurethane coating.

Epoxy coating also comes in wide variety. The easiest to apply and clean is the epoxy concrete floor paint. The coating that is typically applied on large industrial floors or warehouses is known as industrial epoxy floor coating. These coats give a shiny aesthetic and are odorless and very durable. However, this coating is slippery when wet.

On the other hand, epoxy coating with anti-skid properties and tan color is known as rough coat epoxy concrete floor paint. This solvent-based coating is thin. Other epoxy coatings make use of water as a bonding agent. Because it is water bound, this coating is the thinnest and cannot conceal floor cracks. However, it is ideally for residential flooring because it is user friendly and economical.

Epoxy coating can be considered as the most durable floor coating because it bonds easily with concrete flooring. Unlike Polyurethane, epoxy coatings cannot resist chemical leakages and thus make the floor too shabby and difficult to wash. The durability of these coatings makes it the most expensive coating in the market.

On the bright side, it is worth it to invest in epoxy coatings in the long run. The reason for this is that it can stay durable and attractive for up to 7 years or so.

These particular coatings are also resistant to water, average cleaners and chemicals. They also have an added benefit which is it can protect your floor from ultra violet rays. However, they are very difficult to handle compared with acrylic paint. The disadvantage of acrylic paint is that it only has a life span of two to three years.

Due to the advent of technology, floor coatings not only give an aesthetic appeal but also enhance the durability of different surfaces. Keep in mind that floors need coatings to resist day-to-day corrosion or wear and tear. As you protect your floor from scratches and damages, you are increasing its lifespan. Decide whether an epoxy coating is a wise investment. ]]> http://ins-data-mgmt.org/differentiating-epoxy-coating-from-other-floor-coatings/feed/ 0 http://ins-data-mgmt.org/a-garage-floor-covering-for-ugly-concrete-flooring/ http://ins-data-mgmt.org/a-garage-floor-covering-for-ugly-concrete-flooring/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:01:30 +0000 admin http://ins-data-mgmt.org/?p=28 Maybe you’re buying a home that needs a remodel, and the garage floors look bad. Maybe you didn’t even realize that your concrete could crack at all, and that if those cracks are not tended to immediately, they can make paint or other coatings almost impossible to apply. You might have had problems with flooding, the ground shifting, or any of a ton of other factors that can cause damage to your concrete in ways that really cannot be controlled. Regardless, sometimes you do need a garage floor covering.

Why Can’t The Concrete Just Get Fixed?

Even though there are ways you can repair damaged concrete and paint over the cracks to make it not so noticeable, these methods always run the risk of returning cracks. In most cases, whatever caused the damage to the concrete in the beginning has a good chance of causing the problem again. As a result, the best objective is to forget about garage floor paint and purchase a covering in place of the repairs. Garage floor coverings are construed as tiles or mats. Most anything that does not coat the surface of your original concrete and adds another layer. You can use both of these coverings, but the first may not work in all situations.

Garage Floor Tiles Don’t Always Work

If you plan to use tiles on a floor with only smallish cracks, you may not need to do anything with the cracks before you do. This is because tiles can grip the concrete all around the crack, instead. Because tile really isn’t a coating, and is actually a separate material altogether, they may actually help hold things together and prevent expansion of old cracks as well as new ones. Just like any other coverings, the point is to cover any defects so that, while they’re still there, they’re not visible. Garage floor tiles are not ideal in situations where the concrete garage floor is stained, however. If you do use tiles in this case, the stains will end up “sweating”, and dissolving the sticky stuff that holds the tiles to the ground. When this happens, the tiles will lose their grip, and the floor won’t be in any better shape than it was before.

Garage Floor Mats Always Work

If the garage flooring is really messed up, you may have no choice but to use a mat. Luckily, mats are just as good at repelling chemicals as anything else, and they can look darn good while doing it. Unfortunately, however, you are just putting a band-aid on the problem, and it can eventually come back to bite you. If the concrete is really breaking up, it may end up with jagged corners which will tear the mat from underneath, especially when the mat is driven upon. You may not even notice just how bad the concrete is if it degrades further while covered with a mat. Should it become damaged, though, a mat can be pulled out and replaced with very little drama. That is, of course, if you can afford to purchase another one.