What Are The Basic Yet Advantageous Benefits of Cork Flooring?

Cork is a natural material which is best known for its renewability. It's generally harvested from the bark of cork oak trees that are native to Portugal, Tunisia, and Spain and has been utilized as a preferred construction material for centuries. It has grown its popularity in other counters as a flooring material because of its beauty, ‘green’ qualities, and durability and other special and unique characteristics.

Healthy: Since cork is a natural material which isn’t manufactured in factories, it is greatly resistant to mildew, mold, and termites, additionally, It is anti-microbial also. Cork flooring doesn’t off-gas or shed microfibers hence your indoor air quality would not get affected.

Durability: It greatly prevents abrasions and cracking and is impermeable to liquid and gas. Indentations caused by heavy furniture wouldn’t be permanent since cork flooring bounces back. Cork flooring can stay at its best and last for 40 years or more if maintained with proper care.

Safe: It is one of the best fire-resistant materials. Prior to and during combustion, cork creates less smoke and releases very less toxic gases than vinyl. However, it has to be extremely high temperature to make the cork ignite, burn, or melt.

Comfort Matters: The cork floor provides a comfortable cushion-like feeling underfoot as it gets compressed. Additionally, it is an acoustic insulator and natural thermal which would provide a warm and quiet atmosphere inside the house.

Versatility: Cork flooring is available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors, moreover, as a flooring material it is available in tiles and planks. One can use planks to create a simple yet seamless-looking floor or use tiles in single or alternating colors in order to create a trendy effect.

As a building material, cork has a minimal negative effect on the environment. The practice of harvesting is sustainable for a single thing which is that a tree must be no less than 25 years of age before its bark can be collected; from that point forward; cork can be harvested every eight to 14 years without cutting the tree. Cork trees could live for 800 years; however today their average lifespan is 180 to 200 years.

Additional Characteristics: The production process of cork flooring creates no waste. Truth be told, cork flooring is really a result of the assembling of cork stoppers that are used in wine bottles. The residuals from the stopper manufacturing are gathered and ground perfectly. Then, to hold the ground and plug together, binders are utilized. Binders regularly incorporate phenol formaldehyde, urea melamine, and normal proteins, which are moderately steady once prepared. Shade is added to make distinctive designs and colors, and at last a finish is applied.

Cork flooring basically comes in two major types of finishes: water-based finish and polyurethane/acrylic-based. Water-based finishes are environmentally friendly and also less likely to get faded with exposure to light. Polyurethane/acrylic finishes are a little tougher and, thus, would greatly protect the flooring in a better way.

Tips To Choose the Best Type of Wooden Flooring

When it comes to constructing a new house or renovating the old one, there are people who don’t bother considering flooring material, style and design a priority. The prime beauty of any home comes out from the floors and walls. Every homeowner should carefully choose the flooring material to match or to make a contrast with the walls. Wooden flooring is in trend since long because of its classy look, durability and vast variety of color and designs.

 A few types of wooden flooring are described below.

Acrylic-impregnated Wood Flooring

This type of wooden flooring is thoroughly filled with color and sealant. Basically, the surface side which we see is finished while in fact the complete wood is finished. This kind of hardwood floor can easily be seen in commercial places and people avoid using it for residential projects. The floor made up of this is resistant to scratch, moisture and stays enough hard.

Engineered Wood Flooring

The engineered wood flooring is produced by joining a number of layers of veneer including real wood; veneer in this is already plastic laminated and the layers are joined with the help of strong adhesive for the purpose of installing a stable hardwood floor in Rolling Meadows. However, laminate wood flooring is very different from engineered wood as the biggest difference is laminate wood flooring does not contain actual wood.

Solid Wooden Flooring

Wood flooring is a common choice, in which the wood is manufactured from timber and then cut and converted into different styles, shapes and designs. There are three types of Solid wood flooring available in the market. Each type comes with both pre-finished and unfinished version. Unfinished flooring tends to be sanded on the site and finished post installation. As it itself says ‘Pre-finished flooring’ which is sanded and finished at the workshop only, workers would just need to install it.

Three main types of solid wood flooring:

Strip flooring - This type of flooring consists of long wooden strips and fixed with tongue and groove method, purpose to provide texture kind of design on the floor. The thickness may vary from 5/16 of an inch to 3/4 and widths of 1+1/2 inches, 2 inches and 2+1/4 inches only.

Parquet flooring - Parquet floors consists of wood that is cut in geometrical patterns which are all the way very different from typical wooden flooring. Multiple wood slats are placed and fixed on the floor using long lasting adhesives.

Plank flooring – It comes in small planks which are then fixed on the floor, this comes in only two thicknesses - 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch and the widths can vary from 3 to 8 inches.

There is a unique variety of hardwood floors which makes it very difficult to choose one from them. One may choose the color and shape of the wooden flooring as per the color and texture of the walls to make it best suitable at your place. Sometimes, it is possibly better to match the flooring with the furniture. However, the most commonly used wooden floor is solid wood strip floor while engineered flooring is becoming people’s favorite due to its comparatively lower cost.

Why People Prefer The Cork Flooring For Their Room Decoration?

Cork flooring is a popular choice for residential and commercial installations. The flooring can produce a pleasant walking surface and it is a great choice for play areas or commercial spaces. The cork floors are naturally fire resistant and it doesn’t release any toxic gases or chemicals when buried accidentally. If properly maintained, it can be a durable material. It is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees and the flooring material is well-known for its durability.

The cork is a sustainable & renewable resource and the bark is harvested without killing or damaging the tree it grows on. The cork trees live for nearly 2 centuries and can be harvested about once a decade. This flooring material is promoting a comfortable living or work space with its many positive properties. It is a unique structure that makes it a natural cushion. It absorbs the ambient noise and provides natural installation. The cork tiles can be cut into different shapes and patterns for greater design flexibility.

These are the benefits of cork flooring –

It has a great appearance

The cork is a beautiful and natural flooring product that is available in many designs and stain options. The flooring offers a unique solution with naturally varied patterns.

It is durable

The cork flooring is durable and it is able to handle heavy foot traffic. The floors are seen in public spaces like court-houses, churches, banks, and libraries.

It is easily adaptable

The cork floors can blend with any décor and the natural tones can enhance the formal settings, like living and dining rooms. Different rooms can incorporate lighter shades of cork for a more casual look.

It is heat resistant

The cork is resistant to extreme heat, making it a natural fire inhibitor. The tile flooring does not release any toxic gases on combustion.

It is moisture resistant

The cork is completely impervious and it has the moisture resistant feature.

It is anti-allergenic and insect resistant

The presence of suberin in cork prevents the cultivation of molds and keeps away the bugs.

Elasticity

The cork is having membranes that are flexible and elastic. The cork floors are able to endure compression because of its cellular structure. The air in the cells is compressed when the cork floors are subjected to pressure or weight.

Cork flooring is a reliable product that is used in areas around the house or office space where the cork flooring will be in contact with water. The cork flooring can be used over radiant heat systems and the extraction process does not harm trees. Cork is generating less smoke in the event of combustion and the cork melt at incredible temperatures. Make sure that you contact the expert professionals for the installation of cork flooring. The tiles will get a unique look by having alternate colors & patterns.

What Are The Advantages Of Installing Area Rugs?

An addition of an area rug is the most commonly found one on a hard surface floor like tile, laminate or hardwood. It can also be used by spreading over like a wall to wall carpet design. The popularity of the area rugs is because of a variety of reasons and still, there are a few people who remain perplexed whether they should cover their beautiful flooring with carpets or not.

The most common and the most basic reason for which the area rug is bought are for the look it adds to space. It has its own special ways of bringing together the look and the essence of the room, like for example they bring in a lot of colors to the total décor. And that’s not it, area rugs don’t just add style to the room they also bring a number of benefits with them. If you are still uncertain about adding the area rug to your space, here are a few reasons as to why you should add these and reinvent the way your space looks;

1) Reduction of noise: once you have installed an area rug, you will see that it will massively decrease the noise in your room. This rug will not just absorb the sound from the air, but it comparatively much quieter to walk on in contrast to the hard flooring. Have you ever felt that there is a slight echo in the room? The reason for it is the hard flooring, it does not absorb the sound in the manner the rug will. Once you have added the area rug, you will notice the difference.

2) The comfort: It’s not a secret that the rug is much softer than plain hardwood or tile, and the majority of people will consent with the statement that rug is more comfy to stand on in contrast to a hard surface floor. The rug not just feels softer to the stroke on the skin, but its gentleness gives it suppleness, which permits the rug to soak up some of the pressure of your feet. This plainly takes some of the heaviness off your body.

3) Warmth: It is not only softer; the rug provides warmth as well better than the hard surface floor. The insulation value of the rug is far greater than the other, specifically if there is padding under the rug. This rug can be applied all through the home but it is specially bought by most of the people in the basements where the floors are generally colder.

4) Allergies: It may sound a bit unnatural but a lot of studies have suggested that installing a rug in the room helps you avoid a lot of allergies that people are commonly prone to. Studies have shown that rugs capture the allergens, further keeping them away from the air we breathe. If you have been suffering from allergies and get yourself a rug, you will notice a little change in the allergic behavior.

So these were the number of advantages that can be availed if you decide to put area rugs in your space, something that goes far beyond just appearance. Though, the style and class that it brings along cannot be ignored. So go ahead find yourself a rug that suits your space perfectly and fulfills all your requirements.

All you need to Know about Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl Flooring is a new addition to the family of resilient flooring. There was a time when plastic and rubber made the family of resilient flooring. But, this is not the case now. As per the latest trend, a great part of market is captured by Vinyl Flooring. A recent research said that the global vinyl flooring market is expected to reach around $ 16.2 billion by 2023. On account of new construction and renovation activities, the market for vinyl flooring is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4 per cent during 2018 to 2023. 

In nutshell, Vinyl flooring is a blend of durability, affordability and aesthetics. Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of flooring: 

Pros of Vinyl Flooring:

• Great for aesthetics

Vinyl Flooring is a great way to add to the interiors of your home. Looking like other hard surfaces, Vinyl Flooring is a great alternative when it comes to give a formal look to the home. There are also many Vinyl flooring options that resembles the wood style. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy a wood like touch in your home and that too at a comparatively low cost. 

• Protect your Floor from Stain and Water

If you are looking for a flooring option which is stain and water resistant, then go for Vinyl flooring option. It is a perfect choice when it comes to your kitchen or bathroom. Also, Vinyl Flooring is a great alternative when you have kids at home.     

• Do not Burn a Hole in Your Pocket

Vinyl Flooring is a great option when you are looking for a cost-effective alternative to natural floors such as wood, cement and marble. Furthermore, the maintenance cost of Vinyl Flooring is low. This makes it a great flooring alternative seeing the long term benefits. 

• Great for Sporting Facilities

Vinyl flooring option is a great option when you are thinking of a floor option for your home gymn, recreational areas and other exercising rooms. The vinyl flooring has a shock absorbing surface which will reduce the shock and leg fatigue. 

• Great for Healthcare Facilities

Vinyl flooring is great for healthcare facilities especially when because it is water resistant. Thus, promote better sanitation as compared to carpets. Moreover, with growing health awareness people out rightly said no to earlier forms of resilient flooring mainly the ones that involves plastic and rubber.  

• Perfect for High-traffic Rooms

Vinyl Flooring is perfect for high traffic rooms because of its strength and durability. When installed over a proper sub flooring, it comes out a great protection over dents, scratches and stains. 

• Cons of Vinyl Flooring 

However, Vinyl Flooring enjoys many benefits. There are some cons of installing Vinyl Flooring as well. Firstly, you have to make sure that the floor is absolutely clean before you install the vinyl flooring. Otherwise, the vinyl flooring has the tendency to wrap a bit of dust present on the floor. This appears as a bump in your flooring. Also, moving heavy furniture over Vinyl Flooring might damage it. If you are renovating your home for increasing its sales value, then vinyl flooring is not the right choice. This is because the resale value of homes with Vinyl Flooring is quite low. 

Choose the Right Laminate Flooring: a Buyer’s Guide

In recent years, laminate flooring is one of the great developments in home improvement. They are not only a great alternative to wooden flooring but also inexpensive, durable and prefinished. But best of all, it is easier to install with the assistance of few tools. If you picky about things, no worries! It is available in abundance color and designs. They are available in different illustrations like wooden look, stone and different other patterns. 

Laminate is favored due to its durability and scratch resistant property. The flooring is built with a resin coating and tough external layers. The time to install laminate flooring is quite less as compared to other types of hard floor surfaces. Most of the boards have an interlocking design to make the process of laying the flooring possible. There’s no such sophistication in the installation of laminate flooring. Talking about the pricing factor, they are the inexpensive almost all types of flooring surface. Even in the low budget, you can gift your home a stunning look with it. If you want to have wooden look, it will be the best option to give the same effect as that of wooden flooring.

They can withstand the moisture and is easily cleaned. The cleaning process is relatively straightforward with a daily sweep usually enough for most homes. There is no need to use special cleaners or oils to preserve the attractive look of the flooring. Follow the most popular laminate flooring listed below. 

Oak: Solid Oak flooring is quite expensive and also needs a lot of ongoing maintenance. Alternatively, you can choose the oak laminate flooring to give the same effect as that of solid oak wood. 

Walnut: The walnut laminate is atmospheric and dark to help create the perfect ambiance in the home. Also, it helps to add a touch of warmth to a room which makes it a practical choice for the bedroom.

Chestnut: The chestnut laminate has a traditional look and gives the classic look to any living space in the home. It has very distinctive grain detail. The classic look offered by this is extremely versatile.

Stone: A stone tiled floor looks stunning and is super durable. They become slippery when wet so the alternative to is stone effect laminates that is inexpensive and lasts more than 10 years.

Slate: Real slate flooring is extremely expensive no everyone able to install it in their home, the better option is to invest in slate effect laminate. They are richly textured and have deep tones. It is very much popular worldwide.

Laminating your floor is the best option if you aren’t able t meet the expenses of solid wood or stone flooring, laminate flooring is getting huge success due to high-quality grade material they are built from. Pick the best colour and pattern which meets the interior of your room. Don’t worry if your kids and pets cause some spills, it is completely normal.

Gift a beautiful look to your home by installing flooring laminate

Flooring lamination is getting popular nowadays due to its ease of installation and beautiful designs. It offers the similar look as of wooden flooring. They are inexpensive and a better option for those who can’t afford to have wooden flooring. There has been a slight increase in the demand for flooring laminate in recent years. Laminate installs fast and easy, you can install laminate to your floor very quickly it hardly takes few hours to cover up the floor. But installing it requires some attentive measures to get rid of curling up.

People all over the world have been installing flooring laminate. They can withstand more than a decade if taken care properly. It is easy to clean and even it does not require floor waxing as of wooden flooring. You can choose your favorite design and color from a wide range of laminate collection. In the normal condition, it can withstand moisture as well as normal wear and tear. There are different quality laminate available some has resilient property against wear and tear. Unlike wood, which can dent, laminate flooring is almost impervious to dents and scratches. It faithfully reproduces the look of the wood, stone and other natural materials. Unlike, real hardwood, it does not imperfection defects.

If you’re building a new home or in a mood of rejuvenating the floor, laminate flooring can be the most suitable option within fewer budgets. It is also a great addition for those who cannot afford wooden flooring. It gives the same feel as of wooden blocks. In fact, it is a great way to add style and diversity to your home. Although it has several benefits, it has some shortcomings too, like the inability to sand and refinishes is one of the biggest disadvantages of laminate flooring. Once it is heavily scratched or grooved, it becomes difficult to fix it.

Traditionally, laminate flooring has been slippering than wooden flooring. Still, manufacturers are working hard to make it slip-resistant. Above all, within a small budget, nothing can replace its place. If you are looking to install laminate flooring, you can search the internet for the same. There is number of the online store you can the best retailer from your own end. Choose those who have expertise in manufacturing the laminate flooring and has a wide range of collection. It will help you decide which one fits in your place. It is unnecessary to invest a heavy amount on the laminate flooring. They are available at affordable prices. Visit different websites to understand the pricing factor.

Now enjoy the benefit of wooden flooring look by installing the laminate flooring. Make the people appreciate the beauty of your home. Always install laminate flooring which suits the color the interior of your home. Else it won’t deliver the look you are expecting. You can also ask the expert to recommend some color and design as per your interior. Make your home a dream place by adding laminate flooring.