Loading ...
April 9th, 2013 | 
Author: Although taking the appropriate care of your laminate floors is important in order to sustain the appearance and the lifespan of the laminates used in the manufacture of your floors, it does not require a particularly demanding regimen. A few simple precautions offered by http://www.topcarpets.co.za should prove to be more than enough to see them hold on to their good looks and retain their full functionality for many long years, if not for a lifetime.
It is easy to assume that since these products are so much less expensive than the natural timber surfaces that they are designed to replicate, that they are in some way inferior. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. In fact a quality composite product is likely to be more resistant to wear and tear than real wood and yet it will require a great deal less in the way of routine maintenance. What then makes these multi-layered surfaces so durable and simple to maintain?
Posted in 
Tags: 
You Should Learn How to Care For Your Laminate Flooring
Although the title of this article may suggest that there could quite a bit to learn about how to care for your laminate flooring, in practice, the reverse is somewhat closer to the truth. Looking after these tough and attractive modern surfaces is far more about observing a couple of simple steps that are will serve to keep them looking good along with a couple of potentially damaging practices that it might prove wise to avoid.
Begin with a Quality Product
If you haven’t already installed your new surface, then the first tip is to ensure that you choose a top quality product and, in this field, that means one with a thickness of 8mm or more. While cheaper products abound, their correspondingly shorter lifespan makes will soon prove any savings to be a false economy. Select an internationally acclaimed product supplied and preferably installed by a dealer with a sound knowledge of your chosen surface and its properties.
5 Benefits of Choosing Carpet over Hardwood Flooring Solutions
With so many home and business owners now electing to install some form of hardflooring for its ease of maintenance, it is worth noting that there are at least 5 significant benefits to be enjoyed as a result of choosing to carpet that space instead. While many consumers may agree to differ with regard to the comparative aesthetics of these alternative flooring products, the other noteworthy advantages vested in the use of a pile-based solution are not simply a matter of personal taste.
Whatever else may be claimed by their detractors it could never be denied that pile products provide their users with comfort, safety and almost limitless choice as well as excellent insulation properties, Furthermore, the latter can, in turn, serve to reduce those currently soaring energy bills. Which of these properties should be considered most important may vary between consumers but the following should all prove to be of value to most.
It seems very probable that, in South Africa, there will be two main factors that are most likely to influence the flooring trends for 2013 and perhaps for quite some time thereafter. According to Top Carpets and Floors, the first and perhaps most obvious of these factors is certain to be the continuing economic downturn.
Many consumers have found, to their dismay, that adjusting to a tighter budget by purchasing cheaper products has proved to be anything but economical. As a result, it is anticipated that this year will see the country’s homeowners in a move to seek out genuine value for money rather than just an attractive price tag.
Cheaper Can Often Be More Costly
Among those that prefer a more natural look in their home, many tried to achieve this by fitting the cheaper laminated products. When investing in a top quality product such as the Kährs, Kronopol, Traviata or Finfloor ranges supplied by Top Carpets & Floors extreme longevity and excellent value for money are a given. However, this is certainly not true of the many cheaper products that simply fail to stand up to the rigors of even normal wear and tear for more than a year or two without showing obvious signs of aging.
This year, however, more consumers will become aware of how spending just a little more can result in substantial savings over time. To better meet their anticipated needs, the manufacturers of laminates have been quick to respond. Many are releasing new products based on more exotic timbers and a new selection of natural stone designs as well as featuring some exciting new colours that will serve to further extend their integration with both new and existing décor choices.
Wider planks are also in demand for smaller rooms where they create the illusion of greater space.
Mounting Concern for the Environment
The other major influence on flooring trends for 2013 is likely to arise from growing concerns about the environment. It has taken a while for South Africans to recognise the full importance of environmental issues but more recently, a growing number are seen to be not just voicing their support for greening the planet but demonstrating it with a move to identify and to purchase eco-friendly products wherever this may prove to be possible.
Once again, Top Carpets & Floors has shown itself to be ahead of the game; a habit born out of more than thirty years of sound experience in the industry. To meet the needs of the eco-conscious consumers it has striven to obtain products from manufacturers that share their concerns and stocks a number of products prepared from recycled materials. In addition they are manufactured under strictly controlled conditions where atmospheric pollution, water and power consumption are kept to a minimum.
These recycling and environmental controls are, however, only part of the process of meeting the consumer’s needs. Many new products prepared from sustainable resources and devoid of any synthetic content have already been available for some time from several of the more specialised suppliers among the more than 110 retail outlets served by Top Carpets & Floors.
One classic example of this type of product is cork and along with materials such as sisal, coir, jute and seagrass seems set to be one of the exciting new flooring trends for 2013. It is not necessary to fell the cork tree but just to harvest its bark which is replenished within the space of nine years and thus there is no risk of deforestation by this practice. Furthermore for the purpose of making cork floors, it is now normal practice among the leading manufacturers to utilise the recycled stoppers from wine bottles. The result is a warm, resilient, relatively inexpensive and attractive surface that is able to enhance the living areas of any home.
Carpets Are Alive and Well
We are also likely to see lovers of the traditional fabric floorcoverings enjoying some new choices in the coming year. Emphasis seems likely to be on texture and colour with the former being tending to be more natural and the latter somewhat bolder. In addition to the wall-to-wall products, thick pile rugs in vibrant colours will be used to add some relief to those large expanses of laminated floors
Carpet tiles in brighter colours than have been seen in the past are already selling well in Europe and the US and, among the other flooring trends for 2013, seem destined to liven up South Africa’s floors
How to Choose the Most Suitable Laminate Flooring Thickness
When contemplating how to choose the most suitable laminate flooring for your home, its thickness is one of several factors that you may need to consider. However it is important that you first understand the term as applied by the manufacturer and how it is measured.
Since all of these composite surfaces are far thinner than a real wooden plank, it has become a universal practice to express this property in millimetres and it should be remembered that it represents the depth of the composite plank itself together with that of any underlay that, in some cases, may be attached to selected products and that serves as a means of reducing the noise made by footsteps. In other words all such measurements are made from the product’s lower surface, the one that will actually be in contact with the subfloor when the plank is in position, to its uppermost surface.
The number of consumers that are now making the transition from carpets to composite floorcoverings is both large and growing as are the many queries they have about them. This article deals with just 5 of the most frequently asked questions that the suppliers of these products are being asked about laminate flooring. In attempting to compile any abbreviated list, it is probably best to cite one or two from each of the relevant headings that follow…
- Queries regarding subfloors suitable for composite surfaces
Curiously, one area that seems to give rise to plenty of queries is that regarding the type of material over which these it is possible to lay these products safely. In particular, many potential purchasers are eager to know whether an existing carpet may be left in position in order to act as a form of sound insulation.
While there will always be some who prefer the feel of a thick shag pile beneath their feet and others who favour the clean, elegance of a real or composite wooden surface; the combination of some eye-catching area rugs and modern laminate floors could prove to be just perfect together.
The choice of a modern composite material as the basic flooring solution in any given room can be the ideal means of assuring both a durable and long lasting surface as well as one that can be guaranteed to require only the bare minimum of care. Nevertheless, on its own, some homeowners may be inclined to see the overall effect as being a little too bland. Often all that is needed is a dash of colour to relieve the uniformity and transform the entire appearance of that same room.
First Choose the Right Product for the Job
Often, the reason for choosing to install a composite product is based on the fact that the given area experiences high foot traffic. Quite clearly, then, this is a factor that must also be taken into account when selecting a suitable pile-based floorcovering to accompany it. While price may be a guideline as to the quality of a given fabric, there are also other considerations and, for instance, a synthetic such as nylon will stand up to heavy punishment better than a natural wool product as will a looped pile rather than a cut one. On the other hand, if it is your intention to make use of an area rug in front of a fireplace and where it must also serve to protect your laminate floors, to remain perfect together, it would have to be wool and not a synthetic product as the latter can be quite susceptible to damage by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Durability aside, the main motivation for pursuing such a combined flooring solution is likely to be more related to décor than to durability alone and, in this aspect of the choice; personal taste will always play a major role. That said, the potential volume of foot traffic must remain a valid consideration but one that is not difficult to overcome. Where, the incidence is expected to be on the high side, it might be wise to play it safe by selecting a darker shade that will better conceal the dirt and reduce any excessive need for vacuum cleaning.
Then Add Your Personal Stamp
When choosing the size, the shape, the colours and perhaps the pattern of your pile-based product, this is an ideal opportunity for you to imprint your personal stamp on any given room within your home or office. Use colour to reflect the mood that suits the activities that normally take place in that area. For a family room dedicated to fun and relaxation, some bold colours and designs can create just the right atmosphere. However, whereas just about any colour will complement the wood-effect surfaces, you may have other furnishings that might be rather less forgiving. Clearly, you must seek to create an overall balance.
Visual impact is everything, so when you are shopping, first base your judgement on the impact that you experience and worry about the cost later. A solution that grabs your emotions is one that will last and be worth every cent in the long run.
Other Practical Considerations
Size counts! If you are going to locate a dining room table or a desk on your carpet then be sure that you leave a sufficient margin all around these items to accommodate the chairs as well as to visibly contribute to the décor.
The reverse is also true. If you intend to use a larger area rug and cover much of your laminate, leave a sufficiently large perimeter of visible floor so that they will look just perfect together.
In all cases, when conducting the installation of a fitted carpet, some form of barrier between the floorcovering itself and the sub-floor is likely to prove essential and underlays of various types are available for the use with carpet installation. In certain circumstances it may be acceptable to lay the new surface over an existing one but it is probably safer to simply replace the older product completely. This is a task that should not be undertaken lightly and is one that is normally best left to a professional which can be found at http://www.topcarpets.co.za. If you should decide to tackle it yourself then the following tips may prove helpful.
Make Sure You Have All the Right Tools
You will need a utility knife with spare blades, a hammer, a stapler, a measuring tape, duct tape, some tackless strips and a knee kicker as a bare minimum. Optionally, you may also find that some knee pads and work gloves could come in handy. You can probably save the cost of a knee kicker by hiring one instead.
The Preliminaries
In a new home the sub-floor will normally be of concrete although wooden planks may also be found in older but uncarpeted homes. In both cases the area should be thoroughly cleaned and any cracks filled or loose planks secured.
After first removing the skirting boards, the tackless strips may then be nailed into position around the edge of the room to be covered. They should be positioned about half an inch clear of the wall and with the tacks facing the wall. The next step is important and must be completed before the actual installation of the carpet. The underlay must be cut to fit the area and butt up to the tackless strips with no gap. Lay successive strips side by side until the area is completely covered but make sure that they do not overlap. The edges can be stapled to the tackless strips and the seams sealed with duct tape.
If there is already a wall-to-wall floorcovering in position it should first be removed along with all of the cushioning material present beneath it. Again, begin by removing the skirting boards and, starting at one end; slowly roll up the old material until it is completely detached. If this operation is undertaken with reasonable care, you will probably find that the existing tackless strips will be undamaged and may be re-used.
Laying Your New Surface
Accurate measurement is critical for this step. Begin by measuring the room at its longest point and cut your first strip of fabric about six inches longer than this. The excess is necessary to create a perfect fit when trimmed. Mark both sides accordingly and join them with a chalk line along which the cut will be made. When cutting be sure to do so from the underside. Subsequent strips must be cut to the same length. Ensure the pile direction is the same in all strips and slightly overlap them when cutting to ensure a seamless finish. Adhesive tape will serve to hold them in position.
To complete the installation place the carpet in position along one wall and on top of the underlay. Now use the knee kicker to stretch it over the tacks on the tackless strips. Repeat the process at intervals and then begin again at the opposite end. When the material is taut and all creases have been removed, carefully trim the excess material until the cut edge is flush with the wall all around the edges of the room.
You may now replace the skirting boards, pour yourself a celebratory glass of champagne, flop into your favourite armchair and admire your handiwork. Alternatively, you may find that a long hot bath and a rub down with a soothing analgesic gel could prove to be a lot more effective.
The truth is that this is neither a simple task nor a quick one. It requires a fair amount of manual effort as well as a lot of patience and skill. It might be far wiser and a great deal less nerve-wracking to allocate the entire responsibility to the hands of an expert.
Top Carpets & Floors operate more than 110 retail outlets nationwide so there is certain to be one near you. Not only can they offer you a choice from their huge range of top-branded quality carpets at a very competitive price but attend to the entire installation process and supply you with the underlay too.
Regardless of the species or breed of your household pets, it is important to cater for their needs when you are furnishing or decorating the home and among the most important considerations may be flooring solutions that are suitable for dogs or, for that matter, any pet that spends much of its time indoors.
When seeking to create a pet-friendly environment there are always three main needs that will need to be addressed. These are comfort, hygiene and, of course, durability. One thing is certain and that is that any failure to address these needs is certain to result in grief for both owners and pets alike.
Your pet will want a surface that is easy to walk on, comfortable to lay and perhaps sleep on, will not readily harbour germs that could prove harmful to both the pet and its owners and that will survive the surprisingly rough treatment and subsequent damage that an active canine or feline can sometimes inflict on a less durable type of surface.
You Should Learn How to Care For Your Laminate Flooring
Although the title of this article may suggest that there could quite a bit to learn about how to care for your laminate flooring, in practice, the reverse is somewhat closer to the truth. Looking after these tough and attractive modern surfaces is far more about observing a couple of simple steps that are will serve to keep them looking good along with a couple of potentially damaging practices that it might prove wise to avoid.