Radiant heat concepts have been around since ancient Rome. Furnaces were used to blow heat through tubes to heat floors. This system is very efficient at heating the entire room and heat loss is held to a minimum.
According to Tom Silva, general contractor and This Old House Magazine correspondent, the easiest way to level a floor is with a self-leveling compound, also known as floor resurfacer or liquid floor underlayment. The thick mix is combined with water and poured on the floor to get a smooth surface.
Wood floors typically expand and contract with the changing humidity levels. It is important to time your installation with an average humidity level based on the season. The use of humidifiers or dehumidifiers may be recommended.
Have you been thinking that you might try your hand at floor leveling as a DIY project? Remember, leveling a crooked floor can be extremely tricky and is often best left to someone with extensive leveling experience.
Once the new finish on your floor is applied, and you are able to begin using the room again, there are a few things you can do to protect it. One of them is applying felt pads to the feet of the furniture. This will prevent scratches from appearing.
It’s a universal truth. Your finished flooring will only be as level as the subfloor or underlayment beneath it. Any deviation in height or surface unevenness in excess of 3/16 of an inch will complicate flooring installation and affect how smooth and level the floor appears.
If you’re shopping for flooring tile for a room you haven’t decided on the final décor scheme for, it’s often best to go with a more neutral tile. Let’s talk about the colors you gravitate toward most so that we can help you pick a tile that will go with whatever your final decision is.
Unfortunately, nearly slipping when getting out of the shower is something too many of us have encountered at some point in our lives. When you need to ensure your hotel’s bathrooms are safe for guests even when wet, we’re always here to help.
The many different options offered in epoxy flooring benefit its many uses. In fact, epoxy flooring comes with many variants, including a wide assortment of attractive colors, luminescent metal flakes, and numerous and cool-looking metallic colors!
One of the biggest enemies of hardwood flooring is water. In fact, if water is left on the wood for any length of time, it can cause the wood to expand and warp, leading to staining and even pushing other nearby boards out of alignment. Hardwood refinishing can restore water damaged flooring to its former beauty.
Did you know that an increasing number of homeowners are beginning to use concrete as their flooring of choice? Since epoxy coatings can provide color and durability, they may be a cost-effective option for your home.
A number of U.S. federal agencies publish guidelines for slip resistance in flooring. They include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Some flooring manufacturers reference these guidelines as a basic standard for slip resistance in new floors and flooring materials.
Electric radiant heat is a cheaper alternative to the cost and complication of a hydronic system. However, buyer beware. Because of the 6 to 10 watts per square foot per hour the system uses, it's only economically viable for spot heating.
Not sure which flooring will work best for your business? A lot of it has to do with the environment, use, and your business itself. For example, gyms and fitness centers tend to go with rubber flooring, while schools often use resin floors.
In order for a hardwood floor to be properly level, there must be no dips, bumps, sloping, or general unevenness in the subfloor. Thus, in many cases the concrete or wooden subfloor must be leveled first before the installation of the hardwood planks.
Has a marble tile cracked? Sometimes, it can be repaired. A router is used to widen the crack so it can be filled with a waterproof adhesive or patching compound. The patch and tile surface are then smoothed and polished to blend with the surrounding tiles.
Do you know why an epoxy coating is preferred over paint for garages? If you were to put a coat of paint on your concrete garage floor, you’d have to make sure that all of the bumps and dings were smoothed out first. It would also take several coats of paint, with drying time in between. Epoxy usually only takes one coat, and fills in dents on its own.
Using a straight lay tile pattern in a small or narrow room will make the room appear more narrow that it really is. This is because the grout lines will run parallel to the walls which tricks the brain into thinking it is a smaller space.
Did you know that, to date, the most popular size of ceramic tile sold is the 4¼-inch square tile? However, the current trend is toward larger tiles for flooring, with the most popular ones being the 12 x 12-inch and 18 x 18-inch tiles.
The Middle Ages is the first documented history of wood floors. Planks were laid across the floor and sanded using a stone or metal, and stain could be added to help the floor’s longevity.
Tile floors can be both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Stone is the most common and can be used in almost any area of the home. Slate and limestone are great in wet areas and can last for a long time.
Walnut is a good choice for hardwood flooring. Why? It’s sturdy, dense, stable and resistant to shock and stress. The natural wood comes in many shades ranging from light to dark and the finely grained surface takes light, medium and dark stains equally well.
