Wednesday 18 July 2012

Let a Professional Take Over the Hassles

You might want to give your home a makeover and need new flooring installed to match the new décor. Why not simply contact a flooring company and transfer all the hassles involved in flooring installation to people who know what to do and how to do it? If you already have an idea of the kind of flooring you want because you have surfed the net and found styles which fit into your vision of the new look of your house, then you really have a headstart. For example, solid wood is unsurpassed in its natural beauty but engineered is a fine alternative if you have under-floor heating where solid wood can't be used. Check out the options like whether they come in several different finishes such as satin lacquered, antique brushed matt and matt lacquered with others available.
In fact, it would be a very good idea to do the shopping from the comfort of your home and save yourself traffic related issues like jams and looking for parking space. There are some very good companies which a strong web presence and cleverly crafted sites where you can actually get an idea of the options available. Some of them even list the cost per square foot which can give you an inkling of what your flooring will cost you. You just need to remember that the total cost will include such things as installation charges, transportation costs etc. There are some things for you to keep in mind before you decide on a flooring company .
Remember to check out their reputation with regard to dependability, punctuality, quality of work and the finish that the new flooring has. It could be small details like sanding down the wooden surface of an engineered wood floor or clearing up the mess after flooring installation that make the difference. It could also be the bigger issues like moving heavy furniture for you or trimming down doorways if necessary. If they are the kind of people who can also suggest bespoke patterns that will make your new floor unique, then go for it.

Getting a Beautiful New Flooring Crafted

There is no flooring that looks as exquisite as a wooden floor. Timber flooring can go with pretty much any kind of décor and style. Before setting out to get a lovely wooden floor crafted check out the wood flooring companies in the neighborhood. Whether you are in St. Neots, Cambridge , Peterborough or Bedford , there might easily be a highly reliable company like M&D Flooring Limited in your area which will be transparent in all its dealings with you. There are all kinds of contractors and some of them will really rip you off by keeping certain costs hidden when quoting prices. Then when it comes to paying the bill, you get the shock of your life.
There are several advantages to getting wood flooring installed. It is pretty much maintenance free and is easy to care for. On the other hand, you need to consider also the higher cost for installation, higher cost for the flooring in general, and higher maintenance costs due to the fact that you will have to have them professionally cleaned every once in a while. There are certain precautions to take before wood flooring installation . These include laying dust sheets over furniture and artifacts in the home to prevent a mess. Have a first aid kit box at hand in case of accidents. Since there is likely to be a significant amount of dust flying around, keep high quality dust masks, goggles and anti allergens at hand.
Don't forget to stain and polish the wood flooring after installation . It is a highly polished floor that gives a house that distinctive look. A high gloss will protect your floor from damage especially in high traffic areas where visitors are coming and going such as hallways. Apart from the sense of luxury, remember that wood flooring is definitely warmer than concrete ones. Some experts do suggest investing in some kind of underlayment which prevents seepage of moisture which is the biggest enemy of a wooden floor. The wood flooring companies would be able to advise you on which is the most suitable timber for your floor. Instead of limiting yourself to dark wood, you can even try contrasting light colored planks with dark ones to give a tonal effect.

Benefit from Proper Flooring Aftercare

There are certain tips you definitely should take from flooring suppliers when you install new flooring. These relate to proper aftercare. Different kinds of floors require different kinds of aftercare. For example, if you install a wood floor you should always keep in mind that moisture is a number one enemy of wood or even laminates, so always squeeze your mop out thoroughly. Therefore, you need to regularly sweep it to remove grit and debris. You can also mop or vacuum with a lightweight vacuum cleaner often, as small amounts of grit or dirt can cause minor scratches that build up over time. If you need to use a floor cleaner, make sure it is an accredited lacquer floor cleaner. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. If need be, cover with mats or shade with blinds.
For laminates, use a micro-fiber mop and a recommended laminate flooring cleaner during the regular cleanups. Spillages should be wiped with a soft cloth as soon as possible. Most flooring suppliers in Huntingdon, St. Ives and Stamford recommend using vinyl flooring tiles for areas that are likely to get wet, like kitchens and bathrooms. This is because they are one of the hardest wearing flooring products available and one of the easiest to maintain. Mop them with warm water and a splash of vinyl tile cleaner; then rinse with freshwater. Sweep or vacuum regularly (avoid a vacuum with a beater bar as it can cause damage) as dust and sand can damage your vinyl.
The best thing about these tiles is that they do not split, chip, crack or splinter easily. So, in areas of very heavy traffic and where you need to maintain stylish looks they make for ideal flooring material. Add to that vinyl flooring tiles come in all patterns which can vary from a wood effect, plain/mottled, ceramic tile effect to something quite highly patterned depending on your personal taste. They are normally fitted to a concrete floor that has been smoothed with a latex bonded screed or a wooden floor that has been ply-boarded or hard-boarded since even brand new houses have floors that are not always level and smooth.

Get the Kind of Flooring You Want

You could want to change the flooring you have for any number of reasons. Consider your options well before taking a final decision. After all getting new flooring laid is not a monthly or even yearly affair. You need to ensure that whatever might be your ultimate choice — cheap hardwood flooring or laminate wood flooring — it should be something that lasts for a long time to come. Since beautiful flooring transforms your home, ensure that it is appropriate for the room or area where it is going to be laid. Safety is paramount especially where floors are concerned, so the flooring should be such that people do not slip and fall.
The best kind of laminate wood flooring should be fit on a good quality sound-proofed underlay. Check to see if your supplier can offer you all the different ranges and whether they come with matching trims such as door bars, skirting boards, scotia, pipe covers and other edging. However, in the kitchen or washroom this kind of flooring is not advised, since it can chip or dent if any sharp object is dropped on it and is not waterproof. Laminate wood comes in a wide range of prices and styles, such as a full plank effect, a two or three strip effect and also one that looks like a ceramic tile effect board. Good quality laminate has a realistic effect, similar to real wood flooring. Be careful to match colors with your existing décor and suggest bespoke patterns that will make your new floor unique.
In the long run, durability and versatility of the flooring will prove its cost effectiveness. Engineered wood flooring is designed to give a natural ‘real wood look' but made from cheaper materials. It is made up of plywood topped with a veneer of real wood. In many cases, cheap hardwood flooring will really be all you need, which means there's not much point in paying more. In a living room or a lounge where people are going to be mostly sitting around and there is no really heavy furniture, it is a good option.