Remodeling Contractors

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring

For a number of different reasons, wood flooring is probably the most popular type of flooring amongst homeowners today. While it can be quite expensive, hardwood flooring adds a certain level of comfort and warmth to practically any room. Some of the negative aspects of hardwood flooring include its vulnerability to damage including stains, scratches, and more. Overall, it can be a pain to maintain and clean on a regular basis.
Vinyl plank flooring is a newer type of flooring that offers many of the advantages of hardwood floors, but at significantly reduced prices. There are also some other key advantages that vinyl plank floors have over hardwood floors that make it an attractive option for anyone who wants that classic wood floor look without the hassles and high price tags.
You can find vinyl plank flooring in a wide variety of wood grain sizes. This gives you the ability to pick out a grain size that closely matches your preferred choice of wood. In addition, it is available in an array of shades resembling cherry, oak, mahogany, maple, or any other wood of your fancy. In fact, it does such a good job mimicking these natural woods that oftentimes you would not be able to see the difference between vinyl and wood flooring.
Probably the biggest advantage of vinyl flooring is how cheap it is. The cost for this type of flooring will generally fall within the range of 1 to 4 US dollars per square foot. Another great advantage of these floors is that it is extremely durable and water resistant. Its ability to effectively repel water allows you to use it in your home’s kitchen or bathrooms. It is also resistant to the cracking and scratching that you will often find with natural hardwood floors.
There are a few disadvantages to vinyl flooring that you should consider as well. Since your average vinyl plank is not nearly as thick as natural wood planks, oftentimes you will need to install an additional sub-flooring before installation. You also have to be quite careful when it comes to cleaning vinyl plank flooring. Certain types of solvents and cleaners can actually damage these floors so you need to find cleaners that are specifically designed to clean vinyl floors without damaging them.
Flooring is one of the most noticeable and important aspects of any home. Therefore, choosing the right flooring is a very big decision that you want to get right. Before you decide to install vinyl plank flooring, you will want to learn about its advantages and disadvantages so you can make the right purchasing choice.…

Remodel Kitchen

Hardwood Flooring Installation

In most homes carpet is a thing of the past. New homes and many older homes have hard wood flooring. This option of all types and colors are flying of the shelf in home improvement stores. Recent studies have shown that carpet can hold pet dander, dust and that will aggravate allergy suffers. Vinyl linoleum can be easily scraped and scared. Linoleum does not have the durability of other types of flooring.
Some a large number of homeowners have turned to this as another type of covering. The maintenance on this type is less than that of carpet. These only require mopping as opposed to vacuuming and shampooing. Hardwoods also add value to any home.
Hardwoods come in any color or finish that is desired. There are local stores that specialize in flooring as well as internet sites. After choosing the type of wood for your home, it is time to find someone to install it. A carpenter or installation specialist can lay the floor in place as it should be. A do it yourself can install their own hardwood flooring. This is a lifelong investment. The right covering will make an old home look brand new.
If you desire a pattern in the floor, it is best to let the installation person to lie this. A cheaper type to install is to laminate. A new one can be installed in a day. Some specialists may ask to bring flooring a day or two earlier so that the wood will expand in the new atmosphere.
After installation, it is time to maintain the wood floor. This type can be scratched and scraped as furniture is moved over it. The floor must be cleaned and moped. If it is an unstained floor, it will need to be stained to the color that the homeowner will like. After this it is time to set back and enjoy the new changes.
A realtor can access and let the homeowner know how much value is added with a specialized or customized installation. This is an expense that will give the homeowner a great return. This type adds charm and warmth to any home. Unlike carpet, this is a durable investment that will last for years to come. With the proper maintenance, generations to come can see the beauty of hardwoods installed today. So opting for this type might just be a mighty good step.…