House Improvements

The Different Types Of Basement Flooring

There are many reasons why you may be looking into replacing or upgrading your current basement flooring. You may wish to convert your existing basement space from a storage area to a recreational room for your family to spend time together. You may want to install a working wet bar and a big screened television to football parties on the weekend. Or perhaps you would like to have a guest room available for when company drops by. Whatever the particular plans for your cellar happens to be, there is a plethora of flooring choices available for purchase on the market today.
Before shopping for or installing basement flooring, it is always a good idea to bring a professional in to examine your cellar for moisture. The most common sub flooring used today is concrete, which comes in direct connection with the earth. This is why getting your basement checked for moisture accumulation is imperative to the proper functioning of the new flooring you wish to have installed. Once you have determined whether or not your current concrete flooring is properly sealed and ready for a new layer, you can move forward.
The most general flooring choices being used in a basement setting are often installed throughout the rest of the home. Hardwood and laminate flooring, carpet and tiles made from porcelain or ceramic are all popular choices for basement flooring. Depending upon your specific aesthetic goals and design aspirations, which flooring you choose to utilize really comes down to taste. Again, as long as your concrete sub flooring is sealed and you do not live in an area that is exposed to continual flooding, you have a pretty wide selection of flooring. However, if your region is prone to excessive rain, perhaps finishing your current basement concrete floors is the best option for you. For many who find themselves in this situation, painting lends an affordable and easy solution. For those seeking a fancier method of sprucing up their basement floors, stenciling or painting on a faux finish are two other options.
An economical basement flooring option is vinyl or linoleum. These two types of cheaper flooring come in one of two ways: on a roll or in pieces. When found on the roll, a special adhesive is used to attach the cut piece of flooring directly onto the cellar concrete. This same type of adhesive can be used on tiles that do not already have a sticky back. Tiles with sticky backs come pre-measured and once the piece of paper is removed from the underside, they can be applied to a clean surface. A benefit to using the pre-measured sticky back tiles is they oftentimes can be adjusted once or twice before permanent placement, which gives some room for error.
More expensive options that include hardwood and tiling are not suitable for every home. However, the aesthetic value added by these types of flooring is almost unmatchable by other contenders. Hardwood floors must be installed in extremely dry basements …

Basement Renovations

Get Floored: Different Options To Choose

Are you planning to get floored? Today, there are loads of options for you to choose from. So, you do not have to stay with the same dull cement floors and can actually be able to choose from a number of different interesting options. To start with you should know that buying materials for flooring has become much convenient and easier. These days you can buy the materials for floors from an online wholesale store. At such a store, you will find plenty of different options – from hardwood to carpet flooring. You can choose the material of your preference. While you could browse through an online wholesaler’s website and check the options available, you will never have to leave the comforts of your home for doing so. You will be able to check the whereabouts of a company and the professionals associated with it. You should make it a point to check the policies and terms before choosing a company.
Remember, when it comes to choosing the right material to get floored, you should not choose any particular type of flooring randomly. Instead you should research well on the reputation of the store and also check whether you are getting the right type of material. And, online search provides you the best option and opportunity to research. It will be easier for you to compare two or three companies and choose the most suitable one. It will also be easier for you to check the case-studies and the feedback of the previous customers. Online search also offers you the options for checking the different types of materials available for flooring.
When it comes to choosing the right material to get floored, you can expect to get loads of options from an online store. A reputed store will have a stock of the following types of flooring materials:
Carpet
Hardwood
vinyl
Laminate flooring
Granite
Stone and tile
In addition to getting the material for the floors, a reputed online store will also offer services for installation and measurement. You can expect to get environment-friendly solutions for your house from a reputed dealer.
When it comes to choosing the best flooring, a dealer of floor materials often provides a list of other services and offers like discounts and rebates, free-in home measures of the floors, and many other special features. So, are you planning to get floored? Choose a service provider on the basis of reputation, flooring options available, and the accreditation and authorization.…

Home Improvement Contractors

Different Kitchen Backsplash Options

The area between your countertops and the bottom of your cabinets draws a lot attention, and can be a focal point of your kitchen renovation. The backsplash is both functional and decorative and deserves a lot of consideration when you are designing your new kitchen.
The backsplash is designed to protect the walls from water, grease, and other cooking foodstuffs that can damage a bare drywall surface. The backsplash should be a minimum of 4 inches above your countertops, but for an elegant look, the entire area between the counter and cabinet should be covered by your backsplash material. The waterproof surface of the backsplash not only protects the wall surface from damage, but it also makes your kitchen more sanitary by limiting the growth of mold and mildew associated with waterlogged surfaces.
You have a wide variety of choices for your backsplash material when you remodel your kitchen. It is important that your backsplash choice complements both your countertops and cabinets to display a consistent theme to your kitchen. The backsplash should tie the design elements of your kitchen together, and if it doesn’t, the entire feel of the kitchen just won’t be there.
Using rough, natural stone tiles in earth tones will give your kitchen an ‘Old World’ feel. Combined with natural wood cabinets and slab granite countertops, your kitchen will have an elegant feel to it. For a more contemporary look a sleek, stainless stain backsplash coupled with clean, smooth faced cabinets and a Corian surface countertop will fit the bill. Hand painted tiles to create a pattern or mural on your backsplash will give your kitchen a country or Mediterranean feel. You can use the same material for your backsplash that you use for your countertop for a modern sophisticated look. Glass block, metal sheets, or even cork can be other options that you can use for your backsplash material. You can be as extravagant or simple as you want with your backsplash material and design. If you are on a tight budget, there are a couple of ideas that you should consider. A cheap way to provide the protection that a backsplash provides your walls is a waterproof, vinyl wallpaper backsplash application. If you want the look of any more traditional backsplash, you can install your backsplash on the wall behind your sink only, and not worry about the surface on the other wall of your kitchen, or add the backsplash to those walls as your budget allows.
With all the design choices available for your backsplash, you should consult with a kitchen designer, who will help you make the right choices for the feel you are trying to achieve with your kitchen remodel. They will be able to assist you with your choice of material and the installation through the contacts that they have established. While the installation of most types of backsplashes in relatively straightforward, and can be accomplished by most do-it-yourselfers, an experienced installer will ensure that you have a professional looking …

Kitchen Remodel

Coordinate a Home Upgrade With Different Rooms and Contractors

In a time where the housing market is slow, it is easier and more practical to upgrade the home one already has, rather than buy a new one when things start appearing worn and tired. This can be done by combining the projects with several reliable contractors that work well together. They can coordinate the work so that one does not step on the toes of the others or has to rip up work that has already been completed to start their own portion of a project.
Kitchen
Often the focal point of families, the kitchen sees a lot of activity. A kitchen renovation in Northern Virginia can give the entire room a facelift in functionality and decor. A kitchen sink and its surrounding countertop areas should be a clean and functional set-up. A small sink with turning faucets can be replaced with a sink made from one, two or three sturdy basins made from natural stone, stainless steel or ceramics with multiple features added to the faucet area. Replacement counters should complement the sink and cabinets. They should cater to the routines and purpose of the person using them the most. Some surfaces are better for cutting and preparing meats and vegetables. For the baker, rolling dough is easy on some surfaces and not others. One of the more popular changes in kitchen home remodeling is the increase in cabinet space.
Natural Stone Surfaces
Marble, soapstone and granite flooring add a touch of elegance and can upgrade the look and feel of any room in the home. For example, natural stone flooring is easy to maintain, providing a clean finish to hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and even stairwells. It is a practical replacement for damaged wood floors, burnt Formica countertops or cracked ceramic bathroom tiles. Using a reliable granite or marble Northern Virginia contractor to perform the installation assures proper handling of the materials and creation of a level surface. The floor surface can also be coordinated with other natural stone products in the home, particularly in the bathroom or kitchen. This might include countertops, end tables and fixtures.
Home Waterproofing Services
When considering the long-term durability of a home, its foundation and infrastructure are crucial. The telltale signs of water damage are slow to appear. Leaks accumulate and grow over time. Multiple turns of water and moisture affect a home’s roof basement, creating damage more to he walls and foundation. A quality waterproofing Northern Virginia contractor can prevent or repair the bows, buckles and wood rot. Water enters a basement five different ways. Whether practicing preventive maintenance or shoring up an existing problem, a qualified waterproofing contractor can extend the longevity of a home.…