Whether you are looking to sell your house or just want to make it a nicer place to live many people’s budgets have been reduced by the current economic climate. This has meant that most are looking to make home improvements themselves rather than hiring a professional. This is something that can add value to your property in the long run so a bit of DIY here and there is always worth it.
When people look to improve their home themselves they are often put off by some jobs because they think painting the walls or putting up shelves is the only easy option. The truth is that you can have a massive effect on your property by tiling or by looking at the flooring jobs that usually scare people off. You can have great effects with relative ease as long as you choose the right materials and prepare before hand.
Different types of flooring can have different effects on the look and feel of your property but with so many different types out there which should you choose? They all have different advantages and disadvantages so it is simply a matter of looking at what you can afford and which meet your needs.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is very durable and walnut, maple and oak flooring can create beautiful effects in a room. Oak flooring is a favourite as it brings a lot of warmth and richness to a room and looks fantastic with age. The size of the flooring planks you should use depends on the size of the room. The general rule is long planks for big rooms and short planks for small rooms. They can be used in any room but if you are planning to use them in a bathroom or kitchen then it will need to be sealed.
When it comes to maintaining your hardwood it is important to make sure that any spillages are mopped up quickly as water can damage wood easily causing it to rise up and warp. Apart from that they require fairly little maintenance and are relatively easy to install. If you ever fancy a change it is simply a case of sanding down and re-varnishing in a different shade so they can be fairly versatile too. If you are considering using hardwood flooring then make sure you get them from a timber supplier that displays the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an international network to promote responsible management of the world’s forests.
Floor Tiles
Floor tiles can be great as they are very hard wearing and are suitable for a wide range of rooms from kitchens to bathrooms. You can even get some great effects by utilising designs that match with kitchen wall tiles or bathroom tiles around your shower or bath. You can choose from natural stone tiles like limestone, slate and marble tiles or manmade ceramics. The draw back with tiles is that they can be very cold so you may want to consider under floor heating or the use of cleverly positioned rugs. They can also become slippery when wet which can be hazardous especially for young children or older people.
Floor tiles are fairly easy to look after and maintain, as they take minimal cleaning. Natural stone tiles may require sealing every now and then but only a light wash with a mild soap is required every now and then.
Laminate Flooring
Modern laminate flooring has come a long way since the 1970′s and you can now create great faux oak flooring looks at the fraction of the price of the real thing. Laminate flooring is made up of a wood composite and is laminated ion the surface with a finish. Most laminates come with designs that resemble stone like marble tiles or hardwoods like oak and good quality laminates are hard to tell apart from the real thing. It is important to make sure any spills are cleaned up straight away, as this will cause the laminate to rise and shrink if left unattended. It can be used in any room of the house but if you are putting it upstairs then you will want to have a sound proofing underlay.
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