How do you choose vinyl flooring ?

How do you choose vinyl flooring? Learn about this type of flooring and what it is made of and more.

Vinyl flooring is the most common type of resilient flooring and by far the most popular flooring material in Singapore Often, resilient flooring and vinyl flooring are two interchangeable terms.

Vinyl flooring comes in both low end and high-end types. Low-end vinyl flooring is often recommended if you want to have the least expensive type of flooring material. However, high-end vinyl floors can also compete with expensive flooring like hardwood in both quality and appearance.

What is vinyl flooring made of. Vinyl flooring materials are composed of varying amounts of vinyl. These are either in solid or composite types of vinyl. Solid vinyl is composed of vinyl pieces set in a vinyl base while composite vinyl is made of vinyl pieces embedded in non-vinyl fillers. The more expensive and more durable of these two types of vinyl is solid vinyl. Good quality flooring contains higher amount of vinyl components. Wear layer is the protective topping that is found in all vinyl flooring. This is either in urethane, which is clear and with no wax covering or all in vinyl. The vinyl type is more resistant to stains and scratches. However it can lose its gloss more easily than the urethane protective topping. Glossy floor can get slippery and can be hazardous especially when used in the bathroom. Both types of protective toppings can wear in time and may become dull unless wax is applied regularly.

All vinyl floors have a cushion backing, which comes in variety of thickness. This property is valuable especially when vinyl is installed in the kitchen where there is a higher tendency of dropping breakables. Unfortunately, the thicker the cushion backing is, the easier the floor can suffer from dents. To solve this problem, you can choose textured vinyl surfaces to camouflage the dents.

Vinyl flooring comes in two forms. These are in tile and sheet forms. Most people who do their own installations prefer to use vinyl tiles. These are easier and quicker to install. Most vinyl tiles come with adhesive backing that an installer will have to peel off, position on the floor and stick it on. The surface where the vinyl will be installed should be clean and smooth to provide a good and tight fit. Others have felt backing and glue application is needed on the floor surface for installation. This type however is very difficult to remove if replacement is required. There is also a vinyl-backed type, which only requires gluing on the edges and can be easily removed when replacement is needed. Sheet vinyl on the other hand costs higher than tiles per square foot. This also requires more time and motivation to install. An average do-it yourself homeowner may find installing sheet vinyl a little more difficult.

Finally, it is usually advisable to settle for better quality vinyl flooring that lasts longer than to get the lowest type and suffer from the arduous process of replacing the cheap floor material in just a few years time.

The Quality of Laminate Flooring & Installation Types

One way to add value to your home is to consider laminate flooring installation. Laminate floors combine the beauty and elegance of hard wood, or tile floors with the easy maintenance of linoleum or vinyl flooring. Constructed from a high density fiber (HDF) wood board topped with a wood or stone pattern, laminate flooring is incredibly durable. Resistant to scratching, scuffing and burning, the beauty of laminate floors will last a lifetime. With today's constantly changing interior design trends, the easy installation and variety of laminate flooring is a popular choice for home designers.

The Quality of Laminate Flooring

If you're planning to redecorate your home including laminate flooring installation, there are some decisions you need to make about the type of laminate flooring that will work best for you. It is commonly thought that the harder the HDF core, the higher the quality of the laminate flooring. The second mark of laminate floor quality is the means by which the core is bound to the pattern and protective layers. There are two basic types of laminate flooring to consider

• Direct Pressure - Direct Pressure lamination consists of a one-step process to bind the flooring layers into a single cohesive unit. DPL flooring that has been bound is then treated with melamine resins to increase the strength of the core. This final step also allows notches and grooves to be evenly cut into the pieces to facilitate the process of laminate flooring installation. 

• High Pressure - High pressure lamination produces a more durable end product by binding the flooring layers over several steps. First the top layers are joined to each other and then glued to the HDF core. After this, the melamine resins and glued flooring are submitted to a high pressure press that completes the process and makes the product ready for laminate flooring installation.

Laminate Flooring Installation Types

Once you've decided on the design and product you want to use, you're ready to begin the process of laminate flooring installation. The various laminate products currently on the market offer several different options for laminate flooring installation. The type of installation you choose will depend on your budget, your commitment and ability to execute the project and your preference in design. When shopping for laminate flooring, you can expect to find products the require the following laminate flooring installation techniques:

• Standard Flooring - Standard laminate flooring is installed by using glue to affix the flooring to the sub floor. Standard laminate flooring installationis both cost-effective and secure.

• Pre-Glued Flooring - You may also come across laminate flooring products that have been treated with glue prior to sale. To complete the laminate flooring installation, water is applied to the underside of the board to activate the glue.

• Snap and Lock - There is no glue required for a Snap and Lock laminate flooring installation. The floor boards are instead linked by a locking mechanism on the underside of the wood. Snap and Lock flooring is very easy to install, but may be more expensive that laminate flooring installed with glue.

Best Way To Maintain Vinyl Plank Floors

Vinyl a popular flooring material that is oft-purchased for its durability, relatively low price, and range of styles, serves to give an all together new appeal to your home, office or store alike. Regardless of whether you are looking for textures that speak of marble, wood, or stone; or designs in special colors to match your decor; vinyl is definitely a low maintenance, excellent choice. It withstands harsh impacts and is also resistant to water damage and scratches. The best part is that it can be refinished to perfection with professional cleaning equipment and chemicals to keep it looking its best. Read on for more ways of maintaining the vinyl flooring in your space.

Post-installation Care

It is important to follow manufacturer guidelines after installation. This ensures that all cures and bonds of your recently installed vinyl flooring remain well-maintained, for longer periods. For this to take place, you need to maintain a temperature of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 48 hours post installation. Also, it's essential to take care of the seams of used materials for eight hours. This guarantees that the bonds are not disrupted by anything. For best results, it is also important that no weight is placed on the seams and other areas for the above defined period.

Day-to-day Cleaning

Regular and proper cleaning goes a long way in keeping your vinyl floors lustrous and shiny. It's best to use cleaning products recommended by the retailer or manufacturer. To prevent permanent staining, it becomes essential to clean up spills as and when they occur. Additionally, any accumulated dust and dirt has to be swept daily for keeping the surfaces from getting dull.

Periodic Cleaning of Vinyl Floors

At least once a year, it's a good idea to strip the vinyl flooring with any recommended stripping product. Along with removing all kinds of build-ups from the surface, this goes a long way in maintaining the shine of your floors. Thereafter, apply fresh layers satin or glossy finish to add further shine. Do allow the finish to dry up completely before permitting foot traffic into the room.

Things that need to be Avoided

Steer clear of abrasive detergents and cleaners as they are not good for your vinyl floors. Also, resist from using tools that involve harsh scrubbing, like rotating scrubbing brushes and so forth. Such tools tend to damage the top layers of your floor, and leave them dull and listless over time. Polishes that contain a solvent base are to be avoided too. Experts in vinyl flooring do not recommend the usage of paste wax, so avoid this product. If you are using a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis for cleaning debris and dirt then remember to invest in one that's without a rotating beater bar; this is to avoid any damages. Also, if there are grouts between your vinyl tiles, then stripping products would prove to be a bad idea as they could stain the tiles.

Safety Measures

To keep your vinyl flooring looking as good as new, it's good to place matching protective mats at the entrance of your space; so as to collect as much dirt beforehand. More so, if you are planning to move furniture on to your vinyl floors then remember to place them on protectors for preventing any indentations from taking place. Heavy furniture pieces or appliances are best put on a sheet of plywood before moving the same; this prevents any scuffs and tears from taking place. It's also advisable to avoid rolling casters totally as they are prone to causing significant damages over time.

With proper manufacturer recommendations, ongoing maintenance and these care measures in place, you may look forward to getting the best returns from your vinyl floors--for years in a row.

Jotterwood specializes in the supply and trade of Vinyl Flooring in Singapore which have top class superiority and beautiful design. In addition to this, Vinyl Flooring in Singapore we supplied have better-quality and are basically used for the cleansing purposes. These vinyl flooring are enclose in reusable materials and have aesthetic appeal and long lasting beauty. Further, these vinyl flooring are easy to apply and used in kitchens, bathrooms and several places. These do not tend to trap dust and are available at reasonable prices.

RAV.FLOOR – Solid Vinyl Plank

Vinyl has always been a top choice in many leading industries due to its low cost, high performance levels and adaptability characteristics. Statistically, there is an approximate 6% increase in vinyl flooring application between 2011 and 2012. It is however important for consumers to discover the benefits and problems with vinyl plank flooring systems before making a decision.

ADVANTAGES

There are numerous advantages of choosing vinyl plank flooring over other flooring solutions. These are the advantages that resulted in the increasing popularity of vinyl products.

Cost Factor: RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Planks mimics the design and authenticity of natural hardwood while ensuring much cheaper cost than solid hard wood alternatives. Spotting the difference between RAV.FLOOR solid vinyl plank and real wood is difficult to the untrained eyes due to JOTTERWOOD adopting German technology on material, imprint and emboss.

Grain Design: JOTTERWOOD RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Planks has 15 uniquely crafted Ultra-Resilient Vinyl Grade wood grain designs which portrays realistic wood grain texture and rich colors. It consists of multi-wood grain designs for each color, preventing the repetition of the same grain patterns. 

Extremely Durable Resilient Flooring: Coated with a 0.5mm wear layer & UV protection, it has one of the most durable UV coating technology in the market, thus making RAV.FLOOR resilient vinyl flooring highly resistant to scratches, dents, bumps and stains Its composition also makes it extremely durable. RAV.FLOOR unique 7 layers construction is reinforced with fiber-glass which makes individual vinyl floor planks much more stable and compact. RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Planks are also 100% waterproof, highly sound absorbent, termite-proof and fire resistance.

Installation Innovation: RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Plank is easy and quick to install due to the patented German Click Technology Locking System.  It results in extremely seamless and tight joinery. It is recommended that a JOTTERWOOD certified installer does the installation. The RAV.FLOOR vinyl planks will be delivered to site 48 hours before installation to allow for acclimatization, preventing warping and distortion after installation. Vinyl Floor installation can typically be done within 1-2 working days, which is much faster than typical flooring solutions. Ultimately, less hassle. 

Reduced Waste Production: Unlike most flooring solution which requires hacking of existing finishing, RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Planks were designed to be laid over directly without the use of any adhesive. This reduces time taken for overall installation and overall cost (i.e. hacking and transportation of debris). It also allows for a much cleaner living environment while installation is ongoing especially in occupied facilities.

Comfort: Its revolutionary German embossing technique allows for realistic grain texture which, compared to conventional homogenous tiles, provides a sense of relatable texture. Secondly, RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl flooring 7-layers construction composition creates a comfortable underfoot versus typical hard flooring solution. It is warm-footing as compared to homogenous flooring and tiles, making it comfortable to walk on barefooted.

Maintenance: Vinyl flooring is typically very easy to maintain as it requires basic cleaning. RAV.FLOOR Vinyl Flooring is highly stain resistance making it very suitable for kitchens and households with children and/or pets.

DISADVANTAGES

Fading: While vinyl planks have been known to fade over time, RAV.FLOOR 5mm UV coating meant that its resilient flooring product will be less prone to the effect of UV rays, making it much more durable than typical marketed products.

Sub Floor Leveling: RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Planks is installed directly onto the subfloor layer. While it is more convenient for a house that requires new flooring solution, It also meant that attention has to be put in ensuring that the sub floor is perfectly level to prevent the distortion of floor planks after installation.

REVOLUTIONARY

One of the main concerns restricting the use of vinyl flooring is the release of harmful chemical by-products. JOTTERWOOD RAV.FLOOR solution is proud to say that its resilient flooring product uses 100% quality virgin vinyl resulting in its product being 100% Formaldehyde free.  

Despite vinyl product being non-biodegradable as of all plastic products, constant advances in recycling technology and its long life span (20 years residential warranty, 5 years light-commercial warranty) allows for the our vinyl flooring product to be 100% recyclable. 

JOTTERWOOD RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Plank is also certified by many international laboratories.

All in all, it is important to first weigh the pros and cons of vinyl flooring alternatives before deciding on its suitability. JOTTERWOOD however believes that its advantages outweighs the disadvantages, making RAV.FLOOR Solid Vinyl Plank an incredible viable option for housing flooring application. The cost factor is especially so, as our resilient flooring design is able to provide 15 unique realistic wood grain designs while being much cheaper than solid wood flooring solutions.

Solid wood ceiling - Jotterwood

A very common type of wood ceiling is the coffered ceiling - wood beams in a pattern with wood panels between them. That's a good look, and works great in a vaulted ceiling or a cathedral ceiling.
Maybe you've got a popcorn finish on a flat ceiling, or a plaster ceiling, and it's just not quite doing it for you. Wood paneling is a good way to cover it up, avoiding the extra work of removing it before putting a new finish on your ceiling.

If your room is rectangular, you can use bead board or wood planks, running the beads or grooves in the shorter direction. This will create the illusion that the room is more like a square than a rectangle. Another option is to use hardwood flooring the same way.

A timber frame look will be more rustic (or country) looking, and it's a lot less expensive and easier to achieve than covering the entire ceiling with wood panels or planks. It involves installing beams in a crossing pattern to create "boxes" throughout the room's ceiling.

Solid wood ceiling can be installed as tongue and groove panels or as planks. Any wood ceiling can be stained to your desired color and will bring a custom touch to a room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6631984

Important Things To Know About Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring, or as it's sometimes called, a "floating floor" was originally designed for small apartment rental use. In Europe, small rental apartments sometimes didn't come with "flooring," so the renter would install their own floating floor, and then remove it when they left, and install it in their next apartment.

I would say, however, that this flooring is about as portable as a carpet, and the real merit for laminate flooring in North America is its cost. "Floating floors" are the cost effective solution to real "solid" hardwood flooring. It can be readily installed by any DIYer who has a cut off saw and a measuring tape.

Laminate flooring is constructed from a fiber board that typically comes in 7mm and 12mm thicknesses. A photographic "wood" layer is "laminated" to the surface and protected with a hard clear coating. This can offer a very realistic representation of the real hardwood flooring it's trying to mimic. Prices can vary depending on thicknesses and laminate quality.

Each board typically is 4" to 8" wide (give or take), and often will have fake appearing "cracks," when its trying to simulate the narrower slatted hardwood flooring. These fake "cracks" clash with the actual real cracks, and in my opinion, ruin the authentic look. The flooring style to go for, in my humble opinion, is the wide board style, as in, all the cracks are the real cracks.

This type of flooring requires no nails, and gluing is either optional or not at all needed. Tongue and groove interlocking, or "click type," is also synonymous with this type of flooring, and these wide boards make installation a breeze. A foam or "felt like" pad layer, that is purchased by the roll, needs to be laid down first. This will even out any small dips and rises in the floor, and as well, ease potential friction squeaks. Unfortunately, this under layer gives the floor a spongy feeling underfoot, which detracts from the authentic feel. For this reason it's recommended that you purchase the thickest flooring that you can afford. In other words, 7mm is weaker and will feel spongier, and 12mm, which is typically the thickest size, is better.

Unlike real hardwood flooring, laminate boards seem to always come in the same set board length. So the starting board for each run will have to be cut at varying lengths so as to achieve the desired board end staggering. With both types of flooring here, the last board in every run will obviously have to be cut.

Similar to any wood flooring, a spacing gap of approximately ¼" to ½" needs to be left for expansion, all around the perimeter of the room. Because of this, sometimes this glue free, nail free, flooring will slide around along the tongue and groove connection. It often happens when some one stops suddenly with grippy shoes. You'll hear a loud "CLACK" and then a half inch or so gap is exposed beneath. It can be easily 'kicked" back into place however, but it's hardly a selling point.
Being a "floating" floor, this flooring has more options in which directions you can lay it. Run it length wise, width-wise, or diagonally, your choice. However, I'd still recommend running it perpendicular to the joists, as it should give the finished product a bit more rigidity. If you are laying it on a concrete floor, direction is of course not an issue. This is another benefit to laminate flooring over solid hardwood flooring, basement or concrete floor use.

Now, being that laminate flooring is cheaper than the alternative, it won't likely have as long a lifespan, and typically will have a shorter warranty to prove this. The "wear layer" on this flooring can be wafer thin, and when that wears through, or gets scratched and gouged, you're into the ugly particle board.

All in all, laminate flooring can be an excellent alternative to the real hardwood flooring. If you avoid the thinner faker looking brands, you can still have a quality product for half the price of real hardwood. Don't forget to factor in the differing costs and efforts for the install. Happy choosing!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4464824