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How To Choose Proper Floor Covering

Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:50 AM

 

Choosing the proper floor covering can be a challenging task. Your floors are seen by everyone and as much as you want them to be attractive, they also need to be functional as well as durable. The floor and walls of any space sets the tone for the overall design of the space and these days floor covering is being taken very seriously, luckily there are many Calgary flooring outlets to choose from. Despite all this, you don't need to be an interior decorator to decide on which covering is right for you.

 


Your Design's Foundation

 


Every room of your house has (hopefully) a design plan. Certain flooring needs will require the entire floor be covered while some will need but a simple throw rug as an accent. Your floor covering makes a statement about the room and is the foundation for everything else that will follow. Your flooring will not only dictate your decor but will also affect things such as lighting.

 


The different types of floor coverings available from Calgary flooring outlets are immense but carpeting is far and away the most popular floor covering on the market today. As if it isn't bad enough that you have to decide on a color but there are many different styles to choose from. This is where the advice of your local Calgary flooring expert can be helpful. Kitchens and bathrooms are rarely carpeted due to the close proximity of water and the possibility of making messes that are much easier wiped up off a solid surface.

 


Laminate Flooring

 


Laminates are another type of floor covering that many people choose. It is very durable, low cost and comes in an enormous variety of styles and colors. Unlike linoleum, laminates are normally installed via a tongue and groove system. Laminate flooring is relatively easy for the do it yourselfer and a relatively large surface can be laid in the course of an evening. Because they are manufactured by pressing layers of materials together standing moisture can cause a problem. Spills and regular cleaning are not an issue if they are tended immediately.

 


Linoleum (vinyl flooring) is a very popular product sold by most Calgary flooring vendors. It is inexpensive, easy to install and relatively durable although without proper care it will wear under high traffic conditions. Linoleum is normally applied via an adhesive that you apply or, in the case of linoleum squares, by means of an adhesive backing. Large sheets of linoleum will need to be cut to fit properly around the expanse of the floor (cabinets and what not). A word of caution, if you decide to lay a large sheet of linoleum that you have already cut, apply the adhesive to the floor in smaller, 6' x 6' areas. It is much easier to pull up linoleum in small sections if needed. Then to pull up half a floors worth of glued down vinyl sheets.

 


Floor tiles are also available at most Calgary flooring outlets and are what most people think of when the word “tile” is mentioned in conjunction with flooring. However, tiles can be made from a variety of materials such as vinyl, ceramic, slate, clay and even stone. It is ranges in price from cheap to expensive depending on the type of material. Tiles are almost always laid down with a standalone adhesive. While the softer tiles can be cut easily enough to fit around baseboards and such, the harder tiles such as ceramic and stone is a bit more difficult and requires a bit of knowledge and experience to trim.

 


The Beauty Of Wood

 


Hardwood flooring is some of the most beautiful and durable flooring available from any Calgary flooring purveyor. The rich colors and warm tones are some of the most sought after floor appearances ever. It is the most durable of the floor coverings but does take some care to ensure that things such as furniture do not scratch the surface. It is expensive and its installation is time consuming. While most hard flooring is tongue and groove, once it is installed it needs to be sanded and finished with some type of stain (optional) and a clear coat finish.

 


Cork is another material that flooring is manufactured from. Cork is surprisingly tough and resilient and its insulating properties are one of its largest selling points. It is flexible so it is well suited for floors that aren't exactly smooth. Cork is antimicrobial by nature and fire resistant. Unlike other floor coverings, cork can be laid over any type of sub-flooring or finish flooring save for carpet. It is softer than most floor coverings and is perfect for the kids’ room as it is easy on the feet and knees.

 


Outside The Home

 


Commercial flooring is also available from any reputable Calgary flooring distributor. Rubber flooring comes in sheets, tiles and mats and in used mostly over concrete where standing for long periods of time becomes an issue such as factories and kitchens. Rubber flooring is also used in gymnasiums and weight rooms. It also works well in basements and garages.

 


A few words about the type of Calgary flooring retailers you should deal with. Find established dealers that carry a wide selection of top quality products for you to choose from with a knowledgeable staff of helpful associates. Pick one that has a comprehensive showroom to view their products. You may even be able to get free estimates from some of the larger suppliers, if they install then be sure they have a warranty policy. Find a dealer that can help with domestic, commercial applications, new construction and renovation needs. Finding a distributor that can handle all these situations assures you that they can deal with anything you might be able to throw at them, they will probably be able to give you some type of discount due to their massive inventory. Choosing a Calgary flooring dealer is not as hard as it might seem, just make sure that they have a wide selection of product are equipped to help your needs.

Categories: Laminate floors, Hardwood floors

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