Selecting kitchen floors and counters requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Choose kitchen floors and counters with help from a professional kitchen designer in this free video clip.
If you are installing a new kitchen floor, make a paper template of the floor. This will make the job easier, and the end result will be more professional-looking. Because a paper template is essentially an exact copy of your kitchen floor, you can use it to cut out new flooring material to be installed in one large piece, such as vinyl, linoleum or carpeting.
Concrete kitchen floors are extremely durable and can be easily cleaned compared to other flooring options. Homeowners have many things to consider when picking which flooring material they prefer. The floor choice should mesh with the overall design of the kitchen and suit its function. For example, large families or people expecting many guests should choose a more durable option. Concrete is one of the cheaper, more eco-friendly and practical options for kitchen floors.
If you have a large hump or bulge in your kitchen floor, there’s a good chance that a structural issue with your home is causing the problem. For humps that are several feet long or cover a large area, it’s best to consult with an engineer or contractor to diagnose and repair the problem. Small humps are usually a sign of a problem that is much easier to repair. Improperly secured subflooring will work loose over time and can cause squeaks, cracks and humps in a linoleum floor. If it’s small enough, you can fix a hump in the kitchen…
Marble floors add a one-of-a kind natural element to a kitchen. The ancient Greeks and Romans recognized marble for its enduring attractiveness. Marble is a stone resulting from limestone crystallization that emerges into an assortment of colors and patterns to suit any decor. Kitchens are busy areas of the home and subject to spilling, dropping and heavy floor traffic. Not all marble is suitable for kitchen floors, which varies in strength and durability. A less porous, harder marble is best for kitchen flooring.
You need to stretch a laminate floor when the ambient humidity and temperature conditions in your kitchen fall outside of the range that the flooring manufacturer recommends. This causes the planks to shrink and produces a noticeable gap between the ends of adjacent boards. Kitchen usage creates a dynamic ambient environment, so it's important to address the problem with this in mind. A two-pronged approach allows you to rectify the underlying cause and ensures that the flooring expands and contracts as a whole unit.
Ceramic tile, vinyl and stone are typically the flooring materials of choice when planning a kitchen. Many homeowners, however, would like to have hardwood floors in the kitchen. Whether the motivation is to achieve a warm, old-fashioned look or to unify the floors throughout the house, consideration should be given to how spills affect hardwood floors.
Kitchens and entryways are both high-traffic areas in the home. Kitchen floors are subject to moisture and food spills, while entryways are a target for dragged in dirt. Durability should be a high priority when you are considering flooring options for these areas. With the array of flooring options available, you can install a floor covering that is attractive as well as sustainable.
Hardibacker is a fiber-cement sheet product used on walls and floors under and behind ceramic tile installations. The product is undamaged by water and suitable for use in wet areas. Hardibacker provides a surface that tile mortar bonds to easily. It comes in 1/4 or 1/2 inch thicknesses; either are suitable backerboards for ceramic tile floors.
Pergo is the brand name of high-quality laminate flooring that resembles hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring is actually a composite of fiberboard, resins and a photographic image of wood encased in several protective layers. Quality laminate flooring is smooth, durable and less expensive than hardwood flooring. Pergo floors are water-resistant but not waterproof. Because excess moisture can cause warping and bubbling, it is important to seal kitchen flooring areas where the potential for exposure to water is high.
Ugly flooring in an apartment creates a challenge for the renter because permanent changes aren't typically allowed. If you find the kitchen floor completely unappealing, consider temporary or removable options for covering the existing flooring. Ask your landlord for permission before you make any changes to the apartment that could potentially leave behind damage, such as a semi-permanent flooring option.
Redoing a kitchen floor breathes new life to the space and improves its condition and usage. Whether the current flooring is water damaged or you simply wish to update the kitchen, the process of redoing a floor can be fairly simple. Before you begin, remove the existing flooring material and clean the area. Although there are a variety of flooring options available, tile is common in kitchens because of its properties such as durability, easy cleaning and moisture resistance. Use tile in your desired shape, size and color so it complements the interior decor.
A small kitchen doesn’t have to be boring or feel claustrophobic. You can open up the look of a small kitchen and provide visual interest, color and texture with your flooring choice. No matter what your taste and style in kitchen décor, there is a variety of flooring choices on the market that make for durable and attractive small kitchen floor coverings.
Kitchen floors need not be boring flat vinyl or ceramic tiles. With a pebble tech floor in your kitchen, you get a colorful surface consisting of millions of small pebbles held in a strong resin binder that creates a surface that’s hard as well as beautiful. Unfortunately, pebble-tech isn’t impervious to damage, and while most damage, from cracks to gouges, are repairable, there are occasions when you’ll need to replace the flooring altogether. Removing the flooring is no easy task, as it must be pried away in pieces. Once clear of the old floor material, though, the replacement pebbles are…
Drinks, snacks and cooking ingredients often accidentally end up on the kitchen floor. If your kitchen is a high-traffic area, you are likely to see dust and dirt being tracked in as well. Cleaning the kitchen floor is a task that is necessary on a regular basis. You can spend quite a bit of money buying floor cleaners from the store. However, if you want to save money and use gentle products that won't irritate your skin or respiratory system, you can make your own floor cleaner right at home.
The kitchen, in many homes, reflects the heart and soul of the home; meals are made and families come together in the family kitchen. One of the most noticeable aspects of the kitchen remains the flooring. Flooring options can offer beauty, safety and functionality to the kitchen and also provide style and comfort to the homeowner. Many top flooring choices for kitchens exist to give the consumer exactly what she is looking for.
It's hard to imagine the profound hardships Americans experienced in the 1930s when more than one-quarter of the nation's population was out of work and bread lines snaked around city blocks. The election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 offered renewed hope, and while life remained difficult, families maintained stoic attitudes and were proud of being self-reliant. Despite the gloom of the era, homemakers still took pride in sprucing up their homes. One of the ways they did that was to replace their kitchen flooring with the latest products.
The best flooring to put down in a kitchen depends on your needs and wants. You have to consider factors, such as how often you use your kitchen and if you have pets and children. Typically, the most important qualities to look for when choosing kitchen flooring are durability, stain resistance and ease of maintenance. Considering certain factors and knowing what features you're looking for can help you to select the right kitchen flooring.
Kitchens and bathrooms are subject to heavy traffic and spills. As a necessity, the flooring options for these rooms must be durable, easy-to-clean and appear pleasing to the eye. There are several options available for flooring for these rooms. These options range in level of expense. If the budget is an issue, specific flooring types such as vinyl or linoleum would be the best cost option. However, if the price is immaterial, there are numerous options for flooring for kitchens and baths.
Modern retro kitchen designs incorporate elements from long ago, updated with a modern twist. For instance, in a renovation you might want to keep the cabinetry yet update it with contemporary paint colors. Likewise for flooring: Emulate the popular checkerboard flooring of the era with vibrant colors or paint existing hardwood that has seen better days with a retro-inspired pattern.
Floating flooring is a modern form of wood floor that installs without nails or glue. The floorboards snap together to form the surface and sit unattached to the base floor. The boards are generally made of particleboard topped with laminated wood, which holds up better to moisture and heat than does the natural solid wood found in traditional wood flooring. This makes floating flooring a good choice for kitchens.
The kitchen floor is home to a wide variety of bacteria and other microorganisms. However, it is also the last place where you want to give these tiny bugs a place to flourish for fear of them ending up on your food. As a result, keeping a kitchen sanitary should always be a concern, and you can improve your chances of this by selecting the right kitchen flooring materials when constructing or renovating your kitchen.
With the amount of time that people spend in the kitchen, floors are an important feature. They need to look good, be comfortable on the feet and legs, and clean up easily. When planning a floor, the ease and cost of installation is also important. Fortunately for the homeowner, there is an abundance of possibilities for kitchen flooring for every decor and color scheme. A plywood base offers a blank slate for a variety of possibilities.
Kitchen flooring endures a lot of foot traffic. Between your creating three meals a day, trips to the refrigerator and even putting away the groceries, flooring gathers dust, grime and scratches. When selecting kitchen flooring for a remodeling project or a new home, consider which types are easy to keep clean, have less of a chance to break and provide a quality look to the room.
Conventional wisdom suggests that laminate flooring is not a good idea for your kitchen. However, this depends on the type and quality of the flooring you use. Rolled laminate vinyl tends to hold up better than laminate tiles. Since its introduction in the 1980s, though, the quality of laminate flooring has improved and is now a welcome addition to many kitchen designs.
Kitchen flooring comes in a variety of different options. Some options are inexpensive and easy to install, while others may be expensive and require the help of a professional. These flooring materials are designed with busy kitchens in mind, where spills are common and foot traffic is heavy. Because of these considerations, kitchen floors need to be durable and easy to maintain.
Fifty years or so ago, when you were deciding what flooring to put in the kitchen, your choices were limited to what color and pattern of linoleum you desired. All that has changed. Today, in addition to laminate or treated wood flooring and ceramic tiles, there is whole world of options, many of them environmentally friendly. For a creative kitchen flooring, consider how you use your kitchen, your basic style and how easy the flooring will be to maintain.
When remodeling your kitchen, choosing the flooring may seem like one of the easier decisions that you have to make. However, when you consider the many options that are available, the choice may not seem quite as easy. As you run down your list of potential options, keep in mind several factors to ensure that you wind up with the best floor for your kitchen.
Whether you are remodeling your existing kitchen or designing a dream kitchen for your newly built home, one of the most important decisions you will make is what kind of flooring to install. Kitchen flooring comes in a variety of styles, materials and price points and choosing the right one for your kitchen depends on a number of considerations. Decide on the floor for your kitchen with as much care as you choose the cupboards, appliances and countertops.
Balancing beauty and durability is an important factor in selecting a flooring material for kitchens with high levels of traffic and strong potential for spills. Per square foot, flooring is the largest design element and it should complement the overall aesthetic of the kitchen. On the other hand, the beauty of the kitchen's floor will be short-lived if it cannot withstand the rigor and demand of constant household activity.
If you're building a new home or renovating your kitchen, you have a wide range of flooring options from which to choose. Which flooring materials are right for you depends on your aesthetic tastes, the style of your home and how much you're willing to spend. The colors and texture of a kitchen floor can have a big impact on the feel of the entire room.
A kitchen floor that is wobbly and uneven probably has a problem underneath the flooring itself. If your subfloor has dips and depressions in it, then any kind of floor you lay on top of that is going to be unstable. Whatever kind of floor you have, and whatever kind you plan on replacing it with, the first thing you have to do is level out that uneven subfloor. Liquid floor leveler is a watery cement that spreads out and gives you a flat surface on which you can lay the new floor.
Linoleum has been used as a flooring product since the 1930s, and since that time, it has been essentially unchanged. Installing linoleum, likewise, has remained largely unchanged. When installing linoleum over plywood, the most important thing to remember is to keep the plywood surface as clean as possible. This will allow the linoleum's adhesive to stick to the plywood substrate more completely.
A floor that needs wax to be protected is going to require much more maintenance than non-waxed floors. For example, after a period of time, the wax will start to buildup and can even turn an unattractive yellowish color. When this occurs, you need to strip the wax and then re-wax the floors. Using the right techniques can help prevent cut lines from forming, which are lines that show where the wax has been removed or applied.
Beehive foundations are framed artificial honeycombs placed inside each super to provide a starting structure for bees to build their own cells. Commercial foundations are molded to resemble the natural hexagonal pattern of worker bee combs and may be made from beeswax, plastic or plastic coated with beeswax. Natural beeswax foundations are more attractive to bees, but may melt and cave in when exposed to heat and sun. Plastic foundations are more durable, but bees may hesitate to draw out (build wax on) the artificial material. Beeswax-coated plastic combines the best qualities of the two materials. When bees strip off…
The 1920s was a golden time in American history that older generations look back on with joy and appreciation. Kitchens were popular areas of the home wherein farmers would take a break from their hard work to enjoy a good home-cooked meal.
Linoleum has been in use since the late 1800s, and the basic material components haven't changed since. They come in a vast variety of colors and are known for their long-lasting durability when properly maintained. Hospitals and other commercial industries use linoleum heavily throughout the country. Unlike vinyl flooring, linoleum is flame-resistant and the color of the linoleum carries through the entire square. Linoleum has recently made a resurgence in residential homes mostly due to the introduction of new colors.
The layout of a kitchen is formed by the counters, cabinets and major appliances. This arrangement is the key to a stylish and functional space. Many modern homes embrace an open floor plan, where the kitchen, dining and living areas are combined, creating plenty of space for movement. This kind of design in a home means more style and layout options for the kitchen are available.
Area rugs protect flooring from damage, provide insulation and add an element of beauty to any home. Rugs are especially useful for hard flooring, such as hardwood, linoleum and tile, as they also provide padding underfoot. Choosing the right type of rug for each room is paramount. Kitchens, for instance, are more likely to experience food and liquid spills, as well as accidents from plumbing. Therefore, an easily cleaned and water-resistant rug is essential.
A U-shaped kitchen is one where three walls in the kitchen provide work surfaces, appliances and cabinets. Many consider a U-shaped kitchen the most convenient for cooking because the utensils and materials for cooking are within easy reach. The kitchens often have enough room to accommodate several cooks, compared to galley kitchens that are long and narrow
Linoleum floors are made of natural wood products, linseed oil, resins and other products such as limestone. The combination of materials results in a durable floor that adds to the appeal of your room. Although many newer linoleum floors may require no wax to maintain and protect the surface, older floors do. The wax coat on a linoleum floor adds shine and protects the surface from scratches. As part of regular maintenance, the wax must be stripped once each year, then reapplied to avoid yellow discoloration.
When it comes to choosing flooring for your bathroom, key things to remember are that it should be slip resistant and water resistant and at the same time. Moreover, it must give a classy look to your space. According to Construction Owl, a California based home builder and general contractor, ceramic tile is the best choice for bathroom floors. This is because ceramic tiles can tolerate diverse climate conditions inside the bathroom, including heat, moisture and steam, and feel sensuous when you walk on them barefoot.
Homemade crafts can give a kitchen a personal, comfortable touch. By creating one-of-a-kind decorations, you can turn a standard space into a stylish, homey room. As you plan kitchen crafts, consider things that will add color and texture as well as serve a distinct purpose.
Few things change the look of a room as quickly as new flooring. Be judicious when buying new flooring for a kitchen, though, due to how much traffic the average kitchen experiences and the importance of cleaning it thoroughly. You have a number of choices for good, durable kitchen floor materials.
Linoleum tiles are not only visually beautiful, but they are also among the most environmentally friendly flooring source. Linoleum floors are manufactured out of linseed oil, recycled wood and other biodegradable and natural materials. If you wish to keep this flooring looking new, you must occasionally polish and buffer the floor.
Standing in the middle of a chaotic household can drive anyone crazy. Using lists is an easy way to organize a variety of tasks. Some household lists can be simple and reusable. Lists for managing your time, appointments and goals are better organized in a notebook that fits in your purse or briefcase. Organizing your life is a process of small steps, but there's nothing like the satisfaction of crossing a task of a list.
Before you rewax the floors in your home, you should take the time to strip the old wax. This will prevent an uneven buildup of wax. Over time, high traffic areas will lose wax while low traffic areas will remain waxed. When you apply fresh wax without removing the old wax, it creates an uneven appearance and can even diminish the look of your floor.
Choosing the right person to install your new floor is an important decision. It can mean the difference between a quick, clean and quality job and a never-ending project with a multitude of errors. Finding installers who show up on time, take pride in their work and believe in quality isn't always easy. But if you do your reseach, ask general contractors and friends for recommendations and check installers' references, you will take most of the guesswork out of the decision and will hopefully end up with a positive experience.
According to ancient Chinese feng shui principles, if you have an organized home, the more the universe will be able to support you in reaching your goals. However, whether you believe in feng shui or not, you should still aim to have an organized home. Being more organized simplifies your life by allowing you to keeping track of things and to help things at home run more smoothly.
Linoleum sheets provide an inexpensive means of covering a floor's surface. Gone are the days of pea green linoleum flowers. Modern linoleum patterns include everything from plain flooring to tile and wood patterns. Even better, modern linoleum is easy to install as a DIY project, providing yet another way to save money and change the appearance of a room. When installing linoleum in a large room, the best type to use is sheet linoleum as it ensures an even installation.
Kitchen floors are often overlooked in your kitchen cleaning routine. Often this is because cleaning the kitchen floor can be a difficult undertaking that can take significantly longer than wiping down counters or splashboards. Choose easy methods to clean floors to remove bacteria and viruses that might be growing.
Linoleum tiles are a fast and easy flooring transformation. The square linoleum tiles can be installed in just a day or two. They are very resilient and hold up well against heavy traffic, moisture and dirt. Many homeowners install linoleum square tiles on their own because the process is easy and straightforward. Linoleum tiles come in many colors and can be purchased to match the other furnishings, flooring and fixtures in your home.
If frustration is the goal, then installing a linoleum floor with no prior experience is a great idea. Professional installation is the recommendation. That said, with patience, phenomenal subfloor preparation and strict adherence to all installation instructions, a handyman can pull off the feat. As linoleum manufacturer Forbo's installation manual states, "In the flooring industry, 97 to 98 percent of all complaints are installation, subfloor or maintenance related."
Linoleum tiles are a good flooring option for high use rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Unlike ceramic tiles, linoleum tiles will not crack or break if heavy items are dropped on them. However, linoleum tiles are similar to ceramic tiles in that they are water resistant and hold up well to wear and tear. Installing linoleum tiles is easy to do and the installation process should only take you a few days from start to finish.
A linoleum "rug" is a single sheet which is installed on a floor and has no seams. Depending on where the linoleum is installed a pattern may be needed. However, before installing any linoleum on the floor an underlayment of ¼-inch plywood or luan is required. An underlayment is needed because linoleum should not be installed directly on a subfloor. Before gluing the linoleum,determine the size that is needed for the room.
Vinyl floor covering is a good material to use in kitchens and bathrooms. It holds up to liquid spills, resists most stains, cleans up easily and comes in many colors and designs. To install vinyl you need to start out with a level surface and have the proper tools for the job. Basic installation is not complicated, but does require some labor.
Choosing the right type of flooring for your kitchen can mean the difference between a long-lasting floor and a costly renovation in just a few years. Among the different types of flooring for homes, certain materials best suit a kitchen. As a wet zone and high-traffic area, the kitchen requires flooring that can handle moisture and take a beating.
Tiles make for an attractive and easy-to-install flooring material for your kitchen. Regardless of material, tiles resist moisture and are easier to clean than hardwood or carpeting. Tiles come in a variety of materials, each with its individual benefits and disadvantages. For a long-lasting floor, choose a durable tile material.
Organizing your thoughts and organizing your home are related -- a cluttered mind creates a cluttered home. If your home is cluttered, it is likely your car and workspace are cluttered ,too. Physical clutter is a manifestation of the emotional clutter weighing you down. Life coach Hilda Carroll says, "If clutter is the accumulation of unnerving stuff, then decluttering means tossing what you don't need -- including items, thoughts and even interruptions that distract you." With this in mind, you can turn your disorganized thought process around by implementing some organization into your home and workplace.
Given the wide range of options, choosing a decorating style for your kitchen can sometimes be overwhelming. In most cases, it is best to take cues from the decor in the rest of your home so there is a sense of continuity and flow between the rooms. If you want a truly distinctive look for your kitchen, however, opt for a decorating look that creates the atmosphere you want for the space while incorporating your favorite colors and materials.
Linoleum has a long history as a flooring material and it remains a popular choice today anywhere a durable, easy-to-maintain floor is the objective. Unlike the glued-down materials of the past, linoleum panels that lock together enable you to put down a floating floor with little mess or extended drying times. The completed floor floats on top of the subfloor, allowing it to move with the seasons and making it easy to change in the future.
In the most basic terms, loose-laying linoleum flooring means you don't glue it to the floor. Loose-laying works well in smaller areas like closets or pantries, as a decorative touch in the middle of a room, or placed over substrates like painted concrete that don't allow adhesives to adhere. Most loose-lay linoleum is made for this process, and has a thicker and heavier backing. The backing helps keep the linoleum straight when it has been laid and provides a non-skid surface to prevent ripples and wrinkles.
When it comes to choosing a floor for their kitchen, many homeowners find the task challenging. Because it is a heavily trafficked area that often sees spills and other accidents, a durable, easy-to-clean flooring option is ideal. However, most homeowners do not want to sacrifice appearance for the sake of easy maintenance. Fortunately, there are several flooring options that are both easy to care for and attractive, so you can have the best of both worlds with your kitchen floor.
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in a home and can suffer from some heavy wear and tear. Not only is the floor of this room constantly walked on, it is also constantly exposed to water, oil, grease and other food elements. When selecting flooring for your kitchen, choose a material that can withstand such harsh conditions, but one that also complements the design of the room.
The kitchen is a unique place in your house in that it is a public but informal room where the family gathers to talk, eat, spend time and work together. However, the kitchen need not be treated like a serious gathering place, like a living room or a dining room. This means that you can appropriately make some daring color choices in order to personalize your kitchen for your family's tastes.
Plywood is one type of floor onto which you can install linoleum. The type of plywood on the floor, however, is important. You need Type 1 luan plywood or underlayment-grade plywood to ensure the linoleum won't have soft spots or bubbles from adhesive problems. A smooth, even surface that will accept the adhesive is critical. This procedure can vary depending on the exact room and whether or not you're installing sheet or locking linoleum.
A countertop is one of the most important surfaces in a kitchen, as it serves as workspace and lends to the look of the space. There are a variety of materials available for kitchen countertops, both natural stone and synthetic, and each type offers a different look and possesses different qualities. When selecting a kitchen countertop, how you intend to use the surface is an important consideration.
Linoleum tiles are inexpensive flooring alternatives to ceramic tile or wood, and come in many different varieties. Laying linoleum can be a fussy process, however, using adhesive-backed linoleum tiles makes the process a lot easier. The key to a successful linoleum floor installation is in the preparation, as any fault in the subfloor will reflect in the linoleum tiles. It is best to bring the linoleum tiles into the tiling area a number of days prior to tiling to allow the linoleum to acclimatize to the environment, minimizing the chances of expansion post installation.
Kitchen design is based on a number of factors that include both general elements and aspects that are specific to your needs. When coming up with the design for a kitchen, you want to aim for a balance between function and aesthetics. The most functional kitchen in the world may not get used very often if it is a drab and dull place in which to cook. On the other hand, a kitchen designed to look like something in a magazine may not be an efficient space for you.
Linoleum flooring is used mainly in bathrooms and kitchens, due to its water-resistant properties. Unlike regular tiling, linoleum tiles can become worn down, torn or peeled over the years. If your linoleum floors are worn down in spots, you can easily repair the spots with fresh linoleum tiles. If your linoleum floor has a pattern, you will need a matching pattern piece for best-looking results.
Linoleum is a durable flooring surface that can withstand spills and foot traffic. The material is available in large sheets or smaller tiles, both of which are affixed to the subfloor using an adhesive. Keep the linoleum in the room where it will be installed for at least one day before you begin your work, so that the sheets have an opportunity to acclimate to the environment.
People use linoleum as an inexpensive alternative to tile flooring. It comes in many designs, including wood look-alike. Linoleum is especially popular in kitchen, bathroom and laundry settings, as it provides a durable, easy-to-clean surface. Laying linoleum as a do-it-yourself activity requires precision and thoroughness, but most DIY enthusiasts can manage it. Spend some time prepping the subfloor for a professional look, as well as to make the floor last longer.
Linoleum flooring is most commonly installed over plywood or concrete subflooring, but some manufacturers design their linoleum so that you can simply cover up your old linoleum flooring without having to remove it. If you use this type of linoleum flooring, you will save a lot of time on your preparation work, since you can simply clean and level the old linoleum before laying out the new flooring to revamp the room.
Floor covering can make a statement in a home. Deciding on a particular color, texture or pattern can sometimes be overwhelming. When you are on a budget, the decision becomes a bit more challenging but there are unique flooring options for each room in your house that are budget-friendly, add pizazz to a room, provide comfort and make each room unique.
Durable flooring comes in numerous style and material options, allowing for a variety of looks that can match any room design. Each material's durability hinges on how it stands up against the wear and tear of everyday life, its resistance to moisture damage and its general lifespan. Durability is no longer limited to simple wood or stone flooring, and those searching for an eco-friendly option will find plenty of beautiful and lasting materials.
Linoleum is a tough and durable decorative flooring, ideal for brightening up hallways, kitchens and utility rooms. Available in rolls with an almost limitless number of colors and designs, linoleum is easy to clean and maintain. By fitting it yourself, you can save the cost of a professional installer and be able to complete the job relatively easily compared to other floor coverings.
Applying floor wax is a time-honored solution to keep your vinyl or linoleum tile flooring shiny and protected. However, even the most experienced floor waxer can sometimes reap less than perfect results. For example, with households that have dogs, dog hairs can sometimes end up dried into the floor wax. Unfortunately, the only way to remove the dog hairs is to remove the wax.
The best materials to use for kitchen flooring will vary with the tastes and budgets of homeowners and with how homeowners plan to use their kitchen spaces. While some flooring types offer superior aesthetic value, others offer more functional or practical benefits, such as durability, low maintenance, low costs and ease of installation. The best material for your kitchen floor will depend on how you value these different characteristics and how they apply to your particular domestic situation.
Vinyl flooring is recognized for its sturdiness, durability and variety of styles. The resilient flooring is commonly installed in kitchens due to its cushiony surface and simple maintenance. Improperly installing vinyl flooring can cause trapped air to form bubbles underneath. Bubbles also appear when water seeps under vinyl floors. Although bubbles are harmless, they are obvious. Promptly repair bubbling vinyl to restore the floor's aesthetic appeal and the kitchen's overall appearance.
Creating a floor plan for your kitchen depends primarily on two considerations. The first is "work-flow," which means how you move as you prepare food, and how many cooks need to be accommodated within that space. The second is "what has to fit," meaning which essential appliances must be included. This can be flexible if you are purchasing new appliances as part of an overall remodeling plan, or fixed if you need to incorporate the appliances you currently own into the plan. In the latter case, you will need take precise measurements before starting your plan.
Linoleum flooring lasts a long time, but even with the best care, it may develop scratches, pits or even tears. Repairing your linoleum is something that you can do if you have some matching linoleum. Even if you don't have a spare piece of linoleum lying around, you probably can remove enough for a repair job from underneath the refrigerator or range where a piece won't be missed.
If you're remodeling your kitchen or having it built from the ground up, it's a good idea to use laminate flooring for the space. Laminate is both stylish and functional, and can help to make your kitchen one of the most welcoming rooms in your home.
The kitchen is a heavily trafficked room in most homes. It's the place where everyone gathers in the morning and evening. Most of us also assist little ones in the kitchen with their homework. Because you spend so much time in the kitchen, find a rug that adds color and style to the room that suits your needs.
Instead of nails or glue, laminate flooring systems -- "floating floors"-- are snapped together or connected with an adhesive. These plastic, faux-natural floor styles used to be limited to fake wood prints and textures; as of October 2010, a wider variety of options are available for home decorators. When choosing a kitchen floor laminate style, be aware that the flooring can lay over existing floor types like linoleum. The wood image is actually a thin layer of paper -- a photograph -- under a tough protective film adhered to a durable board.
Linoleum flooring is a durable floor covering commonly used in high-moisture or high-traffic areas of a home, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Linoleum has a built-in shine that is easily maintained with a light, occasional polishing. The basic procedure for polishing your floor is easy to complete and will quickly restore the linoleum's natural shine.
Kitchen floors are traditionally covered in hard tile like ceramic, and more recently, in vinyl. But with the durable finishes available on today’s hardwood floors, there’s no reason you can’t install hardwood in the kitchen. Make sure to get well-sealed, pre-finished flooring (it’s more durable than a floor you finish yourself), and start with an underlayment of cement board.
Falls in the home are a common cause of serious physical and potentially life-threatening events for seniors. Any part of the home with smooth flooring (not carpeted) poses a hazard for slipping and falling, especially in areas that are sometimes wet, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Scatter rugs, also called area rugs, can reduce the risk of slipping, but must be securely affixed to the floor. A scatter rug that moves under your feet can be as dangerous as a wet floor. Fortunately, there are many commercially-available options for securing scatter rugs to the floor.
Many homeowners choose hardwood floors for their warmth, beauty and durability. Hardwood floors can be installed in a kitchen, however, there are a few things to consider before installation.
Hardwood floors are a popular flooring choice for many homeowners, as they provide natural beauty and impressive strength. Despite their advantages, however, hardwood floors are not a good choice for kitchens or bathrooms.
Terra-cotta tile is a great choice for your kitchen flooring. It looks impressive and is relatively inexpensive to install and maintain. Sealed terra-cotta tile is easy to clean; you just need to sweep or wipe up spills and you don't have to deal with stains. It's also richly colored, which means that it doesn't show dirt like linoleum does. Terra-cotta also has good insulative properties. This means that if you live somewhere hot, terracotta tile will help to keep your house cooler. If you live somewhere cold, your terra-cotta tiles will retain warmth. If you want to design and lay…
Don't get stuck with dull linoleum when you redo your kitchen and dining area. There are several other options that can add a warm, inviting look to these rooms while keeping them easy to clean. Having a single, continuous flooring type between the kitchen and dining room can make your home appear larger, plus it reduces the risk of tripping over a flooring transition as you carry items from one room to the other.
Choosing color flooring for a kitchen is a way to add a decorative element to the room that can tie a design scheme together. Pick out the best color flooring from a store that offers professional installation to ensure that the new kitchen floor looks good.
Many new flooring surfaces do not require wax to maintain the shine, but if you have older vinyl or linoleum flooring in your home, they tend to dull with age. While adding a coat of wax improves the appearance, it also dulls with age. As wax builds up on the surface of your floor, your linoleum may take on a dull, yellow tint. To eliminate the yellow tint, you need to remove the wax buildup.
The look of your kitchen floor helps tie in the room's design, but the floor must also be able to withstand high foot traffic and the wear and tear of everyday use. When considering new kitchen flooring ideas, carefully review each type's ease of cleaning, aesthetic qualities, resistance to wear and installation costs.
Grout is a mixture of sand, color and cement, making it an attractive surface for stains and dirt. A grout line between floor tiles sees abundant abuse and dirt during its lifetime. Kitchen spills and dirt fall into the pores of the grout, discoloring it and turning a once clean floor into a stained and dingy mess. Sealing the grout every six months will prevent these stains from penetrating into the grout, making clean up much more efficient. To remove and prevent stains, it is essential to prepare the grout for sealing.
Hardwood kitchen floors provide a home with a note of elegance and the versatility of working with both traditional and modern decors. While a wood surface has many advantages, improper finishing and care can lead to expensive maintenance and repair costs for the homeowner.
Naturally messy people can become organized by sticking to a cleaning schedule, getting rid of clutter and putting things where they belong on a routine basis. A key factor in going from messy to organized focuses on putting items in their place. Sticking to a cleaning routine helps because things get put away in the process, but that will not resolve the problem entirely.
The kitchen floor has generally provided designers an occasion to extend their flooring choices beyond the relatively limited vocabulary, usually wood, employed in the rest of the house. But kitchen floors also offer practical challenges. A very high-traffic area in most houses, kitchen floors require durability. Some past designer choices, such as limestone, do not wear well. Subjected to frequent spills and moppings, the kitchen floor also must resist stains. Some natural stones work better than others, as do some woods and manufactured surfaces. Materials that also have ecological advantages--that originate as sustainable resources and that emit low levels of…
Melamine is a chemical compound used in many consumer products such as furniture and dishes. The use of melamine in these products is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, melamine should never be added to food.
If you're contemplating remodeling your kitchen floor, the color of the floor can serve as a backdrop for the rest of the room or a focal point all by itself. In years past, homeowners were limited to a small palette of colors when it came to kitchen flooring, but in recent years, kitchens have become a space of experimentation--especially when it comes to color.
Homeowners must be careful when selecting a type of flooring material for different rooms in the house. Kitchens can be particularly tricky, as they typically host a great deal of traffic, and moisture is also frequently present. While many homeowners choose traditional kitchen flooring materials such as linoleum or tile, laminate floors have become an increasingly popular choice. Laminate floors are made synthetically, and they offer advantages and disadvantages for those looking to complete their kitchen.
Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it's no surprise that kitchen renovations are high on the remodeling wish list. Appliances and cabinets come in standard colors, so matching them isn't a problem. Floor and countertops are another story. There are so many different colors, finishes and materials that a match can be challenging.
Waxing your kitchen floor regularly keeps it shiny and adds a protective layer to the flooring. Unfortunately, your kitchen floor develops wax buildup over time. Removing wax is possible with the use of an expensive machine available from a tool rental company. You must pay for the rental, find a way to get the machine home, learn how to operate it, perform the wax removal, and return the machine back to the tool rental company. Alternatively, you can use a few household items to take wax buildup off of the kitchen floor, which saves you both time and money.
Linoleum and vinyl are not the same. Vinyl flooring is synthetic, while linoleum is made from all-natural ingredients. Vinyl will melt. Linoleum won't. Vinyl patterns are only surface deep. Linoleum patterns and colors go all the way through the flooring. Different colors are revealed as linoleum begins to wear. Linoleum flooring is also more durable. Some linoleum floors have lasted more than 25 years in commercial building. Surprisingly enough, the makeup and production of linoleum hasn't changed much since 1863.
There are many factors to consider when planning to build a new home or renovating an existing one. When making a decision about the type of flooring in the kitchen, consider several factors -- many of which can directly affect the price -- about the different flooring materials, as well as the usage of the room itself.
The kitchen is the center of the home for many homeowners, but a poorly designed kitchen can feel small and cluttered. Now, more than ever, open floor plan kitchens are being installed new homes and old home remodels. Spacious and elegant, the open floor plan kitchen strives to be comfortable, inviting and, most importantly, functional.
If you've got an uneven old kitchen floor of, say, lumpy ceramic, and you're wondering how you can cover it without ripping it up, consider a no-glue "floating'' floor. These floors come in kits of preformed planks that fit together at the sides to form a flat surface, but aren't nailed or glued to anything. Some new systems brag that they don't even need the usual layer of foam underlayment, but since you're covering an uneven floor, you'll want a kit that includes that cushion of underlayment.
A galley kitchen is a popular configuration because it packs a lot of storage, counters and appliances into a small space. The term "galley" originates from the compact, narrow kitchens on ships, trains and planes where food is stored and prepared. A galley kitchen is defined by its configuration, which is like a short hallway. On each of the facing parallel walls there are cabinets, counters and appliances. A galley kitchen is also often referred to as a "corridor" kitchen. A galley kitchen does not contain an island, because the typical width of this type of kitchen is 38 inches,…
Waxing your kitchen floor will not only protect it from scrapes and cuts, but will make the floor appear shiny and new. However, floor wax can build up and become yellow or dirty. When this happens you should strip the wax from your kitchen floor, clean the floors, and reapply the wax.
Kitchens are often the center for family activity and entertainment. Whether you have traditional style architecture, a suburban blockhouse or an ultra modern high-rise, you have options when it comes to covering bare cement. A variety of materials are available for kitchen flooring to suit your lifestyle and show off your taste.
Redoing your kitchen floor doesn't have to be a wallet-busting process. Modern vinyl and laminates recreate traditional flooring patterns with realism that holds up under scrutiny without breaking the bank. Look for closeouts at flooring stores, browse liquidation outlets and keep an eye on community swap sites such as Freecycle and Craig's List to save money on kitchen floors. Remember, sometimes being on a budget simply inspires creativity.
When it comes to commercial kitchen flooring, there are a variety of options. As long as health codes approve it, you can use most kinds of flooring in your commercial kitchen. Health codes usually require for the flooring to be non-slip, washable, non-absorbent and easy to clean.
Vinyl is one of the most common choices for kitchen floor coverings, mostly because it is waterproof, but also because it is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns that make it easy for the homeowner to match the kitchen decor. You install rolled vinyl and vinyl tiles by gluing them to the subfloor, but the installation technique for these two types of flooring are slightly different. Before you install vinyl flooring, make sure the subfloor is level, dry and free of dust.
The best flooring material to use for your kitchen will depend on a number of factors, including what style you are going for, how much wear and tear the floor will see (which is an important consideration if you have pets and/or young children) and your budget. While some kitchen floors are designed to look elegant and exude shine, others are built specifically for durability and stain protection. Some of the best kitchen flooring options overall include vinyl, linoleum, laminate, ceramic tile and hardwood.
You have a lot of choices when deciding how to redo an existing kitchen floor. Carpet is generally a bad idea because of moisture and stain issues, but ceramic, vinyl, and even well-sealed wood are possibilities. One of the easiest and most versatile choices, though, is a no-glue floating floor. These are wood floor planks, laminated and pre-finished, that snap together and sit over almost any existing flooring. You can lay it yourself in a weekend, and if you decide later you don't like it, you can take it up just as easily.
Getting advice on your kitchen flooring is important for a couple of reasons. First, it's an expensive purchase. Even when selecting modest flooring it will cost quite a bit. Second, once it is installed you will have to live with it for a long time. So making the wrong choice can be costly and heartbreaking. Ultimately, choosing the right flooring should be based on your lifestyle and how you use your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you pick the right kitchen flooring for your home.
Hardwood flooring adds value to a home upon resale and it is easy to keep clean, yet requires consistent cleaning by sweeping, dry mopping or vacuuming. However, if you want to install hardwood floors in your kitchen you need to consider the appropriate type of wood and wood finish for the kitchen, for kitchen floors are often traveled and are a serious monetary investment.
Terra cotta floor tiles have be in use throughout the world for centuries. They are made of fired clay and, when sealed properly, are one of the most durable floor coverings available. Because they are easy to clean, resistant to stains and warm on bare feet, terra cotta tiles are most often used in bathrooms and kitchens. They are perfectly suited for use in other rooms as well. No two terra cotta tiles are identical and they can vary widely in color and thickness. You can use these properties to create a stunning kitchen floor design.
Kitchen floors are made from many materials, but one of the most common is vinyl. Vinyl is installed on a kitchen floor either in individual tiles or in one continuous piece of sheeting. Repair a kitchen vinyl floor according to the way it was installed as well as the way it was damaged. If the floor came in tiles, the easiest way to repair it is to remove the old tile and install a new one. Unless the damage is extensive, it does not make sense to replace the entire piece of sheeting.
Selecting flooring for your kitchen is a personal choice that will be influenced by factors such as budget and the overall decor of your home. You want to choose kitchen flooring that is durable yet stylish. Here are some tips on how to select kitchen flooring:
A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house. Kitchens are gathering points for holiday meals, dinner parties and special events where food is the main attraction. That is why your kitchen floor choice is so important. Most of your time in a kitchen is spent on your feet, so your flooring needs to be attractive and comfortable. Kitchen flooring options like vinyl, linoleum, tile and laminate offer homeowners beauty, durability and affordability at the same time.
Kitchen flooring takes abuse in many ways: food and drink spills, shattered dishes, dropped pots and pans, and heat--not to mention the fact that the kitchen is a high-traffic area. There are many flooring options available that will give you the durability you need and the style you desire.
Installing brick on a kitchen floor can add a lot of charm to your home. Traditional bricks are very thick and often not compatible with the adjoining flooring in your home, unless you have the subfloor lowered to accommodate the thickness of the brick. Quarter-inch-thick brick pavers are a good choice for indoor flooring application. They are installed just like ceramic tile and are manufactured for use inside the home.
Kitchens contain a lot of heat and moisture, which means kitchen floors need to be tough enough to handle the elements. Laminate floors are constructed to withstand the rigors of everyday life in the kitchen.
Kitchen floors need to be capable of withstanding constant heat and moisture. Whereas many wood floors cannot pass this test, engineered wood flooring is a great option for kitchens.
After concluding you'd like new floor covering for your kitchen, you head towards the home improvement center. Once in the store and standing amid all the different types of floor covering you become stymied and unsure of which type to choose. Follow these few steps and you'll learn how to decide on floor covering for your kitchen.
Kitchen floors have a difficult job to do, as they must endure a great deal of heat and be able to withstand large amounts of moisture as well. Additionally, it is important to have a kitchen floor that meshes well with the theme of the home. Selecting a kitchen floor is not an easy task, especially when on a budget. Fortunately, there are multiple cost-effective options.
A kitchen floor serves many purposes: it is functional, yet it can also tie the look and style of your kitchen together. Whether you like the rustic look or prefer a streamlined contemporary look, there many kitchen flooring options.
The kitchen is the place most families spend the majority of their time in. It is the place kids do their homework, parents get a meal together and the family has some of their most serious talks. In short it is the place that brings the family together. That is why it is essential that the kitchen be comfortable and warm, a place the family can enjoy. The kitchen floor is an essential part of the decor and choosing the right floor, whether it be linoleum or hardwood, can make all the difference.
Installing a kitchen floor covering can be intimidating to someone who has no experience doing so. This is simply putting a covering over the exsisting floor that is there. These floor coverings are easy to install and have the added bonus of being at the low end of the cost scale. They are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for the kitchen area. With a few easy instructions and simple house hold tools, like a paint brush, sheers, and utility knife, you can install a new floor covering in no time.
Laminate flooring is a good choice for kitchens because it is durable, attractive and inexpensive compared to tile or hardwood. Laminate flooring is unique in that it takes on the appearance of more expensive floor materials by projecting a highly-detailed photographic image of wood or tile that is covered with a thick laminate coating. The result is a flooring that looks almost identical to the actual material. It is also easy to install and can be installed over most existing floor materials including hardwood, tile and concrete.
Laminate comes in many different styles such as mock stone, wood, and tile. Due to the construction of laminate, it's very durable and scratch resistant. It will not bruise and dent from high heels or other wear and tear, as a real wood floor does. The installation of laminate is also easier than other traditional types of flooring due to the tongue-and-groove construction and the fact that laminate floors are not secured to the floor. The tongue-and-groove construction of the laminate allows each board to tightly snap together to form gapless seams. All tools needed for this job can be…
Lead crystal is popular for fine dishes (especially wine glasses), decanters, ornamental vases, ornaments and figurines. It is beautiful, can be clear or colorful, smooth or etched. Lead crystal is also very delicate--so delicate that you should be careful when cleaning your crystal. If you handle lead crystal too roughly, use the wrong kinds of cleaning tools or products, or simply use water that is too hot, you risk damaging it. When you do take the proper precautions and do not rush, however, cleaning these pieces is not difficult.
When it comes to kitchen flooring, homeowners can take their pick of flooring options. Popular choices include tile, stone, vinyl and wood. Before installing your own kitchen floor, learn about the many different materials available to fit your lifestyle and your budget.
If you are considering installing a wood floor in your kitchen, you're not alone. Hardwood flooring is becoming a popular choice for kitchens both for its durability and appearance. Homeowners also appreciate the ease of cleaning hardwood opposed to other flooring materials such as vinyl or tile.
You knew the day would come when you would have to replace the stove in your kitchen. You are worried about damaging the kitchen floor when you remove the stove. You may have recently refinished the floor or it is in good condition and you are not planning on replacing it any time soon. You can remove the stove without damaging your floor; some extra hands are needed as is some protection for the feet on the stove.
Installing kitchen flooring will not be a cheap investment. There are several materials from which to choose, too. Choices of materials, maintenance required, size of project and labor are some of the factors that affect the overall cost of installing kitchen flooring.
When choosing the perfect flooring for your kitchen, there are many things to consider. Is your kitchen a high-traffic area? Do you have time to regularly maintain true hardwood flooring? What will look best with your décor? Often, you'll find the look and feel that you want in your kitchen in a durable, easy-to-install laminate product.
Bamboo flooring has assets---it's durable and as hard as maple, and many consider it a "green" alternative to hardwood floors. One of the material's drawbacks, however, is that exposure to water, including wet-mopping, can damage it, so it's probably not the best choice for a kitchen floor.
Accidents in the home are the No. 1 hazard to your toddler, so being prepared for just about anything is paramount in treating those little bumps and bruises effectively. Many department stores and pharmacies stock prepackaged first aid kits, but making up your own, tailor-made to the unique needs of a little explorer, could save the hassle of restocking a standard kit when you most need it.
Kitchen flooring needs to be durable and easy to clean. There are a variety of materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages, available for kitchen flooring. The type of flooring you choose will depend on your budget, the style of your kitchen and the option that best suits your lifestyle. When considering the cost of kitchen flooring, take into account the cost of installation if you are not going to install the floor yourself.
When designing your kitchen floor plan, think about where your kitchen is in relation to other rooms in your home and how much space you have to make your ideal kitchen. Galley kitchens, L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens are the basic designs that can be spruced up by adding kitchen islands and breakfast bars.
So your mother-in-law is coming to live with you? Make the transition as easy as possible by creating her own living space. In many scenarios, garages or above-garage spaces can be converted into a living space or apartment for your mother-in-law.
Are you looking for alternative flooring options for your kitchen? Perhaps you're bored or uninspired by traditional linoleum, terra cotta tiles or vinyl flooring. Maybe you want something that's better for the environment, or something that's designed to release less toxins into the air. Maybe you're motivated by comfort, standing in the kitchen all day can be more comfortable on a softer surface. Whatever the reason you're in search of alternative kitchen flooring products, you're in luck. Mannufacturers and distributors have embraced the alternatives, and several products are available to choose from.
Kitchen floors must be washed often, and for this reason, you want to ensure that you choose the right type of vinyl for your home. If your kitchen is a high traffic area, you would benefit from a vinyl that is strong and durable. Other kitchen floors may do well with a less-expensive type of vinyl if endurance is not an issue.
When the time comes for a renovation or remodeling project, you may discover that your kitchen floor isn't level. Over time, foot traffic often wears pits and grooves into the floors. Shifts in the earth and foundation problems may cause sagging. Learn to level your kitchen floor so that you can get it in shape for new flooring.
With its constant foot traffic and inevitable spills, the kitchen floor takes a beating. Stay a step ahead by choosing the right material for it.
By making your own kitchen floor plan, you can have the kitchen you've always dreamed of. This is one project you don't want to rush through, so take your time and you might even want to look around at some kitchen designs in stores and magazines a few times before you get your final draft. Make sure to check out all the various sinks, stoves, cabinets and counter tops before making any final decisions. Start out with a budget in mind and stick to it because kitchens can become very expensive quickly. When you're finished with your kitchen, it should…
Replacing old kitchen flooring with a modern design that complements your home decor is a great way to breathe new life into your home. Not only will the floor be easier to clean and maintain, but a new color scheme provides opportunities to customize the look and feel you desire in your kitchen. Flooring is generally sold by the square foot and requires careful measuring and calculation to assure it will fit. Determining the square footage of a room is quick and easy once you understand the process.
Chores are a part of life. Doing the dishes, laundry, bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, moping...the list goes on and on. But thoughtful planning and sticking to a schedule can help you get the work done during the week so that your weekends are chore-free.
At first glance, choosing the right flooring for your kitchen may seem like a no-brainer, since all you need is a durable material that won't stain easily. At second glance, however, picking the right flooring that will complement your decor, cooking style and family's needs requires a bit of thought to ensure that you pick a floor that is both practical and reasonably priced.
Two-story restaurants with no upstairs kitchen can sometimes have difficulty transporting meals between floors, and waiters can find themselves trying to manage flights of stairs while carrying multiple trays of food. One restaurant contraption, the dumbwaiter, helps alleviate those problems. Dumbwaiters have a long history dating back hundreds of years. There is evidence that dumbwaiters were used in medieval castles to transport goods from floor to floor. In more modern times, dumbwaiters were extensively used in American restaurants in the early twentieth century.
The pantry floor is a great place to put recycling. Learn other pantry floor storage ideas when moving into a new kitchen with expert tips in this free instructional moving video.
Install a kitchen floor. Wood laminate flooring is one of the most cost effective floors that have style and durability. It is moderately challenging to install a kitchen floor, but it has many benefits to a home.
Learn how to transfer an old gym floor into a Victorian style kitchen in this free video on home decorating and restoration
Kitchen floors have to withstand a great deal--everything from water and spilled spaghetti sauce to high heels and tricycle wheels--so you want a floor that's going to make it through the long haul. There are a number of options out there, so it's important to make sure you choose the one that's right for you. Here are some of the flooring options I'd recommend.
Sometimes the linoleum gets a little tired looking in your kitchen or bathroom. If you don't really want to rip it out, but you're looking for a change, you are in luck. In just a few easy steps, you can paint your linoleum and bring that drab kitchen back to life.