Renovating or designing a bathroom is a lot of work. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration when choosing the floor for your bathroom.
Article taken off ideamarketers.com
Top Tips for Choosing Bathroom Flooring
Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger with the Right Kind of Floor
Most people have to deal with bathrooms that are relatively small. There's just no getting around it. However, there are ways to make a small bathroom look a lot larger. One of the best ways to do so is by choosing your flooring with care. A light-colored floor is one of the simplest yet most dramatic ways to give a small bathroom a much more spacious look and feel. Better still, use similar tones for the walls and the floor to create the illusion of a lot more space.
Why Ceramic Works Best
If you're looking for a bathroom floor material that is affordable, attractive and easy on bare feet, you should make a beeline for ceramic. This type of floor material can include many unique textures and designs that go along with virtually any interior design scheme. Ceramic is wonderfully waterproof, too, which is a critical point when it comes to designing a bathroom - nothing is worse than stepping onto a damp, soggy floor. Ceramic tiles are available in a breathtaking array of different styles, sizes and designs, too, making it a snap to get the look that is right for you.
Vinyl: A Suitable Choice
Vinyl feels great underfoot; it's also very waterproof and a snap to maintain. Best of all, vinyl flooring is very affordable. A wide variety of different patterns and designs are available, making it a versatile and exciting choice for the bathroom. Put vinyl near the top of your list if you want to stick to a strict budget while still achieving a stylish and attractive look.
The Trouble with Marble
Some people believe that marble is the be-all, end-all in terms of bathroom floors. However, marble is a highly porous material; it is also very soft. What that means is that it absorbs and retains moisture with ease. In the bathroom, that can spell major trouble. As beautiful and luxurious as marble may be, it is generally not a suitable choice for the bathroom.
Why Carpeting isn't Ideal for the Bathroom
While it's fine to throw down a few colorful rugs in a bathroom, having wall-to-wall carpeting installed isn't a very smart move. Carpet needs to stay as dry as possible; even if you are a stickler about not stepping onto your carpet with sopping wet feet, the moisture in the air will wreak plenty of havoc. While carpet feels wonderful beneath the feet, it just isn't a practical choice for the bathroom. Invest in a few cute area rugs and leave the carpeting for other parts of the home.
Want Wood? Try Laminate Flooring Instead
The idea of a luxurious wood floor in the bathroom may sound great, but it is fraught with all sorts of issues. A wood floor must be impeccably installed in order to stand a chance in the bathroom, where moisture and standing water can destroy it in no time flat. Plus, wood must be finished in a precise way in order to make a go of it. If you'd like the look of wood in a material that can withstand the perils of the bathroom, laminate flooring may be for you. It is available in many wood-style finishes that will make your bathroom look amazing.
Getting the Bathroom of Your Dreams
You don't have to sell yourself short when it comes to choosing a floor for your bathroom. There are many modern choices - like laminate floors and engineered wood floors - that allow you to enjoy the look of classic materials without all of the issues. Take your time in shopping for floors for your bathroom. Don't make your final decision until you have investigated every option. Most importantly, don't compromise on the look that you want. By checking out some of today's best options, it's more than possible to get the style that you need at an amazing price.
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Showing posts with label flooring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flooring. Show all posts
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
10 Flooring Ideas
The floor is a wonderful thing...especially when it comes to home decor. Here are 10 wonderful choices for your flooring.
Article taken off livingetc.com
10 Flooring Ideas

Linoleum is tough, yet tactile and warm. It’s a natural and sustainable product, made of linseed oil, rosin, jute and limestone. It’s the ideal flooring for people with allergies, because it doesn’t harbour dust mites and is bacteria static – germs can’t live or breed on it.

Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.

Modern, high-quality vinyl can replicate all manner of flooring, from wood and stone to tiles and mosaics, through to contemporary materials such as glass and zinc. And it’s usually cheaper and easier to maintain than the real thing.

Ceramic tiles come in all shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Usually made from clay or other natural materials, they aren’t as pricey as porcelain tiles, but nor are they as hard-wearing, so avoid laying them in heavy-traffic areas, as they may crack. Plus, their edges aren’t always totally straight, resulting in thicker grout lines. They’re ideal for use in bathrooms, but be sure to choose a design with a textured or non-slip surface.

Still high on the most-wanted list, jute, seagrass, coir and sisal are great for heavy-traffic areas. Bear in mind, though, that natural flooring can be slippery, so avoid using it on staircases, and it can be a bit too scratchy for bedrooms.

Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.

Resilient yet soft and warm underfoot, rubber is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. It’s available in lots of colours and textures, including ribs and studs. Opt for a smooth finish or low-profile studs for easy cleaning.

Beautiful, renewable and recyclable, solid wood is sturdy underfoot, and adds a high-end feel. Solid boards may expand and contract more than other materials, so they’re unsuitable for damp areas. Wood can be finished with polyurethane lacquer or natural linseed oil, and most sealants only need to be reapplied every few years.

There are plenty of reasons to love the modern carpet - it's cosy, soft underfoot and available in myriad colours and patterns. It's also more hygienic than you may think - it traps allergens and dust, which can easily be removed with regular vacuuming. It absorbs sound, so it's ideal if you have neighbours downstairs, and, as it acts as a layer of insulation, it can lower your fuel bills. Carpet doesn't always need a level surface, so it can save you money on any sub-floor work.

Limestone, marble, basalt and granite are ideal for heavy-traffic areas, bathrooms and kitchens. Stone is porous and can stain, but a sealant, such as Lithofin Stain Stop, will protect it without leaving a coating. Any scratches will gradually disappear into the patina, which can make a five-year-old floor more beautiful than a brand-new one. Stone can be laid on any surface as long as it’s strong and rigid. You may need to reinforce the floor, so ask an expert.
Article taken off livingetc.com
10 Flooring Ideas

Linoleum is tough, yet tactile and warm. It’s a natural and sustainable product, made of linseed oil, rosin, jute and limestone. It’s the ideal flooring for people with allergies, because it doesn’t harbour dust mites and is bacteria static – germs can’t live or breed on it.

Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.

Modern, high-quality vinyl can replicate all manner of flooring, from wood and stone to tiles and mosaics, through to contemporary materials such as glass and zinc. And it’s usually cheaper and easier to maintain than the real thing.

Ceramic tiles come in all shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Usually made from clay or other natural materials, they aren’t as pricey as porcelain tiles, but nor are they as hard-wearing, so avoid laying them in heavy-traffic areas, as they may crack. Plus, their edges aren’t always totally straight, resulting in thicker grout lines. They’re ideal for use in bathrooms, but be sure to choose a design with a textured or non-slip surface.

Still high on the most-wanted list, jute, seagrass, coir and sisal are great for heavy-traffic areas. Bear in mind, though, that natural flooring can be slippery, so avoid using it on staircases, and it can be a bit too scratchy for bedrooms.

Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.

Resilient yet soft and warm underfoot, rubber is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. It’s available in lots of colours and textures, including ribs and studs. Opt for a smooth finish or low-profile studs for easy cleaning.

Beautiful, renewable and recyclable, solid wood is sturdy underfoot, and adds a high-end feel. Solid boards may expand and contract more than other materials, so they’re unsuitable for damp areas. Wood can be finished with polyurethane lacquer or natural linseed oil, and most sealants only need to be reapplied every few years.

There are plenty of reasons to love the modern carpet - it's cosy, soft underfoot and available in myriad colours and patterns. It's also more hygienic than you may think - it traps allergens and dust, which can easily be removed with regular vacuuming. It absorbs sound, so it's ideal if you have neighbours downstairs, and, as it acts as a layer of insulation, it can lower your fuel bills. Carpet doesn't always need a level surface, so it can save you money on any sub-floor work.

Limestone, marble, basalt and granite are ideal for heavy-traffic areas, bathrooms and kitchens. Stone is porous and can stain, but a sealant, such as Lithofin Stain Stop, will protect it without leaving a coating. Any scratches will gradually disappear into the patina, which can make a five-year-old floor more beautiful than a brand-new one. Stone can be laid on any surface as long as it’s strong and rigid. You may need to reinforce the floor, so ask an expert.
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