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Posts Tagged ‘Stone Floors’

Whatever thing you posses, you must take good care of it. It could be your clothes, jewels, accessories, books or the parts of your house. When we are mentioning about taking care of house stuffs, first thing that crosses our mind is cleaning. Floor is one of the most essential parts of our house and it gets dirty very quickly as people keep coming in and going out by walking on the floor. Especially, if the floor is made up of stone, the dirt gets stuck very easily. Hence proper cleaning procedure is to be adopted to clean your stone made floor. If you live in Tampa, you will find several companies that offer diverse floor cleaning tools. It is not the fact that, such products are available in Tampa only; you can find them in almost any part of the globe. But, the market of Tampa floor cleaning and Tampa stone cleaning is quite opportunistic.

If your home flooring is done with natural stones, you have to take very good care of it. It takes quite a good investment to develop such flooring and without proper maintenance such investment will go in vein. You definitely won’t let that happen. With proper stone cleaning techniques, you can enjoy new like flooring for many years. Now, the question is how you can keep your stone floor in such a good condition? Here are some vital advises that will help you in proper maintenance of your floor.

Your main concern must be fighting dirt, sand and grit. These things do the maximum damage to the stone floors, especially if natural stones are used in the construction. These particles are rough and hence cause damage to the luster and sheen of the floor. The basic tip for keeping the dirt away is using dry dust broom and mop on a regular basis. Dust must be frequently mopped and a vacuum cleaner is a good solution in this regard. However, you have to be careful to use a good vacuum cleaner so that it leaves no scratch or mark after cleaning the floor. The reason why vacuum cleaners are handy because, these tools come with several attachments and such attachments can reach delicate corners where it is not possible to clean with mere hands and broom.

You can also put area rugs or walk off mats on the entrance of your home, where the maximum dust and dirt assembles. If you put such mats over your stone floor then the loose dirt will be prevented from reaching the stone floor. However, placing a mat does not end your responsibility; you have to clean the mat or rug regularly to keep dirt out of the stone surface.

Regular mopping not only cleans your stone floor, but also makes it look gorgeous. Use a good cleaner that is not rough on the stones to clean your floor. Regular cleaning, mopping or uses of mats are very common ways to maintain stone floors in a good condition. If you take care of these simple things, you will enjoy your stone floor for long years.

All natural stone floors exhibit different style and characteristics. However, all of them are beautiful and elegant in their own ways. Travertine is very common and offers minimalistic designs, limestone is the choice for property developers, slate is the choice for people who are looking for rustic look and distinctive colours. The list goes on with granite, quartz, basalt etc.

Marble is one of the most durable materials of all natural stone products. It can be used in commercial applications and high trafficked areas without any problems. As people are getting to know more about marble, it is worth mentioning below the most common marble floor tiles that are commercially available:

1) Crema Marfil Marble: The world renowned Spanish marble is commonly known as Crème Marble. Depending on the selection, Crema Marfil marble tiles can either have very limited veining or variation (which is very expensive) or have distinctive veining going through the tile (which is more cost effective). Property developers or DIY enthusiasts mainly prefer this marble as they are beautiful in colour and available in bigger sizes for large areas. Also they come in honed or glossy finishes.

2) Nero Marquina Marble: Originated from Italy, these marble tiles have black background colour with very stylish white veining within the tile. The source material is scarce and also very fragile which results in high consumer price. This is the choice of professionals and the ones with no budget constraints.

3) Carrara White Marble: Carrara is a city in Italy and this stone originates from Carrara region. Normally the tile has very pure white background colour with limited veining. One important rule in natural stone is that if the tile exhibits limited variation, the consumer price must be very high. Therefore, budget options of this stone are also available with blackish and greyish veining. Some designers use this product with Nero Marquina marble to create checkerboards.

4) Bluestone Marble: Originates from Turkey, this marble tile has dark blue colour with different shades. Also the edges are tumbled for a rustic look. It can be used with a white tumbled marble (mainly Carrara marble or similar) to create a checkerboard effect.

There are many other types of marble tiles available in the market. The important message here is that marble comes with different colour choices; black, white, brown, cream, blue, grey. Contrast colours give limitless ideas to design professionals. Even 10mm thick marble tiles are more durable compared to other types of natural or man made flooring. Therefore if you decide to choose marble flooring, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Natural stone flooring is a good choice in both domestic and commercial settings for a variety of reasons. Aesthetically stone is available in a variety of colours, styles and shapes, with many different types of surface finish, but most commonly a matte slip resistant surface finish. It is also probably the most durable type of flooring and adds to the perception that it is the easiest type of floor to keep clean and in its impeccable original condition. To a certain extent this is true but stone floors, as with any other type of flooring, requires regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it in pristine condition.

Often the first step to keeping your floor clean is the application of a good sealer. To this end you may wish to check if your stone floor has already had a sealer applied, and applied correctly. To do this you can pour a couple of drops of water onto the surface and observe – if it forms into small balls and ‘floats’ on the surface then your floor has been correctly sealed, if it is absorbed in any way – then your floor is in need of a sealer.

It is important to clean the floor before it is sealed as natural stone products contain dirt, residues and dust and this will need to be cleaned before any sealant is applied. To clean the surface of natural stone it is important to sweep and vacuum as well as possible and in some cases you may wish to consider a residue cleaner. After any surface dirt and grime has been removed, you can have the floor sealed – a stone floor cleaning specialist will be able to give you advice on this and recommend an appropriate sealer.

Another important step to consider is maintenance – and this involves the continued sweeping and vacuuming of the floor to remove sand, dirt and grit which is often walked in on the soles of shoes and do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Other forms of prevention involve simple steps such as placing doormats at entrances – and keep these clean as well.

Once all the surface dirt and grit has been removed damp mopping on a regular basis should keep your floor looking beautiful for many years to come. If you wish to add a supplementary cleaning product then be sure to use a neutral PH detergent or soap and be sure to dry the surface with a soft cloth. Avoid using products that contain abrasive cleaners or ammonia based products and be sure to clean up spillages as soon as they happen.

If you want to increase the value of your house then try installing wood flooring. Wood floor is a more popular option than stone floors or slate floors. Wood has a depth and a warm feeling that will make your house feel cozy all year long.

You can find a large range of flooring in a variety of woods. You can choose the kind of wood you want to install in your home based on your taste and the look and feel of your home. Installing wood flooring can be a great asset to your home. Learning how to install wood flooring or hiring someone to do it for you is an investment you won’t regret. Wood flooring may not be right for a bathroom or kitchen because of the moisture levels.

Hardwood floors are a very classic choice in flooring. You can choose from wide selection of hardwoods. Try oak, cherry, hickory, maple, walnut or bellawood. You can find these in a natural color or in a stained look. You should think about leaving the wood its own color because some woods have a lovely finish that does not need to be stained. Cherry and walnut are two such examples.

Looking into the options you have for a finish when you have finished choosing the material. You can also buy wood that has been finished already which will make your job a whole lot easier. Usually it is stained and comes with a clear coating on it. This can be more pricey, but often it is worth it for the time it will save you.

You can also put the flooring down and then finish it afterwards. You will have to do the sanding, staining, and put urethane on the floor. After each coat you will have to sand it. This can take a few days to complete this whole process. You more separate coats of urethane you use the better off your surface will be.

You might also want to try reclaimed flooring. This means that it does not have a smooth texture, but they are still very attractive and don’t look like any other finish. You will also not have to see scratches on them like you will in urethane flooring.

You can also choose other things besides hardwood floors. Laminate flooring is also a good option for you. You can get these to look like real hardwood floors, but they are generally cheaper. You can hardly tell the difference between hard wood floors and laminate flooring. You can also look into a wide selection of bamboo or cork flooring that can give your home a great look.

Caring for your wood floors will ensure that they last longer and you can practice different things to protect your flooring no matter what kind you are using. Whether it is hardwood, laminate, or any other type of flooring then you’ll use most of the same kind of techniques.

You’ll want to sweep and vacuum your floor on a regular basis to keep the dirty and dust down. You’ll also want to wipe off the floor too to get rid of marks.

Shag rugs were in vogue during the 1960s and 70s and have made a popular comeback in the recent years. Soft, plush and stylish, shag area rugs make excellent area rugs and that is an important reason for being adapted in newly built and renovated homes. From retro decors to contemporary elegance, shag rugs have taken the interiors by storm.

Apart from adding style and elegance to any room, these beautiful rugs create cozy ambiance and softens the feel of hardwood or stone floors. For easy maintenance, people prefer wooden and stone floors but like to walk on soft surfaces, thus low maintenance shag rugs are immensely popular. Besides, providing comfort and warmth, shag area rugs absorb sounds which makes then ideal for large rooms.

These attractive rugs are perfect to separate the areas in the open floor plan houses but on the other side, can even help make the room a unit, by creatively using a rug. From being used as a hall runner to bathroom mats or rugs, their thickness and softness makes then a well desired addition to any room.

Shag rugs come in a multitude of colors and the pile range depth is from one inch to about two and a half inch, giving that luxurious softness and lush style. Usually rugs are tufted or woven in loops and then sheared to get the short fibers but shag rugs are left without shearing the length and that gives them that deep piled, lush soft feel. If you are looking for an extra soft, warm shag rug, go in for rugs that have a high pile of over 2 inches. The shorter pile gives less warmth and softness.

Cleaning a shag area rug is simple, just shake them well to remove the excess dirt or simply fluff the pile, on a regular basis but occasionally you can use an vacuum cleaner with beater bar attachment but never use the combs or teeth as the shag rug pile will get entangled. They can also be dry cleaned for deep cleaning of the pile. Wool yarn and blends repel dust naturally so cleaning and maintenance is easy.

These are available in a variety of materials ranging from acrylic, nylon, cotton, rayon, wool yarn, blends and a cotton base to keep it from slipping or a same sized rug pad can be used to keep your rug clean and anti slip. With changing lifestyles and fast paced life, everyone looks for low maintenance carpets and rugs, so shag rugs win hands down. Easy to clean and can be added in any decor makes then a very viable option when looking to redecorate any room. Available in innovative colors, sizes and designs, they fit into any decor and size of the room.

If you are looking to buy a shag rugs, its best to look online for a wide variety and choice in shag rugs. Remember to buy from reputed company as color fastness and quality is important to get the best for your home.

Perhaps you’ve had a friend or relative remodel a kitchen and install marble tile flooring. You may wonder how marble differs from natural stone flooring, if there’s any real difference at all. Well read on and you’ll learn everything you need to know.

Natural stone flooring is a very broad category of material which includes things like granite, quartz, limestone, slate, and travertine. These choices are all stone products which have been gleaned from quarries all over the world. The fact that they are natural means that the colours and patterns are engineered completely by nature itself with no interference from humans. By contrast, manufactured flooring materials would include linoleum, ceramic tile, and concrete.

Marble is a naturally occurring stone, so marble stone flooring is also part of the natural stone category. It is loved by many because of the intricate beauty in patterns and colours, as well as its strength and durability. What makes marble so interesting is the way it is formed. Marble is a combination of several rocks like limestone and dolomite which undergo a metamorphosis triggered by changes in their environment. With added pressure and time, these rocks crystallize to become marble.

Colours and patterns are unique among different slabs of marble. The various elements combine to make a visual masterpiece that seems to change and flow throughout the slab. Marble tiles reflect that masterpiece in endless shades of white, grey, black, blue, green, red, cream, and brown. The unique patterns make for equally unique sets of tile that can only be found in your kitchen or bath.

The strength and toughness of marble make it a good choice for entry ways. But the one threat to this beautiful stone is moisture. It is a porous stone, so even though water resistant, it is prone to staining if it is not sealed and maintained regularly. Marble tile flooring should be cleaned and resealed very nine to twelve months depending on traffic flow.

Travertine flooring is another popular choice for both residential and commercial applications because it’s durable and requires little maintenance. It is comparable to marble in cost so it can be expensive. From the visual standpoint, what makes travertine so special is that no two pieces look identical. A skilled craftsman who knows how to work with this stone can create a piece of art that will amaze visitors for years.

Other natural stone flooring products including granite, limestone, and slate all have their individual characteristics. One thing they all share though is a tendency to be more expensive compared to manufactured products. If natural tile flooring is out f your price range there are manufactured alternatives that might fit the bill for you. Cast concrete, for example, sports a simulated look and feel of natural stone at a fraction of the price. It’s also not a durable as the real thing but it’s still a good option for those with limited options.

When you’re ready to install new flooring in your home, remember that you’ll have to walk on and look at it every day. Make it something special that you’ll enjoy for a long time to come and if it’s within your budget, consider natural stone or marble tile flooring.