Choosing the Right Flooring That Suits Your Climate

When considering buying new flooring for your home, you may want to take the time to consider how your climate may affect your choice of flooring. Severe hot or cold weather can crack or warp your floors, and high humidity can do an unbelievable amount of damage to both your floor and sub-floor as well. There are a few different flooring options that you can consider for your home, and a few can withstand just about any climate if installed right. Here are some of the most popular types of flooring and how they are affected by climate.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is one of the most common but can be challenging to maintain in certain climates. Extreme humidity can cause problems for your hardwood flooring. It normally does well in mild climates with humidity levels staying between the 35-60% ranges. The following are some of the conditions that may cause problems with your hardwood floor.

• High humidity will cause hardwood planks to expand and contract.
• Low pressure will cause planks to shrink, which creates gaps.
• Pooling liquids such as flooding may cause the planks to swell making them warp.
• Direct sunlight may cause your hardwood flooring to fade taking away the beauty of the flooring.

Concrete

Concrete is a very durable form of flooring. The fact of this is that because concrete is used for highways, bridges, buildings and foundations, shows it can withstand even the harshest of climates. The only time you would have to worry about concrete is if it has not been sealed properly. Otherwise, it will last lifetimes.

Linoleum

Linoleum is a very effective type of flooring and will withstand any climate as long as it is prepared and installed correctly. There are added benefits of having linoleum like resisting the growth of bacteria, mold, fungi, yeast and mildew. It would also probably be a good idea to install a vapor barrier between your floor and sub-floor. This will help with the mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Carpet

Carpet is less susceptible from the effects of changing temperatures. The combination of high humidity and consistent liquid spills can be harsh on your carpeting and may cause mold and fungi growth. When using carpet you want to be sure that it’s installed correctly and is better fitted for lower traffic areas in your home like bedrooms and hallways.

To ensure the lasting effects of you carpet, here are a few things you can do.

• Install a sub-floor with a moisture barrier and glue your carpet to it.
• Use a dehumidifier to help reduce the humidity levels in your home.
• If your carpets do get wet or flooded use a combination of a ceiling fan and open windows to dry your carpet out faster.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is another great example of flooring that works well in most climatic conditions. The surface of vinyl flooring is moisture resistant but you still need to ensure that the perimeter is properly sealed with high quality silicone caulk in areas that are water-susceptible. For instance around sinks, bathtubs, and exterior doors. Pooling liquids need to be cleaned up as quickly as possible; otherwise the liquids may seep into the seams and damage the sub-floor underneath. Too much direct sunlight will also cause your vinyl flooring to fade.

There is much more to consider than just cost and styling when deciding on the right flooring for your home. The climate that you live in could largely impact the performance and longevity of your floors. Make sure you take into consideration of your surroundings and climate before making renovations to the flooring in your home.

Top Home Flooring Trends of 2012

When it comes to the floors in your home, people think that the options are pretty limited. You can have carpeting, tile, or hardwood floors installed in your home. However, is that really all you can do or do you have more style options? The truth is there are many new trends that are changing the way people see their floors. This year, there were some really unique flooring styles that really caught on in a big way. Here is some more information on the top home flooring trends of 2012.

Carpeting with an unusual pattern: A top home flooring trend of this year is to say goodbye to boring carpeting. What would you think about carpeting with a floral pattern or maybe another symbol that gives that carpeting a fresh new look? Choosing a patterned carpeting can really give any floor in your home some style.

Hardwood flooring that is scratched: Anyone that owns a hardwood floor can tell you that scratches will quickly kill that beautiful floor and that keeping that hardwood floor from getting scratched up can be a nightmare especially when it comes to having kids or pets. What if the floor was already scratched? Scratched hardwood floors are fast becoming a hot flooring trend because the hardwood doesn’t have to be constantly babysat. The flooring also give a room a special look and a retro flare that many people are really finding very appealing.

A recycled floor: Are you trying to live your life as environmentally conscious as you possibly can? Did you know that environmentally floors do exist? What would you think about a hardwood floor that is made from recycled material? Recycling is a part of the world now, and that does include what you can use in your home as flooring. Imagine taking wooden shipping crates and turning them into a beautiful floor? With a recycled floor, going green never looked so good.

Your home is all about who you are as a person. Your floor is an important part of your home and there is nothing wrong with wanting your floors to look their best. Some of the biggest trends in flooring this year are to step out of the box and choose something unusual. Whether it is carpeting with unique patterns, pre-scratched hardwood floors, or hardwood flooring made from recycled materials, your flooring will look unique, stylish, and tell the world all about you at the same time.

What Are the Cost-Effective Green Flooring Options?

Getting new floors can be fun. It is a chance to pick out something for your home that will really make it pop and look great. Yet, these can be expensive options and it may be difficult to find one that is in your price range. Further, many of these choices are less than environmentally friendly. For that reason, the following are some suggestions for eco-friendly floors that look great, do not break the bank, and consider the environment in their manufacturing and use. Consider these for your next home remodeling project.

Refinish

One of the most cost-effective green flooring options for your floor is to refinish your old ones. This may not be exactly what you are looking for but refinishing the old saves you money and can still give you the look of new without having to spend time picking out new patterns or finding workers to work for you in laying down an all new floor. This is one of the most eco-friendly floors options if done correctly because it does not include the use of new materials, but refinishes the old. There are several products on the market today that allow you to coat over your existing hardwood or cement flooring for a more polished and cleaner look. These do not use the harmful irritants or stimulants that impact the environment as much as the floors themselves. No, instead these green flooring options do the work while making sure to be prepared to not impact the environment with unnecessary chemicals. For this reason, they are a top choice among those looking to save money and still stay eco-friendly.

Reusable

Choosing cork can be a green flooring option that is extremely cost effective. Choosing renewable cork product or one that was crafted from the use of other materials is one of the most sustainable things that can be done. It is not a harsh environmental trigger but actually reuses the materials that would have gone to waste any way. There are several other cost-effective green flooring options which put reusable materials in the product instead of new. As a result, you are continuing the cycle of life for many objects that would be otherwise discarded or thrown away. For that reason, you should consider reusable objects are your best choice for flooring because they are both green and cost-effective at the same time.

Tips to Find the Best Calgary Carpet

When we think about remodeling our homes or just trying to make our homes look better the first thing we usually go to is the floor covering. Many people have carpet on their floors but over time it will be destroyed by years of wear and tear. You may think that you will be able to steam clean but the fact is that over the years no matter how much you steam clean your carpet will become thread bare and need to be replaced.

What to choose

There are hundreds of different types of carpets to choose from and in the Calgary areas you will have no trouble finding that will look great in your home and that you will love. Calgary carpet can come in all different colors and thickness. If you prefer one that is easier to clean it is suggested that you go with a shorter type carpet. As far as color options go you will have no trouble finding a color that will match your room. Many people love darker but if you prefer a light colored, you will have no trouble finding it. Remember to make sure that the carpet you get enhances the room that you are in and make sure that you like the feel of the carpet. If you have children or pets you may want to consider getting a carpet that is resistant to stains and damage from pets or children.

Where to buy

There are many places in Calgary where you can purchase carpet. When looking at Calgary carpets take into consideration if you want to install the carpet yourself. If you do you can easily find a carpet store that will sell you the carpet and padding and even give you tips on how to install the carpet. If you prefer to have a store and their employees install your carpet you will have no trouble finding a Calgary carpet company that will come to your home and properly install the carpet for you. When choosing a carpet company make sure that they have the carpet that you love and make sure that both the carpet and the install are at a good price. Some carpet places even offer free installation if you buy from them or they offer a discount price on installation so always make sure that you check with the company before you purchase the carpet.