Flooring

Hardwood flooring is made from real, natural trees, which are harvested and then processed down into planks which can be used in construction. Because the material is natural, it is not a perfect one size fits all element. Rather each piece will have its own unique characteristics, which will be slightly different from every other piece in the world.

This can lead to some problems when installing a hardwood floor, as planks may be bent, warped, or uneven due to environmental conditions. However this also lends a one of a kind beauty to the installation, as the unique and chaotic look of the wood merges with the artistic craftsmanship of the installer getting it to fit.

Then of course, the finished installation mimics the look of a real, forested woodland. This can be complemented by using other forest colors in the space such as lush greens, dotted with red and orange accents.

Image © Timber Floors Sydney

Concrete has a bad reputation in the design world. Most people think of it as the rough, mottled, harsh hard surface found on sidewalks, or in old abandoned warehouses. But in actuality there are a variety of techniques which can be used to make concrete flooring look attractive in any commercial, or residential interior location.

If you take a look at this concrete flooring gallery you will see that treatments such as acid washing, epoxy coating, and color enhancement can all be used to dress the look of a concrete floor. These can be combined with throw rugs and carpets to soften the solid surface look of the material.

Of course, concrete can also be hard, cold, and uncomfortable to stand on for long periods, so there are always drawbacks. What do you think of concrete flooring? Is it just for industrial use or would you have it in your home? Let us know in the comments section below.

Image © ConcreteDesigns.biz

Many people are hesitant at the first thought of installing a glass floor. The thought that comes to mind is often one of a bottle smashing beneath their feet, sending violent shards of transparent sharpness spewing into the air. But a better image would be to think of a glass slipper, delicately supporting your weight as you dance through the night.

While glass flooring materials can break, they are generally manufactured to extremely rigorous standards, making them quite resilient and durable. This makes them quite safe for use as flooring, even in some commercial, high traffic locations, where hundreds of people will be walking each day.

In my latest article on Mosaic Glass Tile Flooring I discuss the benefits that are possible with this material, as well as some of the concerns that you might want to be aware of. I hope you enjoy it, and if you have any questions or comments you can feel free to drop them in the section below.

In my latest article I talk about all of the different factors that you need to be aware of when shopping for mosaic glass floor tiles. This includes sizing, quality, pricing, and design considerations. It act's as a good general guide to avoiding some of the common pitfalls that can arise during this process.

Finding deals on mosaic glass materials will be similar to finding discounts and deals on other construction material elements. You have to keep your eyes open, and compare prices as much as possible. There are only a few companies that manufacture mosaic glass flooring, so once you find out who the quality suppliers are, you can pit the retailers against one another to find the best price.

The internet is a great place to compare pricing on different options. You can combine this with shopping at brick and mortar store to ensure that you get the best possible price. Signing up for retailers twitter feeds and newsletters can also keep you up to date on special deals or coupons that might be available at any given time.

Mosaic glass tile materials can cost a considerable amount of money, with low end materials starting at seven dollars a foot, and going all the way up to thirty or higher. This makes it one of the most expensive luxury flooring materials that you can purchase. So, is it worth the price that you will pay, to have this material in a bathroom?

The first thing to consider is it's inherent characteristics. Glass flooring materials are manufactured to be very hard, and durable. At the same time they are completely impervious to water penetration. The surface is resistant to stains, and dirt just tends to slide off its slick facade. This makes it ideally suited to bathroom conditions.

In my latest article I explore mosaic glass bathroom floor tile in detail, exploring its benefits, and its drawbacks, as well as the different factors that should go into making a decision on this material.

When broken and discarded glass materials are thrown away and sent to a landfill, they do not break down naturally into the environment. Rather they remain as solid waste, taking up space for thousands of years. This is a huge problem that is quickly escalating every year.

With recycled glass, you take those old waste and you melt it down, and then form it into a new product that is just as durable and useful as the original. In addition, this process requires up to 40% less fuel consumption than the production of brand new glass materials.

So maybe recycled glass floors won't save the world. But they are a move in the right direction. By reusing resources, rather than just using them, we can help to maintain the health and integrity of our overall environment.

A floating floor refers to the way that the material is installed. Floating floors are able to click together, adhering one piece to the next, with the whole structures weight holding it in place. Because of this method, the floor covering does not need to be adhered to the subfloor directly.

A floating bamboo floor can be engineered, but it can also be solid natural material. The difference is that engineered floors have a backing material, with only a slim sliver of the actual bamboo resting in the surface, laminated beneath a protective wear layer. The natural material is made by shredding the stalks of the plant, and then adhering them into planks.

Floating bamboo floors are great because they are easy to install, even for an amateur. They are also relatively easy to remove, allowing you to take the contractor out of the equation. In addition, they can often be installed over already existing flooring in your home.

How would you like to be suspended in the air, almost 1200 feet above the ground, looking down into emptiness below you? It's possible, and you don't have to be a skydiver to do it. At the CN tower in Toronto, they have a glass floor that is set to peer directly down, 1,122 feet to the earth below.

But don't worry, this structure is completely safe. It is a 2 ½" thick pane of glass, that is five times stronger than the required weight bearing for commercial floors. That means you can run, bounce, and jump on the floor at will, without having to worry about the plummet down below.

This feature is a great example of how a glass flooring installation can become the centerpiece of a location. Glass is visually sleek and appealing, and lets you achieve effects that are not possible with any other material.

So what are your thoughts on the CN towers floor, or on glass flooring in general? Let us know in the comments section below!

All of the elements in a bedroom work together to create the overall environment. Flooring is an important part of this puzzle, as it stretches out across the entire room. It is the surface that you interact with the most, the one your body touches, and rests on most frequently, when not sitting or lying in bed. Because of this it can have a powerful impact on how the room feels overall.

Many people prefer a comfortable bedroom floor, as it will create a sense of soothing comfort. This will often be a soft material such as carpet, or cork, which will cradle your toes as you step to your bed each night.

In some cases, a stylistic choice might be made to opt for a more solid material, such as hardwood, or even tile and stone. These can be offset by using throw rugs to soften them in places, but in general these will be much harder, creating more of a solid character in the bedroom.

So what's your preference? Was is the best bedroom flooring option? Leave a comment below and let us know!

The price of bamboo flooring depends on exactly what you are looking to purchase. Some materials can be found for just one or two dollars a square foot, while others will cost upwards of four or five. This will vary based on the manufacturing process, as well as any treatments which may have been used to create it.

In my latest article, I discuss detailed bamboo flooring pricing information, including descriptions and prices for all of the major options that you will encounter. You also have to consider the cost of installation and any additional nails, adhesives, or backing underlayment layers you might need.