From the Floors Up

Measuring for Flooring and Its Variables

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Many companies will come out and measure before installing flooring – this is not because you are naïve and do not know how to measure a room. In fact, it is to ensure they order enough flooring for your project. Every room will come with its own variables, and in many situations, you need to know more than the square footage of a room. While linear footage can help give your flooring company a general idea, there are still many variables to consider. Here is a brief look at why measuring flooring can have many variables:

Carpet

When carpet is manufactured, it is typically created on a large roll. These rolls are traditionally 12-feet in width and can be up to 300-feet in length. The size of your room determines how much length you will need. So, if your room is below 12 feet in width, you will just order for the length.

  • Example: 11×11 Bedroom will call for a 12×11 roll of carpet
  • Example: 10×14 Bedroom will call for a 12×14 roll of carpet

However, what happens when you have a room that is 16×14 can completely change the equation. A room over 12-foot will need to be seamed. Carpet is directional, which means it needs to run the same way to be installed correctly. So, a room that is 16×14 could be complete with two 12×16 piece rolls; however, there would be a substantial amount of wasted product! So, these areas are created by making cross seams.

Carpet can also be calculated out differently depending on how many rooms or the shape of the rooms being done. Some rooms may be L-shaped. There are several variables that can go into the exact measurement needed for carpet.

Tile, Hardwood, & LVP

Prepackage flooring that comes in boxes can be a little simpler to figure out the measurements. If a box says it contains 27 square feet of material and you are doing a room that is 100 square feet, you will need four boxes. Unfortunately, the problem arises when you have an area that is just over a box amount. Let us say you have a box of LVP that covers 20 square feet, and your room is exactly 100 square feet. Would this mean you need five boxes of LVP? Not quite because you need to calculate waste. In these situations, you will most likely need to invest in six boxes of flooring. Also, some products may come damaged from the manufacturer with a broken tile or a splintered piece of hardwood. Calculating a little heavy is always a safe bet.

If a company asks to come out and measure, it is best you have them do so to help keep your quote exact. With many variables from transitions to installation, a trained eye is best. This can help assure that you are getting just the right amount of flooring.

Are You Thinking of Using Mosaic Tiles?

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Do you find yourself looking at your kitchen and bathrooms and realize they need special attention? If so, or your taste and style have changed, mosaic tiles are a great place to start jazzing up your dated home design!

If you have a plain ceramic tile backsplash and plain ceramic tile shower enclosure, they tend to become dull and lifeless over time. Mosaic tiles can transform your home’s surfaces into an artistic canvas that pops with style and boldness! There are so many options available, and mosaic tiles are the perfect choice to liven up your design style.

When shopping for mosaic tile, there are various materials to choose from, like porcelain, slate, and glass. We are going to concentrate on glass mosaic tiles due to their versatility and multiple advantages shown below:

Numerous Options are Available

Your local tile stores will have a large assortment of glass mosaic tiles. They are available in almost every color and various styles. Some will have a metallic look, and others will look like mirrors.

Visual Appeal

Glass mosaic tiles have a luminous, mirror-like look or a translucent, pearl look that creates a stylish, high-end design look. Do not overlook upgrading your current lighting to enhance them and play off the reflection of the new tiles.

Design Flexibility

Glass mosaic tiles do not have only to be used in kitchens and baths. These tiles can be used in conjunction with wood, metal, and stone elements in various applications. Many pieces of wall artwork or furniture pieces contain these fabulous jewels that push the piece over the top. They can do the same for your home.

Durable, Easy Maintenance & Environmentally Friendly

Glass mosaic tiles are strong and resistant to most chemicals. They are easy to clean and maintain because of their smooth, non-porous surface. They do not stain while dirt and grease can be wiped away quickly with a cloth. Plus, many glass mosaic tiles are eco-friendly and recycled tiles.

Drawbacks

Glass mosaic tiles are often more expensive than ceramic and slate tiles. Depending on the pattern, the maintenance is more – due to a detailed pattern when installing.

What are your thoughts on glass mosaic tiles? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

Exterior Stone Siding Options

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If you are looking for a more luxurious siding option for your home, consider adding stone. This is more durable than traditional wood or vinyl siding and is quite elegant. There are several different stone sidings to consider adding to your home. Here are the most commonly used and some expectations that come along with them.

Solid Stone Siding

Utilizing solid stone siding is a way to keep your siding the most authentic. This siding is not manufactured or compressed and is delivered in its most legitimate form. The drawback homeowners typically face with this product is its weight. While these stones can create an absolutely stunning appearance, the weight of the rocks can affect the cost of product, labor, and delivery. However, if you are interested in this product, it is an extremely durable and beautiful exterior investment for your home.

Cultured Stone Siding

On the other side of the spectrum is cultured stone siding. This is a much more common option for homeowners due to the manufacturing process, eliminating some of the negative effects of solid stone. You can save money on weight and delivery as well as an installation with this option. These stones are created with cement replicas of stones that are still very durable but significantly lighter.

Polyurethane Faux Stone Panels

Do not let the word “faux” push you away from this look. Polyurethane faux stone paneling comes in very realistic replicas. Though not real stone, this process of composing polyurethane creates a very sturdy and dense mimicking stone. Being much lighter, it is easier to install and less expensive for delivery. These come in panels, which makes installation less costly as well. If you are considering stone, look into this fantastic alternative to create the look at a more affordable cost.

There are many different options to consider when siding your home. Stone is truly an eye-catcher that can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal. If you are considering this option, look into the many different styles, kinds, and variations to see which is best tailored for your home and budget. For more exterior home insight, make sure to subscribe!

What Is Schluter Systems?

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Schluter Systems® is an innovation of the future. Wherever you want tile in your home, you can use Schluter. This underlying tile protection is a remarkable discovery and proves to be one of the leading choices for consumers. Schluter Systems® is incredibly durable and practically indestructible without taking away from the beauty of your floors. If we do not have you intrigued yet, imagine it working with an array of endless designs, colors, textures, and sizes for you to choose. This easy-to-maintain protectant is an excellent investment for your home, and we are here to share why.

Versatility

Upon being absolutely remarkable, Schluter Systems® has exceptionally versatile products. From your bathrooms to your kitchen, Schluter can make your home a luxurious escape. They have changed the industry with their ground-breaking design. You can use the Schluter System in your shower without having to worry about the growth of mold or tile cracking. Schluter has reduced the water and vapor penetration that leads to mold growth in showers. Can you imagine being able to have stunning tilework without having to worry about the potential hazards like mold or cracking? 

Not only is it perfect for your bathrooms, but you can expand the luxury into the rest of your home with heated floors. One of the significant drawbacks of tile is having cold feet, but not anymore. You can have the luxurious look of ceramic or stone tile while having your feet heated and warmed. 

Maintenance

Schluter Systems® has made maintaining their products simple and easy for consumers. Since tile floors are one of the easiest floors to maintain, you can have ease of mind with this extraordinary product. 

Durability

The durability of Schluter Systems is one of our favorite features. Recently, owning tile floors that look like wood has become a popular trend. Now, you can have the gorgeous look of wood with exquisite durability. There is no need to worry about spilling water because Schluter Systems® is exceptionally durable and waterproof. This feature makes having Schluter Systems® in any room more feasible and captivating for consumers. 

How to Select a High-Performance Grout

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Whether it is on the floors or the walls, most homes across the world use tile products to add aesthetic value. As manufacturers continue to produce quality products and technology allows advances in the tile industry, we can expect for the use of tile to increase steadily.

Perhaps one of the biggest complaints from homeowners with tile floors and walls is that the grout, which holds the tiles together, quickly becomes cracked or mildewed. Why is it a challenge to keep grout looking just as clean as the day of installation? This usually happens if an economy-grade grout is not capable of adequately supporting the joints surrounding the tile.

There are approximately seven types of grout; however, if you desire your tiled walls and floors to look great over the next couple of years, you should purchase a high-performance grout. Here is why:

Drawbacks of Standard Grout Products

Standard-quality grouts are popular because they are specially formulated for ease of use. These grout products usually require very little working time or they dry quickly during installation. While standard grout does contain polymer, it is not created using the latest advances in polymer technology, which is vital to ensure great color consistency.

Many standard grout products can be porous, especially cement-based grout. Therefore, you can expect a standard grout product to be more prone to staining. Depending on the product, it also may not be able to defend itself against moisture and mold.

Why Select a High-Quality Grout?

Using a high-quality grout is important for a tile installation project. Of course, as a homeowner, you want the grout to be aesthetically pleasing, and it should not stain easily when exposed to normal household liquids and dirt. What many homeowners realize is that grout does not just fill the void between tiles, but it bonds tiles together and prevents the edges from chipping.

In the last few years, grouts have advanced significantly. High-performance grouts, especially when combined with a quality sealant can be easy to clean, offer vibrant color saturation and consistency.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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