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Top Flooring Trends For 2012

New flooring immediately transforms any space from blah to bam! For this reason, putting in new floors is one of the fastest ways to update a property. If you’re hoping to beautify your home in the New Year, review the 2012 hardwood flooring styles we’ve listed below.

1. Flooring for outdoor applications. Creating an attractive outdoor living area expands your livable space without racking up costs. For this reason, outdoor living continues to appeal to consumers who can’t afford to upgrade to an entirely new home. Manufacturers have complied with this trend by creating outdoor flooring that snaps together easily to make a tough yet attractive surface.

2. Customized floors. Today you can customize your sneakers and your digital device – why not floors? The modern flooring industry offers customization by means of endless choices in textures, designs, and materials. Especially if you ask your provider for personalization options, you can find flooring that will reflect your unique spirit.

3. Humidity-proof engineered wood flooring. Hardwood floor applications were limited by the natural contraction and expansion of wood with climate conditions – until now, that is. Today’s builders and designers can use engineered wood flooring in moisture-prone areas. Engineered wood combines bonded plywood and a veneer of finished wood. It will not warp or twist with moisture or temperature shifts, meaning that engineered wood can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and other problematic parts of the home.

4. Large pieces of tile and wood flooring. Large, interlocking pieces are all the rage in today’s flooring industry. How large? Some ceramic tile is now available in 3×3-foot pieces. The result is fewer grout lines and less maintenance. Moreover, large tiles can make a space appear larger. Hardwood flooring producers are also creating wider, longer floorboards, some 7 feet long and 7.5 inches wide.

5. The hand-scraped wood flooring look. If you’re worried about unsightly scratches in your wood floor, here’s a novel approach: embrace scratches as a purposeful part of your design. This is certainly not the last year in which hand-scraped hardwood flooring enjoy popularity. Designers and consumers alike appreciate the unique character that scraping brings to wood flooring, and property owners adore the fact that even the toughest household can’t make pre-scratched wood look bad.

High labor costs make hand-scratched wood flooring expensive. For a less expensive alternative, choose laminate floors, which can expertly imitate the look and feel of hand-scraped wood flooring.

6. Porcelain tile flooring. Porcelain tile is gaining popularity for a few reasons: it’s low-maintenance, durable, and attractive. In contrast with ceramic tile flooring, porcelain tile rarely becomes scratched or chipped, mainly because porcelain is denser than ceramic. Moreover, porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of styles, and at affordable prices.

Indeed, today’s porcelain tile is even capable of creating a classic marble flooring look. By digitally scanning marble patterns onto porcelain tiles, designers can evoke a classic style at a reasonable cost. Even wood textures can be achieved with porcelain tiles! Indeed, because porcelain tiles will not stain, break, or scratch (unlike actual wood flooring) many consumers are choosing porcelain tiles over hardwood flooring.

Fresh new floors will enliven any home. If you follow the trends for wood and ceramic tile flooring listed above, your new floors will be on the cutting edge of fashion.

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Everyone wants their homes to look the best it can for the money they have. Well, here at Crawford Home Improvements, we can give you the right look, at the right price! We have all the latest styles, colors, brands and more to suit every need! Call or come in today!

3810 Clemmons rd, Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net/

The Pros & Cons Of Cork Flooring

When you compare all the different types of flooring that are available, some are going to leap out at you more than others. For instance carpet is a popular choice, as is laminate flooring. Hardwood flooring is highly desirable but costs more and may not be within your budget.

But what would you say about cork flooring? You’ve probably heard of it but you may not have seriously considered having it in your home before. If you are thinking of changing the flooring in one or more rooms in your home, now is the time to find out more about it.

The advantages of cork

When people think about cork the first thing that comes to mind – perhaps understandably – is the backing on drinks coasters! This is certainly normally made from cork, and it might put you off the idea of installing it as your new flooring. But in truth the cork you will lay down on the floor is a lot different from the cork on those coasters.

For starters, cork is actually highly resistant to mold and mildew. This is why you often see cork boards to stand on when you get out of the shower. It can provide an excellent flooring choice in bathrooms and in kitchens, as well as other areas of the home. It also dampens down sound levels in a way that laminate and hardwood flooring do not, which is something else to think about.

Another thing that might make you consider cork flooring in more depth is its ability to withstand pretty much everything you throw at it. It is incredibly durable and this alone is one reason why many people opt for it.

The disadvantages of cork

While cork can withstand a lot of damage, it does depend on the type of damage caused. If you have a child who decides they’ll pick a chunk out of your cork floor one day, that chunk will notice and you’ll have to try and replace it.

Another major disadvantage is that you won’t be able to mop it. It typically has a protective coating but it doesn’t react well to water or spillages. If you do spill anything you should mop it up immediately to restrict the amount of damage done. Even though cork can be refinished, it isn’t an easy job and you shouldn’t be doing it all the time either.

Is cork flooring the one for you?

Clearly you have to think carefully before you decide to have a cork floor installed in your home. In some circumstances it may not be ideal at all, such as if you have kids or maybe even pets that might scratch it. Just imagine a dog of any size running across it and trying to turn by digging their claws into it. Not good!

So think about your situation and what you want from your floor before you decide whether cork will be the right choice for you.

Cork floors are currently very popular and, like most decorating options, there are both pros and cons associated with them. Cork flooring not only looks attractive, it is also very resilient, and if you are seeking a natural looking type of floor covering for your home, cork flooring offers many excellent properties. However, cork flooring does have a few disadvantages, so before you rush out to your nearest floor coverings store, you need to investigate what the pros and cons of cork flooring are!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Investigating-the-Pros-and-Cons-of-Cork-Flooring&id=6816785

So now that you know a little bit more about the pros and cons of cork flooring, do you think that it would be a good choice for your home? Do you have another flooring option in mind? Whatever you choose, we can meet your needs and your budget, so why not give us a call or come by our office today and see all we have to offer!

3810 Clemmons rd Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net/

Your Options When Choosing a Floor for Your Bathroom

Flooring is such an important feature of any bathroom that it is worth taking a long time choosing the best option. If you rush your decision you could end up stuck with a floor that is completely unsuitable for your home.

But which type of flooring to choose?

There are many options and really you should try to consider all of the possibilities before you choose a solution. Here are some of the most common types of flooring for you to consider, all of which may be suitable options in your home.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular types of bathroom flooring solutions, and there are many reasons for this.

One is that they are easy to clean which could make your life a lot easier over the years, and it will also ensure that your bathroom stays hygienic.

Ceramic tiles are also popular because they look similar to stone but don’t come with the hefty price tag attached.

Another great thing about these tiles is that they can be used on the walls as well as the floor. That can lead to some really incredible bathrooms and you won’t have to worry about how to decorate the walls to match the floors because that decision will already be taken care of.

Natural Stone Tiles

Stone is the most durable bathroom floor you can get, but that comes with a price. You can typically expect to pay a premium for natural stone tiles, but if you are serious about getting the perfect bathroom then it may be the perfect choice.

Granite is a popular option, but other types of stone may also be an option. It will create a very classy appearance and of course you won’t have to worry too much about damage occurring because it is so durable.

One consideration to make, however, is that you may need to get the stone tiles sealed before they are installed, so check with your manufacturer.

Wood

Wood may not seem like the most suitable option for a bathroom floor, but actually you may be able to use it. Although solid wood is not such a great choice because it can expand and crack, if you choose a wood which has been specially engineered then you may be able to use it.

This will create a warm, traditional look to a bathroom which may be just what you are after. However, if you are more concerned with a floor which is going to be durable and last for longer then you may be better off going with natural stone tiles or ceramic tiles.

Conclusion

Choose the Perfect Floor for Your Bathroom

There are many options when it comes to choosing a floor for your bathroom, including wood, tiles and more. But whether you opt for porcelain tiles, stone tiles or another form of flooring, make sure you take your time over your decision and end up choosing the ideal floor for your bathroom.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Options-When-Choosing-a-Floor-for-Your-Bathroom&id=6761944

When you finally choose your perfect floor, then come to us for the rest! We can get you the floor you’re looking for, at a price you can afford, and then our team of experts can install that floor for you too! All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your beautiful new floor that you can love for years to come! Come by or give us a call today!

3810 Clemmons rd, Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net/

The A-Z of Home Improvements

Home improvements fall into two categories, and they are the type that need to be done, such as essential repairs, like re-plastering cracked walls and re-tiling the roof and the type that is more for comfort and upgrading, such as redecorating a room, and building an extension on the house. For some people, getting involved in some home improvements is one of the great joys in life, because it gives them a chance to do things that they’ve always wanted to do, and for others, it’s a real drag, because it’s something that they have no desire to do. However you feel about doing a little bit of home improvement, or some people call it, DIY (Do It Yourself), there will come a time in your life that you will absolutely have to do it. So how do you get your home improvements done right? Read on.

First things fist undertaking any kind of construction or related work in your home does come with a little bit of danger because you’re going to be using tools such as saws, hammers, screwdrivers, and possibly even a nail gun, it really depends on the kind of improvements you would like in your house. So with this in mind, safety has be the first thought on your mind when you wake up in the morning, and the final thought in your head when you go to bed in the evening. So make sure you have adequate safety equipment, such as safety goggles to protect your eyes, helmets, ear protectors, gloves and anything else that you may need. Injuries are not only painful and unpleasant, they will seriously hinder any work being undertaken at your home, because if you are the only one carrying out the work, you will need to stop the work until you’re healed, so don;t take that chance.

Depending on the work you’re doing, there may be some tools and accessories that you may need to use but are too expensive to buy, when this happens, it’s a good idea to look into renting a piece of equipment, such as a wallpaper stripper, a circular saw or even a generator if you need to create extra power to continue with your work, this is particularly useful when you are undertaking work on a bigger scale, such as building an extension. Because you may not need to use these tools again, because you may not be doing a job like the one you’re doing again, so renting certain equipment will actually save you some money compared to buying the same equipment and then leaving it to gather dust in your cupboard, basement or attic.

Always make sure you’ve obtained the right paperwork for any jobs that need special permissions, such as building an extension onto the house, as that way you won’t fall foul of the law, which could lead to a fine. Remember to look into equipment rental, such as generator rental, and always, always make sure that you have the right safety equipment to complete the job.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-A-Z-of-Home-Improvements&id=6602253

When it comes to home improvement, trust the pros! Always keep us in mind for your home improvement, home renovation, and home remodeling needs!

3810 Clemmons, rd Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net

Carpet

Top Flooring Trends For 2012

The Pros & Cons Of Cork Flooring

Your Options When Choosing a Floor for Your Bathroom

The A-Z of Home Improvements

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