Choosing the Pattern for Your Bathroom Vinyl Floor Tiles

After buying your house you will find that there is a lot of fun in decorating it according to your style and personal taste. You can start from scratch or adjust existing fixtures and fittings but it is always better to select new colours and designs for floors which will last for a long time. Choosing the pattern for your bathroom floor tiles will ensure that you can have the colour scheme you want to see every day for the next few years. 

First you will have to decide if you want bathroom vinyl flooring or bathroom wooden flooring and then decide on the colours and designs. Although bathroom wood flooring is available you will find that most people opt for bathroom vinyl floor tiles. This is because a wooden floor is not very practical where there is likely to be a lot of water or water damage and when it comes to bathroom flooring vinyl is the better choice. 

Bathroom vinyl flooring offers comfort and quality, and is relatively easy to install if you choose to do it yourself. Picking a style you like best may be the most difficult decision you'll face when choosing vinyl flooring. There are two distinct patterns for vinyl flooring: printed and inlaid.

Printed vinyl

Printed vinyl is made by printing a pattern directly onto the surface of a vinyl sheet, and then covering it with a protective layer. This type of vinyl is also called rotovinyl, from the name of the printing process. Printed vinyl is available in a variety of patterns and colours, and is more cost-effective than inlaid vinyl. However, it is less durable.

Inlaid Vinyl 

Inlaid vinyl is made by injecting a colour pattern directly into a vinyl sheet, and then fusing both together so that colours and pattern become part of the material. This type of process gives inlaid vinyl a rich, longer-lasting appearance than printed vinyl. However, inlaid vinyl tends to come in fewer patterns and colours.

Whether you choose vinyl sheet or vinyl tile, it's important to have a vinyl floor that remains durable for years to come. This will depend on a number of factors, including your vinyl floor's wear layer, or finish, which is a coating applied to vinyl to maintain its shine. There are three types of finishes commonly used:

Vinyl no-wax

This is the most cost-effective choice. Stain-resistant and easy to clean, it stays shiny so there's no need to polish or buff.

Urethane

This is easy to clean and more resistant to scuffs and stains than no-wax finishes and it keeps its original appearance longer. It stays shiny without polishing or buffing.

Enhanced urethane 

                                               

This outperforms vinyl no-wax and regular urethane finishes. It resists scuffs, scratches and household stains better and has longer-lasting shine with no polishing or buffing.

Bathroom floor tiles are also practical because if a small area becomes damaged from repeated spills or just from a lot of foot traffic, then it is easy to just replace a few individual tiles.

Laminate Wood Floors Can Look Like the Real Thing

It seems that there is a faux version of just about everything from fur to floors. The latest trend is laminate wood flooring where laminate wood floors look just like real wood floors. Laminated wood flooring has become very popular in recent years as a cheaper alternative to those searching for a rustic homely looking floor. The thing to remember is that a laminate wood floor requires different cleaning techniques from a real wooden floor.

Similar to the laminate material that covered kitchen countertops for a generation or two, the laminate wood planks do not significantly raise the height of the existing floor, which makes it easier to plan transitions from room to room. While durable and easy to keep clean, laminate falls short when it comes to moisture. Standing water can infiltrate the fibreboard core, causing the material to expand and buckle. With laminates, it’s critical to caulk gaps along the walls, around the tub, and surrounding other fixtures to prevent water infiltration. Laminates don't come in the same variety of styles you’ll find with ceramics and vinyl which is a negative point but you will still find a large selection to choose from.

Laminate offers the widest array of designs of any surfacing material. Most laminated wooden flooring planks include a few layers of paper (which is where the wood design is printed). Although this paper is protected with a high-tech coating, it still requires special care to ensure it maintains its beauty and durability through the years. Most wood laminate floor companies do not recommend using cleaners like regular floor cleaners. Instead, follow these easy steps:

Sweep it with a broom

Although laminate wood floors are very durable, it is possible to scratch them with a small pebble or sharp object. Because of this, dry mops with metal edges can actually leave marks on a laminate floor. Opt for a plain plastic or bristle broom, and sweep lightly to avoid scratching rocks or stones across the surface of the floor. Remove all major debris and dirt from the floor this way.

Dust it

These days, companies are making "mops" that are essentially nothing more than a disposable dusting cloth on the end of a long plastic stick. These "mops" are perfect for cleaning up any small bits of dust and dirt that may be clinging to the floor after you've swept it. Carefully dust the floor.

Spray it

Choose only a cleanser marked safe for laminate flooring. Otherwise, you could end up with a soapy cleaner that will leave a streaky residue or film on your floor. Spray the cleaner lightly across the entire floor.

Mop it

Use a new cloth on your "dust mop" to mop the moisture of the cleaner across the floor. Apply pressure, but not so much that you leave a scratch across your flooring. Gently use the mop to "buff" the floor as you clean it.

In this way your laminate wood floor will remain just as good as any real wood and last for years.

Related Article: Following Instructions for Installing Discounted Laminate Flooring Is Easy

Cheap Wooden Flooring seems to be a Contradiction in Terms

Having recently bought a new home we decided that we wanted to have something which would last and add value to the house such as wooden floors. The only problem was that the budget we had considered was inadequate for the whole house so we selected two rooms in which to install cheap wood flooring. However even there we realised that cheap wooden flooring seemed to be a contradiction in terms since even a cheap wood floor seemed to work out quite expensive. 

We did consider cheap wood laminate flooring but then agreed that even a cheap wooden floor was better than the imitations. Many people are choosing to forgo real wood floors in favour of laminate flooring because laminate is less expensive and easier to care for than real wood. At the same time, real wood flooring offers some benefits that laminate flooring doesn't. Because both laminate and wood flooring have a lot of good points it can make the decision making process difficult when it comes to choosing flooring for your home.

Of course, there are the disadvantages of having cheap wood floors. The biggest disadvantage is the expense because only natural materials are used and people with a limited budget may not be able to afford hardwood flooring. Since it is a bit time-consuming to install since they have to be laid in strips. Most people have it professionally installed, so there is another added expense. Hardwood flooring can be swept and damp mopped or cleaned with a wood floor cleaner but over time it will lose its shine so that means that you have to wax it using a special machine.

Hardwood flooring has an array of benefits over other types of flooring. It may cost a little more upfront, but in the long run they are vastly more economical as outlined in the many ways above. Another big advantage is that if you decide to sell your home, hardwood floors will increase the value of your home and help the home to sell faster. It is very versatile and can be used with any type of décor or style.

Wearing certain types of shoes can make walking across the hardwood floor noisy so if you want a home without much noise, then you are going to have the added expense of throw rugs in areas where the noise is the worse.When you weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of having hardwood flooring, there are more advantages. If you can afford hardwood flooring, this would be the type of flooring to use.

Unfortunately, hardwood flooring can become slippery, making it a little dangerous to walk on in sock feet. Also, cheap wooden flooring is very vulnerable to humidity and moisture, which can deteriorate the wood. This is why if you need to mop a spill from the floor, or do a general cleaning, make sure that the mop is just damp. Even considering these disadvantages I believe that the elegance and warmth of cheap wood floors cannot be beat. 

Related Article: Cheap Laminated Flooring Has Certain Advantages over Wooden Flooring

Black Wooden Flooring Looks good as Long as it is Kept Clean

It seems that some things are just a dust magnet and unless you keep on top of the cleaning you will soon find that your home looks very dirty indeed. Among these things are black wooden flooring, black vinyl flooring and black tile lino. Since they are black, they show up any bits of dust almost immediately and you need to try and keep them polished too in order to keep them looking attractive. 

My sister has recently had black wood flooring installed in her kitchen and black vinyl floor tiles installed in her bathroom. Traditionally black is assumed to be a masculine colour and you will find that a lot of men like to have black in their homes, especially their bedrooms and bathrooms. It is a strong colour and if it is not done properly the overall effect can be dark and gloomy. 

In order to avoid this you need to brighten things up with touches of colour such as cushions, pictures and furnishings. Since my sister has chosen to have blackwooden flooring in the kitchen, she has ensured that the other fixtures and are in a light colour and she has added bright pictures to break up the dark effect. I have to admit that it is a lovely room and looks attractive as well as functional. 

The only problem is that since the floor is black, all the dust which comes in shows up straight away and she spends a fair share of her time making sure that the floor is clean. This is one of the main disadvantages of having a black floor but then you also need to consider the type of flooring you are having and the room it will be in. This means that in the kitchen or bathroom, a wood floor may not be the best choice.

Most rooms inside your house are not going to be places where you are on your feet for prolonged periods of time. The kitchen floor is the main place where you want to go for comfort over just about anything else related to flooring. Standing up for a long time whilst cooking can give your feet a real workout, and this is why may people opt for rubber or cork in the kitchen to help with the pain of being on your feet. 

Whatever colour you opt for remember that all floors get dirty very quickly, depending on the amount of footfall they see as well as the number of pets and children which will around. One option is to use black vinyl floortiles in the kitchen which are very practical, easy to find and can look good also, depending on the design and the quality you opt for. These tiles are not expensive and they are also very easy to install yourself. This is a major plus point, especially if you are on a budget or if you know that you will not be living in the property for a long time.

Laminate Vinyl Flooring Can Be a Practical and Cost Effective Option

In our neighbourhood there are a number of people who have decided to replace their floors in various rooms. When it comes to replacing a floor vinyl is often a popular choice since floor vinyl tiles are practical and inexpensive compare to other coverings. If you are considering a new floor tiles vinyl, ceramic or stone are better choices than full coverings. 

When looking around for options related to flooring vinyl needs to be given due consideration and there is luxury vinyl flooring as well as cheap laminate vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors are resilient and provide a bounce-back upon pressure. This provides a very comfortable surface underfoot. Vinyl floors do not become as cold as stone and vitrified tile floors since vinyl stores heat. This attribute also reduces heating and cooling costs. Since vinyl absorbs noise, the floor enhances the acoustic comfort of the room.

Since the flooring is provided as a handy-sized unit, it is easy to transport and install. The tiles are applied to a level sub-base with vinyl adhesive. Most tiles have an adhesive layer with which it is fixed to the floor. They can also be installed on ceramic, concrete and wood floors. Pets need to come into the equation when choosing flooring. Dander is much more easily spotted and cleaned off a hardwood floor than it is on shag carpeting. If you've got indoor pets, you absolutely must take them into consideration when choosing a flooring material.

When you are selecting the perfect floors for your home you also need to bear in mind the durability factor. Ask yourself how long do you plan on keeping the flooring? Have you already started making plans to move to a new house within the next ten years? If you know this house is a just a temporary stepping stone till a better option comes along, don't go for the super durable and long-lasting flooring material. Go for the attractive but cheap option which will look good for a while and then you can say goodbye to it without feeling any regret that you spent so much money on a good floor.

Vinyl tiles offer a lot of flexibility in design. They are available in a variety of colours and can also simulate wood, stone, terrazzo and concrete. The tiles can be arranged to create patterns and mosaics, thus creating an interesting floor plane. Vinyl floor tiles are good as anti-slip flooring since they incorporate a slip-retardant technology which also maintains the static. The extensive application of vinyl in health-care facilities is testimony to the improved sanitary capability of vinyl. 

You will find that laminate vinyl flooring is a very popular choice and I know of three homeowners who have decided to go with this option and are in the process of finalising their choices of colours and designs. One other advantage to floorvinyl tiles is that when a single tile is damaged in any way, it can be easily replaced without affecting the rest of the floor.