Different Vinyl Flooring Designs

Vinyl floors are loaded with advantages, a fact that makes them a preferred choice. Since vinyl is versatile, home owners can choose from a wide selection of this type of flooring. Vinyl floors can be gloss, non wax, wax, textured or sunlight protected. The type of flooring one chooses depends on their preferences and the use of the room.

Prior to making a purchase, it is advisable to know the size of the floor you wish to cover, as well as the type of floor that works best for you. It is also advisable to use the right adhesive to avoid damages and discoloration. With these tips in mind, here are a few insights into the different types of vinyl flooring designs.

Vinyl Flooring Designs

Vinyl floorings are available in various designs. Here is a list of the main types.

1). Printed vinyl sheets

The printed vinyl flooring sheets are convenient and affordable. They are usually made in layers, with the top most layer, also called wear layer, being vinyl. The underlying layer contains the prints or colors, followed by a bottom, backing layer.

High quality printed sheets may contain cushioning, which make them pricey. The main feature of these sheets is that the colors and patterns are not imprinted on the vinyl itself. Rather, a separate material is first printed and a clear vinyl coating is applied. The thickness of the top wear layer determines the quality of the vinyl sheets.

2). Inlaid vinyl sheets

These are high quality vinyl flooring options since they are made entirely of vinyl. This makes them the most expensive choice of vinyl floorings. Inlaid vinyl sheets are not prone to scratches and chipping. When the scratches occur, they are not easily noticeable.

The main feature about inlaid vinyl sheets is the fact that the color or pattern is ingrained in the vinyl. It is not simply applied; it is integral to the sheet. The sheets require professional installation since they are heavy.

3). Vinyl tiles

This is the most common vinyl flooring designs since they are easy to install and can be arranged into any pattern. The tiles are usually 1/6 or 1/8 of an inch thick, and are self adhesive. This gives the home owner the option of installing the tiles without professional help. Vinyl tiles are either inlaid or printed. Inlaid tiles are the same on both sides.

4). Vinyl rolls

These are pretty much like sheets. However, most vinyl flooring rolls are self adhesive, which make them excellent, do-it-yourself projects. They are available in a variety of colors and thicknesses. Vinyl flooring rolls are an excellent choice since they require minimal maintenance and are highly durable.

5). Vinyl planks

Vinyl planks are quite common. They are available in two options; 6 by 36 inches and 4 by 36 inches. The thickness of the planks depends on the manufacturer. However, it ranges from 1.5mm to 3mm.
The planks are easy to install, and are available in various patterns to suit one's preferences. Colored planks can be used to create unique floor designs. Precision grinding is essential when installing the planks to create a seemingly seamless finish.

There is an endless list of patterns that one can make using vinyl floorings. Depending on one's tastes, preferences and creativity, vinyl floors make excellent room decor options.

3 Popular Styles of Blinds for Your New Home

People who are moving to a new home have a lot of things to do. There may be some household
goods that cannot fit in the new place. Leaving them in a self-storage unit can make moving
more convenient. With this, they can ensure the security of their things no matter how long they
keep them at the facility. They may also leave their old blinds there and decide to buy something
more suitable for their new place.

Blinds can create a whole new look in a room. They come with different colors, designs and
materials. Choosing the best blinds can improve the statement of quality in a home. Mini blinds
are a common style of blinds, and they are becoming more popular now. These blinds can be
made of aluminum, vinyl or even expensive wood. They can effectively block the sun’s rays.

Other popular styles include Roman blinds. They are a classy and elegant type of window
covering that can be combined with curtains. This combination creates a sophisticated layered
look. Roman blinds look best when they are made with light materials. With this, homeowners
can use a lining.

Meanwhile, wood blinds are homeowner favorites because of their versatility. Wood blinds made
of teak or oak bring warmth to every room. However, they are more expensive than other styles
of blinds. Bamboo blinds are also a great alternative to wood blinds. Getting a new home can be
very costly, and improving its looks can also be expensive. Installing new blinds is a great starter
home-improvement project.

On the other hand, new homeowners who do not find blinds suitable for their homes may opt for
pull down shades. These window coverings provide the same beauty and softness as curtains.
With this, homeowners no longer need to use a combination of blinds and curtains. Pull down
shades can stand alone. In addition, shades come with different features and designs. New
homeowners will be surprised by the number of options they have. This may include roller
shades, Roman shades, pleated shades and hard window shades.

New homes that do not look good with either blinds or shades may have shutters installed.
These window coverings outperform both blinds and shades when it comes to quality and the
personality they give to the new house. Shutters can change the overall mood of the house. They
do not only add to its beauty. They also provide protection against the bright light outdoors. Most
importantly, these shutters can be custom made. With this, new homes can always get shutters
that will boost their indoor beauty.

Nicole Berenston is a writer for Storage.com Beaverton. Her favorite hobbies are learning to rock
climb and reading. If you'd like to find a storage unit in your area, you can do so here:
http://www.storage.com/self-storage/california/santa-cruz/default.aspx

The Best Flooring for Your Home

At some point or the other you will have to replace the flooring throughout your house. If you want to replace the flooring in your home, then before committing to any type of flooring, some of the factors that you should consider include the benefits, the costs, and the downsides. If you want to choose the best flooring for your home, then you should consider selecting one of the following types of flooring.

1. Hardwoods The cost of hardwoods varies from $3 to $12 per square foot depending on the type. While the price of engineered wood is less but you will have to hire someone to install it. Hardwoods have a nice look and an excellent resale value. Cleaning and maintaining them is easy, and usually merely vacuuming is required. A living room is the best place for putting hardwoods.

2. Tile There are various types of tiles and their price ranges from $1 to $20 per square foot. Depending on how large an area is, you have to pay hundreds of dollars for professional installation. Glazed ceramic tile is resistant to scratches, is water resistant and very durable. Tile comes in various materials, like granite, marble, porcelain, slate, and travertine. Tiles are perfect for a kitchen or bathroom since they are water resistant.

3. Laminate The price of laminate ranges from $0.50 to $3 per square foot and a professional will have to be paid for installation. Laminate does not scratch and/or stain easily, which is an ideal benefit. Laminate can also look like real tile or wood, and telling if it is real or not is not easy. Like hardwoods, cleaning laminate is quite easy. Since laminate is very durable it is ideal for rooms with a lot of activity and high traffic, like a foyer.

4. Carpet The average cost of carpets ranges from $2 to $3 per square foot but it is also possible to find cheap carpets too. At Home Depot and Lowe's you will also find reasonable installation deals. A carpet does not only give a room a soft look but also feels soft too. Carpets prevent echoing throughout a room and are quite to walk on. Installing a carpet is simple and quick, and can even be placed on uneven subfloors. For a carpet, the best location is rooms with low traffic, like bedrooms.

5. Vinyl While the cost of vinyl is less than $1 per square foot but on the high end it can cost you up to $5 per square foot, installation can cost a few hundred dollars. Vinyl like carpet, is easy and quiet on your feet. In comparison to other types of flooring, it is also inexpensive. The laundry room is a great place to install vinyl flooring. When it comes to replacing the flooring throughout the house, there might be many other flooring options that you can consider, but these ones are the most popular.

You can go for a single type of flooring or choose different types for different rooms. So, if you want to have the best flooring for your home, make sure you choose the right type of flooring for the different rooms in your home.