Here are the differences, SIMPLIFIED!

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is made from a mixture of clays that are pressed into shape. Tiles have either a glazed or unglazed surface. Glazed tiles have a special ceramic coating that is applied to the body of the tile and then fired under tremendous heat. The glazing becomes hard and non-porous, resulting in a flooring that possesses the following characteristics:
· Stain resistant
· Scratch resistant
· Fire resistant
· Won’t fade from sun light
· Slip resistant
· Easy to clean

If glazed, the glaze on the tile doesn’t go all the way through, so if a tile gets chipped, the inside colour will show through. Glazed tiles may tend to get scratched on frequently used countertops, but are ideal for walls.

Porcelain

Myth: All porcelain tiles are “through” coloured products. Actually, only “unglazed” porcelain tiles are through-coloured, meaning that if the tile is chipped, the colour showing beneath the top layer will be the same throughout the thickness of the tile. Once a tile has been glazed, whether ceramic or porcelain, the body under the glaze will never be exactly the same colour or texture as the top layer. This is an important consideration when choosing the tile that is right for your space.

Porcelain tile is actually a form of ceramic tile, but made from much finer clay than ceramic. One of porcelain’s most important characteristics is its resistance to moisture. Because of the moisture absorption rate, porcelain tiles can be installed outside where ceramic tiles cannot. It is also resistant to wear, deep abrasion and frost, making porcelain a great product for use in harsh climates.

Unglazed porcelain tiles are very tough and they are extremely vitreous and dense. They are a through-colour product and in very heavy traffic areas like hallways they may wear, but will retain their original colour. Unglazed porcelain tiles are available in various finishes, from matte to high gloss, and some have textured finishes, made to imitate natural stone.

Glazed porcelain tiles have a gloss or matte finish, and they can be ground and polished to produce a completely flat surface. They are also available in the stone imitation finish.

The main beneficial characteristics of a porcelain tile, be it glazed or unglazed are:
· The body is less porous, which makes it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens where water is a consideration.
· Being denser than ceramic, porcelain tiles will tolerate higher loads.

Because of its exceptional properties, porcelain has become the flooring choice of recent years. It is the most durable of the hard body tiles, 30% harder than granite. If installed properly, they should last forever. And one last note, polished porcelains are virtually impossible to scratch while being functional and beautiful.

When investing in a new floor, many homeowners are faced with a choice between hardwood and laminate. The difference between these two types of floors can be confusing at first, which is why we put together a simple guide that compares hardwood against laminate, highlighting the pros and cons of each floor type in terms of appearance, durability, longevity, ease of maintenance and repair, and eco-friendliness.

The Fundamentals

Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product. It is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. The core layer of laminate flooring is manufactured primarily from melamine resin and fiber board material. The top layer has an imprinted textured image made to look like real wood.

Engineered hardwood flooring is a type of wood floor that consists of several wood or plywood layers. Bottom and middle layers are manufactured from cross-laid solid wood or plywood planks. The top layer consists of a solid sawn wood lamella, often stained and prefinished in factory setting. Solid hardwood flooring planks are produced from single pieces of wood and can be purchased unfinished or prefinished.

In essence, while solid or engineered hardwood flooring is manufactured from real wood and preserves the unique textured grain and appearance of natural wood, laminate flooring is only an imitation. Although some types of high quality laminate floors might look like real wood, there are far more differences between these products than what initially meets the eye.

Appearance and Aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, the difference between hardwood and laminate floors has to do with the texture variation. Real wood is characterized by tremendous texture variation of the wood grain, which is why no two planks of hardwood flooring, whether solid or engineered, appear exactly alike. In laminate flooring, pre-designed patterns that imitate the look of wood texture are imprinted onto the floor surface. For this reason, identical patterns are repeated on average every 5 boards.

Although in appearance some high quality laminate floors may look like real wood, repetition is unavoidable, as uniqueness of an authentic wood is impossible to replicate.

Durability

Durability of any flooring surface largely depends on intensity of foot traffic, as well as adherence to manufacturer recommendations in regards to care and maintenance of the floor.

The outer layer of most laminate floors is manufactured by bounding melamine resins and aluminum oxide at high heat and extreme pressure. The resulting floor surface is often harder than that of natural wood. Most laminate floor surfaces are highly resistant to moisture damage, staining and fading. In fact, many reputable laminate flooring manufacturers offer 10 to 25 year warranties on finish.

Durability of an authentic hardwood floor varies depending on finish, manufacturer and maintenance practices. Natural wood is softer than a pressurized composite surface; therefore, it can dent more easily. Solid or engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, renewed and repaired fairly easily, often without the need to replace planks or even the entire floor, as is the case with damaged laminate flooring. For example, in the event that an oiled wood floor plank is damaged, it can be fixed by manually sanding down the affected area, then simply applying more stain and oil. With laminate flooring, simple DIY spot repairs are not possible.

On some types of hardwood floors, such as those with wire brushed and oiled finishes, minor surface dents and scratches seamlessly blend in with the existing look, emphasizing the unique appearance and depth of wood texture. Once scratched or chipped, laminate flooring surfaces will show the damage.

Moisture

Wood is an organic, “breathing” material that responds to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. For this reason, solid and engineered hardwood floors should be installed in interiors where humidity levels are monitored and kept at 45-55% for solid and 45-65% for engineered floors.
Laminate floors have high resistance to moisture and are often used for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Nevertheless, it’s important to carefully read the manufacturer warranty and recommendations in order to avoid costly mistakes.

Ease of Repair

Laminate flooring does not repair easily. In floating laminate flooring – one that’s installed by snapping individual pieces together and laying them without glue – damaged planks can be removed and replaced. If laminate flooring was installed using glue-down method, floor repair becomes very difficult. Laminate cannot be sanded or refinished. Even if damaged planks are removed and replaced, there is high probability that the new pieces will not properly match the rest of the floor due to differences in sunlight exposure, age and wear levels.

Whether solid or engineered, hardwood flooring is significantly easier to repair than laminate. If surface damage is extensive, the entire floor can be sanded and refinished. If damage is localized, then it can be repaired by removing and replacing individual planks, or even by manually sanding, staining and refinishing the area in question, depending on type of finish. Spot repairs are especially easy with wire brushed and oiled hardwood floors.

Ease of Maintenance

Regular sweeping, dry mopping, or wiping with a damp cloth is all that’s necessary for caring and maintaining laminate flooring. Solid and engineered hardwood floors require a little more care – they should be cleaned using special hardwood flooring cleaners (preferably manufacturer recommended ones) that preserve and restore the finish. It’s best to avoid using universal cleaners, detergents, or furniture polish – aside from making the floor finish appear greasy; they can temporarily dull, or even permanently damage the finish. Improper care practices usually void all manufacturer issued warranties.

Most hardwood floors have excellent resistance to Coca-cola, red wine and many household chemicals. Still, in order to preserve the beauty of the floor for many years to come, it is important to quickly clean up all spills and clean the floor regularly.

Longevity

Laminate floors have a shorter life-span as compared to hardwood flooring. It is estimated that on average, a laminate floor will need to be replaced after no more than 20 years. Twenty years is the time it usually takes for a family to wear down the floor finish. Since laminate floors cannot be sanded or refinished, accumulated wear-and-tear, surface scratches and damages eventually diminish the floor.

Solid and engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, can last a lifetime (40-80 years or more) if well-maintained. Once the existing finish is sufficiently worn down, the floor can be sanded and refinished.  Given that the average time between sanding is 10 – 20 years, it’s easy to see how real wood floors easily outlast laminate.

Finally, when the time comes to replace the old floor, solid and engineered hardwood can be disposed (or recycled) without any damage to the environment. The same cannot be said for laminate.

Eco-friendliness

Solid hardwood floors are 100% organic as solid flooring planks are produced from single pieces of wood. Engineered hardwood is manufactured from several layers of solid wood or plywood material, also mostly organic.

Laminate floors, on the other hand, are the result of bonding various composite materials and melamine resin at high temperatures and pressure – so the floor itself is far from being organic.

Most European and North American hardwood flooring manufacturers adhere to strict industry standards, producing flooring that contains zero harmful VOC emissions and using glues that are free from formaldehyde.

During manufacture of laminate flooring, large volumes of glue are used to bond together composite material. Contents of these glues can be questionable, and it is not uncommon for cheaper toxic glues that contain formaldehyde and other harmful materials to be used. Once installed, such floors will continue to emit toxic substances into the air, affecting and threatening the health of inhabitants.

While there are high quality non-toxic laminate floors on the market, it is important to carefully research the manufacturer in order to ensure that you are buying a quality, eco-friendly product.

Conclusion

Both hardwood (solid/engineered) and laminate floors will make any room in your home beautiful.  At the end of the day, you have to evaluate what your needs are, what is your budget and how long do you want the floor to last.  We recommend consulting a flooring expert to fill in the details and help you make this important decision.

Bamboo is not really a wood floor.  It’s a grass floor.  Although it looks and feels like wood, it is much denser than most hardwoods.   Flooring made from bamboo measures up against and even exceeds the most popular, stable and durable hardwood varieties, at a price that’s about the same as that for premium wood floors.

Horizontal or Flat Bamboo Flooring

If you want your floor to look like a traditional bamboo floor, the horizontal  or flat style will be the right choice for you.  This floor shows off the bamboo characteristic of the “knuckle or node effect”.   A horizontal or flat floor will have 3 layers of flattened bamboo slats adhered together.  

Vertical Bamboo Flooring

With this style of floor, the Bamboo stalks are laid in a vertical fashion and adhered together providing a textured visual.  The “knuckles or nodes” are less noticeable.  It’s appearance could not be more different from that of horizontal bamboo floor. Because more edges and seams are visible, its outward appearance has a more textured, “busy” look.

Tech talk:

• Bamboo flooring is installed just like hardwood tongue-and-groove flooring, either glued together or nailed down.
• Bamboo flooring typically comes in 3-foot or 6-foot lengths and with or without the distinctive bamboo ‘nodes’ visible in the grain.
• Pre-finished bamboo flooring is usually coated with urethane, but you can also buy unfinished bamboo strips that can be sanded and finished.
• Bamboo flooring comes in two colour variations – a natural blonde or a darker amber version that is the result of the wood being smoked (or carbonized) during the drying process.

To keep bamboo free of dirt and dust, use a broom, dry mop or a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. When cleaning, avoid excessive water – use a slightly dampened mop.

Question:  How many different varieties of bamboo are known to exist? 1200 species.  Wow!

It’s not about the house itself, but the people living in it. Make your house a home by choosing decorations that reflect you and your family, and the things you love. Inspiration is everywhere. Choose your colours, decorations, and accessories based on things that interest you and make you happy. Things like these:

1. The Outdoors

Find inspiration that is literally in your own backyard. Natural tones and hues can make for a beautiful home with a comfortable, down to earth feel. Warm neutral colours mean changing accessories throughout the seasons is simple.

Different materials and textures can accentuate a nature appeal. Wooden beams, floors, and cabinets are warm, and can be applied throughout your entire home. Granite counter tops or stone backsplashes bring an earthy feel to both kitchens and bathrooms. Make your home feel like a ski lodge or a summer lake house all year round.

2. Your Kids

You may not want your entire house to feel like a bright and playful toy room, but there are many ways for your little ones to inspire the décor in your home. These days, there are plenty of furniture options that offer more than just style. Function is also important. For example, ottomans are not only a great alternative to the traditional coffee table, but many can now be used as storage. They are a stylish way to kick up your feet, and put away the toys when need be.

3. World Travel

If there was one other place in the world you could live, where would it be? The French countryside? New York? The Greek Islands? Take inspiration from other places across the globe to create your own distinct style at home. Rustic kitchens with butcher’s block countertops will give you a contemporary, yet French country feel. Light and airy curtains with creams and pale blues can make you feel like you’re on a beach in the Hamptons. Whether it’s Southeast Asia, Europe, East coast or West, inspiration lies all around the world. Items you have picked up on your travels will also make your house a home by incorporating personal touches that are unique to you.

4. Other Blogs

Looking at some other blogs are a good way to see what other people are doing, what is trendy, and maybe see some design ideas you hadn’t thought about before. Here are some that we recommend:

-          Apartment Therapy:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

-          Design Sponge: http://www.designsponge.com/

-          Design Milk: http://www.design-milk.com

-          House Martin: http://housemartin.typepad.com/housemartin/

-          Innumberable goods: http://innumerablegoods.typepad.com/

-          The Cross Decor and Design: http://thecrossdesign.com/blog/

-          Urban Barn: http://www.urbanbarn.com/Blog/

Inspiration is everywhere. Whatever yours may be, bring it into your home to make where you live the place you always want to be.

1. Sleek New York apartment
2. Outdoor inspired kitchen cupboards, counter and backsplash
3. Sophisticated and functional ottomans
4. Hamptons hideaway

What is Pinterest? It’s a social networking site based solely on photos.   They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and with Pinterest, this is so very true. The idea is that each user has a theme board where they can pin stuff they like from around the web, and everything is represented through images.

With all the interesting sites out there including resources for photo sites aka flicker,  tumblr, stumbleupon, it’s hard to keep track of all your photos you find online.  Now there’s this new social media program, Pinterest – where you can “pin” (pin it to a virtual bulletin board) all your favorite photos and you can share all your good finds.

Click the image to enlarge

Do you ever find yourself viewing a website and then find a picture you want  to save for future inspiration?  Maybe you’re planning a wedding, a home renovation or even, we’ll add this one, a new flooring project!  You find the perfect pictures but what do you do?  Print it?  Save it onto your computer somewhere?  Either way, your photos will be unorganized and maybe even misplaced.   Pinterest allows you to store your photos by category (ie:  wedding, home renos, flooring), online, and in your own account.  And, you can share your finds with others.  It’s so easy.  You’re on a website, you find a picture you love and want to save, you simply “pin it” and Pinterest adds the photo image to your account  and files it in any “category” you decide to set up, ie:  Flooring.  Better yet, it stores the picture along with the weblink as to where it originated from.

To quote Pinterest directly:

“Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.  Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.  Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.”

Pinterest asks that you request an invitation to join their community – this usually takes 24-48 hours to facilitate.

One of our Nufloors staffer’s favorite colour is yellow.  We found a pinterest link by searching the word “yellow” and here’s an example of what we found:  http://pinterest.com/ShawFloors/hue-can-do-it-yellow/ Everything yellow from home decorating, shoes, design and yes, flooring!  Total inspiration.

Click the image to enlarge

In keeping with the flooring theme, here are 4 of our major flooring manufacturer’s Pinterest links:

http://pinterest.com/mohawkflooring/

http://pinterest.com/ShawFloors/

http://pinterest.com/manningtonfloor/

http://pinterest.com/armstrongfloors/

Click the image to enlarge

Here are a few links to videos to learn more about Pinterest:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399707n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtmmGA0M_yk

http://pinterest.com/about/

And lastly, the link to Pinterest where you can sign up by requesting an invitation:  www.pinterest.com.

Have fun pinning – be careful though, it can be addicting!

Who would have thought that barns could inspire beautiful décor. These doors are inspired by the “country” look, or more specifically, barn doors!

Retractable barn doors look great with wood flooring ~ the huge barn doors really complement the floor.

Where are barn doors sourced?  Some are built  from scratch (use a skilled carpenter)  for a specific installation but know that you will need to hire a competent carpenter to install the door as the installation can be tricky.   Others can be sourced via the internet when searching interior barn doors.
Barn doors are also appropriate for dividing spaces, but the doors provide no acoustical privacy. These doors are not appropriate for separating interior from exterior spaces; barns have mice and critters, and these doors won’t keep them out.

Mounted on hardware placed outside the door frame, the sliding indoor barn door versions offer a decorative and functional alternative to standard swing and pocket doors.

Need to save space? These doors slide open on an exposed, or non exposed hinge so you can save room in your home and are a unique accent in a any room.

Greet your guests half, or full heartily. These stable doors have two sections to swing open, horses not included!

A beautiful accent to any room with these carriage style double door sets.

In this photo, a country kitchen by Hutker Architects features custom designed double doors constructed from reclaimed barn wood and keeps true to the traditional barn door look with a Z-board design on the upper half of the doors, black hardware and ring shaped handles.

Small bathrooms rooms are frequently constructed with little room for a standard swing door.    This style door is perfect for powder rooms placed in main living areas and solves the design quandary  of  how to hide the bathroom.  The door adds a beautiful textural element.

And if your decor is more of a modern design, barn doors will work in your space too.   This barn-like sliding door has frosted inserts to diffuse the view of the work area when not in use.

Barn Doors – a beautiful center piece for your home that is truly unique!

1)      Banners of Appreciation

Take a piece of lengthy cloth or banner and write simple words or statements on your love, appreciation and gratitude for your dad.  Tell him how much he means to you from the bottom of your heart. Hang this in the kitchen or living room so he will be surprised when he walks in. This is bound to catch his attention.

2) Lure your Father into his Favorite Game

Whether its golf, tennis, soccer or any other sport, strike up a game and make a memory he will never forget.

3) Groupon

Groupon is a website that auctions local activities and package deals. There are many unique ideas and fun activities perfect for the go-getter dad. The events depend on your area, but some interesting packages include wake boarding, boat rentals, cooking classes, getaways, and coupons for your cities’ most delectable restaurants.

4) Clean His Car

This task may seem trivial but its one that will catch his eye and warm his heart. Spare your time to make his vehicle spotless.

5)      Present Photos

Photos say a thousand words, so when you’re at a loss at how to express your gratitude, show him with old family photos. Make a collage, photo album or slideshow. Then present it in a nice way.

6)      Family Documentary

In the modern age of videos, we must take advantage of this. Make a documentary or mini-film of family videos. Then premiere it with popcorn and even tickets! Not only will this make a keepsake but also it will create a fond memory.

7)      Advertise He’s Number 1 Dad

With technology these days it’s easy to print t-shirts with custom designs. You can design a logo that says “Number 1 Dad” and print it on a shirt, or write any other message of love. Sharpies work well on shirts too.

8)   Memorable File

For less than $10 buy a file or binder and brand it with a sentimental message. Your father will be glad to have a memorable file in his office.

9)      Family Trivia

Prepare a few questions for Father’s day and have a trivia challenge with your family, have a secret message especially to your father in the trivia.

10) Cook His Favourite Dinner

This is simple, but effective; cook your father’s favorite dinner for him. Even if you are not a cook, the effort is endearing. Don’t forget his favorite dessert!

For more father’s day craft and gift ideas:

http://spoonful.com/fathers-day/fathers-day-cards-gifts-gallery#carousel-id=photo-carousel

PS:  We just couldn’t help ourselves:

11) Clean your dad’s floor

(even though it’s really for your mom!)

If you’re thinking about getting new flooring in your kitchen, you should know that pretty soon you’ll be looking for reasons to spend more time in there. What better reason than to try out a new recipe? Here’s one of our favorites, courtesy of spoonforkbacon.com.

ARTICHOKE, SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE PASTA

Ingredients:

1 lb cavatappi pasta

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ yellow onion, diced

10 baby artichokes, cleaned, trimmed and cut into quarters

¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, cut into thin strips
1 garlic clove, minced

½ cup dry white wine

1 cup goat cheese

salt and pepper to taste garnish: flat leaf parsley, minced

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil, over high heat.

2. Drop the pasta into the boiling water with a generous amount of salt and stir.

3. Continue to cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water and set aside.

5. In a large nonstick pan heat the oil over medium-high heat.

6. Sauté the onion for 3 minutes or until slightly translucent.

7. Add the artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes and continue to sauté for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Add the garlic and wine and reduce until the liquid has almost disappeared.

9. Add the pasta to the artichoke mixture and toss together.

10. Pour the reserved pasta water over the pasta and reduce by half.

11. Stir in ½ the goat cheese until slightly melted. Season with salt and pepper.

12. Top with remaining goat cheese and parsley and serve.

Visit their blog at http://spoonforkbacon.com

So here’s our version of our top 10 list of the Simple Things in life.  We hope it inspires you:

1.  Something pretty –  How simple yet pretty is this?   Take a simple can and wrap ribbon or a grass around it.  Then add some pretty daisies from the garden and voila.  You have something pretty! “Surprise” yourself with a bouquet whenever you want.

2.  Take a walk in the park on a sunny day – every community has  a wonderful park where you can take a sunny day stroll.  We drive by it everyday.  Take the time to stop and enjoy it.  You’ll be glad you did.

3.  Sleep in on a rainy morning – nothing better then this.  Give yourself a break.  Listen to the rain and relax.

4.  Hearing a familiar song – doesn’t it take you back?  You can relive those moment in your life just by hearing a song from your past.  Sort of a special surprise of the day.

5.  Smile – it’s contagious – A smile is a facelift that’s in everyone’s price range! And bonus, it makes others feel good.

6.  Watch one of the 1,000 streaming educational videos – on www.ted.com TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Or try www.igniteshow.com – Ignite is a geek event in over 100 cities worldwide. At the events Ignite presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a total of just five minutes.

7.  Relax outdoors on a sunny day – ingredients required:

• Favorite chair
• Sun
• Light breeze
• Birds chirping

This is our favorite chair… what does yours look like?

It’s that time of year, make sure you take the time to enjoy it and treat yourself to a lazy sunny afternoon.

8.   Watch the sunset with someone you care about. Nothing more to say on this one…

9.   An embrace that lasts just a little longer than usual. Give someone an uncomfortably long hug   today!  You’ll both feel better.

10.   Keep track of things you are grateful for… we go through our days rushed and preoccupied with our to do list.  Don’t ever forget the good things we have in life.

Okay, now over to you. Take a few minutes to write your list of 10 Simple Things in life.  It’s kind of a fun thing to do.    Enjoy the little things in life because some day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.

Put away your heavy throw blankets and replace them with lighter ones in warmer hues. This will brighten things up while still keeping you cozy on those rainy days. Adding a variety of decorative pillows will also instantly change the feel of any room with ease.

With spring comes rain, and with rain come flowers. Add some life to your home décor with seasonal plants or flowers. Flowerpots are another way to add colour, with a wide variety of styles available in countless hues.

Even with a beautiful hardwood, cork, or tile floor adding an area rug can quickly change the feel of any room. With so many different styles, sizes, colours, patterns, and even shapes, they’re an ideal way to update any room for spring. Tie everything together with decorative candles, a great way to stretch colour across all corners of a room.

Spring is here, so infuse your home with a little more life of the season by adding personal touches. Don’t be afraid to play with the colours, textures and patterns of all your spring accessories. It’s these small touches that will make a big difference in your home.