Laminate flooring. Is it right for you?

With such a wide range of laminate flooring to choose from now a days, which one do you choose and what level of quality.
 Some of the better quality products can cost as much as a solid wood product, so check you local dealer for more info and sales.
 If you are looking for a near maintenance free floor, a laminate floor is a great choice. Laminate flooring is stain resistant and hard to scratch but not scratch resistant. No flooring product is scratch proof.

 Here are a few things to consider,  the cons first;
1) Laminate does not increase the value of your home.
2) Lower grade products do not stay together very long. So take a close look at the click system.
3) High moisture areas tend to make the seams swell and push the flooring apart.

The pro's;
1) It is a great floor for active families with children.
2) It is very stain resistant, nail polish or permanent marker can be removed with nail polish remover.
3) Easier floor to install than most.

 So MOST of the under $2.00 Laminate flooring products, won't last while your children grow up.
 There is also two types of laminate, High pressure and Direct pressure.
 To make it simple, a high pressure laminate has a higher impact rating and has a thicker top layer and has a smoother finish.
 A direct pressure has a thinner wear layer but can be embossed to feel and look more like wood.

There are a few differant rating systems and classifications that can get quite conflicting, so I suggest finding a local dealer and sales person whom you feel you can trust and has knowledge on the Laminate flooring and they should help. If not e-mail Theflooringguy, rich@allflooringinc.com and I will be glad to assist.

Bathroom tile. Do it right the first time.

Bathroom out dated? Ready to remodel? For the holidays, home owners like yourself might want to remodel your bathroom.
 The first question in your mind would be, "Do I want to do this myself or have a professional do it?"
After that question is decided there are a few things that you need to know about the proper tile installation products that should be used and the options available for a longer lasting bathroom shower, tile floor and so on.
For the floor, I recommend a new underlayment. Now this could be a cement board or a pressed fibor board. I preferr a cement board. Either way, this should be installed on the subfloor, so the existing flooring should be removed. The new underlayment should be installed over a bed of thinset or mortar, and  galvanized screws or roofing nails every 4" around the edges and 6" in the field (the field being the rest of the underlayment).
The proper thinset is crusial. Porcelain tile and ceramic tile have different properties so different thinsets are used for each. For you dealers out there, TEC has a web site that will help in the choosing of the right products. For a few more dollars you can get up to a lifetime warrantee against mold and mildew.
 Never use mastic in a bathroom especially in the shower area. The premixed mastic is food for mold and mildew.
 In the shower area 1/2" cement board should be used. Green drywall or any drywall is not recommended. Antimicrobial thinsets are available ,so ask you contractor. Stain and mildew resistant grouts a also available. These do cost more and are more labor intensive but the extra money you spend on the labor and the material may well help you enjoy your new bathroom much longer and the low maintenance to keep it looking beautifull will be worth it.
Thats all for now. Comments or questions are very welcome.
                                                         Happy and safe holidays!