Available Tile Choices - Ceramic

This post is the first in a series of posts that will cover a variety of materials used to make tile flooring. The material that we will discuss here is ceramic. Our consideration of ceramic tile will include characteristics of the material.

Characteristics of Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile has many properties that make it a unique choice for anyone looking to install a hard surface as a floor covering. The variety of colors and patterns available make ceramic tile an appealing option. Having a number of color, texture, and pattern choices allows for flexibility when decorating a new or existing home.

Another benefit to choosing ceramic tile is the ease of installation. For many reasons, this material makes installation easier than tiles made from other materials. Additionally, the Internet has many do-it-yourself instructional videos and written tutorials to help newbies with the install. Along with the potential for reducing the labor costs by doing the install oneself, the cost of ceramic tile is often times much lower than other materials.

No material is perfect for everyone. They all have disadvantages and ceramic tile is no exception. One thing to keep in mind when deciding on whether to use ceramic tile flooring is whether the floor is going to be indoor or outdoor. Because of its porous nature, ceramic tile is not a good choice for outdoor use. It can retain moisture and crack under extreme temperature changes.

Finally, ceramic tile can also become slippery if the surface gets wet. This could be a safety concern if the floor will be exposed to moisture. Often times this disadvantage can be overcome by using a rug or floor mat in traffic paths.

Overall, ceramic tile is a popular floor covering material and is used very frequently in kitchens and baths. The ability to install this kind of flooring without the need for a lot of specialized tools makes it a reasonable choice for many do-it-yourself projects.

 Regular cleaning of ceramic tile is recommended and if you would like to know more please feel free to give us a call or contact us through our web site.

Available Tile Choices - Series

 Tile Flooring Series - A Look at Tile Choices

In this series, we will be taking a look at a variety of tile materials. In individual posts, we will be discussing pros and cons of each material. The materials we will be posting on include:

• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Natural Stone
• Granite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Slate

As you can see above, some of these tile materials fall into a common group of natural stone. Each of these materials will be considered one at a time. However, there may be a post describing the natural stone group as a whole.

Carpet Research Resources - IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)

In this post, we will consider the third resource for finding information regarding carpet. The first post discussed a resource for general information about carpeting while the second post, featured a resource that can help in additional aspects of carpet information including choosing carpet, cleaning carpet, and Eco-friendly carpeting. This post will focus on a resource that can help you make decisions regarding carpet care professionals.

After you have spent the time, money, and effort choosing and purchasing your new carpeting or rug, you will probably want to know how to keep it in its best condition and get the most wear with the longest life possible. If so, that is where the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) can help.

As the name suggests, the IICRC specializes in certifying carpet cleaning professionals so you do not have to wonder if the individual that is cleaning your carpet or rug is qualified. This can be important since there are some companies out there that aren't completely honest about the fees involved with their services. In fact, to help make consumers aware of the danger, we recently wrote about the tactics that some carpet cleaners use to run up the price.

If you would like to learn more about the IICRC, be sure to check out their web site.

Carpet Research Resources - CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute)

Recently, we wrote a post about a resource that many people are familiar with for learning more about carpet - Wikipedia. Continuing along the trail of good resources for information regarding carpeting, we thought we would provide a couple of more resources that many might find helpful. We will consider one in this post and the other in the next.

One resource for carpet is the CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute). Regardless of the kind of research, whether commercial or residential, you will find areas of the site designed to provide information about it. The CRI provides information on:

• Carpet Types
• Carpet Research
• Rugs
• The Carpet Industry
• Carpet Care and Maintenance Tips

So if you are looking for information about carpeting, one of the first places you will no doubt want to look is the CRI.

Carpet Research Resources - Wiki

For consumers, knowing what products are available is important in the decision making process.
but, where does a person go to find information that can help them to choose the right carpet for a specific area or room?

One place that can provide a good deal of information on carpet is Wikipedia. Most people are probably familiar with this online collection. One nice thing about this resource is that it is a result of contributions by a diverse group of individuals and the reader can get a variety of perspectives.

So if you are wanting a variety of information from a variety of sources, the free encyclopedia might be a good place to try.

Dust Mite Fight - Using the Right Vacuum

Last but certainly not least in our consideration of general household tips that can be used to battle dust mites is using a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

If you are wondering why this is an important thing to consider, there are two big reasons. 1) HEPA filters trap small particles that may affect allergy sufferers and dust mites certainly fit that description. 2) HEPA filters are tested and carry documentation right on them so you can see exactly how effective the filter is and to what degree it removes the targeted particles.

In addition to using the proper kind of vacuum, regular vacuuming is also recommended.

This series of posts has attempted to provide readers with some suggestions on how to control dust mites in the home. However, these practices have not been mentioned or recommended as a replacement to regularly having your carpets and upholstery cleaned by a professional. Rather, using these suggestions in conjunction with the regular professional cleaning will ensure that you are doing everything in your might to win the fight against dust mites.

Dust Mite Fight - The Dryer The Better

keeping the moisture level low is a practice that can keep dust mites from thriving. As counter-intuitive as that may seem, taking this step will help you in the 'dust mite fight'. Why is that the case? Well, dust mites prefer warm, moist environments, so if you can eliminate moisture in your home, then the conditions are not favorable for the enemy to thrive. So, what can be done to contribute to this dryer atmosphere?

One big thing that you can do to try to keep the moisture at bay is to utilize a dehumidifier in your home. These appliances remove the moisture from the air. This can be an effective way to remove dampness not just from one area specifically, but to keep all areas of a particular room dry. The dry air makes it more difficult for mites to live.