How to Properly Maintain Your Laminate Flooring

If you have laminate flooring, then you would need proper maintenance to ensure it stays in pristine shape for a long period. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to give you various tips with which to maintain your laminate flooring. 

But before we do that, we will give a brief definition of what laminate flooring is. This will help you further understand all tips that would be shared in this article. 

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring which can be otherwise called “floating wood tile” is synthetic flooring that is multi-layered. The layers of laminate floors are joined together through lamination, hence the name. And this peculiar nature of the flooring is also why you would require special methods to care for the floor. 

Tips to Maintain Your Laminate Flooring

The following maintenance tips for your laminate flooring will keep it in good shape for a long time…

1. Read the Instructions by the Manufacturer

The first step to ensuring a long life for your floor is to read and understand the instructions by the manufacturer. Do not rely on your knowledge even if you may know a thing or two about it before your purchase. 

This is because some specifications are peculiar to some brands. So, check your manufacturer’s website and read up the instructions, especially the section that talks about cleaning. 

2. Avoid the Use of Abrasive Tools 

One thing laminate floors are susceptible to is scratches, so anything abrasive can easily damage your floor. Therefore, only use soft-bristle brooms when you sweep. When vacuuming, do not use a rotating brush. 

3. Only Use Cleaning Products Labeled For Laminate Floors

When cleaning the floors, only use products that are labeled for laminate floors. Other cleaning products can cause mild damage. Like oil-based products are known to cause streaks on the floor and also spoil its protective sealant. 

If you have time on hand, you can DIY the cleaning product with vinegar and hot water. Follow the steps in the 3rd method of this article to make the vinegar cleaner for your floor. The vinegar in this solution will help break down any film that develops on your floor. And it also does this without damaging the floor’s surface. 

4. You Can Use Household Items to Clean the Floor 

Some regular household items can come in handy when an unusual situation occurs on your floor. For instance, if chewing gum or candle wax gets on your floor, you can put ice over it. And then, when the chewing gum or candle wax hardens, you can scrape it off with a credit card, plastic knife, or a scraper. 

You can also use rubbing alcohol in situations like paint, ink polish, or crayon spillage. 

5. Have a Welcome Mat by the Entrance of the Door

You may think a dirty floor is the only major disadvantage of not having a welcome mat. But, you are so wrong on that. Grit under your shoe can make your floor dull and even scratch it badly. Having a welcome mat will help reduce the chances of this happening. 

6. Trim their Nails -- Your Pets

Pets are known to cause havoc to floorings and furniture. So, if you have a pet, ensure its nails are always trimmed to avoid it scratching and damaging your flooring. 

7. Put Felt Pads under Your Tables and Chairs

Your chairs and tables can damage your flooring; this is especially true if you have to move them frequently. The solution to this is to get felt pads for all your furniture. Visit here https://www.cucicucicoo.com/2018/09/diy-chair-felt-pads-upcycling/ to learn how to make chair felt pads. These pads will serve as a cushion between your floor and your furniture. So they would not scratch and damage your flooring even if you have to move them a lot. 

Conclusion

Keeping your flooring in a good condition may be very tasking at times. But, laminate floors are an excellent choice if you do not intend to spend too much time on maintenance. 

However, if you do not know some basic tips then maintaining your laminate floor may still be difficult. The tips in this article are sure to help you keep your floor in pristine shape for a very long time. 

What Is the Average Cost To Lay A Brick Walkway In 2021?

Bricks are an excellent option for your walkway. Not only are they easy to put, but you can also organize them to create unique designs. Bricks are also pretty easy to clean as you only need a broom and a source of running water. 

When planning to lay your walkway, the cost is an essential factor. It influences nearly all aspects of the work. For example, your budget influences the quality of material you buy. It also influences the number of people who will work (thus influencing the speed of progress). 

It also contributes to who does the work (and, by extension, their level of experience). In short, the cost determines how good or bad your brick walkway becomes. As such, the question ‘what is the average cost to lay a brick walkway?’ is very common.

The simplest way to answer the cost question would be to analyze all the factors involved in the laying work quickly. You may do this by looking at your total intended budget for your project. Looking at your building plan (if you have one) is another excellent way to do a quick analysis.

That said, some different aspects come into play to determine precisely how much you will spend. Some of the factors include:

• The types and quality of materials you use

Truth be told, materials take up a considerable chunk of your construction budget.  Different types of materials come at different costs. 

Also, every brand has its specific prices for the products sold.  A product may go for price X from a particular brand. A different brand will sell the same product at price Y. On the same note, material quality influences cost. 

Of course, price does not always equal quality. However, in most cases, the best quality products will always come at the highest cost. After all, they say cheap is expensive, right? 

• The length and width of the walkway

How long do you want your walkway? How wide do you need it? Naturally, the longer and broader the walkway, the more construction materials you will use.  Using more materials means you will spend more money, ultimately bringing up your construction costs.

• The extra path features you will add

Your path will not be made of just bricks alone. You will need to add other additional features to go with it. Some  factors that will determine your extras include your aesthetic needs and exactly where your walkway is leading. Some additional features are steps, benches, and lighting.

• Project work and management

Is your walkway a personal do-it-yourself project? Do you need professional help doing it? Building it yourself is cheaper than hiring help. Similarly, highly experienced service providers tend to charge heftily for their services. Your choice of running the project depends on precisely what you want and how quickly you need to complete it.

• Let’s Talk Numbers

You may be wondering, 'So what are the numbers?' Well, there is no uniform number when it comes to cost estimations. The numerous factors that are in play during construction are the reason for this. 

 Hiring a professional bricklayer will cost you an average cost per square foot of between $8 and $18. However, if you are under a small budget and decide to do the work yourself, the cost can go as low as $6 per square foot.

• Calculating Your Costs

Your total construction cost depends on the length and width of your path. To get the total cost, you will need to multiply the average cost and the total area, in square feet, of the pathway you are constructing.

For example, you might want to lay a 4-foot wide by a 50-foot long walkway. The total area to be covered is thus 200 square feet (4 feet X 50 feet). If you use the upper limit of $18 per square foot for a professional, your total cost will be $3600. The cost is inclusive of labor and materials. Similarly, if you were to do the work yourself, the cost is $1200.

Doing the work yourself is more than 50% cheaper. However, the construction process is strenuous. It involves putting a lot of energy and time into it. As such, in both instances, the price matches the value.

Tips to Help you Save on Cost

1. Do it yourself
   
   Building your pathway yourself means you only spend money on equipment and materials. Doing this helps you save on labor costs. To build, you will need to dig the trench, carry and lay the bricks. The weather conditions may also not be in your favor in the cold or under the scorching heat. However, if you are hands-on and enjoy such projects, you could do this and cut costs.
   
   
2. Straight over winding
   
   The  distance between two points is shortest within a straight line. Well, so is the cheapest. Having curves in your walkway is aesthetic. However, it takes up more material which makes it unsuitable if you are keen on cutting costs.
    
3. Proper research
   
   Nothing beats proper planning and research. If you want to save up, do adequate research on the most affordable contractors available. Enough research also helps you compare prices, thus identify excellent but cost-friendly materials and supplies.
   
   
4. Project management skills
   
   Your management skills will come in handy to help you cut costs. Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring, you need to know what is going on exactly. You also need to have a work plan and adhere to it.
   
   
5. Cut down on the extras.
   
   You may want to add extra items to your pathway. When building it at the lowest cost possible, things like lighting and steps might have to go. Click here to read more about walkways.

Conclusion

While the prices in this article are only market averages, the actual prices are not far off.  You may opt to work yourself or hire out. You may also decide to spend a little money or go all in. Either way, a brick walkway is a fantastic way to add aesthetic, class, and functionality to your outdoor environment.

What Are the Different Foundation Services Virginia Beach Offers?

Foundation is the most important part of your home as it carries the weight of the whole structure. Problems or damages to the foundation may cause a depreciation in your property’s value. They may also expose your property to the risks of failure.

Fortunately, there are many ways where foundation damages could be fixed in order to restore the house’s structure to its original health.

In this post, we will show you the different foundation services Virginia Beach offers today.

So, if you’re living in Virginia Beach and think that there is something wrong with the foundation of your home, read on

4 Common Foundation Services in Virginia Beach

1. Steel Piering

Steel piering refers to the process of driving some pilings of steel pipes to correct the clearance of the foundation. This foundation service is commonly used when the structure of the property comes in a downward movement. Foundation contractors in Virginia Beach are typically using a hydraulic lifting system and steel piers in order to lift the foundation. It will also correct the elevation, resulting in a more stable foundation.

2. Slab Jacking

It is a high-quality technology of fixing concrete where sunken pieces of concrete slabs are elevated by pumping a substance through the concrete that will lift it effectively.

On the other hand, access holes will be drilled into the concrete as well as other void spaces are then filled. This foundation repair service is very popular among property owners in Virginia Beach as it offers many benefits such as aesthetics, cost-saving, and timeliness.

However, if slab jacking isn’t available, polyurethane injection can be used as an alternative. The same with the process involved in slab jacking, polyurethane will be injected into the holes to fill voids underneath. Rather than filling the space with a natural element, a lightweight and dense material is utilized.  

Both slab lifting techniques offer the same function. They even work very well on a smaller project. But they are short-term repairs that need to be changed after a few years.

3. Masonry Patches and Sealant

Sometimes, cracks in your foundation can be fixed by patching the cracks and concealing them with a water-resistant masonry sealer. As mentioned, your foundation supports your whole house. Thus, spotting and fixing cracks before they become worse is crucial.

Some of the sealers used for fixing minor cracks are polyurethane, silicone, epoxies, vinyl concrete, and hydraulic cement. But usually, the needed mixture will depend on the severity of the cracks.

Nevertheless, it’s better to determine the issue ahead of time and fix it to avoid water infiltration as well as costlier damage.

4. Pressed Concrete Piling

This foundation service is ideal for both exterior and interior repairs. A pressed concrete piling works on beam houses and piers and a concrete slab foundation. To attain great stability, pressed concrete piers should be driven deeply into the ground around 12 feet deep.

Conclusion

These are only a few of the many foundation services you can get in Virginia Beach today. Nevertheless, whatever service you will need, make sure that you choose a reliable and experienced foundation contractor so that you can rest easy knowing that your home’s foundation is in good hands.

6 Ways You Can Modernize Your Kitchen without Breaking Your Bank

Did you know that the average American spends 37 minutes preparing food and cleaning the kitchen every single day?

When you spend this much time each day in the kitchen, you want to make sure that this part of the house becomes a lovely place to spend time in, and it is as easy to keep clean as possible!

With this in mind, here are our top seven simple ways you can renovate your kitchen, making it an enjoyable place to cook and prep your family’s meals.

1. Remodel Your Kitchen by Installing a Glass Sheet Backsplash

A glass backsplash in your kitchen is an affordable way of modernising your kitchen and protecting against food, grease and water splashes. 

Glass splashbacks come in a variety of different colours and finish to match your home decor. A shimmering finish or light shade is fantastic for smaller kitchens as it catches the light and makes the room look larger. 

Alternatively, why not try a bright, contrasting colour for a contemporary look that will be a talking point amongst your friends when they come to visit?

When considering a backsplash, we recommend solid glass over glass tiles. Solid glass is easier to keep clean, and you don’t have to worry about dirt and grease getting in the gaps or the grout getting discoloured

Glass Genius offers fully customisable backsplashes for every kitchen. Choose your shape, size, colour and thickness, and we will ship the backsplash of your choice straight to your door, ready for you to install!

2. Refresh Your Countertop

Replace your tired, scuffed kitchen countertops with brand new ones to refresh your kitchen and make it look brand new.

You chop, clean and prepare all your food on your countertop, so you need to make sure it is easy to clean and suits your lifestyle.

There are a variety of different countertops available to suit all styles and budgets, from laminate and solid wood, all the way through to granite and marble.

3. Update the Cabinet Glass on Your Kitchen Doors

If you want to update your kitchen cabinets but do not have the money or time to replace them entirely, why not replace the glass in them? 

It’s a lot easier than you may think, all you need to do is remove the old glass, prep the cabinet and install the new glass using silicone and a caulking gun.

There are a wide range of different types of cabinet glass, from frosted or patterned glass if you want to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen, all the way through to clear glass if you want a quick reminder of what is in each cabinet before you open it!

4. Add Window Shelves (And Your Favourite Plants!)

A quick way to add colour and fragrance to your kitchen is to install a glass or wooden window shelf. This shelf can sit below, beside or even across your kitchen window. You then have a lovely bright space for your favourite plants that will add a vivid pop of colour and delightful smells to your kitchen space.

If you want something even more practical, add pots of herbs like basil, oregano and rosemary that you can use in your cooking!

5. Add Lightness and Brightness with Natural Lighting And Bright Colours

Natural lighting is perfect for making your kitchen space lighter and brighter and will help you save money on your energy bills too.

Move things around in your kitchen and change out your curtain and blinds to make the most of the natural light you get. Of course, adding new windows and skylights is an option too, but this depends on your budget and the space you have.

Painting your walls a lighter colour will not only give your kitchen a brand new lease of life but also make it look bigger. 

Use special scrub-able kitchen paint or a satin or semi-gloss finish to make the walls easier to clean. Our favourite colours at the moment are pale yellow and green!

If you want to update your flooring, large light coloured tiles can give the illusion of a wider kitchen space. 

6. Install a Functional Ventilation System

A ventilation system is essential in any kitchen. If you do not have something to catch and extract grease, smoke and cooking smells, not only will you end up with a stinky kitchen, but also everything from your light fittings to your cabinets will end up coated in sticky, gunky grease that you will have to clean away regularly.

The best way to ventilate your kitchen is to install a range hood above your stove. A range hood contains a mechanical fan that will remove fumes, smoke and steam when you cook, keeping your kitchen space clean and grease-free!

If this is not an option (for example, if you live in a rental) or you do not have the budget, then a fan or air filter will help extract any strong smells when you cook.

4 Ways to Add Luxury Features to Your Home

When your present home doesn’t provide the luxurious feel that you’re after, it’s high time to resolve that dissatisfaction. Not every idea will work, so look for the ones that speak to your tastes for opulence or increased comfort. Here are 4 ways to add more luxury features to your current home. 

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Hire an Interior Designer

When you want something done well, it’s important to realistically assess your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re not a creative person or your ideas for furnishings seem uninspired, then it’ll be difficult to overcome that hurdle. It probably will be best to ask a professional designer to step in to do what you cannot. And that’s perfectly okay!

An interior designer can assess your home as it is today, the furnishings, wall decorations, and overall décor. They can provide some fresh ideas based on your available budget to deliver something fresh, new, and that speaks to the kind of luxurious feel that you’re desirous of. If you’re open to the idea of working with an interior designer, it’s hard to know where to start. We’d suggest looking at bariondesign.com for some initial inspiration.

Bring in Some House Plants

Adding tall greenery into the main living areas brightens up the space, but it also feels a little bit decadent. Smaller plants in their plant pots or elongated planters won’t have the same effect though. Statuesque indoor flowers will brighten up a space that needs more life to it. They also make a statement in and of themselves separate from expensive new furnishings. 

Introduce High-end Touches

When you’re not looking to completely change a bedroom or a living room, then there’s still much you can do. Consider using exotic or premium materials like marble, gold, or impressive wood as a small addition. A bookcase made from repurposed wood, some ornate porcelain, or a small piece of antique furniture can introduce luxurious elements into a space. Even a few select first editions on the bookcase will up the profile and may prove to be a talking point for fellow bookworms. 

Add Curtains in Rooms with Lower Ceilings

Some homes aren’t blessed with impressively high ceilings. For the owner, they might believe that there’s nothing they can do about that. However, while the ceilings cannot be altered, the depth perception certainly can be. What do we mean by this? Add drapery, preferably heavy curtains, to the windows. Make them much longer than usual so that they drape almost to the floor. Their elongated length will fool the eye into believing that the ceilings are higher than they are. Don’t believe it? Artists and magicians use the art of visual deception and distraction to pull off impressive visual tricks. This is merely borrowing a trick from their book. 

Despair not if you’re wanting a luxurious interior but don’t have one yet. There’s plenty that can be done to get your home to where you wish it to be.