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Floor coverings
Aesthetic considerations notwithstanding, floor coverings
are normally selected on the basis of their durability and
ease of maintenance. Therefore, in selecting a floor
covering for any given room, you should consider durability,
ease of maintenance, special properties and advantages, and
your budget.
Vapor barrier positioning
Be it a wall, a ceiling or a floor, always install the
polyethylene vapor barrier or aluminized sheet (the aluminum
facing inside) on the warm side of the wall i.e., facing the
inside.
Replacing wood floorboards
A damaged tongue and grooved floorboard can be replaced.
Make two parallel cuts along the entire length of the board,
about one inch from the edges with a circular saw adjusted
to the board's depth. The depth of the cut will depend on
the thickness of the board. Lift out the centre part, then
the remaining two parts by removing the diagonally planted
nails. The new board can be fitted in and glued after you
remove the lower part of its groove with a chisel. Nail in
the new board, counter-sink the nails and cover them with
putty, sand and varnish.
A
comfortable basement floor
When it comes to floor coverings, most specialists agree
that the installation of a sub floor in the basement is an
investment in comfort. Start by caulking all fissures in the
concrete floor, spread black tar paper, screw 1 x 3 x 16
inch center/center boards to the concrete and cover with
tongue and groove laminated panels for the floor surface.
Floating floors imitate hardwood
You want to enjoy the beauty of a hardwood flooring without
the expense? There is a large variety on the market of
floating floors that imitate wood more or less effectively.
They can be laid down directly over the old flooring and the
pieces are easy to fit together or glue. The only drawback,
they can't be refinished. Once damaged, they must be
replaced.
Ceramic on solid surfaces
You want to lay down a ceramic floor, but the existing
surface is warped? There are two ways to go. Spread a layer
of cement, making sure that the underlying structure can
support the weight. Or, build a sub-floor over a layer of
tarpaper, levelling the underboards, sixteen inch center to
center, with cedar shims. Cover the entire surface with
tongue and grooved plywood screwed at every eight inches.
Cleaning ceramic after installation
After installing ceramic tiles, wash the tiles with a
solution of water and vinegar to efficiently remove grout
residue and assure a clean, shiny floor. |
