Home Styles - How Well Do You Know Home Architecture?

Home Styles – How Well Do You Know Home Architecture?

Home Styles - How Well Do You Know Home Architecture?For building designers and architects, it is not surprising that many people mistakenly characterize the style of the home. Some if not most of you will give the term “catch-all”, traditionally. If asked, what characteristics make up traditional architecture, the answers given can vary greatly from others who have their own ideas about what is “Traditional”. Webster’s Dictionary defines words derived by, or according to tradition. The fact is, traditional is really not a style at all. However, there are many design professionals who use this term for good reason to promote and market their goods and services. This is understandable given the fact that many in the general public are familiar with the term.

Due to regional differences and our diverse populations, Residences in the US are presented in many architectural styles and sizes. Most residences can be categorized in one or more design styles. Home styles can be distinguished when they are aligned with known facts about design features. People in architecture usually call this “period style” because of the distinguished presentation and parallel existence with history.

Of the many design styles that are spread throughout the United States, only a few are original to the country. Perhaps the best known was popularized and developed by a group of Chicago Architects known as the Prairie School. From the professional group that created Prairie architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the most famous. Other original styles include American Craftsman, American Foursquare, Colonial, and many more. In terms of other architectural styles, the list is too long to mention. Thus, some of the styles favored by many people are French, Mediterranean, Tudor, Greek and Gothic Revival architecture.

If you are currently looking for home designs with a certain style, look for a Residential Designer who is familiar with the specific …

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CARPET TILES: HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE

Carpet Tiles: History, Development, Installation, and Maintenance

CARPET TILES: HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE

Carpet Tiles are widely used nowadays for residential or commercial buildings. But how exactly did these become what they are now? Read on to know.

Brief history

To cut the long history short, carpet tiles originated from square carpets measuring 18″ x 18″. It was Milliken which introduced the 36″ x 36″ carpet tiles that we now know today. The idea behind the concept is to make carpets easier to install and store compared to larger and longer designs. You can even easily combine different styles and patterns in order to come up with varying designs. With varying combinations, these types of tiles can greatly complement the area where they are installed.

Installation

Speaking of installation, carpet tiles are easier to install than regular carpets or any other flooring material for that matter. This thereby saves you money from installation costs, especially if you seek assistance from a professional installer for other floor options and for full sized carpets.

Development

Originally, there was an issue with carpet squares not being as stiff as needed for the floor they cover. Backings were then developed in order for carpet squares or tiles to hold together, otherwise they are reduced to nothing else but plain pieces of cloth. Backings help achieve stiffness in the carpet tiles and also enable them to withstand pressure from traffic; thereby, increasing the lifespan of these carpets. Combined with proper maintenance, square carpet will surely become more durable and will last longer than carpet rolls.

Personal and professional maintenance

In relation to maintenance, it is easier to clean carpet squares as they are small and handy. They can be easily removed, moved outside, and cleaned with water and a cleaning agent, if there is a need to do so. If not, vacuum cleaning without the need to move …

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Top Tips For Selecting the Perfect Tile For Every Tiling Job

Top Tips For Selecting the Perfect Tile For Every Tiling Job

Top Tips For Selecting the Perfect Tile For Every Tiling Job

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The size of the tiles is one of the key elements of any successful tiling job. If you choose a tile that’s too small for your room then you could end up making it seem larger than it is, but choose a tile that’s too large and it could go the other way. Generally speaking walls are quite well suited to small tiles, especially when it comes to tiling bathrooms and kitchens, while floors look great in a multitude of large tiles. Borders are a way to get a mix of sizes too.

It might sound obvious but the material of the tile you pick will help to create a certain look for your room. Travertine, glass and marble are some of the fantastic natural tile materials which are the ideal solution for anyone looking to create an expensive look and are ideal for modern kitchens, whereas simple tiles like Laura Ashley Tiles are great for creating simple lines in clean bathrooms. On the other hand, glass mosaic tiles are perfect for creating a unique talking point and can really help to get your creative juices flowing.

The texture and surface of the tile is also an important aspect which should be considered when choosing tiles. Natural materials like stone, granite and slate have a reputation for having organic, rough textures which makes them unsuitable for projects like bathroom walls. However, some man-made materials can form tiles which are slippy especially when wet which means they’re highly unsuitable for surfaces which get wet often e.g. bathroom floors. Other factors which need to be considered when looking at tile materials include water-resistance and how easy it is to clean.

Tile prices and durability are two of the major aspects which will definitely affect your tile decision. New, shiny tiles …

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Tile and Grout Cleaning

Tile and Grout Cleaning

Tile and Grout Cleaning

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Tile and grout cleaning completed frequently can help in creating the kitchen or the bathroom attain a new appear all the time. Grout would be the cement like substance which joins the tiles around the floor and walls. To get rid of it a grout saw, a tool for scrapping or just a mixture of water and sugar is often poured more than the tiles for softening the grout after which it might be removed. Whenever you make use of the scraper tool or the grout saw for grout removal you must be pretty careful not to harm the tiles.

Tile and Grout Cleaning For Marble

Marble demands regular upkeep because it is a material that is beautiful. Marble in white or off white shade tends to look dirty and stained if not cleaned on a regular basis. When it is employed in an exposed region, it really is essential to be careful about it.

To clean out the dirt and stains in the marble’s white surface, is often a hard activity. But these will need to be followed in the event the original colour and finish must be maintained to get a long time period. In the event the proper sort of strategies is followed you may retain the original appearance of marble.

Tile and Grout Cleaning By Preventing Scratches and Damages

By nature marble is porous and to prevent chipping and scratches on the surface the cleaning procedure requires to become very carefully accomplished. Resulting from continuous make use of the kitchen countertops are prone to a great deal of staining plus the exact same applies to flooring in marble. Some of the processes utilised for cleaning can take away the shine around the surface.

The drying plus the mopping strategy could be the greatest a …

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Caring for a Hardwood Floor

Caring for a Hardwood Floor

While farmhouse hardwood floors are more durable than many other kinds of flooring, you still need to know how to care for them if you want them to look their best. Here are some tips that will help you.

Caring for a Hardwood Floor

Cleaning a Hardwood Floor

One of the best parts of having hardwood flooring in your home is that you don’t have to vacuum your floors every week. On the other hand, you will have to take a dust mop to your floors regularly. This will pick up the dirt and debris that may have accumulated over the last week without leaving scratches in your floor.

Once you’ve swept up all the dust, your next step will be to go over the floor with a liquid cleaner that is designed for wood surfaces. If you don’t have a store-bought wood cleaner, you can always make some with one part vinegar and 10 parts warm water with a few drops of liquid soap. The solution can be applied to your floor with a regular mop.

Avoiding Scratches and Gouges

Scratches and gouges are common in hardwood floors, but they can be avoided as long as you are careful. First of all, avoid moving furniture without placing pads underneath the legs. In fact, try to avoid furniture that doesn’t have wheels or casters that can roll smoothly across the surface. If you must move any furniture that doesn’t have casters, you should carefully lift it and move into place.

You can also avoid scratches and gouges to an extent by placing some area rugs in places that will have a lot of foot traffic. You might even consider placing these rugs underneath coffee tables or TV stands if you’re really afraid of your furniture leaving unsightly scratches in your floor.

Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor

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