Thrifty Home Repair Tips » Floor

The Economical Solutions of Garage Flooring

CJ Eason — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:46:23 +0000

Most people do not think about garage flooring, until they have a really big problem. The floor is all stained and of no real use, except for parking the cars. Cracks and chunks are out of the concrete. It cannot be good for the tires. Of course, it will only get worse. Eventually, it can actually do damage to the undercarriage. It can be really expensive to replace a floor, and it would be nice if you could use the extra space for storage or other activities. So, you need to start thinking about protecting your investment. You have options to preserve your floor, without having to take out a home loan. You need to know the economical solutions of flooring for your garage and other areas of your home.

Do you have a few Minutes?

Okay. You want a nice garage. You like to work on cars, plus you need some extra pantry and refrigerator space. But, it looks like a total mess. Even after you clean it up, it will still feel lousy because the floor is so gross. It has cracks and chipped places all over, not to mention the oil spots that will never come out again. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to hire a contractor to replace the floor, so you will have to think of something else, if you want the garage of your dreams. Fortunately for you, there is a quick and affordable solution. If you have a few minutes, you can get a couple of garage floor mats to begin the transformation. If you can roll out a rug, you can cover up all of your floor imperfections with mats. The hardest part will be to cut out the notches to fit around doors, etc. Of course, the mats do not have to be wall-to-wall. They will look nice either way.

Economical Flooring Solution

If you want to save your garage floor from oil stains, cracks, and chips, you need to invest in garage floor covering products. In the end, it will be a lot cheaper than replacing your floor in a few years. Even if you plan on moving from this spot, before you are old and gray, it will definitely increase the resale value of your home. In addition, it just makes your garage look cool. It will not have to be just a place to park your car and store your lawn tools. It can be a place to store extra food stuffs, so you can save money by buying groceries in bulk. You can even put a desk or counter space out there, so you have a make-shift office. With the right kind of garage floor coating, the room may easily become you favorite place to hang out. You can choose from mats, epoxy flooring, or snap together tiles to create your own decorative masterpiece.

Shall you Dance

Garage flooring tiles are probably the most fun method of covering your cement and making your garage more livable. With about 15 different colors to choose from, you can plan out basically any design of your choice. Whether you simply want a checkered pattern or some sort of geometrical creation, you can have a beautiful garage floor in a matter of hours. If you like to dance, you can have a bunch of fun while laying the tiles. All you have to do is put them in place next to the last tile. Then, dance a few steps on top of the tile and click it into place. Before you know it, you will have danced your way to the last tile, and be amazed that you are already done.

The Tortoise or the Hare

If you are in a race against time, and need to get garage flooring mats down as soon as possible, you may want to select rubber garage flooring. Usually in the form of mats, you can pick the exact size you need to make your garage really nice. For example, you can buy a mat for your motorcycle and a mat for your car. Alternatively, you select rubber flooring to put from corner to corner. It comes in various sizes and colors to suit your needs and your tastes. You can overlap them or use adhesive to tape them down.

Your Choice

If you are considering garage floor coverings, you will have several choices, depending on your personal preferences. You can use an epoxy sealant, rubber mats, or flooring tiles. It depends on your decorating tastes, your pocketbook, or how much effort you are willing to put into this home improvement project. But, in the end, you will protect your property and probably have the coolest garage on the block.

Hardwood Floors – Importance of Proper Cleaning and Maintenance

CJ Eason — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:40:56 +0000

Many homeowners choose hardwood floors because of their beauty and don’t necessarily know the proper ways to clean and maintain the finish and materials of the floor. As opposed to carpet, cleaning wood floors or even laminate flooring is much simpler and less time consuming. However, proper tools, solutions, and techniques need to be followed in order to protect the floors and to keep them looking good. Wood floors require frequent dusting and sweeping to make sure debris does not have an opportunity to scratch or stain the floors. Special wood floor cleaning products are not that expensive to purchase and they are specifically blended with mild detergents that will not harm the finish on the floors. Mops, brooms, and dusters are tools typically needed for the cleaning and maintaining of any type of flooring.

There is not exact schedule for cleaning hardwood surfaces. You should however, create a schedule that works for your and your family. Wood flooring appears clean even when they really aren’t so it is highly important to clean them periodically even if you feel they don’t need it. White vinegar can be used in replacement for cleaning solutions but it needs to be diluted in water. One half cup of vinegar is sufficient for every one gallon of warm. Warm water works best for hardwoods because it dries faster. You do not want puddles of water sitting on your floors for a long period of time because it could cause stains. Make sure your mop is fairly dry to begin with and never mop unless you have already dusted the floors because the mop will move the debris around resulting in a better change of damaging the finish and wood.

Drying the floors can be done with a dry mop or towel depending on your preference. Depending on the specific finish of your floors, drying may not be needed especially if they weren’t very wet to begin with. Vacuuming is not recommended for wood finished floors because there is change that it could also push debris around and cause damage. If maintenance is needed, replacing a piece of wood floor is fairly simple but should be done by a professional or someone who is familiar with installation of wood flooring. Refinishing of wood floors should also be done by a professional because it requires specific techniques and solutions. The internet is a great place to look up information about cleaning and maintenance of flooring. Each type of finish has its own procedures that should be followed fully in order to lengthen the life of your wood floors. Floors that are kept clean have fewer problems and should last your family a long time.

Modern Outdoor Rugs – What to Lookout for When Shopping

CJ Eason — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:54:53 +0000

Most people don’t realize that outdoor living spaces should also reflect the unique style and design found inside of their homes. Modern outdoor rugs are a great way to bring some of your personal taste and creativity to the outdoors. Most indoor outdoor rugs are specifically manufactured with materials that can stand long-term exposure to the elements. A good outdoor rug should also be able to last the abuse that most outdoor spaces are exposed to including frequent traffic, dirt, debris, and weather related situations. When shopping for your outdoor area rug always double check to see if the material washing instructions will fit your abilities because some are too heavy to handle especially once dirt and debris enters the crevices. Another important factor to look out for is the type of material used for instance, natural fibers are best but many times they are too expensive to purchase so try to find one that is made of synthetic or recycled materials.

When installing outdoor area rugs, make sure you allow for plenty of walking room once the furniture and other decorative items are situated. If you leave a small amount of space for walking through, the rug will likely reflect more wear in that area and much sooner than if people have a larger space to walk through. Maintaining the rug is also important with frequent vacuuming to remove any debris that could cause damage if left in the same place for a long period of time. Steam cleaning can be done to most rugs but you should definitely check the labeling on the indoor outdoor rug prior to purchase to make sure that it will withstand vacuuming and steaming if necessary.

Some rugs will come with a limited warranty for the weaving or material so if you do have that guarantee you can return the rug should it become damaged early on once it is installed. Keep in mind that expensive wool area rugs are not necessary in outdoor spaces because most of the time it is covered with furniture and other items anyway. Finally the rug color, shape, size, pattern, and style are entirely up to the overall look you are trying to achieve.

Decorating Your Home with Adhesive Carpet Squares

CJ Eason — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:51:02 +0000

Most floor treatments are basic and consist of a hardwood, carport, or tile surface. If you are looking for a way to be creative with your choice of floor treatment than you may want to consider adhesive carpet squares. Most types of carpet square materials are designed to last a long time but commercial carpet squares are the strongest by far. Commercial grade carpet materials are designed to especially last a long time under the duress of high traffic. Carpet squares were created as a way to cover a space with carpet that if damaged only a few tiles can be removed at a time without disturbing the entire room. If the carpet in your home should become damaged or stained in a way that it cannot be easily fixed, all you have to do is replace the damaged tiles individually. Through the years, carpet tile squares have evolved to include interesting colors, patterns, and shapes so you can really get creative with your design.

Carpet tile squares are super easy to install onto any type of surface. Most come with adhesive included but there are a few brands that do not. FLOR carpet squares come with a special type of adhesive called FLORdots which is specifically designed to keep the tiles in place no matter what they are exposed to. Special adhesives eliminate the need for nails, padding, and glues for installing making installation fast and simple. Your existing floors will not become damaged by the installation of carpet tiles. Should you ever decide to change the colors, patterns, or the entire covering, all you have to do is pry them up and replace them. Looking for tiles to compliment your favorite green wallpaper? No problem. Alternatively, carpet cleaning is another solution to have your carpeting looking good as new.

When shopping for carpet flooring for you home, keep in mind that you need the most durable materials in the areas of highest traffic. Runners and carpet protectors can also be installed over any carpet tile material. You can choose to cover an entire space with tiles or to create smaller rugs that can act as accent pieces within your home’s décor. Tiles can also be installed on walls to create a unique art piece that is sure to add a unique focal point in any room of your home.

Increase Property Value with Garage Floor Paint

CJ Eason — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:22:27 +0000

Have you seen some of those commercial buildings that are spruced up with garage floor paint? For the most part, the floor always looks clean and shiny. If something gets spilled or broken on the floor, it looks pretty easy to clean up. In no time at all, the floor looks like new again. Did you know that you can have the same for your own floor? You can have the protection from the sun and cold, the rain and snow, and the salt and rocks from the street. Plus, you can have an awesome looking garage that can easily become one of the favorite rooms in the house. Of course, it will still be a great place to park your car. But, it can also be an extended pantry, a craft room, an office, or for whatever reason you might need some extra space.

More than Meets the Eye

Naturally, garage flooring paints are more than simply adding awesome color to your garage floors. Even though the variety of colors and textures can really spruce up the room in which you park your car, the paint is part of a process to seal out the chemicals that will ultimately cause your floor to stain, crack or chip. If you live in a northern climate, you can imagine the crud that lands on your floor. The salt from the ice melt does a real job on the underside of your car and any cement floor. The little rocks in your tires will help to wear away the floor. Of course, there are always the chemicals in the oil and other fluids that leak out of the car. But, if you can prevent problems from occurring, and make your garage look like one of the nicest rooms in your house, it will also help to maintain the value of your home, if you should ever decide to sell.

Over the Rainbow

When you decide to get garage floor paints, you may have the opportunity to pick a color worthy of the rainbow. But, that is not all. You will need to use a garage floor sealer after you paint the floor. It will keep the paint from fading and it will further seal out all of the things that contribute to the ruin of your floor. It also will give your garage flooring an even more brilliant sheen. Have you ever seen how shiny the floors are in a big warehouse store? It may have one base color, and then have other colors that direct you to different parts or sections of the store. You can do the same for your garage, if you are the creative sort. You can have that same professional look for years to come, every time you open the garage door.

Get out the Paint Roller

You may think it takes a special talent to put garage floor coating on your property. In fact, the opposite is true. The kits are made to be user friendly. Some of them even come with a video to actually show the process step by step, in addition to the written instructions. If it still seems too daunting, you can probably hire a youth group or someone to help you get the job done. If you have teenagers, enlist their help, so you can get the entire garage done in half the time. Actually, you may find the experience a way to relax from the stress of the day. Then, when the job is done, you will have something to show for it. You can feel good that you were able to make a home improvement and ultimately save money in the bargain. So, get out your paint roller

Beyond the Doors

After you finish your garage floor painting, you can look on your handiwork and feel proud of your accomplishment. But, do you really want to stop there? Did you know that the same process can also improve your home elsewhere? Formulas are available to improve your basement. What about your sidewalk and entryway? How about that great patio in your garden? Anywhere you have cement flooring that needs protected from the elements and everyday use, you can probably use garage flooring paint and the sealant to protect you investment and brighten your world at the same time.

How to Use a Garage Floor Mat

CJ Eason — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:02:55 +0000

Do you know how to use a garage floor mat? Do you know how to install garage floor mats? Do you know how cost effective a mat can be, and how it can save you money in the long run? You might be surprised to discover how versatile a floor mat can be, without having to do any major alterations. If you know how to roll out a throw rug, you will be able to install a floor mat with little to no difficulty. The hardest part might possibly be the need to cut notches, so it will fit corners or around immovable objects-if you want it wall to wall. You do not have to do anything special once it is down, unless you want to make it a little more secure using an adhesive tape. Now that you know how easy it is to install, it will not be hard to answer the other questions. Simply use your imagination.

Out of Sight

Does your garage look like something that you wish you could walk away from, and just close the door for good? Has it turned into a messy storage area? Maybe you would clean it up, but it would still look like a total disaster. Big chunks of the cement are cracked, chipped, or covered with some kind of muck that came out of a car at one time or another. So why bother? If you clean it up, you would not get any more use out of it than you do now-unless you decide to invest in Garage floor covering. In no time at all, you can clean up your garage, lay down a mat, and have another useful room to your house. All the imperfections in of your garage flooring will be out of sight, out of mind.

More Wasted Space

Okay, you now have a garage that is a nice place to park your car. The garage is even clean enough to use for extra pantry space or a shelter from the weather, if you plan an outdoor gathering. It has truly become that extra room in your home. Now, what about the rest of your house and yard? Do you more wasted space that you might use, if it had rubber garage flooring? What about the basement? Is it just a cold, dark area with a cement floor, the water heater and furnace, and maybe the washer and dryer? What if you could transform it into a family room, an exercise area, a place to work on craft and art project, or something else? You can start by covering that floor with a garage mat. They come in different colors that would start to brighten up the place. Then, you could slowly go on from there, unit you had a really nice room that the whole family can enjoy.

Puddle Preventers

Garage flooring mats are great puddle preventers. When you pull into the garage, you do not have to worry about the mud and snow that is going to melt off of your car, if you have a rubber mat. The grooves will catch all of the excess, and you can exit the car without worrying about a nasty fall. When it is time to clean up the goop and debris, a wet/dry vacuum or a hose will do the trick. But, mats are also great puddle preventers for your pet as well. If you have a new puppy, you can imagine. To avoid destruction of your home, the cute and cuddly puddle maker is relegated to the garage. But, then you have to worry about stepping in a surprise, when you come to get the dog in the morning. No problem. With the aid of a large dog walk or kennel, you can use a garage flooring mat to cover the bottom of the enclosure. Not only will it keep you pooch more comfortable. But, it will catch any of those mistakes that can mess up the rest of the floor. So, mats can be puddle preventers, in more ways than one.

A Smart Move

You have recently bought a new home. It is a smart move, because it is closer to work, which means you can ultimately spend more time with the family and less time commuting. The house needs a little work, but it will feel like home in no time. But, then you go out to the garage. The cement is cracked and broken. Pieces of the floor are simply gone, having been chipped out long ago. It is also covered with fluid stains that no hose will wash away. Never fear! If you want the garage to look as nice and livable as the rest of the house, all you need is a garage floor cover. A mat is very easy to roll out. It will make your garage look nicer right away. While you’re at it, be sure to check out garage doors prices for a new look for the old, broken door. Then, you can spend your time on other worthy projects like shelves or cupboards to make it the best garage you ever had. What a smart move!

Improved Value with Garage Floor Coverings

CJ Eason — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:33 +0000

You can improve the value of your home and increase your living space with different garage floor coverings. The garage does not have to be limited to a place to park your car. It does not have to look like you are storing everything you do not really want, but have no place to keep. It does not have to always be dirty. It can be an extra room for sleepovers, a place for the kids to play, when it is too yucky to be outside, and a room to work on your crafting or automotive projects. It does not have to remain the grease-covered cement floor that is only worthy to be driven on, or a place to prop up the gardening tools. You can make it a nice place to be in with the right garage floor covering.

Service and Color

You can change the entire look of your parking space with garage floor tile. If you have the money to spare, you can even go online and design your own perfect garage flooring. If you are a race car fan, you may want to cross the checkered flag, so to speak, every time you park your car. Maybe you simply want to improve the surface of the garage with tiles, so it is easier to work on your vehicles. For whatever you desire, you can find the garage floor tiles with the durability and look that will make the garage an extension of your living space.

Clean Solution

Have you seen those driveways that are stained with oil leaks and more goop? It detracts from the entire look of your home. Inside the garage, it just makes the extra space seem nasty, if it is always a mess. But, with a garage floor mat, you can protect your cement floor, improve the look of the entire garage, and make it easy to clean. All you have to do is use a wet/dry vacuum or a hose. Then, you are good to go. The mats have grooves to collect the snow melt, mud, and crude. Simply wash it away to keep your garage and car clean.

Easy to Please

If you are tired of your drab, grease stained garage, you need to consider rubber garage flooring. Not only will it give you traction and prevent nasty falls when the floor is wet and slick, it will also improve the looks and cleanliness of a room you use more than you may even realize. It is easy to please, because the installation is consumer friendly. You can do it yourself. It is made to easily snap together, so you can have a great floor in no time at all. Once it is installed, it will provide odor control for those nasty spills or oil leaks. It will be easy to clean. Then, if you need to pull the car out and make extra space for a family gathering, the garage can protect you from the elements and not get you dirty in the process. In addition, it will just look great.

Not just for Garages

If you want the floor of your garage to last longer and be more serviceable, you may want to consider vinyl garage flooring. It is absolutely easy to install. It will be quick to clean, and it will improve the look of your garage-making it an extra room for the purposes of living. But, this type of flooring is not just to park your car over. It can also be used to improve the floor of your basement. It can help the cement last longer, give you traction, and make going down to do the laundry a little more pleasant. All you have to do is roll it out and trim the edges to fit around corners, the water heater, or whatever you cannot move. It also comes in assorted colors, so you can brighten up your garage or basement at the same time. Should you ever want to sell your home, it will increase the value. You will have a warrantee on your vinyl garage floor. The length depends on the quality you select. Now, you can make every room of your house more comfortable with vinyl flooring.

Garage Floor Coatings for a Professional Finish

CJ Eason — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:28:27 +0000

Do you have a nice car, but your garage floor looks like a greasy, chipped mess. Do you like to collect classic cars, rebuild them, and keep them on display? Do you simply want a garage that is an extension of your living space, with storage cupboards, office work area, an extra refrigerator, or a nice place for an outdoor family gathering? Your garage does not have to look like something you need to hide. Go ahead, show off those great cars or use if for other activities. With a nice garage floor coating, it can be one of your favorite rooms. Whether you are showcasing awesome vehicles or making it a room the entire family can enjoy, garage floor coatings are something you can apply yourself, and have it look totally professional when you are done.

Do it Yourself Garage Floor Kit

Did you know that you can have awesome garage flooring without spending an arm and a leg? You can do it all by yourself. You do not have to be a home improvement guru to have a nice garage. The floor kits come with instructions that almost anyone can follow. If you can implement a scraper and push a paint roller, you can do it. All you need is the patience and desire to have a really cool garage. With the last step, you can choose a paint to look like a traditional finish. Alternatively, you can select a color that will pop out at you every time you open the door. Whether you want a clean and protected place to park your car, or you want to use it for the buffet at the next family gathering, you garage can really become one of your favorite rooms in the house.

A Little Color

Who says a garage has to be the ugliest room in your house? In fact, it can easily be one of the favorite places to hang out. You can make it bright, pleasant and very serviceable, whether you like to work on cars, need some home office space, or some extra pantry and refrigerator resources, you can make it an extension of your home. You can get garage coating kits. As part of the process, right before you put on the sealant, you will pick the garage floor paint that suits your personality and decorative desire. Maybe you will like an eye popping red or bright blue. You may want to show off your car to company, but they will probably notice your awesome floor first.

Top it Off

If you are going to improve the looks of your floor, you need follow the instructions on the kit. But, thanks to garage floor epoxy, all of your hard work will not be in vain. The epoxy will seal out the oil drips that make a floor look so gross. With the proper paint and textured chips, the floor will have the needed traction, plus cover up any imperfection in the garage. You can make the floor shiny, skid resistant, and easy to clean away the dirt and debris that will make your garage look ill-kept.
Another Idea

Once you realize how easy it is to implement garage flooring ideas to make your garage a better place to store your car and a multitude of other uses, why stop there? Do you have a yucky basement with a cold concrete floor? Do you dread going down there to take care of laundry? What if you could make it nice enough to create added living space? You can take what you learned with epoxy garage floor and do the same for your basement. Why not make it a bright and pleasant place to be, so you can use it for a family room or a place for your teens to hang out when they have company? You can put some old furniture down there and create a cool place to go in the summer, when it is so hot. Plus, it will be a pleasant place to go during a tornado watch. In fact, you might be able to turn your basement into a favorite room in the house, and you can start with epoxy garage flooring.