Believe it or not, carpeting is one of the biggest contributors to indoor air pollution. One of the commonest health problems in a house is allergies, and carpets are practically a perfect environment for dust mites, molds and mildew. Not only that, but the modern wall-to wall carpeting in today’s houses are made of synthetic fibers dyed and treated with chemicals (fungicides, soil repellants and pesticides, anyone?) and bonded to synthetic backing with chemical glues. All of these materials release hundreds of Volatile Organic Compounds as they age, in a process called outgassing. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be mutagens, irritants and carcinogens. Not the ideal thing to have in your home, to say the least.
Carpet also attracts and retains all that you and your family members track in to the house from the ground outside- dirt, lead dust found in flaking house exterior paint, insects, bacteria, lawn and garden chemicals and other unhealthy debris. Not to mention food crumbs, hair and dead skin particles. Getting a wall-to-wall carpet 100% clean is nearly impossible (ever rented one of those steam-cleaners to clean your carpet and cleaned the same area over and over, each time seeing more dirt come out?) and trying to clean causes its own problems. Vacuuming stirs up airborne dust and mold spores. Shampooing can leave a damp carpet encouraging more mold growth and even the shampoo may have irritating or even toxic chemicals added.
At the other end of the floor covering health spectrum is ceramic tile. It is made from natural clay materials fired in a kiln. A tile sealed with non-leaded glaze is impervious to mold and bacteria and is well tolerated by chemically sensitive people. Although a ceramic tile floor can be expensive up front, due to the labor-intensive installation, they are very durable and long-lasting if properly maintained, and can be considered as comparatively affordable in the long run. The information was given by a roofing specialist who’s also a professional at solar water heating and roof repair.
Filed under Home Improvement Tips by on Aug 2nd, 2010. Comment. 
Ceramic tile kitchen flooring is still considered one of the best all-around materials for the normal homeowner. Durable and strong are just two of the many benefits of ceramic tile which has not changed for as long as it has been around. The colors, styles, texture and looks of today’s ceramic tile is much different then years in the past. Also they are making the tiles themselves bigger which gives you a different look and feel in your kitchen.Â
Â
 Ceramic tile flooring is made from a clay and other materials brought to a very high heat which gives it its incredible durability and strength. Because ceramic is moisture resistant and durable it is an ideal choice for the outside and as well as inside which can help your floor-plan if you are going for an blended look from your kitchen to your outdoor kitchen.Â
Â
Pros:
-Strong and durable
-Resistant to both water and fire
-Lots of options
Â
Cons:
-Does not handle heavy impacts well as it will crack
-Caulking is very important and if not done correctly will have lots of problems
-Available in a wide range of choices (I have this listed as a con because the choices can be so overwhelming that you go into analysis paralysis.)
Â
Starting from as low as one dollar and go typically as high as ten dollars installed ceramic is one of the most reasonably prices kitchen flooring material available. If you’re looking for the look of stone, glass, or anything in-between on a tight budget but still require some functionality ceramic tile flooring may well be perfect for you and your family.
Â
Hello my name is Steven Tikas and I have a website that I have dedicated to helping people make an informed and educated decision when dealing with kitchen remodeling. For more specific information about ceramic tile kitchen flooring or general kitchen flooring options available for your kitchen check out my website.
Filed under Kitchen Remodeling by on Jan 7th, 2009. Comment.
     There are a plethora of types of floors that are available to homeowners today. Carpet, hardwood floors, laminate flooring, cork, bamboo, and ceramic tile are some of the most common that are readily available to consumers today. Many households have many types of flooring as well – leaving even more questions about what type for what room. Just hardwood floors alone come in many varieties and types: distressed & hand scraped, engineered wood floors, and glueless floating wood – those options alone can leave one pondering what to pick.    Â
      Let’s start with carpet. Carpet normally brings luxury, fashion and comfort to mind. Carpet is often the preferred flooring for bedrooms and living rooms. It’s quiet, insulates well from cold and the color options are numerous. There are many materials and styles available; so many that you may need a little help choosing. Carpet can be selected based on fiber, density and texture. So like soft, some like a little firmer. Regardless of your preferences many options are out there. Â
      Although it may initially be confusing when it comes to choosing hardwood floors, they can be very attractive and can really add some appeal, and worth to your home. First, you should decide what type of finished look you want to achieve. If you’re going after a modern or contemporary look, you may want to lean towards a type of wood hat has a cleaner look with less texture and grain such as Maple, Birch, or Cherry. If you prefer a more casual or rustic look, then you may want to consider an Oak or Pine. Â
      Laminate flooring was first introduced into the US in 1982. Since then the sector has experienced growth of up to 20%, making laminate the fastest growing floor type in the country. The appeal lies not only in its aesthetic value of its representation of real hardwood, but also due to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance.Â
      Ceramic floor tile is an elegant and stylish flooring material whose true origins remain unknown, even today. Ceramic floor tile can come in virtually any color and is tough and durable that it can actually last as long as your home can stand. Ceramic floor tile is actually the oldest form of flooring material known to man, aside from primitive use of dirt and bear skins. Speaking of dirt, creating ceramic floor tile is simply a combination of different clays that have been mixed with water, designed, shaped and then fired in special kilns. You could basically consider ceramic floor tile nothing more than flame broiled mud. Nevertheless it’s a sturdy, stylish and dependable choice for flooring.Â
      Regardless of the room you’re redecorating or the flooring you’re looking into buying, there are many worthy and fun options to pick from.
Christine Beals is a professional writer who provides tips and information on ceramic tile flooring and flooring in general for A1 Market – the Guide for the Savvy Shopper.
Filed under Home Improvement Tips by on Oct 13th, 2008. Comment.