Exploring The Different Types Of Floor Coverings

Many homeowners will one day decide to upgrade their flooring. This will be a major home improvement project that requires removing the old flooring and installing a new floor covering. One of the first steps that will need to taken is shopping for a new floor covering, with so many options on the market, you will have difficulty selecting just one. Below, you will discover more information about the available floor coverings on the market.

Carpet

Many people prefer carpet to the other options, because it provides underfoot comfort, warmth and gives the room a homey appeal. There are various types of carpeting available, including woven, needle felt, knotted and tufted. Woven carpet pile can either be Berber or plush, with plush being the most popular. Carpet is extremely easy to install and when it needs to be replaced, the process will be much easier than removing any other type of floor covering.

Senior citizens and parents will often choose carpet, because it provides a comfortable place for children to play, along with a non-skid flooring surface. With carpet, you never have to worry about wearing house shoes or non-skid stockings. In fact, you can walk barefooted all throughout every room that is installed with carpet.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is also another popular option, with the ability to withstand the test of time. Laminate is available in many different patterns and can be nailed down or glued to the under floor. If it is nailed down, it will be much easier to remove, since the glue will create a tight seal, which is impossible to remove until you are willing to scrap it up.

Laminate is designed with 4 to 5 layers of materials. The bottom layer may or may not be embedded into the laminate and if it isn’t, you will need to place a separate underlayment down, before the laminate flooring can be installed. The top layer is a transparent protective covering that can resist damage, caused by animal claws, high heels, moving furniture and children’s toys.

The second layer is actually the decorative layer that gives the flooring a high definition. The highly detailed image embedded into this layer is what gives the laminate its eye appeal. An innovative technology is utilized to create the image and pattern of the design, which replicates hardwood, stone or marble.

The third layer is the core, which is constructed from high-density fiberboard. This layer is impact resistance and will offer an extended lifespan. The fourth layer is comprised of melamine resin, which is extremely durable, with a moisture resistance protection. Many people will choose laminate over hardwood, because it is cheaper than hardwood and much easier to install.

Tile

When most people think of tile, they automatically think of a bathroom floor or wall covering. However, tile is much more than that, because it can be installed throughout an entire home. Tile is extremely durable and available in unlimited colors, patterns, styles and sizes. There are basically two common types of tile, including porcelain and ceramic. These are the most affordable and if properly installed with offer an extended lifespan.

Many people shy away from tile, because it does not offer underfoot comfort or warmth. However, you can always add a throw rug in areas, where your family tends to spend the majority of their time.

Tile is extremely easy to install, but it does require a lot of preparation, which is why many people hire a professional to oversee the project. If the tile is installed properly, it will require very little maintenance, requiring only a routine cleaning with soap and warm water.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is extremely popular, because it is available in an unlimited array of designs and patterns. In fact, you can find vinyl that replicates rock, stone, wood and tile. If you are living on a budget, vinyl is a great option for you. Ten years ago, vinyl had a bad reputation, with limited designs and patterns, but manufacturers found new ways to make the vinyl more durable and added unlimited design options.

Vinyl is available in varying thickness, including 6 MIL, 20 MIL, 28 MIL and many more. If you are looking for a thick vinyl that will last for many years, you will definitely find it among these options.

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House Cleaning - Fun with Tools

House cleaning is never a fun task as it involves physical stress. For some it becomes a daunting job as it involves lot of organizing things, dusting, cleaning the carpets and many more. Out of which the tuff part is to clean the carpets and the hard floors. Well in the current generation it makes little easier to clean the carpets and the hard floors as we have gadgets to clean them. All one has to do is to choose the right cleaning tools. For hard and carpeted floors, most of them usually prefer to do cleaning using the vacuum cleaners.

How does this work?

The type of cleaner depends on the purpose of cleaning. As these tools run by motors, and become noisy while operating and the decibel level of noise depend on the type of cleaner from the manufacturers. Shark is one of the competitive manufacturers. The various types available in the market by Shark are Upright, Canister, Stick, Handheld, and Robotic. Now the question comes which one is suitable for your house? The major differences between all the above listed vacuum cleaners are as follows:

Types of Vacuum Cleaners

• Upright type cleaners are considered to be powerful and easy to use back and forth on the hard floor and as well as on carpets. This has a tilt and can clean deep cleaning of the carpets even under the furniture. These can easily remove the heavy dirt and comes with variety of attachments that to be used for other cleaning purposes. Sometimes it might be heavy to use back and forth.
• Canister type has a big tank with an extension pipe and a brush attached to the long hose that makes flexible to clean the corners of the house. The disadvantage of this type is to drag the heavy big tank all the time while in operation.
• Stick type cleaners are generally sleek, lightweight, easy to use, and generally used to clean light rugs and floors. Due to its lightweight, it is less powerful and not preferred for deep cleaning.
• Handheld vacuums are small, handy to use and generally designed to clean the surfaces that do not require deep cleaning, such as car seats, furniture, curtains, and many more. This works similar to a hand duster.
• Robotic cleaners are currently attention seekers, as they do not require anyone to monitor or guide and can reach and clean even under the furniture. Per surveys, these are preferred when deep cleaning is not required. Although, these type of cleaners have obstacle sensors, but do not actually remove all the obstacles. These cleaners are considered noiseless while operating.

All the above cleaners are available in both cord and cordless, dust collection bags and bagless models except the robotic as its function is mainly cordless. All the above cleaners also have an option for the dust collection to be either bagged or bag less. It totally depends on the user what to choose. Per surveys these cleaners have gained trust and have been highly ranked.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2n5widh

Exploring The Different Types Of Floor Coverings

Many homeowners will one day decide to upgrade their flooring. This will be a major home improvement project that requires removing the old flooring and installing a new floor covering. One of the first steps that will need to taken is shopping for a new floor covering, with so many options on the market, you will have difficulty selecting just one. Below, you will discover more information about the available floor coverings on the market.

Carpet

Many people prefer carpet to the other options, because it provides underfoot comfort, warmth and gives the room a homey appeal. There are various types of carpeting available, including woven, needle felt, knotted and tufted. Woven carpet pile can either be Berber or plush, with plush being the most popular. Carpet is extremely easy to install and when it needs to be replaced, the process will be much easier than removing any other type of floor covering.

Senior citizens and parents will often choose carpet, because it provides a comfortable place for children to play, along with a non-skid flooring surface. With carpet, you never have to worry about wearing house shoes or non-skid stockings. In fact, you can walk barefooted all throughout every room that is installed with carpet.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is also another popular option, with the ability to withstand the test of time. Laminate is available in many different patterns and can be nailed down or glued to the under floor. If it is nailed down, it will be much easier to remove, since the glue will create a tight seal, which is impossible to remove until you are willing to scrap it up.

Laminate is designed with 4 to 5 layers of materials. The bottom layer may or may not be embedded into the laminate and if it isn’t, you will need to place a separate underlayment down, before the laminate flooring can be installed. The top layer is a transparent protective covering that can resist damage, caused by animal claws, high heels, moving furniture and children’s toys.

The second layer is actually the decorative layer that gives the flooring a high definition. The highly detailed image embedded into this layer is what gives the laminate its eye appeal. An innovative technology is utilized to create the image and pattern of the design, which replicates hardwood, stone or marble.

The third layer is the core, which is constructed from high-density fiberboard. This layer is impact resistance and will offer an extended lifespan. The fourth layer is comprised of melamine resin, which is extremely durable, with a moisture resistance protection. Many people will choose laminate over hardwood, because it is cheaper than hardwood and much easier to install.

Tile

When most people think of tile, they automatically think of a bathroom floor or wall covering. However, tile is much more than that, because it can be installed throughout an entire home. Tile is extremely durable and available in unlimited colors, patterns, styles and sizes. There are basically two common types of tile, including porcelain and ceramic. These are the most affordable and if properly installed with offer an extended lifespan.

Many people shy away from tile, because it does not offer underfoot comfort or warmth. However, you can always add a throw rug in areas, where your family tends to spend the majority of their time.

Tile is extremely easy to install, but it does require a lot of preparation, which is why many people hire a professional to oversee the project. If the tile is installed properly, it will require very little maintenance, requiring only a routine cleaning with soap and warm water.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is extremely popular, because it is available in an unlimited array of designs and patterns. In fact, you can find vinyl that replicates rock, stone, wood and tile. If you are living on a budget, vinyl is a great option for you. Ten years ago, vinyl had a bad reputation, with limited designs and patterns, but manufacturers found new ways to make the vinyl more durable and added unlimited design options.

Vinyl is available in varying thickness, including 6 MIL, 20 MIL, 28 MIL and many more. If you are looking for a thick vinyl that will last for many years, you will definitely find it among these options.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2n5nIvc

House Cleaning - Fun with Tools

House cleaning is never a fun task as it involves physical stress. For some it becomes a daunting job as it involves lot of organizing things, dusting, cleaning the carpets and many more. Out of which the tuff part is to clean the carpets and the hard floors. Well in the current generation it makes little easier to clean the carpets and the hard floors as we have gadgets to clean them. All one has to do is to choose the right cleaning tools. For hard and carpeted floors, most of them usually prefer to do cleaning using the vacuum cleaners.

How does this work?

The type of cleaner depends on the purpose of cleaning. As these tools run by motors, and become noisy while operating and the decibel level of noise depend on the type of cleaner from the manufacturers. Shark is one of the competitive manufacturers. The various types available in the market by Shark are Upright, Canister, Stick, Handheld, and Robotic. Now the question comes which one is suitable for your house? The major differences between all the above listed vacuum cleaners are as follows:

Types of Vacuum Cleaners

• Upright type cleaners are considered to be powerful and easy to use back and forth on the hard floor and as well as on carpets. This has a tilt and can clean deep cleaning of the carpets even under the furniture. These can easily remove the heavy dirt and comes with variety of attachments that to be used for other cleaning purposes. Sometimes it might be heavy to use back and forth.
• Canister type has a big tank with an extension pipe and a brush attached to the long hose that makes flexible to clean the corners of the house. The disadvantage of this type is to drag the heavy big tank all the time while in operation.
• Stick type cleaners are generally sleek, lightweight, easy to use, and generally used to clean light rugs and floors. Due to its lightweight, it is less powerful and not preferred for deep cleaning.
• Handheld vacuums are small, handy to use and generally designed to clean the surfaces that do not require deep cleaning, such as car seats, furniture, curtains, and many more. This works similar to a hand duster.
• Robotic cleaners are currently attention seekers, as they do not require anyone to monitor or guide and can reach and clean even under the furniture. Per surveys, these are preferred when deep cleaning is not required. Although, these type of cleaners have obstacle sensors, but do not actually remove all the obstacles. These cleaners are considered noiseless while operating.

All the above cleaners are available in both cord and cordless, dust collection bags and bagless models except the robotic as its function is mainly cordless. All the above cleaners also have an option for the dust collection to be either bagged or bag less. It totally depends on the user what to choose. Per surveys these cleaners have gained trust and have been highly ranked.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2n5widh

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When is the air aloft the coldest and driest on average? Now!

Strange enough that one might think is belongs in some kind of Ripley's Weather Believe or Not.

What part of the year is the air above the Pacific Northwest typically the driest (least amount of water vapor)?

What part of the year is the above the Pacific Northwest typically the coldest?

The answers to these two questions are the same:  right around now!  But why?

Let's start with a measure of the total water vapor in a vertical column (called precipitable water) for Quillayute, WA (UIL), on the NW Washington coast (see below).   The black line is the average and the red line is the extreme high values. Lowest values (driest air)  in late March/early April.  Interestingly, the driest air is not when our precipitation is the least (late July/early August).  The amount of moist is highest during our driest period.  Very strange.

Next, let's go to a specific level (850 hPa--about 5000 ft).  The mixing ratio (the amount of water vapor-in grams- per kilogram of dry air) shows a similar pattern, with driest conditions in early spring.

How do we explain this weird situation?  The answer is found with temperature.

The amount of water vapor that can be held (or contained) in a volume of air depends on temperature, with warm air able to hold more water vapor.  Here is the temperature at 850 hPa (again about 5000 ft).  Ah ha!  It looks like the moisture!   The warmest temperatures aloft are in early August and the coolest average temperatures are in late winter (March).

So in late winter/early spring when the atmosphere aloft is coolest, the moisture content is less since cold air can hold less moisture than warm air.

But that leaves another question.  Why are air temperatures aloft coolest in March? Why aren't the temperatures aloft coolest when the sun is weakest (late December)?   

The reason is that there is substantial thermal inertia of the atmosphere--it takes a while to warm it up.   Like a giant flywheel.   And remember that the atmosphere cools as along as long as the amount of energy leaving the atmosphere (by radiation and other processes) exceeds what is coming in (solar radiation, heat provided by the condensation of water vapor)

The surface of the earth has less thermal inertia and tend to respond more rapidly to heating/cooling at the earth's surface then the atmosphere above.  Thus, the lowest surface air temperatures tend to be in middle to late January in our region, not the spring.

There is an interesting meteorological implication of the different rate of heating between air near the surface and aloft:  the atmosphere over our region tends to be most unstable (tendency to convect) during spring compared to any other time of the year.

The atmosphere becomes less stable when the rate of cooling with height (called the lapse rate) is greatest.  If in late winter or early spring, the ground warms up faster than the air aloft, then the lapse rate becomes larger during that period.   This is particularly true in spring when the sun (and thus heating near the ground) is getting large.

This figure shows the lapse rate in the lowest 10,000 ft above Quilluyate across the year (black is average, red line is extreme max, blue line extreme min).  The lapse rate is largest in April.

Large lapse rates promote instability, which produces cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, which in turn bring the famous convective rain showers of NW spring.  So spring is a showery period in our region because of the surface warms more quickly than the atmosphere above.

from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/2niT04c