Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Automated Holiday Floor Cleaning Ideas

02.10.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Frustrated in Florida writes:

Dear Diva,  I really dislike having to clean my hardwood floors by hand. Seems like no matter how much scrubbing I do, I end up feeling it more than the floor ever did. I could hire someone to help, but isn’t there some kind of Roomba robot that will clean hardwood floors like the robot vacuum cleaner handles carpet? Help! My back cannot take much more of this punishment.

Dear Frustrated, I know how you feel! In fact, lately I’ve been doing my research to find the perfect floor cleaner to solve both of our problems. Don’t get me wrong, I love my wood floors, but some days it seems like an “act of congress” just to keep them clean. This is especially true during the holiday season when guests are arriving. You want your floors to look good, but you don’t want to spend your whole time cleaning them.

Based on my research, I think I’ve found the perfect robot floor cleaner for us both. Allow me to introduce you to the Mint Plus Floor Cleaner, by Evolution Robotics. It’s similar to the Scooba from iRobot, but the Mint Plus differs in a few key areas that I believe make it the perfect match for both of us. Read on to find out some of the amazing things the Mint Plus can do:

Get it clean the first time – The Mint Plus tracks where it cleans using something called the NorthStar Navigation System. This allows the floor cleaner to move carefully back and forth making sure your floor is being cleaned properly, the first time. It’s times like this that I remind myself how great technology can be to have around.  Not only does the Mint Plus clean the floor for you, but it makes sure to clean the entire floor without missing a spot.

Dual Modes – Unlike similar robot cleaner models, the Mint Plus was designed with versatility in mind. There’s a sweeping mode and a mopping mode. In both modes, the Mint Plus uses eco-friendly microfiber cloths or disposable pads like those from Swifter. What I really like about this design is that you can choose whether or not you are going to be eco-friendly. If you are concerned about the environment, simply wash and reuse the microfiber towels. This also means that if you aren’t finished cleaning your floors but your microfiber cloths are dirty, you don’t have to wait to finish cleaning until you’ve had a chance to run the wash. This type of versatility in both cleaning modes and pad type is great!

Mint Floor Cleaner

No missed spots – Because Mint Plus is so compact, it can clean the areas where a regular vacuum or mop is not able to reach. This is a huge benefit all by itself.

Designed for real life – The Mint is pet safe and stair-aware. There is no need to be concerned about it mowing down your pet or falling down a flight of stairs as it completes a cleaning cycle. In addition, it is also whisper quiet. This feature alone would make it more pet friendly in my household.

Cleaning on the cutting edge – The Mint Plus Floor Cleaner has a knack for cleaning right up to the very edge of an object, unlike other cleaning tools. So Mint is able to easily navigate around table legs or even protruding appliances. This is something that the manual wood floor cleaner (me) can’t even do without bumping into a table leg or two!

Great battery life and easy clean up – The Mint Plus cleans for up to three hours and requires next to no cleanup itself. Unlike similar devices, the Mint Plus is not going to require any real cleanup after completing a cleaning cycle. Just remove the cleaning pad and plug it in to charge.

Reasonably priced – At around $299, the Mint Plus Floor Cleaner is not as cheap as getting on your hands and knees and cleaning the hardwood floors ourselves. But something tells me our backs will thank us for it later! Plus I’ve been told that once you’ve tried the Mint Plus, you won’t be going back to your old floor cleaning routine again. It’s also important to note that there is a lesser priced Mint Floor Cleaner model that starts at around $199.

One last note about why I choose this particular floor cleaning model. First of all, it appears like it does what it says. The Mint was reviewed well, on average it received 4 out of 5 stars. That’s pretty good for any type of cleaning product and good enough for me to invest my hard-earned cash into.  I also figured that while the $299 is more expensive than it would cost for me to manually clean my hardwood floors (on my hands and knees), it’s probably cheaper than the cost of having to go to the chiropractor in case of injury.

And don’t forget that with the holidays being just around the corner a robotic hardwood floor cleaner could make picking up after guests easier and less time-consuming. Which in turn may give you more time to spend with your loved ones. After all isn’t that what the holidays are about?

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Flooring Tags // Automated, floor cleaner, Floor Cleaning, hardwood cleaner, Holiday, Mint Floor Cleaner, robot cleaner, roomba, scooba, vacuum

Should I Buy Discount Laminate Flooring

02.09.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Tammy writes:

Diva, we’re giving serious thought to buying discount laminate flooring and there seems to be a huge gap in price, starting at $.49 cents a square foot and going all the way up to $5.00 a square foot, what gives? Is there a difference? Should I buy discount laminate flooring and if so, is it okay to install in heavy traffic areas?

Tammy, you have hit the nail on the head with this question! There is indeed a huge price discrepancy in discount laminates.  This is partially because there are so many styles and levels of quality when it comes to laminate flooring. And it is also because different store types see discount as a different price point.  Meaning a discount laminate from a warehouse store will usually cost less than a dollar while one found at an upscale flooring showroom could be as much as $5.oo a square foot.

As to the second part of your question, yes there is a difference.  This is because typically the price difference is attributed to the quality difference.  So you do get what you pay for.  It used to be pretty simple if you wanted flooring for a heavy traffic are, you didn’t spend anything less than $2 a square foot.  These days, however, I’m not so sure.  I’ve seen laminates that are under $1 a square foot boast a 30 year wear warranty.

Should I Buy Discount Laminate FlooringBut I’ll tell you the things I know for sure.  No matter what product you are looking at, no matter what the price range, do the key test.  The key test is a simple test that will help you determine how your flooring will hold up in everyday usage. You simply take a sample of the flooring and put it on the ground, “finish side” up.  Then you hold a set of keys out, above the flooring, at shoulder height and drop them.  Then you pick up your keys and the flooring and see if there are any discernible marks.

If you’re looking for laminate that will hold up to heavy traffic, you will want to make sure that there is no mark left on the sample from the keys.  Typically speaking, a flooring that can’t handle the pressure will show scratches or dents.  This would be a bad flooring to put in any house with children, pets, or for anyone who is as clumsy as I am.  Especially since I drop at least one thing on the floor everyday.

Another thing you should look at when choosing discount laminate is the locking system of the laminate.  This is because if the locking system is chipped or has a lot of imperfections it will be more difficult to install.  This means that you could end up spending more money than you saved in labor costs, or purchasing extra product to make up for the “bad” pieces. This is also why most people have difficulty putting together laminate flooring.  Simply put, not all laminate is created equal and sometimes paying a little more will ensure a happy experience when it comes to installation.

Typically speaking, you will still want to look at a laminate in the $2 a square foot or more range for ease of installation.  Usually the more expensive laminate options have more quality control to ensure that the boards fit together tighter and install easier. This is also true when it comes to laminate from flooring companies, because those companies are in the business of making flooring, so their reputation is on the line should there be any issues. Specifically, I’d recommend companies like Pergo Laminate Flooring and Shaw Flooring. Both Pergo and Shaw have quality control in place to make sure that you are getting the best product possible. While the laminates under a $1 a square foot are usually imported from factories all over the world that are only making laminate because they can do so cheaply.

Does this mean you shouldn’t get discount laminate? Heck, no! It simply means that you need to try the key test and check out the locking system before purchasing. If the flooring dents or scratches, or you have a difficult time putting the pieces together at the store, then it’s a bad idea!  Remember if you’re “penny wise but pound foolish”, then you haven’t really saved anything.  Instead, you’ve only created more expense and heartache in the long run!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Laminate Tags // discount laminate floor, Discount Laminate Flooring, locking system, Pergo laminate flooring, shaw flooring

Choosing Laminate Vs Wood For Your Home

02.06.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Summer is in the air! Have you gotten the remodeling bug yet? With summer, often comes a great opportunity for new flooring. A lot of people out there find themselves confused when choosing wood vs laminate flooring. Truthfully, it just depends on what area you are installing your new flooring in and the traffic to that specific area.

Solid wood – Invest in real wood when you are trying to add value to your home. Real hardwood flooring also lasts the lifetime of your home. Avoid using in overly wet areas like kids bathrooms because real wood is not water-resistant like vinyl and laminate. As real wood ages (like with reclaimed wood flooring), it enhances the beauty of the floor itself. Beware if you have large dogs or kids that are hard on your flooring.

Certain woods resist scratches and dents more than others. South American woods (like Brazilian Cherry) are generally a harder wood than the easily available American Oak. But it depends on the quality and how rough you are on your floors. One thing I like to do to any potential flooring is to try the key test. It’s simple: place said potential hardwood flooring on ground, hold keys at arm level above it and drop. Pick up the flooring and look at the damage. This will give you an idea of how well it will hold up in your home.

Choosing Laminate Vs Wood For Your HomeLaminate – Use for a wood look in wetter areas, or in other areas of your home where durability is number one. Laminate won’t increase the value of your home as automatically as wood flooring. But it might increase the its attractiveness to a potential buyer. Laminate is a great alternative to real wood if you have large dogs or pets. If you get a good rated laminate it will resist most scratches and dents. Just make sure to pick one out with a good coating. Stick an AC rating of 3 or higher if you have pets or children. Laminate is also great in areas where you can’t glue-down or nail into your subfloor. It simply click locks together and rests on a pad. Unlike most vinyls which have to be glued down or the majority of real wood floors that have to be nailed, stapled or glued to the subfloor. The simple fact that it doesn’t need to be nailed or glued makes laminate a good do it yourselfer project.

Whether you are adding value to your home or just looking for something scratch resistant, think of your needs before you go head first into either type of flooring.

Categories // Laminate Tags // solid hardwood, subfloor

Hardwood Flooring Questions

07.13.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

You may already know the pros and cons of hardwood flooring, but before you go shopping for new flooring make sure you also understand the differences in construction, installation methods and pricing. To help you with this task, I have answered a few of the most commonly asked hardwood flooring questions.

Q.) What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?

A.) The difference is based on whether each board of hardwood is made of one piece of wood or multiple pieces.

Solid hardwood: Each piece of flooring is one solid piece of wood. There are no layers; the top part has been sanded smooth, often times a wood stain is applied and then finished off with a protective cleat top coat.

Engineered hardwood: Instead of being one solid piece of wood flooring, engineered hardwood is typically made up of three or more layers of wood with the grain going in opposite directions from one layer to the next. The top layer consists of a thin strip of hardwood, known as a veneer and it is the wear layer. The middle layer or layers are plywood. Usually the middle section is made up of layers of cross-grain plywood for extra strength. Some engineered hardwoods have a MDF (medium density fiberboard) core instead of plywood. And the bottom layer is another piece of rough plywood that sandwiches the middle layers together with the top piece.

Hardwood Flooring QuestionsQ.) Why are there so many different types of installation methods for hardwood flooring?

A.) The installation methods are based on the construction of the flooring. There are two different types of board construction that dictates how the flooring should be installed. Tongue and groove and click together.

Tongue and Groove: Nail Together Installation

Tongue and groove flooring fits together like a puzzle piece. The “tongue” of one board fits into the “groove” of another. If the installation instructions call for nailing the flooring together, then a specific tool called a hardwood nailer must be used. Before deciding whether to install this type of flooring yourself, it is helpful to decide whether you have enough physical strength and endurance to use the nailer. As you have to hit the nailer with a mallet, each time you wish to place a nail. This will need to be done several times per piece of flooring. Pneumatic nailers are also available, and they require less physical strength; however, they are much more expensive.

Tongue and Groove: Glue Together Installation

If the installation instructions call for glue, determine whether it is a full spread adhesion or just glue on the joints. If it is a full spread adhesion, then you will use a notched trowel to spread adhesive on the subfloor. However, if it is a tongue and groove adhesion, then you will also need to purchase foam underlayment. In this scenario, the joints of the flooring are glued together, but the wood flooring is not glued to the subfloor. Instead, it “floats” over the subfloor by resting on the foam underlayment.

Click Together Installation

For click together installations, the flooring is similar in appearance to tongue and groove only the edges interlock. Unlike tongue and groove, when you put two pieces of click flooring together and pull them apart horizontally they will not separate. This is how click together installations stay together without glue or nails. Click together flooring is also a “floating” floor and gets installed over a foam underlayment.

Q.) Which factors determine where hardwood flooring can be installed?

A.) While the construction of the board dictates how the flooring is installed, it also determines what area of the house it can be installed in. Solid hardwood is only warranted to be installed on or above grade. Which basically means ground level or above. Engineered and click together wood flooring can be installed anywhere. This is because it can handle moisture and expanding and contracting better than solid hardwood. Thicker pieces of wood can take in more moisture, therefore, expand further than smaller pieces. If you were to install solid hardwood over a cement floor in a basement, the pieces would start to buckle because as expansion happened the individual pieces would have nowhere to move to. This is why it is especially important to follow the above guidelines for the proper places to install hardwood.

Q.) What causes the cost to vary from one hardwood to another?

A.) The cost of one particular hardwood flooring over another one varies based on species and thickness.

Species of Hardwood: The main reason there is such a large price difference between various hardwoods is determined by the species of the hardwood. One of the most common and least expensive types of hardwood is oak. Some of the more expensive hardwoods are cherry, walnut, hickory, and tiger wood.

An important note about wood species: The type of wood also determines how durable the flooring will be. This is also called the hardness of the wood. And, if you have a busy household with kids and pets, you will want to make sure your wood flooring can hold up to your lifestyle. To find out the hardness of any hardwood species look at the Janka Hardness Scale. The higher the number, the better.

Thickness: Generally speaking, the thicker the board the more expensive it is. This is because it is made of more material. Boards vary in thickness form 3/8″ to 3/4″.

An important note about thickness: If the hardwood is replacing another flooring type, it is important to measure the amount of clearance you have between the subfloor and the bottom of all interior doors in the areas hardwood will be installed. Otherwise, you may have the extra expensive of planing them to fit. It is also important to consider the height difference between the wood flooring and any other flooring that it butts against. This will make sure that you are not creating extra issues during installation. Some height difference is okay, but if it exceeds the height of the transition moldings that connect the two there will be added costs and problem solving to make it work.

Categories // Flooring Tags // engineered hardwood, hardwood flooring, Hardwood Flooring Questions, Hardwood Species, solid hardwood, subfloor, Tongue and Groove

Green Carpeting Options

07.11.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Recently I read this article on the Floor Covering News website that pretty much summed up what I’ve noticed over the last couple of years. While total carpet sales are down due to the recession, there has been an increase in percentage of overall sales of PET fiber carpeting. (PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate and is a type of polyester). PET carpet sales are gaining ground on nylon and have surpassed those of olefin (polypropylene) carpet sales. Which means green carpeting is on the rise!

Why is this? Because PET carpets are not only a great value, but also the most eco-friendly of the environmentally friendly carpet choices. PET is made of up to 100% post consumer plastic bottles. Which is why, it is commonly known as the “pop bottle carpet.”  Originally this carpet choice was thought inferior to nylon, but times are changing and so is PET carpet fibers.  Now I would rank them at 80% of nylon’s durability, but with superior stain resistance.

Green Carpeting Options

 

Another type  green flooring option that is also gaining some ground in carpet sales is the new fiber Triexta. Triexta is the carpet fiber that Mohawk uses for its SmartStrand line of carpets. This fiber is also eco-friendly as it is made from 37% corn sugar. This new type of carpet fiber is one of, if not the best carpet fiber for resisting stains and is also an all around good wearing carpet.  Triexta is definitely starting to give nylon a run for its money and I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually surpasses nylon in carpet sales.

This information should also serve as a reminder to those who are considering putting their homes on the market in the near future. Being able to list the new carpeting as eco-friendly could be a positive selling point to potential home buyers. Whether you install new carpeting with the intent to sell your home or you are just updating your space, going with green carpeting is not only eco-friendly but also a popular choice.

 

Categories // Carpet Tags // Eco-friendly carpet, green carpeting, Green Carpeting Options, Mohawk carpet, PET carpet, PET fiber carpeting, Triexta

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