Hardwood Flooring An Organic Investment

By Syrah Pompalona

There is a bounty of woods that can be utilized for hardwood flooring. They range from domestic woods such as walnut, pine, birch, rosewood, pecan, mesquite, pecan, hickory, ash or fir to imported exotics such as teak, bamboo (which is really a grass), mahogany, and Brazilian cherry (which is not really cherry but rather from the jatoba tree). Pine was the most popular wood used in Colonial America due to the abundance of forestation in North America. However, today oak is the wood most preferred for hardwood flooring and it comes two colors. White oak is the most popular and has a more conventional appearance with its grey or golden tones. Red oak is less expensive and somewhat less durable. However, its tones can be optimal for a particular room ambience. As they are both light in shade, red or white oak can give a sizable room an open and uncluttered look. Maple is the next most commonly used wood for flooring and quilted maple is the favorite as it is tan in color and has undulating darker bands throughout. ‘Fiddleback’ or flame maple has parallel stripes that alternate light to dark. Tiger or ‘birdseye’ maple is a light color infiltrated with whirls of darker ‘eyes.’ Oak and maple are terrific choices for heavily trafficked such as hallways and kitchens due to their resiliency and toughness.

American cherry is also a popular wood used for flooring as it has a fine textured grain and comes in a variety of colors from pink to burgundy. When exposed to the sun, this wood oxidizes and deepens in color. It is more suitable for areas of a home that are less trafficked as it is softer than oak or maple. Brazilian cherry has to be imported and it is less expensive than American cherry. It is one of the hardest woods in the world. Many types of wood can be combined to make variegated flooring areas with cuts are inserted into patterns such as herringbone or basket weave. Varnishes such as high or medium gloss or a flat finish can also enhance the stylishness of a room.

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Hardwood flooring is the platform upon which family life plays out. Natural wood has been used for centuries to bring elegance to a many of styles of homes. Hardwood flooring is the epitome of an elegant home around the world. It is an organic material that provides an earthy basis for many types of home decor. The moisture control surface discourages the development of fungus and bacteria as well as the accumulation of dust. Long before vinyl was developed in 1860 or wall-to-wall carpeting in the 1970s, natural wood flooring has been used in vintage homes. Despite the high initial financial outlay, it is an investment that adds to the resale value of the home. A damp mop can maintain your hardwood floors easily, and they can be sanded and re-stained to restore them. They are also an organic backdrop for area rugs and are very compatible with marble, granite, carpeted areas. Hardwood flooring is generally installed in a ‘strong joint’ or ‘tongue and groove’ manner, and he planks can be cut in different widths and laid vertically, horizontally, or angled.

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Atlanta Flooring

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Requirements To Become A Home Improvement Contractor Columbia Md

Submitted by: Ryan Paulin

Learning how to become a home improvement contractor Columbia MD can be a great opportunity. Researching all the necessary qualifications and credentials is the first step to taking advantage of this industry and further advance your career as a home improvement contractor in Columbia MD.

Requirements to Become a Home Improvement Contractor Columbia MD

A home improvement contractor is responsible for restoring, updating, and expanding existing residences. From the structure and architecture of the homes as well as the interiors – overall home improvement is within your responsibility. A great comprehension of construction, interior design, repairs, and renovating residences is crucial supplemented by a great knowledge in business administration and organization can help you further your career in this industry. Moreover, a set of permits and licenses must also be secured if you want to be a credible contractor that homeowners can trust.

Career Training

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Career training is very important in this industry. Contractors must have a set of skills and knowledge to make improving homes a success. Many people in this industry are trained and learn skills through on-site trainings or through apprenticeship. This is a great learning experience as you get to see how everything is actually done. You can apply as an intern or an apprentice to a local contractor in Columbia MD and know everything that you need to know. But if you want a more technical and theoretical approach, there are schools that offer semester-long courses that are designed to help students who want to become a home contractor prepare for the licensure exam. There are also courses that deal with the business aspect of home improvement to help students manage their business better.

License and Registration

There are a set of licenses and registration permits that you need to secure in Columia MD in order for you to start operating your business. There are a set of requirements you need to submit and business licenses are often necessary. If you are an independent business contractor, you also need to register yourself as an independent taxpayer. Passing the licensure exam set by the state to home improvement contractors is also a must before you start operating your business. In some cases, you may have to secure a license as a home improvement contractor and another license as a home improvement salesperson.

Degree and Certification

As mentioned above, the industry does not necessitate a bachelor’s degree because training and learning can be acquired through personal experience. But to build your own home improvement business requires a bachelor’s degree in construction. This degree can teach you about business management and techniques on how you can build better and improve homes.

The NARI provides offers voluntary certification for home improvement contractors who already have a minimum of 5 years working experience. There is also an exam you can take if you have below 5 years of experience. It will test your professional knowledge as well as experience in improving homes.

These set of requirements are important to accomplish if you want to advance your career as a home improvement contractor in Columbia MD.

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Materials To Look At For Inspiration For Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

byAlma Abell

The task of remodeling a kitchen is a stressful one. There are often a lot of decisions about whether a product will work with a current kitchen style. This can lead to a lot of confusion in just picking out the right pieces and putting them all together to make a beautiful kitchen. One of the big challenges is to ensure that everything works together. Often, it is important to get inspiration before you start putting all the pieces together.

One of the things to look at for inspiration for kitchen remodeling ideas is the different type of counter tops. While there are many recommendations about what type of counter tops to purchase, the best way to figure out inspiration is to see and feel the counter tops themselves. It is easier to determine the surfaces that will work for your family and the ones that won’t work.

Another thing to look at for inspiration is the cabinetry. Because cabinets are a main feature of the kitchen, it is important to get an idea of what design direction you want to go in. These will also set the tone for the rest of the kitchen. So, you want to look at different door designs, colors and styles to get the inspiration for this very large part of your kitchen.

The paint color is another thing to look at for inspiration for Kitchen Remodeling Ideas. This is one of the trickiest things to pick out. The number of paint colors and the different finishes can easily get overwhelming. While it is the easiest thing to change, it is also the hardest to pick out. That’s why it is important to test out different samples to figure out the best color for the kitchen. But there is inspiration to be found in the right color choice.

These are some of the things to look at for inspiration. While it is important that they all work together, the most important thing is that you are happy with your kitchen. Talk to Guedes Construction Inc. for more information about remodeling ideas and how to get inspiration for a kitchen you will love.