Why Do You Need It?

Quick Steps For Installing Backer Board From The Video

1. Mix up your thin set mortar, should look like peanut butter when your done.
2. Using a trowel, spread enough thin set to work with one board at a time on the subfloor.
3. Lay the board in place on the bed of mortar. Leave a 1/8" gap between boards (you can use a 16 penny nail between boards).
4. Repeat steps one through three above until the floor is covered. Just make sure that you overlap the seams of the boards so they don't line up with each other.
5. After the boards are set, screw them down making sure to use a counter-sinking screw so the heads are flush on the board.
6. Tape and mortar the seams.

Additional Tips and Safety Information

Using Vinyl Tiles

Use Sheets For Seamless Floors

• Standard - probably the most commonly seen vinyl as it is what it is, it's standard. It's the least expensive vinyl material you can buy and the color and patterns are only skin deep.
• Inlaid Tile - This is the one you need for the more active types of environments like these and bathrooms. The color and designs on these go all the way through to the backing. This is a really good thing actually in that even if a little bit gets worn away, you won't be able to really tell because the color goes all the way through.
• Commercial Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) - These are the ones that you typically see in more commercial and institutional type applications. These tiles are first formed through heating and compression and then cut into their 12 inch squares.

Caring for Your New Vinyl Floor

After all, you want a floor that’s both unique and still beautiful but is durable enough to hold up. Solid wood floors are certainly beautiful, but really getting to be more of a commonplace (or at least the look) in homes across the country and they really aren’t an ideal solution for this area. Carpet would definitely be something different, but not really suited for the environment. Tiles, although useful, might end up looking just like all the other homes in your neighborhood. Slate flooring, on the other hand, could give your space the visual appeal and a durability you are after all wrapped up in a custom, unique kitchen floor that would make your neighbors green with envy.

Building a Unique Slate Floor

Slate flooring can be found in every color along the color wheel from white to black, and everything in between. In fact, it comes in so many colors there’s virtually no end to what you can do with it when designing your new space. Going for a more bold and striking look? Use black slate tiles to make your decor pop! Maybe you’d rather have a more contemporary, modernistic type approach? White slate tiles may just be what your after then. The good thing about it is that if you don’t want to completely overhaul your entire cooking area, you can get a slate kitchen floor to match just about any of your current decor from countertops to major appliances. You can even get creative by mixing and matching several different colors to make a floor that’s truly unique to you.

Color, though, is just one of the great attributes of using slate. You can also get slate floors in all kinds of shapes and sizes. For a really unique look, you could think about building a “Tetris” looking floor out of squares and rectangles of different shades. Simply piecing them together like a puzzle to cover you entire space would look fabulous. Want a more relaxed and playful atmosphere? What about an old Italian or Country appeal using irregular shaped slate tiles pieced together to make a wonderfully designed floor.

The Benefits Of Slate Floors:

• Durability – These floors are tough and pretty much waterproof, so you don’t really have to worry about water spilling onto it and warping it or anything like that.
• Slip Resistant – Slate is a naturally slip resistant. So if you do spill something on it you don’t really have to worry about falling to the floor if you step in it.
• Stain Resistance – Although not naturally stain resistant, it does take to being sealed quite well. And once they are sealed you don’t have to worry about that spilled glass of red wine completely ruining your floor.
• Very Little Maintenance – After installed and sealed, you won’t get a headache about thinking and keeping track of all the times you need to clean it. When they look dirty, all you have to do is quickly sweep it and wet mop it and all it’s beauty will shine through again.

The Sleek Look of a Slate Floor

One of the main things that you’ll hear from people who have slate floors is just how much it compliments the surrounding decor. It’s just so versatile that it will actually fit well with almost any decor that you can put with it. So if you really just want to replace the floor and not the countertops or cabinets, you may have just found the solution.

Caring For Your New Slate Flooring

Even though your new slate floor may look extremely expensive, they really are very easy to maintain. From time to time, all you really need to do is just sweep it clean and mop it dry for it to maintain it’s shiny glow. However, just a couple times a year you will need to reseal the slate to protect it and help it keep it’s new floor shine. Don’t worry, sounds hard but it’s not any harder than mopping the floor. If you want to see what it would take to seal a slate floor, just click here.

Yes, a new slate floor can be a little expensive. But what you get for your money is a “real” floor. This isn’t a fake or faux type of floor. It’s real, it’s all natural, and like most any other all natural flooring material, there is a price tag that goes with it. The good thing is though it’s not one of the most expensive types of material that can be used in your home like a marble or granite floor could be. If you factor in that most floors last for decades, averaging it all out it’s really not that big of an investment. You can do it yourself but will likely be much more pleased with a professional installation as it can be tricky in certain scenario’s. All this said, new slate flooring is certainly a stunning an unique option you can have in your kitchen in no time.

Laminate Flooring in a kitchen may not seem like the obvious choice. Plus, you have to be careful as well as some of the cheaper material can have problems where the boards don’t secure tightly together which then cause them to swell and split if water gets in. There is also a misconception that with this product that you can only get something that looks like wood, which might not be something that you would like to have in this area. Fortunately, that is a misconception as laminates come in all kinds of designs as well as shapes.

However, if you buy good quality laminate and get it installed by a professional installer, you will be able to avoid problems like if it happens to get water spilled on it. You can now get laminate flooring that is specifically designed for kitchens, and will be waterproof as long as you look after it properly. A more expensive laminate will also tend to have much thicker wear layers.

With laminate flooring, you can get a wide variety of designs. So if you want your floors to look like it has been tiled but don’t really like the idea of having cold, hard tiles (which by the way is not a good idea if you have young toddlers as they can easily slip and bang their head on a very hard floor), then you can get a laminate in a tiled pattern. There are lots of other designs you can choose from as well. You can pick from a wide variety of wood designs as well as various patterns in different colors. There is no reason to think that you can’t get something that will match your decor.

The reason a lot of people choose laminate is that it is so easy to keep clean. This is particularly important in this area as it’s likely that you spill more on a floor here than any other room in the house. If you spill food or drinks on carpets it is difficult to get it out, and it can stain, but on laminate you can simply wipe up with a cloth. You can buy easy floor cleaners for your laminate floor. Similar to a mop but with disposable floor wipes attached so that you can wipe the floor over and throw away the wipe. So no more vaccuming and mopping the floor, you can simply wipe over every day to keep it sparklingly clean and fresh. The wipes also have antibacterial qualities so there is no need to ever have to bleach or disinfect the floor again. Using bleach on laminate is a no-no anyways.

If your space also happens to include your dining table, then this type of floor can really make a difference. It looks really smart and can match any decoration you have in the dining area. Sometimes with other types of floors it doesn’t work really well with the dining part is also included as it may just be to cold, or the pattern isn’t appropriate to match with your dining furniture. This isn’t true of laminate, otherwise why would people use it on the floors throughout their homes!

Which brings us to another point. If you want to use the same type of floor material throughout your house so that there is a sense of consistency in every room, then laminate is ideal. It not only works well here, but in all other rooms of your home as well. It doesn’t get too cold like tiles, and you can easily put a rug on it to make your living areas and bedrooms more cosy. In the hallways and bathrooms it is ideal as it is easy to clean, looks good and easy to match up with furniture and décor. If you wanted to use a carpet throughout your house this wouldn’t be practical in the kitchen as it’s just not a good material to have in this space, so laminate is a much better option.

So you can see that using laminate in this space has advantages of not being too cold or hard, having patterns to match any décor, hard wearing, easy to clean and looks beautiful. You can also use it throughout the house to keep a consistent feel.

Allure Is Both Durable and Strong

We know that most of the homeowners want to keep their floor dry in these areas because most of them are not durable enough to resist moisture. The good thing about using Allure is that it can endure moisture and flooding which tends to be one of the biggest worries a homeowner has. We also know the fact that this area is very prone to water damage caused from leaking sinks and other liquids that can be spilled on the floor like juices, condiments and whatever other kind of refreshment you may have there. So, using Allure here will guarantee you strong and durable flooring as it’s manufactured to protect against that. Plus, another great quality of this product is that scratches are also very few and unnoticeable.

Elegant and Easy To Maintain Allure Floors

The kitchen floor is a huge and important design statement in your home. Allure being made of a vinyl material is perhaps the most popular type of material to use in this area. One of the reasons why a lot of people use Allure here is that it is very easy to maintain and keep nice and clean. In short, your time will not be constantly consumed by having to continuously clean it. At the same time, the overall finish of the product ranks up their with the best of them. The vibrant colours and embossing look of the Allure adds to the finish and class of the flooring. It’s one of those floors that just really feels like it’s natural.

But is it expensive?

Allure can be purchased for a very low and affordable price per square feet making it a great option for homeowners and their kitchens. Compared to installing hardwood, if you check the prices there you’ll find that you got of rather cheap. These other types of floors like solid wood or stone which are more expensive can also come with several issues like not being moisture resistant or exuding an unusual odor. With Allure though, you will not experience any of these issues.

So what are you waiting for? Knowing what you know now you could easily make the decision to install TrafficMaster Allure as your floor of choice. It’s both durable and pretty while installation is very easy and can be done in virtually no time at all. The isntallation will not be exhausting like it can be for ceramics and you don’t have to wait for things to dry before you move to the next step. Before you install it though, be sure that you place the boxes of Allure in the area where they are to be installed. This is actually a really important step because the material will need to adjust to the rooms temperature to avoid any problems with expansion and contraction. Also, before you lay down that first plank, make sure that the floor is clean and straight. If your area has an odd shape like it is round or oval in places, it will make the installation a little more tricky.Whatever you do, do not install it over an area that has bumps or protrusions. They will show through the finished product eventually. So, just be sure that you will install it in a smooth surface.

When installing, you don’t need to use a glue, screw or even nails. This is one of the better features of this style that I’m in love with. The planks actually have built in strips of glue that joins with the adjoining plank. It is strongly recommended to roll the the seams after the installation. This will help the planks seal and adhere together better. If you do not have a roller, you can just walk on the seams as well but a roller would be best. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for a long time. The cohesiveness on the grip strip needs heat to enable the glue to make it work and stick. It will not work if you are in a colder temperature. Protect your furniture by installing floor protection felt pads to avoid scratching and scuffing.

Lastly, you should not wax the floor because this will cause build-up of dirt and yellowish discoloration over time. That’s it. Just follow these instructions and you should take note of the several reminders that we have given you. By implementing all the tips here, this flooring will give you more than a decade of elegance in your kitchens.

Ceramics have actually been used for a multitude of different purposes from vases to dinnerware to tools, and yes, one of those uses is actually as a floor. Through the years, people and manufacturers have been able to add to the manufacturing process of it to make them in a multitude of shapes and sizes with wonderful designs and colors. Now you are able to have a kitchen bursting with color from your new tiles. Add to it that it’s super easy to clean and you may have just found your solution for a new floor.

For kitchens specifically, this type of material makes for an ideal choice. But since most kitchens are now zones of major activity that doesn’t always involve cooking, why would you want ceramic tile? Well, first you have to go back to how the tile is actually made. First it’s formed from clay and then fired at a very high heat to cure. This firing process makes the clay hard and strong. Next, a glaze solution is then applied and baked on which adds to the tiles strength making it much less brittle and much more stable. This stability and resistance to moisture is what makes tile so durable as a floor and that is exactly the kind of durability that you would want it in your kitchen.

Creating A Beautiful Custom Ceramic Floor
Ceramic tiles are fashioned in a wide range of sizes, shapes and colors. This makes it super easy to create a custom floor out of the designs and patterns so that it is unique to you. All you have to do is use that creativity to find the perfect blend by mixing and matching the many different colors, shapes and sizes of ceramic tile. Before long, you’ll have a custom ceramic kitchen floor that you’ll be proud of. One design tip for using ceramic tiles, try and mix and match different shaped tiles to add both depth and texture to your new floor.

Ceramic tiles are often waterproof!
What this means to you is that when someone spills something, it won’t ruin your beautiful ceramic floor. Add to it that most ceramics are both fire and stain resistant and you’ve got a perfect combination for appropriate kitchen use. Throw in the fact that they are easy to maintain and keep clean and you’ve got yourself a bonus! Ceramic tiles will not require your attention the same way a wood floor would. All you really have to do to properly maintain them is just regular sweeping and mopping and they will stay as is, just as beautiful as the day you installed them.

Ceramic Tile Flooring Is An Investment!
You have to think of ceramic tiles as an investment, something like a 401k. They will likely last you a lifetime as they are so durable so be sure you make the proper choices in designs and colors. Don’t go so extreme on the colors that you are going to want to rip it out in five or so years because you are no longer in love with that deep purple! The initial investment in purchasing them and having them professionally installed will last forever so choose wisely.

As a floor covering, tile continues to grow in popularity year after year and for good reason. It’s natural, handcrafted look provides the appeal of a custom floor and is super easy to care for. Plus being able to work in high traffic areas and not lose it’s shine due to it’s durability makes it especially well suited for an area of the house like this. You can custom create your own design using the virtually limitless combinations of size, color and textures. It’s pretty easy to find a tile you like, you just need to make sure it’s the right one for you and rated for use in this area.

Can I Install It Myself?
On an overall project scale, it really just depends on the area that you are planning to do and the style of tiles you are planning to install. If you are going with straight forward 12×12 inch or 24×24 inch square tiles than it should be fairly easy to do. But if you are looking at more intricate patterns with varying sized squares going into an oddly shaped room, it can be a bit challenging to get it all to look right. But if you are comfortable with piecing everything together and making the appropriate cuts, then you should be confident enough to tackle the job. Remember, tiles are installed with a mortar and have to be followed up with a grouting application so it will take some time.

The biggest problem with installing tiles yourself is that there will likely need to be some fairly precise cuts made to get them all in place, especially along walls and corners and sometimes these can prove difficult.

Ceramic tiles are something that you don’t really have to worry about damaging and will literally last a long, long time. So if you are looking for a durable, long-lasting, beautiful floor, then you want to go with ceramic tile as they’ll add to the longevity of your purchase and be able to stand proud in this area.

The floor itself doesn’t have to be an elaborate extension of your personalized space. It can be something as simple as a good quality vinyl or linoleum. Or, it can be something as classy as marbled stone or decorative ceramic tiles. It can even be something as beautiful as solid hardwood flooring. The key is to find something that you love and fits your overall budget.

Choosing a floor that suits your needs can often involve you spending a little time researching all the options you have available. Remember, you are looking for something that fits both your style and budget. Take your time and look around. Find out what you like and what you don’t like. The easiest way to do that is to actually go into your local stores and get the products in front of you. You can look online all day long and kind of narrow down your choices, but until you can actually see it and touch it, I wouldn’t recommend jumping to further conclusions until you have.

When you go, get to know what one type of floor covering advantages are versus another type. If you do this, you’ll learn what the advantages, and disadvantages of each type of material presents and will be able to relate that to finding the best flooring for your needs.

How do you actually choose what style is right though for both you, your family and your home? I wish it was as easy as saying look at that, this natural stone tile is the best, but it’s just not that easy. And it will likely never be as there are simply too many different situations and too many different options available to choose from. From the wide range of flooring materials, to the various manufacturers and who puts more quality into their product, it can get a little overwhelming if you are in a rush. Take your time, do your homework, and you’ll end up making the best decision for both you and your budget.

One of the things you need to be honest with yourself on is how much time do you actually spend in your kitchen? You may be surprised by your answer. Track it for a little while and just see how many times you are in that space and how many times you are actually in their working. What you’ll find is that they aren’t just for cooking anymore. You’re there, the kids are there, your husbands there, and everyone is doing something different at different times of the day. It may just be having a casual phone conversation. The kids may be doing their homework at the table. You might even find yourself just standing around having a casual conversation with someone. People, nowadays, just congregate more and more in this area to a point where it’s becoming more like the family room instead of a place just where meals are prepared. Knowing this will let you know if you need a more durable floor that will be easy to clean and inviting to all who enter it.

Speaking of durability, there’s simply a ton of reasons why you need to have durable floors. For one, there’s always a lot of heavy traffic that comes from all the different people going in and out and grabbing a quick bite to eat or simply pass through or whatever other reason they may be there. Just think for a minute about how many times you’ve dropped something like a pan or a plate and watched it fall to the floor. Remember the last time someone spilled milk, or tipped over a glass of water? You want your floor to hold up and retain it’s beauty for as long as possible so you need it to be durable.

With all the time that you spend there, you don’t want to spend even more time in their cleaning the floor! So another big factor in buying the best kitchen flooring should be that it’s easy to clean and maintain. You don’t want to have to worry about spilled grape juice staining your new floor, so make sure that it’s stain proof. You don’t want to have to worry if your sink springs a leak and the water makes your floor warp and crack so make sure it’s waterproof. Having floors that you don’t have to worry about and are able to quickly and easily clean with a mop and broom could be a priority if you have a busy and active home.

Take your time and legitimately research your options. Find out what makes them good. Realize what makes them a bad choice for you. If you fit the proper flooring with your family’s lifestyle, you will ultimately get the best kitchen floor for your situation! Knowing this will give you the confidence in your decision and leave you satisfied for years to come with your choice.

It’s easy to clean. It looks good. It’s simple to install. But what you’ll find though is that there is a crowd of people that will tell you that laminate floors are not a good solution for either bathrooms or kitchens due to the potential for water damage. But I’m hear to tell you it’s much less of a problem here than the bathroom and perfectly safe if you follow some simple rules to care for your new floor.

Laminate kitchen flooring will allow you to remodel your floors both quickly and easily. You can get laminate in a multitude of styles and colors including: bamboo, cork, oak, cherry, ash, walnut, slate, stone, marble, tile, brick, and so much more. They even come in the wide plank variety that will produce a much different, thicker looking floor. However, if you think that planks are the only styles of laminates you can get, then you’ve got another thing coming. They also come in popular tile sizes as well. It’s versatile. It’s beautiful. It’s durable. If this is something that you want to match the rest of your home, it’s certainly possible.

Traditional laminate usually comes in strip plank flooring and built out of several combined layers. The outer layer that’s visible is typically a clear coating that covers the laminates design and protects it from the elements. The next layer is the design layer that, for laminates, is nothing more than a quality high definition picture of the flooring material that it mimic’s. They come in all different shades and styles ranging from wood to tile to stone. The next layer is what provides the strength of the material at it’s core. The core is usually made from a type of particle board. One thing to note, a thicker core means a more stable board. It’s pertinent to understand that some brands of laminate flooring will have a core layer that has been treated to be water resistant. This core is also where the planks will lock together. On some of these locking joints, some manufacturer’s have started to include wax to also help keep the water out from penetrating down to the core. Some laminates will have another layer added as well, a padded backing for some additional strength and moisture protection from underneath.

The only really tough decision you have to make for this flooring is a matter of preference, what color and style do you want. Just understand that the one that you choose will be a focal point to the rest of the design elements and appliances you may already have if you are not replacing those items as well. Pick one that you truly like and can live with for a while, not because it’s cheaper than another one. It should be neutral enough to change as your tastes and styles change, but explosive enough to stand out for years to come.

While there are those that question a laminates here, it does make a wonderful floor. This covering is durable enough to withstand the daily grind and wear and tear that most all residential kitchens can dish out. It is both stain resistant and water resistant (to certain measures) which makes them easy to maintain. All you have to do for them really is sweep up the dust ever so often and once in a while a quick damp mop with a laminate floor cleaner.

The ease of maintenance is certainly one reason why laminates are becoming so popular throughout homes these days and especially in kitchens. But another is because of how easy they are to install. You don’t need a professional for most occasions and can do them yourself. laminate flooring comes in two distinct styles: those that lock together and those that glue together. The snapping system, or click and lock method, are actually super easy to install, all you really need to be able to do is make the cuts for the sides, ends and corners.

The other really cool installation feature is that both of these kinds of laminates can be installed directly over many of your existing floors and concrete, with the exception of carpet. Currently got vinyl floors? No problem, you can put the laminate right over it. Just check the warranty and manufacturers recommendations for the specific type of laminate flooring that you purchase if you have other questions.

Picking laminate kitchen flooring to cover your existing floor is a wise decision. Most kitchens these days see quite a bit of foot traffic and laminate is strong enough and durable enough to last through the wear and tear that your family may dole out through the years. If you want a wood floor in your kitchen but don’t want to pay the expensive price tag of getting one, then you really should look in to laminate for the kitchen.