Hard Window Treatments

A home with a great view is a big selling point for homeowners. If you have a great view or want the maximum amount of natural light possible, hard window treatments allow the most flexibility.

Hard Window Treatments

• natural woven shade slats are constructed primarily of grasses, raffia, bamboo or jute, woven shades can be combined with a soft window treatment or they can stand alone. They softly filter the light and provide a warm warm feeling to the room.

• horizontal blinds are available in varying slat widths to fit most windows. The latest trend in build widh is the easy-to-operate 2” blind that gives the appearance of plantation shutters. They can be constructed of wood, aluminum, vinyl, or other synthetic meterials made to look like stained or painted wood.

• vertical blinds are a good choice for sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds offer the ability to reveal all the glass with the stack back completely off the window. The blinds can also be rotated to control light and maintain in aluminum, vinyl, or fabric to coordinate, with your room.

• shutter provide a crisp, architectural appearance that can enhance the room’s moulding while providing excellent light control. The 2” louver, also referred to as a “plantation” shutter, is the most trendy.

• pleated, roller or cellular shades are simple to raise and lower. Shades look elegant when down and practically disappear when raised. They can easily be combined with soft window treatments for a classy appearance.

All of the hardware for hard window treatments is included in the package along with specific hanging instruction.

Insulation

If drafty windows are a problem, Roman and cellular shades are available with insulating liners to keep cold and heat out, potentially available is window wallpaper. The wallpaper clings directly to your glass window. The covering has a translucent finish that provides privacy and provides summer and winter insulation to also help reduce your utility bill.

 Before Purchasing

Before purchasing window treatments, measure each window with a steel measuring tape. Do not assume that all of the windows are the same size. Remember, covering more of the window space is better than not covering enough. There are a lot of choices involved in selecting the window treatments best suited for your room. The main thing to keep in mind is what you ultimately want from new window treatments.

Adhesive Vinyl Floor Tiles

Ready for a new look in your kitchen or bathroom? Or perhaps your flooring is just starting to seem worn out? Adhesive vinyl Floor tiles are a good option, giving you versatility for a reasonable cost. Here we will look at what you need to know about adhesive vinyl Floor tiles and how to get the most for your money.

Planning the project

Laying adhesive vinyl Floor tiles is a project of moderate difficulty, requiring a certain amount of patience and precision. To make your selection for a design or style, you can either take a trip through your phone book to check out local flooring outlets, or you can go online. Many companies do not charge shipping.

Costs for adhesive vinyl Floor tiles range from around $45 a box, or about 75 cents to $3 a square foot. You can achieve the look of ceramic tiles, wood or stone with adhesive viny! Floor tiles.

Sizing

You will need to know the square footage of the room in which you plan to lay adhesive viny! Floor tiles. Tiles are 12” by 12” and come in varying thicknesses. Don’t go for the very thin tiles, as they will wear out quickly.

Once you know the square footage of the room. You can estimate the cost and number of tiles needed. It’s good idea to purchase a few extra tiles in case of mistakes. For example, if you have an 8’ by 10’ room (80 square feet), buy 90 tiles. Then you gave 10 extra tiles to work with.

The tools

 You will need the following tools to set your adhesive viny! Floor tiles:

•  Measuring tape

•  Utility knife or tile cutter (you can rent tile cutters)

•  Chalk line

•  Tile roller ( also can be rented-some people use a large rolling pin)

Important tips

I can’t emphasize enough that the floor surface (linoleum, plywood, cement, etc.) must be clean and free of holes, cracks, dips or any other damage. Sand, dirt and grit will inhibit the bonding process, as will old adhesives or a glossy surface. Make sure your surfaces are dry before laying down adhesive viny! Floor tiles.

Leave the in your home for 24 to 48 hours to allow them to adjust to the temperature. You will need to pry off any molding and replace it after you lay the tiles. Sun can damage or bleach tiles, so you may need a throw rug here or there once the tiles are laid. Don’t take the paper off of the tiles and begin laying them until you are absolutely sure of your .

Measuring

Separate the room into quadrants. Using a chalk line, find the center of the room and lay two sharp cross lines. Find the center of the room by measuring the center of each wa;; and snapping the chalk line between opposing walls. Vents, door jambs or fixtures such as tubs will require careful measurements. You will likely need to trim some tiles with a utility knife.

Laying adhesive vinyl Floor tiles

The first tiles you lay is the most important. If that is off, the rest will be off too. Work in quadrants. If you are nervous, lay the tile with the paper backing on first. This may be more time consuming, but you’ll get a better visual which will help you feel more confident. You will likely have to cut tiles to fit the edges of the room and around spots such as vents. A tile cutter will make the job easier and more precise.

Once you have laid the adhesive vinyl Floor tiles, roll over them with a heavy tile roller (or rolling pin) to help the adhesive bond.

Lastly, don’t wash the floor for a few days to allow the adhesive to cure.