Linoleum flooring was invented in the mid-1850s. It all began when an Englishman noticed that a rubbery skin, comprised of solidified linseed oil, had formed on a can of oil-based paint. Not long afterwards, manufacturing began. Linoleum flooring is made from natural materials . This includes: solidified linseed oil (extracted from flax plant seeds), ground up cork and/or wood, pine rosin, … [Read more...]
Flooring: Bamboo
While bamboo has been used for countless products and projects for thousands of years, bamboo flooring only made its debut in the early 1990s. Bamboo flooring is typically made out of moso bamboo. Bamboo, which is part of the grass family, grows and matures a lot faster than trees. Moso bamboo is harvestable in 3-7 years. In the first year, the moso bamboo stalks can grown 40-80 feet high. In … [Read more...]
Flooring: Wood
Hardwood flooring got its start in the 1600s as unfinished planks. Wood floors were not mass produced until the mid-1800s. In the early 1900s, the introduction of tongue-and-groove construction allowed for the leveling of planks before installation. Wood flooring comes in either solid or engineered form. Solid wood is exactly what it sounds like – a solid board or plank. Engineered wood … [Read more...]
Flooring: Laminate
Compared to other types of flooring, laminate is relatively new to the market. Laminate flooring was invented in Sweden in the late 1970s. The first modern laminate, Pergo, was invented by Perstorp AB Holdings. It is still a popular laminate choice today. Laminate is a photographic reproduction of another type of material (usually wood, stone, or tile). Then a clear coating is applied. This … [Read more...]
Flooring: Tile
Tile flooring and wall coverings can be traced back thousands of years. It is one of the oldest forms of decorative art. Tile flooring is closely linked to the development of pottery, which originated in China. Furthermore, historians believe that Ancient Egyptians developed kiln firing. Tile is made out of a mixture of clay and shale that is baked in a kiln. Pigments are added to the … [Read more...]
Tile Installation Patterns
No matter what material the tile is made out of, square and/or rectangular tiles can be applied in various different patterns. A contrasting grout color can make the tile installation patterns stand out even more. Tile can be installed on the floor, the wall as backsplash, and used to create a custom tile shower. Square-Set or Grid Pattern In a square-set or grid pattern, tiles are … [Read more...]
Gardening Basics in Lancaster, PA- Get the Most Out of Your Newfound Green Thumb
Gardening. You’d think it’s simply just picking flowers out, sticking them randomly around the flowerbed, and throwing down plenty of mulch. The art of making a beautiful garden takes a lot of planning. Budgeting Before running off to your local nursery and buying every flower that catches your eye, make a budget. Plan out exactly how much you're willing to spend on your garden. It's also a good … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Surviving a Remodel
Best advice for surviving a remodel is to keep calm, be flexible, and try to carry on as much as possible with your normal routine! When you remodel, you’re investing a lot into creating a beautiful and functional space. Bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels can be especially stressful as these are everyday necessity rooms and directly affect everyday life. It is possible though to survive the … [Read more...]