All posts in The Basics (7)
A patterned floor gives a room more visual interest than a wide expanse of uniform color. But if the pattern repeats too obviously, the effect quickly becomes cluttered and unprofessional. The wider the variety in the floor’s pattern, the better the overall look. Here’s what you need to know to . . . Read more
Here’s a guide to what you should do prior to laying your flooring.
When shopping for flooring materials, do you ever consider their R-value? Most people think of a building’s insulation and thermal conductivity in terms of its walls, roof, windows, and doors. However, your home’s floors also impact heat loss and gain. If you want to lower your energy bills and keep . . . Read more
The Lacey Act, authored by Congressman John F. Lacey and first enacted in 1900, is the oldest wildlife protection statute on U.S. books. It was originally designed to combat trafficking in illegal wildlife, fish and some plants. The 2008 amendment to the Lacey Act expanded the scope of protection to . . . Read more
When it comes to flooring, the more muffled the sound, the better, especially in a multi-story building, house, apartment, or condominium. Fortunately, there are several good flooring choices with effective dampening properties to reduce sound transmission. Sound is transmitted when hard objects, like hard-soled shoes, furniture, dropped objects, or even . . . Read more
Formaldehyde in Your Home Formaldehyde is a compound chemical made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that is found literally everywhere, since it occurs naturally and is synthesized for industrial use in everyday products. The list of household and personal care products that contain small amounts of formaldehyde is endless, . . . Read more
We hear a lot of buzz about sustainability and eco-friendly products, but what does it really mean? To take an in-depth look at “green”, there are a lot of factors to consider, from impact on the global environment to the potential effect on you and your family. We also have . . . Read more