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The Citizen, 2005-10-20, Page 21Finding the flooring that’s right for you Flooring choices should be dictated by the usage and traffic levels of each of your rooms. Not all flooring materials are appropriate. To make sure your flooring is durable and fits the look of your room, consider some of these best flooring options for the rooms throughout your home: 1. Bathrooms: The main factor to consider with bathrooms is the abundance of water and moisture. Flooring options: Vinyl flooring has always been a popular choice. It is versatile, comes in many patterns and colours, and is relatively easy to install. Plus, it offers quick cleanup. Ceramic tile is also another option. 2. Kitchens: Likely the busiest room in your home; you'll need to factor in the high-traffic level of (his room when deciding on flooring. Flooring options: Once again, vinyl is a good choice. It will be more durable when faced with a dropped glass or dish, or the nails of the family pooch. Some patterns will even mask the appearance of dirt. Tile, laminate and wood are other alternatives. 3. Living rooms: You’ll want flooring that will complement your design scheme and colour palette. Flooring options: Carpeting is one of the most versatile products for this area of the home. Choose a fibre and type that can accommodate your decorating style and the activity level of the room. Plush, light­ coloured piles may be inappropriate for this high-traffic room, but a more durable berber or polyester blend may be just right. Hardwood floors are attractive and sturdy options that collect less dust and debris than carpeting. 4. Dining rooms: Wear-resistant and stain-resistant flooring is a must if you use your dining room frequently for eating meals. Flooring options: Hardwood, laminate or tile are your best bets for dining room floors instead of carpeting, which could show stains from dropped foods and spilled drinks. 5. Stairs and hallways: These areas of the home will also see their share of foot traffic, and flooring will, once again, need to be durable. Flooring options: Parquet flooring, ceramic tile and hard stone materials like marble or granite arc options for hallways or entryways. Just be sure the product is slip-resistant for when the weather is rainy or snowy. Stairs can be wood or laminate. Consider adding non-slip pads to the surface of stairs as an added precaution. 6. Bedrooms: In most cases, the furnishings and other decor will overshadow the flooring. Flooring options: For soundproofing as well as a plush feel under your toes, carpeting can’t be beat. It will be durable and long- lasting, considering bedrooms usually aren’t high-traffic areas. Hardwood paired with area rugs is another option, or even a laminate that mimics the look of wood. SAVE UP TO 30% ON YOUR GAS BILL Deciding on kitchen countertops Kitchen countertops hold a big responsibility: They set the tone of a room, must be durable and stain resistant, and should look nice. Deciding on the right countertop for your kitchen depends on the level of use and the style you prefer. But with so many on the market, how do you distinguish among them all? This primer will put you in the know and make you the queen of the kitchen. GRANITE Pros: durable and tough; comes in any size; classy looking; sealed ones are very scratch and stain resistant. Cons-, shows water spots and other spots easily; expensive; should be installed by a contractor; requires cabinets to be reinforced to support the weight of the granite. CONCRETE Pros, can be coloured or textured; conversation piece; sealed tops resist stains, burns and scratches. Cons: requires cabinets to be reinforced because of heaviness; time-consuming to clean; requires professional installation. NATURAL QUARTZ Pros: smooth; durable; requires little or no maintenance; deep and consistent colours; resists heat, scratching, bacteria and stains. Cons: expensive; large or odd sizes have visible seams. STONE Pros: smooth; durable; heat- and water-resistant; rich visual textures; good prep work surface. Cons: expensive; large or odd sizes have visible seams. CERAMIC Pros: durable; heat resistant; easy to install; many colours and designs available; glazes fight off scratches, moisture, heat and stains. Cons: can.crack or chip; grout may be hard to clean and attracts stains or mildew. SOLID Pros: smooth; durable; no visible seams; heat and water resistant; scratches can be sanded out; many colors and patterns; easy to clean; easy to repair. Cons: may be expensive; requires professional installation; can be damaged by hot pans. PLASTIC Pros: durable; inexpensive; easy to install yourself; many colour and style options. Cons: won't tolerate direct heat; thin surface colour can fade; noticeable seams and edges. with a York High Efficiency Gas Furnace Rebates end November 30, 2005 ENERGY CENTRE 262 Bayfield Rd., Clinton 482-7062 Create elotliing-friendly basement (MS) With closets on the main living floors of the house packed to capacity, the search for more storage space often leads to the basement, where there are large expanses just waiting to be filled. But even relatively dry basements can be chilly and damp, leaving clothing, sporting goods and other valued possessions vulnerable to damage from mold, mildew and insects. Textile specialists recommend that clothing be stored in an environment where temperatures and humidity levels are most like those of the main floor living spaces. Yet, construction pros suggest that it’s possible to create a clothing­ friendly storage closet in a basement with intelligent planning and careful selection of building materials. Here are some expert tips: Address dampness issues as the first step in a basement renovation project so that flooding, mold or musty odours won’t ruin your investment or your clothing. Get a qualified professional to identify the source of any water problems, including seasonal seepage, and prescribe a fix. Install a sump pump, use a dehumidifier, and install proper ventilation for adequate air exchange. The foundation of your closet should be a subfloor that will provide insulating value and keep closet contents away from the cold, damp concrete. Think cedar. Along with the trend toward elaborate closet organization systems and other creature comforts, aromatic cedar is once again becoming a popular option for closet interiors. A century ago, great­ grandma knew that cedar offered excellent protection against the moths that chewed holes in the family's best woolens. There are ample reasons to explain cedar’s renewed popularity — a desire to protect an investment in fine clothing, an increasing use of natural fabrics such as wool and silk, and a preference for using natural substances to repel pests instead of more toxic and foul-smelling chemical options. For a closet being built in an otherwise unfinished basement, begin by installing a sheet of good quality moisture barrier against the masonry walls. Then frame in the space with studs and use 3/4-inch thick tongue- and-groove aromatic cedar planks for the walls. Only eastern red cedar has the distinctive aroma that is so appealing to humans while repelling bugs. For basements with finished walls, install cedar on top of drywall. Seal the closet tightly with an exterior door that has weatherstripping. A cedar closet’s effectiveness depends on a tight seal that allows the cedar aroma to build up to levels that are inhospitable to bugss Finally, make your closet as big as you can because you’ll always fill it up. budding centres Whether renovating or starting new see us for all your building needs Bruce Hardwood flooring Laminate flooring Carpet & Linoleum MDL exterior doors Saunders interior doors PITTSBURGH" z PAINTS Plumbing • Electrical • Hardware • Tools "Your building and hardware store" Blyth Building Supplies Ltd. Blyth 523-9305 UYORK It's time to get comfortable. It's getting cooler outside. Are you ready to cozy up inside? Cal! today to learn how you can create a cleaner, more comfortable home with the purchase of products from Lennox* such as: • G61MPV Variable Speed Gas Furnace for the ultimate in quiet and efficient comfort. • The SignatureStaF Heme Comfort Control for precision temperature and humidity conti ol. • The I’ureAir™ Air Purification System to clean and refresh the air in your home. • HEPA Filtration System for removal of airborne allergens and irritants. _______ # www.comfortcentre.com MONTGOMERYS; -----(comfort ckhtrje Ltd.)-— Wingham and Port Elgin 1-888-357-4301 I I I Receive up to a $1,200 Instant Discount •with installation of a home air monitonng device and with purchase of qualifying Lennox* products* ir l> With purchase of select Lennox products Ollers Call Today!I expire 11/30/2005 I LENNOX © 7005 \jtma Motion M leora dealers tocMr MtpcnOennj otmta operated busineises One after available per qaalrtyrnf pwchase •ImlaM Orwoanf n with purchase at Quahfymf lennca pradnd after mslaHahan at home a« aualMr mood>