Thursday 24 March 2016

Benefits of Using Sisal Carpet For Your Living Space


Sisal carpets add more elegance and a sense of refinement to any given space. Here’s why you should be including it in your home or office as well.

Sisal is also referred to as Sisal hemp, as from centuries in a row, hemp has remained as a chief resource for fiber for the making of floor coverings and carpets. 

How would you like to know a little more about the world of sisal and why the contemporary lot is looking for smarter ways of bringing it goodness home?

A small peep into the world of sisal


Traditionally, sisal is used for the making of twine and rope. It is also used for the manufacturing of cloth, paper, wall coverings, dartboards, and carpets. For almost one-fourth of a century, sisal also stands tall as a rich quality floor covering. Sisal rugs are made of natural plant fibers and are woven out of the same. 

In general, this useful, organic fiber has properties like resilience and durability, just like coir, jute, and hemp rugs that many artificial materials fail to provide. 

The production of Sisal fiber is undertaken from a cactus plant known by the name of Agave Sisalana that grows in Brazil and Africa. This cactus plant thrives in arid deserts and needs little or no water for its sustenance. This particular type of cactus plant is farmed for its tensile fibers that are used for making twine and ropes. 

The fibrous stalks of this plant are first cut and then dried; a post which the dried parts are treated in order to produce tan-tinted measurement lengthwise. Superior quality rugs and carpets can be weaved thereafter from the dried parts. Sisal is known to be 100 % biodegradable and is robust, durable and sustainable in nature.

Here we have listed some of the benefits of using sisal carpet for your living space

It has marvelous stain resistant properties


As it has stain resistant properties, there is no need to make use of chemicals to clean the materials made from sisal. This feature unknowingly ensures that its users are miles away from harmful chemicals. 

Does not involve building up of static electricity 


It does not build up static electricity which mostly all carpets build up on windy and dry days. Owing to this property, a sisal carpet can be safely used in an office that boasts of numerous computers and other equipment that is affected by the presence of static electricity while operating. 

Durable and no compression 


Long-lasting and durable, this raw material doesn’t wear off easily like wall to wall carpeting, nor does it compress after a few months of use.

Smart choice over artificial products 


100% natural, and extremely versatile and strong, a sisal carpet would be the ideal choice for areas that have to endure elevated traffic areas like the hallways. Due to its high versatility measures, it can be used for weaving different kinds of products.

Can be used along with wool and seagrass 


These carpets have the ability to be woven along with other textile materials like seagrass or wool; thereby giving off the combined benefits of both fibers.

Excellent sound insulation 


Natural noise insulation is one of the added benefits of using a sisal carpet.

Use of natural dyes make discoloration stay away from the carpets


This organically grown material can be dyed using natural dyes and is made available in the markets in a wide range of styles and colors. It does not involve the use of artificial colors; so there are no issues pertaining to fading caused by sunlight or other natural means.

Health benefits of using Sisal 


Being 100% natural, Sisal is also recommended to people who are prone to allergies or are suffering from ailments like asthma. By installing a discount sisal carpet, users can keep breathing hazards at bay.


Check out few of drawbacks or restrictions on using Sisal products

  1. The only place where synthetic sisal cannot be put to use is wet or damp and high humidity areas like kitchens, basements or bathrooms. 
  2. As it is an organic element, the chances of developing water stains cannot be negated. 
  3. Wholesale sisal rugs cannot be used outdoors as a result of their high water absorbing qualities.
  4. Direct exposure to the sun’s rays is capable of spoiling the natural sheen of Sisal materials. Remember, all fibres, whether un-dyed or dyed, change their color if they are exposed to sunlight for a long time. So, in case Sisal rugs and carpets are placed out in the sun for drying or removing mites, they must be turned regularly. 

How to maintain your Sisal Carpet


Sisal is relatively trouble-free to maintain. This natural vegetable fiber is known to have magnetizing properties and therefore does not attract dust. Natural vegetable fibres are highly absorbent and thus they can expand and shrink because of changes in the humidity levels or the surroundings. Maintaining the natural beauty of these rugs is important so that their usage can be prolonged. These simple measures can be adopted for taking care of your rugs/ carpets made of sisal too:

  1. Vacuuming: Vacuuming should be practiced at least once or twice a week. Doing so ensures that the fine dust elements that get fixed or sandwiched between the fibres, and can cause additional wear and tear, are removed. For good results, a vacuum with adjustable brushes and a powerful airflow would serve to be the best option. 
  2. Immediate removal of spills: As these carpets are excellent absorbents when exposed to excessive dampness or wet areas, they might shrink or show signs of puckering. Do know that steam cleaning, shampooing, and wet-cleaning of sisal materials brings no good and may lead to the spoiling of this material. 

Prefer professional carpet cleaner


Calling upon the services of a professional for periodic cleaning and dry extraction of dust, mites and other accumulated pollutants is a good idea as well. The correct approach towards cleaning sisal based carpets would be by testing the cleaning material on a lesser visible area and based on the results, using the same on other affected areas. This can be best undertaken with the help of a professional. Thus, before starting the cleaning process, it is wise to call for professional assistance and thereafter proceed with all given instructions accordingly. 

There is no dearth of options with regards to discounted carpets online. You may like to invest in wholesale Sisal rugs, or browse through the many categories of sisal rugs online for decking up your rooms in a more elegant fashion. Sisal is easy to buy and use as it provides low-cost maintenance and plenty of added benefits. We are sure that after knowing about the many pluses of this carpet, you are ready to invest in this winning product? Do so today!

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Hand-Scraped Hardwood Flooring: The Dream Floor for your Home


Apart from looking rich and elegant, hand-scraped hardwood is attracting buyers with its manifold features, affordable price tags and versatile designs.
The popularity of hand-scraped hardwood flooring has been flourishing since the past several years. This smart flooring solution has offered a distinctive look to the dream houses of many, and continues to do so. Since there are various manufacturers presenting their unique collections differing in texture, colors, patters, etc., one’s creation of hand-scraped floors would definitely differ from that of others. Here, you get to read more about why should be choosing the look imparted by hardwood for your floors too

Hand-scraped Wood Floorings - How are they created?
The best quality hand-scraped floors are manufactured with three to twelve layers of plywood that are placed in a specialized way, stuck with high-quality adhesives, and compressed together. The core layers on the inner side are constructed with either a hardwood or soft plywood materials that form the tongue and copse system for fastening along the borders. The thick layer on the top is then glued and compressed over the top end of the core. These types of hand-scraped engineered hardwood flooring can be sought in most species of wood.
Due to the growing popularity of engineered hardwood flooring, nowadays, manufacturers have started using innovative methods for recreating “the antique look” in their factory units. Yes, the use of automated machines for creating hand-scraped wood flooring is evolving as a common way for manufacturers, globally. So, if you are also looking for proven means of getting a traditional and warm touch to your contemporary-styled home or office, then hardwood floors are surely the right way to go.
Advantages of using engineered wooden floors
These forms of hand-scraped hardwood floors are more resistance to high levels of moisture than their solid, wood structured counterparts. This feature enhances their demand for damp basements, or in regions where lower levels of humidity prevail all across the year. Another attractive feature of such flooring is that they can be directly glued upon concrete slabs, or nailed upon a wooden subfloor. Additionally, hand-scraped wood flooring possesses the same resale value as ¾” solid wood flooring; this comes in handy if owners decide to sell their home at any given time in future.
Where should you place your concerns?
While choosing luxury hand-scraped vinyl floors for your home, it is a good idea to have a prior understanding of your demands. Also, try to select the best flooring solution that matches your needs to the furthest possible limits. Secondarily, determine the features of the area on which you are planning to lay out the wooden flooring. In terms of durability, quality hand-scrapedengineered hardwood floorings are durable and long-lasting; they are commonly seen in shopping malls and airports, places that experience huge foot traffic.
Measuring for Hardwood Flooring-Engineering
Considering the fact that engineered floorings are sold as per square foot, it becomes essential to measure the square feet area of your floor; believe us, it is quite an easy task. All you need to do is take the length and breadth of the room, and multiply the two figures for arriving at the square footage. Now with the calculated square feet area, 5% area would have to be added for cutting and fitting wastages.
Expectations while Choosing a Hand-Scraped Wood Flooring Style
One important tip before you choose a style relates to gaining as much knowledge about your purchase beforehand. As you look around, you will find a number of grades that possess their own specific price category and visuals. You may also like to keep in mind that prefinished hand-scraped hardwood floorings are available in almost all types of species and colors. Nevertheless, do know that hardwood flooring is completely natural, and no two pieces would look similar. Additionally, as wooden floors are not as perfect as their synthetically produced cousins, it would be a smart move to buy 5% to 10% more than your actual requirements as provision for wastages.
Choose from a hundreds of color and styling
The first image that probably comes to mind when you plan to install hand-scraped hardwood floor is that of the standard red strip oak that is ¾ inches thick and has a width of 2 ¼ inches. But then, hardwood floorings can be obtained in different sizes ranging from 3 to 6 inches, or even more; such large-sized pieces are known as plank floors. The prefinished versions of hardwood flooring are available in various forms, generally of 5/16 to ¾ inches thickness and 12 to 84 inches length. Additionally, if you are seeking for a size that is not generally available in prefinished versions, then you may go for Custom Milled Unfinished flooring solutions that are available in different sizes, as per your requirements.
Avoid Cracks, splits and gaps in hardwood flooring
Going by the structure of their cells, most hardwood species are hygroscopic, which indicates that the level of moisture absorption in them is dependent upon the level of relative humidity present in the atmosphere. If the relative humidity around the atmosphere goes below 30%, which generally happens during the dry season, such wood species may release stored moisture for their sustenance. This loss would cause board contractions that will leave behind gaps in the installed boards.
On the other hand, some boards may buckle up due to excessive humidity during spring, rainy and summer seasons. For avoiding gaps and splits, it is recommended that soon after their delivery, you should allow the planks to get accustomed to the new environment for a period of say 7 days before they are installed. However, try not to store the hand-scraped hardwood floors in places like sheds or garages where the levels of temperatures or moisture may vary to a great extent.
Installing hand-scraped floors- A few tips before you install!
The first thing that you need to do is introduce your newly purchased flooring materials to the relative humidity prevailing in your environment. Factors of moisture and dryness adjustment are also important before you trigger off the installation process. Preparing the subfloor before installation would create the proper ground for the accurate and smooth laying out of these hand-scraped hardwood boards.
Expansion of solid planks and the contraction process along the boards’ edges has to be taken care of while matching up with new floor boards. Now that you have become well acquainted with the art of choosing the wood species, with domestic species such as red oak, white oak or maple being the best possible selections, you will love to add a new touch of glamour to your home.