Gift Ideas

Featured Gift Ideas:

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Gadgets:

  • Direct TV - Get the most out of your new HDTV with Direct TV, the leader in HD programming.
  • SIRIUS Radio - Give the gift of Sirius Satellite Radio Browser Window
  • Milk DVD - Harvey Milk is a film starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and James Franco
  • Seven Pounds DVD Now Released - Seven Pounds, the new Will Smith movie, is now available.

 

Laminate or hardwood?

Picking a floor is a topic we do not dwell on often, except when we build a home or have a room in desperate need of an upgrade. Choosing the right one is absolutely crucial and many aspects are to be considered. Carpet can affect allergies and can be tough to clean, tiles may feel too cold, so why not go for wooden or laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is steadily growing in popularity. It mimics 'the real' thing well, cost less, is easy to install and quite durable. The decorative surface is extremely difficult to stain or scratch and quite wear resistant. A laminate floor is also known as a floating floor, which means that it is not fastened directly to the sub-floor. Installing one of these floors is an easy and clean home remodeling project and just about anyone can do it. The planks just click together, which goes really fast and in most cases enables the installer to finish a room in a single day.

With its traditional look, hardwood is timeless. If you are looking for an elegant, more aesthetic solution, hardwood floors are a must. They definitely increase house value if you ever want to sell your home and with the proper maintenance and durable finishes, it can last a hundred years or more. Walking on solid wood leaves a warm and cozy feeling. It is an excellent insulator and easy to clean. So what, if your pet races around the table and leaves a few scratches behind! An extra groove, a faded spot just add character and with a few strategically placed rugs it really provokes that special antique feel!

Making the decision to buy a hardwood or laminate floor can be confusing. In the end you have to find out what exactly you want to achieve with your floor. Is the resale value of your home important, what color and style suits best to your furniture, how much time do you have for cleaning and maintenance, how much can you afford to spend and how long do you want this floor to last. If you are just upgrading to sell a home or if you want a simple do-it-yourself project a laminate floor is perfect. If you want to achieve a classier, richer appearance and prefer a long term investment, than solid birch, pine, oak, beech or cherry are a more obvious solution.