Affordable Alternatives That Maintain the Attractive Style of Hardwood Flooring

Many people wish to have a hardwood floor in their homes, but installing it can be bank-breaking. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that believably resemble hardwood flooring and can help you save some cash. Also, many of these alternatives are waterproof and more durable than hardwood floors. Here are affordable alternatives that maintain the attractive style of hardwood flooring.

Wood-Look Tile Flooring

Wood-look tiles are an excellent flooring option if you are looking for something waterproof. They have gained popularity over the years, and they come in different textures, shades, and styles, so you can definitely find something that works for your budget and decor. These tiles are a great option for entryways, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and mudroom flooring. They are prevalent in warm climate regions since they keep the house cool. If you already have a concrete subfloor, it will be easy to install the wood look tiles.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring often looks and feels like traditional hardwood. Vinyl is very versatile and waterproof, which makes it an excellent choice for kitchens, powder rooms, and basement flooring. It’s also easy to maintain, which makes it great for busy individuals or those with small children. Installing vinyl plank floors is easy, and you can often do it yourself.

Laminate Flooring

If you are looking for cheap flooring that looks like hardwood, laminate flooring is a good choice. Installing this floor is relatively easy since the pieces are made to click into place with those around them. You can also easily install it on top of concrete or tiles. It is important to note that laminate flooring absorbs moisture, which could cause problems. The prices also range depending on the quality.

Bamboo Flooring

This is another alternative for hardwood flooring. It is much cheaper, and it is glued and engineered together, making it more versatile. This flooring is less durable than some others. It may scratch more easily compared to synthetic flooring, and like other types of wood, it can be damaged by water. However, as long as spills are cleaned up within a reasonable amount of time, they shouldn’t have any impact on the bamboo flooring.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is another great choice since it has insulation and absorption properties. Cork is eco-friendly, and many people choose it because of that aspect. Installing cork flooring is easy since it is a floating floor that does not need additional nails or adhesive.

In case hardwood floors are too expensive for you, consider some of these types of flooring, which are cheaper than traditional hardwood. Every type of flooring has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to weigh which one best suits your needs.

How to Seal Your Home’s Basement and Foundation

Poor or insufficient basement and foundation waterproofing could result in some waterproofing issues. If not correctly fixed, water leakage may lead to many damages. You might be trying to apply products or coats to seal your basement while the main issue is with your outer walls. Below are some tips that may guide you to seal your basement and foundation.

Dig Around

For you to properly seal your basement and foundation, you might need to dig around your outer perimeter down to your base foundation. To complete the waterproofing process successfully, make sure that you apply the correct product over your wall. Then have drainage gravel, tiles, or perforated pipe, crushed stone drains, and other recommended materials fixed below or at your basement area. Following this installation, the discharge will be via mechanical means or gravity into the primary drainage system.

Use a Membrane

Have a waterproofing membrane installed. An asphalt polyurethane material is usually sprayed or troweled on your wall. This helps you seal your basement and foundation from leaking. The elastomeric membrane is a heavy membrane coat (asphalt modified) that will help you seal your basement and foundation successfully.

Additionally, elastomeric membranes have the advantage that they can move and flex; hence, they can afford to accommodate new cracks when they occur. It would be wise if you apply a waterproofing product as it yields great results.

Inspect for Cracks

After the excavation work, clean your basement wall and inspect cracks or areas leading to leakage. Once you identify this problem, use hydraulic cement to seal your basement or foundation from leaking. Most hydraulic cement has a curing property, and hence it will expand to seal the cracks, thus reducing leakage.

Apply Sealant

To all your exterior walls, apply a cement-based sealant coat to seal your foundation as well as your basements. Generally, sealant cement is relatively easy to use, and you can apply it over masonry and concrete surfaces. Once you apply it, it will harden and seal the concrete openings. Some hairline cracks could have gone unfixed when applying hydraulic cement, this process will help you seal them up.

Install a Drainage Mat

To seal your home from leaking, have a dimple molded drainage mat installed. The process uses materials that have air gaps between themselves and your basement, allowing moisture to travel through the main drainage structure. However, you should ensure you install the drainage mat within your foundation depth. Also, it helps ease horizontal force against your foundation.

Finally, you can have a weeping tile installed below your basement floor, usually for easy maintenance purposes. For all your basement and foundation waterproofing services, be sure to call or visit us today.

How to Choose What Kind of Fence Material to Use for Your New Home's Yard

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While a fence offers better security and privacy, the material of the fence can determine just how well it does its job. There are a few main types of fencing material. Here's what you need to know about each one to help you determine which is best for your needs.

PVC

A common type of fencing used around pool areas is PVC. This is a type of plastic fence that is durable and holds up well against water. That makes it a great choice for pool areas or in other areas frequently exposed to water. The rigid plastic also holds up well against damage. Because PVC is white, it can sometimes start to become stained. This can make it look older than it actually is. However, if you take the time to clean it, your white PVC fence will look fantastic for years.

Steel

If you're interested in durability and longevity, then you may want to consider a steel fence. Like all steel products, a fence made of steel will last for years without any problems. It holds up well against physical abuse which makes it a great choice for security or perimeter fences. It also looks fancier and upscale than other materials. If you want an ornate gate that won't twist or deform under the powerful sun, then steel may be right for you.

Wood

A classic fencing material is wood. This type of material is commonly used for privacy fences. The thick panels can be pressed together to remove any gaps for nosy neighbors to peek through. Wood can also be stained a certain color to complete an outdoor aesthetic that you have in mind. Unfortunately, wooden fences don't last as long as other materials. Even sealed wooden fences will eventually start to erode when exposed to water. They may also start to warp or bend when soil erodes.

Aluminum

One final fencing material to consider is aluminum. This has many of the same qualities as steel or PVC but doesn't have a risk of becoming corroded. Aluminum also looks lavish and can make your pool area appear more luxurious. Aluminum is not as strong as steel, however, and may eventually succumb to physical abuse. Though regular or decorative aluminum fences are not as strong as steel or wrought iron fences and are prone to cosmetic damage, they are a more sustainable choice if you don't want to spend too much on maintenance.

Based on the information above, you should be able to choose the fencing material that matches your needs the most. If you want better security, then you may want a steel fence. For better privacy, then you may want wood or PVC.

Comparing Moving Quotes from Different Companies

There are a lot of moving companies out there, and it’s hard to know which one would be right for your move. You probably shouldn’t just Google it and choose one of the ones that come up on the search results page. You are trusting your movers with your most prized possessions, so you need to know that they are reliable and competent at what they do. But how do you know? Yes, you should always get a quote from every mover you are considering, but if you go only by the price, then you may be hurting yourself and putting your belongings in danger. Here are some strategies you can use for comparing moving quotes from different companies. 

Assess How They Got Their Quote

If you contact a moving company, and they ask you the barest of details and then give you a quote, then you want to avoid them. A moving quote should always be made with as much information as possible. In the past, reliable and trustworthy moving companies would visit a home, take an inventory of what needed to be moved, estimate the weight and space that it would involve, and provide an accurate quote based on that information. In these Covid times, coming to your home might not be an option, but they should at the very least offer to take a video tour of your home. Not only will they want basic details, but they will also want to assess any special items that will require extra attention. This could mean things that are particularly delicate, or large and awkward items like pianos. If you get a quote over the phone without providing much detail, you could end up with extra costs at the end for being over a weight limit or having items that need special care. 

Long Distance Moves

Long distance moves are very different from moves that take you within the same city. A reputable company will do their best to get as accurate an estimate as possible, because if the weight of your contents is underestimated, then you could end up with huge extra fees at the end of the move. This makes an in-home or virtual visit even more important. The longer your move, the longer the potential fees could be. Some companies will offer full services for their moves. This means that you will be charged based on the distance as opposed to how much stuff you have. This may seem more expensive at first, but you will not be subjected to extra fees and can be confident that you will pay the same as the quote. It’s up to you if you prefer security over potentially getting a lower cost. 

What Services Do They Offer?

Not only do you want to know what services you might be charged for at the end of the move, but you will also want to know what extra services a moving company offers that would make them a good option. Do they offer packing, which will save you time and effort in preparation for the move? They may also offer disassembly and assembly of your furniture. Some of these services may be included in the move, and some may not. It’s important to check the details contained in your quote document and ask questions to see what else might be available, and what is included. 

Check For Other Opinions

Getting moving quotes is one thing, but getting a sense of the customer service they will provide is another. However, you can always look for the opinions of others in several ways. For one, you can ask your friends, family, and colleagues to see if any have had experience with certain movers. This is always a very reliable way to find out how good a moving company is. You can also check out online reviews. See if you can spot any commonalities or themes that pop up repeatedly. They could be red flags that a company should not be trusted, or that they are not as good as advertised. On top of all of this, take a look at the Better Business Bureau and see if your potential moving companies have any complaints or judgments against them. 

Compare the “Details”

Another thing you can do is think about all of the little but important things your prospective companies have done in your interactions with them. Are their representatives friendly and accommodating? Were they on time for appointments? These little details can give you a picture of how a company operates and how they will be to deal with on moving day. You do not want to have to work with a representative that is rude or surly when you are going through a stressful life event. 

Getting quotes is an important part of the moving process. However, it’s not just about the cost. It’s also important to balance the quote with the level of service you expect to find. This will help you in finding a mover to suit your particular needs.