24/7talk Interior Design, a blogging page about Interior Design

Why Wool Carpets? Why not? The oldest floor covering fiber known to man is the renewable fleece of the sheep. (A natural Product readable available, long before the hype of going green) But what makes wool so special? It’s in the genetic make up of the fiber itself. Wool has a scaly surface texture that adds flexibility to the fiber which impacts strength and resistance to abrasion during wear and the textured surface traps air, acting as an insulator in cool to hot temperatures. Wool’s impervious outer membrane protects the inner core from stain damage by keeping liquid spills on the surface for easy removal. The membrane acts as its own protective shell against spills. Wool has a natural spiral growth pattern that gives wool a permanent crimp that will provide a life-time of resilience to traffic, furniture weight , stretching and abrasion. And wool’s high nitrogen content (combined with high moisture regain and high ignition temperature) makes wool naturally difficult to ignite and when burning, wool extinguishes itself. Wool Carpet is used on most all luxury ocean liners, Coast Guard ships and commercial aircraft and in the finest Casinos throughout the world because of its excellent fire retardant capabilities and performance under extreme traffic conditions. And equally important, wool is totally natural, renewable and biodegradable. The earth’s most friendly carpet fiber. Below are a couple of more Wool Carpet advantages listed.

Wool Carpet Features

• Renewable natural resource for an environmentally friendly product
• Naturally flame retardant fiber that protects those who live on the carpet
• Easy-Care properties that make maintaining a Wool Carpet simple and affordable
• Naturally fiber of the Wool Carpet resilient for a life time of beauty and comfort
• Natural “hand”, no plastic or synthetic feel

So when you think to replace your Flooring in your home or office, make a prestigious and practical selection by investing in Wool Carpets. It always has been a favorite of mine, long before the hype of going green started.

 

Even though our Winter is almost over and Spring is just in front of our Door, I thought some info for Radiant Systems is still appropriate as specially in the time of Spring and or Fall a Floor Heating System is really shining. Nothing better than walk or relax in a room where one has a Radiant Floor Heating System installed.
I want to point out that I attained most of my information from the Radiant Panel Association. The Office of Larry Drake (Executive Director of the Association has been very supportive, not only for this article also for all my needs when installing Radiant Flooring Systems for my Clients.) And at every installation, I was involved with, was a big success.

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Slab on Grade

Radiant tubing is embedded in cement. The tubing is typically attached to metal mesh with plastic ties. A four inch slab is most typical. The tubing is best placed in the middle of the slab. Full under-salb insulation is recommended for most residential application. Slabs have a very large thermal mass, which stabilizes temperature swings but slows response. This method is recommended whenever a slab is poured. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.69 - R-1.0

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Thin Slab on Subfloor

Radiant tubing is attached on top of subfloor with approved staples or plastic clips. A thin Slab of gypsum-based cement or cent is poured over the tubing. Typical slabs are 1.5inch thick when using 1/2inch tubing, but may be as thin as 1.25inch thick when using 3/8inch tubing. Gypsum cement is lighter than cement, but a little less conductive. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.69 - -1.0

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Hanging or attached below Subfloor

Radiant tubing is hung or attached to the underside of the joists in an airspace with insulation below. This requires higher water temperatures and has more limited heat output than other systems. It is often used for retrofitting when access from below is possible. Hanging systems have more even joist cavity temperatures than when pipe is attached in contact with subfloor joists. Estimated Assebly R-value:R-1.7 - R-2.2 (pipe + 3/4inch plywood only)

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - With Plates below Subfloor

Radiant tubing is attached to the underside of the joists with metal plates to diffuse the heat. Insulation is recommended below the plates. This has higher water temperatures and more limited heat output than above subfloor systems, but plates make it more effective than hanging pipe from under joists. It is often used for retrofitting when access to joist space is available. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-1.3 - R-1.8 (pipe + 3/4inch plywood only

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Structural Radiant Subfloor with Aluminum & Grooves

Pre-manufactured 1.125inch thick panels have grooves for tubing and an aluminum sheet bonded to the board. In this case, the pre-manufactured panels serve both as the structural subfloor and as the channel into which the tubing is installed. The aluminum sheet makes the system accelerate rapidly and spreads out the heat. Tubing is installed 12inch on center in the grooves. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.6

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Boards with Grooves and Metal which are attached to top of Subfloor

Several varieties currently exist. One board has metal on the bottom and another on the top. Both serve to spread the heat laterally. Normally they are glued and screwed or stapled to the top of a wooden subfloor. Under some conditions the may be attached on top of existing slabs. These are modular systems with straights and end pieces that are assembled to make a channel for pipe. Different products use different pipe sizes. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.75 - R-1.1 depending on product.

HYDRONIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Sandwich Method with or without Plates on Top of Subfloor

Typically, 1inch x 4inch x 3/4inch sleepers are attached to the top of the subfloor and pipe is placed in between the sleepers with or without the addition of the metal plates. The metal plates typically cover about 80% of the pipe, adding significantly to the even dispersion of the heat. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-1.1 - R-1.5 depending on product and plates

ELECTRIC RADIANT SYSTEM - Embedded Cable or Mat

The electric cable, mesh or mat is encapsulated by embedding it in a 1/8inch to 2inch mud bed or in thinset mortar on top of the subfloor as required by the National Electric Code. It is available as a low or line voltage for warming or heating. Higher output systems utilize wider spacing and require a thicker embedding layer. When only floor warming is desired, the system is controlled by a floor temperature sensor. Heating systems are usually controlled with a thermostat, often in combination with a floor sensor. Different systems and embedding thicknesses allow for a variety of floor coverings. Check with manufacturer for limitations and recommendations regarding flooring goods. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.3 - R-1 depending on embedding layer.

ELECTRIC RADIANT SYSTEM- Self regulating Mat or Cable

This type is formulated so that as the temperature of the mat or cable goes up, the resistance increases, which limits the heating output to a fixed temperature. Some may be embedded in a mortar layer or used directly (as recommended by the manufacturer) under a wide variety of floor coverings. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-0.3 - R-1.0 depending on layer.

ELECTRIC RADIANT SYSTEM -  Film Type installed from Below

With the film type product, elements are printed with a conductive ink and embedded in a film of plastic. Current products are line voltage. These systems have higher resistance to heat transfer than embedded systems since the heat must travel through an airspace and the subfloor. They must be installed with an airspace. Estimated Assembly R-value:R-1.7 - R-2.2 (pipe and 3/4inch plywood only) The listed Assembly R-values are illustrative estimates only and do not include the R-values of the floor coverings, which must be added to determine total system R-value. Note: Insulation is usually required under radiant heating systems. The Radiant Heating System Design should be designed and installed by qualified professionals.

Karndean International one of the largest vinyl flooring manufacturers introduced a new collection vinyl tiles, which are replicating the beauty of natural ceramic tiles.
Available in a choice of six colors - Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha, Noir and Java - the Antique Ceramic tiles have been carefully designed to replicate the textured surface and realistic coloring of natural ceramic tiles while avoiding practical drawbacks, such as cracking and the resulting repairing problems.
I had a chance to see the new antique ceramic collection by Karndean and was really impressed with the quality and look of the Tiles. As we do use ceramic tiles more than ever before, especially in Kitchen remodeling, I find the new collection of Vinyl Tiles is a great and practical alternative. An advantage to the antique ceramic collection is the already broad range of existing borders. New design strips and borders have been added and one can mix and match different products to suit the décor, such as adding a wood effect strip between tiles to match furniture. 

We just added Masland Carpets and Rugs a leading carpet manufacturer to our Carpet Department.  Since 1866, Masland has been know to produce carpets and rugs to the highest quality. Mashland Carpets and Rugs will be a great add on to the already high quality carpet collections available at Final Touch Interiors, LLC..
As we always have strived to provide high quality and personal service, perhaps the reason that Masland won over other leading brands of carpet was because they are also devoted to their customers. Once you buy a product like a carpet or are rug or custom rug from Masland, they will not only give you excellent service along the way but also follow up with you after you have received your carpet. Something which fits perfectly in our Business Philosophy especially with Carpets. Masland does specialize in carpets and area rugs, and has the best of both worlds for those who want to order their products. One can choose from over 50 types and styles of carpets. Whether you want a striped carpet, modern style carpet or area rug, or even a type of carpet suited for your individual needs, Masland will do its best to provide you with superior carpet. Furthermore, another interesting fact about Masland is that they have been certified as one of the Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP).