Rug Pad Buying Guide

Buying Guides: Rug Pad Types And Materials

When it comes to protecting your hardwood flooring at home, buying the right set of rug pads, also known as underlays and rug cushions is very essential. Buying less expensive cushion and extra thickness may help you save a lot of money, but it cannot be good for you in the end. In this case, it's best that you select the right type of padding, so that your carpet will have cushioning and protection against major impact from furniture, feet and other heavy objects. That way the underlay materials used under the carpet can safeguard both your floor and the Oriental rug itself. Purchasing the right kind of rug underlay provides long-term superior protection to both your floors and oriental rug.

In order to select the right cushioning for your rug or carpet, ensure that you identify the different types of rug underlay. Rug cushions are normally made from fiber cushion, urethane foam, bonded urethane, waffle rubber and flat rubber. Of all the different types of rug underlays, the flat rubber offers the highest quality due to its adequate firmness and thickness. Although it is a bit expensive, purchasing this rug pad is a good choice, as it is long-lasting and very durable. While searching for a rug cushion, investing in a flat rubber could possibly be your best and most logical option.

Waffle rubber is the next most suitable choice among the rug underlay types, since it has the half-inch thickness required for the proper carpet cushion. With its synthetic or natural rubber, this rug cushion can offer a soft, lavish and calming feel on your feet. This material is by far the softest of all the types of materials employed for rug padding, but it has a waffle texture that can be quite a risk. After a period of time, you will need to replace them especially when their binders deteriorate.

Out of all the rug underlay, the bonded urethane is the most prevailing style of carpet padding. As the name implies, this rug pad type is fabricated from the shredded parts of urethane foam that can be seen in furniture and cars. During the manufacturing process of this rug pad, the combined materials will create a long-lasting and sturdy foam that's also known as the rebond. Unfortunately, this rug pad type has Butylated Hydroxy toluene, which can leave a lot of yellow spots on your area rug or carpeting. For those who are using carpets that are over used and to be thrown away, using this rug pad type can be a good choice.

Felt and fiber rug underlay have a thickness that can provide a firm and comfortable feel to any Oriental rug. However, compared to natural rubber and PVC products, this rug pad is not capable of providing a stable and better grip. Still, this sort of rag pad is an outstanding choice for bigger area rugs that secured with stationed furnishings or in locations that need little movements from your guests.

Among the rug underlay materials, urethane foam is the go to option for business establishments. This is more of a permanent carpet based solution. The urethane foam makes use of a couple of liquid ingredients in order to convert the pad into a bigger foam. The best urethane foams that come from these rug underlayments would provide a firmer feel than mattresses, vehicle seats and padded furniture. Of all the different types of underlays, this type of material is the strongest and most durable.

When searching for a underlay, make sure to consider how the padding would work on your flooring. If you're looking for a rug underlay that does not slip easily, choose a rug underlay type that features a padded grip. Unlike other rug underlays kinds, this material holds well on hard surfaced floors with a density level of one fourth of an inch. With this rug pad kind, you will no longer have to worry about rug slipping and surprising carpet movements. By far, buying these rug pads can be quite beneficial for your Oriental carpets.

Looking for info about the different types of hardwood floor pads, check out RugPadUSA.com to learn more.

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Persian Rugs Can Be a Very Wise Decorative Investment

Decorating your home should not be an expensive proposition, and you can accomplish many of your decorating ideas with Persian rugs. When decorating your home, or even your offices, it can be a very wise decision to include Persian rugs, especially, during tougher economic climates, as they may be obtained at lower prices, and they almost always increase in value over time.

Persian rugs are one of the categories of oriental rugs, and are considered by collectors, to be the best rugs in the world. The quality and workmanship that is involved in the creation of authentic rugs ensures that they can last through several generations. It is easy to recognize why these rugs can become heirlooms, because they are not only enjoyable to look at, as they enhance of any area, while the value appreciates.

Persian rugs are like fine wines, as they may virtually improve and appreciate with age. Some of the classic rugs were actually woven or included gold thread. The threads were dozens of miles long, and used to enhance the beauty and appearance of the rugs, while they contributed to the longevity.

The rugs were originally hand-knotted, by nomadic tribes-people for protection from the cold, and as time evolved, they become highly prized objects d'art. They appear to be coveted, not only for the insulation qualities, but they can also add a feeling of warmth and coziness, to any colder environment.
The rugs were originally created to be functional, but as time progressed, the Persian weavers began to include some form of cultural expression. The rugs were used to tell stories, and included much of the images of folklore and tradition.

The stories and images that were woven into the rugs were used to transfer the tribal lore through consecutive generations. In many situations it became the written record of much of the traditions of Persian lore. Persian rugs may be emblematic of the rich cultural heritage of the region, while they enhance the appearance of your surroundings. The hand woven rugs, were used to reflect the interpretations of the some of the stories of Persian life, and as a result, you may find that no two original rugs are the same. The weavers at times, will deliberately include small imperfections, to reflect the belief that perfection can only be attained by God.

The skill of weaving has been passed down, and although, many of the rugs are no longer hand.-knotted, the same skills have been transferred to machines. The link between the craftsmanship is maintained in much of unique the interpretation and design, which continues to make Persian rugs, some of the most highly prized possessions in the world.

The dyes used making the rugs, are all organic, and of natural sources, derived from insects, plants, roots, and tree bark. The process involved harvesting the wool from sheep. After the wool was harvested, it washed and dried and spun into yarn, before being dipped into the dyes. After the dying process, the wool was hung to dry, before being hand woven into the Persian rug.

Persian rugs can be a great investment, as values normally appreciate. You can use Persian rugs to decorate almost any area of your home or office. You can get more information at Iranian rugs and Persian rugs online.

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Dragons Home Decor

 Are you looking for an eye catching and enchanting decorative theme for your home? It is a great idea to add decorative mythological items for decorators who are seeking to infuse the home with an essence of mystique and intrigue. Dragon decorative items are suitable for an array of different home architectural styles and decor themes. They are fun and entertaining and can turn any room in your house into an adventure for children and adults to enjoy.

Dragons are favoured among Gothic decorators for their whimsical and fanciful intrigue, power and grace. This makes them absolutely ideal for a Gothic home. There are many ideas to place in your home such as sculptures and decorative items like tables, shelves, chalices and dozens of other finely crafted items. They make exquisite wall art. They're sure to give your Gothic decor a dark, mystical feel! Dragons have played such a huge role in mythological history. They portray guardians or keepers. Now wouldn't you want to come home knowing that a dragon has guarded your door? Or how about warding evil off before even ringing your bell. There are many choices of what types and where to place your dragon friends.

No medieval theme home is complete without dragon decor! They have long been associated with medieval folklore, so no castle would be complete without a few mythological decor items like outdoor dragon lamps and lights, wall-hanging sculptures and garden statues, which are sure to scare away trespassers!

Dragons are an integral element of Asian culture, so they're a must-have item for any home, office or business that utilizes an Asian decor theme. Asia's folktales, myths and ancient art all contain dragons, which tend to be very serpentine in appearance; they don't have wings like their European counterparts. There are numerous Asian style dragon items for indoor and outdoors, including statues and sculptures, tables, decorative shelves and other dragon wall art, along with home accents like clocks, lamps and lights, and beyond!

Classic European home decorative themes are a perfect setting for your dragon home decor items, ranging from statues, to tables, wall hangings, shelves, sculptures and beyond! You should place a various range of high-quality dragon decorative items, which are styled to feature a classic European look. European dragons usually have wings and they're more lizard-like and less serpent-like in nature, as is often the case with Asian dragons. The Harry Potter films are a classic depiction of European dragons.

Many dragon decorations are imbued with flowing lines, fine details and beautiful colouring, making them perfect for a modern home with artistic qualities! Place a wide range of high-quality dragon sculptures and other items that are hand-crafted with fine details that will wow your guests! If you are looking for excellent home accents, take your time and find the right selections, and your dragon statues will leave a lasting impression on your visitors!

http://www.dragonshomedecor.com

It's time to start turning your home into your castle with dragon accessories. A dragon standing at your doorway holding a shield or a sword, or a dragon mounted next to the doorway holding a lighted orb showing the way. Dragons and Gargoyles mounted to the walls and roof keeping watch on your estate.

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The 5 Choices Of Window Blinds For The Home Owner

Window blinds are fairly ancient inventions. The Persians hung wet cloth on their windows to protect them from desert dust and to make indoor temperatures more bearable. The ancient Chinese fashioned bamboo slats to give them a screen of privacy. The Venetians, who traded with the inhabitants of the Middle East, borrowed this concept from the Persians and brought the invention to Paris because they needed to have a source of income by peddling their wares.

Modern blinds for windows resurfaced in the late 18th century, and the evolution of newer and stronger materials and production technology since then have made them as equally popular as their ancient cloth counterparts. The primary functions of window blinds - to provide a screen from external prying eyes, regulate external light, and lock in warmth - still hold true today as they did in the past.

Window blinds have become an essential household accessory, not only because the more modern home owner's needs have remained unchanged, but also because of improvements in technology that have made window blinds of today equally decorative and functional. Well chosen blinds for windows add a focal splash of colour to, perhaps, a bland living space, while doing the job that was intended.

Blinds for windows can easily be categorized into Roman, Venetian, vertical (often called louvre), roller and panel. While they appear to be interchangeable, they are actually designed so that each window blind is best applied to certain window styles.

• Roman Blinds, for example, are made of fabric so that they fold up when raised. A one-piece area of material is mounted with slats on the back so the blind stacks neatly into horizontal pleats when pulled up by a chain or cord. This results in better insulation during cold months when lowered all the way down, lying flat as a single panel of fabric.


• Roller Blinds are also made of solid piece of fabric or other material that easily rolls up by means of chain or pre-loaded spring. There are no slats that provide the backbone of the blind, so that the material itself neatly wraps up around a lightweight, aluminium cylinder when the blinds are raised.


• Venetian Blinds are horizontal slats without the fabric. The slats are either made of wood, vinyl, or aluminium, and stack neatly together when raised. Venetian blinds allow light to pass through when the slats are rotated to open top to bottom. The slats can be set at an angle so as to regulate the amount of light entering the room.


• Vertical Blinds, also known as louvre blinds, are similar in principle to Venetian blinds except that the slats are, as the name suggests, hanging vertically, that is, top to bottom. While there are thin strips of vertical slats for smaller windows, vertical blinds are ideal for bigger windows or sliding doors. Buildings with expansive glass walls use vertical blinds to create an anti-glare screen when necessary while allowing as much light to the inside as possible.


• Panel blinds function in the same way as vertical blinds in that they screen large openings or windows. The difference is that panel blinds are mounted on a track system that glides to the left or right. A piece of fabric or other material built into the panel provides the screen. As such, they also function as temporary dividers for large spaces

Of the many varieties of window blinds that are available to the home owner, even the most discriminating shopper is sure to find the ones suited to his or her taste.

About the Author

Russell Shearer is a Contributing Editor to Blinds-UK, one of the latest online shops for effortless ordering of window blinds in the UK. Visit Blinds-UK for the latest fabrics available, and for tips and advice on how to confidently measure your windows for ordering your blinds online. Measuring and installing window blinds is not difficult when you follow some simple guidelines.

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Designer Roller Blinds - When Plain Simply Will Not Do!

There comes a point in your decorating phase when plain and white simply will not do! While window blinds of that colour and design have their own place and value in certain settings, they can sometimes be sterile, lifeless and boring; especially when the surrounding décor follows standard geometric and architectural patterns.

To create some sizzle in an otherwise unadorned setting, interior decorators have borrowed some ideas from the art department. Although they have virtually an ocean of choices when it comes to window treatments (themselves increasingly becoming more than just 'side dressings'), home owners and decorators alike opt for the more straightforward approach to dressing a window in using a roller blind. Once considered 'functional' rather than 'stylish', roller blinds, however, are seeing some renaissance of sorts.

Because roller blinds already offer a clean and stylish look even at their most modest, they have become quite popular among professional and lay users. Interior designers prefer their non-intrusive look that often provides a backdrop to a setting. Home owners love the ease of their operation and their reputation for low-maintenance.

With designer roller blinds, functionality, style and art have now come together to make homes and other interior spaces not just sanctums of personal space and places of relaxation, but also venues of artistic exhibition.

Unlike the standard or even custom-made roller blinds, designer roller blinds emphasize not on pattern or texture or a single colour. Instead, all of these elements are brought together to create designs that are worthy of art galleries. Not incidentally, designer roller blinds are often conceptualized by artists, (not just design professionals who have established a brand for themselves), who want to showcase their creations in venues other than the mainstream. So it is not surprising to discover that designer roller blinds are often used in situ as replicas to 'real' art. From an art perspective, these blinds do look like paintings when the blinds are pulled down, offering home owners affordable pieces of gallery-quality creations!

Themes are as varied as there are subjects in the world of visual arts. For example, in 'Earth images', every conceivable natural formation and organism is rendered in stunning colour and detail. This category includes landscapes, seascapes, sunsets and skies, creatures, flora and fauna. In 'food and drinks', cocktails, fruits and vegetables are the main subjects. In 'art and culture', caricatures and characters, ballet and opera, abstract, pop, fantasy art, Art Deco and Art Nouveau are the prevailing themes.

As the needs of the modern home owner are becoming more and more eclectic, designers are given a wider remit to conceive creations that would have been considered too avant-garde several decades ago. As a result, consumers are themselves becoming liberal with their personal tastes even in design areas that were once considered conservative. Designer roller blinds reflect this shift in taste and preference.

Window blinds have indeed come a long way from the unassuming strips of cloth or horizontal slats that bordered more on functional rather than stylish early in their evolution.

Roller blinds have proven that what is functional need not only be stylish, but also highly artistic!

About the Author

Russell Shearer is a Contributing Editor to Blinds-UK, one of the latest online shops for effortless ordering of window blinds in the UK. Visit Blinds-UK for the latest fabrics available, and for tips and advice on how to confidently measure your windows for ordering your blinds online. Measuring and installing designer roller blinds is not difficult when you follow some simple guidelines.

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Choosing a Carpet Color

Certain paint colors are known to affect the appearance of a room's size, what about choosing a carpet color? The color of your carpet adds dimension to a room as well. The color you choose may depend on the room's function and the type of carpet you choose. (Berber, deep pile, frieze to name a few.) A room's mood can be changed by carpet color. The right carpet color can enhance a room and improve a home's resale value. What's the best color for a bright living room? What's the best color for bedroom carpet? What type of carpet can make a room with very little natural light look brighter? Knowing a little bit about the types of carpet available and how color affects emotion can help you develop a custom interior design.

Depending on your interior design tastes for your home, you may want to convey a luxurious traditional mood, a relaxed country theme, or a contemporary modern style. You may have a different theme for every room or a consistent theme throughout your entire home. Carpet allows the versatility for these types of design choices. According to market research from color psychologists at Color Matters, deep shades of colors relay a feeling of luxury. Purple is associated with relaxation. Your carpet color choice will help establish a mood in every room, which is helpful for customizing children's bedrooms, casual living spaces and formal areas. How frequently you plan to use the room also factors in to color choice. Is this a space you plan to spend much of your time in or will house guests be spending more time there?

If you plan on redesigning your interior spaces every few years you will need to stay up-to-date with interior design trends. Recent trends show that purples, blacks, neutral ivory shades, and aquamarines are popular among interior designers. These colors pair well with creamy, silvery, or chocolate wall colors. For homeowners who only redesign when necessary, there are classic neutral combinations that allow for flexible aesthetics in the long-term. Neutral cream-colored carpet, depending on the pile and type of carpet chosen, allows homeowners to use wall colors, furniture and decorations as their primary color pallet.

If you have a high-traffic room, you may opt for a carpet color that blends various shades. Whether a hallway or a frequently used living space, foot traffic may track in dust and dirt from the outdoors and fade a carpet's color. Choosing the right type of carpet for these high-traffic spaces helps prevent wear and tear. There are many stain-resistant carpet options available spun with special materials that propel staining agents. These innovative carpet materials allow for easy cleaning and help prevent permanent wear patterns.

Carpet color choices are diverse, but having as much information as possible about interior design and home remodeling trends will help you find the best shades for your living spaces. Once your color and carpet choices are made, the next step is scheduling a carpet installation, and then all you have left to do is enjoy your new surroundings.

A representative for a leading online retailer for carpet installation tools and accessories has provided these general guidelines when considering a carpet upgrade to your home. Installation Tools, is known for its wide variety of carpet installation tools, specials and dedicated customer service.

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An Easy Way to Paint Plantation Shutters

Giving Those Old Shutters Some Color

Know that there is an easy way to paint plantation shutters. If your window coverings have lost their color over the years, you don't have to spend tones of money on replacing them, but you can simply repaint them. This will allow you not only to give your old shutters some color and shine, but also refresh the look of your interior. This especially applies to some neutral colored shutters, since white or cream colors tend to get dirty over time or otherwise damaged. Well, this is the perfect opportunity to start plantation shutters repainting project.

Try to plan all your steps before starting the project. This way you will avoid potential problems later on, since once you've started painting, it will be too late to go back. This includes getting all the things you need and determining the place you are going to paint the shutters at. Also, since you will need to take down the shutters, make sure to remember (or even write down) everything you've done, since this way you will have no problem in putting the shutters back up. Just follow the next few steps and you will have a freshly painted window treatment in no time.

Shutters Painting Steps

• As mentioned before, the first thing you will have to do is detach the shutters from the window. It is important to properly mark each panel, in order of returning them into the right position, once the painting is done. This also goes for hinges and other hardware, since any difference can cause alignment problems. Once you have removed the shutters from the windows, it would be wise to remove all the hardware, like hinges, hooks or knobs attached to the panels. This will only take a screwdriver and a few minutes but it will save you all the time of trying to cover or otherwise mask these or even worse, try to remove paint that somehow ended up there. Also, use this opportunity to check whether any hardware needs to be repaired or replaced.


• The next step is proper cleaning of the panels. Make sure to this thoroughly, since any dirt or debris caught on the surface will not only make it harder for the paint to stick but can also affect how smooth will your freshly painted shutter surface look. This can be done by using nothing more than some mild detergent and some warm water. Finally, do not start the painting before the surface is completely dry.


• The next thing you will have to do is scrape the shutters using some metal paint scraper and some sandpaper. This way you will get a smooth surface much easier to paint. However, do not overdo the scraping since you don't want to damage the panels in any way.


• Before applying the paint to your plantation shutters, it would be wide to use some water based primer. Covering the entire surface with a thin coat of primer will allow the paint to stick much easier, regardless of which paint has been used before.


• When it comes to the painting technique, you can either use a brush or some spray paint. Although it may seem like fun using a brush, it usually takes a long time (depending on the size of the brush and the size of your shutters), but can also cause potential problems for your shutter's operating mechanism. Namely, there is a chance that some paint will get into the gaps between the louvers and the frame (no matter how careful you are) which will, when dries later on, affect how smooth your shutters open or close.


• Once you've determined how you are going to paint your plantation shutters, prepare the working place. You can either hang the panels which will allow you to paint both sides simultaneously or place them onto the floor, previously covered with some newspaper or an old cloth, which means that you will have to paint one side and once it is dry, turn the panel and paint the other one.


• Finally, you can commence the shutters painting job. If you have opted for a paint brush, use flat brushes in order of applying the paint more evenly. Paint in smooth, even strikes. If you have decided to use spray paint, just shake the can well before you start and apply the paint rather vertically than horizontally. Keep the can about 30 centimeters from the panels and spray the color smoothly with no abrupt moves which can cause smudges and difference in color shades. One layer of paint should do the trick, but if you want a more intense hue, you can add another layer.

In the end of the shutters painting process, make sure that the paint has dried completely and reattach the shutters to the window. If you have previously marked their original position and kept all the screws in one place, this should not be a challenging task. Take a step back and admire your work.

Take a look at Shaftesburys for more info on our top end Plantation Shutters. For custom color Shaftesburys can match paint colors. Please send us your Dulux or Farrow & Ball color swatch reference numbers, or an actual color example, so we can match the color for you.

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