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What’s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring?

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It’s no secret that there are a large variety of flooring options available, which can make it easy to get lost in the specifics of how one type of flooring differs from another. One common flooring question we often receive from consumers is: what’s the difference between linoleum flooring and vinyl flooring.
The vinyl flooring vs. linoleum comparison is one filled with many similarities. There is however a few key differences between the two flooring options that should definitely not be ignored.
Composition
Linoleum is a mix of renewable natural materials: primarily linseed oil, which comes from flax seeds, plus other natural ingredients such as jute, cork powders, wood flour and tree resins. The design is not on a separate image layer, but is embedded throughout the materials.
Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is a synthetic product that is made up of vinyl, a combination of chemicals including ethylene and chlorine, and other additives (like felt, fiberglass, and dyes).
Life Span & Durability
Speaking of life spans, linoleum flooring can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years, while vinyl flooring typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Because of this, linoleum is considered more durable than vinyl as it has similar properties to ceramic flooring and hardwood.
Look & Style
The difference in design versatility between vinyl flooring vs. linoleum is astounding. Linoleum is extremely limited in its design options. Unlike vinyl, which authentically replicates the natural look of wood and stone, Linoleum doesn’t have the same style versatility in terms of mimicking other flooring types. However it can be great for creating large patterns, embedded designs or blocks of color. Linoleum is colorfast, which means that the patterns and hues are not just printed on the surface but are dimensionally present through the entire piece. This allows the flooring to wear down without fading, as the colors are true all the way through the material.
Scratch, Stain and Dent Resistance
Both vinyl and marmoleum floorings have hardened wear layers designed to provide maximum scratch and stain resistance both are designed for superior dent resistance from things like cleats, heavy appliances and dropped objects.
Installation
Vinyl flooring is considered to be the easier option out of the two (especially if you’re looking for a DIY flooring project). While linoleum flooring installation is typically not considered a complicated process, certain precautions are needed.

Maintenance
Both Vinyl and Linoleum requires extremely low maintenance. Considered one of the easiest flooring types to clean, both flooring can withstand normal sweeping and vacuuming as well as mopping. You won’t have to worry about damaging the floorboards as they are not affected by moisture, mold, or mildew.
Price
While linoleum flooring isn’t expensive, it typically costs more than vinyl, fairly head to head.
Applications
Both vinyl and linoleum flooring are ideal for almost any commercial design project thanks to their multi-faceted and cross-purpose functionality.
Whether you decide to go with linoleum or vinyl tile flooring, there are plenty of beautiful, high-quality options for both types of flooring material. Because they’re both considered types of resilient flooring, and are great choices for homeowners looking for affordable, comfortable and practical flooring products.

Introducing Pata Floor Pay on Installments ! Let’s Take Your Flooring to the Next Level

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Are you in dire need of a floor makeover and you are short of cash to buy or afford one? Worry no more. Floor Décor Kenya Ltd has partnered with KCB bank to help its customers get our various flooring products dubbed ‘Pata Floor pay on installments !’ you will be allowed to buy any flooring product of your choice at any Floor Décor Showroom countrywide. The initiative is an innovative lending product that allows you to buy any floor product and pay in monthly installments at a 0% interest rate through a KCB credit card.

1 .  You must be an account holder with KCB Bank/ National Bank,approval takes 24hrs subject to KCB Bank terms .

2. Non account holders need to first open an account with KCB bank.

3. Applicants must first visit Floor Decor Kenya showroom for a quote , after we provide application form to be filled by the customer which is sent to KCB for approval.

Majority of homeowners move into homes without flooring to save on rent, without knowing the risks associated with staying on unfloored house. Staying in an unfloored house mostly with uneven concrete subfloor is uncomfortable and unforgiving! The Worst affected are families with kids or elderly folks in the household, falling will hurt and may seriously injure people. Moreover, unfloored houses usually become damp due to the moisture migrating from the underneath and top of the slab. Another setback of concrete subfloor is coldness, since it has no insulating value and will feel chilled against bare feet. Cold and damp concrete subfloor can worsen asthma symptoms, and is also associated with an increased risk of asthma development and respiratory tract infections.
Life is too short not to feel at home! An awesome flooring solution gives you that feeling at home. It is a blissful sentiment that unfortunately often requires time and patience. But time has become a precious commodity! That’s why Pata Floor pay on installments offers an instant feeling of coming home!
Why Wait?
Now there’s no need to put off your flooring plans any longer. With our payment plans, you’re able to avoid paying up front, and pay for your flooring as you enjoy it. Don’t live with worn out or boring floors. We demystify and build confidence for the customers so they can complete their flooring projects.
Why finance?
Pata Floor pay on installments ! allow you to pay your new floor while you enjoy using it. With 0% rates and payment plans, it just makes sense, so dream homes and real-life budgets are always on the same page.
We Make Your Dream Flooring Affordable
Not only do we have fantastic pricing on flooring for every room, we’ve made it even easier to walk out with your new floor. As you consider the flooring that fits your lifestyle, take advantage of our Pata Floor pay on installments

! Offer.

Finish off your Flooring with our Beautiful Skirtings/Baseboards that Frame and Match your Floor Perfectly!

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Finish off your Flooring with our Beautiful Skirtings/Baseboards that Frame and Match your Floor Perfectly!
Are you looking for that perfect skirting board to give your interior that finishing touch? A stylish skirting board that hides your ugly cables discretely Or a cover skirting to quickly camouflage your old skirting boards? Floor Décor Kenya knows what the right wall skirting can do for your interior.
Skirting boards are a common fixture in most homes and choosing a suitable design can complement an interior space beautifully. A popular and affordable option for skirting boards in your home is MDF Moulding. This versatile material has many benefits both functionally and aesthetically, and it pairs perfectly with a range of floor finishes.
Filling Gaps
Without skirting, the transition from floor to wall looks unfinished and bare and allows walls to be easily damaged. Even in modern houses, there can be a few millimeters difference between walls and flooring, the Expansion gaps between the floor and walls are ideal for natural expansion and contraction. To overcome this, MDF skirting boards provide a simple solution for covering these gaps, whilst creating an aesthetically pleasing look.
Long lasting MDF Moulding Material
Our Skirtings are made for longevity and offers a hardwearing yet decorative element to your home. The surface of MDF Skirtings are laminated to match your floor color and provides a smooth finish, which can also be easily painted to match your interior design. Unlike other skirting board materials such as pine and oak, MDF will not expand, contract or warp so it creates a professional, sturdy and reliable look throughout.
Preventing Damage
One of the key advantages of having skirting boards in your living spaces is to keep your rooms looking good. MDF skirting boards provide a tough barrier between the walls and furniture, and also prevent knocks – for example when you are vacuuming a room or if you have small children running around!
Covering Blemishes or Wiring
In properties new and old, there are elements of untidy paintwork or unsightly wiring especially along the bottom edge or corners of a room. Skirting board is an ideal option for covering these common problems and provides an affordable way to give a smoother finish to your décor.
Our skirting boards have spacious tunnels that separate from each other and allow you to put power cables and wires for TV, internet, computer and more.
Complementing Interior Design & Unique Profiles
Floor Décor Skirting boards are ideal for making a room look and feel complete. They are available in a range of profiles and sizes, which work perfectly in both traditional and contemporary homes. We have different profile including the unique 5 by 1 British Profile. Simple and sleek Skirtings appeal to modern aesthetics. Skirtings do so much more. They add character to your interior, can visually raise the ceiling, and are a convenient way to cover a messy seam between the wall and the floor… In short, they are essential in any room!
Easy to install and Zero Maintenance
Skirting boards are easy to install and come in a variety of finishes, which enable you to paint or prime them as you wish. This low maintenance and affordable decorative feature is long lasting and easy to replace if it becomes damaged. They can also be painted in situ if you decide to revamp your décor post installation.
Skirtings are quiet ingredients in a room, It’s so much part of our architectural vernacular that we only notice it if it’s not there at all.

Why Flooring is Important

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Flooring is a significant part of any interior design and can easily make or break your space. It serves as a foundation to your design and can ultimately determine its overall success. Flooring brings the whole room together: Without the right flooring, your room can have design elements in all the right places and still not look right! The floors of a house take the brunt of our everyday activities and are usually the first surfaces to reflect wear and tear.
While our first interaction with a space is visual, the first physical contact a person will have with your space is the flooring. As such it’s important to invest in floors which will keep pace with your daily life and add value while simultaneously infusing your home with a touch of class.
Regardless of which design style you have chosen, selecting a complimentary flooring option is a must. As one of the most used surfaces in our home, flooring is expected to withstand constant use while enduring its transcendent quality. With the vast variety of flooring choices available, it is easy to get carried away and forget about the practical aspects that should be taken into consideration.
Pricing, quality and style are amongst the top researched variances when purchasing flooring. While it is possible to save money upfront by purchasing cheap flooring, it will not last. Nowadays, flooring is viewed as an investment and there are a number of options available for every budget. From hardwood, to laminate, marmoleum and Mkeka wa Mbao™ – Floor Décor Kenya carries them all our underlying goal is durability first price comes second .
Floors are an essential element in interior design and improving the aesthetic appeal of any property. But when it comes to decorating a space, some home and business premises owners make the mistake of focusing only on the ceilings and walls and completely overlooking the flooring.  You do not want to do that. A room’s flooring is its base, too. A high quality floor improves the interior design of a space and brings together all the other elements, including the furniture and wall and ceiling decors.
Looking for superior quality and affordable flooring materials at the right flooring center is therefore important. Home and business owners in East Africa are very privileged to have a reliably flooring store such as Floor Décor Kenya that offers all its clients a wide variety of top quality flooring options for both residential and commercial buildings, offices, Hospitals, Churches, Warehouses, Schools, Hotels and Industries.
Whether you choose to go with durable laminates, or easy to maintain vinyl and marmoleum or the lush turf grass, you’ll find the best of these products at Floor Décor Kenya Showrooms countrywide.

How to distinguish genuine mkeka wa mbao vinyl flooring from the copy

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Well Levelled floor

Original mkeka wa mbao beauflor cushion vinyl flooring

Original Mkeka wa mbao™️ FACTS

✅Sold in the Kenyan market since 2016 thousands of happy clients .

✅ Exclusive Prints like Woods , ceramics , plain colors or fabric color designs .

✅None shinny look doesn’t feel or look like plastic carpets original mkeka wa Mbao™️ has real wood textured matte finish to last a long time , anything shinny will eventually loose the shine😊.

✅Our warranty starts at 10 years .

✅We strive to ship textile backed rolls exclusively in 4 meters , textile backed are more stable on your subfloor and avoid furniture tearing them up and indentions .

✅ We stock matching accessories for your flooring like skirting baseboards with provision to run cables , aluminum door profiles , rubber stair nosing etc .

Our pricing starts from Sh 1500/- per sq meter and price depends on wear Layer the higher the wear Layer the higher the price and durability our experts at the showrooms will advice as per your usage .

Check our designs here

https://www.floordecorkenya.com/browse/beauflor/

What is Vinyl flooring ?

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Vinyl floors are one of the most durable and affordable flooring solutions available on the market these days. Depending on the vinyl you select, the costs can be up to 70 percent less when compared to other flooring materials, such as Ceramic tiles , Laminate floor , marble and stone. High level of durability, very warm unlike ceramics ,None slip ideal for bathrooms ,easy to install ,low maintenance and versatility make the vinyl flooring a very popular flooring choice for commercial and residential applications. There are two types of vinyl sheet flooring: homogeneous and heterogeneous flooring.

The homogeneous vinyl floor covering is made of one single layer that offers vibrancy and depth of the colour. The heterogeneous flooring on the other hand, is a multi-layer flooring which comes in wide variety of beautiful patterns with endless design possibilities. This feature gives a feel and a look of natural flooring materials. Heterogeneous flooring also offers low maintenance cost, which is why is primary choice of homeowners, health care facilities, schools, etc.

Both vinyl homogeneous and heterogeneous flooring are affordable flooring solutions when compared with other flooring materials, and are incredibly stain resistant. These benefits make these two types of vinyl flooring a great choice for heavy traffic areas. With quality vinyl flooring you can create the perfect environment which will be both functional and modern. Vinyl heterogeneous flooring has many options and benefits and comes with varying thickness. It’s also patterned or coloured and it is often used in areas with high level of moisture like laboratories, bathrooms and kitchens as well. This flooring option is the best solution for houses as well, especially if there are kids and/or pets.

Vinyl heterogeneous flooring is available in many beautiful and unique designs that provide excellent acoustic performance and unique sound reduction properties because it can be applied from wall to wall. In wet areas, like showers, sinks, splash areas, swimming pools, etc, the vinyl flooring offers comfort when walking and gives a firm grip.

Vinyl heterogeneous flooring is suitable for both commercial and residential purposes. It can be easily installed (even if without any skills), but for more luxurious and complex forms, it is best to use professional services. You can find vinyl floor covering designed and produced by many manufacturers available in hundreds of colours, patterns and styles to choose from. With broad range of products and techniques, there aren’t limits to the designs you can create making a strong statement with your new vinyl heterogeneous flooring.

Behold the cure for cold floors is here with BeauFlor Cushion Vinyl

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Behold the cure for cold floors is here
By Delfhin Mugo Daily Nation  http://www.nation.co.ke/
Twitter: @delphinmugo
Email: [email protected]

Is your floor too cold, stained, slippery, squeaky, and hard on the feet? Are you wondering what to do with it? Well, wonder no more. Cushion vinyl, the newest technology in flooring, which resembles –and is rolled easily on the floor like— a carpet, comes with a new lease of life for your floor.

The flooring product is not just a solution to all floor headaches that bedevils residents but an eco-friendly solution as well since its bottom layer is made of 95 per cent recycled fiber. Cushion vinyl has five layers unlike a carpet that has one.

“The bottom layer, recycled fiber backing, easily fills into the gaps between tiles and this eliminates the need for grouting,” Mr Amos Kibaru, the CEO of Floor Décor Kenya, told DN2.
The compact layer, he continues, which comes above the fiber layer helps to absorb pressure and prevents substrate deformations. Therefore, the floor underneath, whether wood or ceramic tiles, remains intact and undamaged in case the resident decides to remove the cushion vinyl floor.

On top of the compact layer is the glass fibre mesh layer that prevents excessive expansion and tears. Glass fibre layer precedes the design layer which combines hyper-realistic designs, textures and colours for the cushion vinyl. For instance, the design layer can come in wood, ceramic or stone look. All these designs come in a wide variety of colours to choose from. For a house where most accessories are white, the resident could choose, say, a brown cushion vinyl to complement the accessories, and depending on the wallpapers in the house he or she can choose a stone or wood design vinyl.

Unlike foam backing that encourages penetration of water over time and consequent growth of mildew, cushion vinyl whose backing is textile, is waterproof and does not form mildew on the bottom surface.

Terming cushion vinyl as an all-round floor type, Mr Kibaru says it is ideal for residential areas, offices, hospitals, libraries, hotels and clubs. Singling out hotels and clubs since the interior decoration of these two places needs to constantly change for them to remain attractive and inviting to patrons, he says, “It is expensive to change tiles every now and then in such a place where decoration is quite dynamic. Cushion vinyl would be more ideal since it is cheap, easy to install and comes in a wide variety of designs and colours.”

However, when purchasing cushion vinyl, Mr Kibaru advises individuals to inform the seller where they intend to install the vinyl floor. This is because there are two types of vinyl materials; residential and office vinyl. “The difference is their thickness, where residential vinyl is 0.20mm thick. It is manufactured ideally for low traffic areas. The office vinyl is double the residential in thickness and a bit heavy. It is 0.40mm in thickness,” says Mr Kibaru.

Besides being warm and soft on the foot due to the fibre material used to manufacture it, its top layer, called the wear layer, which is made from polyurethane material, provides resistance to wear and tear that in most cases is occasioned by dragging chairs on the floor or piercing the floor with sharp heals. It also makes it easy to maintain the floor. “You can easily wipe out stains with a wet piece of cloth. The top layer prevents scuffing which is common in wooden tiles,” says Mr Kibaru, adding that walking with sharp heals on it will not leave blemishes behind.

To put it simply, cushion vinyl behaves like a high-density foam mattress that caves in when sat on and regains its shape ones the pressure is off. It comes with a five year warranty.
Cushion vinyl is fire resistance, which means if a resident accidentally drops a red-hot piece of charcoal; the wear layer will not burn immediately to buy some time to put it off. Polyurethane, which manufactures the top layer, is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links; most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers that do not melt when heated.
Unlike concrete, wood and ceramic tile floors that tend to make noise whenever someone walks on them, especially on heals, cushion vinyl provides a silent floor to a house. This makes it ideal for places such as intensive care units (ICU) and library where dead silence is demanded of visitors.

Since vinyl can laid on top of other floors without damaging it, tenants too can install it in their rented apartments.
“My daughter had hard time crawling on ceramic tiles floor since it was slippery and very cold. Seeing she could not play with her toys comfortably, I took to the internet where I searched for alternative flooring that could cover the entire ceramic tiles floor. That’s how I came across cushion vinyl,” Ms Jema Nkorote told DN2.cushion-vinylcampaign-2-cushion
“It is non-slippery, at least I can attest to that since my daughter has not fallen down yet,” says Ms Nkorote referring to her little daughter who was comfortably playing with her toys on the floor when DN2 visited their rental apartment at Valley Arcade along Gitanga Road.

However, Nkorote’s sister is uncomfortable with her sister’s vinyl floor which seems to fade a bit too fast but blames her sister for using detergents to clean the floor, to which Mr Kibaru says, “Since vinyl does not harbour dust, I would advise her to use liquid soap and vinegar as opposed to powder detergents which have chemicals that can discolour the surface of the vinyl.”

Staying with the same floor type for a long period is both monotonous and boring; therefore, cushion vinyl comes as a relief since homeowners and tenants can now afford to change their floors from time to time. And cushion vinyl does not cost an arm and a leg. A square meter of vinyl, Mr Kibaru says, is going for Sh 1000.

Installation
Though, Mr Kibaru, says they have trained personnel whom they link up their clients with for installation purposes, cushion vinyl installation is an easy, do-it-yourself process that any home owner can install with just a little creativity and a few hours to burn.

“You only need a double sided tape, a craft knife, a skirting wood and a door strip to install,” says Mr Kibaru.
To begin with, the subfloor upon which cushion vinyl is to be laid must be clean, smooth and dry. Then, cut the vinyl into the approximate area, allowing for overhang. When this is done, roll the vinyl on and use the craft knife to cut the vinyl at the edges. Alternatively, a straight edge metal or wood and knife can be used to cut in.

Unroll the overhang material and the vinyl will be laid. Use a double sided tape to hold down the vinyl along the perimeter, and at high traffic areas. Also, at the perimeter, a skirting wood, that has a channel for internet cables running along it on the inner side, is used to hold the vinyl firmly on the floor.

Mr Kibaru advises installers to leave a space for expansion between the vinyl and the wall. Once you are done fixing the skirting wood, hammer in the door strip to hold the vinyl firmly at the entrance. In just a couple of hours, you will have a new floor that is not only beautiful but also, depending on your choice, complements the furniture or the wallpaper in the house.

By Delfhin Mugo Daily Nation  http://www.nation.co.ke/
Twitter: @delphinmugo
Email: [email protected]