INSTRUCTIONS FOR KNOCKING THROUGH THE TAP HOLE

You will need:

A 10mm Pin or Centre Punch

A Claw Hammer

Safety Goggles & Gloves

It is highly recommended that safety goggles and gloves are worn when knocking through the tap hole.

Position the pin punch on the surface of the sink over the centre of the part-drilled hole (please note that the red dot labels are for guidance only and do not give the exact centre of the tap hole).

Gently tap the punch with a claw hammer until a hole is punched through, and then continue tapping out the excess from around the hole, ensuring any rough or sharp edges are removed.

Next time you buy someone a gift, why not kill two birds with one stone by buying your loved ones a gift they will enjoy that can also be used to improve your home’s appearance?

Those who enjoy DIY will appreciate DIY gifts because their present will last longer than their birthday, anniversary or Christmas Day and will give them something to look forward to. There are so many DIY projects that can be done around your home, from the big to the small, and they all help in the maintenance and appearance of your home. These projects can also be very simple with all the DIY kits available today, but there is no lack of more complicated DIY projects for those looking for a challenge! This wide choice and range of DIY projects make DIY gifts suitable for people of all ages.

DIY gifts to decorate the house

The arty, crafty and creative may love getting a DIY gift to decorate their home. Here are a few ideas of what to buy for a DIY gift:

Some pretty material that can be used to make curtains in various rooms around the house, as well as all the necessary instructions and tools that are needed to make them. Choosing this kind of gift can be tricky, so you might want to find out exactly what kind of tastes the gift receiver has and maybe even drop some hints to find out what they would like to see in their home.

Paint, paint brushes and all the other necessary equipment for the gift receiver to give their home a fresh, new coat of paint wherever it is needed. Again, try to find out what colours, patterns etc. they like.

Seeds or colourful pot plants for house plants. Even better, buy plain pot plants that can be decorated and throw in some paint and other decorative items.

Equipment to make hanging accessories for the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere in the home. For example, bathroom racks for toothbrushes and toothpaste or kitchen racks for spices or utensils.

Plain boxes that can be decoupaged or painted and used for items around the home, e.g. coffee and tea containers.

Something for the kids – plain curtain material or tiles around the house that can be painted on. This way, your kids can feel proud to be a part of your home’s interior decorating and your memories of them will be a part of the home for a long time.

If you’re a bit nervous to leave your decorating scheme in the hands of your children, you could give them something a little smaller to work on, such as plain fridge magnets.

DIY gifts to fix up and improve the home

If you know someone who loves getting their hands dirty around the house and is constantly finding something that they think needs fixing, then help them to cheerfully improve and fix up their home with a DIY gift, such as:

New taps that can be installed in the kitchen or bathroom, such as a pull out kitchen tap, a kitchen mixer tap or a bathroom basin mixer tap. Other options include shower heads and bath taps.

Supply them with all the necessary instructions and equipment to make built-in cupboards. You can even do the measurements yourself and get the right sizes yourself.

Use those colourful tiles your kids proudly made and lay them down yourself on your kitchen floor, shower floor or elsewhere around your home.

Equipment to sand down and shine wooden surface of chairs and tables and perhaps paint for a fresh, new look.

Give them whatever they need to make their very own kitchen island and even provide them with various add-ons to improve the beauty and functionality of the island.

Equipment to make a cabinet for their television or stereo, or shelves for a CD and DVD rack or wine bottle rack (and throw in a bottle of wine to get them started!)

DIY gifts for the chefs of the house

If your loved one enjoys spending time in the kitchen, then give them something that will help make their cooking and baking experiences more enjoyable.

For example, a splashback they can install, a rack that can be hung up and used to hold their recipe book open or cutlery and crockery that they can decorate themselves with beads or paint etc.

DIY gifts are useful for a number of reasons – they last longer than a birthday or Christmas Day, they occupy a person’s time for longer, they can have sentimental value and they maintain and improve homes. Finally, they are suitable for anyone of any age who enjoys a bit of DIY, so if you’re struggling to think of the perfect gift for your mother, wife, sister, father, husband or brother, a DIY gift could be your answer.

The United Kingdom is currently experiencing bitterly cold weather conditions. This can cause a lot of discomfort and the last thing you want is to wake up one day to find your water pipes are frozen or even worse, that they have caused flooding and major damage to your home.

New homeowners can take precautions

If you are fortunate enough to oversee the building of your home, make sure that the plumber does not run any supply lines in the outside walls of your home. Simply insulating outdoor water pipes does not guarantee they won’t freeze.

For the rest of us…

For the general public who were not around when their house was built, always remove the water hose from your outdoor spigot in the winter.

Rule number one is the most important

Know all about your main water supply – where it is and how to shut it off. In water emergency situations, shutting off the water quickly will minimize the damage. If you can’t locate the shutoff valve, use the valve inside your water meter pit.

Find the source

The source of the problem is typically found in the water pipes located in outside walls or in floors over unheated spaces, such as bathrooms over garages. In this case, keep your garage door closed.

After closing the main water supply valve to your home, locate the frozen pipe and run your hand along its length to find the coldest spot, i.e. the frozen area. Open the tap at the end of the damaged pipe to release water pressure.

Examine the entire length of the pipe for damage such as cracks, breaks and holes. These can cause flooding when the pipe is being thawed so in this case, it is best to call a plumber.

Thawing water pipes

After testing for water leaks, use a small desk lamp with its adjustable neck approximately one inch away from touching the surface of the pipe. You can also use an electric space heater on a low setting, a small propane torch, a hairdryer or a soldering iron which you can strap to the pipe with the hot tip in contact with the pipe, allowing heat to be conducted along the pipe in both directions. As a torch or soldering iron can cause the pipe to burst, use them only on the tap side of the ice block. You can pour warm water on the frozen area but as the water supply will be cut off, this is a messy option. Never use hot or boiling water as this can cause the pipe to burst! Once the ice has melted, water will drip from the tap. Close the tap and inspect the pipe for leaks.

Insulating water pipes

Insulate by using heater tapes or thermal blanket to wrap around water pipes or use a heated reflector lamp in a dry, enclosed space. Heater tapes must be wrapped between the pipe and the insulation to work. Wrap the heat tape in a spiral pattern around water lines (without covering the pipe solid), leaving one to two inches between the next spiral. Wrap the pipes loosely and secure the insulation in place with electrical tape.

If using a thermal blanket, measure the length of each water supply line and cut the thermal blanket twice this length. Soak the blanket in hot water and wrap it, two layers thick, around the length of the pipe so that it fits securely, but not tightly. You can use an old shoestring or duct tape to secure the blanket in place on the top or bottom.

Another option is to build a box or small cover over outdoor pipes and insulate the interior of the box for extra protection.

Frozen radiator

For a frozen radiator, apply heat by using hot towels, a heating pad, a hair dryer, a soldering iron or any other similar source of heat. If the room is warm, the ice will melt on its own, but very slowly.

When there is no power

Having no power makes it more likely that your pipes will freeze. Shut off the main water supply valve and open all taps so that water runs at a slow, constant drip, leaving no pressure in the system.

Handy products

Hot water optimisers have sensors that detect a temperature below a user-chosen set point. They then intermittently circulate tepid-warm water throughout your hot and cold waterlines.

A water heat rod will keep the water line from freezing above the frost line. More effective than heat tape, a heating rod will get around 90 degrees Farenheit and stay there as long as it’s plugged into an electrical socket.

Safety first

Using electrical equipment and open flames carries extreme potential for fires. Never use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. Also never use boiling water as it may cause the pipe to burst.

Extra tips

Unplug heat tape and rods during warmer months to save on electricity

If you’re on a holiday, don’t turn your heating system off or set the thermostat below 55 degrees Farenheit because the pipes can freeze if the room temperature drops low enough. Have someone check on your home frequently.

If the same pipe freezes every year, try installing a louvered grill or create some source of air flow between the room that the freezing occurs in and a heated room. Look for small holes to the outside when insulating pipes and use expanding foam on these to seal out the breeze.

Prepare an emergency bottle for frozen water pipes on very cold mornings and heat the bottle in the microwave or in a pot on the stove to about 60 degrees Farenheit. Gently pour the water on the frozen pipe then slowly turn on the water and allow it to thaw for a few minutes.

Focus on areas most susceptible to freezing pipes, e.g. cold, isolated basements, garages, rooms over garages, outside walls, crawl spaces etc. Remember to insulate and heat drain lines here.

According to the UN, water use has been growing at more than the rate twice of population increase in the last century. By 2025, 1 800 million people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions.

These are just a few water facts, and they are alarming. If we continue to waste water as we do, in what state will our children find our planet?

Although some may find it difficult to believe, change starts with the individual. The little changes you make in the way you use water can have a far-reaching impact. If everyone does their part in conserving water, we can start to fix the problems we are experiencing and set an example for future generations to follow.

There’s something in it for you too. You can cut down costs on your water and electricity bills and save money!

There are many ways you can conserve water wherever and whenever you use it. Here are some tips for the kitchen and bathroom.

Appliances

• When you buy new refrigerators, air conditioners, ice-makers, dishwashers, clothes washers and toilets etc, look out for features that save water, such as air-cooling and cycle or load size adjustments. For taps, use water-saving aerators and instant water heaters. Another way to get instant hot water is by insulating hot water pipes. Maybe you weren’t considering renovations or upgrades, but newer toilets, for example, are usually more water-efficient than older ones and newer dishwashers clean more thoroughly than older ones, therefore using less time to rinse dishes.

Being green while getting clean

• Test your showerhead by placing a one-gallon (3.78 litre) bucket in your shower and timing how long it takes to fill. If it takes less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. Water-efficient showerheads are inexpensive, easy to install and can save up to 750 gallons (2 839, 06 litres) a week.
• Cutting back on one or two minutes in the shower can save up to 150 gallons (567, 81 litres) a month.
• When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water and adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving. This can save up to 25 (94, 64 litres), 150 (567, 81 litres) and 300 gallons (1 135, 62 litres) a month respectively.
• Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up and use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
• Bathe young children together.

Drip…. drip….. drip…… drip

• Listen for dripping taps and running toilets, then grab a wrench and fix the problem. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons (1 135, 62 litres) or more a month. Fixing it is simple and it also frees you from listening to that annoying dripping sound. Not sure if your toilet has a leak? Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak and fixing it can save up to 1, 000 gallons (3 785, 41 litres) a month.

Getting your hands dirty… or clean

• When washing dishes, don’t let water run while rinsing – fill one sink with wash water and the other sink with rinse water. If you don’t have two sinks, use a large container.
• Leave pots and pans for last and let them soak in water instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• When washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.

Do I have to compromise being hydrated for the environment??!

• No, but keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap every time you want a glass of water. This way, less water is lost to the drain.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle to cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• Get your eight glasses of water a day by eating delicious and nutritious soup. Simply re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods

Try to make these small and helpful changes in your home and notice how good it feels to know that you’re helping to improve the environment in your own way while saving money! Then pass your knowledge on to your friends and teach them to your kids so that individuals can team up in a bid to save the planet.

No bathroom design is complete without the right accessories. Although bathroom accessories are usually the smaller items in a bathroom, they are still important. They provide the bathroom with functionality, make it more user-friendly and give it its finishing touch. When bathroom accessories work together, they can bring all the decor together, making its general appearance more attractive.

There are many kinds of bathroom accessories which means that no matter what type of bathroom you have, whether it’s traditional or contemporary, there will be something not only suitable for your bathroom, but beautiful too.

Toilet accessories

These include toilet paper holders, toilet seats, toilet seat warmers, toilet brush holders etc. These accessories, like most bathroom accessories, come in many different sizes, shapes and styles.

Take the toilet paper holder for example. You can get one with an old fashioned roller design, or an open hook design for quick and easy changes of paper, two point support rollerless designs, recessed models, mounted models, freestanding models etc.

Shower accessories

There are all kinds of shower heads and shower valves to choose from. Like all other bathroom accessories, homeowners can choose from the more traditional to more modern and innovative accessories.

Towel accessories

There are various ways you can hang up your towel in your bathroom. You can install bars, rings, hooks, stands or shelves. Once again, the variety of designs are endless. Towel bars, for example, can be single or double. You can also get heated towel rails, which makes your bathroom even more functional in chilly winter seasons.

An accessory that provides a place to put your towel is an integral part of your bathroom but they can also be beautiful. This kind of accessory can also be used to store other items. Your bathroom robe, for example, can be hung up on a hook or folded up onto a shelf. Glass shelves can make your bathroom look more elegant.

Cabinets

Even your cabinets can have their own accessories, such as drawer pulls. All the small details count! Drawer pulls can complement your cabinets and make a decorative statement in your bathroom.

Lighting and mirrors

Don’t forget about using lighting and mirrors to make your bathroom more attractive. Both of these can make rooms appear bigger than they really are. Lights can come in various shapes and forms as well as number. You can have one main light, or rather many different lights all over your bathroom, including in your shower and on mirrors.

The little, yet important, accessories

Then there are the other, smaller accessories that are just as important as the rest. These include a soap dish or soap dispenser, baskets and other holders for various objects such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, a hair dryer holder, pot plants or other items that serve to beautify your bathroom etc.

When all the equipment and accessories in your bathroom match or suit one particular theme or look, your bathroom can be transformed into a completely different room. What’s great about bathroom accessories is that they suit many budgets, so you don’t have to pay a lot of money to easily improve your bathroom’s overall look, but if you want a space that is truly luxurious, the list of stylish accessories that you can add to your bathroom is endless!

Chrome taps have been around for nearly 100 years and are very popular in today’s modern world for a number of reasons. The popularity of chrome has spread to other uses, such as appliance handles like those found in refrigerators, lighting fixtures, expensive toys etc.

One of the hardest metals in the world, chrome is not useful as a solid, pure substance. Instead, a thin layer or plating of chrome is applied to other solid objects which are usually made of steel, aluminium, brass, copper, plastic or stainless steel. Chrome plating is number one in the metal plating industry.

Chrome bathroom and kitchen taps have become popular because they are, depending on their quality, scratch resistant, corrosion resistant, easy to clean and maintain and less difficult to assemble.

Not only is chrome the most durable finish, but it is also an excellent design choice. Their glossy nature makes the bathroom or kitchen appear cleaner and adds a sense of class to the atmosphere, yet at the same time, chrome taps are a simple and common choice. Chrome plating can create several different styles and designs.

Chrome taps can fit in with any design. They can blend in with earthy browns or amber tones, create layers of colour in dark blue or black colour schemes and they can simply add brightness to a room and give it a shiny, modern look. The simple touch of chrome taps can instantly make a kitchen or bathroom look more attractive.

The best way to clean chrome taps is to simply use soap. One needs to be aware that applying chemicals or abrasive materials might do more harm than good as these chemicals may expunge the chrome plating.

Forgetting about your worries while soaking in a bathtub is something many people love to do, especially on a cold winter’s day. It’s the getting out part that can be tough though. Making the adjustment from hot bath to cold air can be very uncomfortable. Something else many people love to do is to feel the warmth of a dry towel fresh out the dryer against their skin. What do these two things have to do with each other? A heated towel rail can be of use in both situations.

Heated towel rails can make the process of getting out of the bath or shower a much more pleasant experience. Those thinking of renovating their bathroom, might like the idea of having a heated towel rail in their bathroom as it is a simple change, yet one that makes a big difference and offers great luxury and comfort.

Wrapping your body with a dry, warm towel can make you feel loved and cared for instantly. It is an innovative and convenient invention that has replaced the need for radiators in the bathroom.

Heated towel rails are also cost effective. Central heating bills can be a real pain during those chilly winters and may not be enough to keep your bathroom warm. Heated bathroom features, however, like heated toilet seats and heated towel rails, can make a big difference at a more affordable price, while at the same time improving your bathroom’s overall look.

There are two types of heated towel rails – electric and radiator towel rails. They are both convenient and can be controlled to conserve energy and heat through the use of timers.

If you’re installing a radiator towel rail, you can turn it into a DIY job as long as you’re careful with the plumbing connections. Before starting any DIY, remember to protect the floors and hard surfaces. Try to find a towel rail the same size as your radiator as this will make the job a lot easier. If this is not the case, you may have to add or reduce your pipework. First, you need to drain down your central heating system. To do this, you will have to shut off the boiler, switch off the fuel supply and leave to cool down for a few hours. When the water in the heating system is cold, you can cut off the water supply at the expansion tank. You then fit one end of a garden hose over the drain cock and the other end over an external drain gully.

You then decide on the position of your towel rail. They are usually hung on the wall with the supply pipes coming through the wall to meet the valve. If the pipework is in the floor or feeding your old radiator, you can extend it up the wall to meet the valves or shape it using bends and elbows above floor level to meet the valves. Alternatively, you can take up a section of the floor to move the pipework into a position so it looks neater.

Once you know where you want to fit the rail, mark this exact position as well as the position of the valves. It is easier to use compression fittings if you decide to chase the pipes into the wall, and you need to sleeve them in bigger pipes before filling the chase so there is no contact between mortar, plastic and pipes. Remember to put tape or a stop end over the end of the pipe so nothing gets in until you are ready to connect up. Don’t forget to check the heated towel rail’s fitting instructions so that the rail is firmly in position. Make the required connections and then re-set your central heating system.

Electric towel radiators look the same as radiator towel rails but they are filled with various fluids that are heated via an electric thermostatic heating element that is user friendly and efficient, accurately controlling the temperature of the rail. This job requires a professional however.

Try adding a heated towel rail to your bathroom and enjoy experiencing luxury, convenience, and warmth while not fearing your next electric bill.

Before giving your bathroom a complete makeover, consider if perhaps it simply needs a few new touches, such as a fresh coat of paint or new taps. Maybe your bathroom furniture needs to be replaced. If this is the case, ensure that you buy items of the same size and shape so they will fit correctly.

If you want to completely re-design your bathroom, there are certain things you will have to consider beforehand. First and foremost, think about whether you want one room with your shower and/or bath, toilet and sink or if you want two rooms; one with only a toilet or a toilet and sink and the other with shower and/or bath.

Depending on how many people use the bathroom, who these people are and how often they use it, what you will need in your bathroom can differ from home to home. For example, if your bathroom is quite small and you don’t often have time to relax in a bathtub, it might be unnecessary to have one.

Space is an important factor of course. Determine how much space you have and for a better idea of what furniture to get and where it can go, produce a scale version floor plan. Make the best use of space but remember that you will need enough room to move around the furniture, e.g. stepping out of the bath, opening up cabinets and doors, windows etc. If you have a small bathroom, there are certain tricks you can employ to make it appear bigger than it really is, such as using the correct lighting and mirrors. You can also use fitted furniture. Corner sinks, showers and bath can save space.

Don’t forget to include plumbing in your plan. You will want to box in pipes to make the bathroom appear tidier. You will also need lighting, ventilation and you may need heating. Space for storage is not essential but should be considered if you store medicine, children’s toys, toiletries or anything else in the bathroom. You can create storage space in cabinets or pedestals or on shelves. Also think about any accessories you may want, like a toothbrush holder, soap dish and mirrors.

Consider who will be using the bathroom and if they have any needs you should consider, for example, adaptions for the disabled or locks on the medicine cabinet for young children.

When it comes to flooring, tiling is the common choice. Tiling makes for a neat environment and allows for easy cleaning. There is a wide range of tiles that differ in size and design. Remember to tile on clean, dry plaster and not papered surfaces. You can also use splashbacks against the bath, sink and shower and this can be made from different materials, such as glass, stainless steel, laminate, granite, mirror and more.

Think about your bathroom furniture and what type of material you want. Do you want plastic? Acrylic? Cast iron? Wood?

There are many different sizes and styles of sinks. Once you know what type of sink you want, think about how you want it placed in your bathroom. Do you want to mount your sink on a pedestal unit or have it hung on the wall? Mounting the sink on a cabinet gives the bathroom a finished look while a classic pedestal style sink saves space. Your sink can be mounted on the top or underneath or it can be a flush mount sink, which is most common. A traditional style of mounting the sink is placing a bowl on a pedestal or stand.

When deciding whether or not to include a bathtub in your bathroom, remember that many people require a bathtub in their home and not having one could affect your home’s selling value.

If you have a small bathroom but want both a shower and a bath, you can put your shower in your bathtub by installing a showerhead above your bathtub and having a shower curtain or door. A shower bath can be located in the corner or in other positions in your bathroom and can have various designs and shapes.

Separate showers come in various shapes, such as the common rectangle or square, oval and more. The shower door can swing out or pivot or it can be a sliding door, which is a good option if you need extra space to move around the bathroom, especially if there is often more than one person in the bathroom at a time.

Quadrant enclosures are corner shower enclosures with a quarter circular curved front. These save space and fits into smaller gaps while maximising shower space.

You can turn your entire bathroom into a giant shower if you like. Wet rooms are showering areas that open into the rest of the bathroom and create a spacious environment in any space. You can create some division between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. For example, you can secure a glass division on the floor. Wet rooms require more complex plumbing and a sloped floor with a drain to route water.

Your shower can be a walk-in enclosure which will appear larger and look modern and elegant. This is also helpful for the disabled. There are various types of walk-in showers, such as the tiled cubicle which usually has three walls with a curtained opening or door making up the fourth wall and a double spa-shower, with a separate shower head and water temperature controls for two people.

For those bathrooms that have lots of space to play around with, you can include seating in your shower area and install additional shower heads with different functions. Don’t forget about shelves or storage areas for your soap, shampoo and other products that you usually use in your shower. You can even add built-in radio or TV made for the bathroom.

Think about the material you want for your shower, such as stone, tile, marble or glass. A glass shower allows you to look out of your shower, reflects light and is easy to clean.

Bathtubs are wonderful to include in your bathroom as they are a great place to relax, especially during cold winters. Corner bathtubs are very common, especially in small bathrooms. They are usually rectangular in shape, but you can have different shapes as well, such as a triangular.

Also suitable for small bathrooms is a recessed or alcove bathtub, where only the front needs to be finished. These are space efficient and affordable. Recessed tubs can be molded from steel but these are noisy and likely to chip. A better but more expensive and heavier material is cast iron.

For bigger bathrooms, drop-in bathtubs are attractive additions. These are “dropped” into place, either into a platform, between walls or into the floor. They can be floor mounted sunken tubs, although these can be a bit difficult to get out of. They can be deck mounted bathtubs, which have the faucets mounted on the deck and have a deeper water level. Or they can be pedestal mounted tubs. Drop-in bathtubs can be square, rectangular or oval, among other shapes. They are easy to clean.

A freestanding bathtub stands alone and on four legs. They are more expensive and suit bigger bathrooms but they are very attractive.

Finally, when it’s time to purchase your items, get various quotes that include products, installation and any extras you may have. When your furniture starts arriving, make sure that nothing is damaged before you remove old fittings.

A. Using outline of the sink bowl as a template, cut out a hole in the counter in the position that you want install the sink.
B. Make evenly placed holes in the underside of the counter for the screw plugs.
C. Apply a generous line of silicone sealer (available from all hardware stores) around the underside of the edge of the counter cut out.
D. Position the sink in place and hold it there, you will need an extra pair of hands for this.
E. Insert the screws and fastening plates into the counter and tighten by hand to secure the sink in place.
Here is a link to a related article showing the use of the fixing screws

When choosing what type of material to use on your kitchen floor, a low level of maintenance and durability are often high on the list of requirements. Other factors include ease of installation, longevity, current kitchen flooring, the height of the flooring, safety of children and the elderly who might access the kitchen, pets in the home, availability of different colours and patterns, the amount of traffic in the kitchen and more. Once you decide what you need out of your kitchen floor, it will become easier to choose a suitable material.

Ceramic tile is a popular choice of kitchen flooring. Able to suit any kitchen design style, it comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours and doesn’t require much maintenance. Laying ceramic tiles can be a DIY job but only if plenty care is taken to space tiles evenly. There are different types of ceramic tiles. Quarry and terra-cotta tiles are unglazed clays but can be glazed for a more refined look. Quarry tiles suit larger, elegant kitchens but are more expensive. Terra-cotta tiles are one of the oldest tiles and give off a rustic, weathered look. Both these tiles need sealing to prevent stains. There are also mosaic tiles, which resist moisture and do not chip as easily, and porcelain tiles, which are strong and hard and resemble natural stone.

Any ceramic tile can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are available in high-gloss, matte and abrasive slip-resistant finishes. A high-gloss finish is not a good choice for kitchen floors however, as tiles will then become slippery when wet and may cause accidents.

You can create visual interest in your kitchen by using different shapes and sizes of tiles and laying them in different ways. Larger tiles add interest but can be overpowering so are better in bigger kitchens. Larger tiles also make a room look less busy. Lighter and neutral shades of tiles give an impression of light and space in a room. Placing tiles on a diagonal instead of a grid can look attractive.

When buying tiles, it is advisable that you buy extra in case tiles chip or crack.

Not as sleek as ceramic tiles but ideal for high traffic areas, durable, practical and natural-looking, is stone flooring. Stone comes in a mostly untreated state so there are often variations in texture and tone. There are different types of stone available to choose from, including slate, limestone, granite and marble.

Stone floors require some level of maintenance. They must be periodically (every three to five years) treated with a sealant. They can be cleaned with a mild, non-acidic cleaning product. Stone can be slippery and dangerous and cold to the touch. To combat this, you can use mats and rugs in work areas. Light-coloured grout in between stone tiles will show dirt. It is also advisable to have extras in your home in case they chip. Stone flooring is expensive but should last a lifetime.

Also expensive are hardwood floors, but the results are worth it. Wood flooring can make a kitchen look beautiful and can add value to the home. They are resilient and become more charming with age. Some wood floors are even given an aged finish to achieve this look. Hardwood floors are durable and need only sweeping or vacuuming and occasionally need to be cleaned with a wood floor cleaner.

This flooring works with all kinds of designs, from traditional to modern, and is available in several types of woods. A popular choice of wood is oak for traditional and rustic-styled kitchens, maple and cherry give off an elegant look, ash, beech and birch are modern. Other types include walnut, mahogany and pecan. Soft wood, like pine with its country-style charm, can be used as well but damages more easily.

Wood flooring comes in planks, strips and parquet (individual squares which make up a geometric pattern). Using shorter boards in strip flooring can make a kitchen look larger. You can create your own style with wood flooring as they can be sanded and stained to suit your tastes. This is helpful if you decide to change the look of your kitchen floor in the future.

However, hardwood flooring is expensive, might need refinishing if they become scuffed and scratched (especially with softer wood) and can be noisy to walk on. You can make use of mats and rugs to combat the noise level, make it a little warmer and cushion possible falls.

To get the look of wood but pay less, opt for laminate flooring which closely resembles wood, stone or marble. Made up of multiple layers, laminate flooring includes a hard plastic top layer on top of thin, resin layer which has a photographic imprint of wood. Laminate is also scratch-resistant, much easier to install and can often be laid over an existing floor. It is, however, hard to walk on and cannot be sanded.

Commonly found in kitchens are vinyl floors, which are available in sheets or tiles. Vinyl in tile form with self-stick backs can be easily installed but are more susceptible to water damage. Vinyl is popular because it is resilient, durable, easy to install, easy to maintain, cost-effective when compared to other materials and comes in a range of styles.

There are two types of vinyl; standard and inlaid. Inlaid vinyl, instead of having its colour and pattern printed on one sheet as in standard vinyl, has its colour and pattern go throughout the flooring, giving it richer colour and making any wear less noticeable. Vinyl flooring with a thick urethane wear layer offers the most shine and the greatest stain resistance.

Vinyl flooring needs only sweeping and mopping. It resists scuffs and stains and water does not discolour the floor. However, with vinyl flooring, spills must be cleaned quickly to avoid stains. It is stain-resistant but not stain-proof. Also to look out for is poor installation which may cause the floor to peel up and denting caused by pointed heels.

Concrete can also be used in kitchen floors. They are available in a range of colours, from the standard to the more daring. It is as durable as tile and stone and does not require a sealer to prevent staining, but it can be dangerous if accidents occur in the kitchen.

Environmentally-friendly kitchen flooring is gaining in popularity, such as cork and bamboo. Linoleum is making a comeback as an eco-friendly product as well and looks especially good in retro-styled kitchens. Often confused with vinyl because it also comes in sheet form, instead linoleum is made from natural materials and can come in plain or decorative patterns, including ones that resemble marble.

Linoleum is quiet, smooth, elastic, comfortable, durable, not easily dented, inexpensive and not damaged by fats, oils and greases, but it doesn’t have as many colours and patterns as vinyl and can be damaged by standing water.

No matter what flooring you choose for your kitchen, be sure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintenance. In this way, your kitchen flooring can last for years.