http://www.builddirect.com Free articles about building materials; flooring, roofing, decking, and more http://www.builddirect.com/images/bd_logo.gif http://www.builddirect.com Copyright 2009 BuildDirect Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. merchandizing@builddirect.com en-us Stone Tile Flooring and Countertops College April 25, 2008 /Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx /Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx Saltillo Tile College April 25, 2008 /Saltillo-Tile/Saltillo-Tile-Flooring-BDU.aspx /Saltillo-Tile/Saltillo-Tile-Flooring-BDU.aspx Ceramic Tile College April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx Cork Flooring College April 25, 2008 /Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx /Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx Hardwood Flooring College April 25, 2008 /Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx /Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx Bamboo Flooring College April 25, 2008 /Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx /Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx Laminate Flooring College April 25, 2008 /Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx /Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: A review of the benefits of bamboo floors; an approach to mopping and vacuuming bamboo floors; best use of mats for your bamboo flooring; how to minimize tracking abrasive material from outdoors; ways to approach choosing cleaning products for bamboo floors ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: A review of the benefits of bamboo floors; an approach to mopping and vacuuming bamboo floors; best use of mats for your bamboo flooring; how to minimize tracking abrasive material from outdoors; ways to approach choosing cleaning products for bamboo floors ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the aesthetic features of bamboo flooring; bamboo flooring colors; bamboo flooring styles; modern awareness of bamboo flooring. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: suggested locations for bamboo flooring; preparing for installation by allowing the bamboo to acclimate; what to consider when preparing the subfloor; installation basics. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The strength of bamboo in its natural habitat; environmental benefits of choosing bamboo flooring; the process of turning bamboo into flooring; two distinct colors of bamboo flooring; three distinct styles of bamboo flooring; about vertical-style, horizontal style, and strand-woven style bamboo flooring. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Bamboo-Flooring/Bamboo-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular and common products for cleaning ceramic tiles. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Uses for porcelain tile; moisture resistance of porcelain tile; hardness of porcelain tile; the balance between beauty and practicality. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx What you will learn: what to consider when choosing products for cleaning ceramic tile; everyday tips in ceramic tile cleaning; strategies for keeping ceramic tile grout clean. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx What you will learn: characteristics of unglazed ceramic tile; characteristics of glazed ceramic tile; suggested locations for installation of both types of ceramic tile; types of glaze and the advantages of each. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx What you will learn: how ceramic tile is made; attributes of ceramic tile; the difference between �single fired� and �double fired� ceramic tile; which substrates are the most suitable for ceramic tile; how to prepare substrates; what a �PEI� rating means. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The renewable nature of natural cork flooring; general uses for cork as an available material; harvesting practices for natural cork flooring; potential health benefits for natural cork flooring ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Reasons to choose cork flooring as a way to minimize sound; where cork flooring comes from; structure of cork flooring; where cork flooring is widely used ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The benefits of cork for flooring; how cork is harvested; what processes cork undergoes at the factory; cork flooring as a decorative option ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the advantages of choosing a deck design which will complement the rest of your property in terms of function; popular uses for decks in homes and cottages; traffic considerations for decking. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: decks as a year round feature; multi-level decks and uneven terrain; unity of design when choosing a deck to complement the rest of your property. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: decking colors and deck materials as complementary to your property; structural considerations for deck plans; importance of local building codes to your deck plans. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Review of the natural enemies of cedar and composite decks; advantages and disadvantages of north facing decks; deck�s location in terms of convenience; deck�s location in terms of privacy; issues surrounding decks on uneven ground ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Options for cleaning cedar and composite decks; when to use a pressure washer and when not to use one; the importance of good drainage when cleaning your cedar deck or composite deck; things to consider when deciding on cleaning agents. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The enemies of your cedar deck; what to do before you apply a stain to your cedar deck; things to consider as you apply your choice of cedar decking stain. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: what composite decking is; how composite decking can gain you more leisure time; the low maintenance nature of composite decking; easy to work with qualities of composite decking; structural properties of composite decking. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The natural benefits of cedar for decking; popularity of cedar as a building material; colors of cedar wood. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Decking/Decks-BDU.aspx What you will learn: How to be vigilant when owning pets and hardwood flooring, why pet urine can be damaging to a hardwood floor, controlling moisture caused by pet water dishes, where to seek advice on controlling moisture on hardwood caused by pets. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: History of hardwood flooring board species; modern uses of hardwood flooring board species; color and appearance of hardwood flooring board varieties. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: environmental factors affecting your hardwood floor; what to think about before installing your hardwood floor; why hiring a professional hardwood floor contractor is a good idea.what engineered hardwood flooring is; advantages of engineered hardwood flooring; how engineered hardwood flooring is installed. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: what engineered hardwood flooring is; advantages of engineered hardwood flooring; how engineered hardwood flooring is installed. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: how solid hardwood flooring is installed on a subfloor; unsuitable subfloors for solid hardwood flooring; installation �grades� (on grade, above grade, below grade); engineered hardwood as an alternative to solid hardwood. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: advantages of pre-finished hardwood floors; advantages of unfinished hardwood floors; limitations of both unfinished and pre-finished hardwood floors. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: advantages of hardwood flooring; varieties of hardwood flooring including engineered hardwood; varieties of surface appearance including hand-scraped hardwood flooring. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Flooring/Hardwood-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the major varieties of underlayment and their characteristics ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Subtle benefit of underlayment for a laminate floor; how underlayment affects the experience of walking on a laminate floor; how underlayment affects how sound is carried on a laminate floor; how underlayment can help to even out a subfloor ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: Limitations of carpet; laminate flooring board as an easily cleaned surface; the importance of laminate flooring board underlayment ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: history of laminate for use as a solution for floors; benefits of laminate floors; what is EPLF; what does AC rating mean and why is AC Rating important for consumers of laminate floors; future of laminate floors ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: What makes solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood floors and laminate floors altogether different; advantages and characteristics of laminate floors; advantages and characteristics of engineered hardwood floors. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: About types of moldings for laminate flooring and their uses ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: What laminate flooring is made from, what makes laminate flooring a good choice for the do-it-yourselfer, how laminate flooring compares to hardwood flooring, limitations of laminate flooring, cleaning laminate flooring. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Laminate-Flooring/Laminate-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: effects of animals on a roof; ways to take care of animal traffic and residency on a roof; when to call for help in taking care of a roof. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx What you will learn:the definition of roofing �exposure�; the definition of a roof�s �pitch�; importance of adhering to Certi-label instructions for roofing exposure; methods of measuring a roof�s pitch. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx What you will learn: visual options and effects of cedar shingles and cedar shakes; different cuts of cedar shakes and cedar shingles and their definitions; guidelines on repairs and taking care while on your roof. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the superior benefits of cedar as a roofing material; how cedar shakes and cedar shingles are made and the differences between the two; fire-resistant cedar shakes and cedar shingles; ways to care for your cedar roofing. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Roofing/Roofing-BDU.aspx What you will learn: How Saltillo tile is made; what Saltillo tile looks like and its distinguishing qualities; the history of Saltillo tile; the best places to install Saltillo tile; limitations of Saltillo tile ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Saltillo-Tile/Saltillo-Tile-Flooring-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Saltillo-Tile/Saltillo-Tile-Flooring-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the key advantages of faux stone siding, how faux stone siding is made and packaged, how faux stone siding can affect your property�s �curb appeal�. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx What you will learn: how fiber cement siding is made, about the long-lasting quality of fiber cement siding, how low maintenance fiber cement siding is less stressful on the environment. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx What you will learn: why cedar siding can save you money, why cedar siding can naturally balance temperatures for interiors, why cedar siding is a natural noise-reduction element ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx What you will learn: why cedar siding can save you money, why cedar siding can naturally balance temperatures for interiors, why cedar siding is a natural noise-reduction element ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Siding/Siding-BDU.aspx What you will learn: factors affecting slip resistance on any surface; the meaning of static co-efficient of friction (SCOF) and what the ratings mean; SCOF scores for various travertine tiles surfaces; wetness and slip-resistance on travertine tiles ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: The origins of slate; applications of slate as flooring; practical advantages of slate; how slate is cut and varieties available; definitions of �gauge� and �calibration� in reference to slate; about color variations in slate. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: What happens at the granite quarry; what tools are used to cut granite at the quarry; what is typical of an average installation; what tools the contractor might use; what to do with leftover pieces of granite after the granite countertop or granite vanity top is installed. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: the nature of marble and how it is formed; how marble is processed for use as a building material; practical benefits of marble tile as flooring; artistic value of marble tile ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: basics of cleaning natural stone tile surfaces; what to do about spills and stains; the definition of �poulticing� and its application; guidelines on using polish and cleaners. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: origins of travertine; appearance of travertine; applications of travertine as a building material; types of cuts and finish for travertine. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx What you will learn: origins of natural stone; benefit of natural stone as flooring; what to consider before deciding on where to install stone tile flooring; why granite is the perfect natural stone for countertops and vanity tops; basic maintenance of granite countertops, tile flooring and vanity tops. ]]> May 30, 2007 http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx http://www.builddirect.com/Stone-Flooring/Stone-Tile-Floors-BDU.aspx