Most laypeople are unaware of the off-gases released from traditional floors. For instance, recently poured concrete has a natural release of several gases. In all cases of poured cement with different admixtures and concrete had some levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released.

The concrete industry is the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide emissions after China and the U.S. These emissions are produced through the manufacturing processes use of energy and the processing used to break up the calcium carbonate or the limestone.

To stop the gases from escaping from a recently poured floor, homeowners should protect the floor with breathable floor protection. Similar protection should cover recently laid wood floors as well.

No VOCs are emitted from the production of wood flooring or engineered wood flooring. Wood floors emit VOCs from the glues used to install them: Urea-formaldehyde glue and phenol-formaldehyde glue. Refinished wood floors can release emissions from the benzene applied to the floor. The benzene known as methylene chloride is converted by the body into carbon monoxide. In all these situations, the homeowner should apply an added step in ensuring the safety of his or her family.

That added step is breathable floor protection. With the application of breathable protection, the floor will not produce cure lines or cause the appearance of the floor to be destroyed in any way. This type of added protection is ideally used after newly installed wood floors are laid or after the concrete is poured and any decoration is applied.

The recently laid or poured floors, counters, or stairs are protected with the protection and they keep the space free from VOCs. There are several brands of floor protection. Some materials are rubber mats, thick plastic, corrugated sheets, and cardboard. All these products offer a breathable surface for curing your floors so that the product is free from unwanted markings and destruction.

This type of floor protection is temporary and should be left in place no longer than 1 month with constant traffic, longer if the floor gets only intermittent traffic. It’s important that the head of the household is aware of the negative effect of VOCs. They can cause eye skin, nose, and throat irritation. People affected by VOCs can have headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and suffer fatigue. By using floor protection, you can eliminate the occurrence of VOCs in your home or building and prevent all the health dangers before they even start.

While antique and vintage Turkish rugs were once reserved for our grandmothers’ houses, the look has increasingly gained tremendous steam in the design world. Depending on the quality, a worthy vintage Turkish rug could cost a couple of hundred to couple of thousand bucks. If you love the looks and need some guidance, here is what makes a good vintage Turkish rug.

Handmade designs

Although there is nothing wrong with machine-made vintage Turkish rugs, if you are looking for an artist’s touch, then you need to check for signs that the rug has been handmade. Since these rugs are woven through a series of wefts and warps, you’ll see the same design on the front and the back of the rug.

Check the quality of material

A good vintage Turkish rug should be made of quality resources. Handspun silk and wool should come with certain feel in them. If you want to determine that something is made of silk, just pull small strand and burn it. If it produces that burnt air smell and shrivels then you’ve found a good product.

Know the size that matches your space

A good vintage Turkish rug should match your space, otherwise it will be of little use to you. So, always ensure that you determine the size of your space before looking for the best rug.

Go against the grain

Once you’ve got a handmade vintage Turkish rug, opt for a design that’s imperfect and asymmetrical. Apart from reflecting the artist’s hand, it will also show that she was creating the design as she wove.

Proper patina

Finding vintage Turkish rug in perfect condition is hard; inconsistencies that are balanced are what makes vintage rug so valuable and desirable. Simply put, aim for one that has been uniformly worn so that one place is not exceptionally more worn out than the other.

The cost

Although it’s not wise to compromise the quality for the price, it’s important to choose a rug that’s reasonably priced. Remember, while shopping, you may find a normal vintage rug that’s overpriced. So before spending a penny, ensure that you are getting value for your money.

Wrap up

Well, the above-highlighted are some of the qualities that make a good vintage Turkish rug. Before buying one, it’s very important to ensure that you are buying something that will satisfy your needs. This way, you’ll not feel ripped off.