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Show Page U' THE bAltV1 bikJatf, home Magazine, Friday, DOWN Continued from 12 use special finishes ther prevent leakage. that fur- stitching, which means there are two stitching lines and less chance of seam failure, and piping to protect the seams from wear and tear. Piping isn't so critical in feather beds, Pipkorn says, because they don't get tossed around the way pillows and comforters double-needl- e do. Comforters Let's get rid of some miscon FLOOR 12 an improperly connected washing machine without damage Another advantage, Morris says, is its easy care just sweep it and mop it with vinegar and cleaner. "You water or a never have to wax it You never have to polish it You never have to refinish it" he says. It's also easy on the feet an attribute that Thompson says appeals especially to older people. "It's a nice, soft feel," similar to no-rin- vinyl, he says. Some drawbacks It does, however, have its drawbacks. Chief among them is its sound underfoot which is different from the sound produced by wood, tile or stone. Imagine laying a door a laminate-covere- d air trapping Other hallmarks of quality: from ceptions: A heavier down comis not necessarily warmer, Hamilton says. Nor is the warmest comforter the best choice for everyone. Down, keeps you warm by forter mends. Some manufacturers also Continued from SanMft 2000 kitchen cabinet on the floor and walking on it and you get the gist Dealing, however, says the sound isn't any louder than other types of flooring, and'manufactur-er- s have made changes in the core and underlayment that have improved the quality of the sound over the last six years. Another potential problem is the quality of the photo reproduction, which varies among products. Some flooring is a dead ringer for the real thing; some is a pretty obvious fake. That's why seeing the product in person and comparing brands is important Morris says. The flooring is installed in pieces, and the seams may be noticeable if the sun shines on ' them, Thompson notes. Seams also can pull apart, Morris says, but that's usually caused by improper installation. Even if it does happen, a putty is available to fill in the gaps and make.them less noticeable, he saya Laminate flooring is called a "floating" floor, because it's not attached to the surface beneath it An underlayment of foam or some within it, Nachemin explains. The quality of the down, rather than its quantity, is crucial. "The reality is if you have a really down, you don't need that much," he says! You can determine the down's quality by its fill power, a measure of the space occupied by an ounce qf down. Generally, fill power ranges from 500. to 800; the higher the number, the more warmth youH get with less weight, Pipkorn says. good-qualit- y other material is laid over the existing floor to serve as a moisture barrier and sound deadener, and sections of laminate flooring are placed on top of the underlayment Usually the sections are glued together, but one brand, Alloc, uses a locking system that eliminates the gluing. The installation isn't difficult for a skilled Dearing says, but "I wouldn't recommend it as being your first project" Thompson says a smaD, square room isn't too challenging, but he believes large areas and rooms with lots of angles and door casings are best left to a pro. Choose an installer with experience in laminate flooring, both Dearing and Thompson recommend. Dearing suggests hiring an installer who has been trained and certified by the manufacturer of the flooring he or she is installing. Since the success of the floor is largely due to its installation, Dearing says, it's worth having the - Fill power is not the same as fill weight, a measure youll find advertised on some comforters. Fill weight is merely the weight of the down inside the comforter, Nachemin says, and it doesn't tell you how'well the comforter will keep you warm. "It's very confusing out there, because companies are not required to list the fill power," Hamilton says. You also want to choose a comforter with a warmth level that matches the way you sleep. If you 6leep in a cold room, you probably want a warmer comforter. If you like your bedroom warm, or if you're the type that kicks off the cov ers, you want one that's less so. Buy from a retailer or manufacturer that gives you a choice, Pipkorn advises. "If you pick the wrong one," he says, "you're not going to be happy with it" that supply medium support. What if your sleep pattern is a -- Pillows Pillows are not a proposition. "Pillows are a very big personal purchase," Hamilton says. How you sleep on your deterside, back or stomach mines the type of pillow that's best for you. Side sleepers need a full, firm pillow to keep the neck aligned with the spine, Pipkorn says. Stomach sleepers should have very soft pillows that won't elevate the head, and back sleepers need pillows combination? Pipkorn's is, so he keeps both a soft and firm pillow on the bed and switches off. Another option: Buy a king-siz- e soft pillow that you can double over when you roll to your side. Manufacturers can make various firmness levels using all down or a combination of down and feathers, Pipkorn says. Down has a softer feel than feathers, but generally the higher the percentage of down, the more expensive the pillow. Some pillows confine the feathers to an inner chamber for firmness and put the down on the outside, where feel is more critical. TIPS FOR CH0GS!?:a LAr."i?JATE FL00MKG such as a bathroom if the manufacturer doesn't recommend it. Buy the manufacturer's best grade, recommends C.R. Morris of First Knight Rldder Newspaper In comparing products, consider the backing material and the density of the material used for the core. Installer Tom Thompson of Thompson Flooring and . photographic reproduction varies. If possible, see what the flooring looks like installed, perhaps in a display on the showroom floor. Walk on it to get a sense of the feel and sound of it underfoot. Heed the usual consumer advice: Buy from a reputable dealer, stick with recognizable brands and check the manufacturer's Flooring & Tile in Akron, Ohio. Most manufacturers make three grades, and the cost difference is about 15 to 20 cents per square foot. Compare the decorative patterns on various brands. The quality of the Renovation in Tallmadge, Ohio, recommends choosing flooring with a water-resistant backing. Read the manufacturer's recommendations. Don't install flooring in an area warranty. PAYSON DRYCREEK SUBDIVISON LOTS FROM $36,000 TO $42,00000 All Lots Closed before January 25th will be discounted PRIME LAND AT A PRIME PRICE job done right Some things you just don't want to fake 0 0 0 0 Call Glenn iST 796-360- 0 Eagle Mountain 9,000 to 15,000 square feet fri V-- 0 f HnM 1 tmmmXT .Sw Call (801) 372-400- 4 Call (801) 764-230- 3 " L 0 0 1 1 8 0 0 i 8 Salt Lake Onr Ends and Uuh BeGtfi m "T w X yyywj( SafaSnHarhNgt WtcRE A iwW y - I A--- I y lljfl I - I I I :l I - 1 I 0 I ......-.-- I I 1 j 1 |