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Dyson vs Shark: The Ultimate Cordless Vacuum Showdown
Cordless vacuums have come a long way in the past few years. Battery capacity and runtime have increased, and major m...
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Move Over Tuscan: 10 Kitchen Trends for 2024
Kitchens are no longer just functional spaces for preparing food—they’re the heart of the home, where style meets uti...
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All the Signs of Water Damage Under the Floor—And Why You Need to Address Them ASAP
Reader’s Digest Water damage under flooring can be caused by flooding, plumbing leaks, and leaky appliances. Cuppin...
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Dyson V15 Detect Review: Is This Cordless Stick Vacuum Worth It?
With four dogs, one cat, and a continual stream of family members going in and out, my house requires frequent vacuum...
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The Roborock Q Revo Vacuum and Mop Saves Me Hours Every Week
Robot vacuums promise to make cleaning the floor easier, but after testing several, I’ve found that not all live up t...
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Stains Were No Match for The Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet Carpet Cleaner During Our Tests
Pets enhance our lives in many ways—long walks with our dogs, cuddling with our cats—but furry family members can uni...
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Everything to Know About Polyaspartic Floor Coating Cost
Highlights Polyaspartic floor coating costs most homeowners between $1,440 and $3,240. The most common factors that...
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The 10 Best Painted Tile Floor DIYs We've Ever Seen
When you're paring down your renovation budget there are a few places you can't scrimp, like appliances, electrical w...
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A Guide to Mobile Home Floor Repair Cost Factors and Considerations
Highlights Most homeowners spend between $300 and $5,000 on mobile home floor repair cost, though the national avera...
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Shark HydroVac Review: Is This Vac/Mop as Good as a Bissell CrossWave?
I value a clean house, but as a working parent with three active kids, cleaning our floors at the end of a long day c...
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How Much Does Cork Flooring Cost?
Highlights The average cork flooring cost range is $1,270 to $4,600, though many homeowners spend around $2,050. Se...
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Taming Pet Hair with the Dyson V11 Animal: A Tested Review
Dealing with persistent pet hair can challenge even the most fastidious housekeeper. Pet hair sticks like a magnet to...
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The Truth About Scotchgard Fabric Protector: A Hands-On Review
Fabric protectors are designed to protect textiles of all types from spills, stains, and other potential damage. Thes...
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This is One of the Best Vacuums I've Ever Tested, and I've Tested Over 20
In most households, there are four areas that require constant attention: laundry, dishes, counters, and floors. Whil...
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5 Sneaky Signs of Mold Under Hardwood Floors
Q: Lately I’ve noticed some discoloration in my floors and a strong musty smell. Could these be signs of mold under m...
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Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood Cost: Use These 7 Factors to Budget for a New Floor
During the planning stages of a home improvement project, homeowners will want to consider the cost of various wood m...
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How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Floor Sander?
Highlights It will typically cost between $42 and $200 per day to rent a floor sander. The exact cost will depend o...
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Every Factor That Goes Into Terrazzo Flooring Cost, Explained
Highlights Terrazzo flooring costs typically average $4,400 but could range from $1,800 to $7,000. The floor size, ...
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7 Telltale Signs It’s Finally Time to Replace Your Flooring
Q: When we bought our home years ago, the hardwood floors on the ground floor, tiling in the bathrooms, and carpeting...
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Shop Bissell, Dyson, and Shark Cyber Monday Vacuum Deals—Starting at Just $78
Cyber Monday is finally here.  Popular brands including Bissell, Dyson, Shark, iRobot Roomba, and more have debuted p...
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It's the Last Day of LL Flooring's 'Better Than Black Friday' Sale—Now's the Best Time to Shop
Right now is one of the best times to buy flooring—and LL Flooring's 'Better Than Black Friday' Sale is making it tha...
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Bissell SpinWave Review: The Best of the 15 Floor Scrubbers We Tested
My house is full of hard floors—hardwoods in the main living areas, luxury vinyl plank in the basement, and ceramic t...
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Review: The Shark Rocket Pet Vacuum’s Cord Didn’t Trip Up Our Tests
You’ve heard it before and may have even said it before: “I’ll never buy a corded vacuum again. ” But not so fast! I ...
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Solved! How Much Flooring Do I Need to Buy?
Q: I’ve recently purchased a wonderful older home that’s full of charm—but all the flooring is worn and badly out of ...
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Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Review: Eliminate Dirt and Grime With Superheated Steam
Steam cleaners dislodge dirt and sanitize, using only water. Some models work as mops or handheld units, while others...
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It's Not Just for Pet Stains: A Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Review
The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro has garnered thousands of rave reviews from its users for the past few year...
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How Much Does Marble Flooring Cost?
Highlights Marble flooring cost averages $2,500 to $5,000, with the national average for most homeowners at $3,750. ...
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7 Easy Ways to Change Your Flooring
Make flooring easy. Maybe your carpet is dingy and showing its age. Perhaps the tile or vinyl flooring in the kitchen...
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9 Garage Floor Options Worth Considering for Your Reno
The garage is where we stash everything from our cars and Christmas decorations to tools and sporting gear but, with ...
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This Is the Best Time to Buy Flooring (and the 2 Times When You Absolutely Should Not)
Our methodology: To determine the popularity of flooring projects, we reviewed how our readers have engaged with our ...
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The Best Electric Mops Tested in 2023
Electric mops take the backbreaking work out of washing the floor, but there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it ...
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The Best Garage Floor Coatings of 2023
A good garage floor coating offers several valuable benefits. It's particularly good at protecting a concrete floor, ...
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Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring Cost: 7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flooring Material
When it comes to choosing the right type of flooring, it’s important for homeowners to consider the cost implications...
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Carpet vs. Hardwood Cost: 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Flooring
When homeowners consider a flooring upgrade, carpet vs. hardwood cost is a frequent comparison. Each option has its o...
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The Cost of Carpet vs. Laminate: 7 Factors to Consider When Choosing New Flooring
When homeowners are deciding between carpet and laminate flooring, one of the most important considerations for them ...
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10 Basement Flooring Ideas for Finishing Your Below-Grade Space
The basement floor is typically made of solid, sealed concrete that is designed for long-lasting durability. However,...
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The Best Vacuums Under $200 of 2023
If you need to clean up big messes on a small budget, one of the best vacuums under $200 can make it easier. The vacu...
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The Best Cheap Robot Vacuums of 2023
A cheap robot vacuum is an affordable and low-effort floor cleaning solution for anyone short on time. Robot vacuums ...
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The Best Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood Floors of 2023
Cordless vacuums for hardwood floors offer the convenience of cleaning up quick messes alongside the suction power to...
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Bissell Little Green Review: Can This Portable Carpet Cleaner Really Handle Anything?
Our house has wood floors in the main living areas and kitchen, but there’s carpet everywhere else. As outdoor lovers...
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LL Flooring Boasts Hundreds of Flooring Choices—But Is It a Good Option for Homeowners?
With a history dating back to 1994, LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators) is a well-known supplier of hard-surfac...
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Better than O-Cedar? This Maneuverable Spin Mop Gave All My Floors a Streak-Free Clean
Hate or love it, mopping is a chore that many people have to complete every week. While there are many types of mops ...
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National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Which Flooring Company Should You Choose in 2023?
Installing new flooring can be an expensive and time-consuming process, which is why it’s important for customers to ...
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9 Bathroom Flooring Ideas That Are as Durable as They Are Stylish
Choosing the right bathroom flooring can be a challenge. It’s not just a matter of matching a particular decor. The f...
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The Best Sanders for Hardwood Floors of 2023
It’s possible to use just about any sander for hardwood floors, but some can involve a long, laborious, and uncomfort...
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Solved! Here’s Who to Hire to Replace Subfloor
Q: I noticed recently how squeaky my floors are when I walk on them. Is this a sign my flooring or subflooring needs ...
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Rubbermaid Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop Review: Should You Buy It?
Getting vinyl floors clean can be a challenge, but the Rubbermaid Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop proves it doesn’t have ...
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Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
The Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing steam mop has a simple design that’s intuitive to use, works on mul...
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How to Dispose of Carpet Properly
Q: After 10 years, my carpet is worn out with matted and shredding fibers, stains, odors, and damaged padding. I am n...
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Solved! How Long Does Grout Take to Dry?
Q: The grout in my shower is cracking, so I’ve decided to remove it and apply new grout. I’m not sure how long I shou...
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25 Things Real Estate Agents Would Never Want in Their Own Homes
Real estate agents see dozens of homes each week. They know which amenities sell a house, and which can cause a listi...
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How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof a Room?
Highlights The cost to soundproof a room ranges between $1,036 and $2,721, with a national average cost of $1,874. ...
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The Best Epoxy Garage Floor Installers of 2023
While a concrete floor might do the trick, some folks opt to level up their garage floor game with an epoxy garage fl...
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The Best Tile Floor Installation Services
A new tile floor can make a huge impact on a space. Tile is clean and durable, and it can offer a texture that’s diff...
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The Best Hardwood Floor Refinishing Companies and Contractors
Hardwood floor refinishing is a big job and takes a lot of time. Knowledge of the machines and their uses, the progre...
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Empire Today Prices vs. The Home Depot Flooring Installation Costs: What Should Customers Choose in 2023?
Installing new floors or replacing old ones is no small decision—flooring installation can cost thousands of dollars,...
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Solved! Who Do You Hire to Fix Squeaky Floors?
Q: Recently my living room floor has started squeaking in several places. I’m not sure how long this has been going o...
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Remodeling Your Home? Consider These 10 Ways to Incorporate Recycled Materials
Home remodeling is a $400 billion industry, with about 1. 123 million new single-family homes built in the United Sta...
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The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Installers
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to transform a room. This material is made to mim...
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The Best Laminate Flooring Installers
Homeowners looking for a fast, easy way to hide their old floors under a new layer of beauty often find themselves lo...
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Save $290 on a Roomba Vacuum for Cyber Monday While You Still Can
Cyber Monday might be your best chance to own one of the most popular robotic vacuums available: the iRobot Roomba j7...
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The Best Dyson Cyber Monday Deals of 2022 Include Vacuums Under $300
Cyber Monday is here, continuing the string of deals and savings on big-ticket items like vacuums. Included in this m...
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Target Is Selling Dyson’s Best Black Friday Deal Yet—a Vacuum for $279
Editor’s Note: This deal is no longer active, but there's another Dyson at Target for just $279 worth considering—the...
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How Much Does Sagging Floor Repair Cost?
Typical Range: $300 to $6,500Should homeowners be concerned when their floors feel more like ramps than level and s...
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Solved! How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry?
Q: I am reviving an old oak floor, and polyurethane seems like an attractive, hard-wearing finish. However, I’m findi...
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How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost?
Typical Range: $1,536 to $3,840Polished concrete floors have a great deal to offer in terms of style, durability, a...
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The Best Dyson Black Friday Deals of 2022 Include Vacuums Under $300
Editor’s Note: We’re now actively scouting Cyber Monday sales, so this post is no longer being updated. For the lates...
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The 27 Best Home Depot Black Friday Deals of 2022 You Can Already Shop
There is no need to wake up early or brave the crowds on Black Friday to save at The Home Depot. The retailer’s early...
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10 Flooring Surprises That Look Like Other Flooring
Looks Can Be DeceivingWhen you’re searching for new flooring for a renovation project, you may have a certain look in...
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How Much Does Carpet Repair Cost?
Typical Range: $131 to $278 National Average: $204Carpeting is an accessible, comfortable, and affordable flooring...
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Subfloor?
Typical Range: $428 to $2,978 National Average: $572Subfloors are boards installed a layer or two below floors to ...
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Empire Today's TV Jingle Is Nothing Short of Iconic—But Is It Actually Worth Buying Their Flooring?
Empire Today, which some may know as simply Empire, is a long-standing flooring company with decades of experience se...
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The Best Flooring for Basements
Few things can turn a basement into a finished living space like flooring. And since the average size of a basement r...
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I've Tried Dozens of Dyson Products—And These 5 Are Worth Every Dollar
As someone who prioritizes a clean home, I value the importance of utilizing products that keep my house looking and ...
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How Much Does It Cost to Install Tile Floor?
Typical Range: $500 to $5,000 National Average: $1,910Whether installed in a formal entryway, a gourmet kitchen, o...
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Experts Agree This Interior Upgrade Will Pay You Back—and Then Some
Whether you’re hoping to put your home on the market or are simply looking to invest your renovation budget wisely, y...
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The Best Carpet Removal and Disposal Services
Even with diligent cleaning, an old carpet will eventually need to be replaced. Most carpets become matted and frayed...
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Linoleum vs. Vinyl Flooring: What’s the Difference?
 Linoleum and vinyl are both popular flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms because they’re durable, water-resis...
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The Best Vacuums
A vacuum cleaner is an essential appliance in nearly every home, but with so many types of vacuums available, it can ...
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The Best Hardwood Flooring Installation Companies of 2023
There has been a gradual shift from carpeted flooring to hardwood flooring as the most popular option for homes. The ...
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The Best Underlayments for Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to recreate the look of solid wood while being ...
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The Best Entryway Rugs
A well-decorated foyer can offer a warm welcome into a home, and the right entryway rug sets the stage for the decor ...
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How To Fix a Cracked Floor Tile Without Replacing It Entirely
Tile floors are a beautiful addition to any home, and, if installed correctly, they are a durable solution. However, ...
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The 5 Best Flooring Companies of March 2024
Replacing the floor in a home is a project some experienced DIYers are equipped to handle. Still, for those who don’t...
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The Best Backpack Vacuums of 2023
Backpack vacuums are a great alternative to standard upright and stick vacuums. A more convenient choice for cleaning...
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10 Areas of the Home You Should Never Steam Clean
Handheld steam cleaners are invaluable tools for sanitizing home appliances, sealed floors, bathrooms, and more. Thei...
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The Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners for Seniors of 2023
Many typical vacuum cleaner models are heavy, which can make them challenging for seniors to maneuver. However, plent...
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The Best Hardwood Floor Polishes
Most hardwood flooring endures a lot of wear and tear, not only from people walking on them, but also from kids and p...
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The 4 Best Carpet Installation Companies of 2023
Tile and hardwood are popular flooring options, but many people prefer a new carpet's soft, warm feel. Homeowners can...
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The Best Carpet Cleaner Rental Services
It’s recommended to deep clean your carpeting at least once a year—and sometimes more if you have pets, a large famil...
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Looking for a Career Change? These 8 Home Improvement Trades Are Desperate for New Blood
Opportunities AboundIt’s a great time to find a job. Economic recovery and a demand for housing have created a hot re...
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Patchwork Renovating: How to Match Discontinued Tiles, Flooring, and Other Building Materials
Dropping a heavy object that shatters a couple of ceramic floor tiles or discovering rot in a hardwood floor necessit...
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How Much Does Bamboo Flooring Cost?
Typical Range: $1,500 to $15,000 National Average: $6,000Bamboo flooring is a trendy and eco-friendly option that ...
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Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring: The Great Debate, Explained
When it comes time to update the flooring in the living room, dining room, or bedroom, the debate of hardwood floors ...
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The Best Roomba and Robot Vacuum Deals We've Seen This Black Friday
Prices listed here are accurate as of the last update on 11/27/2021. Editor’s Note: These deals are no longer being u...
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The Best Rugs for Dining Rooms
A well-chosen rug can elevate a dining area and pull various decor items and furniture together for a more cohesive l...
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Radiant Floor Heating Cost: What to Expect, and How Much You'll Pay
Highlights The typical cost of radiant floor heating installation is $1,700 to $6,170 with a national average of $3,...
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The Best Garage Floor Tiles of 2023
Garage floor tiles make a garage floor safer and tougher while also improving its aesthetics, so that a home workshop...
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Buying an Old House? Be Prepared to Live With These 12 Quirks
Newly built houses must comply with strict design and construction codes, but most of those rules didn't exist decade...
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The Best Robot Vacuums for Keeping Hardwood Floors Spotless, Tested
A quality robot vacuum for hard floors picks up dust and dirt from every corner of the room without scattering debris...
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How to Soundproof an Apartment Without Opening Up Walls
If your neighbor’s taste in music makes you cringe, it’s time for some soundproofing. Fortunately, there are many way...
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8 Ways to Fix a Floor: Tried-and-True Solutions to the Most Common Flooring Issues
Your flooring problems might not be as unique as you think. Floors come in many shapes, sizes, styles, and materials,...
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How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost?
Highlights Flooring installation costs run between $1,518 and $4,706, with a national average cost of $3,067. The e...
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How Much Does an Epoxy Garage Floor Cost?
Highlights The typical range for epoxy garage flooring costs is $1,595 to $3,337 with homeowners paying a national a...
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Expecting? 11 Home Renovations to Complete Before Baby Arrives
Having a baby will change your life, and perhaps your renovation schedule. Check these household updates off your to-do list before baby Aiden or Emily arrives.
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How Much Does It Cost to Install Laminate Flooring?
Typical Range: $1,400 to $4,616 National Average: $2,879Many homeowners desire the warm, natural look of hardwood ...
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How Much Does It Cost to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Highlights The cost to install vinyl plank flooring typically ranges from $988 to $3,891, with the national average ...
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The 7 Best Fabric Protectors of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
High-quality furnishings can cost a pretty penny, so protecting your investment from everyday accidents is wise. Fabr...
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6 Signs of Structural Damage You Should Never Ignore
Owning a home comes with some inevitable responsibilities, including maintaining and repairing problems before they w...
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What’s the Difference? Engineered Hardwood vs. Laminate Flooring
If you have dated, worn floors, you might be considering freshening them up with new flooring. A quick search of the ...
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Is the Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Worth the Money?
I often wonder how I managed to clean stairs and corners with my bulky corded vacuum for so many years. Anyone who ha...
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The Best Place to Buy a Rug for Your Home in 2023
A new rug can make a big impact and bring instant personality to home decor. These stylish floor coverings are among ...
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The Best Central Vacuum System for a Whole-House Clean
Vacuuming an entire house is a completely different chore when compared to vacuuming an apartment. It can be a hassle...
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The Best Water-Based Polyurethanes to Protect Floors Throughout Your Home
Hardwood floors add beauty and value to a home, but they’re expensive and can be hard to maintain with both low and h...
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The Best Peel and Stick Floor Tiles
Installing some types of flooring, including wall-to-wall carpeting, ceramic tile, and hardwood, can be challenging f...
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The Best Engineered Wood Flooring
It’s hard to beat the look of hardwood flooring. But, solid hardwood flooring can be expensive, and it’s not always t...
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How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?
Highlights Carpet installation costs can range between $785 to $2,805, with a national average cost of $1,772. Some...
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The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring of 2023
Hardwood planks have long been a popular flooring choice, offering unrivaled natural warmth. Unfortunately, hardwood ...
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Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof: What's the Difference?
If you’re confused about the difference between the terms “water-resistant” and “waterproof,” don’t worry, you’re in ...
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How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Highlights The typical cost for hardwood floor refinishing ranges from $1,098 to $2,653, with a national average cos...
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How To: Use a Swiffer to Clean Floors (and So Much More)
Swiffer Sweepers hit the market in 1999 and have become a staple in many homes around the world in the years since. W...
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The Best Robot Vacuums for Carpet of 2023
For those that hate vacuuming carpets, let a robot vacuum help with this tedious chore. Robot vacuums automatically p...
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The Best Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaners to Sanitize Your Home
Vacuuming and sweeping are important for keeping a home clean throughout a busy work week, but when you have the time...
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The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets to Eliminate Odors and Stains, Tested
Carpet cleaners for pets are machines specially designed to clean those pesky stains and messes left by our furry fri...
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The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner Machines for a Sparkling Home, Tested
Hardwood floors lend an aura of classic elegance to a home, adding to its real estate value. However, the job of keep...
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The Best Vacuum for Allergies of 2023
For indoor allergy sufferers, an effective vacuum is a key tool for managing symptoms. The best vacuum for allergies ...
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These Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades Offer the Best ROI
Eco-friendly home upgrades won’t just make your home more comfortable, they can also help you save money over time. These 10 upgrades offer the best return on you...
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I Tried the Bissell CrossWave Wet/Dry Vacuum—Here’s the Dirt
Like so many others, I’ve spent a lot more time at home during the last year. To keep my space (and mind) free of clu...
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The Best Handheld Steam Cleaners Tested in 2023
A vacuum, mop, or broom works just fine for daily cleaning and upkeep, but handheld steam cleaners are more effective...
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Testing the 7 Best Vacuum Mop Combos for Spotless Floors
Cleaning floors is more than just sweeping or vacuuming. Experts recommend sweeping and mopping at least once a week ...
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The Best Brooms to Keep Hardwood Floors Clean and Scratch-Free
Whether it’s an electric model or a traditional one, quick cleanup often starts (and ends) with a broom. Spilled crac...
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The Best Carpet Tiles
Like traditional carpet, carpet tiles can offer a comfortable, padded feel underfoot. But unlike conventional carpet,...
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How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Highlights Hardwood flooring typically costs between $2,481 and $7,026 to install, with homeowners across the countr...
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The Best Sponge Mops for Cleaning Your Floors
Unsightly dust, spills, and other messes can make home flooring dirty and unhygienic. For daily spills or weekly deep...
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The Best Floor Scrubbers for Hard-To-Clean Messes, Tested
When a mop and bucket won’t cut it, consider a floor scrubber to get floors back to gleaming clean. The best floor sc...
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The Best Mops for Laminate Floors of 2023
Regular cleaning can keep laminate floors clean and shining like new, but you’ll want to keep in mind an important ru...
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The Best Mops for Tile Floors, Tested and Reviewed
Mopping can be a tedious task, but the right mop can make the job easier. The best mop for tile floors gets floors cl...
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The Best Mops for Vinyl Floors Tested in 2023
Popular, budget-friendly vinyl flooring is attractive, comfortable underfoot, and holds up well to daily wear and tea...
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The Best Gym Flooring
While a good set of free weights and exercise equipment such as a stationary bike and rowing machine are often critic...
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The Best Vacuum for Cleaning Laminate Floors Throughout Your Home
Laminate flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, and strong. Regular vacuuming lifts dust, dirt, crumbs,...
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The Best Vacuums for Thick Carpet of 2023
Thick carpets look luxurious and feel plush underfoot, but their long fibers can make them tough to clean. The wrong ...
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The Best Chair Mats for Carpets in 2023
Rolling chairs make getting in position at a desk or table incredibly easy and convenient. But chair wheels wreak hav...
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The Best Lightweight Vacuums for Low-Effort Spotless Floors, Tested
A vacuum is a necessary household tool for cleaning hard floors and carpets, but many are heavy and difficult to mane...
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The Best Carpet Sweepers Tested in 2023
Before the vacuum cleaner was invented, people often used carpet sweepers. Though technology has rendered them almost...
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The Best Cat Litter Mat to Protect Your Floors
Having a cat can bring a lot of joy and companionship. And, unlike dogs, most cats take care of their business indoor...
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How to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floor refinishing and sanding is unforgiving work. Make a mistake, and it will show. However, a refinished f...
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Is Cork Flooring Right for You?
While cork flooring has been around for many years, the plant-based floor covering is quickly becoming a favorite for...
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How to Stain Concrete
Homeowners used to think of concrete as strictly utilitarian stuff, resorted to only when a better-looking material w...
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The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair
Since the turn of this century, few household gadgets have advanced as quickly as the robot vacuum. These self-propel...
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The Best Chair Mats
Carpets and hard flooring both show wear in work spaces with rolling office chairs. Rather than spending money fixing...
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The Best Laminate Underlayments of 2023
Laminate must be installed correctly on top of a quality underlayment, which is key to providing adequate support for...
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Testing the 7 Best Portable Carpet Cleaners for Spills and Stains
Vacuums might work well for removing dust and debris from rugs and carpets, but they won’t help with spills or stains...
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The Best Pry Bars for Your Tool Kit
Wrecking bars, crowbars, and pry bars are often combined in the same category, but important differences exist. One o...
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The Best Spin Mops Tested in 2023
Beyond traditional mops, spin mops are designed to take the “ick” factor out of wet mopping, eliminating the chore of...
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The Best Vacuums for Stairs Tested in 2023
Vacuuming stairs regularly will help them look good while extending the lifespan of carpeting and runners. Between ri...
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The Best Wood Cleaners for Furniture, Floors, and More
The beauty of wood gives it a timeless appeal, and talented artisans produce both traditional and contemporary design...
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The Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors of 2023
Your hardwood floors are an investment in your property, and it’s important to take care of them. Using the proper cl...
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The Best Cordless Vacuums of 2023
Similar to the technological progression of printers, drills, and phones, the cordless revolution has pushed vacuum m...
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The Best Mops for Wood Floors of 2023
Hardwood floors are a coveted classic for their diverse graining and beautiful colors that add richness and dimension...
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Sweeping Success: The Best Vacuums for Tile Floors Tested in 2024
Tile floors are low maintenance, durable, and customizable. However, they can easily show dust and dirt, so finding t...
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The Best Steam Cleaners, Tested and Reviewed
Steam is a superior cleaning agent. It can be used on a variety of household surfaces, including carpets and upholste...
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The Best Carpet Shampoos for Deep Cleaning
Carpets can hold on to dirt and stains and become a hotbed for allergens and odors. Even if you vacuum weekly, over t...
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The Best Anti-Fatigue Mats for Underfoot
Workplaces everywhere are encouraging employees to explore ergonomic solutions to health issues. From ergonomic chair...
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The Best Floor Cleaners of 2023
Keeping hard floor surfaces looking their best is a matter of consistency. Whether it’s hardwood, vinyl, ceramic, sto...
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The Best Concrete Sealers Tested in 2023
Indoors and out, concrete lasts longer and performs better with some protection—which is what today’s concrete sealer...
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The Best Kitchen Cleaners of 2023
In the never-ending quest to keep kitchens clean and tidy, there’s a huge selection of cleansers on the market, inclu...
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The Best Carpets for Pets
Shedding, dander, drool, claws, accidents, wear and tear—there are a lot of things a pet can do to your pristine carp...
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The Best Laminate Flooring of 2023
Traditional hardwood flooring can be expensive and susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage. Alternatively, ...
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The Best Spray Mops for Cleaning the House
Spray mops provide the benefits of a traditional wet mop without the hassle. Because of their ease of use, they are t...
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The Best Microfiber Mops for Cleaning the House
Microfiber’s unique properties have changed the cleaning industry for the better, mops included. This fabric contains...
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The Best Dyson Black Friday Deals 2020: The Best Deals and Sales on Vacuums, Humidifiers, Hair Dryers, and More
Black Friday, which is just a couple of days away, traditionally marks the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, bu...
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The Best Vacuum Black Friday Deals: The Best Deals and Sales on iRobot, Dyson, Shark, and More
While online Black Friday deals are exceptional year after year, 2020’s are bound to be out-of-this-world great: most...
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The Best Shark Vacuums Tested in 2023
When shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, the range of products from just one brand like Shark can be staggering, so we...
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The Best Laminate Floor Cleaners for Dirt, Spills, and Stains
Laminate flooring, a type of synthetic flooring crafted to simulate the look of wood or tile, has improved considerab...
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The Best Area Rugs, Tested and Reviewed
Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting or genuine hardwood floors, nothing adds warmth and character to a home like ...
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The Best Canister Vacuums of 2023
Vacuum cleaners are trading power and capacity for convenience. But if a small vacuum won’t cut it for house cleaning...
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Wipe Out Pet Hair With the Best Cordless Vacuums
Today’s cordless vacuums are lightweight, take up less storage space than traditional plug-in vacuums, and can clean ...
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The Best Steam Mops Tested in 2023
Many steam mop manufacturers promise their products will get floors squeaky clean, so we put them to the test. We spe...
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The Best Mops of 2023
Your flooring is the largest surface area in your home and, not least because it gets walked on every day, it's a sur...
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5 Signs It's Time to Replace a Subfloor
It’s difficult to know everything that goes on below your flooring. Underneath the hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpe...
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The Best Robot Vacuums Tested in 2023
The advent of robot vacuums heralded a new era of more convenient carpet and hard floor cleaning. Robot vacuums have ...
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The Best HEPA Vacuums of 2023
Anyone looking to reduce dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens will want to consider using a vacuum equipped w...
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The Best Robot Mops for Effortlessly Clean Floors, Tested
Tired of making a mess and causing back strain by cleaning floors with a conventional mop and a bucket? Consider outs...
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20 Area Rugs You Can Actually Afford
Find an area rug that suits your style—and your budget.
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What's the Difference? Prefinished vs. Unfinished Hardwood Flooring
The to-do lists are long in a home renovation—and that's before you account for unexpected tasks like running to the ...
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The 9 Best Stick Vacuums You Can Get in 2023, Tested
Thanks to its smaller motor, a stick vacuum is thinner and far more lightweight than its upright and canister cousins...
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The 13 Best Carpet Colors for the Home
Revamp your floors with new carpet colors that are both timeless and on trend.
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The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners of 2023
Hardwood flooring gets acclaim for its natural beauty, but it requires varying degrees of attention to maintain its g...
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Is Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Right for Your Home?
Hardwood floors add natural warmth to any room, but the traditional method of installing hardwood is time consuming a...
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7 Reasons to Be a No-Shoes House
No-shoes households sometimes get a bad rap. But the science behind shoe removal is too compelling to be ignored. So, stop judging yourself for asking guests to r...
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7 Things All Homeowners Should Know About Travertine Tile
Travertine—a variety of limestone formed from calcium carbonate deposits in or near hot springs or limestone caves—is...
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8 Times “Wood Look” Is as Good as (Or Better Than) the Real Deal
Even if you have your heart set on a real wood floor, it's worth considering options that look, feel, and even outperform hardwood. The following content is ...
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19 Affordable Options for Beautiful Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring has many benefits: It is beautiful and durable, and more hygienic than carpeting. If there's a downside to hardwood floors, however, it is that ...
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How Much Tile Do I Need? Solved!
Q: I plan on installing tile on my entryway floor and kitchen backsplash. How much tile do I need to buy in each case...
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7 Things to Know Before Installing a Cement Tile Floor
Cement tile is taking the design world by storm, brightening up everything from bathroom floors to backsplashes with ...
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The Best Options for Bathroom Floor Tile in 2023
Bathroom floor tile is available in a surprising number of materials. Ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl tiles often come ...
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12 Painted Floors You Need to See to Believe
Does your floor need a new look? Instead of replacing it with costly broadloom or hardwood, consider painting it for a fraction of the cost. These painted floors ...
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Don't Mess Up This First Step When Tiling a Floor
Tile floors are beautiful, durable, and a fairly DIY friendly option, but for tile’s good looks to really last, it’s ...
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30 Ways to Spring Clean Your Whole House—Naturally
There's no better time than spring to give your home some serious deep cleaning. It's finally warm enough to wash your windows without freezing them shut, and now...
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How to Grout Tile on Floors and Walls
Applying grout is the final step in laying or adhering tile. It’s a messy process but a satisfying one: Yes, grout gi...
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The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is the most popular form of resilient flooring (a category that also includes linoleum and cork) because it’s l...
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12 Reasons Hardwood Floors Might Not Be Right for Your Home
Hardwood floors have become so popular in recent years that they are now almost ubiquitous in new homes. But they're not necessarily the best choice for everyone....
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Solved! How Often You Should Actually Be Vacuuming
Q: I only vacuum my floors when I notice them looking dingy. How often should you vacuum?A: Interior designers and hy...
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7 Things to Know Before Putting Wood Flooring in the Kitchen
It's hard to beat the natural beauty of wood flooring, but it’s not a traditional choice for a kitchen, due to the gr...
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Read This Before You Install a Floating Tile Floor
Porcelain tiles are an all-time favorite for beautiful, durable floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. But u...
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7 Things to Know Before Choosing Laminate Flooring
First introduced in the 1970s, laminate flooring is comprised of layers of synthetic material engineered to look like...
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9 Things to Know Before Buying and Installing Marble Flooring
Beautiful marble flooring started its journey into our homes as limestone. Millions of years of metamorphosis—intense...
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Which Finish Is Right for Your Hardwood Floors?
You finally decided on the perfect hardwood for your floors—whether that's a deep, rich walnut, a warm cherry wood, o...
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9 Tips for Removing Scratches from Wood Floors
Wood floors bring beauty and value to a home—as long as they are well-maintained. Natural wood is at constant risk of...
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How To: Polish Marble
Marble—a white or uniquely variegated type of limestone that has been exposed to extreme heat and pressure—has a long...
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5 Things to Know Before Ripping Up Your Carpeting
Carpeting brings wall-to-wall softness and warmth to a room, both visually and physically. But over time, its attract...
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Solved! How to Select the Best Carpet for Stairs
Q: I just moved into a two-story home, and the floors need some TLC. The stairs are carpeted, but the pile is worn do...
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How to Level a Floor: What to Know Before You DIY
Successfully installing new finished flooring typically requires knowing how to level a floor. Common in older houses...
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What's the Difference? Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane
Choosing wood for its natural beauty, depth, and glow over furniture that's made of manmade materials is an easy deci...
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The 5 Best Kitchen Flooring Options for Your Remodel
The kitchen has become the hub of the modern home, not just a cook space but a gathering place for family and friends...
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The Best Garage Floor Paints of 2023
Between people, cars, bicycles, and even push mowers wheeled in for storage, a garage sees a lot of traffic. Eventual...
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All You Need to Know About Waxing Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors add classic elegance to your home, but not when they’re dull, dinted, or dingy. The good news is that...
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5 Great Options for Laundry Room Flooring (and 3 to Skip)
Replacing torn, worn, or outmoded flooring is a surefire way to lend a fresh look to your laundry room. But this part...
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Solved! Dealing with a Carpeted Bathroom
Q: We recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting in the bathroom. We’d like to replace it, but that reall...
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3 Key Steps to a Concrete Floor Refresh
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Concrete is one...
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How to Polish Wood Floors
Think about the beating your wood floors endure on a daily basis: high heels, pet nails, children’s toys, and shiftin...
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All You Need to Know About Asbestos Floor Tiles
Asbestos, a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, was a common element in construction materials due to its resili...
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Solved! What Cracks in the Basement Floor Really Mean
Q: We moved into a new house and I just noticed some cracks in the basement floor. They don’t look new, but I can’t b...
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All You Need to Know About Attic Flooring
With the high cost of new construction preventing homeowners from adding square footage to their homes, many are unde...
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How To: Remove Carpet Glue
Ripping up old carpeting is no small task, but removing the glue used to secure it to the subfloor is a major job all...
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What's the Difference? Plywood vs. OSB
Though building codes treat both materials equally as "structural panels," plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) ar...
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5 Little-Known Advantages of Linoleum Flooring
Think linoleum and vinyl flooring are one and the same? Think again. While many people mistakenly call vinyl tile ‘li...
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Solved! This is the Best Paint to Use on Wood
Q: My wife and I live in an older, rustic home, and we’d like to freshen it up with some paint. What’s the best paint...
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All You Need to Know About Parquet Flooring
When it comes to elaborate flooring, parquet reigns supreme. Constructed from small pieces of hardwood fitted togethe...
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How To: Make Your Own Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Whether newly installed or more than a hundred years old, hardwood floors are a striking feature in many homes. Wood ...
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How To: Clean Marble Floors
There’s nothing more elegant than marble, a timeless material available in a variety of colors and veining styles tha...
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5 Types of Tile Worth Considering in Your Next Renovation
Walk into a home improvement store on a mission to renovate your kitchen or bath, and you may find yourself overwhelm...
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Suck It Up: 11 Vacuum Attachments You Should Own (and How to Use Them)
Those brushes and doohickeys that you hook up to your vac: What do they do, and how well do they work? These must-have accessories will get every nook and cranny ...
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How To: Remove Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring has been a popular floor choice since its invention in the late ’70s. With a typical lifespan of 15...
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5 Reasons to Bring Brick Floors Indoors
Brick, the hard-working earthen blocks basic to so many structures, is becoming a trendy flooring option for high-tra...
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Thinking About Installing Tongue and Groove Flooring? Here’s What You Need to Know
Plank flooring has come a long way from the frontier days when rough-hewn boards were nailed to floor joists, resulti...
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New Floors? 5 Top Hardwood Options to Know
One of the oldest flooring materials is still among the most desirable. Whether your style is classic, contemporary, ...
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Solved! This Is the Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors
Q: I have never given much thought to cleaning my cherry wood floor, but I'm starting to notice how dingy it has beco...
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Porcelain or Ceramic: Which Tile Type Is Right for You?
When considering a tile refresh for any floor, wall, or countertop, keep porcelain and ceramic tiles top of mind for ...
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The Secret to a Warmer, Drier, Faster Finished Basement
This article has been brought to you by Amvic Building System, who provided BobVila. com with a complimentary product...
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The Best Flooring for Dogs That Will Hold Up Through the Years
The best flooring for dogs is made to withstand daily life with our four-legged friends. From muddy paw prints and ba...
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Solved! The Best Flooring for Dogs
Q: I’m considering a complete overhaul of the floors in my home, but I'll need something that stands up over time to ...
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All You Need to Know About Terrazzo Floors
If you’re in the market for durable, low-maintenance flooring in a basement, on a patio, or anywhere else you have a ...
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9 Sneaky Ways to Get New Floors for Under $50
Some people hate their floors and long for a new look. Others love theirs but can't abide their minor imperfections: a scratch, dent, or loose tile. Whatever your...
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7 Ways to Tackle Spring Cleaning with Vinegar
For homeowners who appreciate all-natural ingredients and saving money on household necessities, baking soda and vine...
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How To: Mix and Use Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner
Wood floors add beauty and warmth to any home, but they do demand special care. Though there are plenty of commercial...
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Thinking About Painting Your Tile Floors? Here’s What You Need to Know
Decorative tile floors can add an element of elegance to a humdrum living space, but often at great expense. To avoid...
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Solved! Yes, You Can Tile Over Tile
Q: I want to re-tile my floor, but I'd rather not go through the hassle of ripping up the existing flooring first. Ca...
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How To: Fix a Squeaky Floor
No matter how quietly you traipse through your home late at night, a squeaky floor will always trip you up and announ...
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How to Clean Bamboo Floors
Thanks to a harvest time of as little as 5 years, bamboo is an environmentally sustainable, increasingly popular floo...
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All You Need to Know About Plywood Floors
Once reserved for subfloors and sheathing, construction-grade plywood is now making a splash as affordable residentia...
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How To: Clean a Shag Rug
Shag rugs are enjoying a resurgence, thanks to their groovy textured looks and comfy feel underfoot. The potential bu...
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Your Guide to Reviving a Tired Garage Floor
As one of the strongest, most durable, and longest-lasting construction materials, it's no wonder why concrete is the...
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All You Need to Know About Slate Floors
Natural texture, super strength, stain resistance, and blend of vibrant hues are all reasons that slate tile—the thin...
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How To: Clean Ceramic Tile
It’s hard to beat ceramic tile for beauty, versatility, and durability. Perfect for bathroom, kitchen, even entryway ...
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3 Steps to Prepare a Room for Hardwood Flooring
Careful preparation is key to the successful installation of hardwood flooring. If you fail to get the subfloor clean...
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How to Stretch Carpet
Carpet feels great underfoot as long as it is properly cleaned, cared for, and maintained while it is in the home. It...
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How to Remove Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is a classic and resilient material, often found in high-traffic spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallwa...
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Laminate vs. Hardwood: Which Is the Right Flooring for Your Home?
Whatever your home’s style may be, flooring is quite literally its foundation, and often the first design element vis...
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How To: Clean a Wool Rug
Wool rugs in a home appeal to several senses: Their vibrant colors and patterns improve the look of any space, while ...
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How To: Clean Linoleum Floors
Linoleum has been a practical flooring option for more than 100 years. While it fell out of fashion in the late 1940s...
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How to Remove Candle Wax From Just About Any Surface
No matter their placement—on the mantel, beside the bathtub, or on the dining table—lit candles instantly create an a...
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All You Need to Know About Paper Bag Flooring
That humble brown kraft paper typically used for grocery bags has recently gained a surprising—and strikingly beautif...
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How To: Stain Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring offers rich, warm, timeless beauty, and can even favorably affect the resale value of your home. Wi...
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3 Fixes for Ink Stains
DIYers usually welcome a sudden burst of artistic creativity—except when it means their pen goes awry, leaving a splo...
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Walk This Way: Expert Advice on 3 Top Options in Flooring
Floors are the unsung heroes of our homes, at once establishing the look of a space even while taking a beating under...
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The Smarter Way to Mop Your Floors
You've just grabbed the mop to clear up a spill or wipe away the day-to-day dirt, but will you actually make your flo...
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How To: Paint a Garage Floor
Part-time workshop, storage center for outdoor equipment, shelter for the family cars—the garage is a do-it-all space...
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The 7 Best Low-Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring
Are your floors scratched, worn, or out of style? In the past, there weren’t many affordable alternative to pricy hardwood floors. Today, though, budget options a...
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7 Unusual Tricks for Your Cleanest Floors Ever
There’s no way around it. Whether you’ve got hardwood, tile, or carpet, all floors must be cleaned of dirt and debris tracked in from outside. But this traditiona...
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Bob Vila Radio: Use a Hairdryer to Fix Torn Vinyl Flooring
If your vinyl flooring (or linoleum) has developed a tear, don't despair! There's an easy—and yes, rather unexpected ...
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7 Ways You May Be Ruining Your Wood Floors
One of the most important (and overlooked) elements of any home? The floors. Hardwood floors add warmth and character to any space, whether modern or rustic. And ...
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So, You Want to... Level a Concrete Floor
There's no disagreement here: Concrete ranks among the most durable, longest-lasting of all building materials. That ...
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Clean Your Floors with What's in the Pantry
Sweeping dirt under the rug: Tempting, sure, but it's no long-term solution. Different rooms in different houses requ...
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The Pros and Cons of Softwood Flooring
Trees are classified as either hardwood or softwood according to the structure of their seeds. And while almost all h...
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Family-Friendly Floors: 5 Top Options for Busy Households
Pets and children put homes to the test. Which types of floors are up to the challenge?
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Get the Look of Wood Floors for Much Less: 7 Laminate Picks
Though it's always been a cost-effective alternative to traditional hardwood, today's laminate flooring proves just how far the product has come. Thanks to new im...
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8 Ways to Stop Hating Your Floor—Without Replacing It
As the base of any room, the flooring lays the foundation of a space's style. So what happens if you're feeling uninspired by your concrete or vinyl floor? Instal...
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How to Remove Vinyl Flooring
Let's be clear: It's no fun to remove vinyl flooring. Peeling up the material itself is no picnic, but the real trial...
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How To: Install Click Flooring
Over the last decade, engineered wood flooring has developed by leaps and bounds, making it more affordable than ever...
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How To: Apply Epoxy Floor Paint
You lavish attention on the bedroom and living room, bathroom and kitchen, but what about the unsung hero of many smo...
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The Many Faces of Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring has made great strides in the last two decades, providing homeowners with options in affordable, stylish, and easy-install wood flooring ...
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What Would Bob Do? Filling Nail Holes
Q: I’ve removed some carpet and want to refinish the hardwood floors below. What should I use to fill the holes left ...
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What Would Bob Do? Leveling a Concrete Floor
Q: I’d like some advice on how to level a concrete floor. We plan to finish the basement in my house, and there are g...
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5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Wood Floor
This article is sponsored on behalf of Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Homeowne...
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Regain Your Footing: Top Tips for Common Wood Floor Repairs
This article has been brought to you by Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Few thi...
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Everything You Need to Know About Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered flooring might sound like something that's made in a lab from plastics and other chemicals but, in fact, i...
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How to Remove Paint from Concrete
Concrete is porous, which means that it readily absorbs liquids like paint. With this ease of penetration, paint can ...
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The Appeal of Bamboo Flooring
Floors are an essential and important element in an interior design scheme. Small wonder, then, that the eye-catching...
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How To: Clean Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are so beautiful when first installed, but over time they can start to look a little worse for wear. ...
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How To: Clean Marble
Unquestionably, marble ranks among the most luxurious and beautiful countertop and flooring materials. Equally beyond...
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What Would Bob Do? Polishing a Concrete Floor
I am living in Spain and redoing an old house in the country. I'd like some of the floors to be polished concrete.  C...
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11 Tried-and-True Ways to Care for Hardwood Floors
By design, our floors will see some of the most wear and tear of any of the fixtures in our home. Even if you’re normally careful with your floors, life happens. ...
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Vinyl Renaissance: 10 Flooring Looks You Won't Believe
Though it’s gotten a bad rap in past years, vinyl flooring is making a comeback. Although relative ease of installation has long been one of the material's sellin...
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How To: Cut Vinyl Flooring
It's easier to cut vinyl flooring to the exact shape and size of your room when you make a template first. Staple she...
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How To: Scribe Tile
 Here's how to scribe a floor tile to fit around an uneven edge. Set the closest full tile in place, then use another...
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Parquet, You Say? 10 Stunning Wood Floor Patterns
Wood has proven a popular and durable flooring choice in homes for hundreds of years. Whether you're considering recycling, upcycling, or creating a high-end luxu...
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13 Things All DIYers Should Know About Plywood
A manmade material prized for its great versatility, plywood appears in elements of the home as varied as flooring, w...
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What Would Bob Do? Fixing Scratches on Wood Floors
Q: I have various scratches on my wood floors. Some add character, but some are just too big and need to go away. Wha...
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Creaks, Groans, and Squeaks: 11 Spooky House Sounds That Could Spell Trouble for Homeowners
  Homes often make strange noises. They’re built of many different materials—glass, concrete, wood—that expand and co...
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How To: Clean Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty—the mater...
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22 Genius Ways to Convert a Garage Into Living Space
Turning a garage into a new living space can improve the resale value of your home and your quality of life. In compa...
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How To: Paint Plywood Floors
For our newly renovated attic, we'd wanted solid wood flooring, but that idea, it turned out, wasn't practical: The a...
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Quick Tip: Sawdust Grout
 It can be easy to patch cracks in an old wood floor or grout a new wood block floor. Here's how. First, make a mixtu...
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How To: Install a Wood Block Floor
 For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks.  Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
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Just Floored! 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives
Bottle caps, leather belts, and pennies are just a few of the unusual materials that creative do-it-yourselfers have incorporated in these cheap flooring ideas. C...
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Basement Flooring 101
Surprise! It's all right to install virtually any type of flooring in your basement. Although hardwood should be avoi...
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How To: Replace Damaged Tile
 Here's a way to replace damaged ceramic tile.  Remove the grout with a grout saw. Crack the tile with a hammer and c...
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How to Remove Carpet
Even with regular vacuuming, carpeting accumulates a great deal of dust, dirt, and debris. When you finally decide to...
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How to Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to get the look of wood for less, and it’s easy to install. In fact, tongue-and-...
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How to Install Ceramic Tile Flooring
When it comes to durability, affordability, and style versatility, it’s pretty difficult to beat ceramic tile. It’s a...
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Soundproof Your Floors
Paying attention to what’s underneath your floors can have a profound effect on noise reduction and sound control in ...
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Choosing the Right Floor
Floors must withstand your lifestyle. They get nicked by high heels, crusted by muddy boots and crushed by furniture ...
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10 Reasons to Love Bamboo Floors
Bamboo flooring has won fans both for its look and performance, not to mention its environmental sustainability.
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How to Install Baseboard Trim
Installing new trim should be easy, right? Just measure the boards, cut the miters, and nail the trim in place. Well,...
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How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Many homeowners look down upon vinyl plank flooring because they equate it with the same stuff that you could buy at ...
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How to Clean Vinyl Flooring Without Damaging It
Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting, even under a home's highest-traffic condit...
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How to Clean Concrete Floors and Driveways
The first thing to know about cleaning concrete? You don’t need to go easy on it. After all, it’s one of the most dur...
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How To: Paint Masonry Walls
Hurricane Sandy proved to be a trial for many of us. My wife and I were fortunate, and our home suffered no major dam...
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How To: Clean Slate
I have a slate fireplace surround that makes my living room feel really warm and earthy, even if the fire is not lit....
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Rx for Hardwood Floors
Special problems need special solutions—and that's particularly true of wood flooring.  When accidents happen, first ...
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How To: Paint a Wood Floor
The first time I heard about someone painting a wood floor I was skeptical. Would it last? Could you scrub it? And wh...
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Old Wood Flooring: Replace or Refinish?
Recently my wife and I moved into a co-op. It’s kind of like a condo but with a few additional restrictions about wha...
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Trending Now: Cork Flooring
Sustainable, versatile cork floor options abound for today's eco- and design-conscious homeowner.
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Bathroom Floor Tile: 14 Top Options
Modern bathrooms are so much more than they used to be. They’ve gone beyond the practical and utilitarian purpose they were originally designed for, and serve as ...
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Eco-Friendly Flooring: 5 Ways to Go Green from the Bottom Up
60% to 70% of the homes in the U. S. contain carpeting made from nylon, polyester, or vinyl—materials dependent on no...
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How To: Dye Concrete Floors
Photo and text excerpted from Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague (Artisan Books, 2012)Dyeing floors is different ...
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Kitchen Flooring: 8 Popular Choices
Design, color, and surface are important considerations, but don't overlook comfort, durability and easy care—particularly in kitchen flooring.
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The Best Floor Sander for Beginning DIYers
Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, the best choice for do-it-yourself floor refinishing is the ran...
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Radiant Floor Heating 101
Radiant floor heating is arguably the ideal home heating system. It’s comfortable, efficient, unobtrusive, quiet, and...
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Planning for Soil Conditions and Setting the Footings
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
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Putting in a New Fireplace, Painting the Interior, and Installing Doors and Floors
The walls in the new addition are just about ready for paint. The new fireplace, trimmed with fieldstone, will make this new in-law suite very cozy. Interior door...
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Building a First-Floor Slab and Walls with Concrete
The home's concrete-slab floor is constructed with foam decking and connected to PEX tubing that will heat the home. The ReddiForm foam blocks enable a single con...
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Building with Polystyrene Forms and Concrete
Bob explores innovative construction technologies – Insul-Tarp and ReddiForm polystyrene blocks – as the structure is reinforced and the first-floor walls start t...
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Reviewing the Boiler Pipes and Bathroom In-Floor Radiant Heat
Bob and plumbing and heating contractor Frank Iadarola review the air handler and bathroom in-floor radiant heat.
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Pumping Concrete to Make a Basement Floor
A slab is poured in the basement and work is underway to add two new dormers to the roof.
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Touring the Completed Home Interior, Entryway, and Dining Room
Bob tours the front vestibule, highlighting the beautiful stencil work done by artist Kim Sweet. He explains how small touches can bring back the feel of an 1890s...
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Installing a Decorative Inlaid Vinyl Floor and Reviewing the Workshop Layout
The generously sized workshop has a functional layout and a unique vinyl floor designed by architect Gregory Rochlin.
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Installing Carpet on the Third Floor and Bathroom Tile
Bob looks at the new carpet being installed on the third floor and at a bathroom tile installation.
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Installing a Herringbone-Patterned Floor
Bob quickly reviews the completed work in the kitchen, and then oversees the installation of a herringbone-patterned floor in the den, which will essentially func...
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Fixing Squeaky Floors
Bob talks with a floor expert about how to fix squeaky floors.
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Keep Water Out of the Basement
Basement drainage systems are installed to control moisture and humidity and to eliminate rot and mildew.
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Installing a Porch Floor and Light and Constructing a Porch Trellis
The front of the Melrose house gets finishing touches, including a new, insect-resistant porch deck, new trellises, and a porch light.
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Carpeting the Basement and Organizing the Home
Carpet tiles are installed in the basement, and experts discuss storage and organizing solutions for the basement and master bedroom.
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Basement Remodeling Update and Installing Subfloor to Prevent Water Damage
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
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Color Staining a Concrete Floor
Tom Moorad joins Bob to satin a concrete floor.
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Laying Porcelain Oxidized-Look Tiles
Bob and Anthony Lopez install porcelain tiles for a decorative look.
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Installing Hardwood Floors over Concrete
Jesse Bartuesek joins Bob for the installation of Brazilian Walnut floors
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Installing a Marble Tile Floor
Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique.
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Installing Cork Floors
Bob confronts the remodeling challenge of choosing a flooring material that will deaden sound without sacrificing the sleek, clean look of tile or stone. So contr...
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Traditional Hardwood Flooring from Carlisle
Don and Kerry Carlisle (from Carlisle Restoration Lumber) visit the modern Colonial house to discuss the custom flooring being installed in the kitchen area.
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Installation of Laminated Engineered Wood Floor System
Work continues at the sister project house where a new laminated floor system is being installed.
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Sanding Wood Floors
In the sunroom, Howard Brickman is at work sanding the floors.
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Finishing a Wood Floor
Howard Brickman has begun sanding the old growth Eastern white pine floor in the bedroom of the modern Colonial.
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Moving Appliances Without Damaging Wood Floors
Bob meets with flooring specialist Howard Brickman, who has completed the home's beautiful wood floors. The next challenge is to move heavy appliances across the ...
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Installing the Subfloor
Thorough Construction's lead carpenter Connor McKenna applies panel adhesive to the tops of the new, sistered joists before laying four-by-eight sheets of Georgia...
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Hard Maple Flooring Installation
Bob checks out Shaw's Chateau wood flooring, which contractor David LaFosse and his crew are about to install in the great room.
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Discussing the Bellawood Maple Hardwood Floor
Tom Sullivan of Bellawood is in one of the four Mashpee affordable homes where they have donated hardwood flooring for the living room, dining room, and kitchen o...
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Installing Wall-to-Wall Carpet, Building an Energy Star Certified Home, and Saving Electricity and Protecting Electronics in the Home
Bob meets Scott Howard of Dean's Carpet, John Livermore from the Energy Star Homes program, and Damon Markowski from Leviton to show some of the features built in...
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Facade Details and Windows and the Interior's Finished Cornice Molding, Flooring, and Fireplace
Bob is outside the Manhattan Brownstone to show off the refurbished facade of the building and then goes inside to show us the completed living room of the floor-...
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Selecting Carpet With Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland tells Bob about her Shades of America carpet collection. With a more focused color selection and more descriptive color names, Shades of America mak...
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Installing Wood Laminate Flooring
Fred Giuggio (from QuickStep) and his crew are busy installing wood laminate flooring in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house.
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Installing the White Oak Flooring
Bob and Tim Colgan (from Kahrs) discuss the white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom.
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Interlocking Beech Flooring, Anti-Static Carpeting, and the Media Room
Bob looks at the beech flooring in the key hall, before moving to the media room to discuss the carpeting with Gary Johnston (from DuPont) and the electronic comp...
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Installing the Engineered Wood Flooring System
The crew is using a crane to install the engineered wood flooring system.
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Pergo Flooring Installation
Carpenter Bob Ryley joins Steve Yates (from Pergo) to learn installation tips for, and the features of, Pergo wood laminate flooring and installation tips.
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Tour of the Perstop Flooring Factory
Bob visits the Perstop Flooring Factory to see how Pergo, wood laminate flooring, is made.
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Installing Carpet in the Bedroom
Carpenter Bob Ryley goes over a bedroom carpet installation.
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Installing the Tongue-and-Groove Plywood Subfloor System
Bob talks with carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Kevin Kalman, as they lay down the subflooring.
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Installing a Reclaimed Heart Pine Floor
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
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Oak and Herringbone Floor Repair
Bob meets with preservationist Fred Ecker to go over the process of making repairs to the floors.
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Installing the Carpets
Bob meets with Heather Sheehan and Scot Lintz (from Allied Signal) to discuss the production and use of recycled carpet.
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Hand-Stitching Carpets
Bob learns about hand-stitching carpets, as he watches Peter Mead use a traditional technique.
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Tour of the Mansion's Exterior and Landscaping
Bob tours the exterior with general contractor Sam Daniel. Then, he joins architect John Paul Hanbury and interior designer Barbara Page, and, together, they roll...
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Fire Codes and Installing Fireproofing Material
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley review the interior construction, which must satisfy stringent fire codes.
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Pergo Floor Installation
Joel Trepitti (from Pergo) talks Bob through the installation of the wood laminate flooring.
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House One: Tour of a Gothic Carpenter-Style Home
The first Elmwood project concerns remodeling a Gothic Carpenter-style home, built in 1871.
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Flooring, Plumbing, and Plastering
The old flooring in the Gothic Carpenter-style home in Elmwood has been removed. Bob outlines the process of installing the new floor and discusses the new suppor...
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Installing a Reclaimed Pine Floor
Bob Riley and Howard Brickman install a reclaimed hard pine floor. The orientation of the boards is explained, and the moisture content of the subfloor is checked...
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Installing a Gas Fireplace and Refinishing the Hardwood Floor
Joe Murphy installs a direct vent gas-driven fireplace, and Howard Brickman refinishes the hardwood floor.
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Final Tour of the Completed Second Home in the Project
The second home in the Elmwood project, a Colonial Revival, is complete, after the second-floor bathroom gets a new vanity, new doors for the laundry closet, and ...
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Tour of the Completed Workout Area
Bob takes a final tour of the home workout area, discussing the tub surround and the new exercise equipment.
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Framing Begins on the Miami Home
As part of a Miami kitchen renovation, Bob frames a partition wall made to resemble a banana leaf. He also pours concrete to patch a floor.
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Wood Floor Repair
Bob and homeowner Gavin repair and refinish a 75-year-old oak floor. Because the new patch floor panels have a different thickness from the original, a belt sande...
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Bathroom Floor Installation
Bob visits with Butch and Dennis LeDonne, who are using thin-set epoxy to install an aggregrate product from Rover Tile on the master bathroom floor.
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Amtico Flooring Installation
Flooring specialist Mary Docker introduces Bob to Amtico. A flooring product from England, Amtico is vinyl that mimics the look of wood and marble. It's water-res...
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Installing a Bluestone Floor
Bob discusses the bluestone floor being installed in the greenhouse.
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Installing Pine and Pergo Laminate Flooring
Contractor Bob Ryley installs tongue-and-groove yellow pine flooring, as Gary D'Lessio (from Pergo) installs high-pressure laminate flooring.
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Termite Prevention and Pouring the Concrete Floor
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley join exterminator Dean Bailey (of Fowler and Sons) to discuss termite control in and around the garage. Also, concrete contractor Sha...
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Home Addition and Construction Timeline
Bob remarks on how much progress has been made in one week of work on the Wayland project home. The footings have been established and the crew has begun building...
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Laying Glazed Ceramic Floor Tiles
Floor tiles are installed in the bathroom after the underlayment has dried and chalk reference lines have been drawn. Tips on cutting and laying tile are given.
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Recycling a Hardwood Floor
Flooring contractor Leo Boudreau shows Bob how to recycle hardwood flooring. First, the floor must be salvaged. A pry bar is used to lift and remove the wood, pie...
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Replacing the Storm Windows
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley replace the storm windows on the Plymouth project house, and the newly designed bathroom needs tiles.
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Vinyl Flooring Installation
Bob observes as workmen create a template that's used to cut vinyl sheet goods for an exact fit on the floor.
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Constructing an Insulated Floor
Bob helps carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley build an insulated floor so as to extend living space into the basement.
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Choosing a Living Room Carpet
Bob looks around for a well-priced living room carpet.
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Touring the Interior
Bob tours the newly furnished and appointed Plymouth project house with the interior designer. Throughout, there is a mix of formal and informal pieces, which all...
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Setting Tiles
Bob meets with a tile setter to learn about the installation of tiles in the kitchen.
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Pouring the Basement Slab
The concrete basement floor is poured, leveled, and screeded.
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Applying Bathroom Floor Tile
Bob looks on as tile setter John Boardman applies bathroom floor tile at the Cape Cod project house.
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Tiling the Bathroom Floor
Tile setter Roger Short performs a “mud job” on the bathroom floor before laying the tile pattern.
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Repairing the Dining Room Floor
Contractor Tom Forest repairs a hump in the dining room floor, then revives the floor’s maple finish.
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Congoleum Factory Tour
Bob tours the Congoleum plant in Marcus Hook, PA with Jim Kogut.
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Adding a Creative Touch to Vinyl Flooring
Installer Ed Janecek demonstrates how to add a creative touch to vinyl flooring, while painter Dirk Van Kinette rolls high-gloss paint onto the master bathroom wa...
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Discussing Plans for the Basement
Bob joins architect Mike Morgan and general contractor Ron Gan in the basement of the coach house to discuss options for making the basement space useful and/or m...
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White Oak Hardwood Flooring Installation
General contractor Tim Berky installs the white oak, tongue-and-groove floor. Since the flooring will be nailed over the hyrdronic heat system, it is critical to ...
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