FLOORING
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Owning a home comes with some inevitable responsibilities, including maintaining and repairing problems before they w...
If you have dated, worn floors, you might be considering freshening them up with new flooring. A quick search of the ...
Replacing an old floor or installing a new floor in a home is a time-consuming process that can go wrong if you aren’...
I often wonder how I managed to clean stairs and corners with my bulky corded vacuum for so many years. Anyone who ha...
A new rug can make a big impact and bring instant personality to home decor. These stylish floor coverings are among ...
Hardwood floors add beauty and value to a home. They’re warm and cozy, providing a look like nothing else can. But th...
Installing some types of flooring, including wall-to-wall carpeting, ceramic tile, and hardwood, can be challenging f...
It’s hard to beat the look of hardwood flooring. The warmth and beauty of its grain combined with its ability to be r...
Carpeting can bring a subdued and comfortable atmosphere to a home. When considering carpet installation cost, it hel...
If you’re confused about the difference between the terms “water-resistant” and “waterproof,” don’t worry, you’re in ...
Typical Range: $1,074 to $2,485 National Average: $1,757If your hardwood floors are dull, scratched, and looking o...
Swiffer Sweepers hit the market in 1999 and have become a staple in many homes around the world in the years since. W...
If you hate vacuuming carpets, let a robot vacuum help with this tedious chore. Robot vacuums automatically putter ar...
Vacuuming and sweeping are important for keeping a home clean throughout a busy work week, but when you have the time...
Working at a standing desk may help reduce back pain, lower the risk of heart disease, improve mood, and even increas...
Cats and dogs can be a lovely addition to any home, but their messes can be a pain. Pets may stain carpets, shed hair...
Hardwood floors lend an aura of classic elegance to a home, adding to its real estate value. However, the job of keep...
For indoor allergy sufferers, an effective vacuum is a key tool for managing symptoms. The best vacuum for allergies ...
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...
Mess accumulates in the home every day. Someone’s shoes carry dirt into the house, children’s snacks fall on the floo...
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...
Cleaning floors is more than just sweeping or vacuuming. According to experts, you should be mopping at least once a ...
Quick cleanup often starts (and ends) with a broom. Spilled cracker crumbs, a fallen plant, and pet hair can show lik...
Carpet tiles are offered in a range of colors, textures, and designs. Some are even water-resistant or moisture-resis...
Typical Range: $2,493 - $6,754 National Average: $4,540Hardwood flooring can add texture and warmth to any room. S...
Unsightly dust, spills, and other messes can make home flooring dirty and unhygienic. For daily spills or weekly deep...
Regular cleaning can keep laminate floors clean and shining like new, but you’ll want to keep in mind an important ru...
Mopping is usually a pretty tedious task, but investing in the right mop can make the job easier. The best mop for ti...
Many people create places in their home to serve as a gym. While a good set of free weights and exercise equipment su...
Laminate flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, and strong. Regular vacuuming lifts dust, dirt, crumbs,...
Thick carpets look luxurious and feel plush underfoot, but their long fibers can make them tough to clean. The wrong ...
Rolling chairs are incredibly convenient. They make getting in position at a desk or table incredibly easy, but wreak...
A vacuum is a necessary household tool for cleaning hard floors and carpets, but many vacuums are heavy and difficult...
Having a cat can bring a lot of joy and companionship. And, unlike dogs, most cats take care of their business indoor...
Hardwood floor refinishing and sanding is unforgiving work. Make a mistake, and it will show. However, a refinished f...
While cork flooring has been around for many years, the plant-based floor covering is quickly becoming a favorite for...
Homeowners used to think of concrete as strictly utilitarian stuff, resorted to only when a better-looking material w...
Since the turn of this century, few household gadgets have advanced as quickly as the robot vacuum. These self-propel...
Scuffs, scratches, stains, and more affect the appearance of your flooring. Carpets and hard flooring both show wear ...
Installing laminate hardwood flooring can significantly impact a home’s aesthetics by adding the rich look of hardwoo...
Vacuums work well for removing dust and debris from rugs and carpets, but won’t be any help with spills or stains. Ca...
The floor is just about the ideal spot for babies and toddlers to explore the world. As they’re lying on their backs ...
Wrecking bars, crowbars, and pry bars are often combined in the same category, but important differences exist. One o...
Of all cleaning tasks, mopping floors can take the most time. Hard flooring requires a bit more elbow grease to clean...
Vacuuming stairs regularly will help them look good while extending the lifespan of carpeting and runners. But the ne...
The beauty of wood gives it a timeless appeal, and talented artisans produce both traditional and contemporary design...
Your hardwood floors are an investment, and you want to take care of them. Using the proper cleaning tools will go a ...
Similar to the technological progression of printers, drills, and phones, the cordless revolution has come for vacuum...
Hardwood floors are a classic floor finishing; their different grains and colors add richness and dimension to all ty...
Tile floors are low maintenance, durable, and easily customized to your personal style. However, they can show dust a...
Steam is a powerful cleaning tool. It can be used to clean a variety of surfaces around your home including carpets a...
Carpets can hold on to dirt and stains and become a hotbed for allergens and odors. Even if you vacuum weekly, over t...
Workplaces everywhere are encouraging employees to explore ergonomic solutions to health issues. From ergonomic chair...
Keeping hard floor surfaces looking their best is a matter of consistency. Whether it’s hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ce...
Shedding, dander, drool, claws, accidents, wear and tear—there are a lot of things a pet can do to your pristine carp...
Nothing can beat the rich, classic look of hardwood floors in a home. But installing hardwood flooring can be expensi...
Spray mops provide the benefits of a traditional wet mop without the hassle. Because of their ease of use, they are t...
Microfiber’s unique properties have changed the cleaning industry for the better, mops included. This fabric contains...
Black Friday, which is just a couple of days away, traditionally marks the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, bu...
While online Black Friday deals are exceptional year after year, 2020’s are bound to be out-of-this-world great: most...
When shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, the range of products and manufacturers can be staggering—with many models ha...
Laminate flooring, a type of synthetic flooring crafted to simulate the look of wood or tile, has improved considerab...
Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting or genuine hardwood floors, nothing adds warmth and brightness to your home l...
Vacuum cleaners are trading power and capacity for convenience. But if a small vacuum won’t cut it for your house cle...
Your flooring is the largest surface area in your home and, not least because it gets walked on every day, it's a sur...
It’s difficult to know everything that goes on below your flooring. Underneath the hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpe...
As part of a comprehensive plan to reduce dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens, consider using a vacuum equip...
Tired of making a mess and breaking your back cleaning floors with a conventional mop and a bucket? Consider outsourc...
The to-do lists are long in a home renovation—and that's before you account for unexpected tasks like running to the ...
Revamp your floors with new carpet colors that are both timeless and on trend.
Hardwood flooring gets acclaim for its natural beauty, but it requires varying degrees of attention to maintain its g...
Hardwood floors add natural warmth to any room, but the traditional method of putting in hardwood is time consuming, ...
Yes, it's absolutely possible to control your mess without letting it control your life. Find out how you can streamline your chores and create more time for your...
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...
Travertine—a variety of limestone formed from calcium carbonate deposits in or near hot springs or limestone caves—is...
There are so many beautiful finishes available in today’s solid wood flooring. With so many options, from distressed finishes to finishes that mimic oil-rubbing, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Q: I plan on installing tile on my entryway floor and kitchen backsplash. How much tile do I need to buy in each case...
Cement tile is taking the design world by storm, brightening up everything from bathroom floors to backsplashes with ...
Bathroom floor tile is available in a surprising number of materials. Ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl tiles often come ...
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 ...
Tile floors are beautiful, durable, and a fairly DIY friendly option, but for tile’s good looks to really last, it’s ...
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...
Maybe I'm the only person (at least over the age of three) who gets a kick out of making a mess, but I would still ar...
Vinyl is the most popular form of resilient flooring (a category that also includes linoleum and cork) because it’s l...
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....
Q: I only vacuum my floors when I notice them looking dingy. How often should you vacuum?A: Interior designers and hy...
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...
Porcelain tiles are an all-time favorite for beautiful, durable floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. But u...
First introduced in the 1970s, laminate flooring is comprised of layers of synthetic material engineered to look like...
Beautiful marble flooring started its journey into our homes as limestone. Millions of years of metamorphosis—intense...
Don’t let their names confuse you: Though polycrylic and polyurethane may sit on the same shelf at the store, they ar...
You finally decided on the perfect hardwood for your floors—whether that's a deep, rich walnut, a warm cherry wood, o...
Wood floors bring beauty and value to a home—as long as they are well-maintained. Natural wood is at constant risk of...
Marble—a white or uniquely variegated type of limestone that has been exposed to extreme heat and pressure—has a long...
Carpeting brings wall-to-wall softness and warmth to a room, both visually and physically. But over time, its attract...
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...
Slightly sloping floors, which are common in older houses, often worry homeowners who want to install new rigid floor...
It’s hard to beat the natural beauty of wood; it has a depth, glow, and interest that few manmade materials can match...
The kitchen has become the hub of the modern home, not just a cook space but a gathering place for family and friends...
With people, cars, bicycles, and even push mowers wheeled in for storage, a garage sees a lot of traffic. This, coupl...
Hardwood floors add classic elegance to your home—but not when they’re dull, dinted, or dingy. Fortunately, waxing ha...
Replacing torn, worn, or outmoded flooring is a surefire way to lend a fresh look to your laundry room. But this part...
Q: We recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting in the bathroom. We’d like to replace it, but that reall...
When you're paring down your renovation budget there are a few places you can't scrimp. For instance, appliances, wiring, and plumbing should be of the highest qu...
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Concrete is one...
Think about the beating your wood floors endure on a daily basis: high heels, pet nails, children’s toys, and shiftin...
Asbestos, a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, was a common element in construction materials due to its resili...
The basement is one of the most versatile areas in the home. It can function as work space, storage space, or even as an extension of your living space. But basem...
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...
Pets may be great companions, but they're not always kind to their owners' homes, and that's especially true of floor...
When you're ripping out flooring and fixtures to update your living spaces, aesthetic details are obviously important...
With the high cost of new construction preventing homeowners from adding square footage to their homes, many are unde...
Planning to add onto or remodel your home is equal parts exciting and hectic. There are so many decisions to make: c...
Ripping up old carpeting is no small task, but removing the glue used to secure it to the subfloor is a major job all...
Though building codes treat both materials equally as "structural panels," plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) ar...
Think linoleum and vinyl flooring are one and the same? Think again. While many people mistakenly call vinyl tile ‘li...
Q: A few wooden surfaces in my home interior could use painting. What’s the best paint for wood—water- or oil-based? ...
When it comes to elaborate flooring, parquet reigns supreme. Constructed from small pieces of hardwood fitted togethe...
Whether newly installed or more than a hundred years old, hardwood floors are a striking feature in many homes. Wood ...
There’s nothing more elegant than marble, a timeless material available in a variety of colors and veining styles tha...
Trying to decide which polyurethane is right for your DIY project? Here are some points to consider. CM_BVNOTES-1744-...
Walk into a home improvement store on a mission to renovate your kitchen or bath, and you may find yourself overwhelm...
When it comes to choosing wood flooring, you’ve got loads of options. One of the decisions you’ll be making is whethe...
Laminate flooring has been a popular floor choice since its invention in the late ’70s. With a typical lifespan of 15...
Brick, the hard-working earthen blocks basic to so many structures, is becoming a trendy flooring option for high-tra...
When it comes to floors, carpet is no longer king. Today it's all about hardwood flooring—timeless, classic, and clea...
Plank flooring has come a long way from the frontier days when rough-hewn boards were nailed to floor joists, resulti...
One of the oldest flooring materials is still among the most desirable. Whether your style is classic, contemporary, ...
Q: I never gave much thought to cleaning my cherry wood floor until I noticed how dingy it had become! What's the bes...
When considering a tile refresh for any floor, wall, or countertop, keep porcelain and ceramic tiles top of mind for ...
This article has been brought to you by Amvic Building System, who provided BobVila. com with a complimentary product...
Q: I’m considering a complete overhaul of the floors in my home, but I'll need something that stands up over time to ...
Beloved for their economy and durability, vinyl and laminate flooring are two of the most popular flooring types avai...
If you’re in the market for durable, low-maintenance flooring in a basement, on a patio, or anywhere else you have a ...
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...
For homeowners who appreciate all-natural ingredients and saving money on household necessities, baking soda and vine...
If you thought concrete was just for sidewalks, think again. This DIY-friendly material is rapidly finding its way into homes and offices, bringing with it limitl...
Wood floors add beauty and warmth to any home, but they do demand special care. Though there are plenty of commercial...
Decorative tile floors can add an element of elegance to a hum-drum living space, but often for a pretty penny. To av...
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...
No matter how quietly you traipse through your home late at night, a squeaky floor will always trip you up and announ...
Thanks to a harvest time of as little as five years, bamboo is an environmentally sustainable, increasingly popular f...
Once reserved for subfloors and sheathing, construction-grade plywood is now making a splash as affordable residentia...
Shag rugs are enjoying a resurgence, thanks to their groovy textured looks and comfy feel underfoot. The potential bu...
As one of the strongest, most durable, and longest-lasting construction materials, it's no wonder why concrete is the...
Hardwood flooring adds beauty to your home, and it's durable enough to last a lifetime (or more). But that's not to s...
Concrete has long been a favorite choice for hardscaping features like driveways and walkways, porch stairs and patios. After all, few things on Earth are as toug...
Natural texture, super strength, stain resistance, and blend of vibrant hues are all reasons that slate tile—the thin...
It’s hard to beat ceramic tile for beauty, versatility, and durability. Perfect for bathroom, kitchen, even entryway ...
Careful preparation is key to the successful installation of hardwood flooring. If you fail to get the subfloor clean...
Even the nicest wall-to-wall carpeting can start to buckle, ripple, or wrinkle over time when it loosens and lifts fr...
Linoleum is a classic and resilient material, often found in high-traffic spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallwa...
Whatever your home's style may be, flooring is quite literally its foundation—and often the first design element visi...
Wool rugs in a home appeal to several senses: Their vibrant colors and patterns improve the look of any space, while ...
Linoleum has been a practical flooring option for more than 100 years. While it fell out of fashion in the late 1940s...
No matter their placement—on the mantel, beside the bathtub, or on the dining table—lit candles instantly create an a...
That humble brown kraft paper typically used for grocery bags has recently gained a surprising—and strikingly beautif...
Hardwood flooring offers rich, warm, timeless beauty, and can even favorably affect the resale value of your home. Wi...
DIYers usually welcome a sudden burst of artistic creativity—except when it means their pen goes awry, leaving a splo...
Floors are the unsung heroes of our homes, at once establishing the look of a space even while taking a beating under...
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...
Part-time workshop, storage center for outdoor equipment, shelter for the family cars—the garage is a do-it-all space...
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...
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...
If your vinyl flooring (or linoleum) has developed a tear, don't despair! There's an easy—and yes, rather unexpected ...
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 ...
There's no disagreement here: Concrete ranks among the most durable, longest-lasting of all building materials. That ...
When you’re in the market for new flooring, you weigh a lot of considerations before deciding on a material. You may end up eliminating marble because of its cost...
An unfinished basement, with its concrete floor and exposed joists, may seem dreary and cold. But in reality it is an enormous blank canvas just waiting for your ...
Think wood flooring has to strain your remodeling budget? Think again! Though hardwood flooring typically costs a pre...
Concrete floors are no longer found only in garages and basements. With elegant finishes now available—like stencilin...
Sweeping dirt under the rug: Tempting, sure, but it's no long-term solution. Different rooms in different houses requ...
Trees are classified as either hardwood or softwood according to the structure of their seeds. And while almost all h...
Pets and children put homes to the test. Which types of floors are up to the challenge?
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...
Bamboo is one of the hottest trends in flooring. This extremely hard material can take stain just like wood, so it's a natural choice for floors. Bamboo is also s...
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...
Let's be clear: It's no fun to remove vinyl flooring. Peeling up the material itself is no picnic, but the real trial...
Over the last decade, engineered wood flooring has developed by leaps and bounds, making it more affordable than ever...
Looking to make your garage a little snazzier? Dressing up the concrete floor with colorful epoxy paint may be just t...
Most interior designers agree that in any space, flooring sets the tone. This means that decorating decisions about such things as furniture and lighting should b...
You lavish attention on the bedroom and living room, bathroom and kitchen, but what about the unsung hero of many smo...
Anyone shopping for a new hardwood floor quickly discovers that there's no shortage of options on the market. Homeown...
Engineered wood flooring has made great strides in the last two decades, providing homeowners with options in affordable, stylish, and easy-install wood flooring ...
Q: I’ve removed some carpet and want to refinish the hardwood floors below. What should I use to fill the holes left ...
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...
This article is sponsored on behalf of Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Homeowne...
This article has been brought to you by Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Few thi...
Homeowners often refer to vinyl and linoleum interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. These resilient floor ...
Engineered flooring might sound like something that's made in a lab from plastics and other chemicals but, in fact, i...
Concrete is porous, which means that it readily absorbs liquids like paint. With this ease of penetration, paint can ...
Cork flooring has been in the news recently, but cork is anything but new. It’s been marketed as a flooring material ...
Floors are an essential and important element in an interior design scheme. Small wonder, then, that the eye-catching...
Laminate floors are so beautiful when first installed, but over time they can start to look a little worse for wear. ...
Unquestionably, marble ranks among the most luxurious and beautiful countertop and flooring materials. Equally beyond...
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...
Linoleum rugs are a little-remembered footnote to floorcovering history. These days, unless you uncover one when you’...
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. ...
Your garage may be your workshop, your storeroom, your potting shed or the place where you showcase your automotive p...
Here's how to inlay sheet vinyl flooring for a designer look. Measure your design on the floor with chalk lines. Se...
Here's an inexpensive and creative way to decorate a floor. Roll on a coat of deck enamel (the color of your choice)...
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...
It's easier to cut vinyl flooring to the exact shape and size of your room when you make a template first. Staple she...
Here's how to scribe a floor tile to fit around an uneven edge. Set the closest full tile in place, then use another...
Ceramic tile has been the go-to choice for bathroom flooring almost since the advent of indoor plumbing. But today there are many alternative—and stylish—choices ...
You can't deny the decorative appeal of painted floors, whether they're patterned in checkerboard, stripes, or some o...
When you think of flooring options for your home, your mind may turn to images of polished hardwood in the dining room, evocative Spanish tile in the kitchen, or ...
Here's how to lay a no-squeak subfloor. Apply a generous bead of panel adhesive to the tops of your floor joists. La...
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...
Q: I have various scratches on my wood floors. Some add character, but some are just too big and need to go away. Wha...
Homes make strange noises. They’re built of many different materials — glass, concrete, wood — that expand and contra...
Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty—the mater...
When you're renovating, save and recycle old hardwood floorboards for patching and repairing. Using a pry bar at eac...
For our newly renovated attic, we'd wanted solid wood flooring, but that idea, it turned out, wasn't practical: The a...
Here's how to stop squeaks in an old house with original floors you'd rather not replace. Preservationists use an ac...
Here's how to get a warm, dry basement floor over a concrete slab when converting your basement into living space. L...
Here's a way to save time and energy when repairing floorboards. Instead of drilling and chiseling damaged floorboar...
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...
For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks. Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
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...
Surprise! It's all right to install virtually any type of flooring in your basement. Although hardwood should be avoi...
Here's a way to replace damaged ceramic tile. Remove the grout with a grout saw. Crack the tile with a hammer and c...
Reclaimed wood floors give new life to old timbers. Made from lumber recycled from demolished buildings, heart pine,...
I am moving to a new house where the living room and dining area have wall-to-wall carpeting. I asked the previous ow...
For durability and ease of maintenance, few materials compare with ceramic tile. Here are some of the hot new looks for 2013.
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to get the look of wood for less, and it's easy to install. In fact, tongue-and-...
Add some color and pattern to a wood or concrete floor this summer by purchasing a couple cans of paint and a stencil...
Wood remains the most used flooring material. Its warm feel and appearance, affordability, and sheer variety probably...
When it comes to bathroom flooring, you’ll find a wealth of options to fit any budget and style. Keep in mind the nee...
The interest in environmentally friendly floors is growing as people learn about deforestation, air quality, growing ...
Paying attention to what’s underneath your floors can have a profound effect on noise reduction and sound control in ...
Glass block floors add a unique accent to wood, tile, stone, and concrete. Consider them a dual purpose floor: Glass ...
Cork has been used for flooring for over a century. Finished cork floor can have the look of textured hardwood, the s...
Floors must withstand your lifestyle. They get nicked by high heels, crusted by muddy boots and crushed by furniture ...
If you’ve ever spent any time or money sanding and refinishing a wood floor, you may wonder why anyone would ever pai...
Bamboo flooring has won fans both for its look and performance, not to mention its environmental sustainability.
If you’re looking to install new hardwood floors, why not consider today’s eco-friendly alternative, bamboo?Considere...
My son recently asked for help installing vinyl flooring in his bathroom. So we took a trip to the local home center ...
Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting, even under a home's highest-traffic condit...
The first thing to know about cleaning concrete? You don't need to be delicate. After all, it's a very hard material....
Hurricane Sandy proved to be a trial for many of us. My wife and I were fortunate, and our home suffered no major dam...
I have a slate fireplace surround that makes my living room feel really warm and earthy, even if the fire is not lit....
Special problems need special solutions—and that's particularly true of wood flooring. When accidents happen, first ...
The first time I heard about someone painting a wood floor I was skeptical. Would it last? Could you scrub it? And wh...
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...
You can't beat the low cost and easy installation of a laminate floor. It's a great do-it-yourself project that can r...
There are many ways to invite problems when you lay ceramic tile. Avoid such problems and a tile floor can last for d...
Sustainable, versatile cork floor options abound for today's eco- and design-conscious homeowner.
Something’s stirring underfoot—a growing interest in cork floors. Crafted from sustainable materials and available in...
If you don’t want to spend another holiday season with your worn-out kitchen floor, but the timing’s not right for a ...
After 13 years in our house, the basement was finally dry—or as close to dry as it was ever going to get. The walls w...
Home improvement projects are messy business: Whether you’re painting, re-tiling, or just moving furniture, you want ...
A squeaky floor is easier to fix if it’s a floor that you can access from below. Listen to BOB VILA ON SQUEAKY FLOORS...
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 ...
60% to 70% of the homes in the U. S. contain carpeting made from nylon, polyester, or vinyl—materials dependent on no...
A couple decades ago, no one would have considered it, but one of today’s most popular flooring products is bamboo. A...
Weathered wood floors grayed from years of wear go so well with the ubiquitous reclaimed wood and industrial furnitur...
Photo and text excerpted from Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague (Artisan Books, 2012)Dyeing floors is different ...
Bathrooms are, like it or not, wet areas. Even if the rest of your house has gleaming hardwood floors, they’re not th...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
Few do-it-yourself projects deliver the "wow" factor as potently as refinishing hardwood floors.
There are a lot of decisions to make when constructing a new home. Having a large production builder as our contracto...
While design, color, and surface appeal are important considerations, you’ll also want kitchen flooring that can live...
Design, color, and surface are important considerations, but don't overlook comfort, durability and easy care—particularly in kitchen flooring.
Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, the best choice for do-it-yourself floor refinishing is the ran...
Radiant floor heating is arguably the ideal home heating system. It’s comfortable, efficient, unobtrusive, quiet, and...
I expect there's a time for compromise with any home improvement project. If you’ve been tracking my "Green" Nursery ...
The basic requirement of any floor surfacing material—from ceramic to wood—is that the subfloor remain free of moistu...
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
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...
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...
Bob explores innovative construction technologies – Insul-Tarp and ReddiForm polystyrene blocks – as the structure is reinforced and the first-floor walls start t...
Bob and plumbing and heating contractor Frank Iadarola review the air handler and bathroom in-floor radiant heat.
A slab is poured in the basement and work is underway to add two new dormers to the roof.
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...
The generously sized workshop has a functional layout and a unique vinyl floor designed by architect Gregory Rochlin.
Bob looks at the new carpet being installed on the third floor and at a bathroom tile installation.
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...
Basement drainage systems are installed to control moisture and humidity and to eliminate rot and mildew.
The front of the Melrose house gets finishing touches, including a new, insect-resistant porch deck, new trellises, and a porch light.
Carpet tiles are installed in the basement, and experts discuss storage and organizing solutions for the basement and master bedroom.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Bob and Anthony Lopez install porcelain tiles for a decorative look.
Jesse Bartuesek joins Bob for the installation of Brazilian Walnut floors
Bob talks to Nick Tagios, of Tagios Tile and Marble, who's laying down the marble tile bathroom floor using a traditional installation technique.
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...
Don and Kerry Carlisle (from Carlisle Restoration Lumber) visit the modern Colonial house to discuss the custom flooring being installed in the kitchen area.
Work continues at the sister project house where a new laminated floor system is being installed.
Howard Brickman has begun sanding the old growth Eastern white pine floor in the bedroom of the modern Colonial.
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 ...
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...
Bob checks out Shaw's Chateau wood flooring, which contractor David LaFosse and his crew are about to install in the great room.
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...
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...
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-...
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...
Fred Giuggio (from QuickStep) and his crew are busy installing wood laminate flooring in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house.
Bob and Tim Colgan (from Kahrs) discuss the white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom.
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...
The crew is using a crane to install the engineered wood flooring system.
Carpenter Bob Ryley joins Steve Yates (from Pergo) to learn installation tips for, and the features of, Pergo wood laminate flooring and installation tips.
Bob visits the Perstop Flooring Factory to see how Pergo, wood laminate flooring, is made.
Bob talks with carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Kevin Kalman, as they lay down the subflooring.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
Bob meets with preservationist Fred Ecker to go over the process of making repairs to the floors.
Bob meets with Heather Sheehan and Scot Lintz (from Allied Signal) to discuss the production and use of recycled carpet.
Bob learns about hand-stitching carpets, as he watches Peter Mead use a traditional technique.
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...
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley review the interior construction, which must satisfy stringent fire codes.
Joel Trepitti (from Pergo) talks Bob through the installation of the wood laminate flooring.
The first Elmwood project concerns remodeling a Gothic Carpenter-style home, built in 1871.
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...
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...
Joe Murphy installs a direct vent gas-driven fireplace, and Howard Brickman refinishes the hardwood floor.
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 ...
Bob takes a final tour of the home workout area, discussing the tub surround and the new exercise equipment.
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.
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...
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.
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...
Contractor Bob Ryley installs tongue-and-groove yellow pine flooring, as Gary D'Lessio (from Pergo) installs high-pressure laminate flooring.
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...
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...
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.
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...
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley replace the storm windows on the Plymouth project house, and the newly designed bathroom needs tiles.
Bob observes as workmen create a template that's used to cut vinyl sheet goods for an exact fit on the floor.
Bob helps carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley build an insulated floor so as to extend living space into the basement.
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...
Bob looks on as tile setter John Boardman applies bathroom floor tile at the Cape Cod project house.
Tile setter Roger Short performs a “mud job” on the bathroom floor before laying the tile pattern.
Contractor Tom Forest repairs a hump in the dining room floor, then revives the floor’s maple finish.
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...
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...
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 ...
