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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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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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The 30+ Best Black Friday Vacuum Deals of 2022
Black Friday just ended, but savings continue through Cyber Monday with many retailers. In addition to price drops on...
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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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 of 2023
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 Best Flooring Companies of 2023
Replacing the floor in a home is a project some experienced DIYers are equipped to handle. Still, for those that don’...
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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 Elderly People of 2023
Many typical vacuum cleaner models are heavy, which can make them challenging for elderly people to maneuver. However...
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The Best Hardwood Floor Polishes of 2023
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 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 of 2023
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. This Black Friday, snag a sale price on a helper...
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The Best Rugs for Dining Rooms of 2023
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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How Much Does Radiant Floor Heating Cost?
Typical Range: $1,687 to $6,032 National Average: $3,867Many homeowners don’t give much thought to radiant floor h...
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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 Hardwood Floors of 2023
Robot vacuums for hardwood floors get your wooden floors sparkling clean without leaving damage in their path. Modern...
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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?
Typical Range: $1,447 to $3,006 National Average: $2,227If you’re tired of the plain concrete flooring in your gar...
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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 Best Fabric Protectors of 2023
High-quality furnishings can cost a pretty penny, so it’s wise to protect your investment from everyday accidents. Fa...
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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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The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands in 2023
Replacing an old floor or installing a new floor in a home is a time-consuming process that can go wrong if you aren’...
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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 Water-Based Polyurethanes for Floors of 2023
Hardwood floors add beauty and value to a home, but they’re expensive. Treat them like the investment they are. Wheth...
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The Best Peel and Stick Floor Tiles of 2023
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 of 2023
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 $2,598, 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 Standing Desk Mats to Protect Floors in Your Home
Working at a standing desk may help reduce back pain, lower the risk of heart disease, improve mood, and even increas...
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The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets of 2023
In addition to having a pet stain remover, a quality carpet cleaner that’s made for homes with pets is a helpful tool...
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The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner Machines of 2023
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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The Best Electric Brooms Tested in 2023
Mess accumulates in the home every day. Someone’s shoes carry dirt into the house, children’s snacks fall on the floo...
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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 of 2023
A vacuum, mop, or broom works just fine for daily cleaning and upkeep. A handheld steam cleaner comes in handy on tou...
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The Best Vacuum Mop Combos Tested in 2023
Cleaning floors is more than just sweeping or vacuuming. According to experts, you should be mopping at least once a ...
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The Best Brooms for Hardwood Floors of 2022
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 of 2023
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 $2,483 and $7,028 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 of 2023
Stains, scuff marks, and dirt can make hard flooring look dull and dingy. When a mop and bucket won’t cut it, conside...
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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 in 2023
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 of 2023
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 Vacuums for Laminate Floors of 2023
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 in 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 of 2023
A vacuum is a necessary household tool for cleaning hard floors and carpets, but many vacuums are heavy and difficult...
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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 of 2023
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 correctly installed on top of a quality underlayment, which is key to providing adequate support for...
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The Best Portable Carpet Cleaners of 2023
Vacuums may work well for removing dust and debris from rugs and carpets, but they won’t be any help with spills or s...
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The Best Floor Mats for Kids While Playing
The floor is just about the ideal spot for babies and toddlers to explore the world. As they’re lying on their backs ...
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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, and you want to take care of them. Using the proper cleaning tools will go a ...
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The Best Cordless Vacuums of 2023
Similar to the technological progression of printers, drills, and phones, the cordless revolution has come for vacuum...
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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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The Best Vacuums for Tile Floors Tested in 2023
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 in 2023
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 for the Home
Keeping hard floor surfaces looking their best is a matter of consistency. Whether it’s hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ce...
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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 Carpets for Pets of 2023
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. Desig...
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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 in 2023
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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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 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 of 2023
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 Best Stick Vacuums of 2023
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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10 Best Tips for Anyone Who Wants to Spend Less Time Cleaning
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...
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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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What a Difference a Floor Finish Makes!
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, ...
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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
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...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Picking the Right Poly: Polycrylic vs Polyurethane
Don’t let their names confuse you: Though polycrylic and polyurethane may sit on the same shelf at the store, they ar...
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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
With people, cars, bicycles, and even push mowers wheeled in for storage, a garage sees a lot of traffic. Eventually,...
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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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The Best Painted Tile Floors on the Internet
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...
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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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9 Inspiring Ideas for Basement Flooring
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...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Best-Bet Flooring Options for Pets and Their Owners
Pets may be great companions, but they're not always kind to their owners' homes, and that's especially true of floor...
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4 Reasons Designers (and Design-Savvy Homeowners) Love Radiant Heat
When you're ripping out flooring and fixtures to update your living spaces, aesthetic details are obviously important...
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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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Building or Remodeling? The One Question You’re Forgetting to Ask
Planning to add onto or remodel your home is equal parts exciting and hectic.  There are so many decisions to make: c...
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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! The Best Paint to Use on Wood
Q: A few wooden surfaces in my home interior could use painting. What’s the best paint for wood—water- or oil-based? ...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Picking the Right Polyurethane
Trying to decide which polyurethane is right for your DIY project? Here are some points to consider. CM_BVNOTES-1744-...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Solid vs. Engineered Wood Flooring: What's the Difference?
When it comes to choosing wood flooring, you’ve got loads of options. One of the decisions you’ll be making is whethe...
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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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Video: Here's How You're Ruining Your Wood Floors
When it comes to floors, carpet is no longer king. Today it's all about hardwood flooring—timeless, classic, and clea...
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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 of 2023
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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Video: How to Clean Vinyl Flooring
Beloved for their economy and durability, vinyl and laminate flooring are two of the most popular flooring types avai...
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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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8 Surprising Reasons to Bring Concrete Indoors
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...
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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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All You Need to Know About Painting Tile Floors
Decorative tile floors can add an element of elegance to a hum-drum living space, but often for a pretty penny. To av...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: 4 Ways to Fix Scratched Wood Flooring
Hardwood flooring adds beauty to your home, and it's durable enough to last a lifetime (or more). But that's not to s...
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6 Rock-Solid Reasons to Pick Concrete Flooring
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...
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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
Even the nicest wall-to-wall carpeting can start to buckle, ripple, or wrinkle over time when it loosens and lifts fr...
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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 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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Looks Like Luxury: Imitate Any Material with... Tile
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...
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Bob Vila Radio: Is Softwood Flooring Right for Your Remodel?
Think wood flooring has to strain your remodeling budget? Think again! Though hardwood flooring typically costs a pre...
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Bob Vila Radio: Keeping Concrete Floors Clean
Concrete floors are no longer found only in garages and basements. With elegant finishes now available—like stencilin...
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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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The Beauty of Bamboo: 9 Exotic Looks in Flooring
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...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Give Your Garage Floor a Makeover
Looking to make your garage a little snazzier? Dressing up the concrete floor with colorful epoxy paint may be just t...
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6 Fall Flooring Trends to Look Forward To
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...
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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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Get the Job Done Quicker with Prefinished Flooring
Anyone shopping for a new hardwood floor quickly discovers that there's no shortage of options on the market. Homeown...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Vinyl vs. Linoleum
Homeowners often refer to vinyl and linoleum interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. These resilient floor ...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Cork Flooring
Cork flooring has been in the news recently, but cork is anything but new. It’s been marketed as a flooring material ...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Linoleum Rugs
Linoleum rugs are a little-remembered footnote to floorcovering history. These days, unless you uncover one when you’...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Painting Garage Floors
Your garage may be your workshop, your storeroom, your potting shed or the place where you showcase your automotive p...
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How To: Inlay Sheet Vinyl Flooring
 Here's how to inlay sheet vinyl flooring for a designer look.  Measure your design on the floor with chalk lines. Se...
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How To: Splatter-Paint Your Floor
 Here's an inexpensive and creative way to decorate a floor. Roll on a coat of deck enamel (the color of your choice)...
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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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Pro Tips: Decorative Floor Painting
You can't deny the decorative appeal of painted floors, whether they're patterned in checkerboard, stripes, or some o...
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8 Easy and Affordable Garage Floor Options
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 ...
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How To: Lay a Subfloor
 Here's how to lay a no-squeak subfloor. Apply a generous bead of panel adhesive to the tops of your floor joists. La...
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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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How To: Reclaim Wood Flooring
 When you're renovating, save and recycle old hardwood floorboards for patching and repairing. Using a pry bar at eac...
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Need Extra Space at Your Place? Garage Conversion May Be the Answer
Turning a garage into living space can improve the resale value of your home and your quality of life. In comparison ...
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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: Fixing Squeaky Floors
 Here's how to stop squeaks in an old house with original floors you'd rather not replace. Preservationists use an ac...
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Quick Tip: Laying a Basement Subfloor
 Here's how to get a warm, dry basement floor over a concrete slab when converting your basement into living space. L...
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Quick Tip: Repairing Floorboards
 Here's a way to save time and energy when repairing floorboards. Instead of drilling and chiseling damaged floorboar...
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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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Quick Tip: Reclaimed Wood Floors
 Reclaimed wood floors give new life to old timbers. Made from lumber recycled from demolished buildings, heart pine,...
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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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Trending Now: Ceramic Tiles
For durability and ease of maintenance, few materials compare with ceramic tile. Here are some of the hot new looks for 2013.
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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: Stencil a Floor
Add some color and pattern to a wood or concrete floor this summer by purchasing a couple cans of paint and a stencil...
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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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Wood Flooring 101
Wood remains the most used flooring material. Its warm feel and appearance, affordability, and sheer variety probably...
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Bathroom Flooring: A Wealth of Options
When it comes to bathroom flooring, you’ll find a wealth of options to fit any budget and style. Keep in mind the nee...
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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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Walking on Glass
Glass block floors add a unique accent to wood, tile, stone, and concrete. Consider them a dual purpose floor: Glass ...
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Cork Flooring 101
Cork has been used for flooring for over a century. Finished cork floor can have the look of textured hardwood, the s...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Painting Floors
If you’ve ever spent any time or money sanding and refinishing a wood floor, you may wonder why anyone would ever pai...
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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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Bamboo Flooring 101
If you’re looking to install new hardwood floors, why not consider today’s eco-friendly alternative, bamboo?Considere...
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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
Before You BeginThe first thing to know about cleaning concrete? You don’t need to be delicate. After all, it’s one o...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Laminate Floors
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...
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9 Pro Tips for Installing Ceramic Tile
There are many ways to invite problems when you lay ceramic tile. Avoid such problems and a tile floor can last for d...
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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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Cork Flooring Steps Up
Something’s stirring underfoot—a growing interest in cork floors. Crafted from sustainable materials and available in...
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Bob Vila Radio: Stenciled Floors
If you don’t want to spend another holiday season with your worn-out kitchen floor, but the timing’s not right for a ...
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From Wreck Room to Rec Room: Laying a Subfloor
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...
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Bob Vila Radio: Protecting Floors
Home improvement projects are messy business: Whether you’re painting, re-tiling, or just moving furniture, you want ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Squeaky Floors
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...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Bamboo Flooring
A couple decades ago, no one would have considered it, but one of today’s most popular flooring products is bamboo. A...
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Wood Floors Go Gray
Weathered wood floors grayed from years of wear go so well with the ubiquitous reclaimed wood and industrial furnitur...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Bath Flooring Options
Bathrooms are, like it or not, wet areas. Even if the rest of your house has gleaming hardwood floors, they’re not th...
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Bob Vila Radio: Bathroom Flooring Options
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
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Project Guide: Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Few do-it-yourself projects deliver the "wow" factor as potently as refinishing hardwood floors.
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Engineered vs. Solid: Selecting Wood Flooring
There are a lot of decisions to make when constructing a new home. Having a large production builder as our contracto...
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Fresh Ideas for Kitchen Flooring
While design, color, and surface appeal are important considerations, you’ll also want kitchen flooring that can live...
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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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Flooring: My "Green" Nursery Challenge
I expect there's a time for compromise with any home improvement project. If you’ve been tracking my "Green" Nursery ...
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New Product: Tyroc Sub-Flooring
The basic requirement of any floor surfacing material—from ceramic to wood—is that the subfloor remain free of moistu...
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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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