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Showing posts with the label Tile Flooring

Building the Best Base: Subfloor Repair and Prep Before You Install

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  New flooring rarely fails because of the finish — it fails because of what’s beneath it. Warping, cracking, squeaks and loose boards most often stem from inadequate sub-floor preparation. To help your hardwood, LVP or tile last longer (and stay covered by warranty), follow these essential prep steps before laying the first plank. Step 1: Remove Anything That Doesn’t Belong Strip out old linoleum, carpet padding, adhesive residue and any debris. Leftover materials stop new flooring from sitting flat and lead to future problems. For tough, stubborn layers, use a heavy-duty OLFA Scraper to quickly create a clean, stable base before installation.   Step 2: Stop Squeaks and Eliminate Movement A quiet, stable floor starts with a rock-solid sub-floor. Fasten any loose plywood or OSB to the joists to eliminate flex that causes squeaks and cracked finishes. Use an 18-gauge brad nailer (or screws where specified) to securely attach panels—this locks everything down and provid...

Best Type of Flooring for your Next Project

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    Ready to choose unique flooring types for your home? From gorgeous hardwood to affordable laminate to versatile vinyl plank and tile, there are countless options available.The right flooring should match your desired aesthetic and durability needs while keeping costs within budget.    Make a list of Option Considerations include aesthetics, price, durability, and upkeep. In addition, every room has different needs—you might want carpet for bedrooms, for instance, to muffle footsteps, or waterproof flooring for the basement.  Hardwood & Softwood Flooring Best for: Entire home, except for wet environments Hardwood flooring has remained a top flooring material throughout history for many reasons. It's durable, can last several lifetimes, and is unmatched in authentic beauty. After all, it's the real thing, not a replica. Oak is the most commonly used hardwood flooring species, but other species like cherry and maple are popular o...

How to connect ceramic tile and wood flooring

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    Transitioning from wood flooring to tile flooring where the two floors meet, usually in doorways, is something that should be part of your flooring project planning. Key considerations when transitioning between tile and wood or other materials include: Aesthetics Location of installation Installation technique and order Floor height variations and underlayment Material thickness and thin-set application   Transition strips allow a smooth traffic flow and act as a visual break between two different flooring materials. Commonly used are manufactured transition strips that are made from PVC, metal or wood and are available in a wide variety of colors. They can hide gaps between the two floors and can bridge any change in floor height. There are also other less common ways to transition from wood to tile when there is no height difference in flooring materials. A classic look is installing a plank of wood flooring material perpendicular to the wood flooring d...