For questions regarding various types of floor coverings in general, including hardwood and laminate board, tile, carpet, and sheet flooring (linoleum/vinyl). For questions about the structure beneath this top layer, please see the "floor" tag.
4
votes
1answer
105 views
How can I repair my floors' finish?
We had our Victorian boards (throughout house and staircase) sanded and varnished a while back. We have recently had builders and painters in our house for a month and they are looking a little worse ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
How do I fill a wide gap between tile and other flooring / sill plate?
I recently installed 16" porcelain tile in a new laundry room addition. As luck would have it, the room ended up being the same width as 4 tiles, so I had to do very little cutting to complete the ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Do I need to glue down linoleum flooring?
I am installing a new linoleum floor in a small bathroom (approx. 6' X 6'). This is a replacement for an old linoleum floor. The replacement will be a single piece.
Talking with the local big box ...
3
votes
2answers
320 views
How can I repair laminate floor boards with damaged edges?
I noticed that two panels of my laminate floor board have not joined well: there is a small gap between them. Now, it seems that constant wear is damaging the edges of the board.
Is there any way ...
6
votes
5answers
8k views
Should I remove old linoleum when replacing a linoleum floor?
I'm planning to replace the linoleum floor in my kitchen in the next few months. According to a friend, I do not need to remove the existing linoleum and can just lay down new flooring on top. ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I lay “click system” laminate flooring across an opening?
I want to lay laminate flooring throughout my apartment as one big continuous floor. Normally you start laying a row against a wall and then create a new row and click it into the previous row. This ...
5
votes
2answers
476 views
What type of subflooring should I use for a basement?
My basement has wall-to-wall carpet in the two bedrooms and living area. The carpet was probably from the 70's when the house was built and we decided to remove it. After removing the carpet from ...
4
votes
2answers
251 views
Is a cork floor pet friendly/durable?
We have some pet rabbits. (don't ask... ;)
They're pretty good with the litter box...maybe batting .900 but it's that other 10% of the time that wreaks havoc on the carpet. Rabbit pee is pretty nasty ...
6
votes
1answer
607 views
How do I obtain a smooth, white floor?
I'd like to obtain a smooth, seamless, a bit shiny, white floor in an apartment. Something similar to this:
How can I achieve this? I was thinking about epoxy flooring. Is that the correct route to ...
7
votes
1answer
462 views
How can I remove large nails from cement?
I am redoing the flooring in my basement and removed a built-in toy chest. I disassembled the chest and the floor 2x4's are attached to the cement with large nails. If I had to guess on gauge I'd say ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a way to 'remove' blackened water-stain from hardwood floor?
We have several large (3' x 6') blackened areas on our hardwood floor where water damage occurred. This discoloration goes deep. Our goal is to sand the floors and apply a clear coat, but we first ...
5
votes
2answers
141 views
Should I use concrete, or some other method to fix this entry area?
I have an entry walkway that's 9ft x 4ft by my front door that I need to fix so it is solid ground. I was thinking of putting concrete down and then laying tile on top of the concrete. I have some ...
4
votes
1answer
126 views
How do I know when my wooden floor has fully dried out post-flood?
So I had a bit of a flood (tap overflowing) and the wooden floor in my house was under an inch of water for a few hours. It's drying out now, and is a bit warped but otherwise fine. I need to wait ...
7
votes
2answers
282 views
How can I remove a portion of a hardwood floor board?
I am adding a small pantry with door to the kitchen area and want to continue the hardwood floors from the kitchen area into the pantry. After removing the baseboard moldings I see that the last ...
1
vote
2answers
433 views
What is a durable and affordable flooring covering for a shed?
The shed is a lifted a few inches and over gravel. It currently has plywood flooring. It is a very nice shed so I thought it would be a good idea to invest in a durable flooring to protect against ...
0
votes
1answer
153 views
Can I repair the floor in the water heater closet with an old street sign?
Can I use an old aluminum road sign as a replacement floor for my hot water heater closet? The old floor is rotten and has some give to it right where a portion of my hot water heater sits, and my dad ...
4
votes
1answer
206 views
Will this floor tile break?
So, I've got some 12"x12"x1/4" tile laid over a concrete floor. I'm cleaning up between the tiles getting ready to grout and I notice I can see some concrete between and underneath (the small amount i ...
2
votes
1answer
163 views
what kind of transition strip do I need to use to transition from 1/8" vinyl tile in dining room to low pile carpet in adjoining living room?
what kind of transition strip do I need to join 1/8" vinyl tile in dining area to low pile carpet in adjoining living room area?
-3
votes
1answer
274 views
What is that new Rubber Flooring type?
Somebody told me about a different laminate that is actually made from a type of rubber/plastic.
what is the product called and what are the pros/cons over conventional laminate flooring.
4
votes
2answers
483 views
Can I apply polyurethane to my hardwood floors in sections?
I have a hardwood floor I've recently finished staining. I'd like to apply polyurethane but I don't think I can cordon off the entire area for the duration. Is it alright to apply the sealer in ...
6
votes
1answer
140 views
Can I pour epoxy pebble flooring over electric warm floor?
Can I pour epoxy pebble flooring over electric warm floor? In our bathroom/laundry area, we plan to first lay hardiboard. Then I may need floor leveler as well. Should the warm floor be put down ...
3
votes
3answers
400 views
Can I install sub floor over carpeting?
Part of my basement has carpet laid 25 years ago The area is dry: never a water, mold or odor problem. We tested a small area and it was a nightmare to remove the glue from the concrete. We are ...
6
votes
3answers
6k views
Can I use leveling compound between plywood and cement backer board?
I'd like to install slate tiles over a pre-existing plywood floor. The plywood floor is 3/4" and sits on joists.
There's a dip about 3/8" deep by 2 feet wide by 5 feet long. My plan was to fill it ...
3
votes
3answers
512 views
How can I fill this gap between two areas of flooring
I have two half-inch gaps in the flooring in my kitchen. One between the kitchen and the living room (first image) and another between the kitchen and the outside door (second image)!
at their ...
11
votes
1answer
230 views
What are our options for carpeting the basement of a split-level house?
The basement level of our house (1/2 below grade) is currently just vinyl tile on concrete slab. It's cold during the winter, so we would like to carpet it. We do not get water penetration through ...
4
votes
1answer
199 views
Is this fungus? What should I do about it?
I've pulled up the masonite and tiled floor in my laundry and there's cleary water damage in the floorboards, I just pushed a chisel all the way through the worst part. The adjacent two floorboards ...
3
votes
2answers
339 views
Is underlayment necessary in a room over a garage?
It is my understanding that underlayment beneath laminate flooring reduces sound between floors, i.e. for the room below. Is there a functional purpose beyond reducing noise in the room below?
I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
132 views
Can I level floorboards with metal or rubber washers?
I am levelling some floorboards, with a view to painting them afterward and having a wooden floor. Previously there was a lot of scrap wood shims under there. Because these are only thin cheap wood ...
4
votes
3answers
591 views
Plywood floor gets inexplicably wet, what could possibly be the cause?
House is on piers with insulation underneath. We had a plumber come look at it and he says he sees no pipes there, has no idea, cannot help. Every day there is about a 4 ftx4ft area of light water, ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What size expansion gap should I leave between my wall a hardwood floating floor?
How much space to leave between wall and hardwood floating floor? This is a unique floor. Each board is solid bamboo (never thought I'd say that) but they snap together the same way that an engineered ...
3
votes
1answer
171 views
How can I stop PVC decking from squeaking?
We recently installed a TimberTech deck using all-PVC flooring. They use a clip fastening system (non-nail and non-screw)that recommends the floor joists be spaced for 12 inches on center, if ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
How should I build a raised subfloor for my basement bathroom?
I've ripped out the bathroom in my basement that was finished by the previous homeowner. I'm now rebuilding, and curious to the most correct way to go about this.
The whole basement was finished ...
2
votes
1answer
145 views
How do I remove a stair tread under linoleum without damaging the linoleum?
I'm replacing some old 1970s railing in between my kitchen and family room (there's a step down into my family room.) I ripped that out and exposed what looks like a stair tread that was ripped down ...
3
votes
1answer
223 views
Should I install a wall before or after hardwood floor installation? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Frame or floor planks first?
I am building a small wall between two rooms. The existing flooring was carpet, which I have removed. I plan to install a floating floor ...
3
votes
2answers
139 views
Identify part underneath chest
I am trying to find the name for the following part.
This is underneath a chest that permits it to be moved effortlessly.
I am trying to find this part to replace as they are pretty worn.
5
votes
3answers
460 views
What preparation is required for tiling over poorly laid floor boards?
4" hardwood floor boards mounted on a poorly-designed frame made out of whatever wood the constructor had lying around it seems. There's a lot of bounce, some boards even drooping 1/2" when walking on ...
5
votes
1answer
276 views
Replacing a split tread on an old staircase
We have an old staircase (1900s) and after removing the carpet, before we get the new one fitted, we noticed that one of the corner steps has a lengthways split right down the middle:
How easy ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
What hardwood flooring is recommended for high traffic areas?
I am having a house built and the developer wanted to charge me $10/sq ft for the cheapest $3/sq ft Bruce Oak, and more for anything better quality. There was no charge for Vinyl so, I had them put ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
The carpet on my stairs is worn. Should I repair it or just remove it?
In our house the second floor and the stairs to them have carpet over top of old hardwood floors (installed by previous owner). The carpet is wearing out, particularly on the stairs where it has come ...
3
votes
1answer
591 views
What are the pros/cons of installing floors before doors?
I've heard contractors say to install doors first then flooring, and others suggest the opposite. I'm installing new 3/4" prefinished flooring and new doors/closets (prehung wood/ primed white). What ...
4
votes
1answer
167 views
What type of underlayment should be used when installing engineered floors?
I'm going to install floating engineered wood floor in a 3rd floor condo. It has plywood subfloor. My biggest concern is the noise of walking on the floor that people below me will suffer.
My ...
2
votes
2answers
389 views
What type of sub-floor is suitable for laminate flooring?
I'm planning to put laminate type of floating flooring on a floor. The floor has a sub-flooring of 3/4 inch planks and a sheathing of 1/4 inch plywood. I would like to remove the plywood because its ...
3
votes
1answer
795 views
How do I roughly cut linoleum to room width?
So far I had to replace linoleum twice and each time it was a room of something like slightly-more-than 3 meters by slightly-less-than 3 meters.
Linoleum is usually cut to length at a shop and then ...
4
votes
2answers
397 views
How to deal with a dishwasher height issue without tearing out cabinetry when installing flooring?
The house I purchased has nice new cabinetry and counter tops but cheap flooring. We plan to install 3/4" wood flooring (already purchased) but learned that installing the flooring would make it so ...
7
votes
1answer
435 views
Cutting a Custom Threshold: Best Tool for the Job?
I am in the process of creating a custom threshold to go from a tiled surface down to a carpeted surface. The tile is about an inch above the carpeted floor, so I decided to make a custom threshold in ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views
How do I finish my partially finished floor?
Ok here's the deal. I stained and poly'd the floor with 1 coat. I tried a floor buffer to sand after the first poly layer. Mistake.. the buffer was too strong. In a couple areas the buffer started ...
5
votes
1answer
370 views
How to install linoleum floor under carpet?
I am replacing an old linoleum floor in my bathroom (replacing it with just another linoleum floor). It looks like the current linoleum floor was installed prior to the carpeting and the edge by the ...
5
votes
6answers
505 views
How do I remake my floor using hardwood such that it will not squeak at all?
I have carpet in my bedroom that when you walk on certain spots makes lots of noise. I am tossing the carpet and putting down hardwood flooring. I am using 3/4 in prefinished oak in widths of 3 1/4 ...
1
vote
1answer
406 views
Will installing an OSB floor in the attic create moisture problems?
I installed some new OSB flooring in my attic. The area it covers is about 160 sq. ft. The total area of the attic is about 750 sq. ft. There is just blown fiberglass up there, and there is no vapor ...
0
votes
2answers
382 views
Humidity Level for Bamboo Flooring
What are appropriate humidity levels for bamboo flooring post-installation? I've heard that most hardwoods are good between 35-50% humidity but have been unable to locate anything specific to bamboo.
