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All about flooring in the home, including hardwood, carpeting, tile and more.  Check out photo galleries of specific rooms with a particular type of floor and in-depth research-based articles all about the different types of flooring options.

11 Different Types of Flooring Explained (Definitive Consumer Guide)

Quicklist: Flooring Hardwood Engineered Wood Bamboo Laminate Linoleum Cork Ceramic Carpet Stone Vinyl Polished Concrete Flooring for a specific room makes a huge difference. For example, hardwood flooring is one of the most popular options for a wood floor, but not necessarily as a flooring option to be covered with carpet (such as in a …

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10 Reasons I Like Ceiling Beams to Match the Hardwood Floor

Ceiling beams are almost always a nice touch to any room. Once you decide you want to spend the bucks on them, then you must decide the color. Do you paint them to match the ceiling? Match the flooring? Different than floor and ceiling? There’s not a right or wrong answer. It depends on your …

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How to Get Paint Off Hardwood Floors (2 Methods)

When a disaster strikes, one’s imagination spins into overdrive, and invention often kicks in and saves the day. A paint job can go wrong when your teen decides to do their bedroom wall solo during a summer vac, and you’re finishing off deadlines. Getting paint on hardwood floors is a nightmare. And knowing how to …

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Carpet vs. Area Rug for the Living Room? What’s Better?

The debate between ‘should I go with an area rug or install a wall-to-wall carpet’, is still alive and kicking. You might be surprised to know there is actually a big difference between the two. Occasionally, when I’m working on sourcing area rugs with clients, they will refer to them as carpet. I am here …

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Carpet vs Area Rug for the Bedroom? What’s Better?

If you had asked me ten years ago if I preferred area rugs or carpet for the bedroom, I would have joyfully and unequivocally answered area rugs! Just the thought of carpet would send me into a frenzy of sweat, reminiscing about the shag carpet I had to rake as a product of the 1970s. …

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How to Remove Carpet From Your Home (Step-by-Step Instructions)

When spring is in the air, there’s no better time to rip up old wall-to-wall carpeting and bring freshness with a new range, or even put down tiles or a laminate floor. Whatever a homeowner and DIY hobbyist’s choice, taking up an old worn carpet is the best way to give your home a décor …

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5 Best Sanders for Hardwood Floors (Contractor’s List)

Researched and written by experienced contractor Alan Roberts. With a good plan and meticulous attention to detail, you can save thousands of dollars by refinishing your hardwood floors instead of calling in a professional flooring contractor. DIY hardwood floor sanding and finishing is definitely something you can do, but you’re going to need the proper …

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How to Patch Carpet Yourself in 4 Simple Steps (DIY)

It’s difficult to hide a damaged, burnt, or stained carpet that won’t get clean, no matter the effort. When a piece of carpet is damaged beyond repair, you don’t have to replace the whole thing. You can quickly, cheaply, and easily patch your carpet with a cut-and-paste DIY method. When you need to patch a …

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Do You Need Underlay for Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is becoming an increasingly popular flooring option for homes and businesses. When laying it, however, an underlayment layer is highly recommended. Underlayment helps to level out the floor, protect the floorboards, and extend the life of the vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring was once thought of as a material that was only used in …

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Is Vinyl Flooring Waterproof?

Since PVC is the primary component of all vinyl flooring products, the answer is yes. Their water-resistance can get affected by poor installation. For example, the luxury vinyl type, LVT, is typically sold as planks or tiles that must be placed side by side, resulting in an abundance of seams. Vinyl flooring is a type …

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15 Different Types of Carpet Fiber and Pile Options

Quicklist: Carpet Fiber and Pile Options Berber Loop Pile Level Loop Pile Multi-level Loop Pile Saxony Cut Pile Textured Cut Pile Frieze Cut Pile Pattern (Cut and Looped) Pile Shag Pile Lush Pile Nylon Olefin Polyester Acrylic Wool Triexta Are you in the market for a new carpet, but aren’t sure which one best suits …

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What Type of Plywood is Good for a Subfloor?

Standard plywood is great for subflooring because it is cheap and reliable. A ¾-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring is perhaps the best overall material to use because the edges interlock, which allow the panels to resist movement. There are many reasons a strong subflooring is important for your home. If you use the wrong materials for …

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How Often Should You Power Wash Your Patio?

Your deck and patio furniture is subject to the elements year-round, 24/7. Rain, snow, dust, dirt, and pollution can leave your patio looking dirty and dingy. Mold and mildew can also grow on your patio if not cared for regularly. Not only does this take away from the beauty of your home, but it can …

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2 Types of Vinyl plus how it’s made and how it’s used

While you may be wondering about the types of vinyl, you also be wondering what it actually is, and how it was invented. In this article, we’ll walk you through the history of Vinyl, what the darn thing actually is, and how it can be used.  Many of you may have come across the terms …

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How often should you clean your carpet?

Carpets may not appear dirty easily, but they can hide a treasure trove of dust, hair, debris, and germs within their furry fibers. Visible spills and messes are more easily spot cleaned, or crumbs vacuumed up, but what about the junk that hides in the depths of your carpet? Regular vacuuming should already be a …

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Should You Have the Same Carpet Throughout the Entire House?

  Some homes from a particular era in time come with carpet throughout most of the home, while others are entirely wood, or sometimes tile. If you happen to love the coziness of a carpeted bedroom, but can’t decide on one, don’t stress. We will answer the age old question of: to match, or not …

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Should your Coffee Table Wood Match the Wood Floor in the Living Room?

Coffee table wood and the wood flooring in the living room should not match. Contrast enables you to appreciate the designs in the furniture and flooring without creating visual imbalance. lp On the contrary, I would not advise matching the two pieces since the similar shades cause the coffee table to disappear into the floor. It …

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Does a Kitchen Island that Matches the Floor Look Bad?

After retiring from the classroom as an elementary teacher, I became a full-time homemaker with the focal point of my home being the kitchen.  I spend the majority of my time in the kitchen either cooking or cleaning.  I enjoy the contrasting colors of the cabinets and the center island with the wood kitchen floor.  For my taste, the matching …

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Is Hardwood Floor a Good Choice for Kitchen Flooring?

A hard floor is an excellent choice for kitchen flooring. There is a beautiful saying- “The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.“ The kitchen is an important part of our homes. It is one of the high foot-traffic areas in our houses. From spending hours cooking to watching the kids search through …

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3 Types of Tigerwood

Tigerwood, also known as South American Zebrawood, is a tropical hardwood tree that has largely originated from the East Coast of Brazil. The unique name ‘Tigerwood’ is stemmed from its beautifully contrasting grain pattern coupled with the bold stripes that almost look like that of a tiger’s. Some other common names include Brazilian cherry wood …

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10 Different Types of Teak Wood

Quicklist: Teak Wood Burmese Teak Wood Indonesian Teak Wood African Plantation Teak Wood South American Plantation Teak Wood Indian Teak Wood Thailand Teak Wood Brazilian Teak Wood African Teak Wood South American Teak Wood Chinese Teak Wood What is Teak Wood? Teak wood is quite popular, owing to its durability and water resistance. It is …

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15 Bathroom Flooring Options and the Pros and Cons of Each

The main goal with bathroom flooring is choosing a type that won’t be ruined by moisture in two years. You need to choose a material that will last and endure plenty of moisture such as spills and steam. Fortunately, these days there are plenty of bathroom flooring options, many of which are also pleasing to …

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45 of the Best Online Rug Stores – Where to buy area rugs online?

The right area rug can really tie a room together, but hunting down the print, size, material or color that matches you isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with traditional retailers. Fortunately, online rug sellers are available in abundance. If you want to know the best places for where to buy area rugs online, here’s …

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5 Different Types of Poplar Wood

Known as one of the most popular trees grown in the United States and Canada, the poplar tree has become a favorite for landscaping. Belonging to the genus populus, this tree has 30 unique species, each with their own distinct features. Today we’re going to cover all of the aspects of poplar wood and the poplar …

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17 Different Types of Pine Wood for Floors and Furniture

Where would society be without pine wood? Pine trees are easily the most commercially significant wood species in the history of forestry. Pine trees are coniferous trees that are part of the genus pinus, and the pinaceae botanical family. The genus consists of over 120 different pine species. Pine lumber is a very flexible wood that …

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6 Different Types of Mahogany Wood for Flooring and Furniture

It doesn’t matter if you are looking to revamp your dining hall or add a new cupboard to your bedroom, you should always make an informed decision. It is important to know what kind of wood you will be using for your new furniture or home project. It is a really important decision to make …

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15 Different Types of Kitchen Floor Tiles (Extensive Buying Guide)

Related: Reclaimed Tile and Terracotta Flooring | Staircases with Tile Flooring | Living Rooms with Tile Flooring | Bedrooms with Tile Flooring | Bathroom Floor Tiles  Kitchen Floor Tiles Buying Guide When it comes to buying kitchen flooring, your options are massive. It’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available. …

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11 Different Types of Acacia Wood

The genus acacia is home to a group of over 1,200 tree and shrub species that are originally native to Australia and North Africa. This genus is actually part of the pea family (fabaceae), and certain acacia species have fossilized records dating back to 20 million years ago! Acacia trees are also known by several …

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6 Types of Cherry Wood Used for Flooring, Cabinets and Furniture

6 main types of cherry wood (quick overview): Black cherry wood Sweet cherry tree wood Brazilian cherry Patagonian cherry Caribbean cherry Chilean cherry Read on for full details on each cherry wood option. Cherry wood is a popular hardwood choice for residential furniture, especially in central rooms like dining rooms and bedrooms. The High Point …

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11 Different Types of Ebony Wood (Diospyros crassiflora)

Quicklist: Types of Ebony Wood Ceylon ebony African ebony Gaboon ebony Macassar ebony Pale moon ebony Coromandel ebony Mauritius ebony Mun ebony Myrtle ebony Queensland ebony Brazilian ebony Below we explain each type in more detail plus plenty of additional information about ebony wood in general. What is Ebony Wood? Ebony wood, species Diospyros crassiflora, …

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11 Main Types of Oak Wood for Flooring, Furniture and Whatever Else Oak is Used For

There are two main types of oak, each with multiple species.  They are: Red Oak, and White Oak White oak is harder than red. Below we set out the varieties found for each type of oak followed by a list of commonly used oak. Have you ever wondered why oak is considered to be the …

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Loop vs. Cut Pile Carpet (Differences and Similarities)

The main question one must ask themselves when purchasing carpeting for a room, is “do I want to have the option of rolling around on this floor in a fitful glee?” or “do I not want to have the option of rolling around on this floor in a fitful glee?” Carpets have two different pile …

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What is The Best Flooring For Closets?

When it comes to remodeling your home, closets aren’t typically thought of as a priority. This is usually reserved for kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. However, this doesn’t mean closets aren’t an important aspect of your home. In fact, depending on the type of closet, they can add more space and incredible depth to any room …

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The 2020s and Art Deco Tiles Coming Back with a Vengeance

Recently, there was a furor on Twitter concerning work done in Jersey City’s city hall building. Because of coronavirus lockdowns, the city decided to take advantage of people being unable to come in, and flooring was part of the renovation job. The 1960s vinyl floor tiles were ripped out to reveal beautiful Art Deco tiles. …

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13 Different Types of Tile for Flooring with Pictures

Homeowners nowadays like to integrate aesthetics into everything at home, including flooring. When searching for a suitable type of flooring, tiles offer lasting beauty, functionality, and durability and have massive advantages over other flooring alternatives. Once installed, they are easy to clean, have a longer lifespan than other flooring types, and do not require additional …

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How to Insulate Cantilevered Floor Joists

Have things seemed a little drafty around your house lately? Is the cold air coming up where you’d least expect it, such as from overhangs and floors? If the chilly blasts are coming from unlikely places, it just might be time for your next home-improvement project…insulating cantilevered floor joists. Probably not what you were expecting. …

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Linoleum vs. Vinyl Flooring – What Are the Key Differences?

Linoleum and vinyl flooring made a big splash in the architectural scene when they debuted. These manmade floors remain popular to this day. Some people lean in to the history, choosing retro color palettes for their linoleum floors or getting vinyl that mimics iconic movies like The Shining’s psychedelic geometric carpet. Other homeowners opt for …

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What is Laminate Flooring?

What is Laminate Flooring? Laminate flooring is the best of both worlds. It has the look, feel, and durability of wood flooring, combined with the waterproof and low maintenance aspects of vinyl flooring. It’s also easy to install yourself. It snaps together with tongue and groove, unlike traditional wood flooring that requires professional installation. Related …

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Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring (Exploring Your Options)

Our house had 1970’s faux-brick sheet vinyl flooring in the kitchen when we bought it. It had cracked and peeled where the old subfloor was uneven. Updating it with a basic cream tile sheet vinyl in the ’90s resulted in the same issue and duct tape to keep the edges flat. Right now we have …

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11 of the Best Basement Flooring Options

If you’re looking to improve your home by installing new flooring in your basement, you will need to find out more information about the best options available to you. It’s important to remember that reflooring your basement is a trickier challenge than reflooring the rest of your home, because of the fact that mold and …

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