Dear Rob: We currently have carpet over an old wood subfloor that has lifted off a cement slab. The floor has been flooded four times over the years, and now the floor is starting to squeak and feels softer in some places than in others. My dad does not want to tear up the floor […]
Choosing Dance Floor Finishes
Dear Rob: I’m a dance DJ. One of my regular venues is an Elks Lodge. Their parquet floor is in fair shape, but looks terrible and is difficult to dance on-kinda sticky. We’re going to sand off the finish, gum, heel marks, table drag marks, and then refinish the floor. I’ve asked 5 different “experts” […]
Flooring Transitions in Remodels
Dear Rob: I have a problem with a transition from my living room to the kitchen that I need advice for. Can you help? I don’t know if the kitchen floor should be pulled up to be level with the living room, etc. I am laying down laminate 12.2 ml across from the living room […]
Advantages of Electric Radiant Floor Heating System
Electric radiant floor heat is a good addition or alternative to other home heating systems. Made from electric cables or mats built into the floor or attached to the subfloor, radiant floor systems are available for every type of flooring, including hardwood and carpeting. Electric radiant floors are less expensive and easier to install than […]
Installing Flooring over Original Hardwood Floors
Dear Rob: I have a 100-year-old farmhouse that needs a new kitchen floor. The house is rarely occupied, so the HVAC does not usually run, allowing for moisture and temperature variations. The original tongue and groove pine is still there and in solid form, but even when new, it was not high quality, so refinishing […]
Repairing Water Damage on Prefinished Floors
Dear Rob: Are Bruce prefinished floors refinishable in the future? We have water damage from a saltwater aquarium in our foyer, and want to refinish, but the stripper doesn’t seem to be taking any veneer off. Can it be sanded off? Thanks, Cindy Dear Cindy: Bruce prefinished flooring can definitely be refinished, and to do […]
Slip Resistant Hardwood Floor Finishes
Dear Rob: I own a dance studio, and we recently installed engineered hardwood in one of our rooms. This floor looks great and is easily maintained. However, it is too slippery for our dancers to be on their toes. Can you recommend a finish that will provide a little friction, while not compromising the look? […]
House Plants and Hardwood Floors – How to Protect Your Floor Finish
Dear Rob: We’ve installed a hardwood floor in our sunroom, which is loaded with plants. Other than using saucers to catch the water. Is there anything else we can do to protect our new floor from water damage? Thanks, Dave Dear Dave: It sounds like you’re taking a good first step in protecting your wood […]
Acclimating Hardwood Flooring Prevents Buckling, Gapping, and Squeaking
When planning your hardwood flooring project, it is important to make sure that you allow enough time for the wood flooring to properly acclimate in the space prior to the installation. Hardwood flooring expands and contracts based on relative humidity (RH). As a certified wood flooring inspector (CWFI), I commonly see floor failures due to […]
Matching A Wood Floor Stain Color
Dear Rob: I am having difficulty deciding on a color of wood flooring for my living room. My wood trim is poplar stained a fruitwood color with a vaulted ceiling and front wall, which is also wood and stained a similar color. The front wall is mostly windows, so there is a lot of light […]
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