Floors

Slate tile, like all natural stone, is porous, and should be sealed with chemical sealant during installation to prevent moisture penetration and stains. The sealing process isn't...

Grout is a mixture of water, cement, sand and dyes that is used to fill the joints between tiles. The grout for marble tiles, which are set closer together than ceramic tiles, may not contain...

Marble can be a very porous material, and when left untreated, liquids and other soils can be absorbed into the material. This will result in unwanted stains and make cleaning the tile much more...

Before laying concrete in a basement you have to install a layer of protection from the moisture that tends to collect in sub-ground areas, that would otherwise damage the surface of your basement...

Many types of tiles, especially unglazed ceramic tiles, are extremely porous. So unless you seal them after installation and reseal them every few years, they're going to become stained. In order...

Plywood has several advantages over other surfaces as a subfloor for laminate flooring. Installing a laminate floor requires a flat, level surface, which plywood tends to provide. If it's not...

Slate is a porous stone that absorbs moisture easily. This can lead to staining of the slate floor surface unless the slate has been sealed. Sealing the slate closes the small pores in the stone's...

You can paint metal floors in much the same manner in which you would paint any other surface. However, a metal surface requires a few more steps.

Smooth concrete garage floors can be slick, especially when wet. Slippery floors can be inconvenient or even dangerous. You can form a path with carpet, cover the floor with mats or apply an...

A concrete slab is perfect for parking cars on, but for those occasions when the garage becomes just another extension to the rest of the home, a different flooring type may prove more suitable....

Installing a new floor, regardless of the floor type, requires proper preparation of the sub-floor upon which the new floor is being installed. For a sub-floor consisting of an already installed...

Stone tiles are an attractive and durable flooring choice that can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. Whether laying slate, granite or marble, the procedure is the same. Prepare the surface,...

Installing floor tiles successfully requires a smooth, level surface for the tiles to adhere to. Installing a layer of floor tiles onto an uneven floor is a frustrating process that can result in...

Over time a marble finish can begin to look streaked, scratched or generally dull. This is especially likely to happen in showers, where marble is in continuous contact with harsh personal hygiene...

Typically, stone tiles consist of a finished side and an unfinished side. The unfinished side bears the marks and texture left by the cut that was made to form the stone or is sometimes coated...

Applying epoxy concrete floor paint to your garage or basement floor can be a worthwhile project for several reasons. It will look better, form a non-slip surface, seal pores, and improve...

Grouting and caulking tile is an important step in tile installation. Whether you are installing tile on a kitchen counter, shower floor or even a wall backsplash, the grout and caulk will protect...

Beneath the carpets in many homes often lies a perfectly functional hardwood floor. While removing the carpet from that hardwood floor is a simple process, removing the glue left behind can be...

Floor tiles often set the tone of the room in which they're installed. The look of the tile, the patterns, even the material the tile is made from plays a part in the overall look and feel of a...

Ceramic tile makes a beautiful addition to any room. Installing ceramic tile properly requires grout to also be installed in between the tiles. Grout is the gritty substance that is placed between...

One of the great advantages to having a hardwood floor is the beautiful finishes that they're capable of possessing. With the right finish a hardwood floor becomes a centerpiece, with deep rich...

When installing a hardwood floor using glue, you'll inevitably spill some glue on the surface of the hardwood floor. Choose one of several available methods to remove the glue from the floor,...

Concrete is one of the most durable and versatile building materials available. A painted concrete floor can be practical and easy to care for. However, if you decide you want a different look,...

While cement is durable and relatively inexpensive, it is a rather unsightly building material. Luckily, you don't have to live with the drab gray aesthetic of cement. You can paint over virtually...

Concrete is a building material that isn't kind with mistakes. You can follow instructions perfectly, yet somehow you find that your new concrete slab has a glaring problem: It slopes. Fixing a...

Vinyl floor tiles add a durable attractive surface for any room. They're easy to install and once placed last years with a minimum amount of maintenance. One issue you have to deal with though...

Concrete is a long lasting, durable building material, but even the best laid concrete slabs can begin to show the signs of age. The slab of old concrete in your garage may be dulled and gouged....

Thinset is a cementing material generally used with tiles as an adhesive to a concrete slab. Hardened thinset is as strong as concrete, and cannot be removed with chemical means. In order to...

Concrete stains offer homeowners a simple do-it-yourself project that will improve the look of their home, and make plain concrete flooring attractive and appealing. Unlike many home improvement...

Linoleum is an effective layer of protection for flooring. However, once it begins to show signs of wear, it may become necessary to remove linoleum. This can be tricky to do without damaging the...

When a home is constructed, a subfloor is laid over the joists. Older homes may have planks. More modern homes may have plywood or a type of pressed board. These are all collectively called...

Concrete is a strong, durable and highly versatile building material that can last for decades if properly used. But concrete can be somewhat underwhelming in looks, often curing into a dull grey...

A stone floor has its own special kind of natural beauty. From Italian marble to limestone, a stone floor is the combination of rich looks with incredible durability. But even stone requires...

Any floorboard installation requires that a good finish be applied. This not only to protects the boards from the damage that can be caused by normal wear and tear but also helps preserve the...

A cracked concrete driveway or floor can make your home look uncared for and drab, and it can also be dangerous. Concrete cracks for a number of reasons, but repairing it can be a simple,...

Installing your own tile can be a great way to save money, as contractors generally charge very high rates to perform this task; however, installing tile yourself can also be a nightmare if you...

Technological advances in ceramic tile have made it a viable choice for homeowners for many areas of the home. Kitchens are especially receptive to this kind of flooring--they are high-traffic...

Staining adds an element of style to any concrete surface, indoors or outdoors. Stains come in a variety of colors and there are a number of methods for application. All methods require preparing...

Acid stained concrete is an attractive alternative for a variety of surfaces including indoor and outdoor flooring and countertops. It is growing in popularity and with a little bit of know-how...

Laminex is a brand-name laminate used for a number of surfaces, including flooring and countertops. It is very similar to Formica in strength and surface texture. Laminex surfaces allow for easy...

Known for their translucent finish, porcelain tiles appear delicate, yet are extremely strong. Popular for their beauty and non-absorbency, porcelain tiles make a great flooring option for...

A little bit of excess grout left over on the surface of your ceramic tile floor is nothing to panic about. It's simple to clean grout off of your newly laid ceramic tile floor with a few...

DuraCeramic tile, a limestone composite tile, is another option for consumers interested in installing ceramic tile in their homes. These tiles are available in a 16-by-16-inch nominal size and...

To finish new hardwood floors or to refinish older hardwood floors may seem daunting. However, it is really easy (and cheap) with minimal effort. Follow these steps to beautiful hardwood floors.

In this article you will learn how to 1.Prepare the surface of a floor before installing laminate. 2.What type of surface can laminate flooring be installed on and why. 3.Removing moulding...

Installing good sheet vinyl floors requires quite a few tools and supplies. Some you're likely to have around the house, including a notched trowel, a tape measure, a straightedge, a damp cloth,...

No matter how well you take care of your wood floors, they can become scratched, stained or scuffed over time, especially if you have children or pets. If this happens to your wood floors, you...

Tile sealer, a liquid typically made from a mineral, latex or water base, is spread over a tile surface to seal the porous exterior and keep out moisture. If a tile is glazed, it does not need...

In 1994, a new type of flooring was introduced to the United States -- laminate flooring. This type of flooring had already had its introduction into the market in the United Kingdom. Upon its...

One of the more dramatic home improvements you can do yourself is installing floor tiling. It can change the look of an entire room. Tile flooring can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms,...