Patrick Dinehart

Content Writer for Really Cheap Floors

Patrick is the marketing director and product researcher for Really Cheap Floors.

Best Engineered Hardwood Flooring Brands: How to Compare Collections

The best engineered hardwood flooring brands earn a closer look, but a brand name alone will not tell you how a specific collection handles muddy dog paws, changing humidity, or your project budget. We compare the floor’s construction, appearance, care needs, room conditions, and full installed cost before picking a winner. Key Takeaways Compare flooring collections, not reputations. Construction, finish, and grade can vary within one brand, so judge the exact floor that fits your room. ... Read more...

Wide Plank Oak vs Walnut vs Maple Hardwood Floor Comparison: Which Species Is Best for You?

This wide plank oak walnut maple hardwood floor comparison breaks down the real differences in appearance, Janka hardness, finish, and movement. If you’re choosing flooring for a home where muddy paws and everyday life are part of the deal, the hardwood species and the floor’s construction both matter. Key Takeaways on black walnut, white oak, red oak, and maple Question Short answer Which is better, oak or maple? Oak has more visible grain and tends to hide everyday ... Read more...

Preventing Hardwood Floor Gaps: Causes, Installation Tips, and Repairs

Preventing hardwood floor gaps in a wooden floor starts with understanding wood movement, preparing the installation site, and keeping indoor conditions from swinging wildly. Some seasonal gapping is normal; persistent or localized gaps deserve a closer look. Key Takeaways Wood moves as moisture conditions change. Boards usually expand in humid conditions and contract when the air gets dry. Choose flooring that suits your home. Compare the construction and widths in our engineered hardwood ... Read more...

The Wood Floor Installation Process: Steps To Install Hardwood Floors

Once you have made the decision to install engineered or traditional solid hardwood floors in your home or office, you might be wondering about the next steps in the process! When you are familiar with what to expect throughout the installation, you can feel more confident about your purchase and understand how to properly care for your new hardwood floor. Installing your new hardwood flooring is not that difficult. If you met a few of us flooring professionals in person you would realize how ... Read more...

What Are the Different Layers of Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

What are the different layers of engineered wood flooring? Most planks combine a real hardwood surface with a supporting core, and some add a backing layer beneath it. The finish sits on top to protect the wood, but it is not another layer of sandable hardwood. Engineered wood flooring is made with a different construction than laminate flooring. The top layer is a solid wood layer, the common core material for the engineered layered construction is plywood and this plywood is meant to increase ... Read more...

The Real Reason Liquidator Flooring Cost Less Than Retail

Lower prices often come down to inventory timing and the connections that a flooring liquidator builds over the years. Overstock and discontinued styles bring real value, and lower grades come with different expectations for appearance and installation. I will compare the different options Really Cheap Floors offers and give you reasons we can offer these flooring products with large discounts. At a glance Question The short answer Why does liquidator flooring cost less? ... Read more...

Best Waterproof Basement Flooring: Flooring with a Waterproofing Focus

The best waterproof flooring options for basement floors depends on what happens beneath the surface as much as what happens on top of it. We’ll compare the main floor types, explain how to assess a concrete floors moisture, and show where a waterproof floor helps, and where it can’t fix the problem.  Key Waterproofing Flooring Options Takeaways What flooring works over a concrete basement subfloor? LVP, LVT, porcelain or ceramic tile, and some raised interlocking systems can suit a ... Read more...

How to Refinish Red Oak Flooring in 2027: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to refinish red oak flooring starts with one blunt question: does the floor have enough sound wood to sand, and does it need a full refinish at all? We’ll walk you through inspection, preparation, sanding, stain, finish, and the wait before normal life resumes. Project at a glance Timeline: 3–5 days, plus full cure Difficulty: Advanced DIY Typical cost: $500–$1,000 DIY; $3–$8 per sq. ft. professionally Actual time and cost vary with floor size, damage, finish, and ... Read more...

Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which Is Better?

Deciding between luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and hardwood flooring? Both offer beauty and durability, but they have key differences in cost, maintenance, performance, and longevity. In this guide, we’ll compare LVP and hardwood to help you determine which flooring option is the best fit for your home! Some popular flooring choices are classic  vinyl plank floors and the new luxury vinyl products over engineered floors. But should you pick the luxury vinyl option instead of engineered ... Read more...

Red Oak Flooring Seasonal Movement: What to Expect in 2026, and How to Stop Gaps and Cupping

In 2026, oak floors moving due to changing seasons is still the #1 reason homeowners call us right after their first real humidity swing, and it surprises people because it feels “random” until you understand how a wood floor actually behaves. Did you know red oak currently dominates the wood type segment (52%), meaning this movement issue is affecting the majority of North American hardwood owners. A little seasonal movement is normal but if you are experiencing a hardwood floor that looks ... Read more...
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