Ted Cook

ReallyCheapFloors.com Owner

Ted Cook, owner of Really Cheap Floors, is the main writer for ReallyCheapFloors.com and the face of the company's YouTube channel, sharing flooring expertise with customers nationwide.

LVP vs LVT: How Luxury Vinyl Plank and Luxury Vinyl Tile Differ

Chances are in 2026 you've seen a few lvp flooring options in a flooring store our even in person. When shopping for new waterproof floors for your home is how are LVP vs LVT different? Luxury vinyl tile is made to look like stone and is usually a great pair for a kitchen with quartz countertops and granite countertops. LVP is generally slightly thicker than lvt and lvp = planks that look like wood. However, they are essentially the same product, they are just different types of luxury ... Read more...

Explaining Cabin Grade Flooring

The lack of familiarity with Cabin grade flooring is understandable, as only about 5-10% of all hardwood flooring is graded as anything other than first quality. Due to the small percentage, and the unpredictability of available inventory, most stores do not stock cabin grade flooring. At ReallyCheapFloors.com, it is a large percentage of our business. So, let us help you better understand what to expect to find in a box. What Constitutes a Cabin Grade Floor? Is it Seconds? Have you ever ... Read more...

Should Floors Be Darker or Lighter Than Walls: Find the Perfect Combination

Let's get the perfect color combination for your home based on your personal taste and current design trends in this guide. Everyone wants their home to look stylish and comfortable. There isn't a simple one-size-fits-all answer, but there are a few rules of thumb to follow. After selling over 10 million square feet of flooring, I found that the "right" choice really depends on what the customer is going for. You might want a room that feels open and airy, or maybe a cozier, more intimate vibe. ... Read more...

Affordable Wide Plank Flooring Solutions For All Budgets

Why A Wide Plank Floor? So many rules and trends in fashion and decor change over time. The colors that were popular in the last  few years are out of fashion now. Trying to keep up with all the trends can be a full time job. Thakfully at Really Cheap Floors we can focus on the state of home flooring and report what we find on this small part of the modern decor landscape. Wide plank flooring, on the other hand, is not a decor trend that seems to change. Instead wider planks seem to ... Read more...

Does Oak Flooring Darken With Age?

This may come as a shock to you, but no. Oak flooring will not darken with age. Now before you get all excited and call me a big fat liar because you know better, let me expound on this subject a little more. Then, if you want to email me to voice (or type) your objections you can do so. The key to this question isn't about time but about the UV rays coming from the sun.  Why Do Hardwood Floors Change Colors? Hardwood floors, or any form of wood, will be affected not by time but by ... Read more...

How Long Does It Take To Refinish Hardwood Floors: Refinishing Guide

The amount of time needed, from start to end, to refinish prefinished solid hardwood  and some engineered hardwood floors is a  common question homeowners tend to ask their friends, the Reddit community, or flooring professionals before buying new floors. Floor refinishing can vary in duration, but a standard 3-4 days is the typical timeframe for a 1,000 square foot job. The time that is actually needed  depends on your home, your local weather conditions, the wood species, and ... Read more...

Popular Wood Stain Colors

When it comes to finding a favorite wood stain colors it helps to start with looking at the most popular stains. We list agreed upon staples that stay in favor with flooring installers and DIY-ers. In this blog post, we will delve into ten of our all-time favorite wood stain tints from trusted brands like Minwax and Varathane. If you want to find a similar solid hardwood or engineered hardwood with a wood stain like these, please give us a call to match it up with our always changing ... Read more...

Types of Hardwood Flooring: Wood Species and Construction Options

Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of wood species and construction types, each offering unique beauty and durability. From classic red oak, white oak, and hickory hardwood. The solid hardwood to engineered hardwood constructions have some real loyal customers that side eye the others. In this guide we will help you cut through the noise when you are trying to choose the right hardwood can enhance your home’s style and functionality. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of ... Read more...

Is Hickory Good For Flooring? Our Top 5 Reasons the Answer Is Yes To Hickory Flooring

What Is So Special About Hickory Flooring? When I was growing up with my brother, we liked to play basketball while I preferred baseball. And he liked white meat chicken as I had a preference for dark meat. And he always loved Hickory flooring while I thought a simple Red Oak was the better choice. What makes a Hickory hardwood floor special to people is that they like it on an emotional level. And that is wonderful. I tend to be a more rational person. And, because I am so rational, I have ... Read more...

7 Essential Hardwood Floor Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Floors Looking Beautiful

Hardwood floors are a timeless investment that adds warmth, elegance, and value to any home. But without the right care, even the finest hardwood can lose its luster over time. The good news? Maintaining your hardwood floors doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple practices, you can protect your floors from scratches, water damage, and wear while keeping them looking stunning for decades. Here are seven essential maintenance tips that will help you preserve the ... Read more...