Ted cook

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.

Is Pine Sol Good for Hardwood Floors? Find Out Here!

We've all been there: staring at a stubborn, sticky mess on our beloved hardwood floors, wondering, "Is Pine-Sol good for hardwood floors?" This is a common question, and truthfully, one I’ve often wrestled with during my flooring projects. Sure, Pine-Sol boasts a powerful clean that banishes dirt and grime, and who doesn't love that fresh pine scent? However, when it comes to hardwood floors, things get a bit more complex. This is because Pine-Sol's effectiveness as a cleaner clashes with the ... Read more...

Can You Glue Down Solid Wood Flooring? Hardwood Flooring Guide

Many homeowners and DIYers need to know. And the simple answer is yes. However, you shouldn't.

Nailing down solid hardwood to a subfloor is the proven and most stable installation method.

The idea of gluing down hardwood floors seems more secure to many homeowners. Especially when they hear of older homes with traditional installations are creaky and not worth restoring. A faulty nail-down install shouldn't keep you away from the preferred method of installation.

But let's face it - understanding whether you can actually glue down solid wood flooring is the question. Let's cover the pros and cons, and how it compares with a nail-in installation. To glue or not to glue, that is the question.


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Maple Hardwood Flooring:The Wood Flooring Option For Perfect Floors?

What is Special About Maple As A Species?   Frequently we get asked, “what is the best flooring to buy?” What a doozy of a question! When considering your best flooring option, qualities like hardness, price, and quality come into play. And sometimes, you want all of that, and more! Maple can be a great option for you!     A Maple hardwood floor offers a unique look that appeals to a wide section of today's consumers.     Maple offers a different look than ... Read more...

Types of Hardwood Flooring:Wood Species and Construction Options

Did you know that hardwood flooring attracts an average ROI of 70-80%? This is far above that for other flooring options, such as carpet or vinyl.   Besides netting an attractive ROI, wood flooring is also insulating, attractive, timeless, and long-lasting. All of these features make them a very popular option for homeowners in the US, with 66% naming wood as their dream home floor choice.     However, before you hit go on your new flooring installation there’s another ... Read more...

What Color Walls Go With Red Oak Floors: Wall Colors and Paint Ideas

Before you buy a new tub of paint to compliment red oak hardwood, you need to know some color theory basics. Hardwood flooring with the species of red oak has a lot of warm reddish-orange undertones in each plank. Additional colors range from light to medium brown shades in the wood grain too. This characteristic warm tone is key to making informed paint choices that complement the floor, rather than clash with it. Additionally, red oak has prominent wood grain, which adds visual interest and a ... Read more...

The Best Flooring for Basements in 2024: Concrete Floor Options

What is the Best Basement Floor? This is a super loaded question! When someone starts a question with the “best” in mind it scares me! Everyone’s opinions, budgets, and tastes are different! However, with basements, the best answer is easier to come to.   We want to break down this topic with an unbiased curiosity.  You'll see this in our video below.  The best basement flooring is subjective, but below-grade flooring options are easy to point out.    We ... Read more...

Is Laminate Flooring Waterproof? A Water-Resistant Floor Notice 

Navigating the world of flooring options often brings us face-to-face with numerous questions. This is especially true when trying to balance durability with style and, of course, budget. One such question that pops up a lot is if laminate flooring is waterproof? We need to get into the nitty-gritty with the different types of laminate flooring to get a straight answer. Table Of Contents: Understanding Laminate Is All Laminate Truly Waterproof? Different Laminate Floors: Different ... Read more...

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

Ever walked into a room and been floored by the, well, floor? Whether it's an elegant hardwood look or sleek stone finish, chances are you've admired LVP vs LVT. 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 comes in a plank form and often is compared to vinyl tile. Lvt and lvp do have their are differences to fight out in a cage match. However, they are essentially the same product. Lvt comes in a tile form while lvp is generally wider and longer than lvt.

If you are looking for a tile floor and you don't want to deal with stone or porcelain, then lvt and lvp are great options. These two floor products are gaining popularity, but what makes them so popular? How do these two vinyl options compare? Let get into the nitty-gritty of these floors together.

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Is Vinyl Flooring Waterproof? A DIY Guide for Durable Floors

You want to know - is vinyl a fully waterproof floor? This is a common question homeowners have, especially those with kids, pets, or both! The answer to this question is yes! Most vinyl flooring available today is manufactured to be waterproof. This is because vinyl itself is a water-resistant material.  But – and this is important – that doesn't mean all vinyl floors are created equal or that you can just ignore spills forever. Let's break down why "waterproof" might not be as ... Read more...

Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? A Complete Guide for DIYers

You’re about to tackle a flooring project and are curious, is bamboo flooring completely waterproof? You're drawn to its "new-kid-on-the-block" reputation. Pretty bamboo floors are plentiful, but can they withstand life's little spills? This comprehensive flooring guide will explore the water resistance of bamboo flooring. Table Of Contents: Bamboo Flooring and Water: Debunking the Myth Why Bamboo Flooring Isn’t Completely Waterproof Understanding Water Resistance: Types of ... Read more...

Mastering Hardwood Installation Over Radiant Heat

Radiant floor heating is becoming more common, giving homeowners an efficient and feet warming way to heat their homes. But what if you want hardwood floors and radiant heat as a dynamic duo? Let's look at how to put hardwood floors over radiant heat systems to make your home a comfy chill buster. Radiant Takeaways Aspect Consideration Best Wood Type Engineered hardwood for stability. Ideal Species American Red Oak, Hickory, White Oak Wood Floor Prep Wood Acclimation, ... 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. Why Do Hardwood Floors Change Colors? Hardwood floors, or any form of wood, will be affected not by time but by sunlight. It is that sunlight, and the change in patina, that makes an Oak hardwood floor ... Read more...