I am traveling back from a special buyers meeting held by one of the largest manufacturers of flooring in the world. These meetings tend to get into my head. I am reminded that LVP, or luxury vinyl plank, is still the fastest-growing flooring category in the US. If so, why don’t we know more about this popular product besides that its a waterproof one? Well, pull out our notepad, and I will tell you what I know about luxury vinyl planks. I'll share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Who’s ... Read more...

Ever walked into a room and admired the floor beneath your feet, so smooth and sturdy? That might be because you were standing on a floating floor. A mystery to many, these floors have an allure that's hard to resist. I recall my first encounter with one. The sound it made underfoot was distinct - like stepping onto firm clouds. But what is this marvel? In essence, a floating floor isn't attached directly to any subfloor or substrate below it; instead, they float atop through interlocking ... Read more...

Sometimes I think our marketing department doesn’t want me to sleep at night! Why else would they give me an impossible task like writing a blog about who is the best hardwood floor brand?  A favorite brand can change as the company size grows or shrinks, maybe Shaw decides to halt all laminate flooring one day? I want to write on topics that have a lot of facts that I can present, which allows you, the reader, to make an educated choice about your next floor. So what I will do here is ... Read more...

SPC flooring is thrown around as the holy grail of vinyl plank floors. We will explain why it deserves praise but also the drawbacks of this rigid vinyl floor. Many customers ask, "What is SPC Flooring?" SPC vinyl planks is a type of luxury vinyl plank flooring. The SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite. A SPC floor has a core made of limestone, hardening additives, and plastic stabilizers. This is a popular choice because it looks great, it's waterproof, and it's extremely durable. When  ... Read more...

Want to enhance your home's beauty and boost its value? Upgrading your flooring is a simple yet impactful way to transform any space. The right flooring choice can elevate style, improve functionality, and even increase resale appeal. It used to be that homeowners would consider installing carpet or linoleum in a home first. Now, there are so many options beyond those tired stand-bys. Engineered hardwood floor is one option that’s getting big reviews from your neighbors, and you can do a DIY ... Read more...

Hardwood floors are known for their durability, making them a top choice for homeowners. They can handle heavy foot traffic, support bulky furniture, and still look great over time. Plus, their easy maintenance makes them ideal for families with kids and pets. However, not all hardwood floors are the same. The quality, available designs, pricing, and, of course, the durability will vary depending on the specific hardwood type. As the homeowner, it’s your job to ensure that all these ... Read more...

Traditional vinyl flooring is a go-to choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms when shopping for cheap flooring. However, luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP)  is quickly gaining popularity as one of the superior flooring options, offering enhanced durability, style, and performance. For years, everyone chose standard vinyl flooring for a cheaper waterproof solution and gave it no second thought. People and preferences change – and now there are ... Read more...

Did you know that a full installation of 1,000 square feet of hardwood can run anywhere from $7,000 to $25,000? That is real money, and it is exactly why we have spent over half a century making real wood floors something regular folks can actually afford. When you start looking at the average cost per square foot of wide plank engineered hardwood, the prices at big-box stores can make your head spin. Key Takeaways Big-box retail markup is real: Traditional stores add a massive premium to ... Read more...

Satin versus Semi Gloss for hardwood finishes is a personal choice. Among the numerous types and varieties of hardwood available for interior finishing, both satin and semi-gloss hardwoods are popular, dependable finishes for wood floors. If you’re looking to purchase hardwood floors and need help deciding which  one you should go with, read on to learn the difference between satin and semi-gloss hardwood finishes. Luckily for us, lower sheen levels are combined with builder grade, cabin ... Read more...

Laminate floors look great until they don't. A cloudy, streaky film is one of the most common complaints from homeowners, and it usually comes from the cleaning products and methods meant to help in the first place. The good news is that it is an easy fix once you know what causes it. In this guide, we'll walk through exactly how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film behind. You'll learn which tools to use, which products to avoid, and the simple techniques that keep laminate looking ... Read more...