Squeaky floorboards in hallway. Sleeping toddlers that wake at the slightest noise. What are your best tips for reducing the creaks and squeaks? [more inside]
posted by SueDenim on Sep 27, 2009 - 18 answers

Drafty castles, stone construction, floors strewn with rushes, noble ladies' trailing gowns... Anyone who's read any historical fiction set in the Middle Ages is familiar with these popular Medieval motifs, but I have been troubled by a number of questions about these items. Perhaps we have some period history mavens who can ease my confusion? (Warning: Long! Strewn! Possibly moldy.) [more inside]
posted by taz on Sep 23, 2009 - 28 answers

I've installed laminate flooring about a year ago, and individual pieces are sliding around. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Sep 19, 2009 - 10 answers

How can I limit damage to my virtually-unfinished hardwood floors without the trouble/expense of refinishing? [more inside]
posted by aabbbiee on Aug 25, 2009 - 14 answers

Flooring-filter: Talk to me about linoleum in general, and Marmoleum brand linoleum in particular. Is it nice? Is it DIY-able? What should I know before choosing it for our kitchen? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Aug 24, 2009 - 8 answers

Can I fix the buckling laminate in my new apartment without ripping up the whole damn floor? [more inside]
posted by at the crossroads on Aug 2, 2009 - 9 answers

BugFilter: Unbeknownst to us, water got under our kitchen flooring. The bad section has been pulled up and cleaned but I'm seeing some small bugs in that general area. Help! [more inside]
posted by pghjezebel on Aug 1, 2009 - 5 answers

Looking for suggestions/recommendations on economical home flooring solutions after a carpet de-install in a 70s era home. [more inside]
posted by specialk420 on Jul 1, 2009 - 11 answers

Please give me advice and tips for a DIY linoleum installation. First my bathroom (5' x 10'), then if all goes well the kitchen (8' x 10', so a seam). [more inside]
posted by msalt on Jun 21, 2009 - 9 answers

How to protect hardwood floors from my dog and child? [more inside]
posted by Mid on Jun 15, 2009 - 9 answers

I like cork flooring. Will my dog ruin it? Looking for ideas for kitchen flooring, preferably green* and not very expensive. Wacky ideas welcome. *green - least environmental cost [more inside]
posted by theora55 on Feb 15, 2009 - 13 answers

Our new theater has a huge, textured, highly-trafficked, sealed concrete floor in the lobby, and I'm really dreading the thought of mopping it. What can I buy to help make the job easier? [more inside]
posted by bjork24 on Jan 20, 2009 - 6 answers

My wife and I would like to install a floating Brazilian Cherry wood floor over radiant heat. Almost all manufacturers do not warrant this (and Brazilian Cherry is often called out as the worst possible wood to use over radiant heat). However, SOME manufacturers do warrant it. For example, I just finished speaking with Mannington, which warrants this flooring over radiant heat (as long as the floor doesn't exceed 90 degrees). The rep couldn't tell my why their floor is different than anyone else's, so I'm skeptical that this is a good idea. Can this be done successfully? I am suspicious of the manufacturers that claim to warrant it. I'm especially interested in hearing from someone who's had a similar floor installed for several years.
posted by jewzilla on Jan 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there any flooring options for a concrete basement floor that occasionally gets moist from groundwater/high water table? If so, do I need to remove the paint on the floor first? [more inside]
posted by dayintoday on Dec 31, 2008 - 10 answers

A company we ordered flooring from filed for bankruptcy while we were waiting for our stuff to come in. What now? [more inside]
posted by csimpkins on Dec 12, 2008 - 8 answers

My mosaic tile floor is crumbling. I suspect its because the floor gives a little under weight. If I repair it, will the same thing happen again? Or, what else could I do to avoid giving up on it completely? [more inside]
posted by nzydarkxj on Dec 1, 2008 - 6 answers

Should I keep the $800 worth of as-yet uninstalled Shaw VersaLock laminate flooring, or is this just a shoddy product that I need to return to "Larry" at the floor store? [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Oct 13, 2008 - 13 answers

I recently ripped up ceramic tiles from a patch of hardwood floor - what's the best way to remove the remaining glue and debris without harming the wood itself? [more inside]
posted by deern the headlice on Oct 6, 2008 - 12 answers

Can we get area rugs (or custom cut+bound remnants) to cover our apartment's ugly carpet that won't bubble up or fall apart? [more inside]
posted by Brian Puccio on Sep 6, 2008 - 5 answers

What's my recourse with a flooring installation now gone awry that was partially contracted through Home Depot, and partially worked out "on the side" with the installer? [more inside]
posted by indigo4963 on Jul 7, 2008 - 7 answers

How do I remove this strange glue from my previously carpeted hardwood? [more inside]
posted by bradn on Jun 29, 2008 - 5 answers

Need creative ideas for inexpensive flooring in a playroom/rec room. Our budget is next to nothing. [more inside]
posted by missuswayne on Jun 26, 2008 - 18 answers

Where can I get modern, bright or otherwise designy carpet runners online or in Southern California? Long, long, by-the-foot options preferred, but if I find something I like I might just buy several of the same one. Other relevant information: I am allergic to beige.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Jun 24, 2008 - 5 answers

I have about a week or so to find some of this carpet. Yep, it is that stuff that's everywhere. You probably even have 3 rolls of it under your house as we speak. It's almost safe to say, at some point, you really did have like 3 rolls of it - what did you do with them?!! Where should I inquire about getting a scrap of it?? (30cm/12inch -sq.) Demolition.. people? The dump? Is there like an Elephants Graveyard but for carpet?? Also.. I need a hand with repairing melamine/laminex?? ( Bathroom vanity and a cupboard). And (omg!) this blind ( /s)... [more inside]
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har on Apr 2, 2008 - 5 answers

Please share your experience, strength, and hope regarding flooring options for upstairs bedrooms. [more inside]
posted by ottereroticist on Feb 27, 2008 - 15 answers

Vinyl flooring that is either NOT ugly or hideously ugly in a way we like: does it exist? [more inside]
posted by InnocentBystander on Jan 6, 2008 - 25 answers

I keep hearing that synthetic wine corks are endangering the livelihood cork farmers. Why hasn't the upswing in the use of cork flooring offset this phenomenon?
posted by machaus on Dec 9, 2007 - 8 answers

Would this art/home improvement project work, or can you share tips on how to make it work? Involves linoleum and vintage photos... [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Nov 2, 2007 - 8 answers

I need to remove and replace 3/4" hardwood stair nosing that has been attached to the subfloor with some sort of adhesive. [more inside]
posted by oncogenesis on Oct 2, 2007 - 8 answers

I need carpeting installed in an apartment in Yonkers NY within the next 48 hours. I also don't want to spend a lot. [more inside]
posted by Darke on May 30, 2007 - 6 answers

Is there a way to tell if my kitchen floor is real linoleum, or vinyl? [more inside]
posted by peep on Feb 17, 2007 - 13 answers

How do I get a few planks of flooring from a company that says they don't sell material without also installing it? [more inside]
posted by pmbuko on Feb 13, 2007 - 8 answers

We are going to install about 200 sq. ft. of laminate flooring in our kitchen/dining area, which is 1/2 linoleum and 1/2 ugly blue carpet. Because the previous owners installed 1/4" subflooring before they put in the original vinyl, there is a height difference between the carpeted area and the vinyl floor area. Should I rip out the old subflooring to level it out, or add subflooring to the recessed area so everything is level? There is *really* old linoleum underneath the carpet and the subflooring. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Dec 9, 2006 - 13 answers

How to remove paint from parquet floors? [more inside]
posted by huskerdont on Nov 8, 2006 - 9 answers

Vitreous Enamel Tiles absorb tea and turmeric, the stains of which can't be washed. They make tiles look ugly. Is there any method/chemical remove the stains caused by them?
posted by vicharak on Nov 7, 2006 - 4 answers

I spilled olive oil on our new red oak hardwood floor, the day before the contractors are coming to sand, stain and finish it (a small bottle fell off the shelf and the top popped off) . How screwed are we? [more inside]
posted by Scoo on Oct 8, 2006 - 11 answers

Carpet Tile users/owners: I need advice - Which style of Flor has the thickest pile/nicest feel? It will be used in my living room. [more inside]
posted by somethingclever on Aug 27, 2006 - 3 answers

What can I put down on my balcony as "flooring" which will fill in the gaps, keep stuff from falling through on my downstairs neighbor and maybe prevent her smoke from drifting up? [more inside]
posted by amanda on Aug 15, 2006 - 13 answers

Has anyone used carpet tile? If so, were there any problems with the tiles not staying in place? Also, if anyone can recommend a manufacturer, I'd appreciate the tip. I've seen Interface Flor but want to explore my options, if any exist. [more inside]
posted by somethingclever on Jul 12, 2006 - 14 answers

How do I dry hardwood flooring? [more inside]
posted by phyrewerx on May 22, 2006 - 4 answers

Hardwood Floor Filter -- How can I spruce up my hardwood floor without a major refinishing project? [more inside]
posted by Mid on Mar 10, 2006 - 7 answers

oil spill on hardwood floor: cleanable? [more inside]
posted by Hackworth on Feb 18, 2006 - 8 answers

Experiences with hardwood floors in the bathroom? I have decided I want to install hardwood flooring in my bathroom. If you have ever lived with wooden bathroom floors, please let me know if there is anything I should be aware of. [more inside]
posted by evoo on Jan 17, 2006 - 25 answers

Rough wooden floors: I just helped a friend tear out the mold and flea-infested carpet in her new apartment. Underneath were unfinished, rough, but not horrendous wooden planks (pic 1, pic 2). Money is tight, so we are looking for the cheapest quick-and-dirty method of making the floor livable. Help us think outside the splintery wooden box! [more inside]
posted by 4easypayments on Sep 10, 2005 - 21 answers

RenovationFilter: We just bought an old library out on the great plains. Yes, library. But that's not the point. It's a wonderful, hundred-year-old brick building. The floors are beautiful, straight-grained, old-growth fir. Unfortunately.... [more inside]
posted by dersins on Jun 10, 2005 - 27 answers

I have a friend who wants to buy a sweet (and cheap!) fixer-upper in an up-and-coming section of Philadelphia. Thing is, she'll need to do a lot of work to renovate it, including putting in new floors... [more inside]
posted by AlexReynolds on May 18, 2005 - 14 answers

I just moved in to newly built condo... I have spent a lot of money to option IN for SHAW Brazilian Cherry Hardwood floor..(100% covered 1300sq.ft (according to my research it maybe engineered Durashield coated ones like most hardwood floors now days)... Just before I moved in I saw a builder employee cleaning the floor.. He told me he is using PINE-SOL type cleaner... It did look shiny at first.... But I have been here for 3weeks now... The white films would not go away... even now my socks are yellowish oil all over when ever i step one or two steps.... foot marks are eveywhere... now it looks dusty and smudged all over... (there is no dust... but looks dusty with smudges).... I tried to clean it off with No-Was Bruce hardwood cleaner.... No luck... I tried little bit of water in the corner with about 5 small towels... it finally came off (it took me about 1 hour to do 6sq.ft..) it was very hard work.... I contacted the manufacturer.. they said NO oil based cleaner or wax should be used on these.. especially Pine-Sol and Pledge.... They said It was coated like clear coats in new cars..never needing wax... so basically putting pine-sol on these type of floor is like spraying Armor-All on paint of new car....At least new car can be washed off with a lot of water and soap... [more inside]
posted by curiousleo on Apr 19, 2005 - 25 answers

Can you lay Pergo over concrete? We are negotiating with a builder to buy a house he's built. The negotiations revolve around what kind of flooring he will install. There's a family room with a concrete floor in the lowest level of the house, and we'd like to have Pergo on the floor. the room has a door to the back yard, and we figure laminate is the most durable, comfortable compromise.

The builder doesn't think you can lay Pergo on concrete, and is pushing carpet. We don't want the maintenance burden of carpet next to an outside door. Tile would be too cold. All the web sources say if you put down a vapor barrier first, Pergo is OK. Anyone have experience with Pergo on concrete?
posted by Kirth Gerson on Feb 14, 2005 - 14 answers

HomeImprovementFilter: We are about to start the finishing work on an addition, and we're trying to decide what type of flooring to buy:Laminate, or pre-finished hardwood? We've looked at both, and I think I like pre-finished hardwood better, but I wanted some real-life commentary, rather than my speculation. Any laminate horror stories? Successes? Pre-finished camp have anything to add?
posted by Medieval Maven on Jan 17, 2005 - 28 answers

How are floors held up in a typical house? Such as, for instance, a Dutch colonial? How much weight can they support?
posted by adampsyche on Aug 26, 2004 - 9 answers