Category: Home Catalog

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Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast | October 8, 2022

11 months ago
Author
This week, hear how to insulate around recessed lighting, plus the best options for vinyl floor underlayment. (3 Echoes Content Studio/psahota, Getty Images)

Hour 1

Hear underlayment options for vinyl plank flooring, a tip for insulating around recessed lights, and more.

Underlayment for Vinyl Plank Flooring

vinyl plank flooring with a cork underlayment
The proper underlayment for vinyl plank flooring will block out moisture and serve as insulation. (psahota, Getty Images)

Paul in Illinois wants to replace the carpet on the lower level of his tri-level home with vinyl plank flooring. This level is on a concrete slab, and the floor gets very cold in the wintertime.

He wants to know if he can put a quarter-inch or half-inch high-density foam board under the flooring to act as insulation between the concrete floor and the flooring.

“Will that cause problems with trapping moisture under that?” he asks.

Having existing carpet there will be a pretty good test of moisture accumulation. If you pull the carpet up and don’t see signs of moisture damage, he should be fine.

In terms of putting anything dense over the slab, any layer will certainly help insulate it a little bit. A quarter-inch underlayment, glued and screwed down properly, will work well, and some would even say it’s overkill.

Check with the vinyl floor manufacturer first. Some are very specific about what types of underlayment to use. Some will allow a very thin underlayment, no more than an eighth of an inch, and others don’t recommend one.

Vinyl plank flooring doesn’t have

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Home Improvement Tips – Should You Renovate During a Recession?

1 year ago
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Right now the economy is going through a recession. Home prices are down and unemployment is up. People have cut back on their discretionary spending and are more cautious than ever about their spending.

This has caused a lot of people to put off renovation work on their homes. They are concerned about the economy and are stalling until things turn around.

But there are some really good reasons to do your project right now because of the effects on the economy.

Contractors Are Looking For Work:

This will mean you the buyer are in the drivers seat. It might even make it easier to get a better price for your work. More contractors than ever are looking for work. They want to keep themselves and their employees busy.

Better Deals On Materials:

Even the large box stores are hurting. Shop around and you’ll find better deals on the materials that you need for your project.

Better Scheduling And Faster Work:

With fewer people doing renovations it is more likely that you’ll be able to get your work scheduled quicker and it will be completed faster.

Upgrading Your Home Will Help Maintain It’s Value:

The real estate market is getting hard hit right now. If you need to sell your home right now, doing upgrades to make it stand out and help it sell faster.

Interest Rates Are Down:

The Fed has slashed interest rates to banks so they are in turn offering better rates as they try to recover … Read More

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Choosing Grout Colors: How to Find The Best Color For Your Tile

1 year ago
Author
Kitchen stove and range hood with white tile backsplash
Light grout color makes this kitchen tile backsplash blend in seamlessly with the surrounding wall. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

With so many grout colors available, choosing the best one for your project can be challenging.

This post is sponsored by Custom Building Products.

Aesthetically speaking, one of the most important decisions when choosing grout is whether it will blend with or stand out from the tile.

Light grout between light tiles can make your installation look like a single uniform piece — ideal for minimalist design. On the other hand, contrasting dark grout with light tiles makes a bold statement.

To pick grout color based on the impact you want your finished design to have, consider the following:

In This Article

Multi-colored accent tile in white subway tile
Choose grout color based on the tiles’ style and design. (MultimediaDean/Getty Images)

Tile Design

Consider the tile’s characteristics and appearance. Then, answer these questions to ensure a successful installation:

  • Are the tiles patterned or do they have a solid color? With patterned tile, pick a grout color that best matches the tile edges so the pattern isn’t interrupted.
  • Are they natural stone or manufactured ceramic? For more contrast with natural stone tile, pick a darker color to highlight the dark veins.
  • If it is glass tile, is it transparent or opaque? White grout accentuates clear, iridescent and translucent glass tile.
  • Are there mosaic sheets or accents, and do they contain differently-colored tiles? Pick a neutral grout that works well with all the colors, or try a
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