Practical advice for choosing, buying, and installing discount hardwood, engineered, and laminate floors - including material differences, DIY vs. professional installation, and buying tips like requesting samples and checking moisture suitability.
Updated overview of hardwood floor finishes: waterborne, oil-modified, moisture-cured, hard-wax oils, and factory-finished options - what they look like, where to use them, and care basics.
Practical, room-by-room guidance for homeowners preparing to install hardwood floors: measuring, product choice, subfloor prep, tools, acclimation and when to hire a pro.
Real hardwood - including prefinished Mirage-style floors - offers lasting beauty, refinishability, and design flexibility that many laminates and thin-engineered products can't match. Learn how prefinished hardwood compares to laminate, what to check before you buy, and practical tips for choosing and caring for real wood floors.
Four common hardwood installation methods - nail-down, staple-down, glue-down, and floating - each fit different floor types and subfloors. This updated guide explains when to use each method and what to watch for.
Overview of solid, engineered and acrylic-impregnated hardwood: how they differ, where each performs best, and practical notes on installation, refinishing and sustainability.