How Do I Match the Stain on My Stairs and Trim to My Hardwood Floor?
How Do I Match the Stain on My Stairs and Trim to My Hardwood Floor? You put in a new hardwood floor. Now the stairs, the trim or a few scuffed mouldings stand out, because they’re a different colour. You want them to look like they belong with the floor. That’s what a touch-up stain […]
What Cleaners Should You Not Use on Laminate Floors?
What Cleaners Should You Not Use on Laminate Floors? Laminate is a common floor. But when you work out how to clean laminate floors, the cleaner matters: the wrong one can damage it. The tricky part: many “natural” or “heavy-duty” household products are on the list of things to avoid. Where does this list come […]
Is Terrazzo Still in Style, and What Is Terrazzo-Look Tile?
Is Terrazzo Still in Style, and What Is Terrazzo-Look Tile? You’ve seen it in magazines and on social media. It’s a floor covered in small, scattered chips of colour on a plain background. That’s the terrazzo look. You like it, but you’re wondering two things. Is it still in style? And what are you actually […]
What Backsplash Should Go Behind the Stove, and Should It Go to the Ceiling?
What Backsplash Should Go Behind the Stove, and Should It Go to the Ceiling? You’re redoing your kitchen. The wall behind the stove is the one that gets dirty first, because it gets splashed every time you cook. So when you pick a backsplash for that wall, don’t only ask “what looks nice?” Also ask […]
What Is an Italian Shower, and How Do You Build a Curbless Shower?
What Is an Italian Shower, and How Do You Build a Curbless Shower? You’ve seen it in photos. The bathroom floor runs straight into the shower, with no step at the entrance. Many people call it an Italian shower. It’s also called a curbless shower or a walk-in shower. It looks simple. But there is […]
Is Cement Board Waterproof, or Do I Need a Membrane in My Shower?
Is Cement Board Waterproof, or Do I Need a Membrane in My Shower? You’re building a shower in your basement bathroom. The walls are framed, and you need something behind the tile. Many people think cement board keeps the water out on its own. That’s not quite how it works. Cement board is the solid […]
What Are the Different Types of Flooring, and Which One Is the Most Durable?
What Are the Different Types of Flooring, and Which One Is the Most Durable? You’re finishing your basement. The store shows you many kinds of floor, and every one is called “durable.” But that word can mean different things. Some floors resist scratches. Some resist water. Some resist wear from people walking on them every […]
Shower Base or Shower Pan: How Do I Choose One for My Basement Bathroom?
Shower Base or Shower Pan: How Do I Choose One for My Basement Bathroom? For a tiled shower in your basement, start by choosing the shower floor. You will see it called a shower base, a shower pan or a shower tray. For tiled showers, these names mostly mean the same thing: a sloped floor […]
What Is an Uncoupling Membrane (Like Schluter DITRA), and Do I Need One Under Tile?
What Is an Uncoupling Membrane (Like Schluter DITRA), and Do I Need One Under Tile? Tile is hard and does not bend. The floor under it moves a little over time, as the concrete or wood dries, warms and cools. That movement can crack the tile or the grout. An uncoupling membrane is a thin […]
What Is Self-Levelling Underlayment, and When Does My Basement Floor Need It?
What Is Self-Levelling Underlayment, and When Does My Basement Floor Need It? A self-levelling underlayment is a powder that you mix with water and pour on the floor. It flows out and finds its own level, so it fills dips and leaves a flat surface. In a basement, it fixes a slab that is too […]