Michael O'Connor

If your home has stairs, you know how important they are to the functioning of the house.  Stairs act as a centerpiece and are some of the most used areas in a home. The material that they are covered with is incredibly important and will affect almost everything.  When the time comes to choose a […]

Tiling is a great way to add some color, flair, and style to a room. This is especially true for bathrooms and kitchens, where things can be a little utilitarian.  If you are looking to create an accent piece or simply want to protect a wall, tile is a great choice. Not only can you […]

Tiling is a great way to enhance the look of your home and give it a beautiful finish. There are all kinds of options available to you when it comes to tiling in terms of color and style.  However, one of the hardest aspects is finishing the edges. Without a finish, some tiling projects can […]

An area rug can enhance the look of your home and add some much-needed color. They are a great way to bring some textures and colors to a room on a budget.  However, if you are putting an area rug on the carpet, you could end up with issues. Area rugs can bunch up and […]

If you have a porch or garage with carpet, you know how dirty it can get. While carpet can be a great flooring material, after a while, it needs to be replaced.  When the time comes to replace or remove carpet on your cement, it can be a difficult task.  Being able to get all […]

Getting new carpet can be an exciting prospect for a homeowner.  New flooring can completely change the look of your home and rejuvenate its feel. If you have felt stagnant in your home, new carpet could be the solution you are looking for.  Being prepared for your carpet installation is essential and can help move […]

Using different types of flooring is a great way to add texture to your home. Carpet and tile work incredibly well together and can be very complimentary in the right setting.  However, one of the issues with having different flooring types is transitions.  It can be jarring to move from one flooring type to another. […]

When tiling a space, one of the most challenging parts is getting the corners right.  It may seem easy but if you want to have clean, seamless lines, it will require some extra effort. All gaps need to be filled and corners can present some unique challenges.  Fortunately, there are ways that you can fill […]

Vinyl planks are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring for homes.  Vinyl plank is incredibly durable and can stand up to years of use and abuse. It also comes in all kinds of colors and textures that can match your home.  However, when the time comes to install vinyl planks, you […]

Carpeting is a fantastic flooring material but it does have its downsides.  One of the major disadvantages of carpet is that it needs to be maintained. If it isn’t kept up, it can get matted or damaged.  Fortunately, there are things you can do to fix carpet. It does not always need to be replaced […]

Carpet can be a great floor covering if you know how to maintain it and take care of it.  However, no matter how much work you put into maintaining your carpet, accidents happen. Carpeting is especially susceptible to holes and they can easily show up after a while.  Pets, furniture, and any number of day-to-day […]

In many homes, it is common for floors to start to sag after a while.  This common occurrence usually is not something to be worried about. However, if the floors are sagging too much, it could be a problem.  Most of the time, when floors are sagging, it is because the joists have become worn […]

Hardwood floors are incredibly desirable for many reasons.  Their natural beauty and durability make them perfect for people who want to get the most out of their floors. They are fantastically gorgeous and can increase the value of your home.  However, at some point, you may want to darken your hardwood floors. The issue is […]

Your deck should be a place where you can feel relaxed and happy no matter what.  While birds can be a joy to have around, if they are congregating on your deck railing, it can be uncomfortable. This is especially true if they are pooping all over your deck and ruining the finish.  Most people […]

Hardwood flooring has a fantastic, classic look that is highly desirable in homes. It is very durable and can withstand a lot of use and abuse over many years.  However, one of the issues with hardwood flooring is that it is not very water resistant.  When moisture gets into wood, it is absorbed into the […]

Vinyl flooring can be a great option for flooring due to its affordability and relatively high-end looks.  However, when it comes to using any kind of flooring on stairs, it is best to do your research. Knowing what to expect from a flooring is important, especially when safety is dependent on it.  Understanding the pros […]

Caulking your home, whether it is in your bathroom, kitchen, or elsewhere, can be a tough job.  Just like with painting, caulking requires a lot of preparation and skill. If you make a mistake, it can be hard to fix it without completely starting over.  This is why many people wonder if it is possible […]

Vinyl plank flooring is a fantastic way to get the look of hardwood without the expense.  This is especially true because modern vinyl is incredibly strong and can withstand all kinds of use. Whereas it used to be a cheap alternative, it has recently become much more high-end.  However, sometimes vinyl plank flooring can buckle […]

If you have concrete floors, you know how uninspiring they can be. Unless you have a heavily contemporary or minimalist look for your home, concrete won’t be the best option.  If you don’t want to remove your concrete floors, there are ways to warm them up. One of the best methods for this is to […]

Concrete can be a great material for patios due to its durability and versatility.  However, one of the downsides of having a concrete patio is that it can be slightly plain. Many people who have concrete patios wish that there was some way to make them a little more exciting.  Luckily, concrete takes a stain […]

Wood flooring is a classic, high-quality way to give your house a finished look.  One of the nice things about wood flooring is that you have a lot of different options for colors. You also have many different choices for textures and types of wood.  However, if you want to use different types of wood […]

If your home has different flooring types, transitions are incredibly important. Being able to make a seamless transition makes the house look finished and completes the look.  However, this can be very difficult if you have a different type of flooring on your stairs.  Transitioning between floorings and between rooms is relatively simple, but stairs […]

If you are removing carpet from a wooden floor, odds are you are going to encounter glue.  Carpet glue is used to hold the carpet in place as well as brads and small nails. It is easy enough to remove the carpet but removing the glue is another story.  If you are keeping the original […]

If you have a gap between your carpet and your baseboard, it is very important that you repair it.  Not only is it an aesthetic issue, it can also make your home less efficient.  When the baseboards are installed, they should have some room for the carpet. However, sometimes, this gap will be too big.  […]

If you have recently removed some linoleum, you might have some leftover adhesive on the wood.  If your goal is to save the wood floor underneath and refinish it, you will want to remove the adhesive. Doing this carefully will help you save that wood and keep everything clean and in good condition.  There are […]

If you have a concrete floor with vinyl tiles, you may want to install a new floor at some point.  In order to do this, you will have to remove the old or dirty vinyl. This process can be difficult if you don’t set yourself up for success.  Doing this job correctly can prevent the […]

If you need to remove old grout from your floor tiles, it might seem like an impossible job.  Grout is meant to harden over the years and that can make it very difficult to remove. However, there are ways you can get it to come up and even save the tile.  Generally, this is a […]

If you are trying to re-caulk a bathroom or shower, it’s important that you remove the old caulk.  By leaving old caulk on a bank of tiles, you could end up with a less-than-waterproof seal.  When this happens, you could get water underneath the tile. This, in turn, could end up growing mold underneath your […]

If you have a set of stairs that you use on a regular basis, you will want to protect it.  One of the best ways to do this is to install vinyl plank flooring on the stair treads. Not only will it protect the tread of the stairs, it will also make them safer.  To […]

Hardwood flooring is one of the most sought-after flooring materials. Its classic look and durability makes it highly desirable and something everyone looks for in a home.  However, when installing wood flooring, you may want to mix up different types.  One of the best things about wood flooring is that it is so diverse. Being […]

Luxury vinyl flooring is a great addition to any busy home. It is known for its water resistance as well as its resistance to scratches.  Because of this durability, it is a good choice for people with children and animals. However, even the most cautious of families might end up with a scratch or two.  […]

Laminate is a great, fairly low-budget flooring option that can be incredibly durable. Its high quality and ease of installation makes it a good choice for those who want the hardwood look.  However, laminate isn’t necessarily permanently affixed to the floor. It is what is called a floating floor and instead uses a snap-in fastening […]

If you live in a cold climate, odds are you know how to prepare for winter.  There are all kinds of things you should do if you want to keep safe when it gets cold. For example, your home and your car need to be prepared for freezing temperatures to stay in good condition.  Your […]

Installing laminate flooring is a fairly easy job that many people can do. It is designed to be as simple as possible and have a low barrier of entry cost-wise as well.  However, one of the more complex jobs when it comes to installation is cutting the planks.  There are a lot of things that […]

Refinished hardwood flooring is a viable alternative to standard hardwood. If you are interested in the look but don’t want to make the big investment, it could be a good option.  If down the road, you decide you want to refinish your engineered hardwood, you might wonder how to do it. Luckily, the process isn’t […]

Removing your carpet can be a difficult job if it is old or damaged. However, if you want to put in new flooring, it must be done.  You can choose the DIY route if you like, but if not, a contractor can also do it. Finding out how much it will cost can help you […]

When you are using different types of flooring in a home, transitioning is important.  Having an abrupt change from one type to another can have a jarring effect. This is not only true visually but also practically when it comes to walking on the floor.  There are many different ways to transition between flooring types. […]

Laminate flooring is an inexpensive, easy to maintain flooring option for your home. However, like any material, it will start to look dull and over time it will eventually fade. When this happens, you might start thinking about how you can refinish your laminate.  It’s entirely possible to refinish laminate flooring and there are quite […]

New flooring is a great way to revitalize your home and give it a new look. You might be surprised at what installing a new type of flooring or a new color can do.  Before you can do that, though, you have to know what your budget is and what you can afford. Having a […]

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to traditional hardwood that is both attractive and affordable.  Its tongue and groove fastening mechanism makes it easy to install and easy to finish. However, because of this fastening, it also has a tendency to lift up and will not be as secure.  There are many reasons why laminate […]

Whitewashing is a great way to get a rustic, country-style look in your home. It is an easy technique to learn and a stylish option that is becoming more and more popular.  While it is more common on hardwood floors, laminate can also be whitewashed. If you don’t have expensive hardwood, you can still benefit […]

If you have experienced a flood or leak and you have wood floors, time is of the essence.  Removing water and drying out the wood should be your first priority. If wood is left wet, it can warp and cup, which will damage it beyond repair.  Wood is also an organic material that can grow […]

Concrete steps can be a hazard if they are not properly installed with the necessary equipment. In fact, in most municipalities, it is against building codes to not have a railing on more than 3 steps.   If your home or shop has this issue, you should consider installing a railing.  This will not only make […]

When you are installing a finished flooring like hardwood or carpeting, you will need an underlayment.  Underlayment smooths out imperfections in the subfloor and gives you a solid base to lay flooring onto. By adding this layer, you can be sure that your finished flooring will be level and even.  Underlayment can also help protect […]

A tile floor is great for hotter climates where you want to keep a room as cool as possible. It’s also a wonderfully durable material that can be arranged in all kinds of patterns.  However, one of the downsides of tile is that it can be fairly easy to stain.  Once stains get into the […]

With reclaimed and recycled wood becoming more popular, learning to remove nails is important.  With older wood, you will often find that there are a lot of rusted fasteners and other impurities. Learning how to properly remove them is crucial to saving the materials.  One of the challenges with removing nails from wood is saving […]

If you live in an older house, you may have noticed that the stairs in the basement are very steep.  This is a common problem in older homes. Not only is it inconvenient, it can also be very dangerous.  You are much more likely to trip on steep stairs, which can result in serious injury. […]

If you have a room with a bare concrete slab, you might want to soften it up.  Concrete isn’t the most attractive or comfortable material for a floor. This may become an issue if you are finishing a basement and want to make it cozier.  Wood flooring is a great way to give an organic […]

If your basement floor is just a blank concrete slab, you might want to spruce it up a bit.  Installing tile is a great way to give your cement basement floor a new look. It is attractive and durable and it will be moisture-resistant just like the concrete is by itself.  Tiling a Basement Floor: […]

Bamboo is an incredibly unique and charming flooring material that has a one-of-a-kind look.  Its deep grain and natural patina makes it a great choice if you want something different. Your home can benefit greatly from its richness and durability.  Because of its thin makeup and grain structure, bamboo can usually only be refinished once.  […]

Pine is a unique and relatively inexpensive material to use for flooring. Despite being a soft wood, it is dense enough to be virtually indestructible with a lot of use.  The amount of mass that pine has makes it resistant to dents and gouges. It can also have a beautiful sheen that looks at home […]

Cutting carpet is one of those jobs that looks easy at first glance. All you really have to do is cut it with a knife and move on, right? In actuality, the process of cutting carpet accurately and in a straight line is fairly complex.  The technique requires some practice and proper preparation before you […]

Laminate flooring is a durable and stylish option for all kinds of interior decor. However, one of its biggest issues is that it is not as waterproof as other flooring types.  If water gets into the cracks between laminate planks, it can cause the flooring to warp. It can also create dangerous black mold if […]

Finishing hardwood floors is a great way to customize your home and make it your own.  Even though it’s not as common as it once was, whitewashing is still a good finish option. It gives a rustic, country look to your hardwood flooring that can be incredibly appealing.  Whitewashing Hardwood Floors: Basic Idea Whitewashing your […]

Tiling a shower floor is a relatively easy job for most people. However, one of the challenges is tiling the shower curb and threshold.  A shower curb has curves and is slightly angled, making it difficult to tile correctly if you’re not careful. With planning and patience, though, you can tile your shower curb and […]

If you have a concrete slab that you want to spiff up, there are some good options available to you.  There are all kinds of inexpensive flooring choices that can be put over concrete. However, laminate is one of the best ones.  Laminate is relatively inexpensive and can be installed on almost any kind of […]

Your shower floor may not seem like it’s that important, but it’s a key element of bathroom design.  A nicely laid out and designed shower floor can be a wonderful accent piece. By retiling your own shower floor, you can create something unique and beautiful that will tie the bathroom together.  Retiling a Shower Floor: […]

Peel and stick tile is an inexpensive and easy-to-use flooring that works in many applications.  If you have a room that you would like to spruce up, it is a great way to add some life. It can be installed by almost anyone and can really transform a space without the commitment.  Installing Peel and […]

Laminate flooring is an attractive, relatively inexpensive alternative to hardwood. However, it is not quite as durable or resistant to damage.  Because of this, laminate is sometimes subject to swelling and moving around as it ages.  This has many different causes, but the important thing is to not panic if it happens. Since it is […]

Living in an old house can be an exciting adventure. However, with old houses come new problems and some are easier to fix than others.  A common issue with old homes, and even new homes, is a large gap between the flooring and the baseboard on the walls.  This gap can be a source of […]

Laminate is a great option for people who want durable, modern-looking flooring in their home. However, just like any high-touch surface in a home, it is susceptible to damage.  While it takes quite a bit to scratch up the laminate, when it happens, it can be very obvious. Homes with kids and pets are probably […]