Flooring Basics

December 12, 2008 by Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Filed under Book, Flooring Roofing Lighting

Does the cost of professionally installed carpet, vinyl or hardwood have you floored? Whether you’re eyeing new ceramic tile for the bathroom, a sturdy laminate for the family room, or a repair to the parquet in the foyer, do it yourself, and do it right, with this all-in-color guide to the basics. Even total beginners will effortlessly navigate these detailed and reassuringly simple instructions, while loads of illustrations and photographs make the entire process easy-to-follow. With all the tips, tools, and tricks-of-the-trade right on hand, you’ll know which special tools to buy and which to rent; how to remove the old stuff and make way for the new; how to select from the dizzying array of new materials on the market; and what to do to get lasting results. (For example, without a vapor barrier, that beautiful new hardwood will buckle in no time.) Plus: dozens of money-saving ways to fix up existing flooring.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars not detailed enough
I was a bit disappointed that this book didn’t go into more details. There’s nothing on how to carpet steps. Also, the section on laminate doesn’t mention the glueless type. This seems to be a common failing of a lot of do-it-yourself type books. Otherwise, I did get some useful information from this book.

5 Stars Great Book!
I loved this book! It’s not a detail “how-to” book but it provides enough general information on what it will take; how much work will be needed to install various types of floor. It helped me to make decision on what type of flooring to do with the budget I have to work with.

I am pretty handy but I had no previous experience installing floors but after reading this book, I learned enough information to refinish a very worned out 30-year old (oak) hardwood floor; installed plywood underlayments and vapor barrier before installing new hardwood floor over concrete slab; installed tile floor directly over concrete slab.

Yes, the information in this book is general but it’s what you will make of it. It’s the best book about flooring in my opinion and I often recommended to clients before making decision on the type of flooring to install.

Buy/More Info

Tags: Array, Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Concrete Slab, Dozens, Flooring, Hardwood Floor, Illustrations, Laminate, New Hardwood, New Materials, Oak Hardwood, Old Stuff, Parquet, Plywood, Special Tools, Tile Floor, Type Books, Underlayments, Vapor Barrier