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
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 structural stability or strength like engineered wood flooring or plastic laminate. Anything underneath that might be soft could make the floor unstable. You could get some waviness and some joint separation.
Try Homasote ComfortBase. It’s an engineered bottom surface that provides a built-in ventilation system that allows concrete to breathe naturally without causing panels to curl or bow.
Insulating Recessed Lights
Inside air can escape through the crevices around recessed lights. Make sure there’s a proper layer of insulation above them. (DepositPhotos)
Adding insulation to your attic is one of the best returns on your home improvement dollar. And, it’s a lot easier than you think because you don’t have to do it all at once. Every time you put a piece of insulation in your attic, you’re going to be saving money.
But, if you have recessed lights, how do you insulate those? Some units have an IC rating, meaning they can come in contact with insulation. If your units don’t have this rating, here’s what you need to do:
Change to LEDs if you haven’t already. This will reduce the amount of heat generated by the lights.
Create 1-by-1-by-1 baskets from hardware cloth, pull the insulation back, and set each basket on top of the drywall, encasing the can.
Then cover it with insulation.
Attic insulation should have an R-value of 36-38. You can achieve this by adding about 13-14 inches of insulation.
Hour 2
Listen for an easy way to cut insulation, how to remove metal dust from a painted door and more.
Easy Way to Cut Insulation
To cut thick batts or rolls of fiberglass insulation easily, use an extendable utility knife that has snap-off blades. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
To cut insulation squarely and accurately use a utility knife with snap-off blade. Extend the blade all the way out and lock it. The resulting 3- to 4-inch blade will make it easier to cut through thick batts of insulation.
Position the insulation on a piece of scrap plywood where you want to cut it.
Lay the straight edge of a piece of wood across the insulation.
Kneel on one end of the insulation to compress it and run the blade down the edge of the wood for a nice square cut.
For thicker pieces of fiberglass insulation use a board to compact the insulation and provide a straight edge for cutting.
Remember, to keep the fibers from irritating your skin wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, gloves, dust mask and safety glasses.
Tightly secured pins in door hinges can shave off metal dust over time. (Photo illustration: Jupiterimages, Photo Images)
Kristin in Oregon recently installed new hinges on all the doors in her master bedroom, closet and bathroom.
Now, after about six months, there’s black dust on the newly painted doors all around the hinges.
“Any idea what’s causing this? And how do I clean it off?” she asks.
Assuming no one put graphite lubricant on it, it’s probably metal dust. Because they’re new, the pins are probably lodged tightly inside the hinge, and the friction is causing the dust to deposit on the door.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sponge will wipe those dust spots right off. They’re not abrasive, to they won’t damage the new paint job on your doors.
Sooner or later, enough metal will rub off the pins, and they won’t create this black dust, but there is a way to prevent this:
Tap out the hinge pins
Sand them with 120-grit sandpaper
Buff them clean
Apply a single bead of light machine oil to the pins
Spooky season is creeping up on us, so it’s time to start thinking about ways to bring the spirit of Halloween to your fall decor.
From the scary to the silly, The Home Depot has a wide variety of fall and Halloween decorations that will set the tone no matter what your personal style.
Or, do you prefer more silly and family-family friendly yard fare? The Home Depot offers inflatables featuring some favorite Hollywood characters from classic films and shows – perfect for the kids!
For a more hands-on approach, The Home Depot has a wide variety of projects on HomeDepot.com that are perfect to round out your Halloween collection this year, from how to decorate and carve a pumpkin, to how to make a jack-o’lantern flower pot or candy holder for your porch.
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Simple Solutions
When painting, tear off a sheet of plastic food wrap to the length needed, and apply it, adhesive side down, to the surface you want to protect. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Press-in-Place Paint Protection — Protect surfaces from paint spatters by covering them with adhesive-backed plastic food wrap, such as Glad’s Press/N Seal.
This trick is great for protecting items that can’t easily be moved out of the way, such as toilets, light fixtures, sinks and counters.
Restore wood glue to its original consistency with some water and a hex-key wrench. (EasyBuy4u, Getty Images Signature)
Rescue Old Wood Glue — When old wood glue becomes too thick to dispense easily, twist off the bottle top and pour out as much glue as possible into a small bowl.
Then, add a couple of tablespoons of water and mix with a hex-key wrench chucked into a drill.
When the glue is the right consistency, pour it back into its original bottle.
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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
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 grout that’s light or dark enough for contrast.
Once you’ve answered these questions, it will be easier to determine which grout color will best suit the project.
When picking grout color for a backsplash, consider coordinating the color with the countertops. (TimAbramowitz, Getty Images Signature)
Room Colors
Look beyond the colors in the tile for grout color inspiration. Consider the walls, surfaces or fixtures, and use color theory to find a grout color based on those.
Maryville University describes color theory as the art of combining colors based on the color wheel to create harmonious color schemes.
Complementary colors are found opposite each other on the color wheel. (Adobe Stock)
The color wheel is an arrangement of all colors on the spectrum based on their relationships. To choose a grout color, use the wheel to create a color palette and find a complementary color.
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. They enhance each other’s intensity when placed right next to each other, which is why they’re often used to create bold, high-contrast images that pop.
So, for instance, if your room is blue, choose a grout color with orange or yellow hues. Or if your room has shades of green, find a grout that has hints of mauve.
Dirt and spills are more noticeable on lighter-colored grout. (makasanaphoto, Canva)
Cleaning and Maintenance
Grout color can also have a major impact on tile installation and maintenance.
A lighter-colored grout can be easier to clean off the surface of tile during installation but is more difficult to maintain in high-traffic areas.
Dirt and spills are more noticeable, though a good sealer and cleaner can help to maintain the look of the original installation.
Darker grouts, meanwhile, may be more challenging to clean and are more noticeable on the surface of porous tile. Pre-sealing the tile can help eliminate this issue.
Once installed, darker grout does not show wear, dirt or damage as easily. In commercial kitchens, darker grout accents tiles and reduces the appearance of stains.
Fusion Pro Grout from Custom Building Products is stain resistant — no sealing is required. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Custom Building Products Grout Selection
Once you choose a color, the next important decision is what type of grout to use.
Custom Building Products’ designer-inspired palette of grout colors provides 40 of the most popular shades.
Whether your installation requires a subtle color that matches the tile or a striking shade that accents your installation’s beauty, you can find the perfect grout with the performance characteristics that you need.
Grout Types
Fusion Pro Single Component Grout is a professional-grade sanded grout that features stain resistance with no sealing required. You don’t need to mix any other components to this grout, so it’s ready to use and easy to spread and clean. Fusion Pro can be installed in commercial and residential environments, interiors and exteriors, and on walls, floors and shower floors. Its patented formulation can be applied on all tiles and has built-in Microban antimicrobial product protection.
Prism Ultimate Performance Grout: Prism’s calcium Aluminate cement-based, latex polymer-modified formula offers consistent color with no shading regardless of tile type, temperature or humidity, and it will not effloresce. The rapid-setting formula results in high early strength and dense grout joints up to a half-inch. A unique blend of lightweight recycled glass and fine aggregate sand allows for a smooth consistency that is easy to spread and clean.
Polyblend Plus Sanded is a polymer-modified, cement-based sanded grout that produces hard, dense joints that resist shrinking, cracking, and wear. Formulated for durability, Polyblend Plus Sanded Grout accommodates 1/8- to 1/2-inch joints for interior or exterior installations, including floors, countertops, walls, ceilings, showers, fountains, and pools.
Polyblend Plus Non-Sanded is a polymer-modified, cement-based unsanded grout designed for highly glazed or polished tile, marble and natural stone that sanded grouts would scratch. This durable, non-shrinking grout accommodates joints up to 1/8-inch and can be used for interior or exterior installations, including floors, countertops, walls, ceilings, showers, fountains and pools.
SimpleGrout Pre-Mixed Grout is no-mix, no-mess alternative to traditional grout. This sanded, shrink- and crack-resistant formula also resists common household stains. SimpleGrout is easy to use, ideal for grout restoration and is available in eight colors.
No matter which grout you choose, always mix it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, if required. Improperly mixing the grout can lead to uneven color pigment distribution, which causes blotchy and inconsistently colored grout lines.
You don’t have to mix single-component grouts like Fusion Pro and premixed grouts like SimpleGrout; the color is already evenly distributed.
Find a caulk that matches the color of your grout for use on movement joints and changes of plane like Custom’s Commercial 100% Silicone Caulk. It’s easier to match grout colors when selecting both products from the same manufacturer, as the manufacturer will have designed the products to have the same hue.
Grout usually takes several days to cure and set, so if you’re concerned about color right after installation, give it time to get its final color.
Similarly, the color of the powder before installation and curing is different from the color of the finished plaster treated. Slight variations may occur based on mixing methods and drying conditions.
From reclaimed hardwood to modern laminate, the texture and warmth of wooden flooring is a prominent choice for many homeowners. However, before you make a choice, you have to familiarize yourself with the best types of wood floors. In our wood flooring guide, we are revealing the best types and everything you should know about them.
Tongue-and-Groove Flooring
With tongue-and-groove flooring, every plank has an extending tongue at its ends that fit into the grooves on the adjacent planks. It can be quite complicated to fix tongue-and-groove together. If you get any angle wrong, you might displace the planks that you have already joined.
This is a compacted fibreboard plank, enveloped with a visual image of woods with a protecting overlay. Quality differs significantly, so it is recommended you purchase the best quality possible. The pros of laminate flooring are that it is quite cheap, easy to install, and there are many styles available. However, it doesn’t always look and feel real, and poorly installed laminate flooring can discourage homebuyers.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Every engineered wood floorboard consists of three or four layers of hardwood, lodged together to make a plank about 14mm thick. It also has an authentic wood veneer of about 4mm thick at the top, which means that it can be sanded down and treated to bring back its original finish when it becomes damaged, scuffed, or worn. Engineered wood flooring is quite stable and less susceptible to changes brought about by temperature. However, it is generally more expensive and difficult to install.
Every solid wood floorboard is created from a single chunk of wood, which is usually about 18-20mm thick. It is generally fitted using the tongue-and-groove flooring system. If it is damaged or worn out, you can sand it down to bring back its original finish. However, the amount of times this can be done is ascertained by how far down the tongue is fixed from the top of the floorboard. The pros of this flooring type are that it is quite appealing to homebuyers because of its classic feel and look. However, it decreases in dry conditions and increases when damp. It is also tough to install.
Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Reclaimed wood flooring is durable timber that has been used before on an older property but is being recovered to be reused. Many individuals wonder how to install reclaimed wood flooring. The process can be complicated so it is recommended you hire a flooring company. The pros of this flooring type are that it is eco-friendly, aesthetically appealing, and will get more valuable over time. However, it can be very expensive and could contain concealed dangers, such as protruding nails.
Flooring is an integral part of every home construction, and it has a big role to play in interior design. As aesthetically pleasing wood flooring can be, you have to go for more than just beauty. You have to consider other factors like cost, installation process, and durability.
As a savvy homeowner, you will probably have a checklist to get your home set for the upcoming winter. Besides ensuring that the heating is functioning and your home is well insulated, if you’ve put your thick rugs away during the summer, it’s now time to get them out again. After months of summer storage they’ll need a bit of prep – and even if they’ve been in place all summer, it’s a good idea to give them a thorough clean. Winter can be harsh on your precious rugs, especially if they are regularly walked on, and closed doors and heating can lead to germs in the carpet fibres. Here is a pre-winter rug care checklist to keep your rugs clean and in tip-top condition for the harsh weather ahead.
Surprisingly, the best way to start with rug care is by cleaning outdoors. A muddy driveway and messy lawn can worsen once poor weather and rain sets in. Invest time in a thorough clean-up and decluttering job for the outdoor areas. Go ahead with repairs where needed. You will have a much more comfortable season and a cleaner home with grime-free rugs.
Place sturdy mats at entry points
Protecting your precious carpets and rugs is easy if you ditch the dirt before it enters your living space. Placing sturdy mats at all entry points is an excellent solution. A good one can easily catch quite a lot of mud, dirt, and grime that may reach your home with the shoes of people who step in. The worst part is they can easily lodge themselves in the depths of the rug fibres, but doormats surely work as a robust defence.
Autumn is an ideal time to get a cleaning job for your delicate floor dressing pieces, even if you bring them out from the storage area. Get a professional rug cleaning job to clear all the dirt, germs, and grime. A clean and dirt-free rug will help elevate the look of your interior. Of course, another job will be essential after the festivities. So you can schedule it with the provider right now.
Commit to regular vacuuming
Regular vacuuming for your rugs is a no-brainer, and you must do it throughout the year. You will probably have to be even more regular once the Christmas festivities begin because the foot traffic in your home will likely increase. Regular cleaning keeps the carpets looking good throughout the winter, but remember to be gentle as you will not want to harm the fragile fibres.
Another pre-winter task to do is create and enforce rug hygiene rules for families and visitors. Ensure no one eats and drinks around the precious pieces, and keep them off-limit for craft work. Dealing with spills and leaks is the last thing you want to do. You can also educate your kids about removing shoes upon entering the house. Be careful about dirty paws too if you have a pet at home.
Getting your rugs winter-ready is about investing in extra care during the autumn, so you can safeguard your flooring during the cold and wet months to come.
Rugs work like a wonder when enhancing the look of the room and your home as a whole. And not only at home, but in offices as well! Rugs are such a decorative element in your home that will always look good no matter where you place them. But finding the perfect rug for a room might be a difficult task for some.
There are a wide variety of rugs styles and designs available, including modern and vintage styles. If you feel overwhelmed when choosing, we’ve selected a few popular rug trends to narrow down the plethora of options you have in the market. So whether you’re after a woodland area rug with a contemporary aesthetic, an eco-friendly plant-based rug or a striking geometric design, we’ve got ideas to help guide you on your rug buying mission.
1. Eco-Friendly Plant-based Area Rugs
Photo by Andrea Davis on Pexels
As the world is moving towards eco-friendly products for places, plant-based area rugs are a top rug trends. These plant-based rugs are made from materials like jute, sisal, sea grass, and coir and they’re unconventional materials that provide the rugs with a unique and beautiful texture while making the place aesthetically more pleasing.
No carbon footprint is left with these rugs as they are completely recyclable and biodegradable. These eco-friendly rugs come in every shape and size to suit your ambiance.
2. Geometric Rugs
Geometric rugs never seem to go out of fashion. A geometric design rugs helps give your space an artistic look that is appealing to the eyes. They can be used with other patterned decor for a maximalist feel, but if you’re unsure about mixing patterns, stick to using them with neutral coloured furniture and decor.
While selecting a geometric rug it helps to consider the size of the rug you need. A smaller print can work best for a smaller rug and a bigger print for a larger rug.
Vintage and ethnic style rugs are full of colour and pattern. They’re traditionally handmade and used to be very prices, but lots more industries are now manufacturing similar rugs, so you could pick up a bargain. Choose a colour and print that you love and won’t get tired of.
Vintage rugs can be used to create the perfect vintage interior decor scheme, or can be effectively used alongside modern and contemporary styles.
4. Warm and Fluffy Microfibre Rugs
We bet that if you buy a microfiber rug then you will have the best time walking on it! But with this, we must also remind you that these rugs are the most delicate and require a lot of care.
Do keep in mind though that these particular rugs are not the best choice if you are concerned about thehealth of your loved ones – you may want to avoid microfibre rugs if you have young babies or toddlers in your home.
If you are set on buying a microfibre rug, skip the prints and choose a plain colour that complements your decor. Warmer colours, such as shades or red and terracotta, could help a chilly room feel warmer.
5. Contemporary Coloured Area Rugs
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels
These contemporary area rugs can lighten up any room. They are brightly coloured area rugs that can easily be placed in your living room, gaming room, or even your children’s bedrooms.
These rugs are available in several materials ranging from polycotton to natural fibres. You can easily mix and match contemporary rugs with the ambiance of any room in your home.
Rugs aren’t just a purchase, they’re an investment. A good rug will help augment the style of your home. So, if you need an area rug, dive into the market and explore the many options and rug trends available.
Featured image credit: Photo by Vecislavas Popa on Pexels
