Looking to start your next home improvement or DIY project but have questions or don’t know where to begin? You don’t have to tackle it alone. Ask the experts in building materials at Mid-Cape Home Centers, with 125 years of experience that builds.
Question 1
I have a two-part question. I’m thinking of putting in hardwood floors in my house. I don’t like the sound the laminate flooring gives off. I think it sounds hollow. I do have a dog. Should I still be looking at real solid wood? I want durability but also a more solid-sounding floor. What options should I look at? Second part: I’m pretty handy. Is this a job I can tackle myself? —Robert M.
Hi, Robert!
There are many factors that play into deciding on the type of flooring that is right for your home. Depending on the style or look you are seeking, hardwood floors can be a great option. Your concern of scratches being caused by a pet is valid. Even that, however, depends on the pet. One 20-pound dog may not do damage to most hardwood floors, but a 100-pound dog certainly can.
If your preference is to go with a hardwood floor and you have a larger dog, I would suggest a rustic or wire-brushed texture to hide any scratches that occur. A traditional smooth finish will have more of a tendency to show scratches and may not be the best option with a large dog. When it comes to installation, there are many types of hardwood floors. Traditional tongue-and-groove solid or engineered hardwood will require some specialty tools and a higher skill level for installation. Floating engineered hardwood with a locking system designed to be installed over your existing subfloor such as Hartco HydroBlok, is a more DIY-friendly option. Hartco HydroBlok is made with a dense waterproof core, tough urethane finish and an antimicrobial coating to help protect against spills, provide a dent-resistant surface, protect against scratching and inhibit bacteria growth.
Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank is another option that would hold up well in an active household with pets, while providing much less of a hollow sound than a traditional laminate. Vinyl Plank products like Armstrong Rigid Core and Chesapeake Rigid Core allow for more of a DIY installation with minimal tools and a moderate skill level. Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank products have the benefit of a waterproof core and tough urethane coatings to help prevent against everyday wear and tear.
Mark Dolata
Flooring Specialist,
Mid-Cape Home Centers
Question 2
What is the best way to refinish my deck (wood)? And when to do it? —Alex R.
When is the most important question to answer. If you are refinishing a wood deck, there is a lot of maintenance involved because, whether it is pressure-treated or not, it is still wood. You should be prepared to refinish your wood deck every two to three years to preserve your wood of choice. Refinishing your deck in some cases is something most homeowners can do. However, sometimes it is necessary to bring in a professional.
The best way to begin this process is by power washing to start. Deep cleaning wood is very important. However, you don’t want to use too much pressure when doing this because you might compromise the integrity of the wood. For softer woods like yellow pine and fir, you should be dialed in between 500 and 600 psi, and for harder woods like ipe and garapa you will need to be in the 1,200 1,500 psi range. Once you’ve compromised the wood, you may need to replace the material sooner than you deem necessary.
Once the deck has been cleaned, you will want to make sure it is thoroughly dry. I personally wouldn’t start this project until the weather allows for a series of warm, dry days. Once the deck is dry, you can begin the sanding process, which will help smooth the wood surface and will make the treatment stick to the surface a little better. In a refinish job, I would start with something coarse such as 50 grit to rip up what is left behind of the pressure washing and run back over it with 80 to 100 grit to soften it a little bit more if you so choose.
The next step is finding the finish. I don’t want to plug any one particular manufacturer. I would ask someone in your paint center; those guys really know their stuff! There truly are a multitude of applications for paint and stain that will work for some and not for others. I always recommend asking a paint center pro before making a purchasing decision.
Picking the right brush, believe it or not, is important. You should use a synthetic brush. Nylon/polyester and foam typically due the trick because they don’t typically leave behind pieces of bristle in the area where you are working. You will also want a brush size appropriate for the area you are working in. You do not want to use a 2-inch chip brush to refinish a 500-square-foot deck. And lastly, make sure that brush or roller is comfortable for you to use. There are plenty of available extensions for brushes and rollers to make them longer so that you can do this project while standing. My final recommendation is to start from the farthest point on the deck so that if you need to stop or take a break, you aren’t walking in the area that you just treated. The best place to finish your project would be by a set of stairs or nearest the door so that you can hit that last spot from the ground or inside the house.
Andrew Leandre
Exterior Envelope Specialist,
Mid-Cape Home Centers
Question 3
How do I upgrade my bathtub to a spa tub? How to choose the right one? —Margaret V.
Hello, Margaret.
Making an upgrade to a spa from a bathtub takes a few steps before you decide which product will be best for you. There are many different styles and brands of spas on the market, with a variety of options. It really depends on whether you are looking for extra relaxation or if you are looking for something that is focused more on therapy. Some spas look much like your standard bathtub but will include water jets, and others will be more of a “hot tub” with heating elements and power jets. This is great if you are involved in sports or have a physical occupation and need some extra care after a long day. Once you determine which option will best fit your needs, you’ll want to reach out to a contractor, as the style and size will determine if alterations need to be made to your current space. Some units may require a frame for support. You will then want to contact a plumber to assess your plumbing to see if an additional water source and drainage will be needed. And lastly, you will want to contact an electrician due to the heating elements and digital touch pads that operate the jets and heat options. A spa can be a great addition to your bath once you decide which option will work best for you!
Ronda Ciocca
Kitchen & Bath Manager,
Mid-Cape Home Centers