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Flooring Guides & Tips
Expert advice to help you choose, order, and install the perfect floor.
COREtec Tile & Stone Looks: The DIY Alternative to Ceramic and Porcelain (2026)
The COREtec tile we carry puts travertine and marble looks on a waterproof rigid core — warmer than ceramic, easier to install, and no mortar required. Here's how its three lines differ, and when stone-look LVP beats real tile.
September 27, 2026
How to Match New Hardwood to an Existing Floor (Even If It's Discontinued)
An addition, a water-damage repair, a room you finally finished — and the floor you need to match was discontinued years ago. Here's the honest matching checklist, what "close enough" actually tolerates, and the three ways this ends short of replacing everything.
September 26, 2026
Best Place to Buy Flooring Online in 2026: How 11 Online Retailers Compare
We compared 11 online flooring retailers, ourselves included, on dealer status, how you buy, samples, shipping, returns, warranty handling, published reviews, brands and 14 shopping tools. Here's what each store's own pages say, and who each store suits.
September 14, 2026
LVP Wear Layer Explained: What 6, 12, 20, 22 and 30 Mil Mean, and Which to Choose
A mil is one thousandth of an inch, and on vinyl plank it measures the clear wear layer over the design layer. Here is what 6, 12, 20, 22 and 30 mil come to in inches and millimeters, which of them we sell from Shaw and COREtec, which one we'd choose for which home, and what the warranty on each one says.
September 14, 2026
Shaw Hardwood Buying Guide: Repel, The Gallery and Expressions (2026)
Shaw's hardwood lineup confuses most buyers. Repel is water-resistant and American-made. The Gallery is imported oak, birch and hickory, and it includes Expressions, the one 4mm veneer. Here's what each is actually for and which one fits your home.
September 14, 2026
Shaw LVP Buyer's Guide: Classic Series vs Pro Series, and Where 5th and Main Fits (2026)
Shaw makes some of the most-installed luxury vinyl plank in America — but the lineup spans several collection names, four wear-layer tiers, and a wide price gap, and one of those names isn't residential at all. Here's what each is built for and which fits your home.
September 14, 2026
Shaw Repel vs The Gallery Hardwood: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
Repel is Shaw's water-resistant, American-made hardwood. The Gallery is its imported, UV-finished line, home to half the Shaw white oak we carry and its one 4 mm veneer. Here's how they compare, style by style, and where Continental, Gramercy Park and St. Petersburg fit.
September 14, 2026
Will Heavy Furniture Dent Vinyl Plank Flooring? What Holds Up (2026)
Refrigerators, pianos, stone-top islands, a sofa that never moves. Here's the pressure math behind vinyl plank dents, what the industry's static-load test measures, what Shaw and COREtec warranties exclude, and which of our floors we'd put under a fridge.
September 13, 2026
What Flooring Can Go Over a Concrete Slab? Floating vs Glue-Down, Moisture Testing, and What to Buy
Luxury vinyl plank and engineered hardwood can both go directly over a concrete slab. The slab's moisture reading decides which floors qualify; your product decides how it goes down. Here's how to test it, the limits manufacturers set, and which method your floor actually lists.
September 13, 2026
Is COREtec Good Flooring? An Honest Review (2026)
COREtec is a waterproof rigid-core LVP owned by Shaw. Here's where it's strong, where its warranty draws the line, and which buyers should choose something else.
September 13, 2026
Is Shaw Flooring Good? An Honest Review From an Authorized Dealer (2026)
Yes, for most homes. Here's an authorized dealer's honest verdict on Shaw: who owns it, where it's made, what each product family is for, what the warranties really cover, and when another floor fits better.
September 13, 2026
Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Toxic? VOCs, Off-Gassing, and What Flooring Certifications Actually Mean
Vinyl plank can release VOCs, and flooring certifications put numbers on how much. Here's what FloorScore, GREENGUARD Gold, Cradle to Cradle and TSCA Title VI actually test, what they leave out, and which of our floors carry each one.
September 13, 2026
Will Luxury Vinyl Plank Buckle in a Sunroom? Heat, Sunlight, and What to Choose
Vinyl plank can live in a sunroom, but the temperature limits are specific and they differ by core. Here are the numbers from Shaw and COREtec's own installation guides, the expansion-gap and sunlight rules, what the warranty actually excludes, and where engineered hardwood fits.
September 13, 2026
What Is the Best LVP for Pets? Wear Layers, Scratches and Accidents (2026)
Is 12 mil LVP enough for dogs? What actually scratches vinyl plank, what urine does to planks, edges and subfloors, and what Shaw and COREtec warranties really cover, with our picks by household.
September 12, 2026
Anderson Tuftex vs Shaw Hardwood: Is the Premium Tier Worth the Price Jump? (2026)
Anderson Tuftex isn't Shaw's competitor — it's Shaw's own premium hardwood brand. Here's what the price jump actually buys, where the two catalogs overlap, and when standard Shaw is the smarter floor.
September 10, 2026
SPC vs WPC Vinyl Plank: What's the Real Difference — and Which of Our Floors Is Which? (2026)
Every guide explains SPC and WPC in the abstract — stone core versus wood core — and then leaves you to guess which floors are which. Here's the honest explanation, plus the actual map onto the products we sell.
September 3, 2026
What Is the Best Flooring for Stairs? Hardwood, LVP and the Stair Nose (2026)
The best stair floor matches the floor it connects to, is fully glued to every step, and has a stair nose made for your exact color. Here's how hardwood and LVP compare on stairs, what Shaw's step-down directions require for wood and for vinyl, and which of our floors have a matching stair nose.
August 20, 2026
Does COREtec Need Underlayment? Attached Pads on Vinyl Plank, Explained
No. Every COREtec and Shaw vinyl plank we sell has its pad attached, so there is no cushion underlayment to add. Here's what the installation guides say about a second underlayment, what goes over concrete, and what the attached cork or foam pad does and doesn't do.
August 18, 2026
Flooring Transition Strips Explained: T-Molding vs Reducer vs Stair Nose
T-molding, reducer, stair nose, quarter round, thresholds, MPR — the finishing pieces most buyers forget until the floor is already down. Here's what each one does, in plain language, with the exact scenario it's built for.
August 14, 2026
Herringbone Flooring Guide: What Makes the Pattern Premium (2026)
Herringbone reads as premium for a reason — the pattern is a design choice and a labor choice. Here's how the layout works, where to get it in hardwood versus the LVP look, and what to plan for on install.
July 22, 2026
How to Compare Flooring Samples: A Simple Method for Picking the Right Floor
Ordering samples is the easy part. Comparing them well — two or three side by side, in your own light, over a couple of days — is what actually settles the decision. Here's the method we give customers.
July 22, 2026
Anderson Tuftex Tiers Compared: Entry vs Mid vs Premium (2026)
Anderson Tuftex spans four price tiers and a $14 gap per square foot. Here's what each tier actually buys you — and which one fits your home, your budget, and how long you plan to stay.
July 11, 2026
COREtec Originals vs Pro: Which Rigid-Core LVP Should You Buy? (2026)
COREtec's two core tiers solve different problems — Originals (WPC) is softer, warmer, and thicker underfoot, while Pro (SPC) is denser, tougher, and the strongest value in the catalog. Here's how to pick.
July 11, 2026
COREtec vs LifeProof: Which LVP Should You Buy? (2026)
COREtec is a manufacturer-backed rigid-core LVP sold through dealers. LifeProof is Home Depot's private-label brand. Here's how they compare on construction, price, warranty, and how you actually buy them.
July 11, 2026
LVP vs Laminate: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
Nearly all LVP is waterproof; laminate is water-resistant. That single difference decides most of this comparison — and it's why we sell luxury vinyl plank and not laminate. Here's the honest breakdown.
July 11, 2026
Wear Layer vs. Price: What 515 Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors Reveal (2026 Data Study)
We analyzed the wear layer and price of every luxury vinyl plank we sell — 515 SKUs from Shaw and COREtec. Wear layer explains only about half of what you pay, and at 20 mil (two-thirds of the market) prices run from $3.29 to $8.89.
July 11, 2026
Shaw 5th and Main vs Resilient Residential: Commercial vs Residential (2026)
These two get compared as if they were two tiers of one catalog. They aren't. 5th and Main is Shaw's commercial line, quoted by a territory manager; Resilient Residential is the residential catalog a homeowner actually buys — and the one we stock.
July 11, 2026
Best Flooring for Radiant Heated Floors (2026): What Conducts, What Survives
Radiant heat travels up through your floor, so the floor has two jobs at once: conduct heat efficiently and stay flat through years of heating and cooling. Here's what works over in-floor heat, the one material to avoid, and the rules that protect your floor and its warranty.
June 26, 2026
Best Flooring for Basements (Below-Grade) 2026: What Actually Survives
Basements are the hardest room in the house on flooring — moisture rises straight through the concrete slab. Here's what actually survives below grade, why solid hardwood is off the table, and the one test almost everyone skips.
June 20, 2026
COREtec vs Shaw LVP: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
COREtec says it created the rigid-core LVP category, and Shaw, which owns COREtec, sells LVP across a wider price range. When you're choosing between them, here's what actually separates the two brands.
June 9, 2026
Best Waterproof Flooring for Bathrooms (2026): What Actually Survives
Bathrooms punish flooring with constant moisture, splashes, humidity, and the occasional flood. Here's which LVP and LVT products in our catalog actually hold up — and what to avoid.
May 20, 2026
Best Hardwood for High-Traffic Homes: Janka, Wear Layer, and What Lasts
Pets, kids, dropped pans, gym bags. No hardwood comes through a busy household untouched, but some shows it far less. Here's how to pick a floor that earns its place: species, wear layer and finish, and what the warranties leave out.
May 11, 2026
COREtec LVP Buyer's Guide: Originals vs Pro, Classics vs Enhanced vs Premium (2026)
COREtec's own site shows three collections; the 30 styles we carry are filed into eight, from $4.09 to $10.69 per square foot. Here's what Classics, Enhanced and Premium mean on the spec sheet, and how to choose between the collections.
May 11, 2026
Engineered Hardwood Wear Layer Explained: What 1.2mm, 3mm and 6mm Mean for Your Floor
Wear layer is the single most important spec on an engineered hardwood floor — and the one most buyers ignore. Here's what 1.2mm, 2mm, 4mm, and 6mm actually mean for whether the floor can ever be sanded.
May 11, 2026
LVP vs Engineered Hardwood: Which Should You Actually Buy? (2026 Decision Guide)
LVP costs less and handles water better. Engineered hardwood adds more home value and reads as more premium. Here's the honest framework — no winner declared upfront.
May 11, 2026
Solid vs Engineered Hardwood: Which Should You Actually Buy?
Solid hardwood has more wood to sand. Engineered hardwood handles more conditions. Here's the honest decision framework — including when we'd tell you to buy solid hardwood from somewhere else.
May 11, 2026
Anderson Tuftex Hardwood Buyer's Guide: 21 Styles, $7.79–$21.99/sq ft
Anderson Tuftex makes some of the best engineered hardwood in the U.S. — but their lineup spans 21 styles and a $14 price gap. Here's how to navigate it without overpaying or underbuying.
May 10, 2026
Anderson Tuftex Hardwood Review: Is the Premium Price Worth It?
Anderson Tuftex is Shaw's premium hardwood brand. Here's who it's right for — and who should buy something else.
May 10, 2026
Best Engineered Hardwood for Kitchens (2026): What Actually Holds Up
Hardwood in the kitchen is a real choice, not a compromise — if you pick correctly. Here's what wear layer, water resistance, and species hardness actually mean for your floor.
May 9, 2026
The Right Way to Evaluate Flooring Samples at Home
Don't judge a floor under showroom lights. Here's how to properly evaluate samples in your space before you buy.
May 3, 2026
Shaw Floors vs. LifeProof: Which Is Actually Better?
LifeProof is a Home Depot house brand. Shaw has been manufacturing its own flooring since 1967. Here's how they compare on quality and value.
April 26, 2026
LVP Flooring Installation: What to Expect Start to Finish
A homeowner's guide to what your installer should be doing — subfloor prep, acclimation, underlayment, and transitions.
April 18, 2026
What Does 'Waterproof Flooring' Actually Mean? (Most Brands Overpromise)
Every flooring brand claims waterproof. Most are exaggerating. Here's what the term actually means and what to look for.
April 15, 2026
What Is COREtec Flooring? Rigid Core, Attached Pad and What It Costs
COREtec is a Shaw Industries brand of waterproof rigid-core luxury vinyl: a WPC or SPC core under a clear wear layer, with a pad attached to the back. Here's how a plank is built, what its installation guides require, and what the three lines we carry cost.
April 12, 2026
Hardwood Flooring Acclimation: What the Installation Guides Ask For
Wood moves with humidity. For the engineered hardwood we sell, getting ready is a conditioned home and a moisture test, not a number of days. Here's what Shaw's and Anderson Tuftex's installation guides ask for.
April 8, 2026
How to Find a Good Flooring Installer (And 5 Red Flags to Avoid)
The floor is only as good as the installation. Here's how to hire someone you can trust — and what to watch out for.
April 2, 2026
The Real Cost of New Flooring: A Room-by-Room Breakdown (2026)
Material, installation, removal, and extras — here's what new flooring actually costs per square foot with real numbers.
March 28, 2026
Is Buying Flooring Online Safe? What to Know Before You Order
The concerns are real — can't see it, might be damaged, color might differ. Here's how each one is actually handled.
March 22, 2026
How Much Flooring Do I Need? The Complete Room Calculator Guide
Learn exactly how to measure your rooms, calculate square footage, account for waste, and order the right number of cartons.
March 18, 2026
What to Expect on Delivery Day: A Homeowner's LTL Freight Guide
First time receiving a freight delivery? Here's everything you need to know about LTL shipping, inspecting your order, and avoiding common mistakes.
March 15, 2026