Radiant flooring heating systems are an energy efficient way to gently warm a room by heating the floor. This system from Uponor uses hot water piped through a closed loop of flexible PEX plastic tubing.

First, the floor system—consisting of machined strips of plywood with a dovetailed groove to receive the plastic tubing—was screwed down to the subfloor. The curved returns at each end of the room allow one continuous piece of tubing to loop back and forth across the floor without any joints.

Once the track was in place, a bead of silicone caulking was applied to the bottom of the groove, and the plastic tubing hammered into it with a rubber mallet. A pump is used to circulate hot water through the tubing from a 2½ gallon hot water tank to warm the floor.

More information on this project can be found at (637) Today’s Addition (Part 1).

To remove an existing tile, use a nail set to mark the surface then drill holes through the tile using carbide tipped masonry bit. Finally, chisel away the title with a cold chisel and remove any loose mortar.

To cut door jambs so flooring will fit under them, turn a piece of flooring over to use as a guide. Lay a handsaw flat on top of the flooring and saw through the jamb.

I put polyurethane on cabinets after I stained them. Now a week later, I find oil on the surface of the cabinets, and when I try to clean it, it leaves dull spots. I don’t know what to do, or what is the problem. H-E-E-E-E-L-P!!! - Thomas

Thomas,

Polyurethane finishes should dry hard in a matter of hours and not bleed oil as yours is doing. Here are some possible reasons for the problem:

• Using an old or partially used can of finish.
• Using a can of finish that has been subjected to extreme temperatures.
• Not stirring the finish thoroughly before application.
• Applying the finish outside the recommended temperature and humidity range.
• Applying over an oily surface, or over certain exotic woods—like rosewood, teak, ebony, and cocobolo—that contain natural oils.

If you have followed these guidelines, the problem may be with the finish itself.

As far as solving your problem goes, if the finish has stopped bleeding oil and feels like it has dried hard, you might be able to even out the gloss by wiping the cabinets down with a rag dampened with mineral spirits (assuming it was oil-based polyurethane) followed by a dry cloth. Be sure to extinguish any pilot lights and open flames and use adequate ventilation when working indoors with mineral spirits.

If the gloss is still uneven, try sanding it lightly with 220 grit sandpaper and applying another coat of finish. Use a fresh can of the same finish from a different store in case the batch in question was bad. If you continue to have problems, the only alternative might be to strip the cabinets and start all over again.

Good luck,

Hi Donna,

Yes, you can lay a wood floor over tile if the existing floor is in good shape and without cracks. I would suggest 3/8” thick, prefinished engineered hardwood flooring. You can install it either as a floating floor that locks together and is not attached to the tile, or glue it down. Check to be sure the existing floor is flat first and fill in any low spots with leveling compound. If the floor is being glued to a slick surface, rough the tiles up a bit by sanding them to allow the adhesive to adhere better.

Good luck with your project,

This small room is perfect for a piece of low pile commercial carpet we picked up for $100. Start by aligning the factory cut edges of the carpet against two of the adjoining walls in the room.

Press the carpet firmly against the remaining walls with a 6” drywall knife, then cut through it using a sharp utility knife.

The drywall knife holds the carpet in place and acts as a guide for the cuts.

After the carpet has been cut to fit, fold it back and spread adhesive around the perimeter of the room with a notched trowel.

Carefully position the carpet on the floor, and use the drywall knife to press it into the glue.

Can I lay ceramic tile over vinyl tile in my kitchen? I really don’t want to pull up the vinyl. -Linda

Linda,

We receive more questions about tiling over an existing floor than any other. It seems like everyone wants to know what to do when they replace the floor in their kitchen or bath.

If the existing vinyl floor was installed over concrete and is glued down firmly, you should be able to tile right over it without any problem. Scrub the floor first to remove any dirt and grease then apply a bed of thin-set mortar and tile.

If the vinyl was applied over a wood subfloor, you should install ½” cement backerboard on top of it first, using corrosion resistant screws driven into the floor joists. Another option to backerboard on wood floors is one of the new polyethylene membranes such as Schluter®-DITRA. At only 1/8” thick, it can shave 3/8” off the finished thickness of your floor if height is a problem.

You can also tile directly over an existing tile floor as long as it is sound. As with vinyl, clean it first so the mortar will adhere well to the old tile.

For more information on tiling, check out our articles Tiling a Floor and Installing Tile Over a Wood Subfloor.

More and more materials for countertops and floors are available that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly. One product called shetkaSTONE is made from recycled paper, plant, and cloth fibers. While it has the look of stone, it can be cut and screwed like wood. It is water and stain resistant and comes in a number of colors. Best of all shetkaSTONE can be recycled again if it is ever replaced.

Richlite® is another countertop material made from paper combined with phenolic resin to form a chemically inert product that doesn’t release harmful gases into the air. It is harder than wood, stain resistant, and can be heated up to 350° without scorching. Unlike stone, Richlite® countertops can be cantilevered without additional reinforcement underneath.

IceStone® is made from recycled glass mixed with concrete to create a durable material that is environmentally friendly. It comes in dozens of colors and patterns and can be used on anything from kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities to shower surrounds and flooring.

Marmoleum linoleum floor tiles are made from a combination of natural ingredients including linseed oil, limestone, wood flour, and organic pigments. The natural antibacterial properties and lack of chemical gases make it the perfect flooring for those suffering from allergies or asthma. It is available in over 100 mix and match colors and installed with adhesive. Marmoleum® Click is a similar product that easily locks together to provide a homeowner friendly installation that doesn’t require glue.

While linoleum is much easier on your feet than ceramic tile, for the ultimate in cushioned comfort you might consider cork flooring. It is harvested every few years from the bark of the cork oak without killing the tree. The cork is then ground and pressed together into floor tiles that are surprisingly durable, given their resilient nature.

Bamboo is sustainable wood flooring, but unlike cork, it is as hard or harder than oak or maple. Bamboo comes prefinished in either a light natural color or carbonized to a dark brown and is available with vertical or horizontal grain. Both cork and bamboo flooring are available at The Home Depot.

Sandhill Industries manufactures ecofriendly wall tiles from 100% recycled glass that require half the energy to make than ceramic tile. They are available in a number of mosaic patterns and vibrant colors.

Nowhere is the charm of an older home more apparent than in the rich look of heart pine floors. Cut from the dense heartwood near the center of virgin longleaf pine trees, heart pine is prized for its fine grain, durability, and lasting beauty.

The floor in this century old house had been hidden under a layer of glued down carpet. Since trying to dissolve the adhesive with solvent would only have forced it further into the grain and cracks, it was decided to sand it off instead.

Once the glue had been removed with a floor sander and course grit sandpaper, the floor was sanded again using finer grits of paper.

Sanding dust from the floor was mixed with lacquer sealer and toweled over the entire surface to fill any cracks between the boards.

After it had dried, the floor was sanded again to remove any excess sealer then stained with Early American wood stain to reduce the yellow tones in the wood.

When the stain had dried, a semi gloss finish was applied to the floor with a lamb’s wool applicator.

The beautiful look and durable surface of this heart pine floor is one the homeowners will enjoy for years to come.

I currently have a dated ceramic bathroom tile floor originally installed over a cement and mortar base. The ceramic tiles are about 6 inch square with a matte finish and about 1/4″ thick with 1/4″ sanded grouting. Is it possible to tile on top of the existing tiles with thin set mortar? If so, are there any preparations to the existing tiles required? Your advice would be appreciated, James

James,

Yes, you can lay tile over an existing tile floor as long as it is in good condition with no major cracks or settling. Keep in mind, however, that it will raise the height of the floor, which might require cutting off the bottom of the bathroom door. You will also need to take the toilet out before installing the tile and replace the existing toilet flange bolts if they aren’t long enough for the added height. If any of the old tiles are loose, reattach them to the floor, and fill in any missing spots. After cleaning the floor thoroughly, lay the tile with thin-set adhesive. For more detailed information on how to tile over tile, check out the online video from our Bathroom Makeover show.

Related Links

• Tiling a Floor
• Installing Tile Over a Wood Subfloor
• Hiring a Tiling Contractor