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Some root cellars are made with concrete, but a dirt floor may be better for your crops' longevity. Dirt can help maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity level, while the concrete might suck up all the moisture. Dirt floors can also bring down the overall cost of your root cellar. But, if you’re going with a dirt floor, make sure you properly insulate between your house and the root cellar.

It’s possible to reuse household materials to cover floors, but they won’t provide the same level of protection as dedicated materials. They’re also more difficult to tape down and more prone to slipping and bunching up—and any dirt or debris on them could scratch or stain your floors. That being said, extra materials like these can be useful for protecting the sides of furniture and placing in areas that could use added protection.

Laminate is a sturdy material that lasts 15 to 25 years if it’s properly maintained and isn’t damaged. Laminate with a higher AC rating lasts longer than laminate with a lower AC rating. For the most longevity, put laminate with an AC1 rating in low-traffic areas and use laminate with an AC3 or AC4 rating in high-traffic areas like entryways.

Carpet stretching can be a worthwhile investment to increase the lifespan of your carpet and eliminate unsightly wrinkles, ridges, and ripples. For an older carpet that is in relatively good condition aside from some wrinkling or bubbling, restretching can make it look like new and extend its life by at least a couple of years. You should consider restretching when you notice looseness or other related issues.

However, it's important to note that stretching will not fix issues like stains, wear in the pile, or discoloration. Consider replacing the carpet instead if the repair cost is more than 50% of the price of a new one. Additionally, if your carpet is past its expected lifespan of five to 15 years, or if it has been stretched multiple times already, replacement is likely a better option.