Frequently Asked Questions
What is luxury vinyl tile??
LVT is made of layers which typically include a wear layer, an image layer, a core layer, and backing layer. The wear layer is typically made of polyurethane treated plastic or aluminum oxide which creates scratch and UV resistant surface. Below the wear layer is the image and texture layer where the desired look of the floor is printed on a textured surface designed to make it look and feel like the product it is imitating (e.g. wood, stone)
What does scratch resistant mean?
This means any floor that is highly durable, long lasting, and resistant to moisture, scratches, and indents. They also can help lessen that sound your pets’ nails make on the floor. Natural stone tile is probably best. Style-wise, vinyl has come a long way. Most vinyl floor tiles and planks are designed to mimic stone or wood patterns. Laminate is another artificial wood product that’s extremely strong: the sealant layer on laminate makes it scratch resistant
What kind of flooring should I use in my basement?
Any flooring installed below grade (i.e. below the ground floor) needs to be resistant to moisture. Solid hardwood flooring, usually, is a poor choice for below grade flooring. Engineered hardwood specifically designed to be moisture resistant, however, is a very popular flooring choice. Note, however, that this only means it will stand up to the normal moisture caused by water vapor filtering through the concrete foundation of most homes. Basements, as we all (unfortunately) know, flood!
What flooring provides the best durability?
Bamboo, stained concrete, vinyl flooring and then ceramic tile.
What is the general turnaround time from placed order to completion of installation?
Generally it is 2 to 3 weeks. It truly depends on the material, the type of installation and other factors like availability.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain?
Porcelain generally costs more than ceramic tile. At the same time, porcelain is more durable and longer lasting, so it may be the cheaper of the two over the life of the installation. Porcelain is also less porous, making it easier to clean and less likely to stain.
Is laminate flooring waterproof?
No. Laminate is getting more durable as manufacturers improve laminate's wear layer and base. That top layer is amazingly resistant to scratches from dog claws and chairs.
What type of maintenance is required for hardwood?
Solid hardwood is thick and can be sanded and re-sanded many times. Use felt protector pads and never drag heavy objects across the floor. For daily maintenance clean your floor using a microfibre mop and wipe up spills immediately.
What type of flooring and colors would are best for resale value?
Mid-tone is the right way to go. Dark floors will show every speck of dust and pet hair and foot prints. Light floors will show dirt and wear. Make sure no orange tones and the finish is not ultra shiny.
What is engineered hardwood?
On its top, engineered wood flooring is real hardwood. This part is a thin layer of 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch veneer wood. This top finish layer is almost always pre-finished. This means that the floor has already been sanded, stained, and sealed.
Is it OK to use glossy tile on the floor?
It is ok to use glossy tile on floors because of a newer, industry-wide standard measuring the coefficient of friction for ceramic tile delivers better results and an improved measure of floor safety. Specifiers should always follow manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations when selecting these products.
What goes under vinyl flooring?
What goes under vinyl flooring?
How do I maintain my carpet so it lasts?
Maintain your new carpet’s appearance and prolong its life by wiping your feet, vacuuming carpet regularly and removing stains quickly. Deep clean periodically by a professional.
How do I measure for carpet?
Measure the length and width of each room, halls and closets. Calculate the square footage of by multiplying the width of the room by the length of the room. Make allowances for doorways and appropriate measurements for stairs.
What kind of flooring is best for pets?
Porcelain tile is the best of all worlds for pets as well. Porcelain is stain resistant and scratch resistant. Most vinyl floor tiles and planks are scratch resistant and designed to mimic stone or wood patterns.
What kind of flooring is best for my bathroom?
Porcelain tile is the best of all worlds for bathroom flooring, as it is waterproof and comes in endless styles. Porcelain tile can achieve a textured and solid feeling.
How do I clean my new hard surface floor?
Cleaning each hard surface flooring takes a different method depending on the type of flooring. You can’t use the same cleaning approach to wood as you do porcelain tile, however many homeowners may use the same cleaner to save time and money. Preserve the integrity of your flooring by cleaning each surface using the right approach. Call us and we would be happy to identify the best maintenance for your specific floor!
How do I choose a floor to match my decor?
Quickly browse thousands of room scenes to find a perfect room design style with myDesign Finder Then Contact our store to set up a consultation with a flooring expert.