Q&A/FAQs
Q: Where can different types of flooring be installed?
You can install any type of flooring with the right kind of prep and expectations. In general, we would recommend not putting carpet and wood based products like laminate and hardwood in wet areas like the kitchen, bath, and dining room. Products like vinyl and tile that are water resistant or waterproof would be able to go everywhere, even throughout your whole home.
Q: What kind of installation options are there?
The main types of installation are click-and-lock, full spread glue down, and looselay. Click-and-lock is a floating system based on a female/male locking system. Full spread glue down is spreading glue on the floor to permanently adhere the flooring to the floor. Looselay is a floating system with no locking joints.
Q: How do I find a good installer?
You can find good installers on a list that we provide as a courtesy to our customers. They do not work for our company. The installers will have their contractor’s license and are proven to do good work. As a last resort you may even search online for installers that may be good.
Q: What are the different tiers of durability?
The durability of flooring depends on the category.
For vinyl the durability depends on the wear layer (measured in mils) and the company who is manufacturing it.
For wood the durability depends on the type of protective layer is on top and how high the wood is on the Janka scale (wood hardness scale). For ceramic and porcelain tile the durability depends largely on installation and partly on the quality of the manufacturer.
Q: What’s the difference between the old vinyl and new vinyl?
Most vinyl today will have a layer of fiberglass in it to make it more dimensionally stable and prevent it from curling. A big difference is that vinyl looks are much more sophisticated and real, which makes today’s vinyl look so much more like real wood or stone.
Q: What do I do about steps?
Flooring gets glued on steps and the end of each step will need a stairnose to cap off each step. We stock coordinating stairnose for most of our stocking products.
Q: Going over existing flooring?
This may be a possibility depending on the type of existing flooring you have, the condition of your existing flooring, what is underneath, and how it was installed. Our flooring specialists will be able to assist you depending on the situation.
Q: What are transitions?
Transitions are the in-between pieces that go in-between two different types of flooring to create a good transition.
Q: Can I install myself?
If you consider yourself a handy person then you may be able to install it yourself. We can supply you with the installation instructions and any videos from the manufacturer that is available.
Q: Installing carpet over tile?
You can install carpet over tile if the tile is not popping out in any areas and since tack strips are installed your tile will be permanently damaged.
Q: What are the different types of carpet?
Nylon: The most durable type of carpet fiber out there is Nylon 6.6, which is a high performance proprietary nylon associated with high-performance applications (some products made with nylon: seat belts, parachute material, firefighter suits). The predecessor to Nylon 6.6 is Nylon 6 which is a durable but not as durable as Nylon 6.6. Nylon is durable and can be very stain resistant if solution dyed.
Polyester: The newest type of polyester is Triexta and is an upgrade to regular Polyester fiber. Polyester is not as durable as Nylon. Polyester is very resistant but does not fare well with oil based stains.
Olefin: Olefin is a low-cost fiber that does well with stains and low traffic. Olefin has a low melting point.
Wool: Synthetic fibers started by trying to imitate wool, the original carpet fiber. Wool is the most durable type of fiber but requires special maintenance with stains. Wool is also a staple fiber so though shedding will be minimal at some point, shedding is natural with wool fibers.
Q: What kind of warranties does flooring offer?
There are many different lengths of time that warranties are offered. In order of most common are: lifetime, 25 years, 20 years, 15 years, 10 years, 5 years.
Q: What are things I need to consider when selecting flooring?
There are many things to consider but these would be some important things to look at:
Q: What are some suggestions and tips you have for someone considering flooring?
A lot of information is online but not everything is true online. Find a Flooring Specialist and let them educate you and guide you to the perfect flooring for your family and home.
Q: What is the different types of hard surface?
Please consult our flooring guide for in-depth looks at the flooring categories.
The main types of hard surfaces are:
You can install any type of flooring with the right kind of prep and expectations. In general, we would recommend not putting carpet and wood based products like laminate and hardwood in wet areas like the kitchen, bath, and dining room. Products like vinyl and tile that are water resistant or waterproof would be able to go everywhere, even throughout your whole home.
Q: What kind of installation options are there?
The main types of installation are click-and-lock, full spread glue down, and looselay. Click-and-lock is a floating system based on a female/male locking system. Full spread glue down is spreading glue on the floor to permanently adhere the flooring to the floor. Looselay is a floating system with no locking joints.
Q: How do I find a good installer?
You can find good installers on a list that we provide as a courtesy to our customers. They do not work for our company. The installers will have their contractor’s license and are proven to do good work. As a last resort you may even search online for installers that may be good.
Q: What are the different tiers of durability?
The durability of flooring depends on the category.
For vinyl the durability depends on the wear layer (measured in mils) and the company who is manufacturing it.
For wood the durability depends on the type of protective layer is on top and how high the wood is on the Janka scale (wood hardness scale). For ceramic and porcelain tile the durability depends largely on installation and partly on the quality of the manufacturer.
Q: What’s the difference between the old vinyl and new vinyl?
Most vinyl today will have a layer of fiberglass in it to make it more dimensionally stable and prevent it from curling. A big difference is that vinyl looks are much more sophisticated and real, which makes today’s vinyl look so much more like real wood or stone.
Q: What do I do about steps?
Flooring gets glued on steps and the end of each step will need a stairnose to cap off each step. We stock coordinating stairnose for most of our stocking products.
Q: Going over existing flooring?
This may be a possibility depending on the type of existing flooring you have, the condition of your existing flooring, what is underneath, and how it was installed. Our flooring specialists will be able to assist you depending on the situation.
Q: What are transitions?
Transitions are the in-between pieces that go in-between two different types of flooring to create a good transition.
Q: Can I install myself?
If you consider yourself a handy person then you may be able to install it yourself. We can supply you with the installation instructions and any videos from the manufacturer that is available.
Q: Installing carpet over tile?
You can install carpet over tile if the tile is not popping out in any areas and since tack strips are installed your tile will be permanently damaged.
Q: What are the different types of carpet?
Nylon: The most durable type of carpet fiber out there is Nylon 6.6, which is a high performance proprietary nylon associated with high-performance applications (some products made with nylon: seat belts, parachute material, firefighter suits). The predecessor to Nylon 6.6 is Nylon 6 which is a durable but not as durable as Nylon 6.6. Nylon is durable and can be very stain resistant if solution dyed.
Polyester: The newest type of polyester is Triexta and is an upgrade to regular Polyester fiber. Polyester is not as durable as Nylon. Polyester is very resistant but does not fare well with oil based stains.
Olefin: Olefin is a low-cost fiber that does well with stains and low traffic. Olefin has a low melting point.
Wool: Synthetic fibers started by trying to imitate wool, the original carpet fiber. Wool is the most durable type of fiber but requires special maintenance with stains. Wool is also a staple fiber so though shedding will be minimal at some point, shedding is natural with wool fibers.
Q: What kind of warranties does flooring offer?
There are many different lengths of time that warranties are offered. In order of most common are: lifetime, 25 years, 20 years, 15 years, 10 years, 5 years.
Q: What are things I need to consider when selecting flooring?
There are many things to consider but these would be some important things to look at:
- What kind of lifestyle do you have?
- How much traffic does your home have? Number of members in your family? Ages of your members? Do you have a lot of get-togethers and how many people come for your get-togethers?
- How is that room most used as?
- What type of flooring do have existing?
- What is the condition of your subfloor?
- Does your home have a moisture problem (in the subfloor or the environment)?
- Who is installing?
- Why are you changing your flooring at this time?
- What else are you renovating?
- What kind of colors were you considering?
Q: What are some suggestions and tips you have for someone considering flooring?
A lot of information is online but not everything is true online. Find a Flooring Specialist and let them educate you and guide you to the perfect flooring for your family and home.
Q: What is the different types of hard surface?
Please consult our flooring guide for in-depth looks at the flooring categories.
The main types of hard surfaces are:
- Luxury Vinyl
- Waterproof Vinyl
- Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
- Hardwood
- Laminate
- Natural Stone
