Frequently Asked Questions

CARPET

• What is Broadloom Carpet (roll goods)?

  Broadloom carpet, also known as tufted carpet, is commonly found in homes. It is woven on a wide loom and commonly sold in 12- to 15-foot-wide rolls. Broadloom carpet is durable, flexible, comfortable, and available in a variety of colors and patterns. Our broadloom carpet is sold in 12-foot-wide rolls.
  

• What are Carpets made out of?

  Carpets are typically made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester.
  
  Nylon Fibers
  Nylon is considered to be the most popular carpet fiber. It is very durable, which makes it great for high-traffic areas. Nylon is resistant to stains in addition to soiling, static-free, easy to maintain, and excellent for indoor use. Outdoor use is not recommended because it does fade in direct sunlight. Its versatility allows this carpet to have a variety of styles and carpet constructions.
  
  Nylon carpets are incredibly safe in homes and commercial spaces. They have a Class 1 fire rating, which means the flame spreading rate is between zero and 25. This kind of carpet has a higher melting point and burns and melts slowly, which makes it fire resistant.
   
  Polyester Fibers
  Polyester fiber has come a long way and is becoming more popular because of its luxurious look, feel, and wide variety of colors and styles. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly carpet, polyester is great because it is mostly made from recycled materials such as water bottles. It costs less than nylon, and is just as durable. It’s more resistant to staining, fading, mold, and mildew compared to nylon. Nylon is easy to recycle, and is non-allergenic.
  Polyester carpets are ideal for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and offices. In high-traffic areas, this carpet can wear down and lose texture faster, which means it may have to be replaced more often.
  

• What Carpet Texture options are there?

  There are many different textures carpet comes in, such as loop pile, cut pile, and combinations of both look and cut pile. The variety of styles refer to how the fibers are arranged to create the look, feel, and texture of the flooring as well as determine how durable the flooring is.
  
  Loop Pile Fibers
  Loop pile refers to carpet that consists of several loops of carpet fiber. They don’t flatten or wear down easily. Looped fibers are very durable, which makes it great for high-traffic areas in residential and commercial spaces. This type of carpet would go well in family rooms and offices.
  
  Cut Pile Fibers
  Cut pile refers to a style of carpet that is sheared to expose the ends of the carpet fiber and contains a twist. The twist allows for the carpet to be more durable because the twist helps it stand up, resist crushing and matting, and helps hide dirt and wear patterns. It is softer to the touch compared to loop pile carpets. This style of carpet works well throughout a home and can be used for stairways.
  
  Cut-Loop Pile Fibers
  A cut and loop is a style of carpet that combines cut and looped fibers to create more of an abstract and geometric look. There is a gap in the cut fibers, which can cause the carpet to have a worn-down appearance. It is recommended that cut and loop carpets are put in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms. This style can also work well as an area rug.
  

• What is Carpet Face Weight?

  Face weight is a term that refers to the measurement of the density of carpet. It is the weight of the carpet pile per square yard and it is the weight of the fibers only, not the backing material. Face weight of a carpet will be one of the many factors when determining the quality of a carpet. It is most useful to look at face weight when comparing two carpets with similar piles and fibers.
  

• How do you Determine the Quality of Carpet?

  To determine the quality of carpet, you need to consider density, carpet fiber, carpet pile, color, and carpet backing. The thicker and heavier the carpet is, the better the quality. Quality carpet will be made of premium materials, have a higher face weight, and have strong backing to support the floor.
  

CARPET TILE

• What are Carpet Tiles?

  Carpet tiles come in tile form instead of rolls. This type of carpet is versatile and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Tiles can be used for wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs, and carpet runners.
  

CARPET CUSHION

• What is Carpet Cushion and why do I need it?

  Carpet cushion is a thick, even layer of material that serves as the carpet’s foundation. The cushion can be made from a variety of materials such as nylon, foam, and fiber. Often times cushion is constructed from recycled furniture, mattresses, and even car seats. Carpet cushion extends the life of carpet, provides comfort, improves acoustics, and provides thermal insulation.
  

• How Thick Should My Carpet Cushion Be?

  Choosing the thickness of your carpet cushion will depend where you are putting it. The cushion you choose should be firm, resilient, and should be thick enough to provide cushion. It is recommended that you go with a carpet cushion with a thickness of ½” or less for residential carpet.
  

VINYL PLANK

• What is Vinyl Plank flooring?

  Vinyl flooring has come a long way over the years. Today, thanks to new imaging technology, it can be as uniquely beautiful as true hardwood, but with the added durability of waterproof construction. Vinyl is made from synthetic materials and typically composed by layering materials over a thicker, stabilizing core. What the core is made out of varies by product and may include a combination of stone, plastic and/or wood. Vinyl flooring is durable and easy to maintain.
  

• What are the different types of Vinyl flooring?

  LVP/LVT Vinyl
  LVP stands for luxury vinyl planks. You may occasionally hear people use the term “LVT,” which stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. These planks are made to be very durable. They are great in high traffic area and homes with kids and pets. Standard LVP consists of a vinyl core with a printed surface layer.  
  
  SPC Vinyl
  SPC stands for stone-plastic composite or stone-polymer composite. Both of these terms are used interchangeably. SPC is 100% waterproof and great for areas with high moisture. SPC is great for both residential and commercial use.
  
  WPC Vinyl
  WPC stands for wood-plastic composite vinyl flooring. WPC vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, and its core is made from a composite of plastic and wood underfoot.
  

• Is Vinyl Plank flooring Waterproof?

  Some vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant, meaning it will stand up to a certain amount of moisture without sustaining any damage. It's ideal for spaces that may experience some moisture such kitchens and bathroom. Other vinyl flooring is completely waterproof and won't allow any moisture to penetrate. Water resistance should not be confused with waterproof. Waterproof means water will not be able to permeate the surface of the object. While water resistant means the object will resist, though does not entirely prevent the penetration of water. Always check the specifications of a product to confirm whether it is waterproof or water resistant.
  

• Is Vinyl flooring Scratch Proof?

  While some vinyl products do have a scratch-resistant surface, no vinyl flooring is 100% scratch proof. Over time, scratches may occur. We recommend taking additional precautions to help keep your floors looking good. If you have pets to try to keep their nails trimmed to help lessen the number of scratches. Vinyl plank floors are composed of several layers which typically includes a scratch-resistant wear layer. The wear layer protects the vinyl plank floors from everyday wear and tear.
  

• Can I put Heavy Appliances down directly on my Vinyl floors?

  It is recommended to use furniture pads under any heavy furniture to help protect your floors. You can put heavy appliances on vinyl tiles and planks as long as you use furniture pads or sliders under them to help reduced the chance of scratching or scuffing your new floors.
  

• Should I use an Underlayment (Moisture Barrier) with LVP/LVT flooring?

  Typically, vinyl plank comes with an attached cushion backing that provides a moisture barrier. For this reason, additional underlayment is not required. In fact, adding an additional underlayment may void the warranty for products that already have attached underlayment.

  Depending on the type of flooring you have and what type of subfloor it will be installed on, some floors can benefit from additional underlayment. Moisture barrier can be added under LVP/LVT if the manufacturer recommends it.
  

• Can you install Luxury Vinyl flooring Outdoors?

  Even if using waterproof vinyl flooring, we do not recommend vinyl flooring for outside or semi-outdoor areas. UV rays can cause fading and weather can damage the flooring over time. Using vinyl flooring outside may also void the manufacturer’s warranty. For these reasons, stick to using vinyl flooring indoors.
  

SHEET VINYL

• What is Sheet Vinyl?

  Sheet vinyl, also known as linoleum, is a multi-layer, durable flooring that is easy to install and easy to clean. Sheet vinyl used to be recognized as more of a “low quality” flooring option. But with new advancements in the overall quality as well as an increase in available patterns and colors, sheet vinyl has made a comeback. Luxury vinyl sheets comes in a huge range of stylish looks, including realistic wood grains and tile patterns. The best part? You get all of these benefits at an affordable price.
  

ENGINEERED HARDWOOD

• What is Engineered Hardwood?

  An engineered wood floor is constructed of layers made up of both hardwood and plywood, whereas solid hardwood is a solid piece of wood with no layers. Engineered hardwood construction has durable, high-performance qualities. It is constructed using multiple layers that are positioned in alternating layers. This construction prevents the engineered hardwood from warping and bowing the way a hardwood floor might in moist areas. There are multiple finishes available in matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, all of which can add visual interest to your floors!
  

• How Long Will an Engineered Wood Floor Last?

  Depending on the thickness of the wear layer, the quality of flooring used, and how well you maintain your floors, engineered hardwood can last a lifetime. All 3 factors play a big role in determining the longevity of any floor in your home. When installed and maintained properly. engineered hardwood typically lasts between 20 and 30 years.
  

LAMINATE

• What is Laminate and How Durable is it?

  Laminate flooring is constructed of 4 layers; wear, design, core, and the back layer. Each layer has a job to do and are fused together using high heat and intense pressure. Because of its multi-layer construction, laminate makes for an extremely durable product. Some of the great features of laminate are that it is resistant to scratches, fading, and is easy to clean. Laminate is an ideal option for high traffic areas or homes with kids and pets. Though laminate offers a durable option, it is not recommended for areas with high moisture.
  

• Do I need Underlayment (Moisture Barrier) for Laminate flooring?

  The majority of laminate flooring does not come with an attached underlayment. For this reason, additional purchase of underlayment (moisture barrier) is typically required for you to purchase to provide a proper moisture barrier.
  

• Is there a Waterproof Laminate?

  As flooring manufacturers continue to improve their products, and adapt new technologies, the features you can expect from you flooring change as well. When laminate was first created, waterproof options were not available. As the needs of consumers have changed, many manufacturers have begun offering both water resistant and waterproof laminates that can withstand spills and surface moisture.
  

TRANSITION MOLDINGS

• What are flooring Transitions?

  Flooring Transitions are used to properly separate your new floors and your existing floors. The type of molding used will depend on the specific needs of your project. The types of moldings available include: T-moldings, Reducers, End-caps and Stair-nosing.