Carpet? Laminate? Vinyl? Hardwood? Ceramic and Stone? Decisions, decisions, decisions! Choosing flooring that best fits your lifestyle is really what it is all about. Following is a quick summary of products, their characteristics, and what they’re best suited for.
Carpet – Offers a broad price range, extensive selection to meet most decorating styles and budgets. Carpet is soft and warm underfoot, creating a luxurious feeling. Most carpet fibers are either nylon, olefin, polyester, or wool. They vary in wear and stain resistance, resilience, cleanability and price. Types include saxony, plush, texture, cut-loop, and frieze. Carpets work well in most rooms, excluding the kitchen.
Porcelain and Stone Tile – Creates an elegant, natural look. Porcelain and stone are almost indestructible, and easy to maintain. Porcelain tiles can be glazed or unglazed, creating different levels of tile performance. Natural stone tiles vary in texture and color for a distinctive look. Both tiles are suitable for moisture-prone and heavy-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, and laundry.
Hardwood - Many people prefer the natural beauty of genuine wood floors. Hardwood is now available in a variety of quality levels to fit any budget and bring the growing demand of hardwood into every home. Before deciding on a hardwood floor, it is recommended that you consult a foundation moisture professional to help insure a proper installation.
Laminate – High-performance laminate flooring can look like wood or tile, is durable and easy to clean. Laminate flooring does not scuff or show wear-through. The surface is burn-resistant and resists scratching from pets. Laminate will not indent with normal family usage nor will the color fade. Clean-up is easy, requiring only a damp cloth or vacuum. Good for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms.
Installation Tips
Installation of floorcovering will go smoothly with the observance of a few installation tips:
- Flooring installations should be done after other remodeling is completed.
- Schedule installation after materials have arrived, not before.
- Large furniture, pianos, refrigerators/freezers and other heavy items should be discussed with the installer prior to installation day.
- Small breakables are the customer’s responsibility to remove prior to installation.
- Items should be removed from all closet floors.
- Bed linens should be removed.
- Disposal of old flooring should be arranged in advance.
All special requests of the installer should be made in advance.
John Roberts
ProSource Sales Consultant
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