LVT – Luxury Vinyl Tile

LVP – Luxury Vinyl Planks.

 Loose Lay flooring will not shrink, and it has a non-slip back that allows the installation to be done by laying the planks tight to each other without using glue or the click method.

Vinyl flooring composed of colored polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chips formed into solid sheets of varying thickness by heat and pressure. The backing is made of fiberglass (loose-lay or glued), felt (glued only), or a 70% stone composite.

Vinyl must have a perfectly smooth subfloor. The subfloor must be as smooth as possible because all bumps and uneven surfaces will show through the vinyl.

1) A Felt backing requires traditional gluing to the subfloor; vinyl edges can curl.

2) A Fiberglass backing is loose-lay with a reusable glue.  Fiberglass backing will not shrink, or change size after exposure to wetness, or crack after repeated handling.

 Vinyl tiles and planks are designed to mimic natural wood flooring and the material boasts many advantages over the real stuff.

1) Can be installed on slabs, basements, and other areas where wood cannot be used because of moisture.

2) It wears well, feels warm, is soft under your foot and is easy to maintain.

3) Vinyl planks or tiles are less expensive.

Planks can be installed by either the click method or glue.

1. LVT/LVP is a thicker, better product.
2. LVT/LVP offers 3D printing technology which also adds depth, realism, and durability.
3. LVT/LVP is a water-proof product.
4. LVT installation has an interlock system (click) to put it together and does not need glue or nails.

Coretex is the rigid core structure third layer of a WPC Plank. It is rigid, waterproof and stable. WPC can be put over imperfect subfloors and will not expand or contract.

The SPC core, or the rigid core, allows for more stability and coping for changing temperatures and humidity.

Laminate flooring, also called floating wood tile, is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood, or stone with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer.

1. The Face- The laminate flooring face is made of acrylic providing great durability.
2. The Thickness- Thickness is between 7mm and 18mm.
3. Laminate Looks- Laminate comes in a tile, slate or plank look and many colors.
4. Laminate Backing- Has a composite (sawdust) board resisting staining, scratching, mold, and fading.
5. Installation- Easy to install and user friendly.
6. Dents and scratches- Laminates will not dent or scratch.
7. Waterproof- Laminates are not waterproof. The composite backing will warp if the moisture level becomes excessive.

 Ceramic tile is made of sand, natural products, and clays that are either finished with a glaze of color or are unglazed.

Porcelain tile is made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clay which result in a tile that is denser and more durable than ceramic tile.

Full body Porcelain Tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and suitable for any application.

Solid Wood Flooring is a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. Solid wood can be installed above or on grade and can be sanded and refinished several times during its service life.

Real wood floors made using multiple wood or wood composite veneers. The layers that you cannot see can be made up of the same species, or different species. The grain of each layer runs in perpendicular directions, which makes it very dimensionally stable, and moisture resistant.

Solid wood flooring can be used in any room above grade (above ground). Solid wood should not be used in moisture areas such as a basement or any below grade floors, this will cause the wood to warp.

The edges are beveled so that dirt will roll into the cracks for cleaning. This prevents things from laying on the wood and scratching it.

Solid wood has up to 9 coats of aluminum oxide for protection, providing a scratch resistant top layer.

There are several things that you can do to minimize scratches from pets. 1) Place scatter rugs at the doors to minimize the amount of dirt and grit from being tracked in. 2) Trim your pets nails regularly. 3) Usually the scratches are in the finish not the floor, the finish can be repaired.

1. Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum the floors with the beater bar off to remove the dust and grit from the cracks of the beveled board.
2. Avoid using a wet mop, or steam mop on hardwood floors as water and steam can dull the finish or even damage the wood in time.
3. Avoid rugs with rubber backs on the wood which can discolor the wood.
4. Place floor protector pads on the bottom of furniture legs to protect the floor from scratches.
5. When spills occur, clean them immediately with a dry or damp cloth. Allowing spills to remain on the wood floors could damage the finish.
6. Avoid walking on the floors with sports cleats or high heel shoes, these can scratch or dent the floor.
7. When the floors being to look a little dull, use a wood flooring cleaner recommended by your installer to renew the luster. Make sure that you use the correct cleaner as the wrong type could damage your floor.

Granite countertops require very little maintenance. The only maintenance that is required regularly is the application of sealer every six months. This is a simple process in which you use a towel to rub a sealer substance onto the countertop and then allow it to dry for 15-20 minutes.

Depending on the shape of your countertops, you may see a grain change. Any time there is a turn in the countertop, a grain change is likely to occur.

Any cleaner that does not contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, or citric acid are acceptable to use on granite countertops. Cleaners that contain those chemicals may strip the countertop of its sealer, leaving it susceptible to stains.

Yes, unlike countertops made from man-made materials, it is safe to place hot containers on granite countertops. The granite will not be damaged because it is a natural stone substance.