FAQ

What is a Frieze carpet?

Frieze carpet is made of long filaments of fiber that are piled together to form continuous bundles of fiber. It has a high twist rate, meaning the fibers are twisted tightly giving a less likely chance of coming undone. The way Frieze carpet is put together gives you a denser carpet, leaving you with natural insulation.

What is a synthetic fiber and what percent of carpet is synthetic?

Synthetic fiber is man-made through chemical synthesis, as opposed to natural fibers we find from living organisms. Many people prefer synthetic fibers because of the strength, durability, stain resistance and cost. These synthetic fibers are found in 99% of all carpets.

What three types of carpet fibers are used the most?

Nylon is found in 65% of all carpets sold providing great durability and flexibility. Nylon is found in both cut pile and loop pile styles. Polyester is also a commonly used fiber in carpet. This is to protect against spills setting in and leaving stains. Last is Olefin or Polypropylene – a filament found in 30% of all carpets sold. Olefin’s advantages are its strength, comfort, and stain resistance.

What carpets do not fuzz?

Filament carpets – Bulked Continuous Filament Yarns or Filament Yarns – are long filaments of fiber that are piled together to form continuous bundles of fiber giving it strength and durability.

What type of carpet is Berber?

Berber carpet is a type of filament carpet. It features larger, uncut loops of natural-toned fibers varying in size and usually made from wool, nylon, or olefin mixed with uncut loops. It is denser than most carpets and highly stain resistant. It is patterned by sculpting.

What does LVT and LVP stand for?

LVT – Luxury Vinyl Tile

LVP – Luxury Vinyl Planks.

How is Loose Lay flooring different from LVP/LVT?

 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.

What is Sheet Vinyl?

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.

What type of subfloor must vinyl have under it?

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.

What are the two types of backing that can be on a vinyl sheet?

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.

What are the main advantages of Vinyl Tiles and Planks?

 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.

What two ways can planks be installed?

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

What are the advantages of LVT/LVP?

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.

What is a Coretex?

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.

What feature protects SPC and RSVP flooring from shrinkage?

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

What is laminate flooring?

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.

How is Laminate Flooring different than Vinyl Flooring?
  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.
What is Ceramic Tile?

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

What is Porcelain Tile?

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.

Why does Porcelain Tile chip less 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.

What is Solid Wood Flooring?

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.

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

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.

Why can’t Solid Wood be installed below grade?

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.

Why are solid wood boards beveled?

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.

How many coats of aluminum oxide can a board have for protection?

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

How can a customer help minimize pet scratches on the floor?

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.

How can a customer keep their floors looking good?
  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.
How much maintenance will my granite countertops require?

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.

Will my countertop have a grain change at the seams?

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.

What should I use to clean my countertops?

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.

Can I place warm plates or containers on my granite countertops?

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.