Vinyl is certainly not as resistant to tears and scratches as ceramic tile is, but most vinyl does have an inner layer built into it now which tends to resist tears quite well. I wouldn’t hesitate to consider it in a high traffic residential area.

Always refer to your manufacturer’s warranty for cleaning instructions. Each fiber has different characteristics. Improper cleaning is one of the leading causes of damage to carpet fiber.

Yes, vinyl is very appropriate for basement use, but like all other flooring types, check to make sure you do not have a moisture problem before installing it.

We generally recommend that the underlayment be removed because the subfloor may not be adequate to support tile. However, if your existing vinyl floor was installed over an adequate subfloor using a full spread installation method then yes, it can be done if you use the proper installation products.

Yes, there are special techniques to use when installing laminate in a wet area, but it can be done.

If your tile floor is properly maintained, you can expect it to last 20 years or more. You will greatly enhance the life of your tile floors or walls by using a properly installed cement backer board.

Properly maintained tile walls installed over a cement backer board can also last 20 or more years.

Depending upon the type of system you have, it is usually possible to install ceramic over radiant heat floors. Some applications will require a membrane in between the tile and subfloor. Ask your contractor what is best for you.

Laminate floors are not attached to the subfloor. They float above on top of a dense cushion. As a result, they do have give when you walk on them.

Carpet and padding are petroleum based products and therefore increase in price as the cost of oil increases.

Hardwood flooring expands and contracts due to changes in temperature and relative humidity. Having adequate levels of humidity in the home will help minimize the shrinkage of your floors during the heating months.

There are many types of tiles to choose from that provide a high slip coefficient. Keep in mind, the higher the slip coefficient, the more difficult the tile is to clean. Most tiles today offer a nice balance between ease of maintenance and safety.

Laminate does have a different sound when you walk on it, however, there are acoustical underlayments available that deaden the echo and make it sound much more like a real hardwood floor. Make sure to voice your concern so the appropriate underlayment is used in the installation process.

Yes you can as long as you use a product that’s freeze/thaw stable. Keep in mind slip resistance as well

Compared to other products, you may find that tile and grout require less maintenance than other floors, but it is not maintenance free. Grout should be sealed and caulking needs to be maintained to prevent deterioration of the backer board.

Yes, generally speaking if you install a separate color carpet in one room that requires a seam, you will either need to purchase additional carpet or use T- seams. T-seams make it possible to eliminate excessive waste.

Carpet seams and seam locations are probably the biggest challenge in our industry. Since carpet only comes in certain widths, it is very likely large rooms will require at least one seam.

Several factors need to be considered when deciding your seam location such as, furniture placement, directions of light source, doorways and traffic areas, number and length of seams and how it may affect seam placements in other rooms.

There is usually no perfect scenario and often times you must compromise one of the criteria for another. A properly constructed seam is generally still noticeable, but depending on what style and color of carpet you have, it may be more or less noticeable.

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Most laminate flooring is considerably more scratch resistant than hardwood flooring, but it still scratches and wears when exposed to pet nails.

Solid hardwood should not be installed below grade. However, engineered hardwood can be installed in basements as long as you do not have an existing moisture problem.

There are several carpet fibers on the market that will essentially oxidize any organic liquid that comes in contact with the carpet. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, there is padding that is designed with pets in mind that prevents liquid from reaching the decking.

Yes, to some extent you need to pay a little more attention to your hardwood floors than say, a ceramic floor. Proper maintenance and using the proper cleaning products will greatly add to your floor’s life. Once you get used to its care requirements, you will likely find that it is a very forgiving floor to live with.

No, unlike hardwood flooring, once laminate is worn it cannot be refinished.

Yes there are loop products that have enhanced backings designed to prevent the fiber from running.

It is better to remove the existing vinyl, but if it does not cause a transition problem from one floor to the next and/or if it does not cause a problem with the installation or removal of appliances and doors then it can be done. Keep in mind though that you may want to remove and raise your base boards so they have the proper reveal.

Sheet vinyl has come a long way since the original patterns and colors. With the new imaging available many of the sheet vinyl patterns look very similar to ceramic tile or hardwood flooring.

One of the rubs against ceramic tile is that it is cold and hard. There are floor heating systems available to make your floor more comfortable to the touch, but in terms of hardness, yes, ceramic is much like hardwood in that it doesn’t have much give. If you want something that has more cushion to it, perhaps you should consider a floating floor.

The good news about ceramic tile is that in the event a piece is damaged it can be extracted and replaced without being an obvious repair.

Yes, engineered hardwood can be installed directly over concrete if it is above grade. There is even a system available to install solid hardwood directly over concrete floors.

If your original vinyl floor was installed using a full spread adhesive method, then you can apply an embossing leveler to the original vinyl to smooth it out and then install the new vinyl.

Yes, however you may still have to use the manufacturer’s underlayment to have a warranty.

No. Many people with large dogs have hardwood flooring. Your dogs will scratch the floors and it will cause more wear; however, unlike vinyl and laminate floors, hardwood can be refinished in the future. Keep in mind that even under normal circumstances, your hardwood floors will scratch. That being said, as hardwood floors age they tend to mellow.