Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get for those who are looking for more information about their flooring options. If you do not see yours here, please contact us and speak with our flooring specialists and get those questions answered promptly.
CARPET FAQs
- Nylon – This synthetic material is the most durable carpet fiber on the market and has been for decades. It’s manufactured to be extremely resilient, including bouncing back immediately after compression. This means no footprints or vacuum marks giving away your rushed cleanup before your in-laws’ surprise visit! Pet-friendly homes also benefit from nylon’s moisture resistance and superior durability, especially when it’s also treated for soil and stain resistance.
- Polyester – Whether you’re on the hunt for playroom carpeting or a durable kitchen carpet, polyester is a perfect choice. It protects areas that see occasional moisture, like dining rooms and nurseries, with its water-resistant properties. If your kids spill in the playroom and you don’t find it right away, at least you don’t have to worry about stains, mold, or mildew!
- Triexta – This synthetic fiber is the newest kid on the block and one of the most durable carpet fibers available. As a subclass of polyester, triexta has an inherent colorfastness and resistance to both water and stains. Plus, it’s more durable than polyester and in competition with nylon for the most resilient. With all these boast-worthy traits, you can see why triexta is considered one of the most durable carpets for pets.
- Olefin – If you want to add softness and character to a screened porch or patio, olefin is a worthwhile consideration. Though this synthetic option does show wear quickly, especially in busier areas of your home where your family members are constantly walking, its moisture-wicking properties mean muddy boots and wet sports gear won’t lead to mildewy carpet or lingering odors.
As technology has evolved, so has the construction, pile height, and visual appeal of carpeting. Nowadays, some of the most durable carpet materials look luxurious and high-end! Here’s a summarized breakdown of three durable carpet styles:
Loop carpet
If you’re looking for a carpet that can hold up to the constant in-and-out of your children, Berber durability is right up your alley. It’s constructed of looped carpet fibers that are densely packed together, creating a strong, uniform surface that’s perfect for high-traffic areas like living rooms, hallways, and family rooms.
Cut carpet
Cut carpet is exactly as the name implies: cut carpet fibers that are sewn into the carpet backing. The exposed ends result in the cozy carpet you’re likely most familiar with, whether it was the luxurious plush carpet of your grandma’s formal living room or the laid-back frieze in the family room of your childhood home. The difference in these cut carpet styles is the number of twists the individual yarns have, with more twists resulting in greater durability.
Cut and loop carpet
A combination of cut and loop carpet fibers results in…you guessed it! Cut and loop carpet! Low-profile loops mix with higher-cut yarns, delivering a varied pattern or texture that adds comfort and depth to bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. The cut and loop style isn’t quite as durable as all-loop carpet, but it can easily last in an active, fun-filled home.
Low-pile carpet could be a better choice if…
- You have allergy concerns at home. Low-pile carpet is less likely to trap allergens, keeping your space fresher.
- Easy maintenance is essential for you. Low-pile carpet’s smooth surface allows for quick and thorough cleaning of spills and stains.
- You’re planning to carpet a dining room or playroom. Its flat texture lets chairs and toys glide across effortlessly.
High-pile carpet may be ideal if…
- You want carpet for its warmth and comfort. High-pile carpet brings a cozy ambiance to any room.
- You’re looking for a carpet that won’t flatten over time with wear and tear. With its taller loops, high-pile carpet is more resilient and less prone to flattening than low-pile options.
- You appreciate the plush, luxurious appearance of the full, fluffy carpet.
Of the three carpet grades available, high-end carpets provide the most durability and highest quality. Most likely, the carpet you see in your next-door neighbor’s trendy entertainment room is a medium-grade carpet, while the carpet in your dentist’s office may be low-grade (also called builder grade).
Yes, yes you can with the right type of carpet and the binding that surrounds it so there is no fraying or material relaxation you can turn most any carpet remnant into a rug for your space in the home or office.
HARDWOOD FAQs
Depending on what and where you need to put down as flooring. Engineered offers water resistance and wider plank options, while solid boasts timeless authenticity and refinishing potential.
There are several species of hardwood that beautifully serve as flooring, including oak, ash, birch, walnut, and hickory. The best option really depends on your design style! From the perspective of durability, the densest hardwood flooring is hickory, followed closely by white oak and red oak.
The more popular colors and species are light, natural hardwood floors like ash, red oak, and birch which are trending these days, largely because the lighter hues open up smaller spaces and make them feel bigger. You can also apply lighter finishes to other hardwood species to have a similar effect.
Like anything else in this world, you do have to have a modicum of care for the Hardwood for it to keep looking its best. However, hardwood flooring can handle your toughest days, though the actual strength will depend on the wood species you choose. Hickory, oak, and ash are among the hardest wood flooring types, and each species will age gracefully and patina over time.
Wood floors are notoriously long-lasting, just look at the weathered wooden planks found in decades-old historic homes across America. Once you’ve decided on hardwood floors for your home, you will actually have a big impact on how well they wear over the years to come. We recommend you opt for our professional installers, who will not only arrive with all the necessary tools but also follow the tedious steps required for a beautiful installation. You’ll be happy, headache-free, and grateful the warranty protection is still intact once they’re on their way.
Is it worth it to spend your money on a shiny new hardwood floor or should you go with a more budget-friendly option and spend elsewhere? Compare this pro/con list to determine what really matters to you.
Advantages of hardwood include:
- Beautiful planks with a natural character that complements any design aesthetic
- Innate durability
- A return on investment with an increased property value
- Durability to withstand decades of family foot traffic, gatherings, and pets
- Easy to clean and maintain
Addressing Your Concerns: We understand potential hesitations:
- Not appropriate for high-moisture areas since they can buckle, warp, or bow
- Higher upfront cost
- Can gouge or scratch from pet nails or moving heavy objects
No matter if you’re looking to update your rustic farmhouse with a hand-scraped oak or create a mid-century modern oasis with honey-hued maple, there’s a hardwood floor out there to complement your design style. It all comes down to the color and tone of the hardwood, its grain pattern, and the plank width.
- Color and grain – Light wood, such as birch and oak, as well as grey or whitewashed finishes fits naturally into a coastal cottage, a contemporary condo, or a modern farmhouse. If you’d prefer to add a more dramatic touch, consider darker finishes or hardwood with intricate grain patterns, like pine or walnut.
- Plank width – Most hardwood is available in either standard width (5 to 6 inches) or wide plank hardwood flooring (7 inches or more). The latter has fewer seams, which plays a trick on the eye to give the illusion of more space.
Choosing hardwood flooring is a decision that many homeowners carefully weigh, as it brings a range of lasting benefits. From boosting property value to offering a timeless style, hardwood floors are more than just a surface—they’re an investment in your home’s beauty and longevity. Their natural warmth and classic appeal make any space feel more inviting and create a stunning first impression.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, hardwood floors are surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. Regular sweeping, vacuuming, or a quick steam clean keeps them looking great without much effort. Unlike carpets, they don’t trap pet dander, dust mites, or other allergens, which means a cleaner, fresher air quality inside your home. Plus, hardwood’s stain-resistant surface ensures that spills or messes can be wiped away with ease, making maintenance worry-free and simple.
LUXURY VINYL FAQs
Luxury vinyl is an excellent option for bathroom floors. When you are considering new bathroom floors, the number-one priority is water resistance and luxury vinyl is not just water resistant, but 100 percent waterproof, which makes it ideal for bathrooms. Luxury vinyl has the benefit of being warm to the touch, which means you won’t have to hop out of the shower onto a cold floor. Better yet, it’s easy to clean with a variety of different products to keep it sparkling. Remember to always check your manufacturer’s warranty when trying a new floor cleaner to make sure you aren’t damaging your floors or breaking your warranty.
We provide both Adhesive/Glue and Float/Glueless installation options to all our valued clientele
Good news: the answer is yes! You can upgrade your look by switching to luxury vinyl when you install over your old hard surface floors. There are some considerations to take in stride, however. Make sure to ask our professional flooring installation team for help. Professional installation ensures quality results without any of the stress, mess, or labor of doing it on your own.
Imagine a flooring that combines style, durability, and affordability, designed with the demands of a busy household in mind—luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring checks all the boxes. Unlike traditional sheet vinyl, LVP is engineered with multiple layers, each contributing to a quieter, stronger, and more comfortable surface. It outperforms vinyl laminate too, thanks to a top layer that’s specially coated to resist scratches and stains, making it perfect for high-traffic areas. Plus, with its moisture-resistant properties, LVP is versatile enough to install in virtually any room—from kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms and living areas.
There are many different types of Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile (LVP or LVT) flooring and as a result, the materials they are made from can vary, but generally speaking, all Luxury Vinyl is made of layers that typically include a wear layer, an image layer, a core layer, and backing layer. The wear layer is typically made of polyurethane-treated plastic or aluminum oxide which creates scratch and UV-resistant surfaces. Below the wear layer is the image and texture layer where the desired look of the floor is printed on a textured surface designed to make it look and feel like the product it is imitating (e.g. wood, stone). Below the image layer is the core layer, which often will dictate the classification of the LV product. Rigid core & Stone-poly composite (SPC) vinyl products have a hard, dense core that boasts great durability but may be harder underfoot and may sound louder underfoot. Wood-poly composite (WPC) vinyl floors and flex-core vinyl floors boast softer, more cushioned cores that feel more comfortable underfoot but may not have the same durability as vinyl floors with harder cores. The backing layer will often be made from cork, fiberglass, or foam depending on the application and the subfloor it is being installed over.
TILE FLOORING FAQs
Tile flooring is a fantastic choice for any homeowner looking to enhance their home’s beauty and functionality. Its versatility allows you to create unique patterns that bring your style to life throughout your spaces. Not only is tile affordable and visually appealing, but it’s also highly durable—standing up to years of foot traffic and resisting stains with ease. Plus, it requires minimal maintenance and can be easily cleaned like any other surface in your home. If you opt for a porous tile, we can apply a sealant during installation to protect its longevity.
The popularity of tile flooring continues to grow because of its adaptability and enduring style. No matter where you live, we can install the tile to fit your needs. Its great value fits any budget, making it a beloved choice for many homeowners. Tile also adds a timeless, classic look that seamlessly complements both traditional and modern design styles. With a vast array of colors, textures, and patterns available, you have the freedom to mix and match to create a one-of-a-kind design that reflects your unique taste.
Believe it or not, one type isn’t better than the other when it comes to a kitchen or bathroom floor. Both types are resilient enough for constant foot traffic and easy to clean, even after the messiest meal prep.
You can find beautiful bathroom floor tiles in ceramic and porcelain. Your local Flamingo Flooring Design Expert can help you determine which one best suits your needs. Luckily, both choices are budget-friendly, easy to clean, and long-lasting —even with messy bathtimes!
When it comes to shower floors. porcelain tiles are the better bet for your shower floors. They have a lower absorption rate, making them less slippery and a little easier to clean.
Great question! You can use floor tiles on the wall, but you don’t want to use wall tiles on the floor. Why? Because wall tiles are thinner and less durable when it comes to bearing the weight that comes with foot traffic.
Glazed tile Glazed tiles have a protective layer on their surface, which means they are impervious to water damage and stain penetration.
Mosaic tile – Mosaic tiles are more of a style than a material. Small ceramic, porcelain, stone, or glass can be arranged in a pattern for a striking impact.
The best tiles for flooring vary based on the needs of the space. The biggest consideration is water resistance. If you’re looking to install tile in a high-moisture area, like bathrooms, consider ceramic or waterproof porcelain floor tiles.
LAMINATE FAQs
Maintaining laminate flooring is straightforward and involves regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning.
Daily Maintenance Routine
Regular sweeping, vacuuming, and damp mopping can keep laminate floors looking new. Avoid excessive water and harsh chemicals to prevent damage.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
Using furniture pads, placing area rugs in high-traffic zones, and promptly addressing spills can help maintain the integrity and appearance of laminate flooring.
Pre-Installation Preparation
Proper preparation includes measuring the space, acclimating the flooring to the room’s temperature and humidity, and ensuring the subfloor is clean, level, and dry. It is important that the measurements are exact across the whole floor for a properly even finished product.
Installation Techniques
Laminate floors can be installed using a floating method where planks interlock and sit above the subfloor, allowing for expansion and contraction. By following the manufacturer’s instructions and using the right tools is key to a successful installation. Our installation experts will ensure a seamless installation for you!
Tongue and groove laminate flooring is a fantastic option for a quick installation, offering easy assembling with its interlocking planks that snugly fit together. Each plank has a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, creating a smooth, gap-free surface with minimal effort. This type of laminate avoids the mess of glued-down floors, but it’s important to ensure proper alignment to prevent moisture issues that could cause expansion or contraction over time. For the perfect fit and lasting durability, consult a Flamingo Flooring’s expert today to find the best laminate for your space.
Laminate
- Laminate flooring combines the beauty of wood with the durability of high-density fiberboard, creating an affordable and stylish choice for any space.
- Designed to perfectly imitate natural wood, tile, or stone, laminate comes in a variety of real-like textures and colors, making it easy to find the perfect match for your décor.
- With its protective wear layer, laminate is built to withstand everyday wear, while remaining budget-friendly and simple to maintain—a winning alternative to traditional flooring.
Luxury Vinyl
- Luxury vinyl flooring offers the same natural look as wood but with added durability and versatility.
- Made from premium vinyl layers, often reinforced with fiberglass and dyes, it replicates the charm of hardwood while providing a robust, water-resistant surface that is ideal for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas.
- Available in planks, tiles, or sheets, luxury vinyl adds comfort underfoot with its built-in underlayment, helping to reduce noise and enhance coziness.
- For those seeking beauty, resilience, and affordability, luxury vinyl is a smart choice.
Linoleum
- Linoleum flooring combines sustainability with style, made from all-natural ingredients like linseed oil, wood dust, and limestone.
- It comes in an array of designs that mimic tiles, wood, and even vibrant patterns, offering a unique aesthetic while being eco-friendly.
- Linoleum is naturally durable, and with periodic sealing, it becomes even more water-resistant, making it a great choice for families and active households.
- Its soft, cushioned feel adds comfort to every step, delivering a cozy, sustainable flooring solution that stands the test of time.
In some cases yes, but not always. Some laminate products on the market advertise themselves as waterproof but typically laminate floors are not. With more common laminate water can cause major damage, especially if the water soaks into the wood pulp core causing it to expand and damage the rest of the plank and those planks around it. Many waterproof vinyl plank alternatives to laminate will perform similar or better than laminate, and resist water damage, at a similar price point.
ADDITIONALS FAQs
Laminate floors are tough and durable, so you don’t have to worry about an area rug damaging them. But as with hardwood floors, add some extra protection with a non-slip rug pad. Though it’s super rare, there have also been instances of rugs when a wet rug has caused discoloration to laminate flooring. A non-slip rug pad eliminates that risk.
No. 99% of the time, area rugs won’t damage hardwood floors. That said, even though area rugs are completely safe, it’s a good idea to inspect the back of the rug before purchasing.
Is the backing rough? Though a rough backing won’t damage properly sealed hardwood floors, a non-slip rug pad provides an extra layer of protection.
If you don’t want to purchase and apply a non-slip rug pad, consider a wool rug. The soft fibers in these rugs are guaranteed not to scratch or scuff your hardwood floors.
Epoxy floor coatings provide a wide array of color and finish options, allowing customization to fit any design preference or functional requirement.
Solid Colors: Epoxy coatings can be applied in single or multiple solid colors, offering a range of choices like tan, gray, blue, green, yellow, black, white, etc. This variety allows them to seamlessly integrate into any design scheme.
Metallic Colors: Metallic pigments in epoxy coatings create stunning effects by reflecting light and adding depth, movement, and dimension. Options include shades like silver, gold, copper, and bronze, offering a unique and modern aesthetic.
Glossy or Matte Finishes: The level of gloss or shine varies based on the type of epoxy and the top coat used. This choice affects the surface’s brightness and smoothness, ranging from high-gloss to matte finishes.
These options underscore the versatility of epoxy coatings, offering solutions that meet both aesthetic desires and practical needs.
Flakes or Chips: Adding flakes or chips enhances texture and contrast. They come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. As previously mentioned, they can be broadcasted over the base coat for a granite-like or terrazzo-like appearance.
Quartz or Sand: Incorporating quartz or sand adds slip resistance and durability and provides a natural or rustic look. These materials can be blended with different colors for custom designs.
Epoxy floor coatings are non-porous, making them slippery when wet. This also applies to their derivatives, like polyuria and polyurethane.
Most manufacturers recommend adding a non-slip additive during application to provide more traction.
Some popular anti-slip epoxy additives include:
- Decorative Color Flakes: These polymer paint aggregates are mixed with epoxy to add color and texture. They’re available in various sizes, shapes, and textures and can dramatically alter the floor’s look.
- Aluminum Oxide: Perfect for high-demand industrial environments, aluminum oxide provides an aggressive anti-slip texture without changing the epoxy coating’s properties. Unfortunately, this makes it tough on the skin and difficult to clean.
- Silica Sand: Integrating sand into the final coating creates a skid-resistant surface. Unfortunately, silica sand may crack and wear down in high-traffic areas.
- Shark Grip Additive: Shark Grip is compatible with both latex and oil-based paints. It should not be used with glossy finishes.
Bamboo flooring is rapidly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring. Here are a few reasons why you should choose a bamboo floor:
- Bamboo floors are easy to clean.
- Bamboo floors are ideal for allergy sufferers as they do not promote dust or harbor dust mites.
- Bamboo flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring, usually costing 25% to 50% less than hardwood.
- Bamboo flooring is long-lasting.
- Bamboo flooring can be installed over numerous types of sub-floors such as: wood, sheathing grade plywood, vinyl tile, concrete, or Oriented Strand Board.
- Bamboo floors are environmentally friendly. They use a quickly renewable crop. If they are made with safe resins, they have extremely low formaldehyde emissions and make excellent floors for healthy homes.
Technically, bamboo is considered a type of grass. There are several advantages to using bamboo flooring compared to hardwood flooring. First, bamboo flooring is an environmentally friendly product. It takes only a few years for a bamboo plant to grow to maturity, while it takes decades for hardwood trees. And when bamboo is harvested, the root continues to live and produces new stock. Each year, one “mother plant” generates several new bamboo stems that grow to full length in a few months, and to mature hardness in about five years. Bamboo plants are therefore quickly replenished following a harvest. Second, bamboo is harder than many hardwoods, including red oak, so it makes more durable flooring. Third, in most cases, bamboo is less expensive than hardwood while installation costs are the same. Hardwood installers and contractors need no additional training to install bamboo flooring. Bamboo can be installed using exactly
VINYL FAQs
The key difference between vinyl sheet and vinyl tile is in the production process Vinyl sheet is made by printing on up to 15-foot wide sheet. Vinyl tiles are made in individual pieces to produce various patterns and designs while the vinyl sheet is installed as a solid piece. Between the two tiles or planks offer a more realistic look. Vinyl tiles are also easier to repair or remove. We carry Vinyl Sheet Flooring with various features such as scratch-resistant, Antimicrobial, mark-resistant, and stain-resistant.
Laminate flooring, made of high-density fiberboard with a photographic layer, is durable and scratch-resistant but less water-resistant than vinyl. Vinyl, made of PVC, offers a wider range of styles and better moisture resistance, suitable for high-traffic and spill-prone areas. The choice depends on specific needs and preferences.
The lifespan of vinyl flooring ranges from 10 to 20 years, influenced by quality, thickness, and maintenance. Choosing high-quality vinyl and following proper care extends its longevity.
Vinyl and linoleum flooring are very different! At one time the only vinyl anybody knew about was sheet vinyl, which has an appearance fairly similar to linoleum. Because of this, a lot of people confuse the two. Here are the main differences between linoleum and sheet vinyl.
Linoleum:
- Made of natural materials
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-static properties
- Needs to be sealed every year
- Requires a professional installation
Vinyl Flooring:
- Made of durable PVC
- Protective wear layer
- Backing options for fiberglass, foam, or felt
- DIY-friendly installation
- Virtually no maintenance
Sheet vinyl is a multi-layer, durable flooring that’s easy to install and easy to clean. A vinyl sheet features a wear layer and a wear layer to protect it from scuffs and scratches, much like vinyl planks and tiles.
Vinyl sheets used to have a reputation for being “low-quality,” but those days are long gone. Popular sheet vinyl is made of quality materials and contains a fiberglass layer that lays the sheet flat and keeps it from curling. This fiberglass layer also allows sheet vinyl to be loose laid or installed using double-sided adhesive tape, instead of a more labor-intensive glue down installation.
Luxury vinyl sheets come with a huge range of stylish looks, including realist wood and looks, and more contemporary decorative surfaces. The best part? You get all of these benefits at an affordable price.
There are so many kinds of vinyl flooring: waterproof, peel and stick, sheet vinyl, and then all those acronyms. LVF, SPC, WPC. It can start to look like a jumble of alphabet soup. Let’s start with the basics so you know more about your options.
WPC vinyl
This technically translates to wood-plastic composite vinyl flooring. However, many people also use the acronym to stand for waterproof core vinyl flooring. Both meanings are correct. WPC vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, and its core is made from a composite of plastic and wood. In the flooring industry, it’s referred to as engineered vinyl flooring. WPC is recommended for residential use since it is softer underfoot.
SPC vinyl
SPC stands for stone-plastic composite or stone-polymer composite. Both of these terms are used interchangeably. SPC is also sometimes referred to as Rigid Core luxury vinyl flooring. That’s because the stone-plastic composite core in this luxury vinyl is ultra-dense. Like WPC, SPC is 100% waterproof and is also called engineered vinyl flooring within the industry. SPC is great for both residential and commercial use.
LVF(LVP or LVT) vinyl
This is the acronym for luxury vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is sort of the umbrella term that is often used interchangeably with WPC and SPC. LVF can also refer to vinyl that is not waterproof or rigid core, but that has a higher-quality visual, and usually a basic glue down or a lock installation mechanism.
