Buying Tips for Hardwood Flooring

Factory Finish vs. Custom Sand & Finish on Site

You should feel comfortable with either choice. However, factory finishing offers many nice advantages. Factory finished flooring is inspected for defects at the mill so you receive first choice every time. On-site finishing depends on the quality of the workmanship that day.

Factory finished flooring usually installs more quickly and without the dust and odors that are involved with on-site finishing. However, even though factory finished flooring comes in a variety of colors, on-site finishing allows for closer color match with existing woodwork or cabinets.

Both factory finishes and on-site finishes are available in either high gloss or matte. Both types have exciting new finishes developed with space age technology. These finishes are not like grandma's old wood floors because they require no waxing.

Engineered products install where no solid hardwood dares to go

Prior to the development of engineered hardwood flooring, hardwood products could not be installed on slab or in your basement without a special subfloor system. Now you can enjoy real hardwood flooring in those areas without all that fuss and expense. A special cross-ply construction eliminates the problem of expansion and contraction usually associated with solid hardwood.

Don't become overly concerned with thinner or thicker top wood layers associated with engineered products because it's the finish you are walking on. Generally speaking you won't need to re-sand and finish these products; just re-coat them unless you need to change the color.

Special considerations when selecting hardwood flooring

Direct sunlight can affect the color of hardwood stains, therefore closing curtains or shades during peak periods will reduce damage. Area rugs left in place for extended periods of time may expose a shading difference once they are removed from the remainder of the floor. Also, large pets with sharp toenails can also damage even the best finishes. 

Laminate Flooring

Buying Tips for Laminate Flooring

Why has this new product category been such a hit?

Laminate products feature a newer type of wear surface that resists scratching, denting, and burns better than many existing products. They also offer extended product warranties to back up these claims for superior performance.

Much of the styling is done in wood grain patterns taking advantage of popularity of hardwood. Still other styling resembles natural stone like you would find in ceramic tile. Laminates offer a popular trade-off for people wanting wood or ceramic. Laminate floors are more scratch resistant than most regular hardwood finishes and easier to clean than the grout lines associated with ceramic tile installations.

Laminates also require less demanding preparation of the subfloor because they are not glued directly to the subfloor. Most of these products are glued or snapped together over foam padding. This feature has made laminate flooring popular in areas where vinyl flooring traditionally was installed.

Custom floor design is also very easily done with products that offer planks and squares that mix and match together.

High pressure laminate vs. direct pressure laminate

You'll hear conversation on this difference but both products perform equally as well in most situations. The high-pressure products have greater chipping and impact resistance. High-pressure laminates also have a separate wear surface protecting the pattern, where as the pattern and the wear surface is the same with direct pressure products.

Laminate flooring in wet areas

Many of the products are okay for wet areas, but the core is made of wood fiber. Look for products that have warranties, that cover water damage. All of them will insist on proper installation.

Finishing touches are important

Look for products that can provide the needed accessories like reducer strips, stairnose, and even air vents that either match or coordinate with the flooring.

Vinyl Flooring

Buying Tips for Vinyl Flooring

Inlaid sheet flooring vs. printed cushion vinyl

Inlaid products will resist the rips, tears and burns far better than printed cushion vinyl products. New innovations like ToughGuard backing from Armstrong help cushion vinyl floors resist tearing.

Residential inlaid products are generally 6 ft. wide and will require seams while most printed cushion vinyl products are available 12 ft wide and can offer seamless installation. However, most residential inlaid product patterns are designed so the seam falls in a grout line and therefore not obvious to the eye.

In recent years, backing materials have been affected by back staining. Ask for newer backings like Armstrong's ToughGuard, which are designed to resist back staining.

Most residential sheet flooring offer no-wax performance and a wide variety of colors and patterns--more than any other flooring product. Printed on products will offer the widest assortment. Some commercial rated inlaid products require waxing. Generally speaking, cushion flooring is the most economical of all flooring choices.

Some products are designed to help you reduce subfloor preparation costs

Next to ceramic tile, vinyl flooring installation demands properly prepared subflooring. Many of the printed cushion vinyl products are very thin. When they are installed with a full spread of adhesive over a poorly prepared subfloor, irregularities can telegraph through.

Products designed for perimeter installation will greatly reduce the effects of subfloor irregularities while lowering subfloor preparation costs. In fact, many of these products can be installed over you existing flooring.

Special Considerations when choosing sheet vinyl flooring

Asphalt staining or dragging heavy objects across the floor can result in permanent damage to vinyl surfaces. 

Whatever your flooring choice, Keswick Flooring is there to make sure your floors are done right the first time, in time and on budget! Check out our room design page for more ideas.