FAQ

Typically an ‘underlayment’ is installed below a vinyl floor to create a moisture resistant seal, to reduce telegraphing (when imperfections on the subfloor are visible through the LVT) and to reduce sound resonance on the floor. In some cases LVT products come with a fiberglass, cork, or foam backing that eliminates the need for underlayment. In these cases the floor can be installed directly onto the subfloor or floating over an older, existing floor.

With regular maintenance, your beautiful vinyl floors will last for decades.

Today’s vinyl has come a long way from what you might remember as grandma’s vinyl floors. Vinyl, or “resilient flooring,” can be defined as sheet vinyl, or as luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or luxury vinyl planks (LVP). Vinyl continues to be an extremely durable, and fashionable, flooring choice with outstanding warranties and a gorgeous array of design and style to suit every room in your home. Our LVT and LVP collections offer durability with sophisticated or rustic looks to meet every need.

Thousands of homes, businesses, golf courses, municipalities, parks and tourist attractions have turned to artificial grass to provide a lush, attractive landscape solution that requires minimal resources and maintenance while saving millions of gallons of water each year. It is also a smart way to beautify public spaces such as highway medians and airport landing strips that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to maintain. Synthetic grass reduces city maintenance costs, freeing tax dollars for other purposes. Artificial grass also promotes greater utilization of land, as you can do more with the same space surface than with natural grass. Rooftops once deemed unusable for high rises and residential buildings can now feature inviting green area. Hotels that had to restrict the use of lawns for parties and events can now schedule as many functions as they can book.

Artificial grass for landscape, golf and other recreation applications is the fastest growing segment of the artificial grass market.

Artificial grass is a smart solution for playing fields and landscape that have become unsafe and unsightly from overuse or severe climatic conditions. A grass field simply cannot remain lush and resilient if it is used more than three to four days a week, or in the rain, or during the months when grass doesn’t grow. This fact, coupled with an escalating need for durable fields that accommodate multiple sports teams and activities, the high cost of maintaining a grass sports field, and the need to conserve water, have prompted a rising number of schools and parks to turn to artificial grass to meet their program needs. Today’s artificial grass is designed to simulate the experience of practicing and playing on the best grass fields.

Increasing demand for high quality playing surfaces and intense competition for field accessibility has given rise to a new generation of synthetic turf systems that replicate the look and feel of lush, natural grass. While the first artificial turf systems used in the 1960’s and 1970’s were hard, significant advancements have been made during the past few decades. By the 1990’s, the first artificial grass systems with sand and rubber infill were introduced, which dramatically improved player performance and safety.

Most artificial grass systems installed today include a drainage layer, a multi-layered backing system, and resilient "grass" blades that are infilled with a granular filler to resemble natural grass. "Infilled" means that the man-made grass blades are interspersed with a top soil created with sand and/or granulated recycled tire rubber or other infill materials that provide the necessary stability, uniformity, and resiliency. Each blade customarily stands above the infill material. The typical blade length and system characteristics are determined by the specific activity requirements. In some applications, the artificial grass system includes a pad or elastic layer underneath the grass, often in combination with lower pile height and less infill.

The latest generation of artificial grass is a grass-like ground cover that replicates lush natural grass in appearance and function. When used on athletic fields, it provides a consistent year-round, all-weather playing surface built to withstand extended use without downtime for recovery. As a landscape cover, artificial grass provides a low maintenance, weed-free surface that doesn't need to be watered or fertilized, and is available in styles that look like the grass types that are prevalent locally.

Of course! As long as the colours complement one another, it’s perfectly acceptable to have different rugs in the same room. If you prefer a more cohesive feel, you can use similarly patterned and coloured rugs in different sizes. We love the on-trend look of layered rugs. Use one of our vibrant kilims and place it over a larger, natural rug!

All textiles will fade when exposed to sunlight as well as natural ozone in the air. If your rug is in direct contact with sunlight, its colour may become more muted over time. If the rug is partially covered by furniture, you may notice that the exposed portions of the rug have changed colour. This is a normal occurrence. We recommend that you keep the shades drawn during the time of day when the rug is exposed to direct sunlight.

It is recommend to have your rugs cleaned only when it is needed. If your rug gets heavy use, cleaning once a year is fine. Average wear and tear necessitates a professional cleaning only once every 2-3 years. Regular vacuuming is recommended to keep your rug in the best shape possible.

If you are going to store your rug for any length of time it is recommended that you ROLL the rug (do not fold because this can cause creases), wrap it in plastic with moth flakes, then seal the package with tape. Poke a couple of holes in the plastic to allow the rug to breathe.

It is recommend that a pad under every rug. It will keep your rug in place and help it lay flat.

In some cases, your rug might have a distinct smell. This smell is non-toxic and will subside after you keep the rug out in the air for a period of time. In some cases, the rug has been wrapped up for a while and has not had a chance to “air out”. The smell will dissipate in a matter of days or weeks.

Rotating the rug 180 degrees every 6 months will ensure that the rug wears evenly.

Shedding is when small pieces of fibre come loose from the rug. Sometimes it might seem like a lot of fibre is coming out of the rug. In fact, this is normal for a new rug and should subside within a couple of months.

HAND KNOTTED •Highest quality & durable construction •Knots made by hand using traditional techniques •Heirloom rugs that will last a lifetime •Due to their handmade nature, no two rugs are exactly alike TUFTED •Made with loops of yarn instead of knots •High quality and durable construction •May shed more than woven or knotted rugs WOVEN •No pile rugs due to the way they are loomed •Durable construction •Reversible MACHINE MADE •More affordable than other constructions •Consistent design and pile

Natural and synthetic fibres each possess unique characteristics. Synthetic fibres offer a high degree of abrasion and stain resistance, meaning it is difficult to wear them out. Natural fibres like wool and cotton have been around for centuries and offer vivid colours, excellent wear ability and great appearance retention.

No. Hybrid floors are designed to only be installed using a floating system. Always refer to manufacturers installation guidelines for all flooring products including Hybrid.

Yes it can. Although exceptionally hard wearing and resilient, care does need to be taken to ensure you protect your Hybrid floor from dents and scratches.

Hybrid flooring is an exceptionally hardwearing product that is suitable in both residential and commercial applications.

Hybrid floors combine the look and feel of natural timber with all the very best technical attributes of laminate and luxury vinyl planks. Hybrid features waterproof technology, that is durable and has minimal expansion and contraction, meaning it can withstand extreme temperature changes.

A Hybrid floor is an imitation of real timber flooring and as such cannot be re-sanded and coated. However, its superior wear qualities, ensure that a Hybrid floor, properly looked after, will stay looking beautiful for a very long time.

Hybrid is the latest flooring innovation, combining the best attributes of both laminate and vinyl to create a rigid floating floor that can be installed throughout the entire home. Hybrid is made of multiple layers of materials pressed together for an extremely hard wearing floor. These layers are as follows : • UV coating provides a hard-wearing surface with high impact resistance. • The decorative layer replicated the look of an authentic hardwood floor. • A pre-adhered acoustic backing deliveres improved acoustics and comfort underfoot as well as decreasing installation costs.

In general, we recommend against installing engineered hardwood on your own. Wood is one of the trickiest types of flooring to install, and it’s easy to make a tiny mistake that could ruin the look you were hoping for. By hiring a professional, you’ll get peace of mind that the job is being done right, with no need for costly fixes or do-overs. Plus, hiring a professional allows you to kick back and relax while the pros handle all of the hard work and clean-up.

Installing engineered hardwood can be a complex and difficult process. Your current floors will need to be removed, followed by the application of prepping materials and adhesives. We strongly recommend letting experienced professionals handle the flooring installation process for you. This ensures quality results — without the stress or effort. If you’re ready to replace your floors with engineered hardwood or solid hardwood, ask the professional flooring installers at Flooring America how we can help.

Thanks to their smooth, even surfaces, engineered hardwood floors are a snap to keep clean. In general, we recommend light daily cleaning with a soft broom or microfiber mop or towel, which will help to remove dust and grime. While engineered wood is resistant to moisture, it’s best to avoid cleaning with steam or water to minimize the risk of damage. For the best results, you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, which should provide detailed cleaning instructions.

Engineered hardwood flooring is very durable as it is constructed with multiple layers of wood. The top layer is a veneer of solid wood that can be finished in a variety of species. The exact durability is determined by the hardness of the hardwood veneer species, as some species are harder than others. To increase your flooring’s durability, try capping your furniture with felt pads, which will reduce damage from friction and scraping.

Engineered wood flooring is manufactured by layering sheets of hardwood together, creating a natural, yet man-made product. Engineered floors are made from real, genuine hardwood, yet offer an affordable alternative to solid wood products. Laminate is made from artificial materials that mimic the look of hardwood and tend to be thinner than engineered hardwood. When compared to other flooring types both laminate and engineered hardwood make great choices for your home, as they provide numerous options for your personal style and budget.

There are two categories of hardwood flooring: solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. Both are made from real wood, but the difference is that solid floors are simply cut pieces of wood. By comparison, engineered floors are manufactured by combining multiple layers of wood together, usually starting with a plywood base. Engineered hardwood comes in a variety of species and colors that allows you the freedom to design your space!

No. The natural enemy of wood floors is water and other forms of moisture. Prolonged exposure to water or fluctuations in humidity can cause hardwood floors to swell or warp, often causing irreversible damage to the floor. In some cases engineered hardwood may resist damage due to moisture better than solid wood floors, but good maintenance of engineered hardwood still requires diligent cleaning up of any spills on the floor and only dry-mopping. It is also important that moisture testing be done on the subfloor before installing any hardwood floors to ensure the conditions of the floor will not damage the wood over time.

Engineered Hardwood and Laminate are both hard surface products made of multiple layers of materials and both can have the look of beautiful natural wood, but only engineered hardwood is made from real wood. Laminate is comprised primarily of a wood fiber core produced from recycled wood fibers, sometimes referred to as a high-density fiber (HDF) core, with an image of the desired flooring printed on top and coated with a durable wear layer. With the help of modern printing and embossing technologies laminate can be made to look and feel like wood, stone, porcelain or other flooring products while still having the same compressed wood-fiber layer. In contrast, the grain and texture you experience with engineered hardwood is the real deal, a layer of natural wood cut from an actual wooden timber. In some cases the core layer of engineered hardwood may also be a HDF core instead of layers of real wood or plywood, but the top veneer will always be real wood.

Engineered hardwood floors are wooden floors made with multiple layers of wood adhered together, rather than one plank cut from a single timber, to create flooring planks available in multiple sizes and thicknesses. The top layer, often referred to as the veneer, is made of the species of wood desired to be seen. The bottom layer is also made of wood, but not necessarily the same species as the top layer. In the middle is a core built from 5 to 7 layers of plywood that crisscross in different directions. The species of wood uses for these core layers will vary depending on the quality of the product. Higher quality engineered wood products will boast core layers made of higher grade hardwoods. This crisscross construction of the core layers creates a highly stable core that is less likely to expand, contract or shift when exposed to moisture, humidity and temperature. This makes engineered wood flooring a great option in rooms that are subject to moisture (like basements) or over concrete slab and radiant heating systems. Often times engineered hardwood products are warrantied for use in rooms where solid hardwood would not be warrantied, such as below grade.

Laminate flooring is made of multiple layers adhered together and heated in factory settings. Most laminate flooring consists of 4 layers: the backing layer, the core layer, the image layer, and the wear layer. The backing can vary depending on the product but is often made of melamine, cork, felt or another soft product to allow the laminate to sit comfortably on the floor. The core layer is typically comprised of recycled wood fibres tightly compressed into a dense wood-like core, sometimes referred to as a high-density fibre (HDF) core. The image layer is where the desired look (e.g. wood, stone) is printed onto the product and texture is added through a process called ‘embossing’ to make it feel similar to the material it is made to look like. The wear layer is a clear protective layer manufactured on top of the image layer. The wear layer is often made from aluminium oxide and designed to prevent the floor from scratching or showing excessive wear over time. Higher quality laminate products often boast an extra resilient wear layer that makes the product scratch, dent and fade resistant.

Laminate is an affordable, multilayered flooring product made from tightly compressed wood fibre and designed to look like wood, tile or stone. Laminate flooring products typically have four layers: the backing layer, the core layer, the image layer, and the wear layer. The backing can vary depending on the product but is often made of cork, felt or another soft product to allow the laminate to sit comfortably on the floor. The core layer is typically comprised of recycled wood fibres tightly compressed into a dense wood-like core, sometimes referred to as a high-density fibre (HDF) core. The image layer is where the desired look (e.g. wood, stone) is printed onto the product and texture is added through a process called ‘embossing’ to make it feel similar to the material it is made to look like. The wear layer is a clear protective layer manufactured on top of the image layer. The wear layer is often made from aluminium oxide and designed to prevent the floor from scratching or showing excessive wear over time. Higher quality laminate products often boast an extra resilient wear layer that makes the product scratch, dent and fade resistant. Laminate can be a good choice for many different customers because it offers an affordable way to achieve a desired look, such as hardwood or stone, without having to pay the high material and labour costs for those products. Laminate can be installed at all grades and with a variety of installation methods, including glue down and floating installations, making it a versatile hard surface option. Because laminate is an artificial product made from recycled wood fibre and not real wood, it often does not have the same level of performance as the wood, stone or tile products it is imitating. Laminate is also a relatively lightweight product and as a result can sometimes feel hollow underfoot. Lower quality laminate can sometimes sound hollow underfoot when walking across it.

In some cases yes, but not always. Some laminate products on the market that 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. There are many waterproof vinyl plank alternatives to laminate that will perform similar or better than laminate, and resist water damage, at a similar price point.

Carpet tiles, also known as “modular carpet,” are exactly what they sound like: small squares of carpeting, usually with dimensions of 500mm x 500mm. Carpet squares were designed to provide a lightweight alternative to traditional carpet rolls, which are considerably larger and heavier. Carpet tiles have unique pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to weigh the benefits and drawbacks with an experienced professional. Our team can help you decide whether traditional carpets or carpet tiles are better for your home flooring project.

Steam cleaning or chemical cleaning may be more appropriate for your carpet, depending on the product. Due to product variations, we strongly suggest that homeowners always refer to manufacturer guidelines. The basic difference between these approaches is that chemical cleaning uses specially formulated solutions to help dissolve and break down substances that cause staining, while steam cleaning uses heated water vapor.

When it comes to any question about carpet cleaning and maintenance, we always recommend that homeowners follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Depending on the brand, product line, and other factors, there are different ways to deep clean carpets properly for best results. But you don’t have to dig through any boring technical manuals — instead, simply ask one of our team members for help. With trusted expertise on thousands of products, our home flooring experts can guide you in the right direction.

It’s not just how you clean your carpet that’s important, but how often. As always, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations, which might suggest cleaning daily, weekly, or every few weeks. (Of course, you might need to spot-clean more frequently if you have accidental spills.) Some types of carpeting are more “high-maintenance” than others, but most are a breeze to keep clean thanks to technological innovations in the home flooring industry. For many products, the occasional vacuum and a touch of soapy water is more than enough.

White carpets have a bad reputation for being “difficult to keep clean.” That might have been true in the past — but thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever to keep white carpets looking bright and fresh. Certain products, such as Stainmaster carpets, are specially designed to resist even the toughest stains, making them ideal for homeowners with pets or young children. The best way to keep it clean is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also look for products that come backed by robust stain and soil warranties, which vary from brand to brand. We can help you select the right carpeting, install it in any room of your home, and teach you how to maintain your new carpets for long-lasting results.

Each home flooring project is unique. However, there is no waiting period to place furniture back on the new carpet! People can also walk on the carpet immediately after installation. Also, It would be helpful to walk around the newly carpeted room with your installer for a final inspection.

The answer to this question depends on factors like what types of carpets are being installed, what types of floors are underneath, and the shape and size of the room where the carpet is being installed. Regardless of these factors, installing carpets can be a big (and sometimes messy) job, so it’s best left to the professionals — especially if you’re redoing your home in order to show or sell it!

When it comes to choosing a carpet colour, you have endless freedom. Thanks to modern dye methods, today’s carpets are available in any hue or pattern you could imagine -- in tones that range from eye-popping vivid to soothing pastel. While there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to use colour, one of the best methods is to coordinate with your furniture or other rooms of your home, or to opt for a neutral shade (such as pale grey, beige, or tan) that can go with anything -- even if you change your decor. For example, many design experts recommend balancing one or two neutral colours with a handful of brighter accents, and avoiding clashing colours like purple with orange or red with green.

To some extent, “quality” is about your personal style preferences — but there are also objective quality standards you should pay attention to when shopping for a carpet. For example, durability and performance. No longer is the quality identifier just the fibre type as technology and innovation has made yesterday’s fibres from ordinary to extraordinary. You should consider pile height, density, twist, weight, and ply of the fibre. Along with construction of carpet, you should also pay attention to carpet warranties. A good, quality carpet should offer a solid warranty coverage that protects against events such as spills, stains, and wear. A warranty lets you know that the manufacturers are quality-focused, and that the carpet was designed to withstand normal wear-and-tear while retaining most of its fibres. A Sales Professional at your local Carpet World store can help you find a good quality carpet for your needs.

Some high-tech vacuums can cost close to a thousand dollars (or more). Fortunately, you don’t need fancy bells and whistles to keep your low pile or high pile carpet looking great — just a few basic features. Look for a lightweight vacuum with wide, sturdy wheels. These features will allow you to manoeuvre the vacuum more easily. Ideally, we recommend using a model with adjustable height and motor speeds, though brush roll control is optional. Most vacuums have adjustable settings (such as “high” and “low”) that are designed for use on different floor or carpet types.

It makes sense to know whether you want high pile or low pile before you go carpet-shopping. But if you’ve already purchased the carpet, determining pile is important, because it can help you decide how to use the carpet. For example, if you determine that you have a high pile carpet, you’ll likely want to avoid placing it in a muddy or heavily-trafficked area, since the long, fluffy fibres can be a somewhat tougher to keep clean. For heavily-trafficked areas, low pile carpet is perfect. However, for a more plush, cozy feel -- in areas where you may read and relax -- high pile may be a better option.

Every carpet consists of fibres sewn into a sturdy backing, creating a series of loops that, together, form the carpet’s surface. Some of these loops may be cut at the top. The height, texture, and density of these loops is described using the term “pile.” For example, a “high pile” carpet is a carpet made using long fibres. This tends to create a deeper, more plush, and more irregular or dynamic appearance. Shag carpet is a timeless example of high pile carpeting, which is ideal for contrasting with wood floors or using as a cozy accent in bedrooms and living rooms.

The “pile” of a carpet refers to the height and density of its individual fibres. The term “low pile carpet” describes any carpet made from short fibres that are sewn together in tight, dense rows. This creates a uniform, even appearance, with a texture that is smooth to both the eye and the touch. Low pile carpet is often recommended for children’s rooms, rooms with heavy foot traffic, and hallways.