Floor Coverings

After you experience a fire or flooding in your home, you need to consider reflooring. There are a variety flooring options to choose from.

Carpet

You can choose many different fibers when looking for carpet. Here are the pros and cons to the most popular carpet fibers.

Nylon

Nylon is one of the most popular carpet fibers. Shag rugs are often made out of nylon.

Pros

• Good Elasticity: Important for moving and re-arranging furniture and for high traffic areas.
• Abrasion resistant
• Static resistant
• Good resiliency: Able to regain it’s original shape after it’s crushed for long periods of time.
• Non-absorbent: It dries quickly.
• Mildew resistant
• Professional cleaning: Responds well to professional cleaning methods and treatments.

Cons

• Nylon is almost always acid dyed: So, it can have problems with bleaching, fading, urine reactions, etc.

Olefin

Most berber carpets are made out of this material because it’s less costly than nylon or wool.

Pros

• Moisture resistant
• Stain resistant: It has good cleanability and stain release.
• Great for outdoor applications
• Chemical Resistant: Most chemicals or bleach won’t damage it.
• Resistant to fading
• Lightweight: It floats on water.

Cons

• Not a resilient fiber: When crushed it does not regain its original shape easily.
• Heat sensitive: Damage can occur at 300 degrees.
• Can be damaged by friction: Damage can be caused from the heat friction of moving furniture across the fibers.
• Exposure to oil-based soils may become permanent.
• Difficult to dye due to its low absorbency rate. It is almost always solution dyed.

Polyester

Polyester is relatively inexpensive to produce. Therefore, carpet manufactures are regularly introducing this fiber into the carpet industry.

Pros

• Very resistant: Usually dyed with a disperse dye or solution dye method leaching, fading and soil dye reactions. Therefore, it very resistant to bleaching, fading and soil dye reactions.
• Stain resistant
• Low absorbency
• Quick drying

Cons

• Limited variety: Polyester is difficult to dye. So, not a lot of colors available.
• It’s not resistant to oily stains.
• Crimp loss

Tile

Tile flooring is a great option. It also comes in a variety of styles, shapes and colors.

Ceramic Tile

Pros

• ?Water resistant:?Glazed ceramic flooring tiles have a protective layer that rests over the material.
• Durable: Ceramic flooring is extremely tough and the tiles are difficult to crack.
• Easy maintenance: Dirt, stains, and liquids all rest on the surface. Therefore, it is easy to wipe or mop them away.
• Allergen concerns: Does not tend to attract dirt, dust, pollen, or other allergens.

Cons

• Hard flooring: Makes it difficult and uncomfortable to stand on.
• Cold flooring: It does not hold heat well. Therefore, it can get very cold in the winter season.
• Hard to install: Tile is hard and heavy and it needs to be installed using a variety of mortars, grouts, and tools.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a subtype of ceramic tile and it is a very popular tile being used in homes.

Pros

• Durable with high water tolerance: Very popular for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Minimal maintenance
• Wide selection of options
• Can increase real estate value

Cons

• Hard to repair: The top finish of the tiles is a coating or a glaze with a different color on the lower layer, which means that it is not easy to fix a little chip.
• Temperature, noise, and slipperiness
• Hard to install

Laminate

Laminate is great because it can reproduce the look of wood, stone and other natural materials.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Very durable surface
• No bad pieces: Unlike real hardwood, ceramic, etc. there are no defects that need to be thrown away.
• Easy to clean
• Stain resistant

Cons

• Not real
• Lower resale value
• Slippery
• Not sandable or refinishable: If it’s heavily worn, deep scratched, or grooved, it cannot be sanded or refinished.

 

Vinyl

 

Vinyl flooring is available in either tile or sheet forms.

 

Pros

• Available in a huge assortment of colors and styles
• Wears incredibly well: Many manufacturers backing their products with warranties of 15 years or more.
• Resistant to dirt and water
• Does not require demolition: It can be installed directly over the subfloor or over a previous vinyl or linoleum installation.
• Low cost

 

Cons

• Manufactured using polyvinyl chloride (PVC): This causes the flooring material to emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air, especially when the flooring is new.
• Soft surface: A sharp object can carve a gouge out of the surface if dropped.
• Lower resale value

 

Wood

 

Wood floors are not only beautiful, but they add value to your residence at resale time.

 

Hardwood Flooring: Oak, Bamboo and Maple, and Walnut

 

There are many varieties of hardwood flooring to suit your style and taste. Oak, bamboo, maple and walnut are some of the most popular hardwoods.

 

Pros

• Good insulator: They retain heat, which makes them comfortable to walk on as they give off a cozy feeling.
• Resilient and long lasting
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Can be sanded and refinished multiple times
• Higher resale value

 

Cons

• Vulnerable to moisture and humidity
• Not suitable for every room: Do not put wood floors in your bathroom or laundry room.
• Hard to install
• Scratches easily
• Noisy: When you walk on it, it can be loud.
• Expensive

 

Softwood Flooring: Pine, Spruce and Fir

 

Pine, spruce and fir flooring are an inexpensive softwood that has a classic beauty and appeal. Softwood is not the first option that most people pick when choosing wood flooring, but it can be a less expensive option. Here are the pros and cons when compared to hardwood flooring.

 

Pros

• Less expensive

 

Cons

• More easily dented and pitted
• Usually found unfinished

 

 

Choosing an Installer

 

When choosing an installer you want to make sure you ask the right questions. After all, carpet and flooring contractors are responsible for the proper and efficient installation of your carpet or floors.

 

1) Is the Contractor Licensed?

 

Ask for the license and be sure to check its validity from the state’s regulating board before agreeing to a project.

 

2) How quickly can the contractor install?

 

Find out how long you will need to wait for your new carpet or floor to be installed.

 

3) Do they have insurance?

 

They must have the proper insurance such as:

• Workers Compensation Insurance
• Liability Insurance
• Auto Insurance

 

4) Do they have a proven track record?

 

Ask the company for references and look for testimonials. Gather information on the carpet or flooring company before you buy.

 

5) Does contractor have good relationships with manufacturers?

 

Good relationships with the top manufacturers provide:

• Better pricing from the carpet or flooring company
• Better attention with warranty claims
• Best products for your home and living space

 

6) Do they offer warranties (installation and manufacturer)?

 

A good contractor will have experience dealing with manufacturers for warranties, and will be registered with the manufacturer as an authorized dealer.

 

If you have any questions regarding your residential flooring, please give Alert Disaster Restoration a call at: 1 (877) 435-8117.