Popular Types of Flooring
Whether you're looking for something subtle and elegant or bold and lively, there's a floor for you. Discover the most essential details about each type to guide your decision making.
Hardwood Flooring
The appeal of hardwood floors stands the test of time. With shades including maple, oak, walnut, cherry, and more, it can fit any design without sacrificing durability. However, it's among the priciest of flooring materials and requires significant upkeep. At a minimum, you'll need to use specialty cleaning products regularly and refinish the floor every few years. Since it's susceptible to water damage, it's also not suitable for bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood offers you the durability and look of hardwood without the extra maintenance. Typically, it uses a layer of real hardwood attached to a plywood substrate. While it's less likely to warp than true hardwood, it sounds more hollow to walk on and can't be refinished more than once.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is another more affordable flooring option, consisting of a particleboard base, wood or tile finish, and protective plastic coating. It's scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and available in many different styles and colors. However, it chips easily and is susceptible to moisture damage.
Vinyl Flooring
Maintenance with vinyl floors is uncomplicated. You can purchase them in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) styles, with each option equally strong. They also come at a cost-effective price point, somewhere between laminate and engineered wood.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is another timeless-looking, robust option. Like vinyl, it requires minimal maintenance and is easy to clean. As such, it's an excellent choice for areas prone to moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. However, it might not work well for bedrooms and living rooms since it's cooler and less grippy to walk on. Pricing fluctuates between styles, with porcelain carrying a higher price tag than ceramic.
Stone Flooring
Stone floors are among the most waterproof available. You can choose from a variety of bold design options, including sandstone, travertine, granite, and marble. However, like hardwood, it can be expensive and difficult to clean.
Linoleum Flooring
With attentive maintenance, linoleum floors can last for years. It is an affordable choice with many methods for customization. However, it can easily get dented or scratched and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to sunlight. The sun's rays also lead linoleum to fade over time, and it might not work well for areas with excess moisture.
Carpet
Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more comfortable and is great for absorbing sound. You don’t have to be concerned with scratches or dents, and the cushioning makes it a safer choice for kids. However, the fibrous material easily holds onto odors, stains, and moisture, which isn't ideal for allergy sufferers in Alafaya's perennially-high pollen levels.
How to Choose a Alafaya Flooring Company
Choosing the right installer will impact your new floor's quality. We recommend assessing different companies using the following criteria.
Reputation and Reviews
The first thing to note is whether a company is known for good service and high-quality work. You can learn more about previous clients' experiences from review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot. Even the best flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how a provider responds to complaints and interacts with others. If it strives for a satisfactory resolution and acts in good faith, that's an encouraging sign. However, if it's combative or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's wise to avoid working with it.
Portfolio and References
A reputable flooring company will be excited to show you portfolios of its previous work. Take a good look at each listed project and ask questions as you have them. It's also customary to ask for references from former customers. Once you have their contact information, reach out to ask about their experiences.
Specialization and Services
Look for a business that specializes in the type of flooring you're interested in. For example, a crew might be experienced with carpet but not hardwood. Equally important is an installer's service offerings. At the very least, it should offer cleanup and haul-away for your old flooring materials. However, if you're feeling lost in all the color, style, and material choices, you can also look for contractors with design teams.
Cost
Cost is vital to consider, but it should be less important than quality in your decision-making process. We recommend getting three to five different quotes for your flooring job to compare pricing and workmanship. Many companies offer on-site and online estimates to streamline the process.
Warranties and Guarantees
Flooring services typically come with two warranties. The first one, issued by the manufacturer, covers the product itself. The second covers the installers' workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you pick, warranty coverage could be limited to a fixed term. In other instances, it lasts for the life of the floor. Ask an installer about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you a few more years of coverage.
Estimated Timeline
You don't want your flooring project to last longer than expected. Get an estimated timeline up-front and ask about potential delays. Communicate your expectations clearly and secure any guarantees in writing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring in Alafaya
How much will it cost to install a new floor in Alafaya?
See our guides to how much each flooring type typically costs:
What's the most popular flooring material in Alafaya?
What are the licensing laws for Alafaya flooring companies?
What is the average timeline for flooring installation in Alafaya?
Are there environmentally friendly flooring options in Alafaya?
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