FLOORING FAQ

Can flooring be installed over tile?

At River City Flooring we always recommend having one of our flooring consultants look at the floor prior to finalizing this endeavor on your own as we’ve seen the good, bad, and most importantly, the ugly. You want to ensure the tile floor is in good condition, the tile is well attached, and level. Installing flooring over tile is similar to installing laminate floor on a concrete slab and just depends on the foundation.

Can flooring be installed over carpet?

NO! We do not recommend installing flooring over carpet as it is soft, unstructured, and creates a lot of future problems. 

Can flooring be used on walls?

Honestly, it depends. Most floors especially the vinyl planks are too heavy and will tell the dry wall off of the wall. There are not a lot of great application for this. We do offer a wood wall plank that looks like flooring if you are interested.

Can laminate flooring get wet?

Only the top of laminate floors can get wet.  The sides, seams, and bottom can never get wet. Some floors are made now with 48 or 72 hour water warranty only on the top! 

Can luxury vinyl flooring be reused?

One of the valuable attributes of a vinyl plank flooring is that if there is a water leak (clean water like from a dishwasher or washing machine), then you can pull it up gently, air it out and lay it back down.

Can vinyl flooring get wet?

One of the great benefits of purchasing vinyl flooring is that it is waterproof.  Now of course, it won’t withstand a flood but it is terrifically resilient. 

Will vinyl flooring increase home value?

Installing new vinyl floors certainly aids in helping increase the value of your home.  Of course, it won’t increase it more than true hardwood flooring but is cost effective, easier to install, and will last for years!

Will luxury vinyl flooring stick to concrete?

The luxury vinyl flooring will only stick to concrete if it is even, dry, and in good condition. We always recommend having a River City Flooring consultant to ensure the installation is successful.

Will laminate flooring buckle?

Yes laminate flooring can buckle and the majority of time, it’s because of water damage to the subfloor.

What flooring is best for homes?

This all depends on What the flooring is utilized for!  We recommend hardwood floors or Luxury Vinyl Plank primarily as it gives the best appearance, adds value to your home, and is easy to maintain.

What flooring for the kitchen?

More often than not, we recommend luxury vinyl plank for kitchens as it’s easy to clean and wears well in high trafficked areas.  Take a look at Southwind Luxury Vinyl plank on our site.

HARDWOOD FLOORING FAQ

Is Hardwood Flooring water resistant?

Hardwood floor is susceptible to water damage in large amounts that incur if a pipe bursts or if flooding occurs for example. If there is a large amount of water damage action should be taken quickly to prevent damage to the flooring. That’s why engineered hardwood flooring has become popular in recent years and more suitable for high trafficked areas.

What type of hardwood flooring is most durable

This mostly depends on the type of wood being used and it’s rating on the hardness scale, also called a Janka score. Some types of wood rank highly on this scale including Brazilian Walnut, which has a very high score of 3680, and is popular for its durability. However, a good finish can make many different types of wood more durable, regardless of this rating. If you’re looking for a hardwood look with more durability, engineered hardwood flooring is a great option.

What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood floor?

Solid hardwood planks are made of a singular piece of wood, while engineered hardwood is made of layers of wood that are fused together using heat, pressure, and adhesives. Solid hardwood can be refinished many times while engineered hardwood can only be refinished a few times depending on texture of the surface and the wear layer. Also solid hardwood shrinks and expands more so than engineered hardwood which makes it harder to maintain.

How thick is hardwood floor?

Solid hardwood flooring planks generally come in one of three thicknesses, 5/8 inch (15.88 mm), 3/4 inch (19 mm), or 7/8 inch (22.23 mm). 3/4 inch is the most often used. Generally, the thicker the wood, the longer the wood will last. Engineered hardwood comes in 5/8 inch or 7/8 inch.

Does hardwood flooring add value to a home?

Yes, hardwood floors can increase the value of a home due to it’s natural look, it’s durability and it’s ability to be re-finished by up to 5%!

How much does hardwood flooring cost?

There are many different factors that go into this, but generally it costs on average cost $4-6 per square foot, plus another $$34-8 per square foot for installation.

How long does it take to install hardwood flooring?

Generally a hardwood floor installation process takes around a few days to a week, depending on the size of your home.

Is hardwood flooring good for pets?

The durability or hardness of a hardwood floor will determine how easily scratches will appear on a floor from a dog or cat’s claws. However, messes are easy to clean from a hardwood floor as they are not absorbent or easily stained. Overall there are pros and cons to hardwood floors when it comes to owning pets, but there are many different options of hardwood floors to suit your needs.

How should hardwood floors be cleaned?

There are special considerations to take when cleaning hardwood floors. Microfiber cleaning products are very useful in cleaning hardwood floors, as are special floor cleaning products such as Bona. A classic broom is generally a safe bet along with a vacuum with adequate suction. Many store bought products can actually be harmful to hardwood floors including Pine Sol, Pledge, and Swiffer Wet Jets.

What is “floating” hardwood floor?

Floating hardwood floor is essentially the same thing as engineered hardwood floor. It is called “floating” because there are many layers to it that separate it from the grade level. The dense, layered structure makes for a very durable floor that is resistant to moisture and humidity.

TYPES OF POPULAR CARPETS IN 2020

Carpet is constructed in several different ways, along with a variety of fibers. Understanding the strengths and differences of each will help you make the right choices for your lifestyle, home, and budget.

At River City Flooring we have a warehouse of carpet selections to choose from and want to aid in helping you select the carpet to best fit your lifestyle.  

Types of Carpet

Plush (Twist)

We like to think of plush carpet as the choice for those who prefer to see vacuum marks!  Plush carpet is soft and great for living rooms, bedrooms, and large indoor carpet areas. If you have a plush carpet be aware that the taller the yarn the more it has to fall.  Be careful not to purchase plush carpet that is too flat or too tall as they tend not to wear as long.

Loop (Berber)

Loop carpet is perfect for high traffic areas in your home. There are different types of loop carpets including level loops, uneven loops, or patterned loops. It’s made out of really tight yarn systems and tends to have long wear time thus making it a great fit for hallways and basements.  Be careful with loop carpet seams upon installing as it can be a little trickier than texture or plush for installation.

Pattern

Pattern carpet is a combination between a loop and plush carpet.  They actually make it in two different loops and they come off and shear off the top loop to make it a pattern.  This gives you a more formal look and we often see it chosen for bedrooms or living rooms.  

Texture

Texture has a lot of crimp in the yarn and multi-colors in the carpet. It’s perfect if you want to hide vacuum marks and footprints.  It’s often chosen for families with children and pets as it tends to show less wear. Texture also comes in a lot of different tones and multiple lengths which makes it very versatile for any room.