You know a great deal about a myriad of subjects such as the capitals of all 50 states, what year the Queen of England was born, the lyrics to “Oops!... I Did It Again,” and how to make the best Bolognese sauce (your grandmother’s recipe, of course.) But chances are (unless you live and breathe flooring like we do), this may be a niche that’s not in your wheelhouse.
While googling your flooring questions is always a viable option, for the best advice, consult with our flooring experts. Not to toot our own horn, but Flooring America has an informative FAQ page that breaks down popular questions related to hardwood, carpet, laminate, luxury vinyl, tile flooring, and more. But what do you do when you don’t know all the right questions to ask?
Below are 100+ questions to ask a flooring salesperson or a contractor broken down by product, as well as some general questions that are good to know.
Hardwood Flooring
- Is sanding hardwood floors a DIY project, or does it require an expert?
- Is hardwood waterproof, water-resistant, or none of the above?
- Can my hardwood be stained?
- How long does staining hardwood take?
- Does sunlight affect hardwood floors?
- What does it mean to get a clear coat on hardwood floors?
- How do you keep hardwood from fading?
- What are the moisture levels in my space, and how will this affect my hardwood flooring in the future?
- Do I need a subfloor, and if so, what kind? (Follow-up question: What’s a subfloor?)
- Which is better: factory finished or site finished?
Carpet Flooring
- What kind of carpet is safe for individuals with allergies?
- Can I get a sample of carpet so I can make sure it works with my space?
- What is the difference between carpet squares and wall-to-wall carpeting?
- Should I install carpeting in an area with high foot traffic?
- What is a carpet pad, and do I need it?
- Does the cost of carpeting change per square foot?
- How does carpet change the acoustics of my space?
- Should I budget for semi-frequent cleanings done by professionals?
- What is an underlay, and do I need one?
- How do I properly calculate the square footage of carpeting that I need?
Laminate Flooring
- How do I prepare my subfloor for laminate flooring installation?
- Why do I need to leave an expansion gap?
- How long does laminate flooring last?
- What does laminate peaking mean?
- What does grain mean as it relates to laminate floors?
- Can I add laminate flooring on my stairs?
- How do I determine my starting wall?
- Can I install laminate flooring by myself?
- If just one of my planks gets damaged, can I replace it, or do I need to redo all of the flooring in that room?
- If I currently have carpet flooring, can I install laminate flooring over it?
Tile Flooring
- Can I purchase a tile backsplash from the same place I purchased my tile flooring?
- What are the different design options for tile?
- How does the size of the tile play into safety?
- Is tile waterproof?
- Why is tile considered to be the most hygienic flooring option?
- How can I accurately estimate how much tile I need?
- Can I put tile on my staircase?
- Why do I need to hire someone to install tile?
- Should I seal my tile?
- How do I know when it is time to regrout?
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
- I am building or renovating my home and will need new floors. How far along in the construction process should I be before installing luxury vinyl floors?
- Is luxury vinyl flooring scratch-resistant?
- How long does luxury vinyl flooring take to install?
- How thick is luxury vinyl?
- How does luxury vinyl flooring compare to laminate flooring?
- What sizes does each plank come in?
- Why should I have underlayment?
- What is floating luxury vinyl flooring?
- What is glue-down luxury vinyl flooring?
- Is luxury vinyl waterproof?
General Flooring Questions
- If unforeseen issues arise with the floors during or after they are installed, how should I handle them?
- Should I order more flooring than the size of the space in which I am installing it?
- What's the best flooring for my home with young children?
- What is the top brand for hardwood/carpet/laminate/tile/luxury vinyl flooring?
- What room is hardwood/carpet/laminate/tile/luxury vinyl flooring ideal for?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- After installing the floors, how will the leftover scraps and other waste be cleaned up?
- What type of flooring is best for residential spaces? What about commercial spaces?
- Will this installation project affect my neighbors?
- How much experience do you have? Can you share examples of your work?
Phew! Hopefully, you found the question you were looking for. Needless to say, you should pepper our flooring experts with as many questions as you can think of to ensure that you know exactly what you are getting into when you purchase and install hardwood, carpet, laminate, tile, or luxury vinyl flooring. Ready to start your next flooring project? Find your local Flooring America to get connected with an expert today.
Shopping for new floors can be daunting. Most homeowners we meet who have to replace a floor express that familiar dreaded feeling about Where To Begin. From weighing hard surface flooring choices such as hardwood, LVT, or tile versus the many new advances in the soft surface options of carpet to choosing among all the styles, colors, and textures, the entire process can feel overwhelming.
But when you break it all down, the task becomes a lot more manageable, and shopping for those new floors can even become fun! Here's how.
6 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SHOPPING FOR NEW FLOORS
We've developed six basic questions that will help you decide what type of floor will work within the greater scheme of your home. By answering these questions, you'll find it will be much easier to decide on a flooring option that you will love and that will serve your home and family for years to come.
These six questions fall into three categories:
- Existing Room Conditions
- Style & Design
- Budget
Let's get started.
Category #1 - Existing Room Conditions
The room and its use will be the first question you need to answer.
1. What room(s) is your new flooring going in?
Depending on your home life, some flooring options are better a fit for specific rooms.
For example, not all carpets are a good fit for high-traffic areas, but most residential carpets are a great fit for bedrooms.
If you want new carpet in the room you are planning for but have kids or pets, you will want carpet with high stain resistance and durability that can be found in a Stainmaster Pet Protect style.
Porcelain or Vinyl Tile are a great fit for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms that will see moisture and need water-resistant or waterproof flooring.
Hardwood would be a better choice than carpet for rooms that need to accommodate a wheelchair, walker or cane.
2. Are allergies a major concern in your home?
While allergens are everywhere, some flooring choices are better than others at helping diminish their presence.
Did you know that carpet can actually improve symptoms of asthma and allergies? That’s because carpet acts as a passive air filter, trapping dust, pollen and other particles, removing them from the breathing zone.
Stainmaster Pet Protect Carpet resists pet hair, reduces pet odors, is easy to clean and has exceptional durability and comfort.
All you need to do is remember to vacuum those allergens out of your carpet on a regular basis to improve your home’s air quality.
Category #2 - Style & Design
3. How will the new floor impact your current home design?
If you’re worried that your new floor could affect color schemes and decor options down the line, there are strategic color choices you can make that will ease your concern.
Right off the bat, always remember that neutral colors will match the widest range of decor. You can always add or remove bold style elements like bright area rugs or quirky, fun furniture pieces to change the feel of a room.
If a room feels cramped to you, a lighter colored floor can make the same space seem larger and open.
Similarly, a darker colored floor can make a room feel more warm and cozy.
4. How does the new floor coordinate with the rest of the flooring in your home?
Don’t shy away from a new surface just because the rest of your home has a uniform type of flooring.
Your new floor can complement the overall layout even if it has a different texture or is a new category altogether. Work with one of our designers to create a blended feel that transitions well throughout the home.
Don’t be afraid to explore different patterns and choices that you may never have considered.
5. Is the new floor easy to maintain and care for?
Every new floor you purchase is an investment, and like most things, proper upkeep will ensure that you get the most out of your investment for as long as possible.
Solid hardwood floors might need to be refinished over time.
Carpet needs to be professionally cleaned at least twice a year.
If you have an active home and find yourself pressed for time, it might be better to choose a surface that cleans quickly like laminate or LVT.
>> See Top Flooring Maintenance Tips for Carpet and Hardwood
Category #3 - Budget
6. Are there any additional costs that your new floor may create?
Our team will work with you to identify any additional costs of your project.
Some flooring products can be installed over irregular subfloors, but other types like rigid hardwood planks will require a precisely flat surface.
Will the trim and thresholds need to be replaced once the new floor is finally installed?
Small costs can make a difference if your budget is already tight, but we will work with you to create the perfect plan for your home and budget.
>> See How to Plan for a Successful Flooring Installation
The best approach to Shopping For new flooring? Have fun.
These six questions are a great starting point to help you choose flooring that balances your needs, wants, and budget requirements. Then, enjoy trying out different looks to see how they can alter and inspire your entire home.
Need more advice? Give us a call! You can even schedule a personal tour of our showroom with a video chat.
>> See Take a Virtual Tour of the Floor Decor Showroom in Orange, CT.
>> See All the Services Available at Floor Decor Design Center
You'll also find that the new flooring shopping experience available in Orange will further help you with your decision-making process. To learn more, check out A New Shopping Experience for Flooring at Floor Décor Design Center.
Thanks for reading!
Janine & Michael
Note: We originally published this article on 04/08/2020, and have updated it.
