What Flooring is Right For You?

The manufacturing of carpet - which can be described as sewing strands of yarn into a backing material - creates thousands of yarn loops. When these loops are tufted and left uncut, they are loop carpets. When all of the tufted loops are cut, the result is a texture, often also called a cut-pile or plush.

There are many options of "wood" flooring including real hard woods, laminate and luxury plank flooring.

Tile-look flooring comes in many options, ceramic or porcelain tile, sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles. 

You can have variations of traditional textures depending on the length of the yarn, the twist in the yarn and the height. For example, you're probably familiar with the term "Shag" carpet, and it traditionally represents a taller height of yarn.  

Saxonies refer to lower, smoother finishes.

And friezes often mean a twisty, medium height that creates a less formal but perfect foundation for a variety of settings.  These other terms you may hear are cables, sculptures, and velvets. Frieze, also referred to as twist, is a very popular style of carpet today. Its appearance is unique but clean. It’s often multi-colored but it can also be a solid color.

Luxury vinyl plank flooring, commonly referred to be LVT (luxury vinyl tile) and LVP (luxury vinyl plank), is the most common type of clicking vinyl on the market. A luxury vinyl tile or plank is a waterproof floor that is easy to install and maintain. A luxury vinyl tile is usually affordable and the perfect option for budget projects, rental properties and residential projects.

Luxury vinyl is durable, waterproof flooring that has the look of hardwood or stone without the hefty price tag. Also referred to as LVT/LVP, luxury vinyl is made up of multiple layers that aid in the design, durability, and ease of maintenance of this wonderful flooring choice.

Luxury vinyl plank flooring, commonly referred to be LVT (luxury vinyl tile) and LVP (luxury vinyl plank), is the most common type of clicking vinyl on the market. A luxury vinyl tile or plank is a waterproof floor that is easy to install and maintain. A luxury vinyl tile is usually affordable and the perfect option for budget projects, rental properties and residential projects. Luxury vinyl is durable, waterproof flooring that has the look of hardwood or stone without the hefty price tag. Also referred to as LVT/LVP, luxury vinyl is made up of multiple layers that aid in the design, durability, and ease of maintenance of this wonderful flooring choice.

When the carpet is tufted with a high and low loop and left uncut, you have an unlevel, hi-lo or patterned loop. You can also have a patterned loop referred to as a cut loop. This occurs when some of the loops are cut, usually to form a distinctive pattern in the carpet. In some cases you may hear people refer to a distinct coloration in the carpet as a pattern. This is not uncommon but in most cases they are usually referring to a printed pattern or coloration in the yarn.

Patterns in a carpet can provide a rich layer of sophistication and design to any room.  You'll find a wide range of options including geometric patterns, organic patterns, large, and small.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring  product fused together with a lamination  process. Laminate flooring simulates wood  (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique  layer under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin  and fiber board  materials. Get all the durability of laminate flooring with the beautiful aesthetic of wood or tile. 

Vinyl sheet is often used as an alternative to natural stone, ceramic tile or even hardwood, especially in rooms like kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms that are more susceptible to moisture. The layered construction provides stability, cushioning and a protective finish for durability.

When loops are tufted very tightly, the carpet is often very dense and is typically a great choice for higher traffic areas, A tight loop construction also minimizes footprints. Most loop carpets are good for high traffic areas; just make sure to keep the little ones from pulling on the loops and shoo away the cats that tend to pull on the loops.
≈Because the loops are connected to each other; a pulled piece can cause a zippering effect. If this happens, DO NOT PANIC and do not cut the pulled yarn! Lay the yarn down gently and contact the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They can send a professional to your home to correct the issue using a technique called reburling. In most cases zippering is not covered by residential carpet warranties.

Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made up of a core of hardwood, plywood or HDF and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core and is available in almost any hardwood species.

It’s important to note that all porcelain is ceramic but not all ceramic is porcelain. Specifically, porcelain is ceramic that has lower water absorption due to a denser body therefore it’s ideally suited for outdoor installations. Ceramic tends to be more cost effective than porcelain. It is easier for the installer to cut and has more color options available