Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions asked for the past 50 years

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If I bend the carpet and see the backing does this mean the carpet is low quality?

No. All carpets, except woven carpets, are made with spaces between the tufts (ends). Except for stairs, carpet is flat on the floor. You can feel the thickness or density of different carpets by sticking your fingers in the pile, but do it on a flat surface. As a general rule, thicker, tighter, denser carpets perform better.

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I've heard that you can save money by buying an unbranded yarn as opposed to a branded yarn. Is it true that you get the same thing, but you don't pay extra for the brand name?

Similar products with unbranded yarns can be less expensive but that does not mean you get the same thing. The difference between buying branded and unbranded carpet is that branded carpet incorporates branded fiber that includes treatments such as Stainmaster®, Wear–Dated®, and 3M Scotchguard® Protector Advanced Repel Technology, which are manufactured to strict standards set by their company. Using branded fibers can also give you extended warranties backed by both the fiber company and the carpet manufacturer. By using both branded fiber and unbranded fiber, The Flooring Center can offer you a wide variety of styles, colorations, and price points.

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Can I save money by buying a less expensive carpet and putting the best cushion under it?

There is no question that a good cushion is critical to carpet performance, but remember that you walk directly on the carpet so you want carpet constructed to meet your needs and lifestyle. If you buy a cheaper carpet that doesn't meet your needs, you'll have a cushion that feels great, but you may not be satisfied with the look or wear of your carpet.

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What is twist?

Twist is the number of turns put in the carpet fiber or yarn. Almost all carpets have twisted yarns. In most instances, the more twist or turns on a fiber, the better performance you can expect. Yarns that are twisted tighter have a different “feel” than those that are less tight.

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What is engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made up of a core of hardwood, plywood or high-density fiberboard 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. The product thus has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer. The “engineered” product has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture or heat pose problems for solid hardwood floors.

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Can I install hardwood flooring over a concrete slab?

Engineered & longstrip (glueless) hardwood floors can be installed over most concrete slabs (not solid hardwood). The concrete slab must be fully cured for at least 60 days, free of structural defects, clean and visually dry with no history of moisture problems. When testing for moisture, The Flooring Center suggests utilizing the industry–standard calcium chloride test or the Tramex Moisture Encounter (5 max).

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Can I wet mop my hardwood floor?

You should never wet mop a hardwood floor, this will raise the grain and may permanently damage the wood's surface. Use Mohawk floorcare essentials hard surface products to clean and protect your hardwood floor. Always apply the Mohawk floorcare essentials hard surface cleaner directly to the terry cloth flooring mop, not the floor.

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How can I restore the finish on my hardwood floor?

If your hardwood floor's finish becomes dull and scratched, you can restore the finish by a light screening and recoat of the urethane.

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How can I repair a chip in my floor?

If the damaged area is smaller than an inch in diameter, you can use color fill putty to repair the defect. If the damaged area is too large replacing the plank may be required.

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Can pets damage my new laminate floor?

Yes, it is possible for dogs and cats to damage any type of flooring, including laminate. Although laminate floors are extremely durable, they can be scratched by untrimmed pet claws. Keeping dogs and cats claws trimmed will help your floor look beautiful for many years.

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How can I remove scratch marks from my laminate floors?

For minor scratches in your laminate floor, there are special, color–coordinating pencils that may be used to fill in scratches. Come see us for more information. By using some common sense precautions, you can help keep your floor looking like new. Use walk off mats in front off all doorways and felt pads under all furniture legs. Never drag heavy objects over the floor. Instead place 1/4” underlayment or plywood down first and then slide the heavy object across the underlayment panels.

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Can a chip in my laminate floor be repaired?

For chips, deep scratches and gouges, there are colored burn–in, filler sticks available, which are used with special electric knives to repair these areas. If the damage to the plank is too severe, you can have the damaged plank replaced without destroying the rest of the floor. For plank replacements, there are special tools, router bits, and wood splines available to make the job easier. However, we suggest you leave plank replacement up to a professional installer.

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Can a laminate floor be installed over my existing flooring?

Laminate floors can be installed of many types of existing floors, such as ceramic tile, vinyl, and hardwood. Have The Flooring Center make an inspection to determine if the existing flooring is suitable for this purpose. Never try to install a floating floor over another floating floor.

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What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?

Porcelain tile is more scratch resistant than ceramic tile. Porcelain is made from a finer, more dense clay, which results in a more dense, harder body. Also, porcelain tile is fired at higher temperatures than ceramic, resulting in superior durability and stain resistance.

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What are the different types of stones?

There are various types of stones that are used for flooring and decorative purposes. The most well known ones are marble, granite, travertine, limestone, and slate.