Question 1

How do I prepare for flooring installation?

Accepted Answer

• Remove all small items from the surfaces of any furniture needing to be moved and remove bedding or other items from bed in events these need to be shifted. Our teams will do the heavy lifting but require your assistance with smaller items prior to install dates. All closest within installation zones should be cleared of items off of floor and moved onto higher shelves or other storage areas of your preference.

• If flooring occurs in spaces with gas or electrical appliances please contact a specialist to have them safely disconnect appliances prior to installation and reconnect subsequent to completion.

• Ask our team if the temperature or humidity of the installation zones need to be adjusted to help your new product acclimate to your home. In some cases, product will require a space to be stored on-site prior to installation for a minimum of 24 hours ensure appropriate acclimation.

Question 2

What should I expect during the flooring installation process?

Accepted Answer

During the flooring installation process, it's important to keep the construction site and installation zones clear of hazards and people, as exposed subfloor conditions can be dangerous and may aggravate allergies or asthma. Our team will professionally move larger items from room to room or take them offsite if needed, but clients are responsible for clearing smaller items before the installation date. Unforeseen circumstances, such as mold in the subfloor or the need for additional materials to level uneven surfaces, may arise. If this happens, our installation or management team will contact you immediately to discuss your options.

Question 3

What is AC Ratings?

Accepted Answer

Abrasion Criteria (AC) rating is a term used to indicate durability and wear resistance level of laminate flooring scale from 1 to 5. The higher the AC rating, the higher the durability.

Question 4

What do IIC and STC ratings mean for flooring?

Accepted Answer

IIC (Impact Insulation Class) ratings measure impact noises like footsteps or moving furniture, while STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings measure airborne sounds such as voices or music. Most solid surface floors have an IIC rating between 68-74, and carpet products range from 75-85. Some condominiums or townhomes may require a minimum IIC rating, so it's important to check these requirements before purchasing flooring materials.

Question 5

What materials work best in bathrooms and kitchens?

Accepted Answer

Waterproof flooring is always your best option when it comes to high moisture areas which is why we personally recommend a Luxury Vinyl Plank or Vinyl Tile option - see our Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide here (link).

Having said that we do carry engineered hardwood products or laminates that have water resistant qualities which we are happy to discuss for kitchens or other areas prone to spills.

Question 6

What flooring product is pet-friendly?

Accepted Answer

See our Pet Friendly Flooring Guide Here for further details (link).

Question 7

Is carpet still a good choice for modern homes?

Accepted Answer

Carpet is still a great choice for modern homes. While some may think of outdated styles, today's carpets come in endless designs and styles that can transform your home without sacrificing comfort. Modern carpets offer numerous benefits, including improved durability and aesthetics. For more information, check out our Carpet Flooring Guide (link).

Question 8

Are carpeted or hardwood stairs preferable?

Accepted Answer

This boils down to the current condition of your stairs and personal preference; hardwood options will always help to add future resale value to your home, however updated carpet will be a budget friendly option still obtaining an updated but unobtrusive process.

Contact our Experts to get a home visit to discuss your options and be sure to check out our media where you can find recent stair projects we’ve managed.

Question 9

What is the best way to spruce-up my flooring without breaking the budget?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to alter the appearance of a room if you’re bored of looking at the same flooring you’ve had over the last few decades but remains in decent condition would be to purchase a custom area rug.

Visit our showroom to see the premium Stanton carpets and other brands we have to manage your next face lift project.

Question 10

Can I purchase material to install myself?

Accepted Answer

It is always recommended that you have professionals install your flooring seeing as it lays foundation for your home and it’s future value; additionally, manufacturers will not honor most warranties unless installed professionally.

Quality flooring teams and their respective installers will not only provide you with the best advice on best products to use, but can also ensure your floor looks to the best of its quality with no gaps, uneven surfaces or other imperfections.

Question 11

How to Care for my newly installed products?

Accepted Answer

See our Flooring Care Guides hosted below or visit the manufacturer website for specific details

Question 12

General Vinyl Info

Accepted Answer

Accounting for the majority of our current sales, there is a reason why everyone is falling in love with Engineered Luxury Vinyl Products. Not only cost-effective, but luxury Vinyl comes in different styles and appearance which all have the common properties of durability, ease of maintenance, waterproof and dent-resistance.

Installed by experts, Luxury Vinyl is watertight and can be installed in virtually any room of your home allowing you to have transition free flooring throughout living, kitchen and bathroom spaces. Most quality Vinyl flooring is constructed with a durable top layer which will vary in thickness (mm); higher-quality floors have thicker wear layers constructed majorly from Urethanes which help specifically with stain and dent resistant qualities; whereas lower-cost vinyl flooring often have PVC wear layers which help protect the patterned print from being damaged over time.

Additionally, all of our click Vinyl products come with a built in underpad, whether that be cork or foam resulting in more comfort, sound performance, and moisture protection.

Question 13

Vinyl Types and Appearances

Accepted Answer

• Vinyl Planks: Most common types of Vinyl Planks have the appearance of hardwood floors which makes them a more cost-effective and maintenance friendly alternative to wood products with all the benefits of Vinyl products. Alternatively, Vinyl Planks can also come with the appearance of stone, marble or other patterns printed onto the plank format.It should also be noted that vinyl planks are now available in herringbone or alternative orientations.

• Luxury Vinyl Tile: Traditional Tiles can often feel cold, be extensive to install and are not the easiest to replace down the road if required. Vinyl Tiles provide a similar look and texture to a traditional tile, but are often warmer, less messy to install, easily repairable and maintenance friendly. Additionally, Vinyl Tiles can minimize risk of slips or falls and feel softer / warmer (radiant heating compatible) under your feet which can help make a difference in high foot traffic areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. Available in various styles and sizes, our showroom would be the best place to explore your options.

Question 14

Luxury Vinyl After-Care

Accepted Answer

Being one of the most durable and maintenance friendly products carried in our showroom, after-care for luxury vinyl is fairly headache free! Being 100% waterproof most cleaning approaches and applications will be compatible with Luxury VInyl, however if you clean often with a vacuum or broom only occasional mops will be required with mild cleaners such as Pinesol, Mr. Clean etc.

In the event that your floor does become stained try utilizing Dawn Soap or Shampoos to remove stains from bathroom floors rather than harsher chemicals products.

Question 15

General Hardwood Info

Accepted Answer

Across the industry, Hardwood is considered to be the pinnacle of flooring aesthetics helping to increase the value of your home for decades to come as a timeless beauty. Hardwood floors are constructed with quality materials, are thicker than most flooring products helping with warmth and sound properties and have an elegance within the character and uniqueness of each plank. Hardwood, whether solid or engineered, is not recommended for high moisture areas such as kitchens, bathrooms or mudrooms but are commonly found in living, dining, and family rooms.

Like all great things, hardwood requires TLC for maintaining relative humidity, temperatures, and general care and cleanliness. Being a natural wood product, Hardwood requires a zone of approx. 30-50% relative humidity, and between 20-22 Celcius to keep its integrity.

Hardwood comes in various styles and can be installed in different orientations - see more information below or visit our showroom for further details.

Question 16

Hardwood Types and Appearances

Accepted Answer

• Solid Wood Plank: Made from milled lumber solid hardwood can last decades while also providing the options of future sanding and restaining giving you flexibility through the years. Solid floors can be produced from endless tree species available in today’s market including maple, white and red oak, black walnut, brazilian cherry and hickory 
    • Finishings: Hardwood is offered in semi-gloss (shiny, slick look); satin (subtle sheen); or Matte (matte withstands scratches/scuffs better) options along with normal or wire brushed finishings. Depending on the type of wood utilized, there can be an appearance of high knots and variations such as Hickory, or smooth grains with low variations such as Hard Maple. Generally, Red Oak is recognized for its hardness and durability, while White Oak stands out for its beauty with large annual growth rings. For design considerations, lighter shades can help brighten and enlarge enclosed spaces or rooms in your house with low natural light.
 • Engineered Wood Plank: Engineered wood provides the same aesthetics as hardwood but is delivered in a manufactured format by blending real wood with high-density fibreboard or plywood; it is available in many more shapes, sizes and colors. Engineered wood also comes at a more reasonable cost to the buyer while providing a more resilient product that can stand up better to water damage or humidity fluctuations.
 • Orientations: Both Engineered and Solid Hardwoods are available in both Chevron and Herringbone Patterns. These orientations are popular but may only be compatible in certain spaces of your home; they also require additional wastage to be added when ordering material so expect higher material and installation costs when considering your options.

Question 17

How should I care for my new hardwood floors?

Accepted Answer

To care for your new hardwood floors, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for after-care and cleaning, which are often available on their websites. If you're unsure, our showroom experts are here to help. Maintain the recommended relative humidity and temperature ranges specific to your hardwood. Regular cleaning is essential to avoid surface abrasions, and using the correct vacuum attachments will help prevent scratches. Protect your flooring from furniture by using felt padding on the feet or bottom of furnishings. If you need to move furniture, felt moving pads from local home stores can provide peace of mind during the process.

Question 18

General Laminate Info

Accepted Answer

For individuals on a tight budget or seeking a thicker flooring product that will help with sound optics alongside their associated required underpadding, laminate may be the best bet for your upcoming project. As the most affordable alternative wood product, there are various options in laminate, some of which can be more dent resistant or water resistant than others.

As a synthetic product there is no shortage of options when it comes to thickness which typically ranges from 8MM to 14MM, or wider planks with endless color options to choose from.

Generally, the thicker the wear layer the more durable a laminate surface will be and should maintain a better fade and stain resistant surface; similarly, thicker laminate should help to hide small imperfections in subfloors.

Question 19

Laminate After-Care

Accepted Answer

Like all floors, laminate should be vacuumed, dust mopped and occasionally damp mopped with the appropriate cleaning clearing products. Excessive moisture should be avoided at all costs given that water can seep into seams of laminate and compromise the synthetic materials used within the core of the product leading it to bubble, buckle or unclick.

Generally, care for your floors once or twice per week to keep them in prime condition. Majority of Laminate products should be kept in temperatures between 17 - 23 Celcius with a relative humidity between 35-55%. High swings in temperatures or humidity or a drop below 30% relative humidity will often result in gapping or other issues

Question 20

What are the benefits and types of carpet available?

Accepted Answer

Carpet offers warmth, comfort, durability, and sound performance. It comes in various installation types, from traditional Broadloom rolls to carpet tiles, which are popular in commercial settings for their ease of repair and durability. We also supply and install carpet runners on stairs and custom area rugs. The main types of carpets are Polyester, Nylon, and Berber. Polyester is the most popular and cost-efficient, offering benefits like stain resistance, hypo-allergenic properties, and flame resistance. We also offer various grades of underpad, such as stain-master under padding or higher density for added comfort. Carpet rolls are typically 12 feet wide, so it's essential to have an expert measure your space to ensure proper quantities.

Question 21

Carpet After-Care

Accepted Answer

You should always consult your carpet installer or our showroom experts on whether there are specific care considerations when it comes to your recently installed carpet.

For example, Berber carpet may not be the most pet-friendly option given their loop threads and only specific vacuum attachments should be used to protect their longevity.

Polyester Carpets are the easiest to keep clean without deep pockets to trap dust and pet dander

Question 22

Pet Friendly Flooring General Info

Accepted Answer

Furry friends add tremendous value and love within our homes but most of us are familiar with the difficulties of puppy stages, accidents or just increased general maintenance with animals being a part of our homes.

Choosing a pet-friendly option such as Luxury Vinyl, Cork Products or Torlys Smart Floors will help make your life much easier for maintenance and help protect the longevity of your floors and value of your home.

These options generally can resist stains, water damage and odors that pets may cause - explore the associated flooring resources we host to dig deeper.

Schedule Your FREE In-Home Quote Today: (905) 428-6000

Exel Flooring

FAQ