Portland Frequently Asked Questions
The primary components of vinyl floor coverings include polyvinyl chloride (or vinyl) resins, plasticizers (high molecular-weight solvents), pigments and trace stabilizers, and a carrier sheet or backing.
Traditional LVT has a thin, flexible PVC core, but WPC and SPC flooring both have a thick, rigid core made of PVC and other materials. For WPC, this rigid core is made of a wood plastic (or polymer) composite. For SPC, the rigid core is a stone plastic (or polymer) composite.
LVP is shorthand for Luxury Vinyl Plank. LVP covers all vinyl designed in planks, giving the look of wood floors with all the features and benefits of vinyl. You may occasionally hear people use the term “LVT,” which stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. LVT encompasses all vinyl products designed to mimic tile or stone.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.
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.
Linoleum flooring is made of natural materials, while vinyl is synthetic and environmentally harmful. The main difference between vinyl and linoleum flooring is that vinyl is manufactured from synthetic materials, while linoleum contains natural materials.
For starters, vinyl is known for being a very durable material, you won’t have to worry about it getting scratched by your dog’s claws. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to most other flooring types.
Placing heavy appliances on top of click-lock vinyl will inhibit the floor from expanding and contracting, resulting in buckling and damaging the locking systems. Heavy furniture on the other hand, is perfectly fine to place on top of this type of vinyl.
Even though vinyl flooring in Santa Cruz, CA should hold up pretty well to the use of a rolling desk chair, it can still be a good idea to put down a chair mat or floor protector. You’ll find these mats in many professional offices and home offices alike.
The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof. Vinyl flooring is made of PVC making it durable and waterproof.
Vinyl floor can be used in an outdoor, temperature controlled environment. This means that you can install vinyl flooring in a sunroom, enclosed porch, or any other “outdoor” space where you can control the heat and cold. While vinyl is 100% waterproof, you still have to be careful of the temperature changes.
Expansion and contraction is a fact of life
vinyl! Vinyl is susceptible to temperature changes in its ambient environment which will cause the vinyl flooring to expand and contract with normal hot and cold fluctuations.
vinyl! Vinyl is susceptible to temperature changes in its ambient environment which will cause the vinyl flooring to expand and contract with normal hot and cold fluctuations.
Of all the do-it-yourself floor coverings, vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest to install. It is easy to cut, requires no bonding to the subfloor, and snaps together edge-to-edge and end-to-end
Fiberglass flooring in residential applications can be installed by three installation methods. The flooring can be installed by the modified loose lay installation method using acrylic double-faced tape under seams, or it can be installed by two full spread options using either S-288 Flooring Adhesive or S-289 Releasable Adhesive. Depending on the type of subfloor, size and complexity of the room, and the type of traffic expected in the room, one of the full spread options may be recommended. Fiberglass-reinforced flooring should not be installed by perimeter fastening methods.
Vinyl tile cutter or utility knife: Either of these can be used to cut the tiles.You could also use a utility knife or any other knife with a concave edge; just make sure it is sharp.
If you’re trying to figure out how to cut vinyl flooring planks, experts recommend scoring the plank with a utility knife and snapping it. Vinyl cutters are a good solution too. For more complicated cuts, consider a jigsaw or miter saw.
A simple, sharp cutter knife, a pen, and a cutting rail or angle are enough to cut a vinyl floor from the vinyl sheet. To do this, simply mark the cut edge with a pen and cut the surface of the vinyl floor with the cutter.
Flooring is typically installed in the same direction of your leading source of natural light, and the same goes for luxury vinyl. If you have large windows in a living room or an entryway that allows a flood of natural light, then run your planks in the same direction.
Yes, Urban Surfaces’ vinyl flooring can be installed over a hydronic radiant heat system. Basically, a hydronic radiant heating system turns the floors into radiators. It warms living spaces. It does that without vents in the walls like conventional forced-air heating systems.
If you’re planning on installing laminate or vinyl flooring in a room with carpet, one of the questions you’re probably asking yourself is, “Can you lay laminate or vinyl flooring over carpet?” Yes, you can install your laminate or vinyl planks without necessarily having to remove an existing carpet.
A vapor barrier is an important component in building construction. Its purpose is to help prevent water vapor from reaching building walls, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or roofs, where it can condense and cause building materials to rot or grow mold.
Flooring underlayment is not always necessary, primarily when you are using a flooring that has its own underlayment padding such as . But underlayment can help with a wide variety of issues, such as sound control in a cement floor application or cold floors in a basement for example.
Use a damp mop to apply to the floor, rinsing the mop frequently with clean, hot water from another bucket or your sink. For extra cleaning power, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to the water and vinegar mixture. Mop first with the soap mixture and then mop a second time with the water and vinegar mixture.
The best way to clean vinyl floors without streaks is to dry mop first to remove dirt. Next, mix white vinegar and water in a bucket and wet mop the floor. Use WD-40 to remove grease stains. Finally, buff the floor with a dry cloth to remove excess water.
Use a damp mop to apply to the floor, rinsing the mop frequently with clean, hot water from another bucket or your sink. For extra cleaning power, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to the water and vinegar mixture. Mop first with the soap mixture and then mop a second time with the water and vinegar mixture
Yes! Using floating hardwood floors allows you to have the beauty of hardwood in moisture-prone basements, where solid hardwood flooring is not recommended. In a floating installation with engineered hardwood, boards respond to humidity and temperature changes as a unit, expanding toward the walls or contracting away.
Your hardwood floor during the Humid Season
During warm and humid summers, your hardwood floor will absorb moisture from the air, swelling and expanding as a result. This expansion can create pressure between the boards, which can cause the boards to warp, cup or crack.
During warm and humid summers, your hardwood floor will absorb moisture from the air, swelling and expanding as a result. This expansion can create pressure between the boards, which can cause the boards to warp, cup or crack.
No matter how dry your environment is, having a moisture barrier is an important part of your hardwood flooring project. Even though your floor is above grade, it’s important you don’t leave it out of the equation. Moisture is sneaky.
The best candidate for waxing is a hardwood floor that was previously treated with a penetrating wood sealer, lacquer, varnish, shellac, or oil, as wax can bolster the protective properties of these finishes. However, you can also wax unfinished floors.
Pretreat it with a liquid laundry detergent, using an up-and-down motion with a soft brush to break up the stain. Rinse well. Sponge with white vinegar and rinse again. Repeat, treating the stain with liquid detergent, then with white vinegar until you’ve removed as much stain as possible.