The longer a local flooring store has been in business, the greater the likelihood it has been ‘endorsed’ by the community. Notwithstanding the larger ‘Big Box’ stores (which benefit from greater buying power and marketing support than their less-known counterparts) smaller and privately owned flooring stores must rely on the quality of their craftsmanship, their overall knowledge and the service they provide their customers. Without mastering either of these components, a store might as well be out of business! Floor Town has been taking care of its customers’ flooring needs, from its location on Rte 17 South in Paramus, since 1957.Along with some common building materials and some every day household items, laminates and engineered hardwoods frequently contain various levels of formaldehyde as a bi-product of the adhesives used in the manufacturing process. Formaldehyde, an invisible, odorless toxic gas, can be dangerous if left unregulated.In the flooring industry, California’s Air Resource Board (aka CARB – a division of the EPA) has set the standards for ‘admissible levels’ of formaldehyde in laminates and engineered hardwoods. CARB’s latest standards fall under the heading of ‘Phase 2’.Because individual countries are subject to different standards, some manufacturers have taken to shipping their operations to the Far East (namely China) where regulations are far less stringent and manufacturing costs can be reduced. By asking your flooring consultant to show you proof of CARB 2 compliance for the laminate or engineered wood you are considering, you can rest assured that your air quality will remain clean and safe after installation. (That being said it’s always a good idea to keep your windows open for a short while whenever installing floors or shelving that requires assembly with glues containing formaldehyde.) You may rest assured that all laminates and engineered hardwoods in Floor Town’s showroom are CARB 2 certified as this has become a pre-requisite for all suppliers of such products, wanting to do business with Floor Town.The National Wood Flooring Association (aka ‘NWFA’) has set the Gold Standard for competence of wood flooring professionals in the United States. Any top quality flooring company will keep up to date with the NWFA standards regarding installation, floor prep, moisture and environmental issues that affect your hardwood investment, as well as the proper care and maintenance of hardwood floors, refinishing, etc.Here’s a game you can play: when asking this question, see what kind of answer you get. If your flooring consultant has never heard of the NWFA, that will tell you something about his/her overall knowledge of the industry – or, lack thereof. If members of the store’s leadership team aren’t accredited, you might ask “why not? Floor Town is a NWFA accredited member. Its owner and head flooring consultants have been accredited for many years.If a store refuses to provide you with a copy of the manufacturer’s product warranty, don’t do business with them. It’s that simple! All reputable manufacturers understand the necessity to ‘back up’ their products. Furthermore, the installation process is also an area subject to frequent errors and misjudgments. That’s why manufacturers also provide installation warranties. A trust worthy flooring consultant should welcome every opportunity to discuss his/her warranty policies prior to a sale.Stores who have been in business for a number of years should have plenty of testimonials or references they can share with you. Most people are thrilled when prompted to share their opinions – especially when it comes to customer service! If not, ask yourself “why not?” If a store cannot direct you to any of their online review sites or to specific customers who’d be willing to share with them, again, ask yourself “why not?” At Floor Town, there are over 250 individual customer reviews on sites like Angie’s List, Yelp; Houzz.com; Google, etc.This question may appear a little uncomfortable at first but it will, without a doubt, reveal how transparent and trustworthy your flooring consultant truly is. The answer/s you receive to this question should leave you feeling appreciated and understood, irrespective of where they fall on the price scale. More importantly, you should be very clear as to why they charge more (…do they invest a greater percentage of their resources in educating their customers…their staff?) or charge less (do they buy in large volume but skimp in other areas?) than other stores. You may choose to do business with another store, but you’ll feel more confident once you’ve been able to gauge the tone and nature of your flooring consultant’s answer. At Floor Town, our prices are competitive to those of surrounding stores. However, as a Floor Town customer you will further benefit from our consultants’ and installers’ superior product knowledge, their commitment to matching your needs and budget requirements, and a willingness to be straight forward with you if they cannot.
Hardwood is a truly timeless flooring option that lasts for several decades, complements any interior design scheme, and increases the value of a house. What’s not to love? If you’re planning on getting new hardwoods for your home, partnering with an expert installer is a key component of ensuring your vision comes to fruition.
So, how can you have confidence in an installer if you’ve never worked with them before? It’s all about asking the right questions. These seven questions to ask your hardwood flooring installer will give you an idea of their experience, skillset, and what to expect from the installation process.
1. Can I see a portfolio of your previous work?
To start, we recommend asking to see examples of the installer’s previous work. A portfolio can tell you a lot about a contractor, including their experience with residential versus commercial projects, what types of flooring materials they’ve worked with, and what to expect from the finished appearance.
The installation team at Floor Factors has decades of experience in both homes and commercial spaces. We’re seasoned in installing hardwoods in traditional houses, condos, townhomes, studios, lofts, and sprawling estates. Check out our residential gallery for samples of our previous work.
2. Do you have professional training?
Before signing on the dotted line, be sure to also ask if the contractor has had any professional training or relevant education specifically in regards to hardwood flooring installation. This will give you an idea of their technical skillset as it relates to the job at hand.
Floor Factors is committed to upholding the highest standards and only employs thoroughly trained installers. We participate in a union apprenticeship program, which ensures our team meets or exceeds the required on-the-job and classroom training hours. We also offer ongoing safety courses and continuing education for our installers.
3. Will you need to visit my home before getting started?
Even if you select top-of-the-line hardwood floors for your home, they won’t look as good or last as long without proper installation. For this reason, working with a reputable installation company is vital.
When you ask if they’ll need to visit your home before getting started, a knowledgeable and experienced installer should answer yes. Prior to ordering the materials and beginning installation, a crucial first step is to see your space in person, take measurements, and check your subfloor.
4. Is my current subfloor suitable for installation?
When the installer visits your home, they should take a look at your current subfloor. Most often, subfloors are made of plywood, particleboard, or concrete. If you’re planning to get prefinished hardwoods, you should be able to install them over any of these subfloor materials because they’ll be clicked or glued into place.
On the other hand, if you’re considering unfinished hardwoods, concrete probably won’t work, as the planks have to be nailed down into the subfloor. Your flooring installer should also check your subfloor for damage. If necessary, they’ll recommend repairs before starting.
5. Do you handle demolition?
Aside from checking your subfloor and making any necessary repairs, your hardwood flooring project might require some demolition. In many instances, demo is an essential part of flooring installation. It involves prepping the space for new floors and safely removing any hazardous materials.
Whether your hardwoods are replacing old carpet, sheet vinyl, linoleum, or tile, Floor Factors can handle the demolition for you. We’re familiar with substrate demo and surface prep, and we’ll check for water damage and potential leveling issues that could affect the project. If needed, our team can repair damage and level your floors.
6. What is the best kind of hardwood flooring for my home?
You might already have your sights set on a particular type of wood, finish, or plank style. Still, some rooms may be more suitable for certain kinds of hardwood flooring than others. As we mentioned, subfloors are often a determining factor in terms of whether you can install prefinished or unfinished planks.
On top of that, some hardwoods are softer than others, making them more prone to scratches and dents. Since natural wood floors can expand and shrink when they come into contact with moisture, they may not be the best option for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, or laundry rooms. If you’re not sure which type of hardwood floors to get, ask your installer. They’ll provide an expert opinion based on the unique characteristics of your home and recommend an alternative for rooms in which hardwoods might be less suitable.
7. Can you order my hardwood floors for me?
To simplify the process, you may want to go with an installer who can order your hardwood flooring materials for you. In many cases, installation companies have working relationships with top manufacturers, which is convenient and often cost-effective for customers.
At Floor Factors, we partner with the leading local and national flooring manufacturers. This means we can help you with a custom order and make sure you get the best possible price on materials.
Hardwood Flooring From Floor Factors in Portland
Asking these hardwood flooring installation questions will give you peace of mind on your next project. For superior, trusted service at every stage, look no further than Floor Factors.
As a one-stop-shop renovation resource, we’re proud to offer our customers:
In-house design consulting
Free estimates
Custom ordering
Demolition
Subfloor prep
Installation
We specialize in bathrooms and kitchens, but we guarantee top-tier service for any room in your home. Apart from flooring, we carry countertops, window treatments, and more. We’re locally owned and operated with a massive flooring showroom in the heart of Portland’s Pearl District.
Do you need help selecting the best hardwood flooring for your home? Contact us today.