Cleaning and Maintenance

cleaning vinyl plank

Cleaning and Maintenance

Hard Surface flooring Cleaning and maintenance for (Laminate, Vinyl Plank, Tile, Hardwoods) are relatively the same steps when doing general clean up. First dry sweep or microfiber the floor for any dust and loose debris. You can also use a vacuum for this if you have multi-functions like the Shark does. Spot clean with a warm rag and light soapy water, ring almost dry and scrub any stuck on dirty or grim.

Vileda or Swiffer style wet/dry machine washable microfiber mop with a built-in sprayer is my go-to cleaning tool. Use a light cleaner that is pet and child safe mixed with water to the cleaners diluting specifications. Lightly spray the floor and scrub all areas. Do not oversaturate the floors with water ever, be sparing, your floor may be water resistant, but your walls and baseboards are not. Cleaning and maintaining your floors often keeps them clear of debris and looking brand new longer. It is also important to maintain manufacture warranty guidelines on cleaning and maintenance of your particular floor type as to not void your warranty unintentionally.

Now that you know all you need to know about Vinyl Plank flooring visit our products page to start choosing your perfect flooring.

Extras to consider

Door mats – Keep door mats at every entrance to prevent dirt, sand and debris from settling into your flooring. Other substances such as organic material and oils can also be tracked inside, leave shoes at the door whenever possible.

Do not Drag Furniture – Heavy items such as furniture should never be dragged across any flooring surface. When moving heavy items use a dolly with wide air tires and protect the floor with plywood if necessary. Never slide or roll heavy objects across the floor. Some items are just too heavy to be moved on hard surface floors. 

Curtains & Blinds – Adequate window protection is important to prevent colour fading and high heat exposure which can lead to problems in some floors. Keeping your home at a consistent temperature is important for not just flooring but all electronics in your household. Considering purchasing a smart temperature monitor that will not allow your home to get too hot or too cold when you are away.

Furniture Feet – Use non-staining wide felt protectors on the bottom of all furniture to prevent scratches. You can even replace pointed or narrow furniture feet with wider ones if necessary. You can purchase these at any dollar store, home improvement or online.

Spill Response – Quick response on spills is your best defense. Thoroughly soak up all liquid. Start at the outer edge and work your way in to prevent any further spreading. Once dry, clean the area. 

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Being prepared for your Flooring or Renovation Appointment

Being prepared for your flooring appointment can make your renovation process the best possible experience. You have been Pinteresting your heart out for the past two or three months and now your finally ready to jump in and start visiting your local flooring store, cabinet shop or hardware store. Being prepared for your flooring appointment will ensure your jobs success. Here are some basic tips to make the experience the best possible and to make sure you can properly convey your vision to your chosen contractors. 

Know your areas that need work

Clearly define what areas need to get done vs the ones you maybe just want to get done. If you are over budget which room might be left out this time? Have those tough conversations with yourself now so you are prepared for any hiccups if they do arise. Always have a back up plan just encase.

Know Your Budget

Knowing what your comfortable with spending on a project is something only you can answer. Knowing your budget or at least a rough idea can save yourself and others lots of time. Each trade can only give you pricing based on what it is you would like done. In most hired trades there will be areas to cut costs but that usually means doing the work yourself. Removing old flooring or taking care of garbage and recycling are two ways to reduce bill costs and perhaps get you that laundry room done as well! We always suggest having a small portion of your overall budget held for emergencies or hiccups. Whether it’s unexpected levelling or a surprise leak under the toilet, don’t get caught with a maxed budget and a necessary fix to continue your project. 

Tip – When renovating small spaces choose to do them in the off seasons when most trades are slower, you get the same quality of work but for 5-25% less in some cases. Always watch for specials and promos!

Bring All The Stuff

Have floor plans from your recent home purchase? Bring them! Use a cool app to design your dream living space? Definitely bring it! Paint Samples, Fabric Samples, Tile and Backsplash samples, counter tops and cabinets, if you have already fallen in love with it and it will be used in the space your new flooring will be bring a sample or photo. 

Shop Around

Go to a few different flooring stores, shop prices and speak with their representative. Keep in mind you will be dealing with this person throughout your entire renovation process, its probably best to at least like them. If in person isn’t an option try browsing through our online gallery.

Don’t jump on the cheapest deal, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Things to watch out for; Square Footage Amounts, Product Quality, Product thickness, Does it include Installation, are there any hidden fees. Ask these questions now and read through all estimates very carefully. If you are unsure if a service is provided ask before. 

Shop Local

When given the opportunity give your support to your local small business flooring store. It wont take long to find the hidden gem in your community. Start by asking your local Facebook community groups, search flooring in Google to get a list of local nearby stores and read through their reviews. Once you have a short list, make a quick phone call to get any quick answers you need before booking appointments. This will ensure your time is not wasted if the store can’t accommodate your requests.

Benefits of Laminate FLooring

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Portraits Silo Laminate Flooring

What is Laminate Flooring?

Before talking about the benefits of laminate flooring one must know what it is. Laminate flooring is made of 4 different layers. First is a wear layer or overlay, then a design printed layer. Then the core layer and backing counterbalance layer. The core layer of laminate flooring is usually made of melamine resign and fiber board materials giving the board its strength. The wear layer of laminate will vary depending on manufacture and quality of flooring. Contrary to popular belief there is no plastic in laminate flooring, it is all wood or wood byproducts.

Laminate floorings multiple layers make it the perfect flooring for any area in the home. It is very durable and prefect for high traffic areas in either residential or commercial settings. Don’t be fooled with low quality laminate flooring products, learn the difference and why it is important on Mohawk Revwood Laminate website.

More Benefits Of Laminate Flooring

Affordability – One of the most affordable flooring options on the market. Consumer popularity and manufacture competition have drastically decreased prices but increased quality in an attempt to capture more market share. 

Durability Laminate is great for high traffic areas due to its multiple layers and strong fiber core. The wear layer protects from sun exposure, scratches and protects the design keeping your floors looking newer longer. Some laminates come with waxed edges adding more water resistance.  

Design- With some of the best wood mimic design options and advanced technology, it can be tough to tell hardwood apart from some high quality laminates. There are so many different options from plank width to plank length, different colours, different wood species, and even fancier installation design options like herringbone are now possible with certain click laminates. 

Easy Maintenance  Keeping your laminate free from debris and harsh chemicals will keep it looking brand new for years. Use minimal moisture when cleaning and make sure the area is sufficiently dry before putting down matts or area rugs. 

Easy to install – The easy click locking systems most laminate flooring have make installation a breeze.

Laminate flooring is perfect for those looking to mimic wood floors in their home but don’t want to pay the expensive price for engineered hardwood or real hardwood. The better quality laminate you can find the more realistic your floors will look. With a tough wear layer laminate flooring will stay looking nicer longer, saving you money.

What is Rigid Core Vinyl?

Rigid Core, SPC, WPC, Luxury Vinyl Plank. What do all these names really mean?

Rigid core refers to the rigid inner core of luxury vinyl plank which gives it strength and durability. There are three types of rigid core vinyl plank, SPC, WPC and Hybrid Mix. Stone Plastic (Polymer) Composite- SPC, is made of a mix of 60% calcium carbonate or Limestone, polyvinylchloride and plasticizers. Wood Plastic Composite – WPC, is made of a mix of polyvinylchloride, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, foaming agent and wood like or wood material such as wood flour. Hybrid mix is any combination of the above materials to make the core of the vinyl plank stronger and less plyable as traditional vinyls were. 

Which one is right for you?

Design​

Manufactures have the ability to design SPC and WPC in any shade, texture and pattern. From wood planks in various lengths and widths to Tile, Stone, and Marble designs. 

Strength

SPC’s limestone core gives it a higher density compared to a WPC, although usually thinner. SPC also offers better protection from scratches or indents from heavy items. It is also less susceptible to extreme temperature changes. 

Application 

Originally created for the commercial market, rigid core vinyl quickly became a home owner favorite because of its click lock system. Traditional vinyl plank from before had to be glued down which usually pushed DIY customers away and into Laminate. Another plus with rigid core vinyl plank is they do not require as extensive sub-floor preparation prior to installation as a glue down vinyl would require. 

WPC is generally more comfortable under foot and is less dense than an SPC due to the foaming agent. WPC is a great option for areas where patrons or employees are standing for long periods of time. Along with the comfort WPC’s foaming agent also absorbs more sound for a quieted environment. 

Cost

Both WPC and SPC come in at similar price points. Both can be purchased with attached pad making DIY installations less expensive and quicker to install. 

Which product comes out on top? SPC or WPC? It really depends on your intended application and what you want out of your flooring. If you are still unsure don’t hesitate to give us a call to discuss your needs. 604-474-1722

Vinyl Plank

Vinyl Plank Information

Technical Information

There is so much out there when it comes to Vinyl Plank Information it can get overwhelming quickly. Here is a brief breakdown of most vinyl plank flooring composition. Vinyl flooring is made to resemble wood, stone, printed and porcelain flooring. It is made up of several layers of polymer materials which make it 100% waterproof. It has quickly become one of the most popular flooring types in the last few years.

Each layer of the vinyl flooring has a specific purpose. Starting with the top wear layer (A on diagram Below), this protective barrier gives the flooring its scratch resistance keeping the pattern layer protected and looking newer longer. Average thickness of the wear layer is 12mil – 20mil for commercial applications. Next is the print layer(B) which is the colour, texture and pattern of the vinyl you see. Next is a core layer(C) made up of either SPC or WPC materials which give it strength and durability. Lastly a backing or attached pad layer(D) for fast application and added resilience. Underlays also act as a cold and moisture barrier.

Vinyl Plank

There are different versions of vinyl flooring SPC and WPC. SPC Vinyl have a hard core made from stone and polymer blend while WPC is wood polymer blend. SPC is stiffer and sturdier and less resilient underfoot. WPC is more flexible and cushions the foot. SPC should be used in heavy traffic areas whereas WPC is perfect for residential applications.

Benefits of Vinyl Plank

Versatility- Perfect for any room in the house due to its waterproof ability. Other floor coverings may be damaged due to exposure to water for long periods of time. 

Design – Comes in different colours and patterns including wood, stone, marble and cement designs. Can be used in entire home creating a unique seamless flooring design throughout. Can also combine colours to create your own unique look.

Durability – One of the strongest floor covering options on the market, it will not fade, burn, or be damaged by water. It is also more slip resistant than its other hard surface flooring counterparts.

Easy Maintenance – Regular cleaning keep this flooring looking newer longer. Most floor cleaners are methods are safe to use, but make sure to check with the manufactures cleaning directions and suggestions to maintain your warranty. 

Easy to install – For even the most novice do it yourself-er this flooring has easy click locking system that is ideal for those looking to save on costs and install themselves. 

Affordability – At a fraction of the cost vinyl flooring can mimic hardwood, stone, or marble flooring types. Also, the easy click installation available can save time and money during installation 

It is no wonder vinyl flooring has quickly become one of the most popular floor covering options. Its perfect for residential and commercial spaces, no matter your style or budget there is a vinyl flooring out there for you.

For more information on Vinyl Plank Flooring and its specifications visit the BC Floor Covering Association website here.

Like this article? Find more flooring information on our Floor Facts Blog.

Preparing for Home Flooring Renovations

Preparing for a full home renovation can be incredibly daunting. Especially if you plan to organize it yourself. Anyone who has done even the smallest renovations will tell you they can become a major stressor in your life. A bunch of people you barely know come into your home and turn it, what feels like, upside down. Follow these pre-renovation tips to ensure your flooring or any renovation goes smoothly and efficiently. 

Wall Décor & Special Items

Before your flooring renovation work begins all décor items and pictures should be removed from tables, furniture and walls. Safely pack away or move it into an unrenovated room until everything is complete. This will ensure it is not accidentally damaged or become dirty from dust. (Yes, there will be dust) Also you will save yourself a lot of time on cleaning up all those items and may find the time to declutter or redecorate your new space!

Clear the Floor

It seems simple enough until you run out of places to put things! If you have a lot of furniture and are planning on redoing all your flooring it may be helpful to rent a storage or clear space in the garage. Speak with your flooring contractor about a plan for furniture shuffling if neither of these are an option. Also take this time to declutter your furniture or perhaps change your paint colour as well. 

Prepare for Dust

Did someone say dust? Yes, there will be dust. No matter what type of flooring you choose to have installed there will be dust associated but it will go away. Dust travels, on clothes, on material, on shoes and in the air. Along with removing décor items cover furniture with bed sheets to ensure a quick clean up. If you have central air, consider turning the fan off for the renovation days or block/closing the vents in the rooms being worked on. You can also set up plastic sheeting between doors to minimize dust travel between rooms as well. If you are having your renovation done during rain season you may need to provide a covered area outside for cutting purposes, we try to limit inside cutting unless it is Vinyl Plank. 

Plan Waste Removal

Some municipalities do not accept renovation waste, you will need to call in a disposal company or bin rental that deals with construction waste. Ask us about bin rentals for your flooring project or let us do the removal of your old flooring and we will dispose of it for you. If you are unsure of what to do with the waste refer to your estimate to see if it is covered or contact your flooring contractor to inquire about their procedure with waste and who is responsible for what. 

Budget for Emergencies

We always suggest having a small portion of your overall budget held for emergencies or hiccups. Whether it is unexpected levelling or a surprise leak under the toilet, don’t get caught with a maxed budget and a necessary fix to continue your project. Need help with budgets for flooring in surrey, langley, or Vancouver, use the check out cart to apply taxes to see your total.

Scheduling 

Co-ordinating multiple contractors for a home reno can be overwhelming. Try to be flexible with your scheduling and give each trade plenty of time to complete, with extra time allotted after to fix any deficiencies or wait on material back orders. This saves you the hassle of pushing back all your other contractors and possibly incurring charges for rescheduling. Planning on redoing your kitchen? Shop our cabinetry options here.

Have a retouch up plan in place with your painting contractor to finish baseboard painting and touch ups and stair walls or scuffs. 

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