Skip to main content

Flooring Issues

If you have ever purchased flooring before, you probably understand that it can be a trying process. The littlest things can make life difficult for everyone involved. For instance, Transition pieces for wood flooring can be very difficult to get sometimes. There is nothing worse than having a job linger because of one T-molding. Anytime someone comes into your home and tears it apart, then leaves something undone for days on end, can drive you nuts. Back orders on floor covering is another issue we all face. It seems like when a product is on back order, that it is never going to arrive. Then, all of the sudden the manufacturer tells you that it is not coming in on time. At this point the customer must choose to wait, or find another product. This can be a real pain, which leads to an unpleasant experience. These problems are not typically the retailers fault, but they are the ones that suffer. retailers rely heavily on referrals and pride themselves on customer service. Even the smallest issue can cost a retailer big time.

Another problem this industry faces is: The installers, they run and control everything. The retailer typically does not get paid until the job is complete and is often held hostage by the installer (the installer is always looking to increase his bill to the retailer). Essentially, no one is happy until the job is complete and the installer has left. There are many problems within this industry, much to many to mention in this article. If I had all the answers I would be rich, the one answer I do have is: Get concrete information before signing any contract. If necessary, get the sales person to check stock ahead of time, on all Items. Speak with the installer ahead of time to make sure there is no conflict in scheduling the job and if all else fails, have a back up plan. Most problems in this industry can be avoided by asking a few simple questions, which leads me to my next post. The top ten questions to ask when purchasing flooring.

If you feel like this site has informed you, or has helped you in any way, I would like to know. Feel free to pass this site along to your friends. After all, it was built for you, the consumer.
Thanks again for visiting my page.
The Floor Man

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Solid Vs. Engineered Hardwood. Which is better?

In this article I will cover the difference between engineered and solid wood flooring. I often get asked; is engineered hardwood actually real wood? The answer to that question is: Yes! There are some who think that engineered wood is inferior to its solid counterpart. Solid wood has its benefits, however it is not necessarily better than engineered. Actually, the opposite just may be true. Engineered hardwood has a cross-plywood construction, with a solid wood veneer laminated to the top. Solid hardwood is just that, solid. Both styles range in thickness from 5/16 to 3/4 inch. Both types of floors come prefinished or unfinished and come in a variety of widths and styles. There are several benefits to engineered hardwood. Here are just a few. Engineered hardwood is more dimensionally stable than solid wood flooring. Engineered floors can be glued down directly to concrete, floated or stapled. They can be installed above, on, or below grade. Engineered floors are less prone to cupping...
33 comments
Read more

Hardwax Oil vs. Urethane Finishes

In the early to mid 1980's,  a new type of urethane fini sh entered the market; water-base urethane was the new craze. With the entrance of water-base into the market-place, contractors quickly began to realize its value. The new water-base finishes added extra durability, dried much faster than its counterpart, and reduced the amount of labor hours. Prior to urethane finishes, hardwood floors were often sealed with multiple layers of shellac (lacquer was also popular); contractors would apply a coat of hot wax, which acted as a protective barrier. Finally, contractors would then polish the floor; finishing it up. Now, almost after a half of a century, the new craze is here; "Hardwax Oil".  Made from waxes and oils, such as carnauba and parrafin wax, and natural oils, such as sunflower and linseed. Hardwax Oil is quickly gaining favor in the hardwood finish industry. So, the question is, which is better. Urethane or Hardwax Oil?...
10 comments
Read more

The Valinge Locking System

If you are looking to purchase a new laminate or hardwood floor and you plan on doing it yourself, then I recommend buying Robina. Robina laminate and hardwood, both feature the Valinge locking system. This locking system is the best on the market today and is the easiest laminate/wood floor to install ever. Valinge produces a 2G and a 5G locking mechanism. The 5G versions are used on all 12mm laminates and all 1/2" wood products. The 2G systems are used on 8.3mm laminates and 3/8" wood products. The main difference between the 2G and the 5G is that the 5G products has a plastic clip on the end of the boards, the 2G does not. However, both locking systems work identically. The big advantage Valinge has against its competition is that there is no need for a tapping block or hammer. This product drops and locks right into place with no beating or banging. The Unilin system requires a tapping block and hammer (which could damage the floor) and is more difficult to install. The V...
4 comments
Read more