Hard surface flooring option for laundry rooms, craft rooms, playrooms or anywhere else you need an easy to clean durable floor.

VCT is a 12” X 12” X 1/8'' thick vinyl composite tile used mainly in grocery stores and big box stores. But VCT is a great option for residential use in laundry rooms, craft rooms, playrooms, storage rooms, food storage rooms etc. because it is durable and easy to clean.

You can buff it like the stores do to make it shine or keep it the original matte finish. Just damp mop with a properly diluted neutral detergent solution. I like this product because it comes in a wide variety of colors and allows you the option of a fun checker pattern or any pattern you desire using 12 X 12 tiles. The tiles do come 45 to the box and are usually sold in full boxes. I have seen clients get really excited when they realize this as an option that allows them to spruce up or have fun with an area without great expense.

Material and labor are relatively inexpensive, but you need to check with a flooring contractor since this is more of a commercial product, not all retailers offer VCT. If you are a do-it-yourself person, you'll find it easy to install. Simply square out your room, make sure it is balanced with a 12"x12" product, make sure the floor is smooth and you are ready to glue.

There are several manufactures of VCT: Armstrong, Mannington, Azrock, Tarkett, Congoleum, and many more. Start your search by looking for a qualified commercial flooring contractor. Don't worry you’re not a small job anymore. Everyone wants work and you will be surprised who is willing to help. Have fun designing your floor.

**Photos are courtesy of Armstrong, click here to see more**

How do I clean my carpet?

This is a question frequently asked of flooring suppliers. The truth is most of those who sell carpet do not clean it. They usually rely on a professional carpet cleaning service. Some flooring stores do have an in house cleaning service and if not can probably recommend someone they use. But for everyday spots and spills most manufacturers have a guide on their website that can really help. If your receipt does not specify what manufacturer your carpet is from, then call your salesperson and ask. If you have a warranty on your carpet most manufacturers require it to be cleaned at certain intervals or the warranty is void. Also the Carpet and Rug Institute website is a great reference for cleaning and other carpet questions, and recommended by the carpet industry.

Here are some of the major carpet manufacturers websites for care and cleaning:

Shaw

Mohawk

Stanton

Royalty / Camelot

Masland / Dixie Home (pdf)

Unique Carpets Ltd. (wool)

What kind of carpet pad should I use in my home?

Pad helps extend the life of your carpet and increases the insulation making your home quieter and warmer. Poor quality of pad with lack of support for the carpet will allow the carpet to wear out quicker and begin to wrinkle or buckle. Pad comes in different types, weights, and thickness. Your pad choice will depend on your subfloor, type of heat, type of carpet and the use of the area being carpeted. Generally for residential use pad should be no more than 7/16”(pad thicker than ½” voids many manufacturer’s warranties) and no less than ¼’ thick with a 6 to 8 pounds per cubic feet density. This makes it soft enough for comfort and dense enough to wear well.

Pad comes in three basic forms:

1. Foam pad There are two different kinds of foam pad: A - recycled rebond foam pad is the standard pad that is used most often. It does not use foam that is recycled instead it uses new foam scraps from furniture manufacturers and other industries. This pad looks like what it is- a bunch of small foam pieces stuck together. This is a good functioning pad and works well for most residential applications. Not only does this product keep scraps from other industries out of the landfill but it is also recyclable. B – pure or solid foam specially manufactured to be carpet pad. This is a solid piece of foam cut into sheets and has many of the same properties as the rebond pad but is firmer and a better insulator, due to these qualities we wouldn’t recommend it for a floor with radiant heat. It is also costs 3-5 times more than the rebond.
2. Rubber pad comes in 2 types as well: a molded waffle pattern that is soft and resilient and good for residential use and a flat sponge rubber that is used more in commercial applications and under flat weave carpet.
3. Fiber pad is made of natural and or synthetic fibers that are interlocked and pressed into sheets of felt in different thicknesses that usually comes graded as to how much traffic it can take: light, medium, or heavy. Fiber pad is usually used under commercial carpet if the carpet is not glued down or if commercial carpet is used in a residential setting.

Take a moment in your shopping experience and discuss pad with your carpet supplier and ask to see what they recommend and why, especially if you have radiant heat or other concerns. You can also get pad coated with plastic to make it moisture resistant, moisture proof and or pet proof. Some pads perform better depending on the dryness or humidity of your climate.

A good overall pad would be a rebond either 3/8” or 7/16” 8 pound.

Here are some links for additional information: 

http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/carpet-padding/ 

Shaw Floors Pad resource