People in our industry have a lot of questions and concerns about bamboo. I've been selling and working with bamboo flooring since 2001, and I have been working directly with Chinese factories since 2004, but I'll be the first to admit that I still haven't figured bamboo out. It's a tricky material, and my experience with it has been a lot like my experience with wood-the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. But I have had plenty of opportunities to see how things actually play out in the field-the good, the bad and the ugly-when people install different types and brands of bamboo flooring.

To start, I'd like to emphasize three points. First, the most important thing you have to remember about bamboo is that it is not wood. When you're dealing with bamboo, leave all of your wood habits and assumptions at the door. The only things it really has in common with wood are that it grows from the ground, and that it's hygroscopic.

Second, strandwoven bamboo is really not like wood. It looks a little more like wood than traditional bamboo flooring, but the similarity goes only that far. Because it is infused with glue, strandwoven material has unique characteristics that make it even less like wood than traditional bamboo.

And third, not all bamboo is the same. There is a huge range in quality among the many different factories in China, and a huge range in the level of knowledge among the people who run those factories. Unfortunately, most bamboo flooring looks more or less the same out of the box, so buyers are easily tempted by low prices. In general, bamboo flooring is like anything else-you get what you pay for.

Overall, quality has improved in the bamboo flooring industry, and many of the quality problems that we see nowadays are from manufacturers who are cutting corners because of pressure from us, the buyers, to keep costs as low as possible. So, it's not really fair to blame the species for all of these problems, except insofar as it truly is a bit trickier to produce a quality flooring product out of bamboo than it is out of wood. Let's look at why.

Bamboo differs from wood in some of its basic biological structures. Lignins are the natural resins that concentrate in the tissues of wood and bamboo that give them strength and density. In bamboo, those lignins are heavily concentrated in the vascular bundles. The strength of the fibers in these vascular bundles is incredible-it actually rivals steel. But the tissue between the vascular bundles, called the parenchyma, is much weaker than the tissues in most hardwood species.

In bamboo, the strong fibers are clustered more densely at the outer wall of the stalk and get less dense as you move inward. This is very different from wood, where the strong fibers are distributed more evenly throughout the log. In bamboo, the average density of the outer half of the wall may be twice that of the inner half.

To make bamboo flooring, rectangular strips are cut from the wall of the stalk, so each strip has a dense side and a less-dense side. The inner portion of the wall is more stable than the outer portion, so one side of the strip expands and contracts more than the other. So, every strip of bamboo is inherently imbalanced, and this is one of the biggest challenges manufacturers have to overcome.

Bamboo is different from wood in another crucial way: It expands and contracts along its length (longitudinally). In most woods, longitudinal shrinkage doesn't really affect flooring installations, but in bamboo it is 2-3 tenths of a percent-enough to start being noticeable.

Another challenge is that the density and dimensional stability of bamboo change as you move up the stalk. Material taken from the base of the stalk will be less dense and more stable than material taken from higher up.

Now, in case things weren't complicated enough, here's a twist-along the length of the stalk, we have the same type of stability imbalance that we do through the thickness, but it's reversed! The soft inner wall is more stable than the outer wall when it comes to expansion and contraction across the grain, but it is actually less stable than the outer wall in the longitudinal direction. When a strip of bamboo goes into the kiln, it will shrink more across its width on the dense side, while at the same time it shrinks more along its length on the soft side. One side wants to cup while the other side wants to bow in the opposite direction. You can imagine the tension this creates.

With all of these inherent imbalances, one of the keys to making good bamboo flooring is to create uniformity through the plank by orienting the strips in ways that counteract or average out the imbalances.

In vertical-grain flooring, the strips on the left side of the plank are oriented with the denser portion toward the left. Then in the exact center of the plank, they switch directions and are oriented with the denser portion toward the right. If all of the strips were aligned the same way, the tendency of the soft sides to expand or contract more along the length of the plank would cause the planks to crook or "banana." By switching direction halfway across, they get the two sides to pull evenly on each other and cancel themselves out.

Horizontal bamboo is more dimensionally stable than vertical, because laminating the layers bonds the more stable and less stable portions of the strips together and helps cancel some of the movement. In my experience, you see fewer cupping claims on the horizontal material, I think in part because of this horizontal lamination, but also because of the way it is assembled in three layers. They always orient the hard side of the strips toward the surfaces, which creates a pattern that results in having more of the soft, stable material in the bottom half of the plank. So, as the humidity comes up from below and the plank starts to expand, the bottom expands less than it normally would relative to the top, counteracting some of the tendency to cup. In this case, with a wet subfloor, the imbalance of the bamboo actually works in our favor.

Hardness in bamboo is determined by a variety of factors, especially the age of the stalk. The tissues in bamboo harden as they grow older. Typically, horizontal bamboo gets a higher average Janka rating than vertical products because the soft sides of the strips are protected, whereas in the vertical material, they are exposed at the surface.

While age is important, be careful not to give too much credence to claims from some manufacturers that their products are superior because the material is older. Most of the moso bamboo used for flooring is harvested between its 5th and 6th years simply because it makes the most economic sense for the growers. After a point, older is no longer better-if you go much beyond the 6th year, the stalks become more brittle and are prone to cracking.

Other factors that determine hardness include altitude, latitude and soil conditions. Bamboo grown at higher elevations, further north, and in drier conditions tends to be more dense. In my experience, a majority of the bamboo flooring being sold by the premiere brands in the U.S. has material from the prime moso growing region in and around Zhejiang province in East Central China.

Where or when the bamboo was cut only tells a part of the story, because the genetics of the individual plants often play an important role in hardness. You can see fairly large variation in size and density even among stalks cut at the same age from the same farm, and even within the individual stalk there is significant variation in density. The better manufacturers buy only the best portion of the best stalks. This is one of the main reasons cost is a big determinant of quality in bamboo flooring.

For years we have seen bamboo flooring advertised as being harder than oak or maple. This is definitely true for strandwoven bamboo, but manufacturers consistently publish Janka hardness test values for traditional bamboo in the range of 1300-1800, like oak to hickory. Yet we've all heard from disappointed consumers who say that their bamboo floor doesn't hold up nearly as well as their old oak floors. So how can this be?

In some cases it may be inferior or immature raw material, but even quality raw material doesn't seem to hold up as advertised. I believe it goes back to the fact that the material's strength is in its vascular bundles, and the material between them is weak. When we test bamboo using a blunt object like a Janka ball, those strong fibers don't break. But when you hit bamboo with something sharp enough to cut through those fibers, there's little strength to resist the gouging. So, a rock in a shoe can make a much deeper gouge than it would in oak with the same Janka rating.

Another reason consumers sometimes feel misled about the hardness of bamboo is that the marketing often fails to point out that carbonized color is on average 20 percent softer than the natural color, and the published Janka test results are usually results from the natural color. The carbonization process involves cooking the bamboo at very high temperatures, which literally caramelizes the bamboo's sugars. This weakens the material, making it softer and more brittle, and it increases the bamboo's capacity to absorb water, making it less dimensionally stable. This is true for both traditional and strandwoven bamboo.

While traditional bamboo flooring may not be quite as tough as it's cracked up to be, its newer cousin, strand bamboo, is extremely hard and holds up well in high-traffic settings.

Strandwoven bamboo is made of small strands of bamboo that have been soaked in phenolic glue, re-dried, and then compressed into a composite. The result is a product similar to OSB except that the strands of bamboo run the full length of the plank, making it look more like natural wood. As a composite, it is much harder and, in most cases, more dimensionally stable than traditional bamboo flooring.

Some may doubt the statement that strand bamboo is more stable because many people have seen problems with it, but it's important to not confuse dimensional stability with reliability. Dimensional stability tells us how much the material will expand and contract, but it does not necessarily predict how well it will stay flat.

Because of the unique process involved and the glue that binds it together, strand bamboo can be difficult to dry and acclimate properly, can be prone to cracking, and is more susceptible to cupping than traditional bamboo when glued to a slab. And quality matters even more with strand bamboo than it does with traditional bamboo-the process and the glue are critical to its performance and there are many more ways to make mistakes and cut corners.

There are two types of manufacturing for strand bamboo: cold-press and hot-press. Manufacturers of both types claim that theirs is the superior method. Based on my testing and field experience, I'd say the jury is still out and that it really depends on the individual factory.

In my experience, it's much more difficult to make a reliable engineered bamboo than it is to make a reliable engineered hardwood. Since making a bamboo top layer usually involves gluing together smaller strips, there are more opportunities for glue bond failure. However, more often than not, it's the bamboo itself that fails. When that bamboo top layer is locked by a glue bond to a layer of plywood (or other wood) running in the opposite direction, and it's not able to shrink, it has a tendency to tear itself apart more readily than most woods. Again, the weakness of the parenchyma is the problem. Most of the failures that you see with engineered bamboo are in out-of-warranty conditions. Properly made material used according to the manufacturer's guidelines is usually fine. But in my experience, when conditions get extreme, even well-made engineered bamboo is not as reliable as engineered hardwood flooring made with similar care.

A problem you may have seen in traditional bamboo floors is grayish, streaky discoloration in some planks. This is fungus that has attacked the bamboo during the first few days after it was harvested. Raw bamboo rots quickly and has to be treated with borate solution within two days of being cut in order to prevent this. If mold has set in before the treatment, it may still be visible in the finished floor even though it has been killed.

Unfortunately, I have seen cases where mold actually spread in the floor after it was installed, even under dry conditions. As a general rule of thumb, if you see this in a plank, it's probably safer not to install it. I have not seen this in carbonized bamboo, probably because of the heat from carbonization and because the darker color masks any mold. I have seen hints of mold in natural strandwoven bamboo, but it is much less visible and does not present the risk of spreading because the glue and curing process should kill any spores.

There are some other common issues people encounter with bamboo on the job site. Most installers are in the habit of leaving expansion space along the sides of the planks but not where the boards end by the wall. With solid hardwood, you generally don't have to worry about it. With bamboo, because of its greater longitudinal instability, you do. You might also see the opposite problem when things get too dry, where the ends will pull away from each other. Gapping at the butt joints can happen with both traditional and strand bamboo.

RELATED: Avoid Common Callbacks with Imported Species

The growth in the popularity of strandwoven bamboo has been a big boost to the inspections industry; cupping claims on installations over concrete are a huge problem. Many strand jobs have mystified claims inspectors and glue manufacturers because the slab was within allowable limits and the vapor retarder was properly applied, yet still the floor cupped. It has led people to believe that strand bamboo is highly sensitive to moisture, but from what I've seen, strand bamboo has done just as well as similarly dense species of hardwood when installed over a crawlspace. The problem is that when it is installed on a slab, the density and the resin in strandwoven bamboo make it hard for the vapor to escape, causing moisture to slowly accumulate and condense on the surface of the slab. The strandwoven bamboo is itself a vapor barrier, but one that will absorb water slowly over time. This explains why some of these cupping claims over concrete are very slow to develop. The condensation of water under the strand bamboo also may account for the relatively large number of so-called "glue failures" that we've seen in these installations.

To prevent cupping, the perm rating of the vapor retarder would have to be equal to or lower than the perm rating of the strand bamboo itself, which is apparently extremely low, so you need an excellent vapor retarder. So, with strandwoven bamboo, it's even more important than with other materials to thoroughly test and seal the concrete, and to avoid installations where there is any sign of a moisture problem.

Another problem you may see with strandwoven flooring is a phenomenon I call "rippling," where you get tiny ripples or wrinkles in the face. Many strand installations have this problem, but it's often so subtle that the end-user hasn't noticed it. There are a couple of factors likely contributing to this. First, inconsistent or inadequate drying of raw material means that when the product acclimates at the job site, some strands are lifting or sinking relative to others. Second, there is a rebound effect-strands that have been compressed together have a tendency to want to bounce back against the direction of the press, especially with moisture.

The cracking problems that happen with engineered traditional and strand bamboo also show up with some solid strand products. Like with wood, drier conditions seem to bring this out more, but I've seen cracking develop in samples from lesser-quality manufacturers even at sea level in San Francisco. The causes of these cracks are often related to the same factors that cause the rippling-the rebound effect and inconsistent drying. But cracking can also sometimes be a symptom of a poor quality resin and/or improper curing.

Two other problems that you'll sometimes encounter in strandwoven installations are dimpling and edge crushing, which may look the same but are caused by different things. Dimpling usually occurs when the installer is using cleats that are too thick-strandwoven manufacturers recommend 18-gauge cleats, but many installers are in the habit of using 15.5-gauge cleats. Because this material is so dense, the fasteners will push it up and create a lump at the surface.

Edge crushing is a trickier problem. Strandwoven bamboo is very strong but brittle, and if the installer bangs his nailer too hard, he can create fractures in the side of the plank that may not be visible right away. If the planks later expand and pressure is exerted at that seam, the fractures get worse and can travel up through the face. You should be able to tell the difference between dimpling and edge crushing by the fact that on a dimpled floor, many of the lumps won't have cracks, and they will be visible right away.

The truth is that if bamboo is properly made and installed, it can make a great floor. I have been involved in countless commercial and residential jobs that have gone off without a hitch and left the customer very satisfied. The strand bamboo floor that I put in my kitchen in 2006 still looks brand-new today.

To summarize, remember a few key pieces of advice:

1) Avoid using traditional bamboo in demanding settings where you have high traffic, big dogs, etc. It's really just not as hard as the Janka test results indicate.

2) Be sure to thoroughly acclimate and carefully measure the moisture content of strand bamboo before installation. You might be surprised how long it takes to acclimate properly.

3) If you plan to install strand bamboo on a slab on-grade, do careful testing to make sure there are no moisture issues, use the best vapor retarder possible, and be extra cautious with carbonized material.

4) Whenever possible, buy from a company with a good reputation, preferably one that has been importing bamboo flooring for many years. The quality problems and the corner-cutting some bamboo manufacturers engage in usually can't be seen with the naked eye, so you have to be careful. Like with anything else, be wary of a really good price.

We often hear complaints about huge variability in moisture readings with bamboo flooring. Moisture readings on bamboo have to be taken carefully, and even then it's hard to be sure you're getting accurate data.

The first step is to make sure you are armed with the best information available from your moisture meter manufacturer. Some have done extensive testing and have correction guidelines, but the recommended corrections differ from one manufacturer to the next. In my conversations with meter manufacturers, even those that have done a lot of work on this have been a bit mystified and frustrated by the wide range of results they get. There are several reasons for this, among them variations in age and density among individual strips, variations in density from different strand glues and processes, and possible changes at the cellular level caused by heating, but we don't yet seem to have a clear handle on how important each of these factors might be.

Make sure to verify with the meter manufacturer whether their correction numbers are for traditional or strand bamboo. For traditional bamboo, pin meters work fine, but always insert the pins parallel to the grain and to exactly the same depth. This helps make sure you avoid crossing a glue line, which can throw off the reading. For strandwoven bamboo, my experience suggests that you're best off using a surface meter; the factories in China that work with strandwoven products don't use pin meters at all.

Drying bamboo at the factory is tricky, in part because it's so hard to measure the moisture content. Most of the factories don't dry the bamboo down to a target moisture content as we do with wood. Instead, they rely on a predetermined schedule, because checking the moisture content of individual strips can be misleading due to the density variation.

Even with careful drying, consistent moisture content seems to be a problem for all manufacturers of strand bamboo. I have tested material from well-known brands with moisture content ranging from 6-15% right out of the box. With its extreme density and fibers sheathed in glue, acclimating strandwoven bamboo at the job site can take a long time. I would say as a general rule that strandwoven should be treated with the same caution with which you would treat the densest tropical hardwoods like ip and cumaru. Acclimation times should be thought of in weeks, not days. D.H.

Unfortunately, there currently are no useful quality or grading standards for bamboo flooring. People in our industry who have been frustrated by the problems they've been seeing have asked NWFA to develop standards, and the NWFA has formed a committee, which I'm involved in, but it has proven to be a difficult task to come up with much beyond the HPVA rules that are already in existence for engineered flooring. These rules relate mainly to things like machining tolerances, moisture content, formaldehyde, and glue bond integrity, which are all important, but they don't speak to many of the issues explained here. In bamboo, you have tremendous variation in the quality of the raw material itself, and then there are many early steps in the manufacturing process that allow for human error and corner-cutting. In my opinion, to really create effective standards for bamboo, we would have to monitor the whole process from start to finish.

The information in this article was adapted from a presentation at an NWFA Bamboo/Strand Workshop. For more information on NWFA classes, go to http://www.nwfa.org.

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Home Products Hardwood Floor Installation, Refinishing - General Labor Costs

Hardwood Floor Installation, Refinishing - General Labor Costs

Labor costs for installation, refinishing and related projects shown below are ballpark guesstimates as the hardwood floor industry is widely segmented. This can be noticeable from one end of your town to another or one geographical region to another. Some areas may have a concentration of higher labor costs that correspond with the general cost of living, while others may have stiff competition from immigrants, forcing labor pricing down.

The figures below represent independent contractor pricing only, or those that do not own brick and mortar retail outlets. Retails costs can vary upwards of twice what is shown, or even 50% less than what is shown.

S/F- Square foot L/F- Lineal foot Individual strip or plank, not special designs. Calculated by the running lineal foot. Will vary significantly, includes finishing coats. Zub zeros not included

Repair - prices are often calculated by time and material. In other words, total expense of materials used and going labor rate.

Waste Removal & Disposal - Will vary significantly. Often they are not quoted as an individual cost but figured into other expenses.

Electrical, and Gas - Work is not considered within the scope of a hardwood professional.

Other Notes: Depending on what is common in your region, or who is quoting the rates, some labor rates shown may or may not include accessory materials such as adhesives or finishes. Refinishing expenses may be higher depending on whether or not dust control systems are used.

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From Our Readers:

Subject: Quote Too High. Manhattan, NY

Question: I have a quote for 1,124 square feet of wood flooring to be installed in a condominium in Manhattan. I'm shell shocked with the number. They want $18,000 for the work. My sister had the same floor installed in her home two months ago at a price of $ 12,000 and she only lives 20 miles away. Why is this so expensive?

Reply: I think the word Manhattan can probably add a premium to the cost. Other items that can substantially increase the cost in condos or apartments in urban areas would be sound control. Your contractor may be charging you as much as $ 4.00 for adding a sound control system before the actual hardwood floor is installed. Also if you're installing solid hardwood many applications call for adding a plywood subfloor. That can add to the rate as well.

Subject: Removing Floating Floors

Question: Our installer looked at your quote on removing floating floors and laughed. He said he wouldn't get out of bed for that amount. He wants $ 2.50 a square foot that includes dump fees.

Reply: As shown above some pricing does not reflect waste removal. You could just as easily hire a handyman to take care of the floor. Removing floating floors are very easy but does require some care when actually pulling them up. For instance you don't want the guy destroying your door jambs when they pull the floor out. I've seen that happen far too many times.

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Hardwood Floor Installation, Refinishing - General Labor Costs

Get the perfect flooring in Denton, TX, for any type of residential setting at My Flooring America. Our expansive showroom offers numerous flooring options that make any type of design dream a reality for you and your family. With our help, you can eliminate the guesswork and find a floor that perfectly accentuates any room you are remodeling. Working with our flooring specialists, you are sure to find the right style and color that works well with your design plan. We are happy to guide you every step of the wayfrom selection to installation.

Create the look you want at a budget-friendly price. If you are restoring the value and appeal of your family room, choose a soft and comfortable brand of carpet. When you are want to upgrade the look of your kitchen or dining room, get a great price on stunning tile, durable laminate, or dazzling hardwood.

Rest assured that your new flooring will be perfectly suited to the room that you are renovating. Get the durability you need in high-traffic areas, and experience the luxury you expect in your bedroom when it is time to relax. Dont sacrifice the vision you have when your favorite flooring seems just out of reach. We offer the best combination of style and value in this area. There has never been a better time than now to rejuvenate the look and feel of your home.

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Get the top brand names you know and trust when you shop with our team of flooring specialists. Our versatile choices include stunning and diverse collections of all of the following products:

With the best selection of styles, colors, textures, and materials to choose from, your design options are almost limitless. We make it easy to get the flooring look you have always wanted for your home. Just visit our showroom or request a free catalogue of options to review, and choose the flooring that fits your distinctive lifestyle. Take advantage of our special financing which we provide to customers to make it as easy as possible to get the flooring they need.

The quality of your flooring installation is as important as the quality of the products you choose. By working with our team of experienced installation specialists, you are sure to get the look and longevity you need from your new floors. Our team has the tools and skills needed to get the job done right the first time. Protect your flooring investment and get the best fit possible for your new floor coverings. Count on our team to ensure you have a floor you can be proud of.

Get the perfect amount of flooring for your home with our free in-home measurement services. Without the proper measurements, you could be wasting money on flooring you dont need. We are focused on getting you the right amount of flooring for each project you plan. This helps you get the flooring you need at the price that fits your budget.

Contact us today for a free estimate on the flooring that can enhance the value and appeal of your home. We proudly serve Denton, Lake Cities Chamber area, Sanger, Krum, and Justin, Texas.

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Estimating your flooring costs is like anything else, it isnt difficult if you know how. All you have to do is calculate how much your materials will cost and how much your labor will cost.

Do you know what kind of laminate flooring youre going to be using? If so, have you already picked out the style? There are many options in the way of colors, finishes, etc which can make your cost per square foot go up or down. The first step in estimating your floor replacement project is to narrow down your choice of laminate flooring youll use. When you have between one and three it is easier to do the math and understand the costs involved. At that point, simply multiply the square footage by the flooring cost per square foot to arrive at the total materials cost. We recommend adding 10% to this due to incidental needs like curved edges which mean you need a whole new piece, or having to cut the flooring due to the edge needed for a wall.

Calculation of labor isnt as straightforward as estimating the materials. The reason is that what contractors might charge to remove the current flooring, especially in cases of tile and hardwood, can vary wildly. Installation costs can vary just as much, so we would recommend contacting 2-3 contractors and asking how much they charge per square foot for removal and installation of flooring. Depending on your square footage you might get a discount (usually for projects over 500 sq ft).

As an example, lets say Im replacing my carpeting with laminate flooring. The laminate Im installing is $1.50 per square foot and Im redoing my kitchen which is 250 square feet. A contractor has quoted me a flat $150 feet for ripping up and hauling away my used carpet, and will install the new laminate flooring for $2 per square foot. Lets figure materials first. $1.50 per square foot for the tile multiplied by 250 square feet, which equals $375. Add in 10% and the total for flooring materials comes to $412.50. For labor, $2 times 250 square feet equals $500. No need to add 10% here. Add in the removal and haul away for the carpeting and the total labor cost is $650. The total flooring installation price will be the sum of $412.50 for the materials plus $650 for the labor therefore the estimated cost is $1,062.50 (plus applicable taxes). If you dont wish to do this all yourself, feel free to scroll up and try out our laminate flooring installation cost calculator for yourself.

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Estimating your tile flooring costs is like anything else, it isnt difficult if you know how. All you have to do is calculate how much your materials will cost and how much your labor will cost.

Do you know what kind of tile flooring materials youre going to be using? If so, have you already picked out the style of that tile? There are many options in the way of colors, finishes, etc which can make your cost per square foot go up or down. The first step in estimating your tile floor replacement project is to narrow down your choices. When you have between one and three it is easier to do the math and understand the costs involved. At that point, simply multiply the square footage by the flooring cost per square foot to arrive at the total materials cost. We recommend adding 10% to this due to incidental needs like curved edges which mean you need a whole new piece, or having to cut the tile due to the edge needed for a wall.

Calculation of labor isnt as straightforward as estimating the materials. The reason is that what contractors might charge to remove the current flooring, especially in cases of tile and hardwood, can vary wildly. Installation costs can vary just as much, so we would recommend contacting 2-3 contractors and asking how much they charge per square foot for removal and installation of flooring. Depending on your square footage you might get a discount (usually for projects over 500 sq ft).

As an example, lets say Im replacing my carpeting with tile flooring. The tile Im installing is $1.50 per square foot and Im redoing my kitchen which is 250 square feet. A contractor has quoted me a flat $150 feet for ripping up and hauling away my used carpet, and will install the new tile flooring for $3 per square foot. Lets figure materials first. $1.50 per square foot for the tile multiplied by 250 square feet, which equals $375. Add in 10% and the total for flooring materials comes to $412.50.

For labor, $3 times 250 square feet equals $750. No need to add 10% here. Add in the removal and haul away for the carpeting and the total labor cost is $900.

The total flooring installation price will be the sum of $412.50 for the materials plus $900 for the labor therefore the estimated cost is $1,312.50 (plus applicable taxes).

If you dont wish to do this all yourself, feel free to scroll up and try out our flooring installation calculator for yourself.

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Tile Flooring Installation Cost Calculator

Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.

Materials almost always classified as flooring include carpet, laminate, tile and vinyl.

The floor under the flooring is called the subfloor, which provides the support for the flooring. Special purpose subfloors like floating floors, raised floors or sprung floors may be laid upon another underlying subfloor which provides the structural strength. Subfloors that are below grade (underground) or ground level floors in buildings without basements typically have a cement subfloor. Subfloors above grade (above ground) typically have a plywood subfloor.

The choice of material for floor covering is affected by factors such as cost, endurance, noise insulation, comfort and cleaning effort. Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade, including laminate and hardwood due to potential damage from moisture.

The sub-floor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work, see:

Carpet is a soft floor covering made of bound carpet fibers or stapled fibers. Carpeting refers to wall-to-wall coverage, whereas a rug is simply used to cover a space. This type of flooring is typically used indoors and can be used in both high and low traffic areas. It typically lasts for 15-18 years before it needs to be replaced. The quality of a carpet is usually measured in face weight, or how many fibers there are per square inch. The higher the face weight the more plush a carpet will feel.

Carpets come in a variety of materials including wool, nylon, olefin and polyester.

There are different types of carpet like twists, which is commonly referred to as a berber. Twist carpeting is composed of multiple twisted fibers set into the carpet backing. It is typically used in low traffic areas. Another type of carpeting is looped carpets, which are composed of looped fibers set into the carpet backing. This type of carpeting is typically used in high traffic areas as it is easy to clean.

Padding can be placed underneath the carpet to add comfort and provide some noise insulation. The level of comfort is determined by the type of material used, which can include memory foam and rubber regrind.

Many different species of wood are fabricated into wood flooring in two primary forms: plank and parquet. Hardwoods are typically much more durable than softwoods. Reclaimed lumber has a unique appearance and is used in green (environmentally responsible) building.

Engineered hardwood has a thin solid wood layer on top with a composite core. It can be a less expensive option than buying hardwood, but it cannot be sanded and refinished. This flooring typically is installed with a click-lock method.

Bamboo flooring is a floor manufactured from the bamboo plant and is a type of hardwood flooring, though technically not a wood. Bamboo is known to be durable and environmentally friendly. It is available in many different patterns, colors, and textures.

Cork flooring is a flooring material manufactured from the by-product of the cork oak tree. Cork floors are considered to be eco-friendly since the cork oak tree bark is stripped every nine to ten years and doesn't damage the tree. Cork flooring comes in both tiles and planks, and can have glue or glues-less installation.

Laminate is a floor covering that appears similar to hardwood but is made with a plywood or medium density fiberboard ("MDF") core with a plastic laminate top layer. HDF laminate consists of high density fiberboard topped by one or more layers of decorative paper and a transparent protective layer. Laminate may be more durable than hardwood, but cannot be refinished like hardwood. Laminate flooring is available in many different patterns which can resemble different woods or even ceramic tile. It usually locks or taps together. Underlayment is required for laminate flooring to provide moisture and noise control.

Hard flooring (not to be confused with "hardwood") is a family of flooring materials that includes concrete or cement, ceramic tile, glass tiles, and natural stone products.

Ceramic tile are clay products which are formed into thin tiles and fired. Ceramic tiles are set in beds of mortar or mastic with the joints between tiles grouted.[1] Varieties of ceramic tiles include quarry tile, porcelain, terracotta.

Many different natural stones are cut into a variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses for use as flooring. Stone flooring is uses a similar installation method to ceramic tile. Slate and marble are popular types of stone flooring that requires polishing and sealing. Stone aggregates, like Terrazzo, can also used instead of raw cut stone and are available as either preformed tiles or to be constructed in-place using a cement binder.[2]

Porcelain stoneware can be used instead of natural stone. It is a ceramic material like a tile; however, it is typically 20mm (0.79in) thick and often comes in squares of 60cm (24in).

Concrete or cement finished floor is also used for its ability to be treated for different feel and its durability, such as polished concrete. Epoxy resurfacing of concrete flooring is used to update or upgrade concrete floor surfaces in commercial and residential applications.

Unlike tiles which are made of minerals, resilient flooring is made of materials that have some elasticity, giving the flooring a degree of flexibility called resilience. The flooring is available in large sheets or pre-cut tiles, and either comes with pre-applied adhesive for peel-and-stick installation or requires adhesive to be troweled on to the substrate.[3] Resilient flooring includes many different manufactured products including linoleum, sheet vinyl, vinyl composition tile (VCT), cork (sheet or tile), and rubber. Performance surfaces used for dance or athletics are usually made of wood or resilient flooring. The two basic categories of vinyl floor tiles are solid vinyl and vinyl composition, and the three basic categories of vinyl sheet flooring are homogeneous, inlaid, and layered composite. These types of vinyl flooring differ in manufacturing process and content, ranging in vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) content from 11% to 55%.[4]

Resilient flooring products, such as PVC and polypropylene are becoming more popular in specialty applications such as trailer flooring and garage flooring. New applications have also emerged for marine flooring. There are important factors to consider in specialty applications, that may not be present in a typical application. For example, certain tires will leave marks on PVC flooring but those marks will be less prevalent on polypropylene products. Adhesives also change based on application.

Many different seamless flooring materials are available. These are usually latex, polyester, urethane or epoxy compounds which are applied in liquid form to provide a completely seamless floor covering. These are usually found in wet areas such as laboratories or food processing plants. These may have granular or rubberized particles added to give better traction.

Sustainable flooring is produced from more sustainable materials (and by more sustainable processes) that reduces demands on ecosystems during its life-cycle.`[5]

There are a number of special features that may be used to ornament a floor or perform a useful service:

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Flooring - Wikipedia

Bringing Fall Into Your Home

The leaves are changing colors, the air is freshly brisk, and it seems as though everything is Pumpkin Spiced flavor fall has officially arrived!

These long summer days have been a blast but its time to cozy up. Bring on the lattes, and switch out those summer stripes for the warmth of autumnal plaids. Check out these clever tips in helping your home feel fall ready.

Get Decked Out In Decorations

Nothing says its fall quite like pumpkins. Flank your front door with pumpkins of varying sizes and colors for a classic and inviting first impression. Dont forget to place a few atop your mantle and consider creating a door hanger out of fallen leaves from the yard. These inexpensive but thoughtful decorations will feel both cozy and fresh.

IndulgeIn Seasonal Scents

Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, leaves, and more its easy to get into the spirit of season when surrounded by these fall smells. Whether you opt for a luxurious candle, the ease of a diffuser, or the simplicity of good old fashioned potpourri your nose will thank you.

Surround Yourself In Soft Furnishing

Switch out your current pillows and blankets for more seasonal options. Chunky knitted throws and faux fur pillows will create an autumnal oasis for your family and guests. Add pops of color by using deep oranges, warm reds, and plenty of plums. Were cozy just thinking about it!

Peruse Pinterest

Ifits fallinspiration youre after, be sure to hop on Pinterest for everything from delicious seasonal recipes to easy home centered DIYs. Before you know it youll be whipping up a batch of banana bread andhanging fall berry wreaths from every door!

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Rite Rug - Carpet - Hardwood Flooring - Laminate - Tile ...

Recent Job Requests for Install Carpeting Contractors in Jersey City, New Jersey:

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07304

Date: 10/10/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Remodel/Addition

Rooms of Project: Entry or hallway

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Property Owner: Yes

Comment: I would like quote to install carpet on two flights of stairs in home being remodeled. Can go direct to measure for estimate, workers there until 5pm.

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07302

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Replace existing carpet

Rooms of Project: Entry or hallway

Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting

Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible

Property Owner: Yes

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07305

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Replace existing carpet

Rooms of Project: Bedroom(s), Entry or hallway, Family or living room

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Property Owner: Yes

Comment: I need a quote to install carpet for 3 rooms and a stairway

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07304

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Replace existing carpet

Rooms of Project: Bedroom(s), Entry or hallway

Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting

Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible

Property Owner: No

Comment: carpet options

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07306

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07302

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Consultation - I want to explore options with Carpet Pros

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Replace existing carpet

Rooms of Project: Entry or hallway

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Property Owner: Yes

Comment: We need you to remove the carpet from 3 flights of stairs and then replace it with another carpet (35 steps total)

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07306

Date: 09/2016

Customer Need: Consultation - I want to explore options with Carpet Pros

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible

Project Location: JERSEY CITY, NJ 07307

Date: 08/2016

What are you looking for?: Price Quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Comment: I have a one studio apartment that I need to replace the carpet I just the living room 1 room

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07302

Date: 08/2016

Customer Need: Consultation - I want to explore options with Carpet Pros

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Kind of Project: Remodel/Addition

Rooms of Project: Entry or hallway

Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting

Desired Completion Date: More than 2 weeks

Property Owner: Yes

Comment: The project involves installing a runner down two flights of stairs in a very old row house. Also two short hallways and an entrance.

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07307

Date: 08/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Project Location: Jersey City, NJ 07302

Date: 08/2016

Customer Need: Quotes - I'm ready for competing quotes

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Materials Provided by Customer: No

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Carpet Installers in Jersey City, NJ - HomeAdvisor.com

Foothill Carpet Flooring America carries an inventory of wholesale flooring in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with competitive prices. We provide reputable dealers and first-rate services that you can depend on. Have you ever dreamed of having beautiful hardwood in your house? Wanted to know more about what laminate has to offer? Whether you already have an idea or you need some direction, we can find a floor for you. Shop in our flooring store to find stylish collections in numerous materials, colors, sizes, and shapes.

Improve the atmosphere of your home and increase its value with the help of our knowledgeable flooring specialists. New flooring offers a new direction for the overall aesthetics of your interior dcor. Turn those remodeling plans into a reality easily and enjoyably when you work with our friendly team. Whether you are seeking to change the look of one room or your entire property, our staff accommodates your specific needs.

The Full-Service Flooring Store

Choose a flooring store that makes your complete satisfaction its top priority. We carry many home flooring options from well-known manufacturers. Of course, we supplement your total buying experience with affordable rates and a helpful knowledge base. As a result, we are your source for making a smart investment in your home. We even coordinate flooring installation services for you.

Have total confidence in your new flooring. On top of a vast selection and courteous staff, we back our products with warranties that ensure your continued satisfaction. Our industry-recognized Ultimate Confidence Guarantee, for example, covers your total experience, from selection to installation. After all, its your floor you deserve to get the most out of it.

Selecting the Best Choice for You

With so many options to peruse in our expansive showroom, you are sure to find the floors that best suit your needs in looks, performance, and price. The showroom is staffed with courteous and resourceful sales representatives who help you find your ideal home flooring solution. In addition, our skilled installers specialize in room measurements with zero obligation and worry-free installations for all of the following kinds of flooring:

Looking for flooring that is durable or easier to maintain? We have great options waiting for you! Each type we carry has unique features that work with certain kinds of spaces. For example, vinyl is a preferred option for areas susceptible to moisture and impacts, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. In contrast, hardwood works wonderfully for customers longing for elegance and sophistication. Our specially trained home flooring specialists go the extra mile to make sure that youre installing the right floor for your home!

Professional Home Flooring Services

Your next project should be a fun, educational, and stress-free experience. For this reason, our staff is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. From the initial consultation and all the way through installation, our team of design consultants and technicians work with you to attain the results you want. Fulfill your remodeling dreams with our team of skilled and experienced professionals. Our services include more than just simply offering you discount flooring. We are also available to assist with:

Beautiful Options at Sensible Prices

When it comes to updating your carpeting or tile, you deserve stunning results at prices you can afford. Thanks to our wide selection of high-quality products and top name brands, you are bound to find the perfect floors that will accentuate your home interior and impress your guests. Request a free catalog to learn about our featured product releases. Of course, our home flooring consultants are always available to help discuss your decorating preferences.

Our flooring store is committed to being your resource at each stage of your home remodeling project. We have detailed information regarding room dimensions, flooring installation, and care and maintenance recommendation. In addition, we are happy to provide advice on any of our preferred name brands such as:

Youve picked your favorite carpet, tile, or hardwood floor covering. Now its time to make the most out of its strength and visual appeal. As a top provider of carpets, tile, vinyl, and hardwood, our store also coordinates thorough flooring installation services. We strive to make this service affordable and seamless, so you get to enjoy your new investment as quickly as possible.

Work with our experienced and certified installers to protect your investment and ensure its longevity. Our well-trained technicians will complete your project on time and on budget. Our team carefully measures your project area to ensure you pay for the materials you absolutely need. As a result, you are able to stay within your budget.

With a diverse selection, helpful staff, and affordable rates, our home carpet and tile store has everything you need to completely realize your next floor replacement project. Inquire about our discounts and credit application! Our representatives are eager to assist you.

Contact us today to explore the latest flooring options at our showroom. We proudly serve customers in Rancho Cucamonga, as well as Alta Loma, Upland, Fontana, and Ontario, California.

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Flooring in Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Floor Installation

By Lee Wallender

"Free" provokes conflicting emotions. On the one hand, free is free. What can be better than paying $0.00?

On the other hand, it's unfathomable that businesses would carry the high cost of flooring installation. Maybe a shoe store can give away free socks. But with flooring, installation is a service running into the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. We all know that the cost must be carried elsewhere.

Let's examine the details of those offers for free or low-cost flooring installation.

Some extra charge options that I consider moderately or completely optional:

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To Keep or to Toss? 9 Best Closet Clean-Out Tips

I hesitate to call laminate flooring installation easy. But, well, it is easy. Even a minimally skilled DIYer can install laminate flooring. In essence, you are paying someone to do what you probably already can do.

Carpeting is a bit different: it's not as simple as unrolling the product and pressing the edges into tack strips.

Hardwood floor and tile installation are both considered as much art as they are craft, and you'll be hard-pressed to find free offers for either.

And as a final limiter, free installation offers tend to restrict which laminate or carpeting products can be applied to the offer. As one example, glue-down carpeting is often excluded from these offers.

When shopping, keep materials cost separate from labor cost. I think it's perfectly valid to entertain free and low-cost installation offers, but they should be kept separate from materials- and labor-only estimates.

Standardize estimates so that they are all on the same page. For example, if a company offers $250 whole-house installation, and your house is 1,500 sq. ft., the cost per square foot is around $0.17. A negligible amount, yes, but it helps you accurately compare the various estimates.

Sample Flooring Costs For Laminate Plus Installation (Per Sq. Ft.)

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Free Flooring Installation - Learn the Details