Vinyl Flooring

Al Carrell: Over a hundreds years ago the most popular flooring in America was linoleum. And here all this time later the great-great-grandchild of linoleum is still the most popular flooring, vinyl flooring. We have a specialist who's in here to talk to us, Angela D'Urso. Welcome to our program.

Angela D'Urso: Thank you Al.

A.C.: And you're with Congoleum Corporation. Would you tell our viewers what the most important thing they could consider when they're getting ready to pick out flooring.

A.D.: They should consider the activity level of the room that they're installing the floor in. For example, the kitchen is a very high activity room. And, they want a durable scuff and stain resistant product.

A.C.: All right and a vinyl flooring does represent that. Now Angela, take us through the steps on installing this vinyl floor.

A.D.: We recommend that the floor be cleaned and swept and prepped prior to installation. It's going a concrete slab and there's going to be adhesive throughout the entire floor.

A.C.: Is there any importance in placing the seams in a certain place?

A.D.: Yes. It is important to place the seams in areas that aren't going to have a high traffic.

A.C.: Really, in effect, you don't have seams any more once you have the seam sealer in place, right?

A.D.: Right. The seam sealer actually forms a bond that's tougher than the vinyl on top. We recommend that they still not be in the high traffic areas.

A.C.: A lot of our viewers would like to go in an remodel the house they're in right now. And I think that putting a new vinyl floor in the kitchen and the bathroom is a great way to change the look. How easy is do-it-yourself?

A.D.: Do-it-yourself is very easy. We recommend the home owner lay out a pattern so that they have a pattern to follow when they cut the vinyl. Once the vinyl is cut it's a permanent cut so it's not easy to go back and stretch it or anything like that. So we recommend making a pattern and also we have 12x12 tiles which are a little bit easier to work with.

A.C.: What's the basic difference?

A.D.: They have very similar performance features. They'll both wear very well in wet conditions and high traffic areas. So they're very similar in their wear properties, but just the actual size varies.

A.C.: What are some of the other advantages of vinyl flooring over say, ceramic tile, and other flooring for kitchens?

A.D.: It's a lot easier for a home owner to stand on for long periods of time if they're working in the kitchen. Also, it's a lot easier to clean up.

A.C.: What do you look for when you're trying to pick out floors? You go into a place where they have all the samples. You've seen a hundred samples. What are you going to narrow it down to?

A.D.: When a homeowner is choosing the vinyl floor for their kitchen or foyer, areas where sheet vinyl tends to be installed in new homes, it is important to consider that these rooms are high activity rooms. They're getting a lot of attention. It's a focal point of the home and they want to choose a vinyl floor that going to be beautiful and wear for many years to come. You can always change the wallpaper and fabrics and furnishings in the room much easier than you can change a vinyl floor.

A.C.: I notice that nearly all the patterns that you have are off white. Is there a reason for not having a real white floor?

A.D.: White floors have been very popular over the years. Consumers like the look of a bright, white, clean kitchen. But once they have it installed, they realize that it is tougher to maintain a very white and bright floor. We've seen the trend go more towards medium beige to darker colors, because they're a lot easier to take care of.

A.C.: Is it very important for somebody to consider upgrading?

A.D.: Yes it is, Al. One thing we stress to new home buyers is that they consider they will be living with their floor for many years and to invest in it up front, when the cost of installation is included in the price of a new house, is a smart investment, because to go and replace the floor in two or three years for a better quality, more durable product is going to cost removal of the existing floor, the new product and then reinstallation.

A.C.: So you really would be paying for two floors. If you go ahead and get something better right now, you're just paying a little bit extra.

A.D.: Right, and saving that reinstallation cost.

A.C.: Now when the homeowner moves in, he not only has bought the flooring, he's also bought a warranty along with it. Now what should the warranty include?

A.D.: The base products are going to have a manufacturing defects warranty and warranties against mildew staining. Upper-end products are going to have enhanced warranties.

A.C.: What about if somewhere along the line the homeowner makes a big scratch in the floor?

A.D.: Vinyl flooring is covered and protected by the vinyl wear surface, so they've actually only scratch the wear surface and not damaged the actual pattern under the wear surface. The best way to cover up a scratch would be to apply the manufacturer's recommended floor finish.

A.C.: Hey, listen, you have been wonderful, Angela. You certainly floored me with your knowledge. Thanks a lot for joining us.

A.D.: Oh, thank you for having me Al.

Episode 017 1995 - 96 Season

| Vinyl Flooring | Removing Candle Wax | Carpet | Deck Building Software | Stained Concrete Flooring | What Income Counts | LIST |

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