Infloormation

There are many different flooring types to choose from. How do you know which one is right for you? Below are some advantages, disadvantages and characteristics of different types of floor coverings. Hopefully, these can give you an idea of the types that are better for your lifestyle. For more specific information contact your Pierce Flooring representative today!

Carpet

• Ideal for kids rooms and play rooms
• Great for noise control
• Helpful in rooms with subfloor irregularities
• Creates a warm and cozy feel
• Installs quickly
• Offers wide variety of styles and colors

Hardwood

• Great long term investment to prevent replacement costs down the road
• Adds warmth and character to any room
• Able to be installed over a wide variety of subfloors
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Not ideal for homes with large pets with sharp nails
• Not meant to be used in areas with high exposure to water

Tile and Stone

• Great long term investment to prevent replacement costs down the road
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Ideal for homes with high traffic
• Endless design and installation options
• Can be uncomfortable if you have joint trouble or stand in the same area for long periods of time

Laminate

• Great for homes with pets – extremely scratch resistant
• Ideal for areas with high moisture content
• Can give you the look of real stone or hardwood without the costs associated with the natural product
• Less maintenance than the natural products its designed to look like
• Easier on joints than other hard surfaces
• Can be installed below grade

Vinyl

• Resistant to moisture /ideal for kitchens and baths
• Cost effective solution
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Many styles and colors to choose from
• Can tear and gouge more easily than hard surfaces
• Potential to yellow with sun exposure and age

There are many more advantages and disadvantages for each type of flooring. These are just a few to give you an idea about each type of product. Giving your Pierce Flooring representative more information about your lifestyle and needs will enable them to give you more specific advice. You may also find our “How I live” questionnaire and FAQ section helpful, click here for frequently asked questions and answers. Start shopping today!

Besides the many color and size choices for tile and stone, there are also many design installation options that can enhance the look of a tile or stone floor. Not all tile or stone floors have to be laid straight! Adding a pattern to your tile or stone installation will give you a more unique look and in some cases can even make a room appear larger. Other reasons to use a tile pattern include separating one area from another area and creating a focal point for the entire room.

Before planning a tile or stone installation pattern, you should always consider the size and shape of the room in relation to the size and shape of the tile or stone. If you are going to use a pattern for your tile installation, you always want to make sure that there is enough space in the room for the pattern to repeat. Your Pierce flooring sales consultant can help you with this.

Some commonly used tile and stone installation options:

• Turn the tile on the diagonal or on a 45 degree angle
• In addition to turning the tile on the diagonal or 45 degree angle, add a smaller tile such as a 2×2 or 4×4 in the intersections of the joints to create a “dot” (shown above)
• Set the grout lines with an offset or brick joint
• Use multiple sizes of tile (if available – not all tiles are available in multiple sizes) to create a modular pattern
• Use a border tile or decorative listello piece to create an area rug look
• Alternate multiple colored tiles to create a checkerboard effect
• Combine a larger tile and a smaller tile together to create a pinwheel pattern (for example: a 12×12 and a 4×4 tile)

For more tile and stone installation patterns, ask your Pierce flooring sales consultant.

These are just some of the options you can choose from to set your tile installation apart from a standard straight installation. Keep in mind that if you choose a pattern for your tile or stone installation that you may be required to purchase more tile and there may be  additional installation charges to install the pattern. The more complicated the pattern, the more tile it can take and the more the installation cost can be.

To get some pattern and design ideas, click here to view our gallery of floors. To try different tiles in different room scenes, use our Virtual Design Tool. These tools can be very helpful  in determining if a pattern is right for you as well as which type of pattern is right for you!

Have fun! Be creative! Put your signature on your tile floor installation today!