Flooring Installation FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What Is the Best Flooring for Kitchens?
Kitchens demand flooring that stands up to moisture, spills, foot traffic, and dropped objects. The most popular options for kitchens are luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and porcelain tile. LVP offers water resistance, comfort underfoot, and a realistic wood appearance without the vulnerability of solid hardwood to moisture. Porcelain tile provides exceptional durability and complete water resistance, making it ideal for high-use kitchen environments.
Engineered hardwood is also suitable for kitchens in homes where the wood-floor aesthetic is a priority, though it requires more careful maintenance around sinks and dishwashers. Our design team helps you choose based on your household’s cooking habits, traffic patterns, and style preferences. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, flooring selection is coordinated with cabinetry, countertops, and the overall design.
What Flooring Works Best in Bathrooms?
Bathrooms require flooring that handles standing water, humidity, and frequent cleaning. Porcelain and ceramic tile are the top choices due to their complete moisture resistance and the wide range of sizes, colors, and patterns available. Tile also allows for heated floor systems, which add comfort in cooler months.
Luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile are increasingly popular bathroom options because they are waterproof, comfortable underfoot, and faster to install than tile. They offer a warm, wood-look or stone-look appearance without the maintenance concerns of natural materials. If you are planning a bathroom remodel, we coordinate your flooring with tile, vanity, and fixture selections.
What Is the Best Flooring for Homes With Pets?
Pets add specific challenges to flooring durability. Scratch resistance, water resistance, and ease of cleaning are the top priorities. Luxury vinyl plank is one of the best options for pet owners because it resists scratches from claws, handles accidents without damage, and cleans easily. Look for LVP products with thicker wear layers for maximum scratch protection.
Porcelain tile is another excellent pet-friendly option due to its hardness and water resistance. Laminate works well for pet owners on a tighter budget, though it is less forgiving of standing water from accidents. Solid hardwood can show scratches from pet claws over time, though periodic refinishing can restore the surface.
What Is the Best Flooring for Homes With Kids?
Families with children benefit from flooring that is durable, easy to clean, and comfortable. Luxury vinyl plank checks all of these boxes and handles the spills, dropped toys, and heavy traffic that come with an active household. Carpet in bedrooms and playrooms provides cushioning and warmth, reducing injury risk from falls.
Engineered hardwood and laminate are also strong choices for family homes, offering durability and style. In areas where messes are frequent, like kitchens and mudrooms, waterproof LVP or tile provides the easiest maintenance.
How Does Hardwood Compare to Luxury Vinyl Plank?
This is one of the most common comparisons we discuss with homeowners. Here is how they stack up:
- Appearance: Hardwood offers authentic natural beauty with unique grain patterns. High-quality LVP closely replicates the look of wood and is difficult to distinguish at a glance.
- Durability: LVP is more resistant to scratches, dents, and water damage. Hardwood can be scratched by pets and furniture and is vulnerable to moisture.
- Maintenance: LVP requires simple sweeping and mopping. Hardwood needs periodic refinishing and careful moisture management.
- Longevity: Solid hardwood can last a lifetime with proper care and can be refinished multiple times. High-quality LVP lasts 15 to 25 years.
- Moisture performance: LVP is waterproof. Solid hardwood should not be installed in moisture-prone areas.
- Home value: Hardwood is generally perceived as a premium feature by homebuyers. LVP is widely accepted and valued for its practicality.
Both are excellent choices, and the right option depends on your priorities. Our team helps you evaluate both during your free consultation.
How Long Does Flooring Installation Take?
Installation timelines depend on the material type and the size of the project:
- Luxury vinyl plank or laminate: One to two days per typical room. A full home can be completed in three to five days.
- Hardwood: Two to four days for a standard home, plus two to three days of acclimation before installation.
- Tile: Three to five days for a typical area due to mortar and grout cure times.
- Carpet: Most homes are fully carpeted in one to two days.
Subfloor preparation, removal of existing flooring, and project complexity can extend these timelines. Our team provides a specific schedule during the planning phase. See our flooring installation process page for a detailed breakdown of each step.
Can You Install New Flooring Over Existing Flooring?
In some cases, yes. Floating floors like luxury vinyl plank and laminate can sometimes be installed over existing hard-surface flooring if the surface is level, clean, and in good condition. This saves time and cost by eliminating the removal step.
However, installing over existing flooring is not always recommended. If the existing floor is damaged, uneven, or adds too much height (creating issues at doorways and transitions), removal is the better approach. Our team evaluates your specific situation during the consultation and recommends the best course of action.
Do I Need to Move My Furniture Before Installation?
Furniture must be out of the rooms where flooring is being installed. You have two options: move it yourself before our crew arrives, or have our team handle furniture moving as part of the project. Moving furniture yourself is a straightforward way to reduce project cost.
Heavy items like pianos, safes, and large entertainment centers may require special handling. Appliances in kitchens and laundry rooms are disconnected and moved by our crew as part of the installation process. Our project manager will discuss furniture logistics during the pre-installation planning stage.
How Are Transitions Between Rooms Handled?
When different flooring materials meet between rooms, transition strips create a clean, safe, and professional connection. Common transition scenarios include:
- Wood or LVP to tile at kitchen or bathroom doorways
- Flooring to carpet at bedroom entries
- Different flooring heights where a reducer strip creates a smooth step-down
Transition strips are available in matching or complementary finishes. Our installers position transitions at natural break points like doorway thresholds for the most seamless appearance. If the same material runs continuously through multiple rooms, no transitions are needed, creating a flowing open-concept look.
How Do I Get Started?
Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation. We measure your space, evaluate your subfloor, help you select the right material, and provide a detailed estimate. With over 60 years of combined experience, Best of Plano recognition, and a 1-year workmanship warranty backed by $1M in insurance coverage, The Flooring & Remodeling Shop is the trusted choice for flooring installation across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Call us at 972-746-1575 or request your consultation online.
Call or Text (972) 746-1575
The Flooring & Remodeling Shop
2830 W. 15th St. Ste. 1, Plano, TX 75075
Serving Plano & North Dallas Suburbs