Mario – Choosing the Right
Flooring for Your Home

If you’re planning to renovate your floors, there are several variables that will help you determine the correct flooring for your property. Determining your budget and design preferences is a major part of the project, but it is also critical for you to know the pros and cons of the various flooring options available. We’ve been your favorite local flooring contractor for several years, offering innovative flooring products focused on performance and durability for your home or commercial applications.

For this purpose, our experts have developed the following list to help you understand what is right for you. Take a look at the various choices our experts recommend: 

Hardwood Flooring

The natural beauty of wood and its warmth immediately elevates any room. Whether you choose pre-finished or solid hardwood, having wood as the main material of your floor speaks volumes about style. It is timeless and elegant, and with the proper maintenance it’s a design choice that’s also a good investment for your property because it increases its value.

Hardwood Flooring
Solid Hardwood Flooring 

Solid Hardwood Flooring 

It is usually made from hardwood species of which there are many choices, including some favorites such as bamboo, oak, cherry maple, or walnut. We recommend the installation process be done by a professional for the best results. It is mounted on the workplace as an unfinished panel, then sanded, stained, and finished with a protective coating. The whole process can take a couple of days or even weeks. Our experts use the latest technology (dustless technology) and the most qualified materials but because it is a little messy and some chemicals can produce fumes around your property, we recommend it’s better for you to leave for a couple of days until it is ready. 

Its major advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over the course of its lifespan, giving you the chance to redo or refresh the style every so often.  For a customized design, it is an amazing option, because there’s a huge variety of hardwood species. You can mix several hardwood species or have them installed in different ways, use decorative borders, or have them scraped or stain for a vintage look while using one of the various sealant options.

Pre-Finished Flooring

Pre-finished flooring is also solid hardwood flooring, but its major advantage is that it comes already sanded, sealed, and ready to nail into place. In this manner, you don’t necessarily need to leave your house for several days because there are no fumes involved and it is also less messy. Because they come with stain and sealant already applied, pre-finished flooring has become a favorite choice for many, but it does come in a limited variety of wood species and color. Ease of prefinished flooring installation proccess usually allows You to live in the house while works are getting done, as there is not as much of unpleasant factors such as noise, dust and fumes.

When built on a flat floor without a proper foundation, the prefinished flooring looks as flawless as a typical hardwood floor. The big con is if the floor is not properly installed or the basis was uneven, there is no possibility to correct it by sanding because some panels may raise slightly or create a noticeable gap between the panels. It’s common for prefinished floorings to form such called „cambers” along the edges, because of bevels they have. Those are not really big, yet planks laying side by side tend to create V-shaped grooves. The design aspect is a matter of taste, but with no doubts grooves are a perfcet spot for dust and debris accumulation. They are harder to keep clean because of this.

Prefinished hardwood floors can be sanded but usually takes much longer and the cost may be higher because the sealant is harder in this material. Most of the prefinished products are sealed by their manufacturers using extremely hard aluminum oxide crystal sealer that many hardwood professionals refuse to send down.

Even though it takes much fewer hours to install a prefabricated hardwood floor, each panel is more expensive than conventional unfabricated wood boards. So, basically, what money you save on the installation you will spend on the materials.

Pre-Finished Flooring 
Engineered Hardwood Floor 

Engineered Hardwood Floor 

Engineered hardwood floor is usually made up of a thin layer of hardwood on the surface and other fibers as well; comprising manufactured laminate planks that offer the look and feel of hardwood. It is offered at a low price and its installation is probably one of the easiest because they are actually floating floors that are not attached to the subfloor. It cannot be refinished but its price is very accessible. It is a great option for basements as it is less affected by changes in temperature and relative humidity.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring is an imitation hardwood that creates a natural look, and the price is much lower. It is made of resin and wood pulp therefore it is not very durable. It is not recommended for high traffic areas or rooms that are exposed to moisture, as the humidity can make the material swell up and chip. Also, keep in mind the laminate can’t be repaired. However, the low price and easy, mess-free installation can make it up for the other downsides.

laminate
Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a good option because it mimics the look of natural hardwood or stone at a low price. It can be a solution for a humid or moist area because it is water-resistant and durable.  It can also be a great alternative for offices, stores, and gyms due to its dirt and water resistance.

For years now, we have been providing our local community with the finest hardwood flooring solutions for their home or commercial purpose, working with high-quality materials that meet the American standard. Our experienced professionals will be delighted to advise you on your next flooring project. We are the company you were looking for, whether you’re searching for new floors or just want your current floor to look fantastic. Contact us and let us provide you with the best solutions you need for your Chicago property.