Flooring FAQs with Video ResponsesFlooring doesn't have to be complicated. Ken Fain, owner of Island Carpet, answers common customer questions. Get tips on product selection, installation, maintenance, and more. All VideosInsider SecretsProduct SelectionInstallationCleaning & MaintenanceKids & PetsCarpetHardwoodLuxury Vinyl/LaminateTile & StoneArea RugsSpecial Products & AccessoriesInstallationTile & StoneIs Schluter Worth It? Peace of Mind With Waterproof ShowersFrom waterproof wall panels to leakproof shower pans, Schluter makes sure your shower doesn’t dribble. The next time you have a tile job—ask for Schluter!Watch VideoProduct SelectionTile & StoneTackling Tile Trims: Bullnose vs. Battiscopa3"x6" subway tiles come with a classic bullnose trim that seamlessly returns to the wall. But, be warned! If you choose battiscopa, you may find your trim has no pattern.Watch VideoInsider SecretsTile & StoneFlood Insurance & Flooring: Check Your Policy!Insurance companies are covering floods less often. As for 'flood-resistant' floors, the only real option is porcelain tile.Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelectionWoven Carpets: More Expensive, But BeautifulWoven carpets are made of wool and their design is more intricate. We think this means that woven carpet is well worth the cost.Watch VideoCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceInsider SecretsRuined Your Carpet? Here's Your Last HopeIf you 'ruin' your carpet, I'm offering you one last hope. Replace the stained or frayed carpet with a piece of undamaged carpet from your closet.Watch VideoLaminateProduct SelectionLaminate Floors Are Back. Are They a Smart Choice?Just like mom jeans and corduroy, laminate floors are making a comeback! The bottom line? Laminate is no laughingstock. It's now a real alternative to the everpresent luxury vinyl plank.Watch VideoCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceKids & PetsWhich Carpet Fibers Offer the Best Stain Protection?Don't trust warranties. If you want to get ahead on possible carpet stains, we recommend looking closely at two types of fibers: Mohawk's SmartStrand and any solution-dyed carpet.Watch VideoProduct SelectionCarpetHardwoodLuxury VinylTile5 Easy Tips: Select the Right Floor for Your HomeDon’t pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a floor and then regret your purchase a few months later. Here are 5 easy tips to follow when shopping for floors.Watch VideoProduct SelectionProduct MaintenanceAll ProductsDo Expensive Floors Last Longer? Why not? Watch VideoProduct SelectionCarpetCarpet Decision Tree—Choose the Right Floor Fast Watch VideoProduct SelectionCarpetHardwoodLuxury VinylTileFloor Color: Trust Your Own Eyes, Not the Photo Watch VideoInsider SecretsProduct SelectionInstallationThe Death of Expertise in the Age of the Internet Watch VideoProduct SelectionCarpetSpecial Products & AccessoriesBuyer Beware About Shiny Viscose and Tencel Carpets Watch VideoInstallationLuxury VinylI Was Wrong: An Easier Way to Repair Click LVP Watch VideoProduct SelctionI Like a Product that is Going Out of Style. Should I Avoid it? Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelctionAre There Footprint-Free Carpets? What Should I Look For? Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelctionUndyed Wool: A Natural, Healthy Carpet Choice Watch VideoCarpetLuxury VinylInstallationQuick Glue Tips for Flooring Installations Watch VideoCarpetProduct Selction2 Reasons to Choose Synthetic Carpet Over Wool Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelctionHow Do I Know If I've Picked the Right Carpet Color? Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelctionNew Zealand vs. British Wool Carpet (feat. Showroom Sheep!) Watch VideoHardwoodProduct SelctionInstallation3 Tips For Hardwood Floors In The Kitchen Watch VideoSpecial Products & AccessoriesInstallationLinear Shower Drains: The Key To Beautiful And Safe Bathrooms Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelctionIs Carpet Dying? What About For Bedrooms? Watch VideoTileProduct SelectionInstallationDoes Size Matter? (For Tile Floor Repairs) Watch VideoHardwoodInstallationCan I Install Hardwood When It's Hot and Humid? Written Answer Coming SoonTileProduct SelectionCan I Put Large Tiles in Small Bathrooms? Written Answer Coming SoonTile & StoneProduct SelectionCan Porcelain Tile Look Like Natural Stone? Is it a Better Choice? Read Full AnswerHardwoodProduct SelectionWhich is Better—Engineered or Solid Wood? Read Full AnswerHardwoodCleaning & MaintenanceHow Should I Clean My Hardwood? (feat. "Stringy" The Mop) Read Full AnswerCarpetProduct Selection6 Benefits of Wool Carpet Compared to Synthetic Read Full AnswerCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceCarpet Stain? Make Sure You Don't Ruin Your Carpet! Read Full AnswerCarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsStair Carpets: Safer for Pets, Kids, and the Elderly Read Full AnswerCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceAre Chair Mats Important? Do I Always Need Them? Read Full AnswerTileProduct SelectionAn Easy Way to Select Your Bathroom Tile Read Full AnswerArea RugsProduct SelectionCustom-Sized Area Rugs: What Are My Options? Read Full AnswerCarpetProduct SelectionCarpets Aren't Hamburgers: Stop Caring About Once Weights Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsScientist Ken: How Does Solution-Dyed Carpet Prevent Stains? Read Full AnswerCarpetSpecial Products & AccessoriesProduct Selection3 Things to Know About Sisal Carpet: A Beautiful, Frustrating Product Watch VideoInstallationSpecial Products & AccessoriesWhy Are Flooring Transitions Important? What Should I Know? Read Full AnswerCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceI Have a Carpet Sprout: Can It Be Fixed? Is the Carpet Defective? Read Full AnswerInsider SecretsLVPIs 'Waterproof' Flooring A Myth? What if My Basement Floods? Read Full AnswerCarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsWill PetProtect or Stainmaster Carpet Really Help Prevent Stains? Read Full AnswerTileProduct SelectionNon-WYSIWYG Principle & Natural Stone Read Full AnswerInsider SecretsCan I Trust Flooring Warranties? What Should I Look For? Read Full AnswerHardwoodInsider SecretsCleaning & MaintenanceWood Warranties & Maintenance: The "Hard" Truth Read Full AnswerTileProduct SelectionHate Grout? Try Rectified Tile—Grout Lines the Width of Spaghetti! Written Answer Coming SoonInsider SecretsCan I Trust a 75% Off Sale? What About Free Labor? Watch VideoInstallationSpecial Products & AccessoriesDon't Trip—Everything About Moldings in 4 Minutes Read Full AnswerHardwoodInstallationProduct SelectionEasy Way to Match Old & New Hardwood Floors Watch VideoCarpetCleaning & MaintenanceWhen Can Vaccuum Cleaners Damage My Carpet? Read Full AnswerLVPProduct SelectionGlue vs. Click LVP: Which Is Better For Me? Read Full AnswerHardwoodLVPTileInstallationAm I Ready to Install Hard Surface Flooring? Read Full AnswerHardwoodCleaning & MaintenanceCan I Stop My Hardwood From Changing Color? Read Full AnswerProduct SelectionSpecial Products & AccessoriesLinoleum: Beautiful Colors, Environmentally Friendly, & More Read Full AnswerInstallationAsbestos & Floors: What Do I Need to Know? Watch VideoTileSelectionShould I Buy a Through-Body or ColorBody Tile Floor?Watch VideoCarpetInstallationI Hate Carpet Seams. Can I Buy an Extra-Wide Carpet Instead? Watch VideoCarpetProduct SelectionInstallationI Need Carpet Seams: How Do I Minimize Their Appearance? Read Full AnswerHardwoodLVPProduct SelectionKids & PetsShould I Choose Hardwood or LVP Floors? Read Full AnswerAsk Your Own Question!
InstallationTile & StoneIs Schluter Worth It? Peace of Mind With Waterproof ShowersFrom waterproof wall panels to leakproof shower pans, Schluter makes sure your shower doesn’t dribble. The next time you have a tile job—ask for Schluter!Watch Video
Product SelectionTile & StoneTackling Tile Trims: Bullnose vs. Battiscopa3"x6" subway tiles come with a classic bullnose trim that seamlessly returns to the wall. But, be warned! If you choose battiscopa, you may find your trim has no pattern.Watch Video
Insider SecretsTile & StoneFlood Insurance & Flooring: Check Your Policy!Insurance companies are covering floods less often. As for 'flood-resistant' floors, the only real option is porcelain tile.Watch Video
CarpetProduct SelectionWoven Carpets: More Expensive, But BeautifulWoven carpets are made of wool and their design is more intricate. We think this means that woven carpet is well worth the cost.Watch Video
CarpetCleaning & MaintenanceInsider SecretsRuined Your Carpet? Here's Your Last HopeIf you 'ruin' your carpet, I'm offering you one last hope. Replace the stained or frayed carpet with a piece of undamaged carpet from your closet.Watch Video
LaminateProduct SelectionLaminate Floors Are Back. Are They a Smart Choice?Just like mom jeans and corduroy, laminate floors are making a comeback! The bottom line? Laminate is no laughingstock. It's now a real alternative to the everpresent luxury vinyl plank.Watch Video
CarpetCleaning & MaintenanceKids & PetsWhich Carpet Fibers Offer the Best Stain Protection?Don't trust warranties. If you want to get ahead on possible carpet stains, we recommend looking closely at two types of fibers: Mohawk's SmartStrand and any solution-dyed carpet.Watch Video
Product SelectionCarpetHardwoodLuxury VinylTile5 Easy Tips: Select the Right Floor for Your HomeDon’t pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a floor and then regret your purchase a few months later. Here are 5 easy tips to follow when shopping for floors.Watch Video
Product SelectionProduct MaintenanceAll ProductsDo Expensive Floors Last Longer? Why not? Watch Video
Product SelectionCarpetHardwoodLuxury VinylTileFloor Color: Trust Your Own Eyes, Not the Photo Watch Video
Insider SecretsProduct SelectionInstallationThe Death of Expertise in the Age of the Internet Watch Video
Product SelectionCarpetSpecial Products & AccessoriesBuyer Beware About Shiny Viscose and Tencel Carpets Watch Video
Special Products & AccessoriesInstallationLinear Shower Drains: The Key To Beautiful And Safe Bathrooms Watch Video
Tile & StoneProduct SelectionCan Porcelain Tile Look Like Natural Stone? Is it a Better Choice? Read Full Answer
HardwoodCleaning & MaintenanceHow Should I Clean My Hardwood? (feat. "Stringy" The Mop) Read Full Answer
CarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsStair Carpets: Safer for Pets, Kids, and the Elderly Read Full Answer
CarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsScientist Ken: How Does Solution-Dyed Carpet Prevent Stains? Read Full Answer
CarpetSpecial Products & AccessoriesProduct Selection3 Things to Know About Sisal Carpet: A Beautiful, Frustrating Product Watch Video
InstallationSpecial Products & AccessoriesWhy Are Flooring Transitions Important? What Should I Know? Read Full Answer
CarpetCleaning & MaintenanceI Have a Carpet Sprout: Can It Be Fixed? Is the Carpet Defective? Read Full Answer
CarpetProduct SelectionKids & PetsWill PetProtect or Stainmaster Carpet Really Help Prevent Stains? Read Full Answer
HardwoodInsider SecretsCleaning & MaintenanceWood Warranties & Maintenance: The "Hard" Truth Read Full Answer
TileProduct SelectionHate Grout? Try Rectified Tile—Grout Lines the Width of Spaghetti! Written Answer Coming Soon
InstallationSpecial Products & AccessoriesDon't Trip—Everything About Moldings in 4 Minutes Read Full Answer
Product SelectionSpecial Products & AccessoriesLinoleum: Beautiful Colors, Environmentally Friendly, & More Read Full Answer
CarpetProduct SelectionInstallationI Need Carpet Seams: How Do I Minimize Their Appearance? Read Full Answer