How to Choose the Right Flooring - What do you install?

Hardwood

• Solid wood is a solid piece of wood from top to bottom and is a flooring option known for its durability and timeless appeal. The thickness of solid wood flooring can vary, but it generally ranges from 3/4” to 5/16”. 
  • Suitable for above grade (above ground) high-traffic areas, ideal in family/living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens and powder rooms. Properly maintained hardwood floors can last for many decades. 
  • Refinishable: Unlike many other flooring options, hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times to restore its appearance or change the color. 
• Acclimation: Must be stored inside the home for 3–5 days before installation. Do not store in the garage.
  • Cali Bamboo: Requires 7–10 days of acclimation indoors. Must be stacked in a cross-hatch pattern on a pallet.
• Installation Methods:
  • Click-lock: Can be installed as a floating floor.
  • Tongue-and-groove: Must be glued or nailed down.

Engineered Hardwood

• 

  Offers the appearance of hardwood with enhanced resistance to heat, moisture, scuffs, and scratches (varies by finish). 

  • The layered construction (with grain running perpendicular for stability) provides greater stability, reducing expansion and contraction from humidity and temperature changes compared to solid wood.
  • Ideal for slab and basement installations, these floors work in any room above, on, or below grade (ground). They can be sanded and refinished, but not as often as solid wood flooring.
• Acclimation: Requires 2–3 days inside the home. Do not store in the garage.
• Installation Methods:
  • Click-lock: Floating installation.
  • Tongue-and-groove: Glued to a wood or concrete subfloor, or nailed or stapled down to a wood subfloor.

Laminate

• Multi-layered flooring that replicates wood using a photographic layer. It is highly durable and resistant to scratches, dents, and fading, making it an excellent option for high-traffic areas, especially good for homes with pets and children.
• Acclimation: Requires 1–2 days in a climate-controlled environment. Do not store in the garage.
• Installation Method: Floating only.

Vinyl Plank / Vinyl Tile

• Due to its waterproof nature, vinyl plank is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. It is also durable, easy to clean and maintain. It is available in planks or tiles that mimic wood, tile, or other natural materials.
• Acclimation:
  • No acclimation needed if kept in a climate-controlled environment.
  • If stored in the garage, move indoors 3 days prior to installation.
• Installation Methods: Floating or glue-down (varies by manufacturer).

Note: We do not install peel and stick vinyl tiles. These inexpensive tiles are meant for short-term use, like rental or sale homes, and often lose adhesion over time. We recommend DIY installation for these products.

Ceramic, Porcelain, Stone Tile

• Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements due to waterproof properties and consistent color throughout. Tile is tough and can last for decades, especially in high-traffic areas, and is resistant to dirt and stains.
• Acclimation: Not required. Can be stored in the garage.
• Installation Surface: Must be installed over Hardibacker/cement board or concrete subfloor.
• Note: Natural stone tile is porous and can absorb liquids, making it prone to stains. Therefore, it must be sealed before and after installation. It can also have more color and texture inconsistencies than man-made tile.

Sheet Vinyl

• Flexible, durable vinyl flooring in large sheets (6 ft or 12 ft widths), suitable for moisture-prone areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Delivery Options: Can be delivered or picked up on the day of installation.
• Installation Requirements:
  • Must be glued down.
  • If installing over wood subfloor, must be glued to luan.
  • Can be installed over existing flooring if in good condition, but may require luan, skim coating, or embossing.

Carpet

• Special Order (SOS): Delivered to installer’s warehouse and brought to the customer on install day.
• Stock Carpet: Delivered to warehouse or picked up from store on install day.
• Installation Methods:
  • Over pad or glued down.
  • Loose lay is not permitted.

Tile Backsplash (Ceramic, Porcelain, Stone, Glass)

• The only wall tile installed by UHS.
• Protects walls from grease, moisutre, and stains. It also creates a seal to stop water from seeping into the wall, preventing mold and mildew growth, and most types of tile are heat resistant, making it great around a stove. 
• Available in a wide variety of styles, colors, patterns, and materials to allow for a customized look to fit any style!

IMPORTANT: We cannot install any flooring or backsplashes in 

• Wet areas, tubs, or showers
• Outdoor spaces, such as covered porches or rooms that are not climate controlled
• Hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools
• Fireplace surround, chimneys, hearths, or other high heat areas