Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a pre-finished engineered floor the same as laminate?

     No. Please don’t be confused between the two.  Pre-finished, pre-engineered flooring is a hardwood floor that has a top wear layer, usually 1/8” thick, on the better quality products, and has 3 or more layers, also called “plies”. The top wear layer is generally made out of oak, maple, cherry, etc. Pre-finished flooring, in most applications, are going to be more durable, stable, cost less, and have a life expectancy greater than a solid floor.  Your better quality engineered flooring can also be refinished like a solid wood floor. Always follow manufacturer’s specs when installing engineered flooring. Pre-finished flooring can usually be installed by adhesive, nail down (cleats or staples), and in some cases free floated.

In my opinion, you cannot beat a quality pre-finished engineered floor. They are so many varieties of woods and colors for you to choose from, which you can’t find when installing a solid wood floor.

Laminate sounds so cheap, would you install a laminate floor in your home?

Yes, and I have installed laminate flooring in part of my house. Don’t knock a quality laminate floor. If you’re on a tight budget or want an extremely durable product, a laminate floor is worth investing in.  Just like anything else, you get what you pay for. WilsonArt has a product called Estate that is actually been installed in some high school basketball gyms, and has also been installed in bowling alleys. Yes, bowling alleys!  There are many laminate floor manufacturers, and a wide variety of styles and colors. Before purchasing laminate flooring, ask if the product is a high pressure or low-pressure product.   High-pressure laminate flooring is the way to go if you want a quality floor. High-pressure laminate flooring is a very durable product. Always follow the manufacturer’s specs when installing laminate flooring.   Price of laminate flooring is going to vary, but in most cases can be purchased and installed at a better price than engineered flooring.  Quality laminates are also backed by excellent warranties from the manufacturers.

What is shoe mold/quarter round? And what is its purpose?

Shoe mold or Quarter round is the final trim fastened to the baseboard or other trim work to cover expansion gaps. Any solid, engineered or laminate floor needs to have an expansion gap. An expansion gap is usually ¼” - ½” gap between the wood floor and any secure object, whether it be baseboards, sheetrock, concrete, mortar, framing, etc. I have read some manufacturer’s instructions that say expansion is not necessary. I have to disagree. Wood is a natural product, and is going to change to the environment and climate that it is installed.  As a precaution, we make sure we leave an expansion on all floors we install. This is absolutely a necessity. Without room for expansion, you’re going to have problems.  

What is acclimation?

First read all manufacturers instructions concerning acclimation time and installation instructions. Acclimation is a necessity before installation. Acclimation is the adjustment of the product in response to a change in the environment.

My husband thinks he’s a handy man and wants to install our pre-finished engineered floor his self. He took a do-it-yourself class and thinks he’s a qualified installer. In the mean time I know how much I paid for this floor and I’m a nervous wreck. Do I have a reason to be nervous?

Absolutely.  These “DIY” (do it yourself) classes kill me. They usually last a couple hours and tell you just how easy it is to install just about any product. This makes the average handy man leave the store with false confidence.  If you are installing a square room, with not a lot of obstacles, such as door jambs, a fireplace, floor receptacles, etc., chances are you’ll be fine. Does he have the proper saws and tools?  If you’re installing solid, engineered or laminate in your more than one room, you’ve probably made a substantial investment in purchasing the product. You want to make sure your floor is installed properly and professionally. Again, you’ve made a huge investment and would hate to see that investment wasted. You have to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you don’t void the warranty but most important, how is your floor going to look when he is done?

I am having a hard time finding a qualified installer that I am comfortable with.  Do you have any suggestions?

I have heard hundreds of horror stories concerning contractors. All contractors, not just floor installers, are people. You have your good people and you have your bad people. Always check references! Some questions you need to ask are how many years of experience they have and how long have they been in business?  Are the insured? Do they sub-contract the work?   Ask for photos of previous jobs. These are just a few basic questions you want to ask.

Why use Andersen Flooring?

You deal with the owners, David and Cathy, from the beginning to the end of your installation. Not only does David have experience and knowledge, but has been to several schools and seminars across the United States keeping up with the latest skills, tools and news, concerning hardwood and laminate flooring. We take pride in our work and company.

Do you travel outside the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area for installations?

Yes we do.  Please contact us for more information on any jobs outside the D/FW metro area.    

How do I determine what the total square footage of my home?

Great question! The easiest way I can tell you is to multiply the width times the length of each room. Make sure you measure closets and hallways. 

Example: Living room measures 15 x 20, which is 300 sq. ft.

An adjoining hallway measured at 4 x 12, which is 48 sq. ft.

2 bedrooms measured at 10 x 15 and 20 x 20 come to 550 sq. ft.

 Add the totals, 300 + 48 + 550 = 898 sq. ft.   This is the total square footage you have for installation.  You also have to figure in a waste factor when installing hardwood or laminate. Without me seeing the layout of the area, 10 % is a good waste factor to go by.  10% of 898 = 89.8 + 898 = 988 sq. ft. This is the total square footage of flooring you’ll need to purchase. Always round up to the next ½ foot when measuring.  If a room is 10’3”, use 10 ½” as your measurement.  If it is 10’7”, measure it as 11’. 

I want to deal with one contractor to install wood flooring, carpet and ceramic. Is this possible?

Sure. Have you heard the saying “Jack of all trades master of none”? Unfortunately, this is what you’re probably going to end up with. I install wood and laminate flooring, nothing else. We are professionals in what we do.  We have a selected number of contractors that we can refer to you, or we can coordinate and oversee all your flooring needs. We will be glad to assist you any way we can.

Can you sell me the flooring I am interested in?

Yes. All we need is the Manufacturers name, product name and color. If we can save you money, we will be glad to. You are probably about to make to make a big investment, so it is wise to shop for the best price.

Do you install for homeowner’s only or do you do commercial installations? 

We are here to serve and will install flooring wherever you need it!