Two main types of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring, SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite), offer water resistance, making them suitable for various rooms. SPC, a relatively newer product, incorporates a rigid core for enhanced durability, while WPC emphasizes additional comfort. SPC utilizes a Stone Polymer Composite for superior stiffness, and WPC includes a Wood-Plastic Composite with a foaming agent for enhanced warmth and comfort. Considerations such as cost, durability, and comfort play a crucial role in deciding between SPC and WPC vinyl flooring.

LVP products follow a five-layer construction, comprising a UV layer for easy maintenance, a wear layer for durability, a decorative layer for a realistic appearance, a core layer (SPC or WPC), and an attached pad for antibacterial properties, sound reduction, and added comfort.

SPC flooring, with a core composition of approximately 60% limestone, polyvinyl chloride, and plasticizers, excels in resilience and near-complete waterproofing. It is highly durable, resisting scratches and dents, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Conversely, WPC, with its core composition including polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and wood-like materials, combines exceptional durability with added comfort and warmth.

Pros of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring:

• Durability: Highly resistant to spills, scratches, and scuffs, LVP offers superior durability and can withstand mild chemical spills.
• Variety: LVP provides a diverse range of looks, replicating various wood species, allowing homeowners to find a product that suits their style.
• Affordability: Compared to real wood floors, LVP is typically more budget-friendly, saving on both materials and installation costs.
• Versatility: LVP can be used in most rooms, offering peace of mind due to its ability to withstand moisture damage, pets, and children.
• Ease of Installation: DIY-friendly, LVP is easier to install than other flooring types in simple applications.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to clean with a broom or vacuum, spills can be quickly wiped away with a towel.

Cons of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring:

• Pattern Repetition: Due to printed designs, pattern repetition may be noticeable on the floor, with a limited number of unique boards per design.
• Home Value: While it may enhance home value, LVP does not add the same value as real hardwood floors.
• Sustainability: LVP is less sustainable than other flooring options, often manufactured in China where environmental practices may be questionable. Once damaged, an LVP plank cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

LVP flooring serves as an appealing alternative to hardwood, seamlessly blending style, durability, and cost-effectiveness. We hope this explanation of the pros and cons, coupled with the differences between SPC and WPC varieties, enables you to make an informed decision about your flooring.

At Warehouse Direct, we have been serving Santa Cruz, San Jose, and Monterey for nearly 40 years. Our project management staff is well versed in all aspects of LVP flooring. We would be happy to help with your next flooring project. Contact us today!

Refinished hardwood floors rejuvenate your living space, infusing it with the original timeless charm, warmth, and distinctive character. Once your floors have been restored and refinished, it is essential to properly maintain them to ensure longevity and continued beauty. This guide will delve into effective cleaning and maintenance practices to uphold the finish coatings and enduring allure of your refinished hardwood floors.

Protective Measures:

• Use felt/ carpet floor protectors beneath furniture. Your floors will thank you. Keep in mind that these protectors do wear out over time, at some point you will need to replace them.
• Consider placing area rugs over high traffic areas like hallways and stairs.
• Use area rug underlayments. The rough backing of area rugs can scratch the finish of your refinished hardwood over time.
• Make sure area rug underlayments are made with natural rubber. Though slightly more expensive than other underlayments, the investment pays dividends in protecting your hardwood and ensures that no strange chemicals come into contact with your hardwood finish. 
• Use door mats/ walk off mats before entering your home. You may wear high heels, but make sure they are in good shape. Broken high heels will damage the floor.
• Use window coverings or UV blocking film over windows. Excessive sunlight can discolor your floors throughout the years. Window coverings or UV film will mitigate this. 

Cleaning Tips: :

• Stick with a cleaner specifically made for wood floors. This is the single most important piece of cleaning advice we can give. 
• Vacuum with a floor brush attachment, use a soft bristle broom, or dust mop regularly. 
• Keep door mats and walk off mats clean to prevent dirt from reaching the hardwood surface.
• It is okay to spill water on hardwood floors, but clean it as quickly as possible. Promptly blot any spills with a clean absorbent cloth or a paper towel. 
• Apply your hardwood floor cleaner with a microfiber or damp cloth.
• For stubborn stains or harsh chemical spills, please Contact Us and we will guide you through the manufacturers cleaning guidelines to best find a solution. 
• We recommend having your refinished hardwood floors professionally cleaned at least once per year – it really makes a difference!

Cleaning NO’s:

• A common myth is to use vinegar and water to clean hardwood floors. Consider the myth busted; do not use vinegar on your refinished hardwood floors.  
• Do NOT use the beater bar attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
• Do NOT wet mop.
• Do NOT let water sit on your floor for hours or days at a time. 
• Do NOT use oil soaps on your refinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT use harsh cleaning chemicals (like bleach) on your refinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT use furniture polish or acrylic polishes.
• Do NOT use window cleaner on your refinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT steam clean your refinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT excessively rub or scrub hardwood floors while cleaning. This could unintentionally spread any potential damage. 

At Warehouse Direct Flooring, we are committed to flooring excellence and believe in the importance of empowering our customers with the knowledge needed to care for their investment. We have an extensive product line of industry leading refinishing products that we stand behind. We are committed to finding the best product possible to fit our customers’ lifestyle. Not only are we your dedicated partner in restoring and refinishing hardwood floors, we are also here to guide you in preserving their beauty and durability. 

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring is crafted to emulate the elegance of stone and ceramic tiles while offering a durable and budget-friendly vinyl construction. The realism of LVT is so striking that distinguishing it from traditional ceramic or stone becomes challenging. With color variations and surface textures mirroring the authentic look, LVT presents an affordable flooring solution that appears both genuine and expensive.

At Warehouse Direct, we take pride in being the local leader in LVT flooring, providing expert services for various LVT options at the most competitive prices. The delightful textures, colors, and patterns of LVT ensure you’ll find a product that complements the natural decor of your home. Explore our portfolio to witness the beauty and quality installations you can expect from Warehouse Direct Flooring.

There are two main types of Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring: SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite). Understanding the differences between them is crucial for choosing the perfect LVT flooring. 

Both SPC and WPC are celebrated for their water-resistant features, suitable for most rooms in a home. SPC, being a newer product, boasts a rigid core for enhanced durability, closely resembling natural stone and tile. WPC, the progenitor of LVT flooring, features a waterproof core that combines comfort and functionality. The choice between SPC and WPC involves factors like cost, durability, and comfort, guiding homeowners to an informed decision.

Performance-wise, LVT not only closely mimics the appearance of genuine stone or ceramic but often outperforms them. Some notable advantages include ease of cleaning, warmth underfoot, resilience to impact, easy installation, and cost-effectiveness. Unlike ceramic or stone, LVT has a vinyl base, making stains, spills, and dirt easy to clean without the challenge of grout lines. 

LVT, especially the WPC variant, provides warmth and comfort, surpassing the cold touch of stone or ceramic. Its resilient nature means it resists damage from dropped objects, offering superior durability. Additionally, LVT is known for its ease of installation, reducing professional installation costs compared to stone or ceramic. Repairs are simple,a technician will simply swap out damaged pieces, and the overall cost of LVT is significantly lower than traditional ceramic or stone options.

Maintaining LVT is a breeze, with easy cleaning and upkeep. Despite its vinyl composition, LVT delivers a sophisticated look comparable to high-grade expensive tile flooring, providing a warm feel at a substantially reduced cost.

LVT flooring represents an exciting and lovely evolution in vinyl flooring, replacing traditional stone and ceramic applications with improved overall performance and a more budget-friendly price. If you want to explore LVT flooring further, including pros and cons, LVT vs laminate, and installation costs, feel free to contact us at Warehouse Direct Flooring. With nearly 40 years of serving the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley areas, our commitment to customer satisfaction remains our top priority. 

Prefinished hardwood floors bring timeless charm, warmth, and character to your home. While they are typically more affordable than unfinished hardwood, prefinished floors boast a more durable factory finish. This resilient finish, achieved through heavy-duty elements like aluminum oxide, ensures longevity. With UV curing during manufacturing, prefinished hardwood floors also eliminate off-gassing concerns. In this article, we’ll dive into the best practices for cleaning and maintaining your prefinished hardwood floors in order to preserve their heavy duty finish and enduring character in your home.

Protective Measures:

• Use felt/ carpet floor protectors beneath furniture. Your floors will thank you. Keep in mind that these protectors do wear out over time, at some point you will need to replace them.
• Consider placing area rugs over high traffic areas like hallways and stairs.
• Use area rug underlayments. The rough backing of area rugs can scratch the finish of your prefinished hardwood over time.
• Make sure area rug underlayments are made with natural rubber. Though slightly more expensive than other underlayments, the investment pays dividends in protecting your hardwood and ensures that no strange chemicals come into contact with your hardwood finish.
• Use door mats/ walk off mats before entering your home. You may wear high heels, but make sure they are in good shape. Broken high heels will damage the floor.
• Use window coverings or UV blocking film over windows. Excessive sunlight can discolor your floors throughout the years. Window coverings or UV film will mitigate this.

Cleaning Tips:

• Stick with a cleaner specifically made for wood floors. This is the single most important piece of cleaning advice we can give.
• Vacuum with a floor brush attachment, use a soft bristle broom, or dust mop regularly.
• Keep door mats and walk off mats clean to prevent dirt from reaching the hardwood surface.
• It is okay to spill water on hardwood floors, but clean it as quickly as possible. Promptly blot any spills with a clean absorbent cloth or a paper towel.
• Apply your hardwood floor cleaner with a microfiber or damp cloth.
• For stubborn stains or harsh chemical spills, please Contact Us and we will guide you through the manufacturers cleaning guidelines to best find a solution.
• We recommend having your prefinished hardwood floors professionally cleaned at least once per year – it really makes a difference!

Cleaning NO’s:

• A common myth is to use vinegar and water to clean hardwood floors. Consider the myth busted; do not use vinegar on your prefinished hardwood floors. 
• Do NOT use the beater bar attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
• Do NOT wet mop.
• Do NOT let water sit on your floor for hours or days at a time.
• Do NOT use oil soaps on your prefinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT use harsh cleaning chemicals (like bleach) on your prefinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT use furniture polish or acrylic polishes.
• Do NOT use window cleaner on your prefinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT steam clean your prefinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT excessively rub or scrub hardwood floors while cleaning. This could unintentionally spread any potential damage.

At Warehouse Direct Flooring, we are committed to flooring excellence and believe in the importance of empowering our customers with the knowledge needed to care for their investment. We have an extensive product line of industry leading prefinished hardwood styles that we stand behind. We are committed to finding the best product possible to fit our customers’ lifestyle. Not only are we your dedicated partner in supplying and installing prefinished hardwood floors, we are also here to guide you in preserving their beauty and durability.

Laminate flooring, often hailed as the closest alternative to hardwood, boasts a construction of compressed wood fibers and resin, resulting in a robust and durable pressed wood board. While replicating the look and feel of hardwood, laminate comes at a fraction of the cost, often even more affordable than carpeting. Its resistance to fading in sunlight, scratch resistant coating, and stain resistance add to its appeal. Notably, the tongue and groove edge construction facilitates a hassle-free installation, making it easier to install than hardwood.

Invented in 1977 under the name Pergo, laminate flooring has evolved, with Pergo now a subsidiary of Mohawk Flooring, one of the many companies manufacturing laminate today. Although not genuine hardwood, laminate shares numerous benefits with hardwood, LVP, and vinyl, making it a versatile flooring option.

Pros of Laminate Flooring:

• Versatility: Laminate offers an extensive range of grain, natural stone, and ceramic patterns.
• Realistic Appearance:Laminate provides a superior photo representation of natural materials compared to LVP and LVT.

• Improved Waterproofing: Initially criticized for susceptibility to moisture damage, laminate has witnessed significant enhancements in water resistance. Many manufacturers claim their laminate products can withstand full submersion for 48-96 hours without damage.
• Easy to Clean: Maintenance is a breeze with laminate flooring. Regular vacuuming, dust mopping, or sweeping is sufficient to keep it clean, making cleaning a straightforward process.
• Healthy: Resistant to mold and bacteria, laminate floors contribute to a healthy indoor environment. For added protection, they can be coated with allergen-resistant materials.
• Stays in Place: As a floating floor, laminate expands and contracts with temperature and moisture fluctuations, ensuring it won’t buckle or snap at the seams when installed correctly.
• Ease of Installation: Among the easiest wood flooring substitutes to install, laminate is DIY-friendly for simple applications.
• Installs Over Anything: Laminate can be installed over almost every flooring material except carpet, including real hardwood flooring.
• Resists Stains and Smudges: The outer coating resists stains and smudges, ensuring easy cleanup with a damp cloth.
• Sustainable: Easily recyclable, laminate is a more eco-friendly choice than LVP or LVT, offering a low-cost and sustainable flooring option.

Cons of Laminate Flooring:

• Not Identical To Hardwood: While laminate excels in mimicking natural hardwoods, close inspection does reveal it is man-made origin.
• VOC Emissions: Laminate flooring contains higher VOCs compared to alternatives like hardwood and linoleum, releasing fumes into the air.
• Replacement Only: Once the wear layer wears through, laminate cannot be refinished and must be replaced, which can be a tedious process due to tongue and groove edges.
• Not 100% Waterproof: Despite technological advancements, laminate floors are not as waterproof as their vinyl counterparts (LVP and LVT). Promptly cleaning up spills is essential.

Considering these factors, laminate flooring remains a foundational and enduring choice in the flooring market. 

Warehouse Direct Flooring has served the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley areas for nearly 40 years – our knowledgeable project managers are ready to assist with any laminate-related queries. Budget-friendly, versatile, and visually appealing, laminate flooring might be the ideal solution for those seeking an affordable alternative with lasting charm. You can check out some of our previous laminate flooring projects here.