FLOORING CHECKLIST
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Sampling is Smart: Before you buy, bring home samples of
your top flooring choices. Compare them side-by-side where
they are going to be installed.
Installing a new floor could be tricky. If you're not sure how to
handle the installation yourself, ask us!
Compare for Consistency: Manufacturers try to match
solid- and engineered-wood flooring for color and grain.
Variations can occur from one batch to the next, so buy all
the flooring you'll need at one time. Laminate floorboards
within a given package often have a similar pattern. When
installing, pull boards from multiple packages
Measuring Avoids Mistakes: To determine how much
flooring you'll need, measure the room's square footage by
multiplying its length times its width. (Divide an irregularly
shaped room into smaller rectangles, calculate the square
footage of each rectangle, and then add them together.)
Then buy 7 to 10 percent extra to allow for mistakes, bad
samples, and waste. Consider buying an extra box of
flooring for future repairs or additions.
Know Your Traffic Patterns: Common high-traffic areas
are entryways to rooms and to the house itself. If you have
pets or kids, the family room can also be a busy place. Our
top products performed best in simulated foot-traffic tests.
For less-busy areas, consider one of the top-engineered
wood or bamboo floors, for their natural veneer and easy
installation.
Preparing to Install Flooring: Before installing wood or
laminate flooring, unpack it and let it sit for one to three days
in the space where it will be installed so that its temperature
and moisture become acclimated to the levels in the room.
Check for Certification: Vinyl floors with the industry's
FloorScore certification (pictured below) emit relatively low
levels of volatile organic compounds—substances linked to
health problems and pollution. For wood flooring, certification
by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable
Forestry Initiative offers some assurance that your flooring
comes from responsibly managed forests—a plus for the
planet. Check packaging for product and manufacturer
certification.
Ways to Save
• Check prices with overstock discounters: They buy directly
from manufacturers, and often sell flooring below list price.
• You can often save on opened or damaged boxes or on
flooring with minor flaws that you can install where it won't be
noticed.
• Hiring a pro to do your installation? Trim hundreds of
dollars off the job by doing the prep work yourself. For more
information that is helpful see our website www.jabaras.com
10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Floor ing
Few renovations can immediately change the look and feel of a
room like new flooring. Flooring adds instant style and value.
Your flooring options are endless. Our list of questions will help
you assess your home’s flooring needs to narrow your choices.
Financing Available…
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No annual fee
No minimum purchase
Affordable monthly payments
Immediate credit upon approval
Save your cash for other purchases
…Your Home Town Flooring Superstore
Will your new and existing flooring coordinate? Consider how the
new flooring will complement your overall interior style and
decorating scheme. Blending materials and creating interesting
transition may solve your design dilemmas.
Will you have to redecorate? Color is a major consideration when
buying a new floor because it impacts the entire room. Lighter
flooring can make rooms feel larger but show stains and reveal
wear. Darker flooring can make rooms feel cozy but show dust
and pet hair. Neutral tones accommodate colorful décor easily,
making it easy to change your home décor down the road.
Where is the room located? Ground-level and basement spaces
are more susceptible to moisture than those upstairs, so consider
the impact on your flooring choice.
What is the traffic level in the room? If it is an entry area or a play
area for pets and kids, look for flooring that can handle wear. If
the floor needs to support a wheelchair or walker, make sure the
flooring material will allow easy, unobstructed movement.
Service . . .
Does anyone in your home have allergies? Hard-surface flooring
collects fewer allergens. Add warmth and visual interest with
easy-to-clean rugs.
Savings . . .
Do you have, or plan to install, a heated floor? Not all flooring
options are compatible with subfloor heating. Consult a flooring
expert for help exploring the options best for you.
Selection . . .
What level of floor care is required? Ask what is involved in
cleaning and upkeep and factor things like refinishing and
steaming into your decision.
Can you refinish your existing floor? You may be able to bring
your floors up to date with a new stain.
Can you install the new flooring yourself? New flooring
installation is more than lining up boards and tiles. Know
whether you can identify and repair a faulty subfloor. Know how
to safely dispose of old flooring and if you can return unused
boxes or pieces to the store. Some flooring may require
professional removal.
What is your climate? Wood can warp and buckle and carpet can
mold in humid environments. Tile makes a great alternative, is
easy to clean and maintain and comes in a variety of textures,
colors and sizes to suit your personal style.
1816 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67214
Contact Us At:
(316) 267-2512
[email protected]
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Carpet●Tile●Vinyl
Wood●Laminate●Area Rugs
jabaras.com
Your Hometown Flooring Store
Since 1970, Jabara's has brought superior customer service
and product knowledge to its customers, while incorporating
the best value, largest selection, and finest quality of flooring
and home improvement materials. Whether its carpet, wood,
tile, laminate, vinyl or area rugs – we have the largest selection
of flooring in the state. We offer the lowest everyday prices on
flooring and have over 30,000 choices in our 5,000 square foot
showroom. We offer full service installation, free
measurements and free design help. With so many choices,
where do you start?
Carpet
LAMINATE FLOORING
Pros: Carpeting is one of the most affordable and versatile of
all flooring options, featuring more colors and textures than
any other type of flooring. Soft and warm, carpet is a standard
in U.S. living spaces. The cost varies by quality, with beautiful
choices available at every price point. It’s easy to install and
works well with all subfloors. Its inherent soundproofing
qualities make it the quietest flooring choice, and its insulation
properties may lower your energy bills.
Pros: Laminate is an attractive choice for living spaces that
see a lot of activity. Constructed of dense fiberboard with a
photo realistic picture beneath a clear-plastic protective layer,
laminate flooring offers an enormous variety of styles, colors
and patterns. The best laminates are scratch-resistant and
durable. They resist discoloration from sunlight better than
most wood products. Laminate is a popular DIY flooring.
Laminates are low-cost, and low maintenance – it's easy to
clean and stain-resistant.
Cons: Carpet is not as stain-resistant as other flooring choices
and requires regular vacuuming, maintanence, and cleaning.
Before you buy, consider the following:
Carpeting costs $2 to $12 per square foot. Add $.50 cents to
$2 per square foot for padding and installation, depending on
the complexity of the job.
Location: Carefully consider the location of your new floor. Is
it below-, on- or above-grade? Your flooring choice may be
different from a bedroom on the second or third floor.
Cons: Laminate flooring isn't actually wood. The repetitive
pattern can compromise realism. In terms of durability, you
might be able to touch up minor flaws, but you'll have to
replace the flooring once its outer layer has worn through.
Quality varies, so research the options that lend to the most
realistic look, feel and sound.
Solid Wood Flooring
Laminate varies, but laminate flooring costs $1-$5 per square
foot. Installation adds $3-$5 per square foot.
Moisture: Likewise, kitchens and bathrooms are prone to
water damage and humid conditions, which should be a heavy
factor in your decision-making process.
Heat: Note whether the area you’re placing the flooring has (or
will have) radiant heat. Some flooring materials aren’t
compatible, so make it known early in the shopping process.
Sunlight: Also, be sure to observe the space throughout the
day. Does it get a lot of direct sun? UV light can fade or darken
certain flooring, so look for resistant products.
Size: Have your space professionally measured, or take
detailed measurements and create a drawing including
doorways, fireplaces, built-ins or other structure that change
the floor’s flow.
Direction: To calculate your room’s square footage, multiply
length by width. Add the square footage of each room together
for the room’s total square footage. Flooring must run in the
same direction so keep windows, room connections, and traffic
patterns in mind when choosing the best material.
Overage: It is always smart to buy a little more flooring than
what you think you need. This allows for mistakes and bad
pieces. Plus, a little extra flooring on hand is great for repairs
down the road.
Accessories: Whichever flooring options you choose, buy
coordinating accessories to complete your project. Look for
trim pieces, underlayment and care / maintenance
accessories. Area Rugs also add a great final addition to any
room.
www.jabaras.com
Pros: Hardwood flooring is renowned for its natural beauty
and durability. It offers a variety of colors, finishes and species
to suit your style. It has an impressive wear resistance, and
can be sanded and refinished. It is hypoallergenic & easy to
clean. Hardwood adds warmth and value to your home.
Cons: Solid wood may expand and contract with varying
humidity levels and is prone to scratches and dents. Some
can show wear quickly and become discolored from sunlight.
Wood flooring is not a good choice for basements and other
damp spaces.
Hardwood costs $4-$10 per square foot. Expect to pay $5 $10 per square foot for professional installation
Engineered Wood Flooring
Pros: Because it is real wood, engineered hardwood offers the
same variety and aesthetic in the home as solid hardwood.
Engineered wood floors expand and contracts less than solid
hardwood, allowing installation on all levels of the house,
including the basement. They are available in a variety of
colors, finishes and species. They cost less than solid
hardwoods and are easier to install.
Cons: Most engineered wood isn’t as durable as laminate.
Although it is actually more durable than solid hardwood, the
floors can still scratch, dent and suffer water damage.
Engineered wood flooring costs $3-$8 per square foot, and
installed costs range from $4-$9 per square foot.
RESILIENT FLOORING:
VINYL TILES, PLANKS, SHEET GOODS
Pros: Vinyl tiles and sheet goods are called resilient flooring
— they are flexible and slightly soft underfoot. They're tough,
durable and virtually maintenance-free. Vinyl comes in an
array of colors and patterns at a relatively modest cost. They
are easy to clean and waterproof. It is available in sheets,
planks and tiles, and is easier to install than tile.
Cons: While the premium brands can mimic the look of stone,
tile, and even oak, even the best products still look like vinyl up
close. Top-of-the-line vinyl can cost as much or more than the
best solid-wood and laminate floors.
Expect to pay $1 to $5 per square foot for materials and $1 to
$4 per square foot for installation.
CERAMIC/PORCELAIN/STONE
Pros: This classic material tends to resist wear, moisture,
scratches, dents, and stains. The many shapes, sizes, colors
and textures of tile make it easy to create custom, one-of-akind patterns. Tile and stone have the strength to stand up to
active households– some even mimic the look of hardwoods.
Cons: Tiles can crack and some grout can stain. Dropped
cups and dishes break more easily. Tile is also harder to install
and relatively expensive and. If a cold touch is a concern,
consider adding radiant heat to your floors.
Cost varies widely, and you’ll find tile priced anywhere from $1
to $100 per square foot. Expect to pay experienced tile-setters
$5 to $12 per square foot.
WHAT TO PUT WHERE?
Carpet
Kitchen
Wood
Laminate
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Vinyl
Tile
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Dining
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Living/Family
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Bath/Laundry
Bedroom
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Kitchen: The kitchen is the epicenter of your home. Choose
flooring that's practical and durable enough for daily living, yet
is stylistically aligned with the rest of your home. Kitchen
flooring should be able to withstand moisture and staining.
Dining Room: Dining rooms are where friends and families
gather to eat, and where kids spill food and juice on a regular
basis. If you have a separate dining room, then you also want
it to be elegant and visually appealing.
Living or Family Room: Think about the life your living room
sees. Is this where the kids crash for movies; a more formal
space for receiving guests; or, a cozy space where friends and
family members find refuge from the world?
Bathroom/Laundry Room/Mud Room: Moisture is the
predominant concern regarding bathroom flooring. Your choice
should be water-resistant, easy-to-clean and suited to your
personal style. Thankfully, today’s manufacturers put these
qualities within reach.
Bedrooms: Bedroom flooring is a particularly intimate surface.
It is the first thing your feet will step down on in the morning,
and the last thing they will lift from before climbing into bed
each night. You should evaluate your options based on several
different criteria; the feel of the floor, how it looks, and issues
of maintenance. The importance of these elements is based
on the person who will be living there.