from Jordan Ball, project manager at Michael’s Flooring & Cabinets
What materials do you want/need/prefer and why?
A “What to Know Before You Go” Guide
Jordan Ball has worked for Michael’s Flooring & Cabinets since March of 2021 and even earned the title of Salesman of the Year last year. Needless to say, he has handled the flooring learning curve very quickly and very well.
“Aside from helping folks get what they need within their budget and taste, I love the culture that has been established within our company. Everyone looks out for one another, from company management to full-time installers who contract for Michael’s Flooring & Cabinets. We all have a genuine concern for each others’ well-being and build each other up,” Jordan says.
Jordan thrives on helping people find exactly what they need and want that is within both their taste and price range. He has four tips about flooring materials and what to know about these materials as you plan a project.
- “What type of materials are you looking for?”
The first question Jordan typically asks his customers seeks to identify their preferences that might already be established before coming into the store. Are they looking for carpet? Hardwoods? Luxury vinyl planks (LVPs)? If possible, it is best to come with a general idea of what material you prefer. Each of these has pros and cons. Carpets are typically less expensive and easier to install. Hardwoods are very traditional and age well. LVPs are a great choice for families with pets or young children. You can read more about LVPs and hardwoods in this blog post.
- Next, after you choose your basic materials (carpet, hardwoods, LVPs, etc.), understand that the composition of these materials varies.
This is especially true with carpet. “One of the first questions I ask a customer is whether or not the customer has allergies,” says Jordan. “This helps me determine if I should recommend hypoallergenic options.” Michael’s Flooring & Cabinets has many hypoallergenic options. To offer a little more information about composite materials, carpets are typically made from one of three materials: polyester, nylon, or wool. At Michael’s, while our polyester carpets are more of an economical option, they are all stain resistant and more durable than polyester carpets sold by some of our competitors. Nylon carpets are a mid grade option that is higher in quality than polyester but not as high in quality as wool. It is a synthetic material that has proven to be very durable. Wool carpet is the highest quality carpet we offer. Wool carpets are naturally hypoallergenic and deodorizing. Wool carpet is the more expensive option, but is also extremely high in quality, very resilient, and long-lasting.
- Consider minimizing (or eliminating) as many transitions as possible.
We recognize you might not use the same flooring materials throughout your space, but the transitions between materials is something important to consider when exploring your budget. Hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl planks (LVPs) are more costly than carpets to install mainly due to labor cost and the amount of time necessary for installation. Generally speaking, hardwoods and LVPs are also more costly materials. Carpet tends to be less expensive to install mainly because it is much faster. Many customers prefer carpet in a bedroom and might transition to a luxury vinyl plank or hardwood in other rooms in the home. Some transitions are necessary, but keep in mind that the more transitions, the more expensive the installation cost will be. Transitions also decrease the capacity to give volume discounts since less of the materials will be purchased.
- What is your timeline?
Are you planning to be in this home for the foreseeable future or are you planning to sell this home rather quickly? Knowing this will help us better help you determine materials. If you are planning to be in this home for the next 10+ years, we want to be sure to offer you a higher quality product that will last. On the contrary, if you are planning to be in the home for a shorter period of time, we will be sensitive to offering more economical options.
At Michael’s Flooring & Cabinets, we have a wide selection of materials and products to meet your needs. Visit our website or reach out to us with questions about flooring, cabinets, or other home projects.
