Frequently Asked Flooring Questions

Choosing new flooring can bring up a lot of questions. Which flooring is best for pets? What's the difference between luxury vinyl and laminate? What works well in a basement? How do you know which carpet is right for your home?

At Charles F. Zeigler & Sons Floor Covering, we help customers compare flooring options for their homes and businesses. Here are answers to some of the most common questions to help you get started.

Choosing the Right Flooring

What type of flooring is best for my home?

The best flooring depends on the room, your lifestyle, budget and priorities. Carpet provides softness and comfort, hardwood offers the natural beauty of real wood, and luxury vinyl, laminate, vinyl and tile provide different combinations of durability, appearance and maintenance.

Consider how the room will be used, how much traffic it receives and whether moisture, pets or children are factors.

What flooring is best for homes with dogs and cats?

Pet owners should consider scratch resistance, stain resistance, moisture performance and ease of cleaning.

Luxury vinyl and other resilient flooring products are popular options for many households with pets. Carpet can also be a good choice when softness, warmth and traction are priorities. The right choice depends on your pets, the room and how you use the space.

What flooring is best for high-traffic areas?

Durability and ease of maintenance become especially important in hallways, entryways, kitchens and busy living spaces. Luxury vinyl, laminate and tile are all worth considering.

The specific product matters just as much as the flooring category, so compare wear layers, construction and manufacturer warranties when shopping.

What flooring is best for a basement?

Moisture should be one of the first considerations when selecting basement flooring.

Luxury vinyl and other resilient flooring products may be suitable for many lower-level spaces. Carpet can provide additional warmth and comfort when conditions are appropriate. Before selecting flooring, consider the condition of the concrete or subfloor and any history of moisture.

What flooring is best for kitchens?

Kitchen flooring needs to handle everyday traffic, spills and frequent cleaning. Luxury vinyl, vinyl and tile are popular options because of their practical performance and wide range of styles.

Your preferred appearance, maintenance expectations and the conditions of the room should all factor into your decision.

What flooring is best for bathrooms?

Moisture resistance is especially important in bathrooms. Ceramic and porcelain tile are traditional choices, while many luxury vinyl products provide another option for homeowners who want the appearance of wood or stone.

Always check the specifications of the individual flooring product before using it in a moisture-prone space.

Luxury Vinyl & Laminate Flooring

What is luxury vinyl flooring?

Luxury vinyl is a resilient flooring category available in realistic wood- and stone-inspired designs. It's popular because it can combine attractive visuals with durability and relatively easy maintenance.

Luxury vinyl products are available in different constructions and performance levels, so it's important to compare individual products.

Is luxury vinyl flooring waterproof?

Some luxury vinyl flooring products are marketed as waterproof, but specifications vary between products and manufacturers.

Always check the manufacturer's specifications and warranty for the particular floor you're considering rather than assuming every luxury vinyl product provides the same level of water protection.

What's the difference between luxury vinyl and laminate?

Both can provide realistic wood looks, but they're constructed differently. Luxury vinyl is a resilient flooring product, while laminate typically contains a wood-based core.

Moisture performance, feel, construction, price and maintenance can differ. Where the floor will be installed can help determine which option makes more sense.

Carpet Questions

Is carpet still a good flooring choice?

Yes. Carpet remains an excellent option for spaces where comfort, softness and warmth are priorities.

Bedrooms, family rooms and living areas are common places for carpet. Today's carpet is available in numerous fibers, textures, colors, patterns and performance levels, including options designed for active households.

What should I look for when buying carpet?

Start with the room. Consider traffic, pets, children, stain resistance, softness, color and maintenance.

Fiber and construction can also affect how a carpet looks and performs. A lightly used bedroom may have very different flooring needs than stairs, hallways or a busy family room.

How long does carpet last?

There isn't one lifespan that applies to every carpet. Quality, fiber, construction, traffic, maintenance, pets and other household conditions can all affect how quickly carpet wears.

Visible wear, permanent staining, matting or simply wanting to update the room can all be reasons to consider replacement.

Hardwood Flooring

Is hardwood flooring a good investment?

Hardwood remains popular because of the distinctive appearance and character of genuine wood.

Whether it's right for your home depends on your budget, lifestyle, maintenance expectations and where the floor will be installed. Different hardwood products can also vary significantly in construction, species, finish and appearance.

Is hardwood good for homes with pets?

Hardwood can work in homes with pets, but scratching and wear should be considered. Wood species, finish, texture and the size and activity level of your pets can all make a difference.

If scratch resistance is one of your highest priorities, it can be useful to compare hardwood with alternatives such as luxury vinyl or laminate before making a decision.

Tile Flooring

What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?

Ceramic and porcelain are both made from clay-based materials, but porcelain is generally denser and has lower water absorption.

Both are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, sizes and designs. Where the tile will be installed and the specifications of the individual product should guide your selection.

Where can tile flooring be used?

Tile is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, laundry rooms and other areas where durability and moisture performance are important.

Different types of tile have different performance characteristics, so make sure the product you choose is appropriate for the intended application.

Flooring Cost & Shopping

How much does new flooring cost?

The cost of new flooring depends on the material, product quality, amount of flooring required and the specific requirements of the project.

Carpet, luxury vinyl, laminate, hardwood and tile can fall into very different price ranges. Comparing products based on your total project and budget is usually more useful than looking for one average flooring price.

Is the cheapest flooring always the best value?

Not necessarily.

Upfront price is only one consideration. Durability, expected lifespan, maintenance, warranty and how well the flooring fits the room can all affect its long-term value.

A slightly more expensive product that better matches how the space is used may ultimately make more sense.

Should I see flooring in person before buying it?

Whenever possible, yes.

Colors can look different on a computer or phone screen, and photographs don't always show texture, sheen or scale accurately. Seeing flooring in person also allows you to compare products and materials side by side.

About Zeigler Floor

Where is Zeigler Floor located?

Charles F. Zeigler & Sons Floor Covering is located at 1110 W. Elm Avenue in Hanover, PA 17331.

What types of flooring does Zeigler Floor carry?

Zeigler Floor offers a variety of flooring categories, including carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl/LVP, laminate, vinyl, ceramic tile, porcelain tile and natural stone.

Does Zeigler Floor offer commercial flooring?

Yes. Zeigler Floor carries flooring for commercial applications in addition to residential flooring. Commercial carpet, carpet tile and luxury vinyl are among the options available for business and commercial spaces.

What flooring brands does Zeigler Floor carry?

Available brands include manufacturers such as Anderson Tuftex, American Olean, Marazzi, Robbins, Hartco, Milliken and Philadelphia Commercial.

Product and brand availability can change, so contact the store if you're looking for a particular manufacturer, collection or flooring style.

Have Another Flooring Question?

Every flooring project is different. The best way to choose a new floor is to compare your options based on your space, lifestyle, design preferences and budget.

Visit Charles F. Zeigler & Sons Floor Covering to see flooring in person and talk with the team about the options available for your project.

Charles F. Zeigler & Sons Floor Covering
1110 W. Elm Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331
717-637-4383

Visit Zeigler Floor to start exploring flooring for your home or business.