Flooring FAQ
Answers about flooring products, installation, residential projects, commercial flooring and what to expect when working with Strictly Carpet & Flooring.
Start with your space
A simple first conversation helps match your rooms, priorities and flooring options.
We offer carpet, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl and rubber. The right recommendation depends on the room, intended use and project requirements.
Yes. We work with residential and commercial flooring needs. Home projects can include bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, basements and stairs. Commercial recommendations are shaped around the facility and its requirements.
Consider traffic, moisture, comfort, maintenance, appearance, durability and budget when comparing flooring options.
Yes. We bring samples to your home at a free in-home consultation.
Use the estimate request form or call to discuss your flooring project.
We are based in Oswego and serve communities throughout the western suburbs. Our service areas include Oswego, Naperville, Plainfield, Yorkville, Montgomery and Aurora, or contact us about your location.
We do both residential and commercial installations.
Flooring for the way you live
From comfortable bedrooms to busy kitchens and finished basements, we help you choose flooring that fits everyday life.
Carpet is a common choice for softness, warmth and sound absorption. Hardwood can also work well when a homeowner wants a continuous look with adjacent spaces.
Durable, easy-to-maintain options such as luxury vinyl plank are often considered for kitchens. The best product depends on the room conditions and project requirements.
Carpet can add comfort and warmth to a finished basement, but moisture conditions should be evaluated before selecting flooring.
Hardwood and luxury vinyl are common choices. Appearance, traffic, maintenance and budget all help determine the best fit.
Carpet and carpet runners can add comfort, traction and sound reduction. The appropriate solution depends on the staircase and household needs.
Replacement and tear-out services can be discussed as part of a flooring project.
Yes. Our repair services include carpet patching and re-stretching, along with repair options for laminate and vinyl flooring.
Yes. Different rooms have different requirements. A coordinated plan can balance appearance, performance and transitions from room to room.
Furniture needs can vary by project, room access, and the selected flooring work.
It will depend on how you plan to use your basement. If it will be used more as a family room or play area, carpet would be softer and warmer to enjoy.
If it is more for entertainment, such as a pool table, games, or a bar, vinyl would be a good option.
Another thing to consider is whether you are concerned about water or basement flooding. Vinyl would be a good option in that case, as you can generally pull the planks up and reuse them, whereas carpet you may or may not be able to save, but you will more than likely have to replace the carpet pad.
Commercial flooring built for the space
Flooring solutions selected around traffic, durability, maintenance, appearance and the demands of your facility.
Yes. We work with commercial flooring needs and invite businesses and organizations to request a project consultation and estimate.
Commercial options can include commercial carpet, carpet tile, luxury vinyl, rubber flooring and specialty/grid flooring systems, depending on the project.
Recommendations depend on the facility. Projects may include offices, libraries, fitness facilities, recreational facilities, retail or customer-facing environments and other commercial spaces.
Commercial carpet, carpet tile and commercial luxury vinyl can each be appropriate depending on traffic, acoustics, maintenance and the look you want.
Commercial rubber flooring is often considered for appropriate fitness environments because of durability and impact requirements.
Yes. Carpet tile can offer design flexibility and replacement of individual affected tiles. Commercial LVP can be a practical option where appearance, durability and easier maintenance matter.
Phasing can depend on the project, flooring system, site conditions, and operational requirements.
Tear-out and haul-away needs can be discussed as part of a commercial flooring project.
Use the estimate request form or contact us with your project details.
Understand your options
A straightforward look at the materials homeowners and businesses ask about most often.
Hardwood is a natural material with unique variation and refinishing potential. Luxury vinyl plank offers a wood-look option with different water, maintenance and budget considerations.
Luxury vinyl plank, often called LVP, is a resilient flooring option designed with a plank format and wood-look appearance.
Water-resistance specifications vary by manufacturer and product. Review the specifications for the specific product before purchase.
They differ in construction, feel, water resistance, appearance and common applications. We can compare samples during your consultation.
Carpet can provide comfort, warmth, acoustics, texture and a wide range of style options.
Hardwood offers natural appearance, longevity and refinishing potential, while moisture, maintenance and budget should be considered.
Rubber flooring is commonly used in home gyms and appropriate commercial fitness or recreational environments.
Know what to expect
We make the flooring process clear before work begins, from the first measure to the finished installation.
Share the rooms, existing flooring, materials you are considering, and project requirements.
Preparation, arrival, installation and cleanup vary by project. We review project-specific expectations before work begins.
Tear-out and haul-away are available on any project and appear as their own line on your estimate, so you can choose to include them or not.
Existing conditions can affect installation. Anticipated or discovered issues should be discussed before proceeding.
Yes. We offer carpet patching, carpet re-stretching, laminate repair, vinyl repair, refinishing and water-damage repair. Request an assessment for project-specific questions.
Feasibility depends on the material, product availability, installation method, damage and ability to match existing flooring.
Yes, we can do base work. We can remove and reset existing base shoe / quarter round, or we can supply and install any new base shoe / quarter round, whether it is white or stained. We can also install new baseboards.
The homeowner will be responsible for any painting, filling of nail holes, or caulking needed around base work.
Prep work can be crucial for a few reasons. In most cases we need to make sure the floor is level before installing your new floor. Any unevenness will telegraph through to the floor. If it is uneven, parts of the floor may not be supported and the tongue and grooves can start breaking.
All manufacturers recommend a certain flatness to keep the warranty. There are other reasons why prep work may be necessary, and don't hesitate to ask us why your specific project may need it.
When you decide to use Strictly Carpet & Flooring for your flooring, we will send you a detailed flyer that will explain what to expect before, during, and after your installation. It will go over all the ways to best be prepared for your installation, from things to move to what we will do.
It will go over what to expect once we arrive, such as installation being loud and messy at times. And finally, it will go over what you can expect after our installation, but of course you can always reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Plan with confidence
Clear estimates and product-specific guidance help you make a confident flooring decision.
Costs can vary with material, product grade, room size, removal, preparation, and installation requirements.
Relative cost can vary by product and project requirements.
Care varies by material and manufacturer. Follow product-specific care instructions for your selected flooring.
Lifespan depends on material, product quality, traffic, maintenance, installation and environmental conditions.
We accept cash, checks, Venmo, and credit cards (but there is a 3% processing fee on cards). We also offer 12 months of 0% interest financing through Synchrony.
While the square foot price appears low, it does not include anything else, such as labor to install, any prep work, any underlayment potentially needed, base work, tear-out, etc.
Carpet is still the most cost-effective route to go.
For hard surface floors, we recommend putting felt tabs on furniture and chairs to protect against scratching and possible denting.
Consider putting down area rugs or runners to protect floors. Have mats both inside and outside doors to limit dirt exposure. Don't wear shoes indoors, and avoid wearing high heels or spiked shoes on flooring, as they can damage it.
Still Have Questions?
Tell us about your space and we'll help you determine the right next step.
