Cesar 
What are the differences between hardwood, vinyl plank and laminate?
Solid hardwood is real wood that can be sanded and refinished several times. Luxury vinyl plank is waterproof or highly water-resistant and suits kitchens and baths. Laminate is a layered product with a printed surface that resists scratches but is more sensitive to standing water. The right choice depends on the room, the subfloor and how you live.
| Hardwood | Luxury vinyl plank | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made of | Solid or engineered real wood | Layered vinyl with a printed wear layer | Fiberboard core with a printed surface |
| Water | Sensitive to moisture and spills | Resists water, often waterproof | Sensitive to standing water and swelling |
| Refinishing | Can be sanded and refinished | Cannot be refinished, damaged planks are replaced | Cannot be refinished |
| Best for | Living areas, bedrooms, hallways | Kitchens, baths, laundry, busy homes | Dry rooms and bedrooms |
| Installed | Nailed, glued or floated | Floated with locking edges, or glued | Floated with locking edges |
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a stable core, which handles humidity changes better than solid planks and can be installed in more places. Cesar can talk through what suits each room.
Can my hardwood floor be refinished, or does it need to be replaced?
If the boards are sound and thick enough to be sanded, refinishing is usually the better option. It removes scratches, wear and old finish and gives a new coat of protection. Replacement is for floors with deep water damage, rot, heavy pet stains or boards worn too thin. Cesar checks the condition on site.
The photo pair above shows a worn floor before and after sanding and refinishing. Most of the change comes from removing the dull top layer and sealing the bare wood with fresh finish.
- Repair loose or damaged boards, set protruding nails and fill gaps or holes where appropriate.
- Sand the floor in stages with progressively finer grits to remove old finish and scratches.
- Vacuum thoroughly so no dust remains to settle in the finish.
- Stain if you want a color change, then apply coats of finish, with drying time between each.
- Allow the finish to cure before moving furniture back and putting rugs down.
Finish needs cure time. Floors may feel dry within a day but remain soft for longer, so heavy furniture and rugs go back later than you might expect. We give you specific timing for the product used.
Why does the subfloor matter so much?
A floor can only be as flat and solid as what it sits on. Soft, water-damaged, uneven or squeaky subfloor telegraphs through new flooring as dips, gaps, squeaks and failed seams. Repairing or leveling the subfloor first is the step that determines whether the new floor lasts.
The bathroom floor photo pair on our homepage started with a subfloor blackened by long-term water damage. Putting new flooring over that would have trapped the problem.
- Soft or stained spots mean moisture damage that should be cut out and replaced, after the leak is fixed
- Squeaks usually come from loose subfloor or joists, and screws can often quiet them
- Dips and high spots need leveling, because plank floors bridge over them and then fail at the joints
- Concrete slabs should be checked for moisture before flooring goes down, since trapped moisture damages most flooring
- Old adhesive, nails and staples have to be removed so the new floor sits flat
How long does flooring installation take?
A single room is often installed in a day or two, and a whole floor takes longer depending on size, layout and prep. Hardwood refinishing adds drying and curing time between coats. Subfloor repair and removal of old flooring also add time. Cesar gives you a realistic schedule at the free estimate.
Flooring should acclimate to your home before installation. Wood and many plank products need to sit in the room for a period, often a couple of days, so they adjust to the temperature and humidity before they are laid. Skipping this is a common cause of gaps and buckling later.
If furniture needs to move, we can help plan it room by room so you can keep living in the house while the work goes on.
What should I do before the flooring visit?
Measure the rooms if you can, photograph the existing floor and any damage, and decide how much of the house you want covered. Clear small items and breakables, and think about where furniture will go during the work. If you have flooring you already bought, keep the boxes and receipts.
- Note any soft spots, squeaks, stains or past leaks in the existing floor
- Photograph transitions between rooms and at doorways and stairs
- Decide whether baseboards will be removed and reinstalled or covered with shoe molding
- Keep leftover boxes of flooring if you are adding to an existing floor
- Tell us about pets, allergies or sensitivity to dust and finish fumes
What is and is not included
Included
- Removal of old flooring, adhesive, nails and staples
- Subfloor inspection and repair or leveling as agreed at the estimate
- Installation of hardwood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank or laminate
- Sanding and refinishing of existing hardwood floors
- Transitions, trim and shoe molding, plus cleanup of debris
Not included
- Plumbing or leak repair, which belongs to the relevant trade and has to be fixed before flooring goes down
- Moisture, mold or asbestos testing, which belongs to specialists, and Cesar will say up front if your home's age raises the question
- Structural repair of joists and framing, which is scoped separately once we see the extent
- Moving heavy or specialty furniture such as pianos, which we confirm case by case
Where we offer flooring installation & refinishing
We provide flooring installation & refinishing across the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Pick your city for local details:
Related handyman services
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer free estimates for flooring?
Yes. Estimates are always free and carry no obligation. Call (909) 775-1885 or use the quote form on the homepage, and Cesar will look at the job, confirm the scope and explain what it involves before any work is scheduled.
Do you install flooring that I buy myself?
Yes. You can supply the flooring and we install it, or we can help you choose a product that suits the room. Keep the boxes and receipts, and buy a bit extra to cover cuts and future repairs.
Can you install flooring over my existing floor?
Sometimes. Floating floors such as vinyl plank and laminate can often go over a sound, flat floor, but not over damaged, soft or very uneven surfaces. Cesar checks the existing floor and tells you if it should come out first.
How do I keep a refinished floor looking good?
Use felt pads under furniture, sweep or vacuum regularly, wipe spills promptly and avoid wet mopping. Place mats at entrances to catch grit, which scratches wood quickly. We will give you specific care directions for the finish we use.
Is vinyl plank really waterproof?
Most luxury vinyl plank resists water well, but the seams and edges, along with the subfloor underneath, can still be affected by standing water. It suits kitchens and baths better than wood or laminate, and Cesar can explain the differences between products.
How soon can the work start?
Most jobs start within 48 to 72 hours of you accepting the estimate. Larger or material-dependent projects can take longer, and Cesar will give you a realistic start date at the estimate. We are available Monday through Sunday, 8 AM to 8 PM.
Is the work covered by a warranty?
Every project is backed by our craftsmanship warranty. If something we did is not right, we come back and make it right. We are glad to walk you through how it applies to your specific job when we give you the estimate.
Which areas do you cover for flooring work?
We serve Pasadena and the wider San Gabriel Valley, the Inland Empire and nearby communities. See the full list on our areas page, or call (909) 775-1885 with your city and we will confirm we can reach you.
Ready to get flooring installation & refinishing taken care of? Estimates are free.