# Flooring, explained > Straight answers on choosing, installing and looking after your floor, written by SC Flooring Masters, the team that installs them. Web page: https://scflooringmasters.com/answers ## Guides - [How to choose a flooring contractor in Orlando](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/how-to-choose-a-flooring-contractor.md): Choose a flooring contractor who checks your slab before pricing, gives you an itemised written estimate, shows proof of insurance, and tells you who will do the work and when. - [What is the best flooring for Florida humidity?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/best-flooring-florida-humidity.md): For most homes here, SPC vinyl plank and porcelain tile cope with humidity best. Engineered hardwood works with care. Solid hardwood, laminate and carpet need the most caution on a concrete slab. - [What should a flooring estimate include?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/flooring-estimate-checklist.md): A flooring estimate should list material with waste, removal, preparation, labor, trims, stairs, delivery, timeline, payment terms and exclusions, each on its own line, so you can see what you are paying for. - [How long does flooring installation take?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/how-long-flooring-installation-takes.md): Most floors in an average home take 1–5 working days once the crew starts. Vinyl plank and carpet are fastest; tile and hardwood take longer, and removal, slab work and cure times add days. - [How to prepare your home for flooring installation](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/prepare-home-for-flooring-installation.md): Clear the rooms, keep the AC running, plan for pets and parking, and confirm on your estimate who moves furniture and appliances. A little planning the week before keeps install day on schedule. - [A buyer's guide to vinyl plank](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/vinyl-plank-buying-guide.md): Vinyl plank is now the most popular floor in Central Florida homes. Here is what to look for, how it is installed and how to keep it looking good. - [Vinyl plank vs tile: which is better for your home?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/vinyl-plank-vs-tile.md): Neither wins everywhere. Vinyl plank is warmer, quieter and faster to lay, while porcelain tile lasts longer and shrugs off heat, sand and pool water. The right pick depends on the room. - [Vinyl plank vs laminate: which should you choose?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/vinyl-plank-vs-laminate.md): For most Central Florida homes on concrete slabs, vinyl plank is the safer choice because its core does not absorb water. Laminate can suit dry rooms but reacts badly to moisture. - [SPC vs WPC vs LVP: what is the difference?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/spc-vs-wpc-vs-lvp.md): LVP is the general name for vinyl plank. SPC and WPC are two types of rigid core: SPC is dense stone and PVC, while WPC is a lighter foamed core that feels softer. - [Vinyl plank wear layer explained](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/wear-layer-explained.md): The wear layer is the clear film on top of vinyl plank that takes foot traffic. For most family homes, 20–22 mil is a sound choice; 12 mil suits light use and 30 mil suits heavy wear. - [Condo flooring sound rules in Florida](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/condo-flooring-sound-rules.md): Florida's building code sets a minimum sound rating for floors between units, and most condo associations add their own, stricter rules. Get written approval before you order a hard floor. - [A guide to tile and marble floors](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/tile-and-marble-guide.md): Tile and marble are among the most durable floors you can choose. The finished result depends on picking the right tile and preparing the slab properly. - [Porcelain vs ceramic tile: which should you choose?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile.md): Choose porcelain for busy floors, wet areas and anything outdoors, because it is denser and absorbs almost no water. Choose ceramic for walls, backsplashes and indoor rooms with light foot traffic. - [A guide to hardwood floors in Florida](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/hardwood-floors-in-florida.md): Hardwood brings warmth and value to a home. In Florida, the key is choosing the right product and installation method for your subfloor and climate. - [Tile or hardwood in Florida: which floor fits your home?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/tile-vs-hardwood-florida.md): Tile is the safer choice for wet areas, pools and sandy traffic in Florida. Hardwood suits dry living spaces and bedrooms when the slab is tested and the wood is engineered or properly acclimated. - [A guide to choosing carpet](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/choosing-carpet.md): Carpet is still the favourite for bedrooms and upstairs rooms. The right fibre, style and pad make the difference between carpet that lasts and carpet that flattens. - [A guide to stair flooring](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/stair-flooring-guide.md): Stairs take more wear than almost any other floor in a home, and they are one of the first things people see. Here is how the main options compare. - [A guide to common floor problems](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/common-floor-problems.md): Most floor problems have a cause you can find. Here are the common ones we see and how they are fixed. - [Why vinyl plank floors buckle, gap or separate](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/why-vinyl-plank-buckles-or-separates.md): Most vinyl plank that buckles or separates was pinned down, laid without an expansion gap, set on an uneven slab, or exposed to heat and moisture. Finding the cause comes before any fix. - [A guide to VCT flooring](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/vct-flooring-guide.md): Vinyl composition tile has been the workhorse of commercial floors for decades. Here is what it is, where it works and how to keep it looking good. - [VCT vs LVT: which commercial floor is right for you?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/vct-vs-lvt.md): VCT costs less to buy but needs regular polishing for its whole life. LVT costs more up front and needs far less upkeep. The better choice depends on your cleaning budget and your slab. - [A guide to subfloor repair](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/subfloor-repair-guide.md): Most flooring problems start underneath. Here is how subfloors are tested, what flatness your floor needs, and how slabs and plywood are repaired. - [What is the best flooring for restaurants?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/best-flooring-for-restaurants.md): Slip-resistant porcelain or quarry-style tile is the usual pick for a restaurant kitchen. Dining rooms have more choice: LVT, porcelain tile or carpet tile, depending on noise, style and cleaning. - [Best flooring for commercial offices, area by area](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/best-flooring-for-offices.md): This guide covers commercial offices, not home offices. Carpet tile suits most work areas, LVT suits corridors and break rooms, and porcelain tile suits lobbies that take outside traffic. - [What is the best flooring for medical clinics?](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/best-flooring-for-medical-clinics.md): Sheet vinyl and LVT suit most clinic rooms because they clean easily and take rolling equipment. Porcelain tile fits restrooms, VCT fits storage, and carpet tile belongs only in waiting rooms and offices. - [The best flooring for retail stores, zone by zone](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/best-flooring-for-retail-stores.md): For most shops, glue-down luxury vinyl tile or porcelain tile on the sales floor works best, with walk-off matting at the door. The right pick changes by zone, traffic and how fast you must reopen. - [Commercial flooring: a buyer's guide](https://scflooringmasters.com/answers/commercial-flooring-buyers-guide.md): Good commercial flooring matches the traffic, loads, slab and upkeep budget of each space. Compare the options, test the slab, then compare bids on the same scope and schedule.