1. Discover Resources

Product Knowledge FAQ

Please note that the information in our FAQs is for general purposes only. We ask that you consult with your qualified tradesperson for further advice and recommendations on any specific installations you have in mind.

Ceramic

Hardwood

Luxury Vinyl

Laminate

Carpet Tile

Underlayment & Cushion

 

Ceramics

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. The major difference between ceramic and porcelain tile is that porcelain tile is harder and denser than other types of ceramic tile and that porcelain tile is frost-proof and impervious.
Ceramic, in turn, is composed of a mixture of clay and some minerals. Due to the slight variations and irregularities, it may yield a more interesting aesthetic result.

Are porcelain tiles better?
Porcelain tile is a very high-density product, fired at high temperatures and has superior durability and a low water absorption rate. The glazes on porcelain tile are known for a higher range of color variation, giving a rich custom look.

What is tile variation?
Variation is the difference in colour, shade and tone between individual tiles. our tiles have a V rating from 1 to 4.

  • V1 – Uniform – minimal differences between pieces of the same production run.
  • V2 – Slight - clearly distinguishable differences in texture and/or pattern, with similar colours.
  • V3 – Moderate – the number of colours on each piece varies greatly significantly, but they do not differ greatly between pieces.
  • V4 – Substantial – random colour differences from tile to tile so that one tile may have totally different colours from another tile.

How do I calculate the number of tiles I need?
You will need to know the area of the space. However, you should also plan to start with more than the exact number of tiles that will fill the area, due to breaks and cutouts. Generally, adding 5 to 7% in surplus to account for cut loss is sufficient if the environment is simple (square or rectangular with few cutouts). If the plan is diagonal or if the environment has a distinctive or organic shape, then many pieces will have to be cut at the corners. In these scenarios, it is important to provide a surplus of up to 15% to avoid material deficit during installation.

Can floor tiles be used on walls? 
Yes, you can use floor tiles on walls. Exterior applications require special precautions and installation methods. Please check with your installer or product manufacturer for application recommendations.

Can wall tiles be used on the floor?
In most cases it is not suitable to use wall tiles on the floor. Please check with your installer or product manufacturer for application recommendations.

What is a rectified tile? 
Rectified tiles go through a cutting process called grinding, which trims all pieces to the same exact size. As a result, seating joints can be minimal, reducing the amount of grout and making the assembly more aesthetically pleasing.

Is ceramic tile a durable material? 
Yes, but this depends heavily on the installation. To optimize durability, the subfloor or base on which the tiling will be glued must be flat, stable, and without irregularities. Depending on the dimensions of each tile, the proper mortar must be used. For larger pieces, manufacturers recommend double gluing on the subfloor and the back of the tile. Generally, carefully following the manufacturers' recommendations is always the best thing to do.

Can I install tiles on top of other tiles?
Usually, yes, but only if the surface below has been installed correctly and is not broken or experiencing any problems, such as stuffing. However, this is generally not the smartest option, and though initially cost saving may later incur higher costs. Keep in mind that overlapping floors will slightly decrease the height of the room, and that the doors will have to be altered to open normally.

What is a through body porcelain tile?
Through body porcelain tile is when the same colour on the top goes all the way through. Even in extreme applications, these tiles tend not to show wear as the porcelain is quite durable (harder than granite) and the colour goes all the way through. It can be used on exterior and interior floors and walls. It’s a great product for high traffic areas.

What type of finishes exist? 
The finish refers to the upper surface of the tile's coating and can be polished, semi-polished, honed, satin, matte, or natural.

What is COF of ceramic tiles?
The COF of ceramic tiles refers to the Coefficient of Friction, which rates the slip resistance of tiles. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recognizes several standard methods for measuring coefficient of friction for wet or dry surfaces. Tile used on commercial and residential floors should provide a safe walking surface in both wet and dry conditions.

Are ceramic tiles non-slip?
To know whether a tile is non-slip, it is important to know its Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF), which is an index of slip resistance. The higher the number, the more 'non-slip' the piece. For example, Coefficient less than 0.4 - Indoor areas only; Coefficient greater than or equal to 0.4 - Can be used outdoors and are safer for shower stalls. 

Hardwood

How long does hardwood need to acclimate?
Most manufacturers recommend that any hardwood product be acclimated in the space that it will be installed for no less than 72 hours. It is also essential to arrange the hardwood boxes for acclimation to give equal airflow to all the boxes, ensuring each box of wood gets the same level of acclimation. Generally, stacking the boxes no more than 4 high and with at least 6” of space around all sides will suffice.

How long should I wait to walk on my newly installed hardwood floors?
You can walk on the floor after installation if the new hardwood is pre-finished.

Can Richmond Hardwood be installed over radiant heat?
Yes, Richmond Hardwood is approved for use with radiant heat. Please refer to the installation instructions for more information.

Luxury Vinyl

What is luxury vinyl?
Luxury vinyl is also referred to as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). It is a multi-layer construction flooring material with PVC as the core material.  It has a decorative layer that can mimic the look of hardwood but is 100% waterproof.  The product is then finished with a protective anti-wear clear topcoat to give it durability.

How do I maintain my luxury vinyl floor?
Always refer to the care & maintenance guide (found on the Richmond Flooring Download Centre) or contact your local flooring retailer to ask about properly caring for your floor.  Sweep or vacuum regularly and clean up spills and excessive liquids immediately.  Damp mop as needed with a cleaner that is recommended for vinyl flooring.  To prevent damage to your vinyl floor, use proper floor protection devices such as furniture pads and walk-off mats from outside entrances.  Ensure that the mats do not have a latex or rubber backing as this may cause discolouration of the flooring.

Can I install luxury vinyl over my existing floor?
You can upgrade your look by switching to luxury vinyl when you install it over your old hard surface floors. Follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines or contact your local professional flooring retailer for assistance. 

Does vinyl need an underlayment?
Some vinyl has an attached pad/underlayment, if there is an attached pad/underlayment then an additional is not recommended. Depending on the area of installation, a vapour barrier may be needed. Refer to the installation instructions for more details on when a vapour barrier is needed. 

How long does Vinyl flooring last?
The vinyl floor warranty is determined by the wear layer thickness, which also determines the end use application suitability for the product.  (ie. Residential vs commercial).  Based on Richmond warranty guidelines, a 12mil wear layer will cover residential applications for 25years.

Wear Layers
Commercial Light Commercial Residential, Condo, Property Management
  • 20-40 mil wear layer (>0.50mm)
  • Educational, mercantile, hospitality, offices
  • 12 mil (0.30 mm)
  • Beauty salons, daycare areas, dining areas, doctor/dentist offices, corridors, activity rooms
  • 5 - 12 mil (0.15 - 0.29mm)
  • Kitchens, halls, bedrooms, basements, bathrooms, dining rooms

 

What’s the difference between SPC and WPC? 
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) – this is made from wood fibre and PVC and is warmer and softer than SPC products.
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) – this is made from stone powder and PVC and is denser and more temperature stable than WPC.

Are Richmond Luxury Vinyl products anti-bacterial?
All FirmFit products in the Richmond Luxury Vinyl offerings are coated with the SE+® Anti-microbial Coating. SE+ was specifically developed to protect the floor covering surface against harmful microbes.

Why choose Vinyl over other flooring options?
Vinyl flooring is highly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. It’s waterproof in nature, easy to install and maintain. Vinyl flooring helps reduce noise transmission, providing a quieter environment. Often budget-friendly compared to other flooring options and comes in a wide range of colours and designs. 

Laminate:

Is laminate flooring waterproof? 
All wood-based products, even those specifically designed to have increased resistance to moisture are hydroscopic (they will react to the moisture in the environment) and as a result will expand or contract accordingly. The waterproofness of the laminate refers to surface water (ex. Spills), not to floods and standing water. The installation and maintenance need to be followed on these products, see the warranty for exclusions. Richmond Laminate now offers waterproof laminate collections – please check our website for available options.

What is laminate flooring, and how is it made?
Laminate flooring is a highly durable wood-based product that consists of multiple layers that are laminated together.  The layers include:

  1. High-Density Fiberboard core which provides rigidity, dent resistance 
  2. Decorative layer which features real wood-like patterns
  3. Anti-wear Protective top layer which is scratch and scuff resistant.

Laminate comes in standard and waterproof options with a beautiful wood look. It is easy to install and can be used in residential and commercial applications. 

Why choose laminate over other flooring options?
Laminate flooring is more eco-friendly and mimics natural materials better than vinyl products. Laminate is one of the most durable flooring options as it is very scratch and dent resistant.  It is easy to install and is suitable to DIY projects. Laminate tends to be thicker than vinyl which can give a more substantial and realistic feel underfoot. There are waterproof options which means it can be installed in any area of the home including wet areas (ex. Kitchens and bathrooms).

Is laminate durable?
Laminate flooring is a more durable option vs. Hardwood.  The scale on which laminate durability is measured is the AC rating (Abrasion Class Rating), which is a test done to show its resistance to burns, scratches, stains, and impact.   The rating is a scale of 1-5, which also helps to determine end use application suitability (residential vs. commercial).

Lamiante AC Ratings

Carpet Tile

Is carpet tile backing important? 
Carpet tile backing plays a vital role in terms of the performance of the product. The weight and stability provided by the backing help prevent carpet tiles from moving or curling over time. High-quality backings help maintain the longevity of the carpet tile by being more resistant to wear and tear. 

What kind of adhesive should I use when installing Richmond Carpet Tiles?
We recommend using MAPEI® ULTRABOND ECO 350 or equivalent adhesive for tiles with PVC backing. For carpet tile with EcoBak backing, we recommend using MAPEI ® ULTRABOND ECO 811 or equivalent adhesive.

Does Richmond Flooring sell rolled carpet goods?
Richmond Flooring offers seasonal carpet under our Richmond Seasonal brand. Also referred to as “indoor/outdoor” carpet and specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. Richmond Seasonal is ideal for places like sunrooms, patios or decks.

Underlayment & Cushion

What is underlayment? 
Underlayment is typically made from rubber or foam and is laid beneath the flooring product. It provides a specific range of benefits for the type of floor covering used. Underlayment solutions are a solid investment designed to enhance the quality and performance of your flooring.

Why should I use underlayment? 
Floating floors are especially prone to expansion and contraction with seasonal changes. Underlayment provides a barrier from the friction of movement, keeping your floor together during shifts in temperature and humidity. Underlayment also helps smooth minor subfloor imperfections and helps to ensure that your floor lays correctly over your subfloors. Underlayment can minimize sound transmission, providing an extra sound barrier.

Is underlayment waterproof or water-resistant?
Some underlayment will have an added moisture barrier. This will help prevent any moisture that would come from the subfloor (ie. From concrete). Make sure you are checking moisture levels for the subfloor per the installation instructions, to prevent any risk of mold. 

Can underlayment be used with any type of flooring?
Make sure you check the flooring installation instructions before purchasing your underlayment. There may be a thickness or density requirement depending on the type of flooring.  If you do not follow the requirements of the floor it may compromise the warranty.