efx Flooring™

About

Clean, fast, professional, reliable, and affordable flooring installation since 2005.

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"Eric Schock just finished installing flooring in the first floor of my house. He did awesome work, I highly recommend him for any flooring project you have! Check him out." - Robert E.
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"We had Eric install our new Coretec luxury vinyl plank flooring and we couldn't be happier! His knowledge of the products and advice on what would best fit our lifestyle were so helpful. We are extremely pleased with his professionalism, speed of install, and cleanliness throughout the process. The finished result is spectacular and we get so many great comments. Highly recommended." - Trish S.
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"Excellent craftsmanship and on time everyday ! He had amazing pricing as well! We would highly recommend EFX Flooring and can't wait to have them do more of our household projects in the future!" - Alison D.
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"Eric did a beautiful job installing my kitchen floors. He is very professional and courteous. Definitely recommend." - Stephanie B.
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Established in 2008, efx Flooring™ is a licensed, fully-insured, experienced, dependable, trustworthy, and conscientious flooring installation contractor operating in the greater Philadelphia region. Owned and operated by Eric Schock, efx Flooring™ specializes in the installation of hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, and laminate flooring.

Eric has installed flooring throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. since 2006 in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

Whether new construction or remodeling, efx Flooring™ takes great pride in attention to detail and never cutting corners. Great care is taken on every job to acclimate the new flooring properly to the room where it will be installed (when applicable) and to make sure that the moisture level and integrity of the sub-floor meet quality standards before any finished flooring goes down.

Eric is comfortable and experienced working directly with individual home owners, other installation contractors, retail outlets and flooring supply warehouses alike.

When you use efx Flooring™, you can count on the job being done promptly, professionally, and on time!

HIC# PA043544

Links

Naturally Aged Flooring

Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring

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Coretec Floors

Luxury Tile, Wood Veneer and Engineered Stone Flooring

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Derr Flooring

One of the country's largest hardwood flooring distributors, representing 40 different brands of hardwood flooring.

Press

The Many Advantages of Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring

When it comes to home renovation and interior design, flooring plays a pivotal role not only in aesthetics but also in functionality and comfort. Among the myriad of flooring options available today, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring stands out for its unique blend of style, durability, and practicality. Here's a comprehensive look at why LVP might be the flooring of choice for your next project.

1. Unmatched Aesthetic Appeal
LVP flooring replicates the look of natural materials like hardwood, stone, or tile with such precision that even experts might do a double-take. The technology behind LVP allows for high-definition imaging and texturing, providing a realistic appearance that includes the natural grains, knots, and textures of wood or the veining of stone. This means you can achieve the luxurious look of traditional flooring materials without the hefty price tag.

2. Durability and Longevity
One of the most compelling reasons to choose LVP is its durability. It's designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily life:
Scratch Resistance: LVP is less prone to scratches from pets, furniture, or high heels compared to hardwood.
Water Resistance: Most LVP products are waterproof or at least highly water-resistant, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where moisture is a concern.
Impact Resistance: Unlike ceramic tiles, LVP won't crack under impact, providing peace of mind in busy households.

3. Comfort Underfoot
LVP offers a warmer, softer feel than tile or stone, which can be cold underfoot in cooler climates or during winter months. Additionally, some LVP products have built-in cushioning, enhancing comfort when walking barefoot or standing for extended periods.

4. Easy Maintenance
The low-maintenance aspect of LVP is particularly appealing. Here's how it simplifies life:
No Waxing or Polishing: Unlike hardwood, LVP doesn’t require regular waxing or polishing.
Easy Cleaning: Spills can be mopped up without worry about staining or water damage. A simple sweep and occasional mop with appropriate cleaner maintain its look.

5. Cost-Effective
Although the initial cost might be higher than basic vinyl or laminate, LVP's longevity and resistance to damage make it cost-effective in the long run. You're less likely to need repairs or replacements, saving money over time.

6. Versatility in Installation
Floating Floor Systems: Many LVP products can be installed as floating floors, reducing installation time and cost since there's no need for glue or nails.
Suitability for All Levels: Whether it's above-grade, on-grade, or below-grade, LVP can be installed virtually anywhere in the home.

7. Health Benefits
LVP is hypoallergenic and doesn't harbor allergens like dust mites or mold as readily as carpets do. This makes it a healthier choice for those with allergies or asthma.

8. Eco-Friendly Options
While not all LVP is eco-friendly, there are options made from recycled materials, and the long lifespan of LVP reduces the frequency of replacements, which is better for the environment.

9. Sound Insulation
LVP can offer some sound dampening, making homes quieter compared to harder surfaces like tile, which can amplify noise.

Conclusion
Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring marries the best of both worlds - the beauty of traditional materials with the practicality and resilience of modern technology. Whether you're renovating a family home, designing a modern office space, or looking for durable flooring in a rental property, LVP provides a versatile, beautiful, and long-lasting flooring solution. Its advantages make it a wise investment for anyone looking to enhance their living space with both style and substance.

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Can hardwood flooring improve the resale value of your home? (external link)

Can hardwood flooring improve the resale value of your home? Do wood floors have a strong Return on Investment?

Absolutely! Hardwood floors can help sell your home faster and for more money. Why? Because hardwood flooring is the preferred flooring choice and it improves the value of your home. And, if you don’t believe me, ask any realtor, and they’ll tell you the same thing.

In fact, a majority of real estate agents surveyed by the National Wood Flooring Association said houses with hardwood flooring are easier to sell, sell for more money, and sell faster. And, a study of home buyer preferences by USA Today using data from the National Association of Realtors found that the majority of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring, especially among buyers under the age of 55, and it seems to be especially important (and often expected) in homes in cooler to mid range climates (i.e. Northeast, Mid Atlantic/most of east coast, Mid West).

And, according to an unscientific poll on my website, over 90% of people prefer hardwood floors for their main living space (i.e. living room, dining room, family room).

I often have people ask me about the Return on Investment (ROI) for hardwood floors, and I’m going to tell you that it’s flat out near impossible to find accurate and recent data for this. Virtually all of the Home Improvement ROI studies don’t include hardwood flooring as one of their projects (I have no idea why that is, but I find it kind of annoying because I’m pretty sure the ROI is very strong.)

Perhaps they don’t include it because it’s just too challenging for them to measure (especially in our area where so many of the houses already have hardwood flooring) or it could be because hardwood flooring is in such demand that’s it’s either refinished or added as soon as someone buys a new home…and hence, they are far away from selling their home (and may not sell the house for another 20-30 years and by then, so many other home renovations have occurred and of course the market has changed as well.).

I have seen anecdotal reports estimating that the ROI probably ranges from 90% to 250%, but I’m not sure if these estimates have real or just perceived data behind them. (Bear in mind that most improvements do NOT net you a positive return…kitchen and bathroom remodels generally only give you a 60-75% ROI).

Please note that improving value and return on investment are 2 different things. They often go hand in hand, but they are two different questions.
1. Does hardwood flooring improve t
he resale value of your home? Yes, without a doubt. How much? That I can’t tell you.
2. What is the return on your investment? This is the golden question and there aren’t good data available. But, most likely it is positive (and very positive, and probably one of the smartest investments you can make on your home). And, it appears to provide a higher return than most other remodeling projects (such as additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels).
And, as you’ll see, you’ll have a much better return on hardwood vs most other flooring surfaces.

The trend towards hardwood flooring keeps growing year after year. Not only has it become more stylish (and more affordable), but also as allergies and asthma are on the rise, the number of home buyers requiring hardwood has increased.

Hardwood flooring is a smart investment not only because hardwood looks beautiful and feels luxurious, but they are also easier to clean and they last a long long long time. In fact, most hardwood floors last well over 100+ years. (We’ve even refinished many from the 1800s and several from the 1700s). They are the real deal, and they are an authentic part of our lives and homes.

Hardwood flooring adds more elegance and natural charm to virtually any room in the home. Aside from its genuineness, hardwood floors are visually warmer and radiate an aura of warmth and friendliness within your home. From traditional to contemporary, wood flooring offers style and versatility, allowing you to decorate and redecorate without having to perform costly renovations.

While adding new hardwood floors will INITIALLY cost you more than carpet, in the LONG RUN, it will save you a lot of money. Carpet gets dirty and worn and needs to be replaced. Many replace carpet every 7-10 years.
As a rule of thumb (and costs and assumptions will vary), hardwood flooring usually costs around twice as much as carpet. So, by the time you replace the carpet once, you’ve already spent at least as much as you did on hardwood (and that doesn’t even factor in that prices are rising over time…and rising more rapidly on carpet than hardwood (as carpet is petroleum based)). Nor does it factor in the improved value for your home if you add hardwood (vs. carpet does not improve the value of your home).

For perspective, as a general rule of thumb, hardwood floors often cost 30%-50% more than laminate floors. Hardwood improves the value of your home much more than laminate (in fact, it’s not clear if laminate will improve the value of your home…and this may depend on the neighborhood…it may have a modest impact in lower end areas and may have no impact (or potentially negative impact) in high end areas. And, of course, hardwood floors will last way longer than laminate floors.

While hardwood floors need to be periodically sanded and refinished, please note that this cost is significantly lower than the cost of replacing the carpet, and with carpet you also have annual carpet cleaning costs.