Island Carpet Tile & Hardwoods

Island Carpet Tile & Hardwoods Designer flooring installed with pride. Island Carpet Tile & Hardwoods provides flooring options and installation in Middletown, RI, and the surrounding area.

08/08/2026

Tennis balls with water and vinegar for stains?

If you love your hardwood but it has a mark, we have a tennis ball tip that will serve you well. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends dabbing a 10-to-1 mix of water and vinegar (or a little mineral oil) onto the tennis ball, then rubbing out the spot.

The ball provides the right amount of pressure to remove the stain without damaging the grain. Just remember to test a small spot first.

08/01/2026

Don't trust a carpet pattern from a sample.

Room scenes are almost always available online, and sometimes right on the sample board. You need to see photos that show how a style and color lay out across a real floor.

Remember, don't order patterned carpet until you've seen the room scene.

07/25/2026

It's risky to buy vinyl plank on price alone.

Most vinyl plank floors can look similar on the surface. But quality locking systems help make sure your floor stays down over time.

Installers tell us the cheap vinyl plank, particularly low-priced products from big box stores, is harder to install and more likely to fail.

Don't make an expensive mistake by choosing the cheapest possible vinyl plank.

07/18/2026

Prevent damage and cupping to your vinyl plank.

With 70+ years of flooring experience between them, Ken sits down with his long-time friend Bill Houle. Bill is currently an expert flooring inspector who sees improper installations and misuse on a daily basis.

The takeaway? Choose a reputable retailer who will:
1.) Help you choose the right product
2.) Flawlessly execute the installation
3.) Tell you how to care of your new floor

07/11/2026

The ugliest carpet we've seen in 20 years.

We already threw it in the dumpster. That might sound dramatic, but it's a good lesson: we refuse to sell you the wrong carpet.

Yes, that means no ugly carpets. It also means no fragile fibers that can mat down in two years instead of lasting ten. And it means no style that's wrong for your room or can't stand up to the foot traffic in your home.

Out of 10,000 carpets in our showroom, only a few may be right for your home. Our job is helping you find those few.

07/05/2026

To bevel or not to bevel floors? Now it's up to you!

Back in the dark ages, bevels were necessary for pre-finished hardwood—preventing subtle height differences between boards from sticking out out like a sore thumb. But today, they’re purely added for aesthetic reasons.

We’re always happy to show you a bevy of bevel examples to help you decide.

06/27/2026

Wood floors in kitchens often take a beating.

Kitchens bring water, shoes, spills, and foot traffic. And every wood floor can scratch, dent, gouge, scuff and stain. That is why we do not recommend wood floors in kitchens, except in open-concept homes that need one continuous floor throughout.

When you have wood in a kitchen, it needs special care. Minimize water, take off your shoes, and use rugs or runners in high-traffic areas.

If you want the look of wood with less kitchen worry, consider luxury vinyl plank or laminate for your open-concept space.

06/24/2026

Myth correction: Your stain warranty won't save your carpet.

The real protection is built into the fiber itself. Two stand out.

The first is Mohawk's SmartStrand. It uses a nanotechnology coating that wraps the fiber so stains can't pe*****te the surface. The second, and Ken's favorite, is solution-dyed carpet. The color goes in while the fiber is still liquid, so it runs all the way through, much like a carrot. That means you can clean it aggressively without the color coming out.

It's also important to treat stains promptly and correctly. Neither fiber is bulletproof. But both fibers are a great choice for households who want to combat stains more effectively.

06/20/2026

Vinyl plank isn't the wood-look winner.

Not anymore. Laminate often looks and feels more like hardwood.

This isn't your grandparents’ laminate. Older laminate fell short on scratches and water. Today's laminate closes much of that gap. It's also thicker and heavier than vinyl plank, often with better visual detail. Stanton's Nuvo laminate collection makes the best case.

You'll have to see these products in person to feel the difference. Come to Island Carpet or we'll bring samples to your home.

06/13/2026

When you call us, a real person always answers.

That's right. Island Carpet is AI free. No phone menus and no hold music. You'll even get Ken's personal cell phone number. Call him directly with any questions.

We're the opposite of the AI runaround. Every job is custom and we're excited to help you on your next project.

Address

695 W Main Road
Middletown, RI
02842

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

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