Flooring installation is a great way to give your home a fresh new look. It’s important to take the time to research your options and find a professional installer you can trust.
It’s also important to keep children and pets out of the rooms that will be getting new floors. This will ensure they don’t get in the way or be injured during the process.
Choose the Right Material
Flooring is the largest surface in a room and plays a big role in its overall style. It’s also a large investment, so you want a material that’s both long-lasting and looks great. There are many different materials to choose from and the right choice will make your home look beautiful while meeting your functional needs.
For example, vinyl flooring is a durable and affordable option for moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. It’s available in sheet, plank and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) form and can mimic the look of wood, stone and ceramic tile. It’s also easy to clean and is water-resistant.
Natural stone like granite, marble, travertine and sandstone are popular choices for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s hardwearing and resistant to water damage but can be cold on the feet, so you’ll need underfloor heating with these floors.
Timber is an eco-friendly and sustainable option for any room and can add warmth and a rustic feel to a space. It’s usually lacquered or oiled and is easy to maintain.
Consider Your Lifestyle
When deciding on flooring, you want to consider your overall lifestyle. If you have young kids and pets, then it’s important to choose a durable material that can withstand wear and tear. You should also think about how much time you are willing to spend on cleaning. If you don’t like to vacuum a lot, then carpet may not be the best choice for you. Alternatively, you can choose a material that is easy to clean, such as hardwood or vinyl.
Additionally, you should take your local climate into account. For example, if you live in a humid area, then certain materials like solid hardwood can be prone to swelling and warping. However, engineered wood can withstand these conditions better.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider your budget when choosing your flooring installation. It’s important to find a flooring provider that offers options within your allotted budget so you can get the floors you have always dreamed of having in your home.
Before the flooring installation process starts, you’ll need to make sure that any gas hookups and electrical outlets in rooms where the new flooring will be installed are disconnected safely by a professional. It’s also a good idea to remove any furniture from the room to avoid any damage. Finally, it’s a good idea to keep your kids and pets away from the work zone during installation.
Get a Quote
Many flooring pros charge by the square foot, so it’s important to know how much area you need for your new floors. Measure all the rooms in your home, including rounded areas or odd shapes. Also, don’t forget to account for possible flooring wastage. You don’t want to order too little flooring and have to pay for more later, but you don’t want to overpay either.
You’ll also need to factor in labor costs for your installation. This will vary depending on where you live, as some areas are more expensive than others. The good news is that many big-box stores like The Home Depot, Empire Today and Lumber Liquidators have professional installers that they work with who are licensed and insured. If you’re looking for a more independent contractor, you can find a local pro by searching online.
Once you have an idea of how much your floors will cost, you can start saving. Try to save a specific amount each month, or set up an automatic savings plan that will divert a certain percentage of your paycheck each week toward your floor installation project. You can also comb through your household budget to see what extra expenses you can cut for a few months until you’ve reached your goal.
Once the floors are installed, you’ll need to add baseboards and transition pieces to complete the look. These can be a costly addition to any home renovation, but they’re a necessity for a finished project.
Make the Right Decision
If you’ve been watching those DIY videos online, it may seem like a good idea to do your flooring installation yourself. After all, the satisfaction of a job well done can be gratifying and give you a sense of accomplishment. However, if your project takes more than you planned due to a lack of experience or time constraints, you could end up spending more money on materials and labor than you had originally intended.
It takes a lot of concentration and decision-making to install new floors. For example, you must decide how much money to spend on the project, the best tools to use and what designs would look good in your home. If you’re busy or don’t want to put this kind of stress on yourself, it’s worth considering hiring a professional.
The amount of time that the installation process takes will also have a major impact on your final bill. For example, removing old carpeting and preparing the room for new flooring can take up to a week. Installers must remove furniture and move appliances, as well as clean up and dispose of the old floor material. In addition, installing hardwood usually results in a significant rise in the floor level. This means that you will need to remove baseboards and trim, and possibly have doors shaved so they can open at the new height.