Flooring installation may seem like an overwhelming task, but it’s a project most homeowners can tackle themselves with the right amount of preparation. Keep kids and pets away from the work zone.
Choose a wall to begin the installation on; most pros recommend laying the first row with the tongue side of each plank facing up against the wall.
Preparation
The preparation stage in any flooring installation has a direct impact on the quality of the finished product. Improperly prepared floors can result in uneven, wavy, or bubbling finish and is an immediate turn-off for any potential customer.
The first thing that needs to be done is to clear the area where the work will take place. This means removing all furniture and home decor items from the room and transferring them to other areas of the house while the flooring is installed. It also means removing anything that could be damaged by dust particles generated during the process, such as wall hangings and drapes.
It is important to have a space available for the flooring company to store materials and tools while working in your home. This may need to be a separate room that isn’t being used for any other purpose, or it can be as simple as setting aside a table in the hallway outside of your new flooring space.
It is also necessary to prepare the subfloor for your new floor, which involves cleaning and assessing its condition. This will require removing any existing adhesives and making sure that the substrate is free of moisture or mold that can be a problem for certain materials. Moisture is especially problematic for laminate flooring, as it can cause the wood to bulge over time if not properly corrected.
Measurements
Before you can install any flooring you need to have the proper measurements. This is especially important if you are planning to do the installation yourself. Purchasing too much material can cost you money, and purchasing too little can delay the project and possibly cause problems during installation. To avoid these issues follow a few simple recommendations when measuring for your new floor.
First, measure the length and width of your room. Make sure to include any alcoves and bays as well. Once you have these figures you can figure out how much flooring you need.
Then, multiply the length by the width to find the square footage of your room. If you have more than one room to measure multiply each area separately. You will then need to subtract any permanent objects from this total, such as fireplaces and hearths, or furniture.
Once you have your calculations, it is a good idea to add on an extra 5% for waste. This will help cover any mismeasurements or mistakes during the installation process. For laminate and vinyl flooring this is typically 7-10%, but for hardwood floors it can be as high as 12%. This is because the planks of wood are installed in a staggered pattern and you need to account for gaps between boards. Carpet has a lower waste factor as it can be cut to accommodate permanent fixtures, but this is still worth accounting for.
Materials
The flooring installation process is not only time-consuming but also requires a variety of different tools to make sure the job is done correctly. Whether it is a new wood floor, carpet or laminate, a professional will be well-equipped with all the necessary tools to get the job done quickly and accurately.
Some of the basic flooring installation tools include a tape measure, a pencil and writing materials to take down essential measurements. These tools will help ensure the exact dimensions of the room and the amount of material needed.
A shear is a very useful tool that can cut through vinyl planks and some laminates. It also gives much longer straight lines than a standard straight edge can.
Another important tool is a tapping block that helps to bring pieces of laminate flooring together end-to-end. A rubber mallet can be used for this, but an ordinary steel hammer may break the laminate.
If a new floor is being installed over concrete, a moisture meter is essential. This will show if there is moisture migrating through the slab that can ruin the flooring.
Moisture that is allowed to migrate through a slab can leave behind mineral deposits like Alkali and Salts that will eat through and ruins the flooring. This is one of the reasons why surface preparation is such a critical part of the flooring installation process.
Installation
If you want to update the look of your home with a new floor, meet with a flooring professional and discuss your options. You can choose from a variety of styles and materials, including carpeting, hardwood, vinyl, tile, and laminate. Each type has its own benefits. For example, carpeting provides warmth and is soft on bare feet. Hardwood is long-lasting and adds value to your home. Laminate is durable and resists stains, making it a great option for families with pets.
When installing flooring, you should start with the longest wall in the room. Begin applying the first row by putting down the baseboards, then position the flooring with the tongue side against the wall. To help prevent future warping, use 1/4-inch spacers between each board and the wall. Then, install the rest of the flooring, placing one plank at a time and matching the tongues to grooves, then tapping gently to ensure a tight fit.
Before the day of installation, remove any furniture that will be reinstalled in the room. This will help the installers maneuver around the furniture and not damage the new flooring. Also, remove any case molding or stop moldings that wrap around the doors. This will make it easier to reinstall the door trim and provide a more refined appearance for your new floor.