If you’re planning to install new flooring in your house, you must be well-versed in the process of preparation, installation, and maintenance. In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about these processes. Check them out!
Preparation
Before you start your flooring project, you must consider these critical things:
- Type of flooring: do want sheets, planks, or tiles? This is extra important when you’re doing the installation by yourself.
- Type of maintenance: before buying any flooring material, consider the maintenance process. No floor is ever maintenance-free.
Apart from these two, you should also consider the feel of your flooring choices underfoot. This is another important consideration; the flooring material you’ll use in the kitchen will be different from the one you’ll use in the bathroom.
Compare Materials
After considering the type of flooring, maintenance, and feel, start comparing materials. You can use different flooring materials for every room in your house. The following are the most popular flooring materials in the market:
- Laminate: the laminate flooring is easy to clean, and installation costs, including labor and materials, are often lower than LVT, hardwood, and most other kinds of flooring. With proper maintenance, it can last for years. However, it’s also prone to damage from harsh cleaners and susceptible to warping due to water.
- Wood: wood flooring provides the best ROI if you’re ever selling your house. It lasts for decades and works with every type of house design. However, it’s also more expensive and susceptible to scuff marks, shrinking, and expanding.
- Tile: tiles look great in any room and offer a large variety of patterns, sizes, and shapes. They’re water-resistant and can last for decades with proper care. However, they’re also cold, hard, and noisy to walk on; they may also crack or chip.
- Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): LVT floorings are thicker than sheet vinyl. They’re also waterproof and resistant to dents and scratches. There’s more insulation, so they’re not noisy to walk on. However, they can’t be sanded or refurbished once damaged.
When comparing materials, it’s best to seek expert advice from a trusted flooring company, such as Zelta.ca. Such consultations let you make better decisions for your flooring project.
Installation Process
Flooring installations are different depending on the materials you’ll use. Read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install the flooring if you’re doing it yourself. You might also have to invest in specific tools for different flooring types. If you’re not a DIY-er, it’s best to leave the process to the experts. Here are some general tips you can use for flooring installation:
- Manage moisture: some flooring materials are sensitive to moisture. For instance, wood, laminate, and other types of floating floors expand and shrink as humidity levels change. Ceramic tiles or types of vinyl are better at managing moisture.
- Check the odor: the adhesives used in flooring installation projects may emit unpleasant gases. They may release odors that irritate people with allergies. Place flooring products in well-ventilated areas a few days before the installation to diminish this unpleasant effect and adhesive breakdown.
- Check the temperature: heating systems via water pipes and electrical wires beneath the finished floor can warm the room. Ceramic tiles and concrete floors are better suited for your home if you have such heating systems.
- Consider carpeting: carpets provide warmth and moisture. Moreover, they’re comfortable underfoot and budget-friendly. Carpet tiles are also easy to install. On the flip side, they absorb moisture and stains may be difficult to remove. As a result, they often require professional installation help.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Like installation, maintenance techniques vary by flooring material. However, you can use the following general tips to keep your floor in good condition:
- Use doormats: quality doormats outside of each entrance to your house keep dirt, sand, and other substances from being tracked on your floor.
- Careful when moving furniture: when moving appliances or furniture, take precautions. Use a dolly, or put down a sheet of quarter-inch plywood or similar hardboard to protect the floor. Never slide or roll heavy objects without protection.
- Avoid extreme sunlight: the combination of heat and sunlight can damage any flooring materials and may even cause discoloration. It helps to close your curtains or blinds.
Clean your floor regularly: you should clean your floors regularly regardless of the flooring material you use. Blot up spots and spills immediately to prevent them from staining.
