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Installing New Flooring In Your Home?


What are your options?

 

Each day, when your feet hit the floor, you get ready to face a world full of possibilities. As such an important component to your life, shouldn’t that floor be everything you need it to be? Sometimes, that takes new flooring. If you are thinking of installing new flooring in your home, you first must know your options.

 

Installing new flooring in your home is not a task to be taken lightly. There are numerous options and factors to consider. Take your time, do your homework and choose wisely.

 

What you need to know about installing new flooring in your home

 

  1. How to prepare

To make the installation go as smoothly as possible, there are a few things you should do before your contractors arrive.

  1. Move all furniture out of affected rooms. Sometimes, the contractor will do this, other times it is your responsibility. Make sure you know which before the day of installation.
  2. Protect or remove breakable items. Even if they are in another room, with all the materials going back and forth and extra foot traffic, accidents can happen.
  3. If the new flooring installation is taking place in your kitchen, you may have to disconnect appliances have the gas shut off while work is being performed.
  4. Take items off your walls. This includes curtains and blinds, photos and artwork and decorations.
  5. Make sure that the height of your new flooring does not interfere with opening or closing doors. If so, adjustments will need to be made.
  6. Check the inside temperature of your home. Having it too warm or too cool might affect the performance of flooring materials.
  7. Step aside and let the experts handle your flooring installation correctly. You Tube and social media make everything look like an easy DIY project. The truth is that if you don’t have time to do it correctly or if you are at all unsure of your skills, turn the job over to the professionals.

 

  1. What you should expect to pay

Depending on the option you choose, the price to install new flooring in your home can vary greatly. For wood flooring, the average cost is about $8 – $10 per square foot. Many people choose this option for their living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Other options, like tile or carpet, can cost more or less.

 

  1. Options for materials

 

new flooringHardwood advantages and disadvantages – wood flooring can make a room look warm and inviting. This may be because wood is an excellent insulator in general. In addition, neutral colors make it easy to coordinate furniture and window treatments. These floors are also easy to maintain and will last a long time when properly cared for. Fortunately, it comes in a variety of types, such as hickory, white oak, cherry and maple. They come in distressed, reclaimed and ebonized styles. You can also get creative with geometric mosaics or puzzle cut options.

 

As for the disadvantages, wood flooring does not perform well in heat or moist conditions. In fact, just a small amount of wetness, if not removed immediately, will damage your floors considerably. Therefore, this material is not always recommended for kitchens and bathrooms.  It also has a tendency to scratch easily. Some wood flooring products, like polyurethane, may require a complete refinishing if it gets scratched. Additionally, wood floors are not exactly silent to walk on. Even the best products can quickly develop squeaks.

 

new flooringLaminate benefits and detriments – when you want the look and feel of wood or tile, but want to save some money, laminates flooring is the way to go. You can choose from four styles: distressed wood, hand scraped wood, embossed and stone. The cost of the job will depend on the thickness of the laminate and the size of the area you are covering. You may also have to pay more if the contractor has to navigate around HVAC systems, plumbing or electrical work. Laminates are also more appropriate for high traffic areas.

 

With care, laminate can last up to 20 years or more. They can be installed without glue or nails. Best of all, it can be installing on top of existing flooring. Additionally, since it is not real wood or stone, its eco-friendly. Plus, since it lasts a long time, you won’t have to worry about it clogging up your local landfill anytime in the near future.

 

Among the downsides, laminate flooring may look pretty, but it is often easily discernable from its more expensive counterparts. As a result, it may not add to the resale value of your home. Also, if any pieces are damaged, they cannot be repaired. They would have to be replaced.

 

Linoleum coating. Flooring Installation. 3d illustration new flooringVinyl and linoleum positive and negatives – for the most affordable option, you should look to vinyl or linoleum. This is a great way to cover your floors and make them attractive without spending much money on materials or labor. Installation can sometimes be tackled as a DIY project, but if the space has an irregular shape or there are numerous design features to contend with, it’s smarter to seek professional flooring assistance. The area being covered must be smooth prior to installation. In the case of linoleum, the material should be sealed once a year to retain the original shine and luster.

 

These materials are desired because of their soft feel, glossy look and virtually maintenance free lifespan. However, because they are petroleum based, they are not particularly environmentally friendly. Also, they tend to show their age faster than other flooring options.

 

new flooringCarpet pluses and minuses – you may decide that carpeting is a better choice for your home and lifestyle. It is ideal for reducing noise and keeping bare feet warm and cozy. The size of the room and the type and thickness of the carpet you select will determine price.

 

There are many styles to choose from, like wool, nylon and polyester. You can further refine your selection by deciding whether you want plush, shag or frieze varieties. They come in a wide assortment of colors and patterns to make decorating easier.

 

You should be aware that, if you have pets, carpet may not be the best option because the smells from stains and accidents will linger longer. It’s also not ideal if anyone in your household suffers from allergies, as dust and other triggers can get trapped in the fibers and might cause the onset of symptoms.

 

  1. You should only hire trusted experts for installing new flooring in your home  

When it is time to change, update or fix your flooring, give the professionals, like Tandem Contracting, a call. Installing new flooring in your home takes precision, skill and the proper tools. In some cases, DIY installation will void the warranty on materials. You don’t want to choose beautiful flooring and then ruin the effect with an ineffective installation. Professionals can help ensure that your floors will look fabulous.

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