New Flooring Checklist For Every Homeowner
Flooring helps define the aesthetic of a home. But wear and tear can cause cracks and other damage throughout the years.
If you’re looking to install new flooring, whether for repairs or to fit a new aesthetic—stick around! We’ll review a checklist of what you need before installing new flooring.
Flooring Types
You’d want a specific type of flooring for specific areas of your home. For example, you wouldn’t want hardwood flooring in your bathroom. (It’s doable with extra precautions).
So, before deciding on calling for a quote from contractors or DIYing installation, consider the following flooring types:
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is the way to go if you want a rustic aesthetic in a high-humidity environment like your bathroom. It’s got a wooden aesthetic, but you can use it in any room.
Engineered wood planks are made from natural hardwood and fiberboard core. This results in the material being more stable and solid than the average hardwood flooring.
Hardwood Floor
Want an authentic rustic look?—Go for the real deal! If appropriately maintained, hardwood flooring can last several years. It’s a great option if you want something natural, durable, and renewable!
There are finished and unfinished hardwood flooring options available on the market. Finished hardwood flooring is easier to install, and the durable finish makes it ready for daily use.
Unfinished flooring is cheaper. But, factoring in finishing costs, the materials required, and the time spent, going for a finished variant might be the better option in most cases.
Ceramic
The perfect flooring type for areas with water on the floor is ceramic. But this flooring will do well in any room thanks to its wide range of colours and materials.
However, ceramic is challenging to install. You need to do proper floor prepping to install it properly. At the minimum, the tiles require a dry, clean, and debris-free subfloor.
Vinyl
Much like ceramic, Vinyl is also waterproof, making it an excellent option for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. You can also go for regular vinyl or luxury vinyl flooring.
Every vinyl flooring is made synthetically. It typically has a fibreglass base coated with PVC vinyl and plasticiser coating to protect the other layer from daily abuse.
Carpet
If you want something cosy beneath your bare feet, go for carpets. With various available colours, you can be sure there’s a carpet for every aesthetic.
Carpets can be installed over almost every type of flooring. But clear out old carpeting, strips, or stables from previous flooring installations.
What to do Before Installing New Flooring?
Now that we know the different types we can choose, here’s a quick checklist on what to do before installing new flooring:
Remove Breakable Items
Look around the room you want to install new flooring on. If you see items break, move them to another room. This applies to decor, furniture, lighting, glass, and family photos on the wall.
Disconnect Gas, Appliances, and Electronics
Safety should always be a priority. So, when installing new flooring in areas like your kitchen, remove the gas and disconnect the electronics and appliances from the outlets.
Clean the Nooks and Crannies
The subfloor needs to be clean whether you install hardwood or vinyl flooring. Debris or dust can cause improper installation. Make sure to clean every corner, nook, and cranny.
Clean the Floors
Dust, mould, and mildew can cause issues when left unchecked. So, before installing any new flooring, make sure to check if there’s any water damage or other problems.
Get an All-Inclusive Quote
Get an all-inclusive quote if you’re trying to hire professionals for a new flooring installation. Include an estimate for subfloor prep or removal of the previous flooring. This should also cover the installation, including adding services such as lifting heavy furniture. In most cases, you must calculate square feet to estimate the cost.
Do Floor Prep
Whether you’re DIYing or hiring professionals, floor prep is essential to any installation. It mainly consists of two critical parts:
Site Assessment
Certain factors need to be considered before installing new flooring. Is the area susceptible to moisture and water damage, or is it high-traffic? These factors will also affect the type of flooring that will work best for that area.
Removing Existing Flooring
Installing new floors also means removing the old ones. Removing the previous layer also ensures that there won’t be any underlying issues that can cause more damage in the future.
Key Takeaways
Installing new flooring can be exciting! It’s a big change and an investment that can last for years. So, before spending time and resources on this, consider the following:
- Certain types of flooring are better for certain areas.
- Hardwood floors give off a rustic aesthetic without being susceptible to water damage.
- Before installing new flooring, do floor prep.
- Remove items that might break or get damaged during installation.
- Get an all-inclusive quote so you won’t get surprised by fees.
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