The Importance of Having Your Floor Installed Correctly

Your floor takes a lot of abuse. People and pets walk over it all day long. It also gets scratched, spilled on and scorched by the sun that streams through the window. Damaged or unsightly flooring can make your home seem dingy and dirty. Replacing it can breathe new life into your space. A new floor can even boost your home’s value. However, you must make sure that it’s installed properly to avoid problems.

Gauging the Soundness of the Subfloor

Your floor creates the basic structure of your house. It holds up the walls, supports furniture and stands up to repeated daily use. You might wonder if you can install new flooring right over the old material. In some cases, that’s possible. However, your subfloor should be thoroughly inspected before making that call.

If your subfloor is cracked, sagging or loose, it could cause big problems down the road. When you invest in a new floor, you don’t want to weaken its life by installing it over a damaged subfloor. A professional can ensure that the underlayment is unblemished to ensure long-lasting satisfaction.

Determining the Direction of the Flooring

When you install plank flooring, the general guideline is to place it across the floor joists to stabilize the surface. However, you might want the grain to go in a different direction. A professional can help you determine the best position in which to lay the flooring.

You have to take aesthetics as well as function into account. For example, a floorboard that spans the length of the room will make it look larger. However, you might not be able to get the exact look that you want if your subflooring isn’t ideal. We can help you plan out the surface of each room to maximize its appeal and ensure longevity.

Your Project Might Be More Complicated Than You Think

Laying down new flooring seems fairly straightforward. You just have to rip out the old floor and lay down the new one, right? Once you begin a project, you’ll probably notice how many intricacies there are in your home’s layout.

• You’ll have to consider questions such as:
• How do you work around molding?
• Is the floor height sufficiently low to allow doors to swing easily?
• How do you deal with an irregularly shaped room?
• How do you handle seams in the material?
• What should you do with the old flooring?

A certified professional knows exactly how to handle these issues.

Hidden Costs Add Up

Without the proper tools, a DIY project can be disastrous. You may have to rent or buy expensive equipment to install flooring yourself. If you lay down ceramic tile, you’ll need to cut some pieces to fit perfectly. That requires a wet saw or tile nipper.

You may need a sander to install hardwood flooring. If you have to repair the subfloor, you’ll need tools for removing lumps, fixing cracks and filling holes.

In some cases, you don’t need heavy or intricate equipment. Other circumstances require heavy-duty instruments that you might not be comfortable using. Even if you know how to operate a pneumatic flooring nailer, you may not want to deal with the hassle and expense of purchasing one along with an air compressor.

A professional installer brings all of the necessary equipment to the job site. You don’t have to concern yourself with spending time and money to collect the equipment that you need.

If you still want to do the project yourself, watch out for hidden fees. Many home improvement stores charge you to deliver the materials even if you don’t use them for the installation. You might have to pay extra to have someone from the store measure your room for you. Some companies also charge to move appliances, toilets or furniture.

Timing Is Everything

If you’re planning to redo the floors in your home, certain rooms will be off-limits until you complete the project. You’ll need to move furniture out of the space and figure out how to manage the dust and debris from the renovation. Living like this for an extended period of time can be taxing.

A professional installer can do the job quickly and efficiently. You’ll experience less disruption to your routine. You can go about your day as we handle the project for you.

Plus, hiring an installer can give you peace of mind. When you choose a reputable professional, you’re protected from work-related damage. The entire process is likely to go more smoothly when you work with someone who has plenty of experience.

A Longer Lifespan

Any mistakes that are made during the installation might not be recognizable immediately. However, they can cause complications over time. Wood planks that are installed over an inadequate subfloor can shift, creating spaces that trap debris and ultimately degrade the material.

Carpets that aren’t stretched adequately can buckle and sag, posing a tripping hazard for homeowners and making your home look messy. Tile can crack if it’s not installed over an even surface.

A qualified professional can help you with the project from start to finish. Although you may have done plenty of research on your own, you might want the advice of someone who is familiar with different materials. For example, our technicians can help you choose the surface that will stand up best to the moisture in a bathroom or the traffic in a mud room.

We have years of experience with flooring materials and installation methods. We may teach you something that you didn’t know. Ultimately, that knowledge will leave you with a floor that looks as good as it functions for as long as possible.

If you’re comfortable with DIY projects, you might be tempted to install your own floors. However, this is a job that is best left to the experts. Feel free to contact us whether you are still researching flooring options or ready to begin the installation.