Let’s take a look at the basics of laying new pacific floor covering. It doesn’t have to sound like rocket surgery or a dull affair. Are you thinking about updating your flooring to make it look newer? Strap yourself in because we’re going on a little journey.
First, choosing your floor is like choosing the right shoes for a crazy day. You wouldn’t put on flip-flops when you hiked up a steep mountain, would ya? If you have a bathroom, hardwood flooring might not be ideal because it doesn’t like water. Consider using vinyl planks, ceramic tiles, or both for these damp areas. These materials are like the rubber rain boots.
Let’s discuss how to prep your stage (aka, subfloor), before you start the main performance (your floor). You can imagine trying to apply wallpaper over lumpy surfaces. That is how you will feel if your subfloor has not been prepared. If you decide to install wood flooring and your subfloor appears as uneven as Grandma’s home-made cookies, it’s time to smooth out the surface. To ensure that your tiles are level, you must make sure they’re all at the same height.
What a surprise! Did you realize that the location of your home affects what type of flooring to choose? Wood floors react to changes in weather with drama. In humid conditions, wood floors will swell and shrink like they are following a special diet. Keep some breathing space at the edge of your floor to allow it to expand. It’s like having room for dessert in your stomach.
Choose underlayment next. It is essentially the unsung superhero of flooring projects. Wearing comfortable socks makes new shoes feel more comfortable. You should match your underlayment with the floor type.
Let’s have some fun with patterns and directionality. This is a great way to make your room look more interesting without moving the walls. Visually, laying boards parallel along the longest wall will make the room appear bigger.
Installation is the part where things really get hands-on. There are glue-downs, nail-downs, click-togethers…it’s kind of like assembling furniture but less frustrating (hopefully). Each method has a different handshake for the different types or floors.
Don’t let your hard-earned floor go to waste! Don’t forget to give your floors some TLC. Refinishing hardwood every few years and sealing tile grout keeps them looking their best.
This concludes our whirlwind trip through Flooring Installation Land. You can make your life easier by choosing wisely. The prep work, while not glamorous, is essential. Climate is a factor that you should consider. Patterns are a great way to transform a space.
But what happens if nothing else works and you get a less than perfect result? Then just throw a carpet over it. Happy flooring! Finding the right host could take some trial-and error.