New flooring is a great way to improve your home’s look and feel. It can also increase its value. However, it can be expensive to install.
Before starting your installation, remove any furniture or personal items from the room. Also, cover any open doors with plastic to prevent the spread of dust throughout your home.
Preparation
Flooring installation is a labor-intensive process. It requires attention to detail and careful preparation. The right steps help ensure that your new floor will be secure and long-lasting.
The first step is removing anything that may be damaged by dust or debris during the installation process. This includes not just moving home decor and furniture to another room, but also removing any fragile items such as glass or ceramic. It’s also a good idea to remove window treatments and drapes, as they can get in the way of the installers’ work.
Next, it’s important to clear a path through the room where the flooring will be installed. This will make it easier for the installation crew to move materials and equipment. It’s also a good idea for a homeowner to remove all electrical outlet plates. This will prevent anyone from plugging in appliances until after the flooring is installed.
Lastly, it’s important to keep children and pets away from the work zone during the installation process. This is because flooring installation involves using heavy-duty tools and may create a dangerous environment for children and animals. It is also important to remember that flooring installation is a messy process. It will be difficult for kids and pets to move around without tripping over power tools or dropping something on the floor.
Once the room is cleared, it’s time to prepare the subfloor for flooring installation. The best way to do this is by sweeping and vacuuming the area to remove any dirt or dust. This will also help prepare the space for underlayment, which will insulate the floor and reduce noise. The subfloor should also be flat, smooth, and dry. It’s also a good idea at this point to fix any cracks or damage in the concrete or wood subfloor.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to lay down a vapor barrier if you’re installing laminate in a basement or room with high humidity or moisture. Some underlayments come with a vapor barrier attached, so be sure to check the package before purchasing. A vapor barrier will also help preserve the floors, insulate them, and dampen noise.
Underlayment
Underlayment is a thin layer of protective high density foam that is installed between your subfloor and flooring to provide a barrier that will not only dampen some sound but protect your beautiful hardwoods for a lifetime. It will also help with temperature control and make the floor feel warmer underfoot. Floor underlayment is often overlooked by homeowners and can be found in a variety of different materials from foam, rubber, cork, and felt. Each type has its own unique qualities that can suit specific floors and rooms.
When selecting the underlayment for your floor, consider the species of hardwood and the needs of your room. For example, softer wood species such as black walnut or white oak engineered wood require a more supportive underlayment that offers extra stability. On the other hand, harder wood species like hickory or maple can work with an underlayment that is a bit lighter and offers less support.
If you’re installing wood floors on a concrete subfloor, it is important that you use a vapor barrier underlayment. This is because moisture can seep up into and through the subfloor, causing adhesives to loosen, and floors to warp or mold. Most underlayments include a vapor barrier, but it is good to double check the details of your underlayment before purchasing it.
Foam underlayments are the most common and inexpensive underlayment option. They offer a high level of sound insulation and are easy to install. Foam underlayments are often found in a rolled form that can be cut to fit the area where you’re laying your new floors.
Rubber underlayments are another popular and affordable choice for a floor underlayment. They are highly versatile and can be used under any flooring type. They are also highly resilient and durable and are easy to install. Rubber underlayments are often sold by the square foot and come in a range of thicknesses.
Cork underlayments are one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable choices for a floor underlayment. They can be used under a variety of flooring types and offer great insulation. They are easy to install, and can be either glued or floated. Cork underlayments can also be purchased with a built in vapor barrier, eliminating the need for a separate 6-mil vapor barrier.
Installation
Installing your flooring is a complex project that requires proper planning and layout to ensure that your new floors look great, perform well and fit properly. This is especially important for high traffic areas, and if your home has a lot of furniture. For example, if you want to install wood floors in your living room, you should consider the style of your furniture as well as the color of your walls.
During the installation process, you will need to lay down the first row of tiles or planks. This will need to be a straight row and may require stapling if necessary. After installing the first row, you should use spacers to leave a gap of at least 10mm between the flooring and the wall. This will allow for expansion and contraction of the material as it settles.
Next, you will need to install the next rows of tiles or planks. Make sure that all seams are straight and that they fit tightly together. You will also need to cut down the flooring for new rows. It is recommended that you use a saw with a blade designed for cutting hardwood. You should also undercut door jambs if necessary. This will help prevent having narrow plank widths at wall junctures and short length pieces on the ends of rows.
If you are using wood flooring, you should finish the subfloor with a vapor barrier to protect against moisture and humidity. This step is particularly important if you are installing the floor in a basement or in a concrete subfloor. You should also sand the floor and apply primer to ensure that the surface is smooth and ready for the flooring.
You should also remove any existing baseboards or moulding and fix any damaged areas of the subfloor. It is a good idea to test the moisture content of the subfloor with a Tramex concrete moisture meter before installing any flooring. You should also make sure that any other remodeling projects are completed before the day of your flooring installation. This includes completing any doors that need to be shaved to match the height of your new floors.
Cleaning
Flooring is a costly investment so it’s important to clean the floor for safety and appearance reasons. Regular cleaning will protect the floor and help prolong its life. Use a floor cleaner recommended by your floor finisher or a simple mix of mild/pH neutral soap and water. Avoid using oils, furniture sprays or waxes. Oil leaves a sticky residue, furniture spray can leave streaks and waxes make it hard to re-coat the floor.
Vacuum, sweep or mop the floor regularly to keep it looking great and prevent grit from scratching the surface. Stubborn marks can be removed with nail polish remover containing acetone or mild solvents such as WD-40. You should also put felt pads under furniture legs and drip trays under plants to prevent the floor from becoming slippery. To keep your floors in good condition, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality rug or mat for high traffic areas and use furniture sliders whenever you move any pieces of furniture. This will help you protect your beautiful new floors. Ashley Matuska, professional cleaner and founder of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado.
