With countless decisions to make when embarking on a flooring project, it?s no wonder the journey can feel overwhelming.
There?s the material to consider, then the colour and design. You need to think about maintenance, installation and the overall cohesiveness of your space. And don?t forget about the dreaded ?B? word: budget.
With so much to take into account, here are the five most important things you need to know, for your flooring convenience:
1. The Right Type Of Floors
Table of Contents [show]With a variety of materials to choose from, flooring has never been so customizable for each individual home. Homeowners can pick from tile, carpet, laminate, hardwood, vinyl and more when deciding how best to floor their space.
To help make the best decision, consider the reason for your flooring project. Are you looking to add long-term value to your home or are you preparing to put it on the market? Maybe you want a low-maintenance surface, or you could be looking for a quick, short-term fix for one particularly unsightly area. Your end goal will help direct you to the right material by determining what you need in terms of price, quality, upkeep and installation effort.
Resilient flooring/Vinyl or LVT is an easy and cost-effective option, particularly for bathrooms and kitchens. Hardwood is more expensive, but it is often long-lasting, and the investment can add a higher value to your home. Tile can be easy to clean but may become cold on bare feet, while carpet is warm and cozy, but easily collects dust, dirt and other particles.
It?s also important to take your lifestyle into account before choosing a material. If you have pets, hardwood may not be the best choice due to claws and nails leaving potential scratch marks behind. If you have a household with young children, you may want to steer clear of carpet due to juice spills and potty-training accidents.
Whatever material you decide on, make the best choice for your individual situation ? your flooring should enhance your lifestyle, not hinder it.
2. D?cor Details
So you?ve finally landed on a decision about the type of flooring you?re going to use. But don?t get too relaxed ? there are still decisions to be made.Esthetics is a significant consideration, especially since flooring covers such a large area of any home. There are colours, patterns and designs to take into account. And, if you?re using more than one type of flooring, you?ll have to consider where one material will start and another begins. Most often, flooring decisions are specific to one?s home, seeing as what works in one house doesn?t always translate well to another.
If it all seems overwhelming, start by taking a good look at the space you plan to install new flooring. What colour are the walls? Are you happy with the colour or do you plan to paint on a new hue? The key is having your walls and floors complement each other instead of clashing in a struggle to gain the most visual attention. If your walls are dark, look for a light coloured flooring that will help make the space feel bigger and more open. Accentuate the detailed and intricate wallpaper in your living room with a simple floor free of patterns.
Also make note of the d?cor in your space. If your furniture and upholstery is mostly white, do you want to continue that theme with white carpeting, or would you prefer to spice things up with a pop of colour beneath your feet?
If your flooring project is a pricey and effortful one, you?re not likely to change it any time soon. However, d?cor can often evolve as styles come and go, so consider how flexible you?d like to be with your design options when choosing colours and patterns on your floor.
By picking a colour and design that is timeless and complementary to your belongings, you are sure to bring out the best in all the elements of your space.
3. Laying It All Down
Once you have the material and all its specs picked out, you?ll have to decide how you plan to install your new flooring.For that handy do-it-yourself crowd, ensure you have all the necessary information and tools before beginning your project. Your local flooring store is often a great resource, so don?t be shy about popping in if you have questions or need expert advice. Most importantly, take safety precautions by having the proper gear on hand, such as goggles, gloves and the proper footwear.
For those who prefer to leave the handiwork to the professionals, please visit our store and inquire about our professional installation services.
And choose a time to start your flooring project when you will have the least amount of traffic in your space. If you?re hosting a party or having company over for the holidays, you may want to wait until afterwards to begin.
4. Flooring Budget Basics
A flooring project can be as big or small as you want, but its size is often determined by budget.Materials vary in price from the more economical linoleum to the pricier hardwood, and the size of your space will impact cost as well.
You should consider the timeline of your flooring goal when factoring in budget. Do you want to save a larger amount of money and have the entire house done in one fell swoop? Or would you rather do one room at a time, as you can afford it? You may also consider a payment plan in order to get the most out of your flooring endeavour.
In addition, find out how much extra installation is, and whether you?ll need to invest in cleaning solutions, protective coatings or any other maintenance products.
Once you have a clear idea of costs and your budget, you?ll be able to make the best flooring decision for your home ? and your wallet.
5. Eco Choices For Your Floors
Renovating your flooring can have an impact on the environment both inside your home and out.Inside, the product itself may have health effects if it releases chemicals, dust or fibres. Outside the home, certain products can leave a damaging footprint on the environment if they are unsustainable.
Looking for an eco-conscious option? Check out natural stone, bamboo or cork flooring.
If you have your heart set on hardwood, but want to minimize your contribution to deforestation, look for reclaimed wood that has been salvaged from past projects or choose a product that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or select Engineered Hardwood as the yield per tree is greater. Thus, less trees are used to produce the flooring.
Lastly?
Everything about flooring comes back to individual preference, which is why each project is unique. The sheer number of options will make this one of the most customizable renovations you do in your home.
And, by taking these 5 things into account when embarking on your flooring adventure, you?re sure to have a successful experience ? not to mention an end result you love.
