From the place where you live, to where you buy your flooring, floor replacement is an often overlooked and misunderstood aspect in interior design. Consider the following in your next floor replacing project.
Any kind of home improvement project involving the flooring needs careful consideration on your part. When you step into a room, the flooring is the primary aspect that catches your eye. The beautiful layout of the room and the entire furniture can become more appealing with aesthetically charming flooring.
So, when it is time for floor replacement, take your time to research the best possible options. Make sure that the new choice adds value and style to your home.
Before you make this big decision of replacing your existing floor, consider the following:
Flooring Upgrade: Partial or Total Replacement
Firstly, decide if you need a total floor replacement or in just a section of your home. If you decide to keep your existing flooring in some parts, then your choice of the new flooring must be complementing the current one. Otherwise, you may choose contrasting patterns but may get an uncoordinated flooring space in adjoining rooms, that may end up looking tacky.
Here’s some DIY videos for your flooring replacement inspiration:
For this reason, you may want to get an expert opinion before taking up the project. Look at the samples and you can judge if they suit the layout and setting in the room.
Flooring Products
What flooring option you choose when you change the flooring in the house depends on your personal preference. But certain things like the specific area, cost, clean up needs, and foot traffic have to be kept in mind.
A kitchen or a bathroom flooring need more cleaning and maintenance when compared to a bedroom. An entryway receives more footfalls than the kitchen and will gather more dirt.
Main consideration when selecting a flooring vendor for replacing your flooring include:
- High-quality products
- Availability of different designs
- Water, wear, and scratch-resistant
- Durable
- Little to no maintenance
- Easy cleanup
- Cost-efficient
- Matches (or enhances) your decoration
Besides, the location of your home and the climate plays a huge role in selecting the right flooring. For example, porcelain tile can be the best-suited flooring option for humid climates like South Texas locations.
Choosing the flooring suitable for your lifestyle and needs doesn’t have to be difficult if you have experts’ advice.
Non-Allergenic and Non-Toxic Options
Hard floors are the best option for people with allergies and respiratory problems like asthma. So, opt for hardwood, vinyl, tile, or ceramic flooring, as they can keep dust mites, pollen, and other allergens away.
Learn the pros and cons of replacement of your old flooring with one that is non-toxic and does not trigger allergies. For instance, old buildings constructed before 1978 has asphalt-based or vinyl floor that contains asbestos.
While the flooring remains intact, there will be no issue, but if it is broken, asbestos gets released into the air and can cause serious lung diseases and other health complications.
Hence, if you plan to change the flooring in the house, hire a contractor who has extensive experience in removing asbestos-based products and safely dispose of it.
Consider Your Subfloor
A flooring upgrade is also the right time to check the condition of your subfloor. If it is not in good condition, you can strip apart the subfloor along with your current floor and get a new subfloor installed.
Imperfect or uneven subfloors may cause your new flooring to crack or shift with time. Hence, you may want to replace such subfloor with a harder material like vinyl or hardwood. For concrete subfloors, you will need thicker padding for a plush feel.
Flooring Stores and Installers
Once you have finalized your choice, visit a reputed store from where you can purchase high-quality flooring products. Browse through their catalog of various products they offer and take inspiration from their design options.
After all, your home renovation project is no small matter, and it deserves the best resources and products.
The final step is to hire a bonded, licensed and insured installer or contractor. Find a contractor who can explain the pros and cons of replacement with your choice of flooring.
But before signing the contract, make sure that they are in sync with your ideas and vision. Do not hesitate to ask your pressing concerns and go ahead only if you get satisfactory answers. Get crucial things in writing, such as total costs, schedule, and trash disposal.
Now that you have all the things in place, sit back and relax while your new flooring is being installed. Have a little patience while the floor replacement gets done, as these things tend to take time before you can enjoy your upgraded home.