When replacing a floor, you may find yourself wrapped up in choosing the right colors and getting the perfect type of floor to meet your needs. But when it comes down to getting ready for the installation team, there are things you can do to make for a smooth and easy installation experience. For some homeowners, there are a few things they never knew about replacing floors that could influence the success of the job. Keep these things in mind before your flooring installation starts.
Professional installers can do really good with moving your furniture and keeping it protected during the job. But as a courtesy, ahead of time, alert installers to particularly heavy or hard to move pieces. And if there are areas with clutter, a flooring installation team will greatly appreciate you clearing them out. It’s also good to talk to the installation company to get an understanding as to any limitations crews have with regards to moving furniture. You’ll probably also want to disconnect certain electronics and remove fragile wall hangings before the job starts.
Your professional installation team wants to make the experience a positive one, but the plain truth about some flooring types, such as hardwood, laminate or tile, is that putting them in can be a dusty affair. Installers need an area where they can cut and prepare materials that does not disturb other areas of the home. Before installers arrive, figure out what area of your home – whether it’s a garage, patio, driveway or somewhere else – is okay for this activity. And If a dust barrier system is needed either get one or make sure the team has one before the job starts.
When you decide on good pathways for installers to come in and out of your home, you should also consider the floors in the home that are staying in place. Will the crew be walking on them? Will dust intrude those areas, and what if there isn’t a door to stop dust from traveling into the space? Your installation team might be able to help with coverings or dust barriers, but it’s a conversation you should have up front, and be prepared with your own coverings or barriers, just in case.
Hardwood and laminate don’t perform so well with humidity and ceramics don’t offer much warmth, especially in cold climates. Factors such as these are why it’s so important for you to consider the climate of your home’s location. You wouldn’t want cold tile if you lived in a region that has frigid winters. If you do live in a climate that has high humidity and still want hardwood, be sure to add a dehumidifier to your home to help offset the damaging effects.
Before you have a team come out for the installation, you’ll want to understand the subfloor types in your home, as well as their condition. Here are some common subfloor situations that trip up homeowners.
These are just a few examples of how the subfloor can impact an installation. During a sales consultation, it’s a good idea to ask how the subfloor in your home will impact the new floor you desire. It’s better to get any bad news about cleaning, preparing or repairing a subfloor upfront; then you can budget time and dollars to make sure the installation is done properly.
Picking the right floor is one part of the experience, but with a smooth and easy flooring installation your new flooring experience will be that much better. Are you ready to take the leap with a new floor installation? Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate today!
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