Do you want to create the floor of your dreams? Hardwood, luxury vinyl, or engineered floors can make a room look amazing. However, there are many considerations that go into a DIY flooring project. In this blog post, we will discuss how to choose between the benefits of hardwood, luxury vinyl, and engineered wood, as well as some other considerations for your project.
Choosing the Best Flooring Option For You
The first step in replacing flooring is to decide how your new floor will improve the look and function of your home.
At Floor Plus More, we carry a variety of options so you can find the right flooring product for you. Three great flooring options include:
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring is a classic choice that can be refinished to match your home’s current style. Hardwood is also one of the most durable flooring types and can last for decades with proper care.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular in recent years because it looks like hardwood but doesn’t have the same cost or maintenance requirements. Luxury vinyl is also water-resistant, making it a great option for bathrooms and kitchens.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood floors are made of several layers of wood that are glued together and then sanded down to create a smooth surface. This type of flooring is very affordable and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Assess The Flooring Project
Take Proper Floor Measurements
The first step in your flooring project should be to take accurate measurements for the room or rooms you are replacing. This ensures you have enough material ordered to finish the installation without having to order more.
Regarding hard surface flooring projects such as hardwood, luxury vinyl, or engineered wood, you’ll want to add about 10% to the net measure to allow for cutting and waste.
Remove Existing Floors
If you are replacing existing flooring, the first step is to remove everything from the room. This includes furniture, appliances, and even the old flooring itself.
Be sure to dispose of all waste properly and recycle what you can.
Consider the Subfloor
After the existing flooring has been removed, you’ll want to inspect the subfloor. As a general rule, if you are installing hard floors then it’s important that the subfloor is completely level and free of bumps or cracks. If not, the floors could buckle over time. Luxury vinyl can be installed on slightly uneven surfaces, but hardwood and engineered wood should only be used on perfectly flat subfloors.
There are a number of issues that can be found with your subfloors:
Concrete Subfloors with Moisture Problems
If you discover moisture, you’ll need to have a moisture test to find out what you’ll need to fix the problem. If you choose luxury vinyl as your new flooring material, a 6 mil moisture barrier can typically be utilized if it is a floating floor. If it is a floor that will be glued down, a premium adhesive with a moisture barrier will be needed.
Particle Board Subfloors
In the 1970s and 1980s, particle board subfloors were utilized in new construction instead of plywood as a less expensive substitute for carpet flooring. If you are installing a hard surface flooring, your only option would to be to use a floating type hardwood, laminate, or a luxury vinyl tile or plank. A glued or nail down flooring choice would require either removing the particle board and/or adding a suitable plywood subfloor.
Uneven Subfloor
If your new floor is a hard surface flooring, you will need to grind high spots, patch low spots and/or use a self-leveling patch.
Rotted Floor Boards or Water Damaged Plywood
If you have rotted floorboards or water-damaged plywood, you will need to remove the affected boards and replace them with new dry lumber.
Mold
If you notice any mold, scrape away the surface mold stains on the walls, flooring, and wood trim with a 1-quart water and 1/2 cup bleach solution. Remove the mold with a gentle brush until it is no longer visible.
Additional Flooring Project Considerations
There are a number of other considerations that come with DIY flooring projects, such as:
Transitions from Floor to Floor
When transitioning from one floor to another, you’ll need to use a transition strip. This can be a wood or metal strip that bridges the gap between floors of different heights.
Consider Kitchen Appliances
Will adding a subfloor or a new floor create issues for appliances fitting under your kitchen countertops or cabinets? It’s important to consider this question before installation so you can take the proper precautions.
What Type of Moldings Will be Used?
As a general rule of thumb, if shoe molding is being used then it should match the color of the baseboard molding. If moldings are needed around cabinets, moldings should match the cabinets.
Will Furniture Need to Be Moved?
If your plan includes moving existing pieces of furniture out before starting the project, make sure that everything can be moved back into place after completion. Consider who will be able to help you with moving the furniture. You will not want to handle it alone by pushing heavy furniture across your brand new floors, scratching and scuffing them along the way.
Review Your List of Materials Needed for Flooring Project
The final step before your installation is to develop a line-by-line list of items you anticipate for your project and review them with a flooring professional before purchasing the materials. They should be able to answer any questions you may have regarding your project and the installation.
DIY Flooring Projects Don’t Have to Be Scary
Planning for all these considerations will help you have a successful flooring installation. Hardwood floors, luxury vinyl flooring, engineered wood flooring – whatever your dream floor may be – can become reality with careful planning. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your new beautiful floors in no time!
We invite you to visit our showroom in Clemmons, North Carolina where you can ask more questions about the installation of new flooring successfully.
