Flooring Choice for the Do-It-Yourselfer
Most home improvement stores will have the do-it-yourself varieties as installation professionals to help with your decision of which method and price will best suit your budget and needs. The options are limitless in color, style, and price. Simply taking the time to speak with the sales team can open up a whole new world of flooring options…. whether in stock or available to be ordered when you are ready to begin.
Some things that you should consider prior to deciding which flooring type is right for you is the use of the floor, durability and ease of maintenance. From laminate to hardwood which option is best going to take your room where you want it to go and provide the service needed for the activities of the room. For instance if you have small children then they are probably going to be on the floor a lot so colder flooring options might not be the choice for you.
Laminate flooring is generally a type of cheaper wood covered with a high priced laminate wood for cost effectiveness. Laminate flooring is a cost effective solution if hardwood flooring is desired. Laminate flooring can be installed professionally or can be self installed depending on your preference. Laminate floor on average costs from 25 dollars per case and up to 100 per case. Each case typically will cover 15 to 25 square foot. Laminate flooring is an awesome option for most any room in your home. Interlocking features available with some brands such as Pergo and Armstrong allow you to cover your floor with a name that you trust and generally have excellent guarantees on durability when installed properly.
Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are another option in finishing your floors. Ceramic and porcelain are probably not a product of choice for a beginner to install themselves. Due to special conditions needed when cutting and laying these types of tiles as well as properly setting grout so that it is durable, most do-it-yourself type of people prefer professional installation. Ceramic and porcelain tiles also require a different type of underlayment known as a backboard or a thin layer of concrete for the adhesives to stick to properly. This type of flooring choice is also a more expensive route to take when choosing how you want to finish your room off. Both of these are more fragile flooring choices. Simply dropping a heavy object on them once installed can cause breakage. This is also a harder and colder material. Some people even opt for a radiant heating system to heat this type of flooring up so that it is not as cold all the time. People with small children probably aren’t going to like this type of floor nearly as well because they know their children will be playing on the floor. These are also porous materials meaning that they will absorb odors and moisture. By being porous they also absorb stains. Once stained it can be very difficult to remove those stains. Tiles can be purchased by case or individually and price is determined by the size, brand name and area that each case covers. These tiles are usually best suited for kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms, although can be installed anywhere desired.
Vinyl flooring is available in many different patterns, styles and cuts. Cuts range from single room size proportions to individual tiles. Room size portions need to be installed with an adhesive spread by hand with a trough and have to be stretched properly to avoid air bubbles, which can jeopardize the integrity of the floor. Thickness of the vinyl can help to determine the integrity. Thinner pieces of vinyl will allow the trough marks to show through and these marks can make cleaning a bit more difficult. Thinner pieces also mean that the wear and tear is going to show faster in average household, thicker pieces mean more durability and less of a chance of the trough marks to appear. The thicker varieties of vinyl can make the stretching process a bit more difficult as well. This type of flooring can be installed by people who wish to do the work themselves but if not done properly can really affect the overall appearance of the vinyl once installed. Most hands on type of people prefer to use vinyl tile. By working with smaller pieces the chance of messing up is smaller. Vinyl tile can come pre-prepared for installation with self-adhesion or can require the use of a traditional adhesive. With self-adhesive vinyl tile you simply peel the backing off and lay the tile as desired, where as with traditional adhesives you are going to have to spread the adhesive by hand and make sure that the tile sets firmly in place. One thing to remember with tiles is that to achieve the maximum effect of the look you want to create is to begin in the center of the room and work out. This will create an overall balance if you find you need to cut tiles to finish the pattern. Cutting the tiles can generally be done with a small utility knife and remember to have extra blades available so that you are not damaging the tile by using a dull blade. Vinyl is easy to maintain and durable.
Carpeting is a warmer approach to your flooring needs. The soft supple fibers of carpet can be pleasing to touch and are suitable for any room in your home. Different cuts and grades are available and some carpets have lifetime guarantees against stains and wear. From plush, Berber, sculpted, to shag…options are limitless. Carpeting is a family friendly floor treatment. A thing to consider when purchasing carpet is the durability of the carpet you are wanting. Carpet is a commitment and meant to be a more permanent flooring solution. If you are going to carpet and spend the money it will take to carpet one room or your whole home you are going to want something that you can get your money’s worth out of. Carpeting requires padding, tack strips, trim strips and in some instance molding. Carpet can be installed by a do it yourself type of person but only if they are familiar with the installation process. Carpet has to be stretched to fit the room then affixed to the tack strips. Carpet has a shed factor and the more it sheds the more likely it is going to have to be replaced in a shorter length of time. Carpet is a fiber and will retain moisture and stains. Carpet is sold in square footage and can range from one dollar per square foot to twenty-five dollars a square foot for the average consumer. Padding although generally cheaper can account for about 1/3 of the cost of the carpet and installation. Carpet comes with stain warranties and guarantees that are subject to the care and installation of the carpet. Brand names such as Dupont and Armstrong generally have a good rating and allow for a lifetime of satisfied homeowners.
Whatever your flooring choice or desire, research it thoroughly as in most cases this is going to be a long term relationship and you want to be happy with the choice you have made. Take into consideration the use of the room intended to have flooring installed, the traffic going through the room and the feel of the material you use. Remember the durability is only as good as the intended purpose of the flooring and that the options are available for professional installation or doing the work yourself.
