What do you need to know about flooring?

Replacing your floor coverings can be expensive, time consuming, and confusing. What kind of floor coverings should you install? Should you install it yourself or is it a job that’s strictly for professionals? We found some of your biggest flooring questions and are answering them.

What kind of flooring should I install?

What you use the area for and your budget are a couple of the most important questions you should ask yourself before picking your new flooring. Here are some of the most popular choices in floor coverings:

Laminate

Laminate is great for most areas of your home. It’s not recommended for areas where there is water or where there might be a flood, as laminate can’t stand up against moisture. Avoid using it in areas such as a kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom.

Hardwood

Hardwood can be installed anywhere except where the floor below is cement or concrete. This makes it not the best choice for a basement. It can also be cool on your feet, so think about that when installing it in bedrooms.

Tile

Tile is a great choice for most rooms, but especially for kitchens, bathrooms, entry ways, and laundry rooms. It provides a sound barrier for moisture and it cleans easily. It can be slippery, so choose one that isn’t too smooth in high traffic areas. It can also be cool on your feet, so it might not be the best choice in cold climates.It’s also unforgiving if you drop something.

Carpet

A nice, warm carpet feels wonderful on cold feet, so carpet is a great choice for bedrooms and basements in colder climates. Carpet can also provide more of a sound barrier than some of the other flooring choices, so it might be a good choice when there are rooms with loud sound systems below.

Can I install my new flooring myself?

Anyone can install some types of flooring, but not every type of flooring is easy to install yourself.

The easiest to install are:

• Laminate
• Hardwood 
• Tile 

The most difficult to install are:

• Carpet
• Linoleum

If you decide to install your own flooring, ensure you have the right materials, such as a wet saw for installing tile, a table saw for laminate and hardwood installation, and a carpet puller for installing carpet.

Is my new flooring hypoallergenic?

If you have allergies, wood, laminate, or tile are the best choices for you. They don’t trap dust and mildew due to their smooth surfaces.

You can also purchase hypoallergenic carpets if you would prefer that. Natural carpet fibers, such as sisal, sea grass, wool, or hemp, also offer carpeting alternatives that are produced without oils, petroleum or high emission chemicals, all of which can wreak havoc on your allergies.

How often should I replace my flooring?

Some flooring, such as hardwood, can last for decades if taken care of. Other flooring, such as laminate and carpet last for much less time.

Installing new floor coverings can change the look of a room. Make your choice based upon personal preferences, your budget, and the use of the room and you won’t be disappointed.

The post Changing your Flooring? Here are some things to consider appeared first on Krosswood.