What Questions to Ask Before You Install New Flooring

Whether you are new to the home reno game or you’re a seasoned veteran, there’s a few important questions you need to ask yourself before you head to your local flooring store (ie. End Of The Roll Flooring Centres). We wanted to make it easy for you so we put together a list of questions based on our own flooring experience to help you along.

Which room is the flooring going to be installed in?

This is probably the first question that comes to mind on the journey of floor buying. Considering what room the flooring is going to be installed in will inevitably lead you to make different choices regarding what sort of flooring you’ll put it in. You probably wouldn’t choose stone tile for a nursery just as you wouldn’t choose carpet for a bathroom. Each room has its own needs as do you and your family.

If you’re not sure about the difference in flooring options (ie. vinyl vs laminate) check out this article we put together to help you make sense of it all.

Is this product compatible with my lifestyle?

This might seem similar to the previous question but this one is more along the lines of your general lifestyle. Do you have young kids at home who like to run around the home in their shoes? How about a pet dog or cat? Are you a homebody who enjoys keeping their space neat and tidy? Do you spend a lot of time at work or at social events (or both) and don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning or maybe you’re planning on renting the property and hitting up that van life.

Taking into consideration your lifestyle (both present and future) will help determine the type of flooring that is properly suited to your home.

What level of floor care is needed?

Every floor type has different needs when it comes to proper maintenance and that means there’s a level of floor care that goes along with it. Hardwood floors, considered the most prestigious of all flooring, require vacuuming and a damp (not soaked) mop with a cleaner that is specifically designed for hardwood (no vinegar please). Vinyl on the other hand, while made to replicate hardwood floors, can not be buffed or polished and a cleaner made specifically for vinyl flooring should be used.

All flooring should be deep cleaned at least once a year to help preserve it but on a more regular basis you’ll have to consider just what you’re willing to do to keep your floors looking snazzy.

Should I do it myself or get it professionally installed?

Read: Save money or save time.

This is really up to how confident you are in installing your own flooring. Maybe you’re a whiz at it or you just really enjoy DIY projects or maybe on the other hand you’d rather hire a professional to get it done, saving you the effort. You could also just do the demo and then get the installers in to finish the job. There’s a few options here but considering them will make it easier to find a timeline that works for you and will help you figure out what your overall expenses may be.

What’s your budget?

Speaking of money - knowing how much you are willing to spend will also play a role in the type of flooring you’ll end up purchasing. Hardwood will cost you more upfront but could also be a nice return on investment if you ever plan on selling your home. Carpet is a cheaper option but might not be the best choice depending on the room. Budget constraints definitely need to be factored in.

What other costs might I incur?

Floor padding, installation costs including demo/removal, tools required for installation (spacers, special hammers, tapping block, specialty flood saw blades), adhesives and fasteners, and time all extra costs you may incur in the installation process. These costs can add up so be sure to know what you’ll need and factor that into your budget.

With so many potential variables, we would definitely recommend chatting with a sales representative to get a better idea of what the costs might be.

What are the warranties or guarantees?

Flooring bought from a reputable seller will most likely come with some sort of warranty or guarantee. Be sure to read the fine print so you know what’s covered and don’t get side-lined if something goes wrong.

What is your aesthetic?

At the end of the day you’re getting new flooring and with it you probably have a vision in mind of what the room will look like once it’s done. Barnhouse rustic won’t look quite so rustic if your floors ended up being made of glass tile so keeping the aesthetic in mind as you think about your options will help narrow your field.

In the end…

We hope these questions will help you on your flooring journey. There’s a lot to consider but once you know what you’re looking for you’re halfway there. You can also speak with a flooring specialist if you’re still stumped or need some extra assistance in answering your questions.