|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DESIGN STYLES
With thousands of colors and styles to select from today it can seem like a daunting task to make the right flooring choice. To narrow the field down it is recommended that you select a flooring style that complements your overall interior design style. Nothing will look worse that a glaring clash of styles, so make sure your new flooring complements your existing (of planned) interior design.
SITUATIONAL FACTORS
Almost every install will have physical or functional requirements that will further narrow down the scope and selection of an appropriate hardwood or laminate flooring system. Here is a brief summary of factors to consider:
FLOOR TRAFFIC EXPECTATIONS
The quantity and type of traffic you expect on your floors will impact the flooring material you can choose. Laminates offer high durability, as well as wood species that have high "hardness rankings" on the Janka scale. Softer woods are generally not a good selection for high traffic areas.
SUB FLOORING
The quality of any new hardwood flooring installation can only be as good as the subfloor underneath. For the best outcomes, the subfloor should be dry, stable, and level. Concrete subfloors generally are only acceptable for laminate installations, but you should be mindful of installing a quality underlayment the provides an appropriate moisture barrier as well as good sound installation. Poor laminate installations will sound very hollow when walking on it.
HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
To prevent warping and cupping of floors make sure there is adequate ventilation and regulated temperatures thought the year. Laminates work best in areas that experience higher humidity levels.
INSTALLATION
The time and cost of installation is an often overlooked factor in floor selection decisions. Glueless click-style floating laminate floor systems can be a weekend project for experienced do-it-yourselfers, and can save a lot of installation labor. Other flooring installation methods are generally more complex and will require professional installation in most cases.
WARRANTY
Making a successful claim under a flooring warranty often requires that you can demonstrate the product was installed exactly as per the manufactures recommendations and that the damage is not a product of wear and tear or poor workmanship. Hiring a professional installer and dealing with a large brand name product that has an established track record is your best protection.
If you need more help you can read our full article series on selecting hardwood floors to create the perfect hardwood flooring solution to match your interior space.
S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone resource site which offers helpful article, tips, and resources on wood flooring solutions.
Wind Chimes and more... What home improvements really pay off when the time comes... Read More To make your home more energy efficient, you need to... Read More It turns out your mother was right after all --... Read More Coping with wood movementAll wood workers need to be aware... Read More While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can... Read More The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that the way... Read More Now that you have made that bold decision to build... Read More For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new... Read More Your daily beauty sleep will not be complete if any... Read More Gas stoves are those preferred by professionals. The heat distribution... Read More Does the coming winter chill remind you how much you... Read More There are just a few important things to know and... Read More Looking to do some remodeling in your kitchen sink area... Read More BE PREPARED -- Building a house is lots of fun,... Read More Nearly every log home is a custom design, whether you... Read More Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture in existence.... Read More Believe it or not, landscaping can be an important part... Read More The first step is to plan the design ? as... Read More Is your home dcor lacking that extra something that spells... Read More Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many... Read More Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved... Read More There is never a structure you will find that lacks... Read More You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood... Read More Marble is any limestone or dolomite that can take a... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
The Smart Way To Look At Home Improvements
A Few Simple Facts About Gas And Electric Heating Systems
Keep Your Home Happier
Wood Panels and Humidity
Window Shutters On A Budget
Painting and Decorating Tile
A Guide to Portable Dehumidifiers
Choosing the Right House Plan
New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen
Adjustable Bed - Start Each Day on the Right Note
Gas Stoves - Pros and Cons
Faux Fireplace, on the Cheap!
How to build an energy-efficient home
Everything - Plus The Kitchen Sink
How to Deal With Contractors (So You Wont Go Mad!)
Designing Your Log Home: Tips To Keep You Out of Trouble
3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture
How to Modify Your Landscaping to Protect Your House from Burglars
Guide to Bathroom Design
Add Sizzle to Your Surroundings
Would You Steel Your Household Appliances
Planning Permission Tips UK - Trees and How They Can Affect Development when Applying for Planning
Different Materials Used for Roofing and Determining the Cost of Each One
Your Building Your Dream Home, But Where Do You Start?
Marble Information
A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any... Read More
If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom and redoing... Read More
As we start to research log homes, it quickly becomes... Read More
1. Shutters have proper louver tensionThe shutters louvers should be... Read More
Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for... Read More
The Home InspectorWhen you think about it, it is a... Read More
Can you remember when people used to install slatted louvre... Read More
You may have noticed long icicles hanging from your gutters... Read More
Like most people I really hated to vacuum the house.... Read More
There are numerous styles of Persian carpets. In fact there... Read More
Kitchen design is a sea of opportunity filled with potential.... Read More
It is absolutely necessary to waterproof the foundation of your... Read More
"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More
Many of us know that solar energy is a good... Read More
Last week I told you how to remove your old... Read More
You have decided to make the plunge and begin to... Read More
Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the... Read More
Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More
Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the... Read More
You don't want to keep your useless tools in your... Read More
Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge... Read More
Many times throughout the year we are called in to... Read More
"As a contractor with 16 years of experience and speaking... Read More
As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that... Read More
Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few... Read More
Home Improvement |