Avoid These Mistakes With Flooring Installations

It’s important to pay attention to every detail and avoid a few common flooring installation mistakes when starting a renovation project. Let’s look at some frequent mishaps and how to avoid flooring mistakes before your next project.

How to Avoid 6 Common Flooring Installation Mistakes

Here are six of the most common flooring installation mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1. Inaccurate Measurements

Correct measurements ensure you buy the right amount of materials. The last thing you want is to lay the last of your flooring material before realizing there’s more space to cover. Use a tape measure and record accurate measurements to stay on top of your material needs. For hardwood flooring, it is recommended that you purchase 10% more flooring than what your measurements yield.

2. Leaving Subflooring Issues Unaddressed

An uneven or loose subfloor can cause tedious squeaking that’s much harder to repair after laying the floor than at the start of a project. If you have an uneven subfloor, add extra supports and lay a level across them to confirm they’re flat. Then apply your floor leveling compound as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. As for loose subfloor, you can fill the space between the floor joists and subfloor with subfloor adhesive. For added measure, drill deck screws into the subfloor at the point of the joists to more strongly secure the subfloor to the floor joists.

3. Failing to Acclimate the Flooring Materials

Without enough time to adjust to the new environment, your wood floors may expand, shrink or otherwise change in shape. This alteration could spell disaster for your flooring materials or cause structural damage. Before starting a hardwood flooring installation, allow for the flooring to acclimate to the room for at least three days before beginning the project.

4. Pairing Floorboards With Similar Patterns

The natural grain that wood or faux-wood flooring provides is one of its greatest appeals. Varying your panel placement will ensure you achieve an authentic look. Two similar panels lying right next to each other will stick out, so be mindful of your placement.

5. Ignoring Manufacturer Recommendations

Every manufacturer will provide guidelines for installing their flooring materials. Following these guidelines will ensure the best results while also preserving any warranty coverage you may have.

6. Get a Sample of the Flooring First

A flooring showroom will be full of beautiful flooring options. However, depending on your home’s lighting, interior paint, and other factors, the flooring could look very different in your home. Be sure to get a sample of the flooring to take home before making a purchase since this sample flooring will allow you to “try out” the flooring before you buy.

District Floor Depot Is Your Reliable Flooring Company

If you want to ensure you avoid all of these common flooring mistakes, hire installation services from a dependable crew in your area. District Floor Depot is your one-stop-shop for all your flooring needs, so contact us online to discuss your project today!