Home Improvement Corner: How Do You Select the Best Floor for the Upgrade You Need?
It’s been glaring you in the face, becoming more evident at every glance. Wood planks are dented and slipping out of place, chips in your tile are now fracturing and cracking, and the once unnoticed “pet stains” are screaming out for attention. Sound familiar? Replacing floors can be exhausting and expensive. Here are some aspects to consider.
How is the subfloor?
The subfloor must be addressed first. This includes rotting wood, squeaks, and leveling issues. The subfloor should be sturdy and flat (not sloped). If the subfloor is uneven, sloped, or has large waves and gaps, correcting it is imperative before installing the new floor. If a complete repair is limited, then carpet is the best choice. If you can adjust the subfloor with plywood, luan, OSB, or flooring self-leveler compound, then you could select luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, or tile after the process of subfloor repair is complete. During a free in-home estimate, NK Floors will pull back a vent to check the subfloor. A flooring company with integrity will correct subfloor issues and not install new flooring on a flawed subfloor.
Is there moisture?
Each type of flooring has an ideal moisture content for sustainability. Preferably, a moisture reading test should be conducted on the plywood subfloor or concrete slab. Moisture and water vapor can cause bubbles, delamination, rotting, and sinking. Excess moisture in wood floors can cause wood to pull away from the subfloor, and the planks may discolor. Excess moisture will cause the tile to shift and loosen. For laminate, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and flooring with locking systems, it helps to have a moisture-bearer. Generally, for basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, choose LVP, LVT, tile, or sheet vinyl.
How will the space be used?
Tile and vinyl are excellent choices for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways. Hardwood (natural or engineered), vinyl, and carpet are best for bedrooms. Hardwood and LVP accommodate dining and living spaces. LVP and carpet come in a variety of waterproof and pet-friendly flooring. If noise reduction is a consideration, carpet and LVP/LVT with a cork back are excellent choices.
What is your budget?
Use carpet, vinyl, and laminate if you need less expensive flooring. Hardwood and natural stone can be more costly. Find a flooring company that sells quality products at affordable prices, and you can buy a better product at a lower cost. At NK Floors, we work with our customers to find the best product for their budget, not sacrificing quality for affordability.
Now that you know the parameters of your flooring needs, you are ready to search for the colors, styles, and selections of your dreams!
By Karie Owens
