Finishing the Installation: The Final Touches of Flooring Installation

Americans love getting new flooring. In 2019, we're spending $27,011,000 dollars on new floors.

And the market is expected to grow by 0.5% annually. One reason is the return on investment (ROI) that installing new flooring offers.

Usually, a homeowner can expect an ROI of between 25% and 80%, depending on the type of flooring they invest in. But before you go ahead with plans to make these upgrades, you need to be aware of what you're getting yourself into.

A flooring installation takes time, effort, and you may need to hire professionals to do the job right. Whether you DIY or hire professionals, it's important to know what to expect during all phases of floor installation.

Keep reading to learn about the final touches of flooring installation.

What to Know Prior to Floor Installation

While some types of flooring can be done yourself, it's usually a smarter idea to let the professionals handle the job to ensure it comes out perfectly. Once you've settled on the right flooring installation contractor, they'll visit your home to inspect and measure.

Read and Understand Your Contract

Prior to the installation crew arriving to do the work, all the furniture and other items must be removed entirely from the work area. If you need help, make sure the contractor will move your furniture as part of the contract.

If appliances need to be moved, you may have to call in a third party vendor to properly move these appliances and/or device that may require rewiring.

Other Things to Consider Pre-Installation

You may need your subfloors fixed before they install your floor. That will add more time to the entire job.

You'll also have to take measures to eliminate as much dust from the area and seal off any vents and doors to ensure dust doesn't find its way into other rooms in your home. Take care to remove children and pets from the work area as well.

Make sure the area is at a proper temperature. Many types of flooring need cooler, less humid temperatures in order to be installed.

Doors and Waste

Certain types of flooring will end up raising your floors a bit. That may make it difficult to open and shut your doors.

You may need to have your doors cut in order to have the fit properly with your newly installed carpeting. Also, you're going to end up with waste to contend with.

Both the old flooring and unused portions of the new flooring need to be dealt with. Check with your local garbage and recycling centers to find out about how to properly dispose of your renovation waste. You also may be able to reuse or repurpose certain materials.

Stay Off Newly Installed Floors for Awhile

While you can certainly walk around on your newly installed carpeting, flooring such as laminate may need some time to set. Any flooring where adhesive is used needs time to set.

Also, if you install flooring such as hardwood and don't want to risk getting any scratches, you may want to consider investing in felt or rubber pads on the bottom of your furniture.

Test Your Appliances

Before you begin reusing your appliances, test then first. You want to make sure there are no leaks or electrical problems.

If you hired the installation company or a third-party to move electrical components or appliances, have them do the testing before they leave. This ensures you won't risk damaging your beautiful new floors.

Precautions to Take After Flooring Installation

Whether you invest in discount laminate flooring, Mohawk vinyl flooring, carpeting or even hardwood flooring, there is a process. And the process is the same whether you decide to install them yourself or hire a professional installer.

Knowing how to care for your flooring before you invest in any type of flooring, whether it's discount flooring or high-end flooring means you know what you're getting into before you plunk down a chunk of your change.

It's also important to know that each type of flooring comes with its own set of instructions of care pre and post-installation.

Carpeting

With carpeting, not only should the subfloors be in good shape, but you'll also need to put down a good underlayment. Underlayment is important to ensure your carpet flooring has a more comfortable feel.

But it will also protect your carpeting from moisture and other potential hazards.

How to Care for Your Carpets Moving Forward

Air out your home once the carpeting is installed to remove airborne particles that have accumulated and settled during installation. You should also vacuum your new carpeting to remove any loose fibers.

To keep your carpets looking brand new for a long time, regularly vacuum and shampoo your carpets to keep the fibers in good shape. Also, clean up any spills as soon as you spot them.

Tile Flooring

Tile floors will last you a long time, but only if you care for it properly. Definitely hire a professional for installation to avoid damaging the subfloor. A damaged subfloor means future problems for your tiles.

Prepare the surface prior to placing your tile flooring into position. A mortar or cement board subfloor works best with tiles.

Level out the floor evenly to ensure tiles sit properly.

Clean Your Tiles Regularly

Immediately after installation, wipe down all surfaces and toss out any leftover debris. To keep your tiles looking their best for a long time, sweep and mop your floors on a weekly basis.

Doing so helps prevent moisture from leaking into the subfloor and other sections which can cause problems.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate looks like hardwood but is less expensive and is known for its easy upkeep. Laminate requires using high-quality underlayment.

And while laminate doesn't require perfectly even floors to sit properly, do your best to make sure the subfloor is as level as possible before laying down laminate flooring. You don't want noticeable flooring heights over a short distance.

How to Keep Laminate Floors Looking Great

After the installation, clean out any debris and wipe down all surfaces to remove any lingering dust. Open up your windows to let out any remaining particles.

You'll need to wipe down your floors using a dust mop, broom or vacuum cleaner (without the beater bars) on a regular basis to keep your laminate floors looking great for a long time. And unless you have waterproof floors, always clean up any spills as soon as possible to avoid water damage.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is beautiful, affordable, durable, and versatile. You'll need to uninstall your baseboards before the professionals install vinyl flooring.

However, you can reinstall them after the installation is complete. Make sure your floors are dry, clean, and smooth before installing vinyl.

How to Keep Your Vinyl Floors Looking Great

After your vinyl floors are installed, you don't need to do much in order to keep them looking great. Always clean up spills immediately.

Avoid dragging heavy objects over the surface to prevent damage.

Stone Flooring

Stone floors can last you for decades when cared for properly. They're highly durable but they're also tricky to install.

Make sure you have a flat and smooth surface before you lay down the stone flooring. The subfloor must be extremely durable because stone flooring is very heavy. A weak subfloor means you may end up with a collapsed floor.

How to Care for Your Stone Floors

Stone floors require more care than most other types of flooring. Invest in some stone-friendly cleaners such as mild soaps.

Avoid acidic cleaning products to prevent discoloration and etching. Immediately wipe up spills and debris.

Dust and mop your stone flooring on a regular basis.

Hardwood Floors

Wood flooring has the highest ROI and remains one of the most popular choices in flooring. When taken care of properly, it's also a resilient material.

Any room that isn't regularly exposed to moisture is a good room to place hardwood flooring in. Hardwood can also be installed over most types of subfloors.

Make Sure Your Subfloor is Durable and in Good Shape

However, the subfloor must be solid to hold up the hardwood. The subfloor surface should be tough so it helps keep your hardwood floors intact for a long time.

Always replace worn or damaged subfloor materials. That includes everything from plywood, floor frames, and any other type of flooring surface.

How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors

To keep your hardwood floors looking great regularly sweep your hardwood floors to remove debris that can damage your floors if left on them too long. You also need to take care to protect your hardwood floors against any heavy furniture and moisture.

You may want to invest in a dehumidifier. Placing felt on the bottom of heavy furniture is also a smart idea.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can also damage your hardwood floors. Installing UV protective coverings on your windows can help prevent sunlight from damaging your floors over a period of time.

Find Your New Flooring Here

Before you go ahead with any flooring installation, make sure you do your homework. It's important to know exactly what the process is before installation and how to properly care for your floors after installation.

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