If you want to make a change that will have an impact on the style and functionality of your home, then consider some new flooring. Not only does a new floor give a different look to your interior decor, but new flooring can also help to make your home more energy efficient.
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Benefits to Installing New Flooring
Whenever you install a new floor in your home, you have to put a layer of protective material between the floor boards and flooring material. This material is designed to prevent moisture and cold air from warping your new floor from underneath. In this way, a new floor helps to regulate the temperature in your home and make your home more energy efficient.
A new floor can also add value to your home by improving the quality of your interior and adding a glossy new style that is sure to impress.
Types of Flooring
Hardwood flooring comes in either real wood, or laminate. In some cases, laminate is less expensive and more durable that real hardwood. But if you want that look of real hardwood, then plan on investing in the real materials. Hardwoods use a variety of wood types that include pine, cherry, and oak. Bamboo wood flooring is becoming extremely popular because of its durability and look.
If wooden flooring is not to your personal tastes then consider using tile instead. A tile floor can be made from marble, ceramic tile, or stone. Granite floors are extremely popular for kitchens and bathrooms for their durability, look, and reasonable cost.
What to Expect With a Floor Installation
Flooring is designed to easily fit together and create a professional look. Real hardwood usually comes in the form of boards that can be fitted together for a durable floor. Laminate comes in planks that easily snap together and can cover an entire room in just a couple of hours.
To start a flooring project, you will need to clear the room and remove the old flooring. Once you do that, it only takes a few hours for a flooring specialist to put down the layer of environmental materials and install the new floor.
Why You Need Professional Installers
The simple way in which flooring materials fit together is deceptive because it can make people assume that the entire project is easy. A new floor must be installed away from the walls of your room to allow the floor to expand and contract with the weather. Specialty pieces need to be cut to fit into areas that have an odd shape.
Professional installers know exactly how to put down a new floor in a way that prevents problems down the road. If your new floor is installed in such a way that it is exposed to moisture, then your floor could be ruined in a matter of a couple of years. Professional installers know how to put a floor down in such a way that it is not going to come into contact with the elements. When you invest in a professional installation service for your floor, you are insuring that your new floor will last for many years to come.
Finding a Good Contractor
Flooring contractors are usually very busy, so plan in advance and give yourself plenty of time to discuss your project with these contractors before you make a final choice.
It is advisable to get a few quotes from reputable contractors and ask that the quotes be itemized to make them easier to compare. There are many elements that go into a floor installation project, so be sure to ask questions of each contractor if you do not understand a quote.
Each reputable flooring contractor should be able to provide you with customer references, a copy of their contractor's license, and proof of their insurance coverage. If a contractor will not supply all of these items, then that is not a contractor worth doing business with.
A new floor can completely change the look and feel of your home. Be sure you choose a competent professional to install your new floor so that you can enjoy it for a very years to come.