Flooring 101 – Flooring Buying Guide From The Floor Shop

Installing a new floor is a big investment. There are several factors to consider, which include budget, foot traffic, wear and tear that the flooring will endure, and sunlight. For instance, there are some solid-wood flooring materials that are not as resistant to moisture as laminate or vinyl flooring. Ceramic tiles are more durable, but they can be expensive and labour-intensive when it comes to installation. Below are things you need to know when buying flooring from The Floor Shop.

Types Of Flooring

There are several types of flooring found in The Floor Shop. These are hardwood, engineered hardwood, cork, laminate, custom milled hardwood, and exotic flooring.

Hardwood flooring has a natural warmth and is resistant to wear. It can be refinished and sanded several times. Floors that have been pre-finished are more durable compared to those that have been finished on site.

Engineered wood flooring utilizes a thin veneer of real wood over structural plywood, which makes it a cost effective flooring solution. However, most engineered wood floors are not as durable as laminate or hardwood floors.

Laminate flooring is made of dense fibreboard with an image below a clear protective layer. The best thing about laminates is that they can resemble anything. There are companies that use cork below the clear layer. Look for laminate flooring that is scratch resistant. It should not discolour easily when exposed to sunlight.

Get Samples

Before purchasing the material for your floor, it is recommended to get samples of your top choices. Then try to place them side by side in the area where they are going to be installed. This will help you make a smart decision with regards to the flooring.

Look For Consistency

Manufacturers try their best to match their flooring for grain and colour, especially when it is engineered and solid wood flooring. However, variations can happen from one batch to another. That’s why you need to buy all the flooring you will need in a single batch. On the other hand, laminate flooring has a uniform pattern. If you want a more random look, then get boards from different packages when installing laminate flooring.

Measure Accurately

To find out how much flooring you need, measure the square footage of the room by multiplying the width with its length. If the room has an irregular shape, then divide the room into smaller rectangles, get the area for each rectangle, and then get the total. Once you have the total square footage, add 10% for cutting & wattage.

Know The Traffic Patterns

High traffic areas are the entryways to the house, as well as those leading to the rooms. If there are kids and pets in the house, the family room will be one of the busiest areas. You should make sure that the flooring is durable enough for the daily wear and tear due to foot traffic.

Before Installation

Before you install laminate or wood flooring, it is recommended that you get your flooring delivered in advance and let it sit in the room for one to three days. That way the planks will be acclimated to the moisture and temperature of the room.

These are the things that you need to know when buying flooring. At The Floor Shop, we make sure that you get the best flooring solution that suits your requirements. Check out our website to learn more about our vast selection of products.