Professional Floor Installation Blog

Transforming a room with new flooring is a great way to boost home value and improve functionality. But many homeowners worry about how to accomplish such a large-scale project without blowing their budget. Here in our Professional Floor Installation Blog, we’ll share some valuable tips and insider tricks to help you save money on your next flooring renovation.

How to Choose the Right Contractor

When choosing a contractor, do your research and gather competitive bids. Also, consider how long the company has been in business and whether or not they offer a written construction schedule. Make sure the contractor is licensed, insured and bonded. If you know someone who recently had new flooring installed or even a complete house renovation, ask them what general contractor they used.

Throw out the lowest bid, as contractors who tend to give the low-ball are likely cutting corners or desperate for work. In addition to technical competence, choose a contractor that you feel comfortable communicating with. It is worth the extra money to have a good relationship with a contractor that will guide you through your project from start to finish. This will result in fewer misunderstandings and delays on your job.

How to Save Money on Flooring

Flooring is one of the most expensive home decorating projects, and there are many ways that homeowners can go over budget. However, it isn’t always necessary to spend a fortune on a quality floor. With thoughtful product and contractor selection, and by engineering value into your project, there are proven ways to deliver a quality flooring system within any budget.

Often, the difference in flooring quotes comes down to the pricing of materials. While it may be tempting to go with the lowest priced option, this could end up costing you more in the long run. By getting a handful of estimates and understanding what makes each contractor’s price different, you can narrow your options and save money.

When you get a quote for your flooring project, ask the contractors to give you a separate quote for materials. They are supposed to base their prices on what they can see at the time of the estimate, but unexpected expenses can pop up, so having a separate quote for materials will help you stay in control of your budget.

Smart measuring can also help you save on costs. For example, you may be able to save on the cost of installing new baseboards by removing them before flooring installation and then adding them afterward. Similarly, you can save on the cost of trim by using existing molding or opting for a simpler option such as quarter round molding.

Selecting a flooring product purely on its price point without considering the needs of your application can spell disaster. Cutting corners now can end up costing you twice as much in the long run if your floors aren’t durable enough for their intended use. By focusing on life cycle cost and value, you can enjoy your flooring investment for years to come.

Six Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Wood Flooring Contractor

Wood flooring is a popular choice for homeowners and commercial properties because of its durability and timeless beauty. But, like any home improvement project, it’s not without its risks. When you’re choosing a contractor to install new wood floors, make sure you’re working with a company that has the proper licenses and insurance coverage. The last thing you want is to be held responsible for any injuries that may occur during the installation process.

It’s important to find a licensed flooring contractor who will provide you with a written contract outlining the work that will be performed and the total cost of the project. It’s also a good idea to ask for references from past customers and to take the time to review online reviews. This will help you to get a feel for the level of customer service that will be provided during your wood floor installation project.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when choosing a wood flooring contractor is selecting one based solely on price. While it is certainly important to consider the cost of a project, you should never sacrifice quality to save money. This could result in poor workmanship that will need to be fixed later on.

Another mistake that people make is installing their wood floors too close to the walls. It’s essential to leave at least a centimeter of space between the wall and the wood flooring to allow for expansion and contraction.

It’s also important to choose a wood flooring contractor that will use the best materials for your specific needs. For example, maple and hickory are more durable than pine. You should also take into account your climate when choosing a type of wood for your floors, as moisture can cause problems. For instance, hardwood will swell in areas of high humidity and shrink in areas with low humidity.

GREENGUARD Certification

GreenGuard certification is a third-party program administered by the safety testing company, Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality certification pin-points low-emission materials, finishes, and products that are healthier for people. The certification is based on scientifically proven standards to end volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which can negatively affect the indoor environment and human health.

Indoor air quality is a major concern for buildings and offices, with high chemical emissions from building materials and furnishings being one of the leading sources of pollution. GREENGUARD certification is the trusted standard for identifying low-emitting products and materials. It is recognized and referenced in numerous building programs, standards, and specifications around the world. In addition, GREENGUARD certified products can earn points in many established green building rating systems and satisfy code or ordinance criteria and architectural specifications for indoor air quality.

To receive GREENGUARD certification, manufacturers must have their products tested for VOCs and other chemicals. The results must then be field-validated to ensure that the manufacturer is meeting strict chemical emissions limits. This process is rigorous and takes place in a laboratory. It also requires the company to disclose any potential risks associated with their product.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute was founded in 2001 as an independent indoor air quality organization. It was later acquired by UL Environment, a safety certification company. Currently, UL provides several GREENGUARD certifications for different types of products and building materials.

For example, the GREENGUARD Gold certification includes additional health-based criteria and lower total chemical emissions limits. The GREENGUARD certification mark is easy to identify. Look for it on furniture, fabrics, flooring, and cleaning products. You can also view a list of GREENGUARD certified products online.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Flooring Materials

Whether you’re installing new flooring or have just had a room redone, there are many creative ways to use the leftover materials. Instead of throwing away or donating your old timber and laminate flooring offcuts, consider using them in one of these unique alternate uses. From creating an accent wall to making a wooden photo frame, these DIY projects are a great way to repurpose your materials.

If you have a lot of flooring offcuts that are the same size, you can easily make a beautiful accent wall for your home. This is a popular design trend that allows you to create a focal point in your space. To do this, simply apply the flooring to a single wall in your home. Then, paint over it to create a unique look that’s sure to impress guests.

Another great use for leftover wood flooring is to make a DIY coffee table. This is a simple project that’s perfect for anyone who wants to repurpose their materials. To get started, just cut the tongue-and-groove planks into a square shape and install them to the wall with construction adhesive. Once the glue is dry, you can nail each tongue to the joists.

Laminate is also a great material to use for DIY projects because it’s easy to clean and can withstand stains. Plus, it’s an excellent choice for people who have allergies or asthma. Using leftover flooring materials for projects around the house is a great way to save money and help the environment.