5 tips to get the perfect flooring
In this guide, we’ll look at how you can get the ideal flooring for your home. These five tips will help you ensure you get the right flooring for you and your home. Let’s dive in!
Set a Budget
Before all else, it’s important to know what your budget is. Whether you’d like to set an exact budget or an approximate one, it is still best to include some leeway (i.e. ensure you can afford a bit more than your budget in case the installation costs more than expected).
Of course, if you’re on a relatively tight budget, you’ll want to look at which flooring options (more on the varied options shortly) are within your price range.
Among the most affordable types of flooring in the UK includes carpet, laminate, vinyl and linoleum floors. Hardwood, Karndean and parquet floors often end up costing more than most, whereas the cost of tiling can vary widely depending on factors such as the material and style used.
Along with considering the type of flooring that’s right for your budget, you may also want to keep an eye out for bargains (e.g. if a somewhat expensive flooring type is on sale). That said, be sure that whatever flooring you opt for is still of sufficient quality and available from a reliable seller.
Labour prices can vary depending on where you live. Moreover, the cost of labour can differ depending on the type of flooring you want to have installed. For instance, pouring concrete may come with a different labour cost than for a wood flooring installation.
Beyond that, the price of labour can differ based on more specific aspects of the flooring (e.g. the particular design based on the brand’s specifications).
Consider a Range of Options and Your Criteria/Preferences
As already discussed, some flooring options may be better suited to your budget than others, but cost isn’t everything.
Other key aspects for considering what type of flooring is right for you and your home may include:
- How durable and long-lasting a flooring type is
- Flooring with the right look based on your preferences
- What flooring options would best suit your home and lifestyle *
- Health and safety considerations (e.g. you may prefer a low-VOC option)
- How good flooring choices are for the environment
*If you have kids or/and pets, you’ll want floors that can better handle messes, whether it be from a child dropping some food on the floor or a dog leaving a mess of another kind!
Here are some of the best types of flooring based on different criteria:
*VOC means volatile organic compounds. These can be found in certain flooring options.
Of course, choosing the right flooring for you may depend on an aggregate of which flooring option can best meet a range of criteria, or you may simply want to differentiate between one option and several others based solely on the cost, appearance or simply a gut feeling.
If you’re finding it difficult to make a decision, you could ask the floor installer to source a floor for you based on your budget, needs and preferences.
Hire a Professional for a Quality Installation
Ultimately, it’s best to hire a professional floor installer to ensure a high-quality installation. Of course, in many cases, it’s fine to install a floor DIY (once you know exactly what’s involved and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully), in general, it is still best to hire a professional.
After all, a professional floor installer will likely be able to achieve an installation that isn’t usually possible with a DIY approach. Obviously, if you’re especially experienced then that may be an exception. All in all, though, hiring a professional should guarantee a superb and hopefully long-lasting installation.
Get Quotes from Multiple Services
Beyond that, it is a good idea to land quotes from three or more floor installers or floor installation services near you.
By having several quotes, you can, in turn, compare a range of options based on their pricing, levels of experience and any reviews or ratings you might find regarding their work online. This will hopefully lead you to hiring a professional who offers good value for money.
Ensure Your Flooring Is Well Maintained
Lastly, even after your flooring is installed, the perfect flooring installation can see a premature drop in functionality if not properly maintained.
It’s important to first note that when maintaining flooring always ensure you take the necessary safety precautions and, if in doubt, hire a professional.
By taking suitable steps (e.g. cleaning a wooden floor often, replacing tile grout when needed etc.) per the manufacturer’s instructions or/and advice of an experienced professional, you can help ensure your flooring stands the test of time and either persists for as long as expected or lasts even longer.
