Flooring
Before buying flooring carefully measure and draw a simple outline of the room
and where the room entrances are located. Be sure to include cupboards and any
other areas that will need flooring. Make a note of what the adjoining rooms are
and what flooring is currently in those areas. Make a note about how much natural
sunlight enters the room, which direction the room faces, and any sliding patio
doors. Check what is under the existing flooring. Whenever possible take along
any furniture, wallpaper, and drapery fabrics from the room.
Decide what you want done with existing skirting boards. Consider these important points to decide the suitability of different types of flooring for your home improvement:
Be sure to ask if the price quoted includes:
All subfloor preparation, all installation costs, removal of existing flooring,
if needed moving of all furniture and appliances, all necessary materials for
installing your new floor.
Questions to ask:
Are the installers independent or do they work for the store.
Who's insurance covers installation errors.
Are all the installation materials the manufacturer's recommended products, so the warranty will not be voided.
Before choosing a floor have the salesperson review with you the manufacturer's
warranty information as well as the manufacturer's care and maintenance procedures.
Keep a copy of all documents for your reference.
Be sure to get all quotes in writing, including the amount needed, and a rough
diagram of how they will install the floor and where all seams will fall.
Be sure to understand who is responsible for removing toilets, portable dishwashers
and any other room fixtures.
Make a note about what groups, or organizations the store be associated with.
Always get all product information in writing including the manufacturer's name,
product name, style, color, and how the product will be installed.
Flooring choices can have a huge effect on your room but it's often a neglected area of design. Flooring can influence how a visitor sees the size, shape, function and atmosphere of a room. Here are a few flooring hints:
Changing flooring is not as expensive as you might think. Foam backed carpets though less hard-wearing are cheaper to replace as fashions for colour and texture alter; click-system wood-effect laminate looks similar to real wood parquet but is cheaper; carpet off-cuts can be "edge-bound" to create inexpensive rugs.
Zoning - where a room is multi-functional a change in floor covering can help define the space e.g. in a lounge-diner the sofa area might be carpeted whilst the dining area is laminated.
Function and Safety - the function of a room may influence your choice of flooring. Ceramic tiles are waterproof and easy to clean but may be slippery when wet in bathrooms and in kitchens dropped crockery could crack both the tile and the tableware. Woods and laminates are practical and stylish but can react badly to the moisture of kitchens and bathrooms or the heat of conservatories.