Hardwood Installation
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
You want a problem-free installation and, to help ensure it, here’s a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.
- Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed.
- Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room.
- In general, your hardwood should run parallel to windows or, in narrow rooms, to the longest wall. Added stability is achieved by installing hardwood perpendicular to floor joists.
- Measure door clearances before you have your hardwood installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
- Paint first. If you’re planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it’s best to do it before your hardwood is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post-installation nicks.
DURING INSTALLATION:
To make your hardwood flooring look good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:
- Current flooring: A professional installer will evaluate your floor and subfloor construction and will know whether to remove the existing flooring or install on top of it. If it’s removed, the installer knows how much preparation is needed for the subfloor—like use of a leveling compound—or if a new subfloor should be placed over the old one.
- Moisture testing: Proper acclimation and moisture testing of the wood flooring and subfloor are required so floors won’t cup, buckle, or develop gaps later. Your installer will follow this critical step for either solid or engineered hardwood.
- Installation: Using the proper equipment, your installer will nail or glue boards in place, working from multiple cartons to create consistency in the look of the floor. When encountering unforeseen problems, experienced installers know how to solve them.
- Overall quality: Professional installation ensures that your floor will look beautiful and perform well over time.
It’s a good idea to check with us directly to find out if there are other actions we recommend before installation.
Carpet Installation
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
You want a problem-free installation and, to help ensure it, here’s a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.
- Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed. To minimize dust, vacuum your old carpet before it’s removed and, after it’s up, vacuum the floor thoroughly.
- Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room, and don’t leave anything—such as drapery or plants—hanging over the installation area.
- Measure door clearances before you have your carpet installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
- Paint first. If you’re planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it’s best to do it before your carpet is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post-installation nicks.
DURING INSTALLATION:
To make your carpet look good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:
- Prepare the surface: Carpet can be installed over most smooth surfaces. Your installer will make sure the surface is clean, dry, and level.
- Put up tack strips and lay carpet pad: The installer will nail or glue tack strips to hold the carpet in place. Then the pad is laid and secured with staples or glue.
- Line up seams: This step is simpler for solid carpet and more complex for patterns—but your professional installer is trained to handle either.
- Stretch the carpet: This is a work-intensive step that professionals follow carefully, complying with industry standards so that the carpet will give the best performance for the longest time.
It’s a good idea to check with us directly to find out if there are other actions we recommend before installation.
Tile & Stone Installation
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
You want a problem-free installation and, to help ensure it, here’s a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.
- Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed.
- Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room.
- In general, your linear or rectangular tile should run parallel to windows or, in narrow rooms, to the longest wall.
- Measure door clearances before you have your tile installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
- Paint first. If you’re planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it’s best to do it before your tile is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post-installation nicks.
DURING INSTALLATION:
To make your tile floor looks good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:
- Subfloor: Tile must be installed over a subfloor that’s structurally sound, rigid, level, smooth, and clean. Sometimes, cement backer board must be laid first. Preparing the subfloor is the most critical step in achieving a good installation—and your professional installer will know how to do it.
- Installation: First, the installer will determine tile layout. Then, using chalk-lines as a guide, your installer will spread thinset mortar in small areas and will place the tiles in it. Spacers are used between tiles so that they are evenly placed. After the mortar sets, grout is applied—sometimes the next day.
- Cleaning and curing: The installer will carefully clean the tiles, ridding them of all grout. After the installation is complete, it’s necessary to stay off the floor for 24 – 48 hours, depending on the room’s expected traffic.
It’s a good idea to check with us directly to find out if there are other actions we recommend before installation.
Laminate Installation
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
You want a problem-free installation and, to help ensure it, here’s a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed.
- Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room.
- In general, your laminate should run parallel to windows or, in narrow rooms, to the longest wall.
- Measure door clearances before you have your laminate installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
- Paint first. If you’re planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it’s best to do it before your laminate is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post-installation nicks.
DURING INSTALLATION:
To make your laminate look good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:
- Current flooring: Laminate can be installed directly over some existing floors, but others will have to be removed first. Your professional installer will know the proper procedure, as well as how to make the floor level and smooth.
- Moisture testing: Your installer will check for moisture in the subfloor to prevent later problems with buckling or cupping.
- Installation: Using the appropriate tools, the installer will cut and place the planks or tiles, maintaining a gap around the floor’s perimeter to allow for expansion.
- Room shape: A professional will know how to handle any challenges caused by room irregularities and odd or tight spaces, like cabinetry or a kitchen island.
It’s a good idea to check with us directly to find out if there are other actions we recommend before installation.
Vinyl Installation
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
You want a problem-free installation and, to help ensure it, here’s a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.
- Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed.
- Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room.
- In general, your resilient-vinyl plank flooring should run parallel to windows or, in narrow rooms, to the longest wall.
- Measure door clearances before you have your resilient-vinyl installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
- Paint first. If you’re planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it’s best to do it before your resilient-vinyl is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post-installation nicks.
DURING INSTALLATION:
To make your resilient-vinyl floor look good now and for a long time to come, proper installation is critical. Here’s the procedure an experienced installation professional will follow:
- Current flooring: A professional installer will start with a flat surface, which may require extensive prep work—such as removing the existing floor or installing a new subfloor on top of an existing floor. Sometimes, however, resilient-vinyl flooring can be installed directly on top of what you already have. Your installer will have the experience to know the best way to proceed.
- Moisture testing: Resilient-vinyl flooring is less sensitive to moisture than hardwood, but the existing subfloor will still need to be tested so that moisture-related problems can be avoided later. • Installation method:
- In floating floors, as the name suggests, planks are attached to each other, not to the subfloor. Glue-down floors require greater installation skill for the exacting process of adhesive application. As discussed below, room shape can also be problematic.
- Room shape: The configuration of a room can be a challenge, requiring precise measurement, cutting, and placement of flooring—another reason why proper installation by a professional will give you high-quality results.
