DIY or Call an Expert?
Flooring is easier to install than ever. With virtually any look you can imagine being available in click and lock tiles, do you even need an installer anymore?
First, lets start with the types of flooring that you’ll definitely want a professional for. Tile is probably the most complicated type of flooring that can be found in many Edmonton homes. The attention to detail, precession, and accurate leveling are not for the faint of heart. Also, a mistake could very costly. Removing tile is no easy task. Unless you yourself are a pro, we recommended contacting an installer. Carpet is somewhat deceiving in the level of installation difficulty. The truth is carpet installation requires accurate cuts, tight corners, and tricky stairs. There are a few tricks of the trade that if you don’t know, can ruin the look of the room. If carpet sections aren’t properly aligned, it can appear to be completely different tones. Lastly, you may want to consider hiring an installer for your hardwood needs. While hardwood isn’t super complicated in terms of installation, there will likely be additional measures and cuts required. If you are competent on a table saw, you probably could install hardwood on your own. Hardwood is normally nailed down or has a click and lock system. It may still be wise to hire a professional to ensure that you avoid a costly mistake.
Now lets talk about some flooring that you could install on your own if you have the aptitude. The main DIY flooring product right now is vinyl plank. There are a couple options for vinyl plank installation. The most common is a click and lock system. While the system differs slightly from brand to brand, they are all very similar. Angle the board into place and press it down. This system doesn’t require glue! Even easier, some floating floors can just be placed down and glued for a quick and easy installation. Moving on, linoleum and laminate sheets are among the easier types of flooring to install. Just place it down and glue! The rolls that these products come in are usually quite heavy so you may want to recruit some friends.
A couple additional things to consider before undertaking a DIY flooring project are: is your subfloor flat? do you need pad/ underlay? is your floor the right humidity to install new floor coverings? what flooring will fit with your doors and baseboards? There are many small details that can be can be overlooked and cause big problems. Be thorough and do your research before jumping into it!
While installing your own flooring is a cost-effective option, we don’t recommend it for everyone. There is almost a guarantee that some cuts and edits will need to be made. We recommend ordering extra material, refencing installation instructions, and asking a member of our sales team if you have any questions. It would certainly help if you have some carpentry or construction experience too!
At the end of the day, hiring an installer is the best route for the vast majority of people. You get a stress free, professional experience that guarantees the result that you were looking for. Come visit The Carpet Studio and we will take care of everything that you need.