By Kendry Lee
Amid a renovation, you may forget about what’s important. You can make expensive mistakes with your flooring choices if you’re not careful! Don’t worry; we’re here to help. We’ll point out some common mistakes homeowners make when choosing flooring for modern homes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing a floor that’s too soft
What You Should Do: Choose laminate, vinyl, or bamboo with less compressibility. Make sure that your flooring won’t sag near the washing machine or sink.
The most common mistake homeowners make is choosing flooring that will compress too much. You’ll notice this once you’ve finished installing your floor and walk across it. Likewise, you can tell your floor is too soft when you notice footprints in your flooring.
Flooring that is too soft will sag over time. It could create a tripping hazard or damage your foundation if you have a finished basement and the floor isn’t level. It’s also a big waste of money.
The best flooring you can choose is one that has enough give, so you don’t have to be careful when walking across it, but it isn’t so soft that footprints are left in it every time you walk across. The best flooring choices for you will vary on how much traffic your floor will see.
Mistake #2: Installing flooring on a concrete slab
What You Should Do: Install your floor over wood subfloors, not concrete. If you must install on concrete, make sure you have an engineered subfloor.
Installing a floor on the concrete is the fastest and easiest way to go, but this method will require expensive repairs down the road. In addition, if you don’t have an engineered subfloor, your flooring will flex underweight and cause damage to your foundation.
To avoid this problem, stick to installing your floor over a wood subfloor. If you have to install over concrete, get an engineered subfloor so it can support the weight.
Mistake #3: Not using a vapor barrier
What You Should Do: Use a vapor barrier when you install flooring on your concrete slab.
If you live in an area that gets hot in the summer, it’s a good idea to install a vapor barrier under your flooring. A vapor barrier will keep the moisture from your home from getting into the flooring. This will prevent mold growth and rot in your flooring.
You can install a vapor barrier under your flooring in two ways:
Option 1: Lay down wood subflooring and then place the vapor barrier over it. This will make it easier for you to cut around outlets, pipes, or other obstructions.
Option 2: Use a sheet plastic vapor barrier. This will be thicker, and you won’t be able to cut around obstructions but installing it is easier overall. You can keep it in place by using a vapor barrier tape or installing the vapor barrier behind drywall.
Avoid these common mistakes, and your floor is sure to last
A floor is a major investment, and you want it to last for as long as possible. Avoid these mistakes, and your floor will last for years. Your floor will be beautiful, and you won’t have to worry about expensive repairs or damage.
