WHAT ROOM WILL THE FLOORING BE INSTALLED IN?

The style, color, and type of flooring you decide on for your home or your business is largely dependent on the room it’s going in. If the flooring is in a kitchen or a bathroom, then waterproofing will be one of the main factors in flooring choice. If you’re considering bedroom flooring, you may be more concerned with flooring that is soft, warm (insulated), and cozy. Carefully consider which room and influencing factors before making decisions. This is the first place where a flooring professional can assist you and guide you in the right direction.

WHAT’S THE CLIMATE LIKE IN THE AREA WHERE YOU WILL BE INSTALLING THE FLOORING?

Climate can be a determining factor when it comes to investing in flooring. If your flooring is likely to be exposed to the elements, like rain or snow, obviously, flooring that does not have good waterproofing characteristics won’t be a good choice. Your indoor climate can influence your flooring, too. High humidity in areas like bathrooms can cause wood to warp and carpet to mold. Areas where the sun shines often can cause certain flooring to fade, plus excess heat can damage certain types of flooring. A helpful flooring professional can give you flooring tips about climate before investing in your new flooring. 

WILL THE FLOORING YOU CHOOSE FIT YOUR STYLE?

If you’re not going with an identical replacement of your flooring, you need to think about how it will affect the interior style of the room. The color of your flooring, its texture, the material, its style, and the visual lines it draws all influence how your new flooring will make the room feel. Consider, too, if the visuals of your flooring will fit in with or be altered by your furniture and wall decorations.

CAN YOU GET FLOORING SAMPLES OF THE EXACT FLOORING?

Choosing flooring is a big commitment. Materials may sometimes look good online or in the store, but when you’ve got them in your home, they don’t quite work the way you thought. Before selecting your new flooring, ask to take a flooring sample home. You’ll be better able to visualize how it will look with your overall decor and if it coordinates with your room.

EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF CARE IS NEEDED?

One of the tips before investing in new flooring that will be important down the road is knowing what exactly you will need to do to care for your flooring. You need to decide early on how much time you want to spend maintaining your floor. Hardwood floors require more intense maintenance to keep them looking beautiful; laminate flooring, on the other hand, only requires an occasional light sweeping. Ask yourself how much work is involved in the maintenance and upkeep of your new flooring.

WILL THERE BE HEAVY TRAFFIC, KIDS, OR ANIMALS IN THE AREA YOUR NEW FLOORING IS GOING?

If your new flooring is going to be installed in an area where there could be a lot of wear and tear, heavy traffic, spills, or pet messes, you will want to inform your flooring professional right away so they can help lead you to types of flooring that hold up well under those circumstances. If this is the case, you will want to investigate flooring options that are durable, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant. Flooring styles like tile and laminate are great pet-friendly choices, among others.

DO FAMILY MEMBER OR EMPLOYEES HAVE ALLERGIES?

If you have family members or employees with allergies, and they will spend a fair amount of time in the area where your new flooring is going, you may want to forget carpet and consider hardwood, ceramic tiles, or LVP floors instead. These floors trap less dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, and what is there is easily swept away. Carpet has the potential to hide allergens in its fibers, so you may be doing a lot more vacuuming if that is the case.

WHO WILL BE INSTALLING YOUR NEW FLOORING?

Determine if you want to or if you’re able to install your new flooring yourself. If not, you'll need the help of a professional. Many types of laminate and vinyl planks are simple to install yourself directly on top of another type of flooring. Flooring like ceramic tile and hardwood is going to require a lot of know-how to make sure it’s installed properly. Be honest with yourself about your technical abilities and know when it’s time to call in the pros. Again, ask your flooring professional and get their thoughts and any flooring tips they might be willing to offer.

HAVE YOU DEVELOPED A BUDGET?

Installing new flooring can incur extra costs, such as the need for new baseboards or a new subfloor. If you decide to go with hardwood flooring and need a professional installation, make sure to factor in the additional expense. You’ll also need to consider the cost of delivering your flooring, the cost of removal of your old flooring, and any specialty items specific to your new floor, such as stains and adhesives. These are all factors that you want to take into consideration when setting a budget for your new flooring.