Having new hardwood floors installed in your home can be an exciting but intensive process. If this is your first time having hardwood floors installed you are probably even more nervous about the experience. In this situation, the best course of action you can take is to call upon the expertise of an experienced contractor.
Not only is it best if you get an experienced contractor to install your hardwood floors, but these contractors can also provide valuable advice before the installation even begins. This advice might include tips on what type of floor you should install in your home, an estimate of how long the installation will take, or tidbits of other helpful information that will assist you as you move through the hardwood installation process.
If you are looking to have hardwood floors installed in your home, you should keep reading below to learn more about the specific advice an experienced contractor will provide on a hardwood floor installation.
The Perfect Type of Flooring For Your Home
Experienced contractors who have completed a series of hardwood floor installations have likely seen it all. They know of all of the different hardwood flooring materials and are also probably aware of the latest hardwood floor trends. Capitalizing on this knowledge, an experienced contractor will be able to take a look at your home and provide several options for what type of hardwood flooring will work best. An experienced contractor will also be able to match the elements you desire out of your hardwood floors with a material that best suits this profile. For example, one experienced contractor recommends that “if you want a really hard flooring material you should go with hickory floors, whereas if you want something more sustainable you should opt for bamboo floors.”
How Long Will the Installation Take?
All experienced contractors will let you know that every hardwood floor installation is different, and the timeline for a specific hardwood flooring install depends on several factors. According to several experienced contractors, the factors that best determine the length and intensity of an installation are the type of flooring and your house’s floor plan. Just like how installing vinyl shake siding can depend on the materials and size of the home. One contractor recommends that you “remove the furniture from the rooms you are having hardwood floors installed in yourself.” The contractor continued by stating, “while the contractor will most likely remove the furniture for you it will only end up costing you more if they charge you for labor by the hour.”
Let’s Talk About Flooring Warranties
The next piece of advice from an experienced contractor is “always install flooring that has a warranty.” A warranty will protect you in the event that there is something wrong with your floor or it develops unnatural damage. Even the best engineered hardwood floor manufacturers occasionally produce products that are less than perfect. If you do happen to have one of these products installed and don’t have a warranty, you could be taking on that cost yourself!
The Right Care Regimen For Your Floors
Lastly, experienced hardwood flooring contractors recommend you develop and keep up with a solid care regimen for your hardwood floors. This care will prevent your floors from aging prematurely. According to a few contractors, the perfect care regimen depends on the type of flooring you have installed. However, a little research can provide you with all the information you need. After all, the care regimen for bamboo floors is going to be different than the proper care regimen for rustic engineered wood flooring.
Hardwood Flooring Transformation
High-quality hardwood flooring can transform any room in any house. However, if your installation is not completed correctly it may end up costing you so much more in the long run. Calling upon the expertise of an experienced contractor before and during your hardwood installation is the best way to ensure you receive key advice throughout all stages of the process.
Greg Harris is a freelance writer that loves expressing his comprehension and expertise on home renovation projects and materials. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Greg’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource.