FLOORING RENOVATION

Flooring replacing in your home's is one of the most popular renovations, and it's an option that makes a massive difference in how the home looks.

TILES

Ceramic floor tiles come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. You will want to pick out size and color and design the floor in the room before you purchase any tile. Choose a color that will complement the room and will be somewhat neutral shades of browns, beiges, and whites, along with light shades of color and corrugated color. There even are tiles that look like wood planks in a few different colors.

Put small tiles in a small room to make the room appear larger. Use large tiles or wood plank tiles in large rooms to give a more homey feel.

GROUTING

Floor tile grout comes in many colors. Gone are the days of only white grout. Choosing a darker color grout shows less dirt and stains.

SUBSTRATE

Make sure the floor structure is in good condition and free of any damage or rot, even if you are going to cover it. Covering over a problem is never a good idea; fix the problem first. If you will be installing over a concrete slab, do a moisture test first.

If the substrate is plywood, you will need to install a cement backer-board or Kerdi Schluter membrane.

HARDWOOD FLOORING

The elegant look of hardwood floors creates warmth and charm in any room. For centuries people have used wood floors as a way to make their home look richer and more comfortable.

With continued advancements in finishing technologies, today's manufacturers of hardwood floors are able to produce tougher finishes and more stable products. This means quality engineered hardwood floors can go in almost any room in the home and over a wide variety of sub-floors, including dry, fully cured concrete slabs.

Hardwood flooring comes in a wide variety of wood groups. The most commonly used in North America are oak, maple, and ash. However many companies now offer a variety of exotic hardwood species from all over the world.

HARDWOOD INSTALLATION

• Let hardwood acclimate in the room you're installing it in for five days prior to installation. The recommended temperature of the room should be 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and recommended humidity levels should be 30 to 55 percent
• It's important to understand the three basic types of installation: nail-down, glue-down and click-lock
• Make sure you've got the right amount of flooring for your space. Most manufacturers recommend a standard cutting/ordering allowance of 5 percent, and a culling allowance up to an additional 10 percent if installed on a diagonal surface. Hardwood is sold in full case quantities, so round up when ordering
• Install on or above grade
• Most 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring can be installed using nails or staples over a wood subfloor. Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples, full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor
• Make sure you have a sturdy subfloor: 3/4-inch CDX plywood is preferred and 3/4-inch OSB is acceptable. Minimum 5/8-inch CDX existing wood floor or tongue and groove flooring is also acceptable
• When possible, begin installing from the straightest, longest wall and install the flooring perpendicular to the floor joists