Flooring is one of the biggest investments you can make in your Houston home. That’s why you should strive to protect your investment. Flooring affects the overall look and functionality of the space. Because of this, making common mistakes can lead to expensive repairs, frustration and a home that doesn’t align with your needs.
Today, we will learn these mistakes, you can avoid them and enjoy your flooring for years to come. Here’s what you need to know!
Mistake #1: Choosing Flooring Based on Price Alone
Sure, choosing the cheapest flooring material can save you some cash upfront. With that said, it won’t get you too far.The lack of durability and inability to match your home’s style will cause trouble down the line.
How do you avoid this mistake? Follow our advice:
- Balance Price and Quality: Opt for flooring materials that will offer value over time. In other words, look for flooring that suits your needs and lifestyle.
- Choose Practicality over Upfront Costs: Don’t let a higher upfront cost scare you away. A durable flooring material with a great design pays off over time.
What does all of this mean? Let us give you an example. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is quite sturdy and resists water damage. Despite its higher upfront costs compared to its laminate counterpart, it provides long-term value. Let’s discuss choosing the right flooring for your lifestyle next.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Lifestyle Needs
Have little feet or paws running around? You need to take this into account when shopping around for flooring. By choosing the wrong flooring, you can experience premature wear and tear, maintenance problems and overall discomfort.
What can you do to avoid this problem? Check out our tips:
- Think About Your Daily Routine: This will vary for everyone. What are you using your floors for? Think about if it will be exposed to water or heavy foot traffic.
- Remember Weather: Let’s face it—Houston can get pretty hot. Consider using flooring that won’t be as affected by sudden weather changes like tile or engineered hardwood.
What flooring types will work in this scenario? Well, LVP or laminate flooring are fairly universal since they are durable and easy to maintain,l which is ideal for a family home. We will learn about installation requirements next.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Installation Requirements
Improper installation can cause a number of problems. Uneven surfaces, gaps and damage to the flooring material can get pricey over time. That’s why it’s important to research installation requirements before purchasing your flooring materials.
How can you avoid this issue? Learn more below:
- Be Careful with DIY Projects: In most cases, DIY installation is not the best choice. However, if you go this route, choose easy-to-install options like peel-and-stick vinyl.
- Choose Professional Installers: Tile and hardwood flooring require professional help. Installing these floors incorrectly isn’t worth the risk.
How will your new floors be installed? If you can’t answer that question, you shouldn’t be installing them yourself. For example, a professional installer will ensure a tile floor is properly aligned with clean grout lines. We will dive into maintenance requirements next.
Mistake #4: Skipping Maintenance Considerations
Every floor is different and so are their maintenance requirements. If you don’t look into maintenance requirements before purchasing your materials, you might take on more than you can handle.
How do you avoid the problem? Look into our tips:
- Know Your Low Maintenance Options: If you don’t have time to care of your floors all the time, choose low maintenance materials like LVP, tile, or engineered hardwood.
- Establish a Maintenance Routine: Solid hardwood floors are beautiful, but for this material and other options, you need to commit to regular cleaning and refinishing.
Maintaining your floors is important, but you have to compare your options. For example, LVP is easy to maintain, but quite durable. In contrast, hardwood floors are beautiful, but require periodic refinishing to stay this way. We will talk about subfloor conditions next.
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Account for Subfloor Conditions
The subfloor is the foundation for any Houston floor. If yours is uneven or damaged, you can experience issues like shifting, warping, or creaky floors. These are some of the reasons to inspect your subfloor carefully before starting any flooring installation, ensuring a smooth and long-lasting result.
How can you be sure your subfloor is in top shape? Do the following:
- Check the Subfloor: Before installation day rolls around, check if your subfloor is level, dry and stable. If it is, you can proceed with the installation.
- What to Do if There’s Damage: If you notice moisture or other forms of damage like dents, the subfloor needs repairs. Call some professionals to complete the repairs.
The condition of your subfloor is an essential part of your next project. For example, when installing tile, the subfloor should be free of moisture and level to prevent problems down the line. Let’s move on to discussing flooring trends.
Mistake #6: Following Trends Too Closely
When you’re visiting a showroom, you might hear, “This is the next big thing.” Don’t fall for it! Flooring trends come and go all the time. By choosing what’s popular now, you risk dating your home or decreasing its resale value.
What can you do instead of following trends? Let’s find out:
- Choose Timeless Flooring: No matter how often trends change, some floors never go out of style. Stick to the classics to adapt to changing trends.
- Incorporate Trends in Smaller Ways: You don’t have to avoid trends at all costs. However, if you want to use them, incorporate them with replaceable elements like rugs.
Following trends can be risky. For example, some herringbone patterns are stylish, but classic or gray-toned hardwood will never go out of style. Long-term appeal is important. We will dive into choosing flooring for each room next.
Mistake #7: Not Planning for Room-Specific Needs
Certain flooring materials don’t work in every room. If you choose the wrong flooring material for a certain room, it can result in wear, water damage and aesthetic issues. That’s why you have to take each room’s function and environmental factors into account.
How can you be more careful? Follow our tips:
- Choose Water-Resistant Materials as Necessary: Moisture-prone areas like bathrooms require water-resistant options such as tile and vinyl flooring.
- Durable Materials for High-Traffic Areas: Rooms that get a decent amount of foot traffic need durable flooring options like hardwood and LVP.
Some flooring materials work better for certain rooms. For example, tile resists water damage, making it perfect for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. In contrast, carpet flooring is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms where comfort matters.
Choose the Right Flooring Today!
By understanding your needs, you can avoid these flooring mistakes and choose the right option for your space. Price, durability, maintenance and installation requirements all matter. At Floor Inspirations, we get that. When you visit our showroom, your needs come first and will work with you to find the perfect floor for your Houston home.
Ready to avoid flooring mistakes? Contact us today to get started!
