When it comes to renovating the floors of your home, you will need to pay close attention to ensure that you do not make any mistakes, which may prove to be costly. There are common mistakes that many people make when replacing their floors, especially when they are doing the job themselves, and some of the most common ones are listed below.
Follow these tips when you are replacing your floors in your house, and you can help to turn your house into a home.
Making sure the surface of your floors is level
One of the most common problems people make when installing new wooden floors in their house is not ensuring that the floor is entirely level first. If you previously had carpet on your floors and you are swapping to wooden floors such as those high quality Melbourne timber floors, you must first make sure that they have a level surface on which to lay the floor. If the floor is not level, then you will have dips in it which could start to make noise and deteriorate over time, leaving you with an annoying floor.
Make sure the wooden floor is acclimatised
You will also want to ensure that the wooden floor is acclimatised before you install it, as the wood can warp and swell with moisture, or even shrink, creating a rising floor and squeaky floorboards. The best way to ensure that the wooden floor is acclimatised is to have the new floorboards sitting in your home for about two weeks before you install them. You will also want to ensure that the humidity levels in your home are between 30-50%.
You do not have to use new materials
Many people will browse the wooden flooring options in their local suppliers and purchase new wooden floors when installing them in their homes. However, with recycling being so in vogue and people are looking for something different, some people are turning to reclaimed timber which can have a great aesthetic feel too it. Consider visiting your local reclamation yard and see what flooring they have available. However, the disadvantage is that it may require a little more work to get the wood in excellent condition and install it. If you know how to do it and have the necessary tools, the effect it has on your home will be worth it.
Installing it themselves
There are also a lot of people that try to save money on their wooden flooring in attempting to install it themselves. It is a job that a DIY enthusiast can do well, but you will need some knowledge and the correct tools to do the job well. If you are going to try doing the job yourself, ensure that you have all the tools that you need and do plenty of research online on the subject. You can find plenty of excellent tutorial videos on platforms such as YouTube which can give you exceptional advice on installing your wooden floors.
Hiring the cheapest contractor
For those that are relying on experienced contractors to install their wooden flooring, another common mistake is choosing the cheapest option. The most affordable option is not always the best, and before you make your decision, you will want to research each contractor thoroughly. Look at their reputation online and see what previous customers think of their services, which can go a long way in helping you to choose a reputable and reliable contractor to install your new wooden floors.