
The prospect of getting new flooring installed can seem daunting, especially if you’re not sure of what to expect from the process. Installing a new floor involves a lot more than just the actual installation part.
We’ve divided the steps into three project phases: Plan, Prepare, and Complete.
The Planning Phase
This phase starts with you and your vision for what you want your new floors to look like. Looking at inspiration photos and starting to narrow down your favorite types of flooring happens before the professionals, like us, get involved.
We come in when you’re ready to get started with a cost assessment and timeline estimate. A large part of the planning process is getting accurate measurements for your spaces where you will be replacing your flooring. Knowing your square footage is important, but measurements for a flooring installation figure in additional details – like bay windows or unique angles – that will impact the amount of materials needed.
Ordering materials is the last part of planning. How long the lead time is on getting your materials in hand depends on those choices. Once the delivery time is scheduled, we can plan for demolition and installation. We’re not going to sugarcoat it, installing new floors can get messy. If possible, we would recommend your family have a place to stay outside of the house during installation. It can make it easier for all parties. But, for experts like our team here at Flohr, we can work around your needs and be sure to install quickly and efficiently if you are still in home. If you do plan to stay elsewhere, it’s a good idea to book your stay during the planning phase.
The Preparation Phase
In preparation for your installation, there are some things you will need to take care of to ensure a smooth installation. You’ll need to box up small items and move large furniture to another room or out of the house entirely – PODS or similar options are great for those who are already living in your home. If your new flooring needs to acclimate, we’ll plan a staging area for the materials to sit for the time the manufacturer recommends. This isn’t something we have to do for all materials, but it’s important for hardwood flooring especially.
Removing your existing flooring is the next step. Some flooring takes longer to remove than others, but this process usually takes a few days. We will inspect the subflooring as we go and let you know if there are any unforeseen repairs that will need to be made. We will then prepare your subfloor for whatever type of flooring it will be supporting. Each material has some different requirements, but in general this is just making sure it is clean, dry, and level.
The Completion Phase
The home stretch – this part is where we get to see it all come together. The first step is different depending on the specific materials we’re working with. Some floors need an extra layer between them and the subfloor either as cushion, sound insulation, or a moisture barrier. Tile installations start with adhesive in sections so that tiles can be cut, placed, and spaced correctly. No matter what type of flooring you choose there will be cutting and piecing to make sure all the details look sharp. Grout, and then sealants are added last. Then it’s just the final clean-up before you can come home to brand new flooring!
Whether you’re ready to get started or have questions about the process, reach out to our team of experts today. We’re on hand and ready to be of service.