Every year, Americans spend a humongous $300 billion on home renovation.
A good chunk of that goes into flooring – and with good reason. More than all other parts of a home reno, we need the flooring to hold up. It needs to be there for us through all the thrills and spills of life – and still look like a million dollars at the end.
It’s important to get it right. So read on for our guide to planning your floor renovation.
Think About Your Subfloor
Ever bounced your way across a buddy’s DIY flooring reno?
Chances are it’s because they didn’t take care of the subfloor. This isn’t just important for unforgiving surfaces like tile. Whatever flooring you choose, the end result will only be as good as what lies beneath. If you go for hardwood, don’t assume that ripping up what’s there and laying new hardwood will be good enough.
But, what is a subfloor? The term subfloor actually takes in three distinct parts – joists, subfloor, and underlayment. All this needs to be solid and level before your floor is ready for the final finish.
If you’re laying a hardwood check your joists are in good condition, with no warping or sagging. Your best choice is a fire-retardant plywood subfloor. Tongue-and-groove plywood locks together for a snug fit. That helps to keep the floor strong and steady, rather than spongy and bouncy.
Consider the Final Look
Have a clear theme in mind when deciding your flooring. Are you going for a vintage or classic feel? Or are you adventuring into something contemporary like a geometric, Moroccan style tile?
For most styles and ages of homes in the US, hardwood flooring is a timeless choice. There’s a huge range of wood floors available on the market that you can see on sites like reallycheapfloors.com.
Who Will Use It and How?
Thinking realistically about how you and your family will use the floor will help you make the right choice for your floor renovation.
Picture your daily activities. If you’re a couple, that might mean relatively light use, walking around barefoot or in houseshoes. If you’ve got kids, it might take a little more hammer.
You need to make a choice that you are confident will not easily mark, scratch, or get chipped. Also, especially with kids or pets, it’s good to choose something low maintenance and easy to clean. And there’s no need to sacrifice style for practicality, with the latest flooring trends giving you the best of both worlds.
The Last Word: Getting Your Floor Renovation Right
Get your floor renovation right and you can add serious resale value and stamp your style on your home. With good planning, you don’t need to break the bank to get the look you want.
If you enjoyed this article, we have plenty more coming for ya! Check out our great DIY tutorials and top tips on home decor and repair.
