Establishing the right floor for your home isn't easy. You need to think about
traffic flow, maintenance, durability and how the particular flooring will make
the room look and feel. At Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo
we can outline the key factors to consider when buying a floor and then help you
look at varying floor types that match your needs.
PRICE
When you are choosing any type of flooring, price is
always a consideration. The trick’s to not settle for inexpensive flooring when
you can improve quality at a great price, which will last longer, look better
and add more value to your home.
It’s worth setting a price range first and looking at what’s available
in that price bracket.
TRAFFIC
FLOW
The amount of traffic to an area should influence the
flooring you choose. People tend to go for carpet in bedrooms and some living
areas, as the traffic flow is low. For high traffic areas such as stairs and
hallways you will need a hardwearing surface that is easy to clean.
Maintenance
and durability
When
making your flooring choice you must consider cleaning instructions, long-term
maintenance and life-span. What seems like a cheap option now may not be the
case if you have to replace it in a couple of years. Think about
characteristics of the particular area and how they'll affect the floor such as
direct sunlight, water spills, furniture scrapes, termites and dirt from
outside.
Comfort versus function
Comfort
of flooring can refer to how it feels underfoot, its insulation properties and
whether it carries sound. Polished concrete, for example, is extremely hard and
may not be suitable for young families. The importance of comfort is dependent
on the area of the house. For instance, comfort in the bedroom ranks more
highly than function, whereas functionality in the laundry is more important.
Appearance
Appearance
is often the most important aspect determining floor choice. Many designers
suggest deciding on flooring before anything else in the home, even the
paintwork. Different textures, patterns, colors and tones all create a certain
effect.
Environmental considerations
What is
your floor made from? Is this a renewable resource? If you are going with
timber floors, ask the supplier if it's from a responsible resource. Some
companies may use recycled materials. You should also consider the energy efficiency
of the product for example; carpet has good insulation properties, which will
save you in heating and cooling bills.
Installation
If you
are building a new house, installation of your new floor won't be an issue.
However, if you are replacing an existing floor you must research the
installation process because some floors are easier to install than others.
Timber floorboards for example, will take much more work to install than a
laminate floating floor.
Once you have thought of the points mentioned above, try doing
these tips from the World Floor Covering
Association:
1.
Identify the type of flooring you want to replace and why. Establish the need, is it really
necessary to do it and do it now?
2.
Identify the subfloor you’ll be working with and if it needs
special preparation or treatment before the new flooring is installed.
3.
Get an approximate measurement of the area you want to cover,
this way you immediately have an idea how many – the quantity of the materials
and how much it’ll probably cost you.
4.
Keep in mind that the final costs will be affected by some
factors like the quality of the material, its quantity, the pattern you wish to
create and of course, waste allowance.
5.
Have the flooring retailer in your home prior to purchase and
installation so they can examine a flooring product’s compatibility with the
rooms and take the exact measurement to give you an exact quote.
6.
Also take note of the sources of light as light plays a
significant role in flooring visuals or appearance.
7.
In terms of longevity, determine traffic pattern – where it is
the heaviest and lightest. Knowing
the concentration will help you pick the appropriate material.
8.
Identify adjoining surfaces for both aesthetics and
functionality
Buying floors doesn’t have to be a mystery. Cinderella Carpet One can help! Contact us in San Luis Obispo or Salinas
for your FREE In-Home Consultation
and estimate.
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