Choose the Right Floor

Your purchase won’t be limited to just floorboards – you will also need complementary accessories to make the room work as a whole, including molding to join with the walls and stair nosings. Are these things available in the same stain, gloss and species as your floor?

Flooring Accessories are often treated as something of an afterthought by both the homeowner and the installer, which is unfortunate because as with many home improvement undertakings, it’s the finishing details that really make for a superior job. Well-chosen and correctly-installed flooring accessories don’t just finish the job; they marry the new wood floor seamlessly to the rest of the interior décor.

Flooring Accessories come in many different shapes and sizes. Cove base, quarter round and base shoe are all types of trim for covering the gap between the floor and the wall. T-caps neatly bridge the gap between the wood floor and another flooring material of the same height, while reducers step between floor types of different heights. Stair nosings finish the front of stairs.

Within each category, there are countless variations of profile and dimension to fit various different flooring styles. Whatever their specifications, accessories serve several important functions;

• they hide the expansion space required for the wood flooring
• they help to hold the flooring secure to the subfloor
• transitions and reducers help smooth a change in elevation between the hardwood and the adjacent flooring
• they create a clean and visually pleasing transition between two different flooring types or between the flooring and the wall.

Tip: To achieve a really smooth-looking transition, find a board of flooring that is a close match in color and grain to the transition piece and install that board on the edge where the transition will be placed.

A quality hardwood floor can easily last over a century. Since buying this type of floor represents a significant investment, it’s smart to trust a professional with the installation work. This will make the most of the money you’re investing.

Along the length of the room, the width of the room, diagonal or patterned? Aesthetics and personal taste will direct you toward your choice of board direction. When the boards are being installed on a wood subfloor, it’s recommended to position them perpendicular to the joists. Similarly, you should pay attention to optical illusions – it’s better, for instance, to avoid placing boards widthwise in a long, narrow room. Those looking for a different style can plan a diagonal placement or the traditional, but still distinctive, open-ended herringbone design.

Although very durable, wood does react to its environment – especially humidity. It’s recommended that you keep humidity levels at around 45% to prevent unfavorable conditions for the floor and make your house more comfortable in general.

Hardwood floors are more durable and stable than ever. But water, soap and sand are still a constant threat. You must absolutely avoid washing your hardwood floor with an excess of water, excessively wet mops, and commercial soaps. Regular vacuuming, a damp cloth and manufacturer-recommended products are all you need to keep your floor looking great.

Sample size plays a pivotal role in the final decision-making. Be sure to get large enough samples. A sample that is too small won’t give you a good idea of how the floor is going to look once it’s installed across a whole room. Ensure that the floor’s grade, color variations, species and wood grain are visible in the sample.

Renovation or new construction?

If your hardwood purchase is for a home renovation, you must first determine which existing structural and decorative elements will remain in your home after the floor installation. Choose a floor that will complement these elements and work as part of the whole look. If your hardwood purchase is for a new house, the decor and style you are looking for will guide your choice of flooring.

What type of home is it for?

The type of residence will significantly influence the flooring type and installation method you need. In a single-family home, the subfloor will dictate the type of floor you can install. In a condominium, your condo owner’s agreement usually has rules egarding soundproofing which have to be considered. In a basement, an engineered floor will be your preferred option.

Which rooms need flooring?

A sketch of the house and the areas to be covered will be a huge help to the retailer. It should include dimensions, as well as bstacles and permanent features like stairways, closets, etc.

How many people live in the residence?

Big families mean lots of feet in the house, which means it’s best to choose flooring that can stand up to a lot of wear. Similarly, matte or satin finishes forgive many more of the accidental scratches that come with small children and pets.

Who should I trust to install my floor?

Given the importance of your investment in your hardwood floor and the long-term stakes surrounding its installation, it’s recommended that you seek out the services of installation specialists. They guarantee their work with no risk of invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty.

Are you wondering what is the difference between a $1.99 laminate and a $3.39 laminate if they appear the same?

Ask your salesperson these questions.

What is the density of the core board?

A true High Density Fibreboard should have a density of at least 800kg/m3. Less than this is a medium density fibreboard and will not perform as well structurally overtime. Warping and cupping become real possibilities. Steps Uniclic has a core density of 800kg/m3.

What is the swell rate?

The swell rate is determined by the manufacturer submerging the material in water for 24 hours and measuring how much it has swollen. The European Producers of Laminate Flooring allow only an 18% swell rate while North American manufacturers may allow up to 50%! Steps Uniclic allows only less than 8% on all its 8 and 9.5 mm flooring. Swell rates determine how well a laminate floor will cope with humidity fluctuations and water spills. Remember, there is no such thing as a waterproof floor.

What is the pattern repeat?

Laminate floors are meant to mimic the real thing, wood or tile. A pattern repeat refers to how many different visuals can be expected in the floor. The more visuals, the more realistic it looks. The industry average on laminate floors is 1 in 4 pattern repeat.

Steps Uniclic starts at 1 in 10 pattern repeat and goes as high as 1 in 34! Do you want your laminate floor to look like a $1.99 laminate, or a real wood floor?

What is the joining system?

It is now common to have a glueless joint on a laminate floor, but not all systems are created equally. The UNICLIC system used by TORLYS Steps Uniclic is the original glueless joint that is defended by world wide patents, because, it simply works better. It will not let go with over 1000 lbs of force on the joint, yet is warranted for removal and re-installation 3 times. It can be installed with 3 different methods, making it very versatile for either the professional or the ‘do-it-your-selfer.’ If it does not say UNICLIC on the box, it is not UNICLIC in the box.

These are just some of the very important items that make up the price differences between a cheap imitation and a quality product that you can feel safe investing in. Don’t be fooled, it has nothing to do with buying power, it has to do with the professional floorcovering dealers who will not sell substandard flooring vs. those who don’t know any better. Ask these questions and find out who really knows flooring and whom you should trust with your investment.