Replacing the flooring in your home is easy: Pick something you like, compare prices, and hire someone to install it. But once you start looking at flooring, you quickly discover there’s a lot more to consider than color and price.
From the quality of the material to what’s underneath it, installation can have as much impact on the finished product as the flooring you choose. Rosie Certified company East Valley Floors and owner Von Payne has been in the business for 42 years – and Von says that the first thing homeowners should look at is what they’re actually getting for their money.
What’s underneath matters
Luxury vinyl has become a popular flooring choice, and for good reason. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and comes in styles that mimic wood and other materials. But “luxury vinyl” doesn’t automatically mean every product will perform the same way. Thickness is one specification homeowners should watch.
“Luxury vinyl is durable if it’s thick enough – we don’t sell anything less than a six-millimeter thickness and 20 mil wear layer.”
If you’re not familiar with flooring terminology, those numbers may not mean much. But those independent measurements indicate how that product is constructed and how it may hold up to everyday use.
“I saw a guy buy a 2-mil thickness and another buy a 4-mil thickness – both of them were falling apart within a year,” Von says.
Thinner vinyl automatically has a thinner locking system, which can naturally make the joints between planks more vulnerable to pressure from everyday foot traffic or furniture. Look for a label that says “patented locking system,” which is easy to spot on the box.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that homeowners need to buy the most expensive flooring available. Instead, Von recommends reviewing the material’s specifications, warranty, and manufacturer before deciding.
The same goes for the contractor doing the installation. Start with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors to research a company’s licensing history and longevity.
Step one: Prep
Once you’ve chosen your flooring, you still need to get it installed correctly. That’s something homeowners may not see, but it’s one of the most important parts of the job: preparation.
“Floor prep – leveling the subfloor – is absolutely critical,” Von says.
An uneven subfloor will create problems for the finished flooring, which is why Von’s crews use diamond grinders with a HEPA Vacuum to address high spots before installation.
He says adding patching material isn’t always the best solution. The layout and finishing trim pieces also deserve some attention. Before installation begins, crews need to consider transitions around cabinets, doors, bathtubs, and other areas.
Molding should be ordered in advance to transition from the floor material to a cabinet, door, bathtub, etc. Because that’s critical – that’s the finishing touch.
Those touches can be easy to overlook when you’re focused on selecting the actual flooring. But moldings can make the difference between a project that looks professionally finished and one that feels patched together.
Demo and install
Removing old carpet, tile, or other flooring can be messy, especially if the underlying surface needs scraping or grinding before you can install the new floor. Von says his crews use a dustless flooring removal system and HEPA-filtered vacuums to minimize the mess.
Most demolition work is completed in a day, though overall project time depends on the job’s size and scope.
It’s also worth asking whether the project includes baseboards. New flooring can change the height or appearance of the transition between the floor and wall, and Von says people should budget for new baseboards – and paint – when appropriate.
Ultimately, owners should consider the material and the installation together rather than treating them as two separate purchases.
“Spend a little more: material and installation. An established company will be prepared, have the right tools for the job – a quality installer is critical.”
Those considering new flooring should follow Von’s advice: Don’t just ask, “How much does the floor cost?” Ask what you’re getting, what’s involved in preparing the space, who’s installing it, what’s the “out the door” price, what is the warranty, and what happens if something goes wrong.
*Insider tip: Choose a flooring contractor that works alongside the manufacturer if there are issues.”
A Word of Caution: A low price doesn’t mean the best deal.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that big-box stores automatically offer the best prices and installers.
“What’s the number one thing people should know? The belief that big boxes have the very best prices and installers is an absolute fallacy,” Von says. “They have competitive prices on mid-grade and lower quality products– especially for DIY clients.”
Installation crews are often subcontracted, meaning the company doing the install may be separate from the retailer. Von says that might occasionally result in additional charges for things such as removing existing flooring or preparing the project.
They also look for opportunities to charge extra for floor prep and removing previous flooring, things that are ‘outside their scope.’ That’s why it’s important to ask what is and isn’t included in an estimate before work begins.
A quote that looks inexpensive at first can change once you add demolition, floor preparation, trim, and other finishing work.
Von also recommends resisting the temptation to buy flooring online simply because it’s cheaper.
“Ninety-nine percent of the suppliers nationwide will run from a product not purchased from their store,” he says.
You may also wonder where the product actually came from and whether it is the same product advertised. Knowing the source of the flooring and having a reputable company behind it is an important part of the purchase.
New flooring provides an upgrade that is visually and physically appealing. Homeowners benefit by doing their homework when choosing the correct flooring for their home. A reputable flooring contractor can guide you by providing education to help in choosing the best flooring for your lifestyle and a quality install.
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CONTENT PARTNER | EAST VALLEY FLOORS
East Valley Floors has served the Valley of the Sun since 1984. Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe and Queen Creek Arizona. East Valley Floors specializes in waterproof flooring installation, carpet installation, tile & stone installation, granite installation, decorative tile installation, wood & laminate installation, bathrooms, fireplaces, exterior tile and much more.
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