Flooring mistakes that you should avoid guide, Interior design home floor tips
Flooring Mistakes That You Should Avoid
14 September 2022
The flooring in your home is more challenging to repair if something goes wrong than other home furnishings. Many things can go wrong with your flooring after it has been installed, such as warping, scratches, dents, and stains, but some of the worst mistakes can be committed before installation.
Failure to Order Sufficient Flooring
Improper room measurements can leave you short or overstocked on flooring products. The length and width of the room may be measured using a measuring tape, and the square footage can be calculated by multiplying those numbers. If you’re still unsure, you can enlist a flooring contractor or look into interior design tools to perform the heavy lifting for you.
Not Allowing the Wood to Acclimatize
Unlike other types of flooring, wood expands and contracts with the changes in indoor temperature. You should let the flooring adapt to the room temperature and humidity before installing it to prevent warping and gaps. Wooden floors can expand and cause warping, so it’s crucial to leave a gap around the edge that can be covered by baseboard when the floor is installed. This ranges from 3/8 to 5/8 inches and is ideal for solid wood floors but can be slightly less for engineered wood because of its greater tolerance for expansion.
Neglecting the Room’s Intended Use
When installing flooring, it’s essential to think about how often the rooms will be used and how long the flooring will need to last. For instance, the kitchen sees heavy foot traffic, and needs to withstand cooking accidents and stains. We do not recommend installing glass tiles or mosaics in this space. The material used in a bathroom should be able to withstand water, while the material used in a hallway must be solid and resilient.
Missing the Mark With Tiles
The way a tile looks or feels due to various surface impacts might influence its use. The smooth and shiny surface of the polished ones with gradually more delicate pads makes them ideal for use in a formal or traditional setting. It is common practice to polish marble. A middle ground between polished and honed is achieved with satin finishes, which are similar, but less shiny. Honed tiles provide a non-slip matte finish that is perfect for high-traffic areas. Finally, a brushed surface is typically found in stone flooring and has an orange peel appearance; it is durable and a suitable choice for high-traffic areas.
No Sealer Used On Natural Stone Tiles
Stone tiles are porous, meaning they will absorb liquids, particles of food, and other contaminants over time. Lack of sealing can expose the surface to damage, weaken the stone, and encourage the spread of bacteria, especially in high-traffic areas.
A home with consistently installed and seamless flooring is just as attractive and sophisticated as one with more traditional flooring. Having the same flooring throughout a small home creates the illusion of more space and allows for unobstructed views from one room to the next. If you insist on using a variety of flooring in a few specific rooms, you must be careful to select appropriate materials and finishes. If you’re redoing your floors, make sure to get non-slip tiles for the bathroom, and long-lasting tiles for the kitchen.
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