Redoing your home flooring on your own isn’t as difficult as you might think. But, if this is your first attempt, you should be aware of some common pitfalls that may end up costing you money in the long run.

At American Floor Care, our Ohio flooring experts are sharing this quick cheat sheet to get you started off right.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is ideal if you like the look of hardwood, but you’d prefer a more affordable and lower-maintenance option. It’s essentially a high-resolution photograph of wood with a plastic overlay, making it durable and very resistant to scratches. It’s also more resistant to moisture when compared to hardwood flooring.

Where you should install it

Laminate flooring is very versatile, and it can be installed in virtually any room with a dry subfloor. It’s a great option for high-traffic areas, such as living rooms, hallways, and common living spaces. Laminate flooring typically has a protective topcoat, which means it doesn’t fade quickly, even when installed in rooms that receive plenty of sunlight.

Although laminate flooring is durable, it shouldn’t be installed in areas that are often wet, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

DIY tips:

• The “floating floor” method is the easiest way to install laminate flooring.
  
  
• It can be difficult to repair laminate flooring yourself. You may be able to replace the individual boards, but for best results, you should contact your favorite Ohio flooring company.

Hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring is unmatched in terms of visual appeal, and it adds a high-end look to any room. While it’s more vulnerable to wear and tear, this can add a unique “lived-in” aesthetic to your room over time. Hardwood flooring has a higher price tag than laminate flooring, but it can also add value to your home.

Where you should install it

Since hardwood flooring is vulnerable to water damage and scratching, you shouldn’t install it in high-traffic areas or rooms that are often wet. It should also be installed over a dry wood subfloor. Ideal locations for hardwood flooring include bedrooms, offices, and dining rooms.

DIY tips:

• Engineered wood flooring is the easiest type to install, because it’s pre-finished.
  
  
• Solid wood flooring has an advantage when it comes to repairs, because it can be sanded and finished many times over the years.

Tile flooring

Tile flooring excels in areas where laminate and hardwood flooring fall behind. It’s typically made of ceramic, which is very durable and difficult to crack. Tile flooring is also very easy to clean and maintain, and it is resilient in wet conditions. Like hardwood flooring, it can add long-term value to your home.

Where you should install it

Tile flooring’s durability and resistance to water make it a great option for bathrooms and kitchens.

DIY tips:

• Something to keep in mind is that tile flooring is quite heavy, so it can’t always be installed on upper floors. If you want to install tile flooring on the upper level of your home, it’s best to consult a professional for help.
  
  
• Be sure to seal and waterproof any wet areas, such as bathrooms, before tiling them.
  
  
• Consider saving your extra tiles for future repairs.

Speak with a flooring expert in Brookfield, OH

At American Floor Care, we offer a full range of flooring services in Ohio, including installation, repairs, refinishing, waxing, and more. Whether you’re struggling with a DIY project, or your floor needs repairs, we’d be happy to help.

Contact us today to learn more.