Whether you\u2019re a person who loves doing things yourself or someone who wants to save money on the floor of your dreams, there are several things to consider before you answer the question, \u201cTo DIY or not to DIY?\u201d<\/p>\n
Some common mistakes we\u2019ve seen DIY endeavors encounter include:<\/p>\n
Choosing the wrong type of floor<\/strong><\/p>\n Hardwood floors are beautiful but may not be the best choice for rooms with a lot of moisture like bathrooms.\u00a0 They are slippery when wet and wood expands and condenses with moisture changes.\u00a0 Sometimes cork flooring is used because it\u2019s more comfortable to walk on than ceramic tile and it has a soundproofing quality, but its softness can lead to damage if you have large dogs in the house.<\/p>\n Not Preparing the Sub-Floor<\/strong><\/p>\n The flooring you install is only as good as the subfloor under it.\u00a0 Proper preparation is required for your new floor to last and look good.\u00a0 It should be clean, flat, and dry, as well as the right type of subfloor for your flooring selection.\u00a0 Removing blobs of drywall and making sure the subfloor is a suitable material to support your new floor is essential.<\/p>\n Poor Layout Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n Making sure the flooring will flow smoothly from one room to the next is necessary.\u00a0 For example, starting to lay flooring in the incorrect direction in a room creates a problem when you must change directions to install it in a hallway.<\/p>\n Not having the right tools<\/strong><\/p>\n Having all the tools and materials you need before beginning your project is critical.\u00a0 Different types of flooring require different installation steps and unique tools.\u00a0 For example, hardwood floors require a different saw than ceramic tile.\u00a0 Adhesives, surface preparation and clean up are different as well. Taking time to research what you need and speaking to a qualified professional will help prevent frustration and delays.<\/p>\n Using Cheaper Materials<\/strong><\/p>\n Flooring is a key investment in your home.\u00a0 It\u2019s an item intended to look great and serve you well for years.\u00a0 It\u2019s necessary to understand the construction and quality of the materials you choose, especially if working in moisture prone or high traffic areas.\u00a0\u00a0 Cheaper products can be prone to scratches and stains. The old saying, \u201cYou get what you pay for,\u201d is very often true.<\/p>\n Being short on Materials<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s more to purchasing materials than just measuring the square footage of the floor.\u00a0 Depending on how the floor is installed and the amount of waste when cutting makes it necessary to have the extra materials required to complete the job correctly.\u00a0 Ordering more later can result in unintended color variations from different production batches of the flooring materials.<\/p>\n Underestimating Time<\/strong><\/p>\n Hardwood flooring, sub-floor preparation, removing mold & trim all take time.\u00a0 Hardwood floors take 3-5 days to install and refinish, but it takes an additional 4 days before furniture or drop cloths for painting can be placed on the floor.\u00a0 Unless you\u2019re a professional, estimating the time it will take to complete the job can be difficult.\u00a0 \u00a0Many DYI jobs turn into more time and problems than anticipated.\u00a0\u00a0 This can result in calling a professional for help or replacement after the fact.<\/p>\n Underestimating DIY skills.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re up for it and ready to go, best of luck in DIY your project!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure you\u2019re up to the task or have enough time to complete it on your own, getting qualified help is your best option.\u00a0 Sometimes you may be able to call in an experienced friend for help, but if you need a qualified professional, we\u2019re ready to help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whether you\u2019re a person who loves doing things yourself or someone who wants to save money on the floor of your dreams, there are several things to consider before you answer the question, \u201cTo DIY or not to DIY?\u201d Some common mistakes we\u2019ve seen DIY endeavors encounter include: Choosing the wrong type of floor Hardwood…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n