This is the second part of a two-part blog series. If you missed part one, click here.
Once you’ve chosen your desired material and style, your flooring installer will talk to you about the installation process. Depending on the flooring material and the location in your home where the installation will take place, you’ll hear a few other terms that you should understand. Keep in mind that the installation cost may vary widely among installers based on both the materials they use in the installation and their experience. Here are some things the installer should talk about with you as they form their quote.
Underlayment
If your new flooring is real hardwood, engineered wood or laminate, your flooring installer should discuss the underlayment. Underlayment can be a moisture barrier, sound dampener and it may even soften the feeling of the flooring underfoot. For some floors, it can also act as a leveler and for others it can improve the structural stability of the flooring material.
Floating or Locking Floors
If you’ve chosen engineered wood or laminate, you may hear terms such as floating or locking floors. This means that the planks won’t be attached to your sub floor. They “lock” together to stay in place. Depending on the product and manufacturer’s recommendations, your flooring installer may glue the flooring together at the ends or sides for better stability.
Fixed Flooring
The opposite of floating or locking floors is a fixed floor. Your flooring installer attaches the flooring material to the subfloor (through the underlayment). Most hardwood flooring is nailed down with a nail gun. Tile is fixed with adhesive and grout. Engineered wood, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and laminate may be glued down to the subfloor or underlayment.
Overage
Depending on the flooring material and the flooring installation pattern you desire, you’ll need a certain amount of extra material. Let’s say the room you’re installing new flooring in is 10’ x 12’. That’s 120 square feet. However, you can’t buy exactly 120 square feet of material. You’ll need excess to account for cuts and the edges. Your flooring installer will explain why they need the amount of overage they’ve quoted.
Batch or Lot
It’s very important to make sure that your flooring all comes from the same batch, which is why it’s essential that you plan for the right amount of overage and make your purchase all at once. Different batches of engineered wood may have used a different batch of stain which could mean a slightly different color. Slight differences in color and hue appear in tile that’s manufactured at different times, even if it has the same name.
Let Us Be Your Flooring Installer
Seer Flooring always answers customer’s questions clearly and completely. If you don’t understand something we’ve said or any part of our written estimate, please ask for clarification. We’re an experienced flooring installer and will help you choose the right materials and installation method for your home. Call us today at (727) 469-7963 or fill out our contact form.