There are a lot of mistakes that people make when they buy hardwood floors. Some of them have nothing to do with choosing a wood, or installation patterns. The most common mistakes happen in the way that people shop for hardwood floors, choose hardwood flooring contractors, and prepare for hardwood floors to be installed.
Buying hardwood floors
Although aesthetics are important, many factors go into the purchase of hardwood floors. Hardwood floors can outlast most of us, but only if you make the right purchasing choices, including hiring the right people to install the floors. With the right decisions, not only will your floors last forever, but they will increase the value of your home. Making smart choices from the beginning can save you time and money fixing mistakes in the future.
Consult with hardwood flooring experts to fully understand the installation process.
Cheap is cheap
Always get several estimates from different contractors when you are shopping around for new hardwood floors. However, before you automatically choose the most inexpensive solution, ask yourself why they are so cheap. Often, the cheapest solution is just that, cheap, leaving you with subpar materials and installation.
Allowing enough time for installation
Time is money, and installing hardwood floors properly will take time. Don’t make the mistake of accepting an offer that promises to be done quickly, because they could be cutting corners and skipping necessary steps. At T&G Flooring, we always say that it takes the time it takes. We can give you an estimated time frame, but when you are working with natural materials like wood, you have to allow that wood to acclimate to its environment before you lay the floors properly. This process cannot be rushed. Rushing the installation and acclimation process will cause significant problems in the future that are costly to fix.
Buying off of the internet
See the wood up close and personal before purchasing.
Perhaps the biggest mistake that people make is to buy the wood site-unseen. Buying materials off of the internet will often disappoint. When you look at a photo, you are not always getting the full picture. Visiting a hardwood flooring showroom will allow you to see the wood in person, being able to see all the intricate textures and tones that are unique to each species of wood. Seeing the wood first hand will also allow you to talk to experts as you browse through your options. Depending on your style aesthetic, some types of wood are better than others to create your vision. Buying off of the internet will most likely lead you astray.
Consulting with a hardwood flooring expert can help you sidestep the most common hardwood flooring mistakes.