If you are considering a room addition or a major remodel, then you need to begin thinking about the floor covering as soon as possible.
Even though flooring is normally the last finish to be installed, you will need to decide on the flooring type early on so that doors, cabinets and other finishes can be properly installed. For example: Door frames are installed directly onto the underlayment when vinyl flooring is used. When carpet is to be installed the door and frame are held to the top of the opening, to clear the carpet and pad.
There are plenty of flooring options: sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, hardwood planks, wood parquet, carpet, ceramic tile, brick, slate, stone, granite, plastic laminate, and more. Here is a look at the pluses and minuses of each type:
Carpet
Plus: Absorbs noise like no other floor covering.
Minus: Absorbs dirt and water like no other floor covering.
Plus: Makes a room cozy and warm.
Minus: Does not last in high-traffic areas.
Plus: Easy fluff-up with a vacuum.
Minus: Retains dust and pollen particles.
Ceramic tile
Plus: Easy to keep clean, although grout does take some cleaning and sealing management.
Minus: Hard surface bounces household noise.
Plus: Lasts a long, long time.
Minus: Cold to the touch and hard on the feet.
Plus: An almost infinite number of color, texture, design and style combinations.
Minus: Grout and tile are brittle and will crack if the floor is not sturdy.
Sheet vinyl
Plus: Offers good value, good looks and durability.
Minus: Cheaper vinyl collects dirt and stains easily.
Plus: Easy to clean.
Minus: Cheaper vinyl needs to be replaced every five to seven years or so.
Plus: High end vinyl will last 15 to 20 years or more.
Minus: Caution must be taken to prevent cutting and gouging.
Vinyl tile
Plus: Very inexpensive.
Minus: Can look cheap if not carefully installed.
Plus: Do-it-yourselfers can easily do a good installation.
Minus: Doesn’t last as long as sheet vinyl.
Hardwood
Plus: Long lasting (with proper care).
Minus: Easily scratched. Easily dented by high heels.
Plus: Offers a warm, natural look.
Minus: Does not stand up to water and is expensive to maintain.
Plastic laminate flooring (floating floors)
Plus: Is available in myriad colors and styles.
Minus: Looks like vinyl, but is more expensive.
Plus: Costs less than real hardwood.
Minus: Lasts about as long as vinyl, but is almost impossible to repair.
Brick, slate and stone
Plus: Unusual look.
Minus: Easy to stain, hard to clean.
Plus: Unusual look.
Minus: Expensive.
In the “old days” (10 or 15 years ago), people put sheet vinyl in the kitchen and bathroom, hardwood or carpet in the living room, and tile in the entry. Those time-proven guidelines still make sense, but homeowners are taking a more flexible approach.
Today, the “right” flooring can be just about anything.
For example, sheet vinyl is still the most popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and the laundry, but other materials have made inroads. Ceramic tile is now a close No. 2 in the bath. Hardwood, previously limited to “dry” areas, is showing up in kitchens. Plastic laminate and wood floating floors, which hit the market in the early 1990s, have quickly gained acceptance for use in a variety of areas, including the kitchen. However, we strongly suggest against using hardwood and floating floors in any wet area.
With the proper care, almost any flooring material can be used almost anywhere.
And in case you’re feeling frisky (in a home-improvement kind of way), floor installation, except for the new floating floors, is not the kind of job most do-it-yourselfers care to tackle. Pick your floor covering and hire a professional installer to put it in; you’ll be happier with the end result.
Some tips
1. If you decide on vinyl, buy the highest-quality product that you can afford, preferably one in which the pattern goes all the way through the material. It will last longer and look better.
2. The only types of hardwood flooring that can be glued down to a concrete substrate are parquet and laminated planks. Because parquet floors are actually made of thousands of little pieces, they aren’t prone to cupping, twisting and buckling caused by dampness that can attack the top of a concrete floor slab. Laminated floors are made of thin, cross-laid courses of wood (like plywood), so they also are not affected by moisture.
3. Some elderly (20-plus years old) vinyl flooring may have asbestos in it. Don’t worry. It is the least dangerous type of asbestos-containing product we know of, and removing it (if done correctly) will not release a dangerous amount of fibers into the air.
Here’s how to do it: Simply pry the underlayment and vinyl up together. Fold it over and bend-break it into manageable pieces. Never, ever sand a vinyl floor that may contain asbestos. Be sure not to separate the vinyl from the underlayment. Doing so could release a dangerous amount of asbestos. If the vinyl is glued to concrete, have the material tested. If it contains asbestos we suggest a call to a licensed abatement contractor.
4. Be aware that if you install a new floor over an old one, you will may “lock” appliances like built-in dishwashers, refrigerators and trash compactors into place. The new material can block the lower portion and prevent them from being slid out of their spaces.
For more home improvement tips and information from James and Morris Carey, visit their Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call 800-737-2474 Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 8 a.m. every Saturday.
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