floor.

Picking out flooring is…

Hard. It’s hard. So many options… It can seem daunting to figure out where to even start. Based on my experience swapping out the floor in the main level of this funky 1970’s split level, here are some notes, lessons learned and advice for keeping your sanity when taking on a floor update project. Don’t get overwhelmed… keep it fun, take your time, define the musts and do some research to avoid any surprises half-way through the process. In the end, your new floor is something you’ll get to love and enjoy every day – its worth the effort!

Why is picking flooring so hard? Well, for one, the look of the floor has to go with the décor in every room. It should add to the cohesiveness of the overall design of a home. The function of every room it will go in needs to be considered. The climate might come into play – is it too cold for tile or too hot for carpet? Consider unlikely scenarios the floor might encounter over the years… what if the dishwasher floods someday? What might get dropped on it over the years? Will it keep up with family mastiff’s toe nails?

The family mastiff … This is her home too!

What about hiding dirt? Pet hair? Wine spills? Cat vomit? Is it safe to put in front of the fireplace? And even then………… What about hidden maintenance costs? Lifespan? Timelessness?

Speaking of timelessness – found this under the old dishwasher… I mean, I don’t hate it! 😉

Flooring is a significant financial, emotional – and if you are doing any bit of it yourself – physical, investment. Don’t rush the process. Start early, pay attention to the floors everywhere you go. Get quotes from installers for free information. Use Pinterest to search for ideas before even checking out any samples. Gather all the criteria the floor MUST meet and narrow the options down. What type of material will be best? Tile? Carpet? Vinyl planks? Stone? Engineered hardwood? Real hardwood? Are there any types that cannot be used due to too much moisture? Don’t get your heart set on a certain type of floor only to later realize it isn’t an option.

The floor is the same square footage, for the most part, as the ceiling……… look up. It’s a HUGE part of every home and of the design process in a remodel. It is pretty easy to underestimate the whole process from selecting a type of floor – optimally based on the budget – and what works for the space(s), narrowing down THE ONE from all the samples, finding a place to order THE ONE. Ordering it… waiting…………… [backordered]………………………….. more waiting…….. Physically obtaining the flooring. This all before even starting on the installation pre-work.

Don’t make assumptions about the subfloor!

Depending on the type, there might be other cost considerations… What, if any, underlayment does it need? How uneven is the sub floor – in every inch of all the rooms the new floor is going in? Leveling the subfloor is necessary for many types of flooring and can be costly. What about disposal of all the old flooring… has removal and disposal of the old floor been included in the cost considerations?

The process of replacing flooring is long, stressful and expensive enough without further complicating things by having to rush… or, worse yet, having to start over midway through the decision process. Take all the time it needs! Keep it fun! Remember – the new floor will be there though lifetime(s) of family photos and in the every day background of the beautiful sanctuary that is HOME. It’s worth the effort!

Here are some tips to make the process more enjoyable and a little easier!

Same sample, different lighting. [Shaw Classico Colori 0426V]

8 tips to help keep your sanity when updating a floor:

Do not remove old flooring until READY to start installing the new one. Not just for cosmetic reasons, also because the subfloor needs protected… and no floor at all is worse than an old, ugly one. This can greatly increase impatience with the process.
Requesting quotes from flooring installers can be a means to get free ideas and advice from professionals. Have a professional tell you what options will work best. Quotes are almost always FREE!
Include other people – family, friends, neighbors, social media – in the process. Others will offer a lot of additional insight especially with regard to the appearance and functional considerations.
Don’t compromise the budget just because it’s really hard to pick. Be rigid with the budget, you will appreciate it in the end – plus, budget is a means to narrow down the infinity of options a bit.
Don’t pre-decide on the look or type you want… Find out what you CAN use and go from there. It is really discouraging to have to start over midway through deciding.
Bring home the biggest samples you can. Move the samples from room to room throughout the day to see them in every light… evening, morning, bright sun, artificial lights. Lighting can change the look drastically!
Do plenty of research to avoid surprises. Make sure you feel comfortable with the functionality of your choice and ensure it meets all the musts of your personal criteria. Don’t compromise the musts!
Set it and forget it. As soon as it’s installed, make a decision to love the floor. Rest assured you did your homework and made the best choice you could based on all the considerations. Forget every other option and variety there was to choose from and live happily ever after!

Some useful reference links:

World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) is an unbiased source of information on all types of flooring.
Guide to Selecting Flooring by DIY Network explains the eight most popular types of flooring materials, where they’re best used and pros/cons.
What Type of Flooring is Best? by Parterre Flooring Systems provides expert research and analysis for comparing flooring types.
Buying Guide: Flooring by HGTV explores flooring surfaces to find the best option for your lifestyle and budget.
The Importance of Subfloor Prep by The Flooring Professionals explains why every floor will require some kind of subfloor prep.