Why You Should Hire a Local Las Vegas Professional
Remodeling a old house can completely change the look of it and increase its value exponentially. But, while simply painting walls or extending rooms can bring about a much needed change in the appearance of a home, it is the flooring or carpeting that requires the most attention. Whether it's hardwood, concrete, vinyl, or any other flooring, special care is required when installing a new one. The same goes with carpeting as well. Over long periods of time, the fibers in the carpets begin to wear and tear. This not only affects the look of the property, but also severely diminishes its value. So, before you decide to step in and make a change, here are some useful tips for installing a new floor or carpet.
Installation Tips For Floors
Choose Strength Over Beauty:
If you walk into a home with hardwood floors, you will probably notice that the floorboards are laid out lengthwise. This does enhance the look of the room and the house as well, but in reality, it only weakens the floor. Instead, lay them perpendicular to the joist. This ensures no warping and separating occurs in time.
Always Work With Level Surfaces:
A squeaky floor only means that there are spaces or voids under the floorboards. To avoid this from ruining your beautiful home, always create a level surface for the subfloor before you begin laying your wood floorboards. Sand and rubber sheeting is normally the best remedy for leveling out an uneven floor.
Use a Subfloor When Nailing The Floor:
Gluing down your floor is as easy and just applying the glue and sticking the flooring. But, if you choose to nail down your floorboards, a subfloor is necessary. This helps hold the nail and the floorboards in place.
Try Cost Effective Floating Floors:
When replacing the entire floor is burning a hole through your wallet and pocket, floating floors are a great way to spruce up those old, dingy looking surfaces. These boards don't require glue or nails for installation - just lay them on top of your existing boards. There also work well for floors that have asbestos in them and the removal of which would require professional help.
Always Follow The Directions When Using Glue:
Not every glue works the same. Some have longer drying times, while others dry instantly. Some glues may require the floorboards to be placed when wet, while others work only when partially dry. This is why it is important to always follow the directions before applying the glue. One of the best tips when using glue is to work in small sections so that wastage is at a minimum.
Always Follow The Directions When Using Glue:
Not every glue works the same. Some have longer drying times, while others dry instantly. Some glues may require the floorboards to be placed when wet, while others work only when partially dry. This is why it is important to always follow the directions before applying the glue. One of the best tips when using glue is to work in small sections so that wastage is at a minimum.
Engineered Wood For Damp Sections:
Practically every home comes with a few damp spots, especially around the basement and attic. The added moisture in the wood causes it to warp and sometimes even crack or split. In these cases, engineered wood works wonders because of their consistency. While the top layer is real wood, the layers beneath it usually are made of plywood or fibreboard. This helps keep any moisture out and leaves your floor dry and beautiful.
Stain Testing Is A Must:
Wood is an unpredictable material and covering your floors with it means it can either go very well or really badly. When staining your freshly laid floorboards, always choose an inconspicuous corner before applying it to the entire floor. If the color of the stain satisfies you, continue freely.
Stain Testing Is A Must:
Wood is an unpredictable material and covering your floors with it means it can either go very well or really badly. When staining your freshly laid floorboards, always choose an inconspicuous corner before applying it to the entire floor. If the color of the stain satisfies you, continue freely.
Always Protect Your Floors:
Staining your floors only adds color, depth, and tone to the wood - not protection. If you have spent generously to redo your flooring, it is vital that it looks great for more than a few months. This is where a layer of polyurethane or a similar protective coat comes in. Not only does it add a stunning glossy finish to your hardwood floors, it ensures that spills, dirt, and heavy furniture don't do any damage
Installation Tips For Carpeting
Use The Appropriate Carpeting Tools:
You may pride yourself as a handyman and your toolbox, but there is a high possibility that you don't possess the proper tools to carry out a carpet installation. Yes, a hammer, utility knife, tape, scissors, and stapler might be useful, but others such as a seam iron, a knee kicker, and a power stretcher are just way too expensive to buy for a one time use. Luckily, there are places that rent out these tools or if the job seems too difficult, you can always hire a professional.
Always Use A Carpet Stretcher:
As mentioned above, a power stretcher is vital when it comes to laying down smooth carpets. Without one, there would be lumps, wrinkles, and loose ends in no time. Because over 80% of carpeting involves stretching, an efficient tool means you will be left with an absolutely perfect flooring. Here again, seeking professional help would be beneficial because their entire lives revolve around the correct installation of carpets.
Check The Carpet Pile Before Seaming:
For designed carpets, matching the pile is easy, but for non-designed carpets, it is difficult - not impossible. The two separate ends should be examined under a strong and bright light to ensure that the piles do match up. Only then should they be seamed together. This brings consistency throughout the entire carpet leaving you with a smooth floor for good.
Always Use A Carpet Stretcher:
As mentioned above, a power stretcher is vital when it comes to laying down smooth carpets. Without one, there would be lumps, wrinkles, and loose ends in no time. Because over 80% of carpeting involves stretching, an efficient tool means you will be left with an absolutely perfect flooring. Here again, seeking professional help would be beneficial because their entire lives revolve around the correct installation of carpets.
Check The Carpet Pile Before Seaming:
For designed carpets, matching the pile is easy, but for non-designed carpets, it is difficult - not impossible. The two separate ends should be examined under a strong and bright light to ensure that the piles do match up. Only then should they be seamed together. This brings consistency throughout the entire carpet leaving you with a smooth floor for good.
Purchase Extra Carpet If It Is Patterned:
Installing non-patterned carpet is a lot easier and a lot less wasteful. With patterned carpet, designs need to match with precise detail. This leads to cutting away pieces of the carpet before installing. This is why buying extra carpet, when it's patterned, is absolutely ideal. Approximately 5% extra should be purchased, just so your floors looks absolutely stunning when completed.
Never Add Padding To The Tackless Strips:
When carpeting near the walls, it is important to remember not to add padding to the tackless strips. The carpet is supposed to blend into the wall naturally, but with added padding, these strips will be left with a lump around the edges of the carpet. It is obvious to say, this does not look attractive.
As we all know, Las Vegas is a city built for the rich and famous and nothing screams “stardom” than having beautiful floors in your equally beautiful home. Whether it's bare wood floors or luscious carpeted ones, Vegas homes are always serving up elegance along with a side of class. But most of the people who live here don't have the time to make these repairs themselves. Here is where professional help comes. They know exactly what they are doing and strive to deliver the best flooring Las Vegas has to offer.
Never Add Padding To The Tackless Strips:
When carpeting near the walls, it is important to remember not to add padding to the tackless strips. The carpet is supposed to blend into the wall naturally, but with added padding, these strips will be left with a lump around the edges of the carpet. It is obvious to say, this does not look attractive.
As we all know, Las Vegas is a city built for the rich and famous and nothing screams “stardom” than having beautiful floors in your equally beautiful home. Whether it's bare wood floors or luscious carpeted ones, Vegas homes are always serving up elegance along with a side of class. But most of the people who live here don't have the time to make these repairs themselves. Here is where professional help comes. They know exactly what they are doing and strive to deliver the best flooring Las Vegas has to offer.