Flooring Dealers and Installation

Choosing a floor type that is durable, affordable, and attractive all at the same time has ceased to be a problem because now, there are numerous flooring options to suit your preferences and personalized style. You can improve your level of enjoyment and increase home value by investing in any of the choices below.

Flooring Types and Cost

1. Laminate Flooring
If you are looking for a cheaper option, then keep laminate flooring in mind. This floor type has unique attributes that are worth looking into. It has a low cost compared to higher-priced genuine hardwood, and certain types of laminate have beneficial qualities such as durability to liquid spills in the kitchen, reducing noise due to its quietening ability, as well as being able to withstand kitchen areas with super high traffic. Additionally, caring for laminate is easy.
The downside, however, is that the flooring cannot be fixed. The actual defective piece will have to be replaced. For those who are tight on budget, it can prove to be quite cost-effective as well as durable.
Cost: For laminate flooring materials, the cost can range from $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot while the cost for warrantied installation can range between $2.50 and $4.50 per square foot.

2. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring can be classified into three types: modified loose lay, sheet vinyl, felt-backed, and vinyl-backed. Vinyl flooring is back in business after its revision, marking it as both economical and versatile. Vinyl flooring is a considerable option because of its many designer-friendly patterns and much-appreciated durability through matte finishes.
Vinyl goes through to the entire depth of the flooring. Since the color makes up the top to bottom of the material, the chips and scrapes are barely noticeable. Vinyl is sold in rolls and tiles. Rolls are the most common, whereas vinyl is a fairly easy DIY flooring project.
Cost: Vinyl tiles of decent quality can cost between $2.50 and $5.50 per square foot. Depending on the project's domain, the cost of installation can range from $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot.

3. Real Hardwood Floors
These floors are no doubt sturdy and impressionable. Natural wood has natural variations. This project is more suited for a professional since the floors need to be nailed down. Saws, hammers, and drills are needed for installation.
It is preferred to rent the tools instead of purchasing them if you plan to do a DIY hardwood floor installation. You can purchase solid wood either finished or unfinished and color it as per your taste over its lifetime.
Cost: On average, the hardwood flooring can range between $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot in terms of material cost. Normally, anything between $3.00 and $8.00 per square foot can be incurred as installation cost.

4. Engineered Wood Flooring
This type of flooring can be found in almost any wood species. Engineered wood flooring consists of several bits of wood called woodpiles and fixed together with a heat process under pressure. The veneer is hardwood, while the composition is of plywood or hardwood.
For those seeking moisture-resistant wood floors, engineered wood is the way to go. For example, engineered wood floors would be highly preferable for those living in areas with high humidity and precipitation.
Cost: The average price per square foot can range between $3.50 and $7.00 for materials. The cost to install can range between $3.00 and $8.00 per sq. ft. It can cost more when it is necessary to remove debris and rip off the previous flooring.

5. Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is 100 percent sustainable. Not only is it resistant to humidity, mold, and mildew, but it is also an insulator and comes with soundproofing qualities. Trees are not cut down for this flooring. The bark of trees is harvested from the cocoa tree, whereas the cork is mashed and produced for flooring.
Changes to humidity and heat can cause the cork to expand, making it important to empty the box's tiles and let them air out for a few days. This is called acclimatizing. Cork is good for resisting humidity. In areas like the south-east that are near water and have a humid climate, cork flooring can be an outstanding choice.
Cost: Averages between $4.00 and $8.00 per square foot. Installation costs range from $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot. Compared to other types of hardwood, installation costs are comparatively lesser because tools and materials are cheaper.

6. Ceramic Tile Flooring
Ceramic tile is versatile in its use. From the living room for a beachfront property or a grand entranceway in your home, in a bathroom, dining room, or the kitchen, ceramic tiles got them all covered.
Buyers with pet allergies and other types of allergies commonly prefer ceramic floors due to its affordability, modernization, and beauty enhancement of their home. The color does not seep through the ceramic tile's entirety as it has a clay bottom tile. This type of tile is much more durable than carpet and wood flooring.
However, the tiles can get very cold in winter to walk barefoot on. Hence, ceramic tiles might not be suitable for areas in frosty zones. Placing them outdoors in such zones is not recommended.
Cost: Total installation costs range from $5.00 to $8.00 per square foot.

7. Carpet Flooring
Carpets come in all various kinds of weaves and patterns. An endless list of colors and designs are made today for both residential and commercial use. Carpet flooring is a good choice if you are looking for comfort.
There are some disadvantages to the carpet. One of them is stains, and low-quality types of carpets usually can show wear pretty early on in your purchase. Also, carpets aren't as long-lasting as hardwood with time. Carpets are more susceptible to dust; thus, frequent cleaning is required to avoid allergies.
Because there is no sawing or advanced cutting equipment required for carpet cutting (unlike hardwood), installing carpets is much easier than flooring.
Cost: Actual carpet cost per square foot can be from $1.00 and $12.00, while costs of padding range between $0.25 and $0.65 per square foot. The cost can go up to a total of about $5.00 per square foot if you top it with furniture removal and waste disposal.

8. Pebble Stone Flooring
Pebble stone flooring can turn out to be the most creative option since it can have either a monotone or a multicolor look within the square foot.
It is ideal as well as budget-friendly for pool areas, bathrooms, and in more groovy homes, the stairwell. Additionally, it can be preferred for indoor and outdoor walkways that may have suspensions and waterways surrounding them.
Cost: For purchasing the tile ranges from $4.00 to $9.00 per square foot. The cost per square foot is about $7.00, where the tile is placed on 12" x 12" mesh.

How do I Choose the Right Flooring Dealer?
While choosing a flooring dealer, keep the following aspects in mind:

1. Verify that the installation team knows what is doing and is trade certified. It's important!
2. A quality of a good flooring dealer is that they keep their showroom updated and orderly. At the same time, an experienced salesperson should be courteous and knowledgeable.
3. Have a keen look at all the details included in the final quote, including underlayment, raw material, and adhesives. Additionally, there is a need to keep in mind how long the quote is legitimate because of material pricing experiences fluctuations.
4. Flooring dealers can offer free design services to help, so don't hesitate to ask.
5. Some flooring dealers can also answer questions regarding different financing options; talk to more than one dealer to find one that suits you.
6. Find a suitable completion time with your flooring dealer and remember to add acclimation time as well.

Keeping your project requirements in check while exploring the numerous options available to you can be a big investment in terms of time and money while buying new floors. Thus, your flooring dealer needs to be courteous in this regard.


What are the Dos and Don'ts for Floor Installation?

- Laminate
Do: Remove loose dirt by frequently sweeping or vacuuming (avoid using a beater bar) before it ruins your floor, and use a recommended laminate floor cleaner for the purpose.
Do Not: Use any cleaner or wax requiring to be mixed with water. Simply clean with water only.

- Vinyl
Do: Clean up a wet foot or spills with a cloth or sponge immediately.
Do Not: Use abrasive cleaners or steel wool as they can leave scratch marks.

- Hardwood and Engineered
Do:
1. Use doormats at doorways.
2. Use a humidifier to prevent floors from shrinking too much because of low humidity (levels of 35% - 55% are recommended).
Do Not:
1. Use any cleaner or wax requiring to be mixed with water. Simply clean with water only.
2. Install flooring in areas like summer homes or cottages which aren't environmentally controlled all year.

- Cork
Do: Regular sweeping and vacuuming while using recommended laminate or hardwood floor cleaner.
Do Not: Use mats with rubber or impermeable backing. They hold moisture and affect the finish of the flooring. Use mats with non-porous backing or rubber since they affect the flooring's finish by trapping moisture.

- Ceramic and Stone
Do: Use mats at outdoor gateways to stop gravel being dragged onto the tiles.
Do Not: Use dye-containing agents.

- Carpet
Do: Put rugs at the entrances from where soil can be tracked inside, such as garages, backyards, and other walkways.
Do Not: Let stains dry. Clean them at the earliest.


What is the Cost of Flooring Installations?
The total cost of floor installation depends upon the type of material. Generally, it varies between $3 to $22 per square foot. You can anticipate your budget to accommodate a range from between $1,496 - $4,465. The regular price to cover an area of 500 square feet is $2,952.
The cost of labor per square foot is based upon the scope of the project and contractor. Usually, the price runs in the middle of $0.60 to $4.00.