Flooring Buyer's Guide

15 Paths to Proper Floor Installation

Your home or business may need new flooring after two or three decades of using the same floor to a point of complete wear and tear. While price and style of flooring are probably your main concerns, don’t forget about ease of installation.

Although installing floors yourself is always an option we recommend considering the effects of taking on a DIY project and how that can disrupt your daily life or business.

Some older forms of flooring were once extremely complicated to install, often leading to business shutdowns for several days. Thankfully, better technology and improved flooring products make installation so much easier today. Take a look at fifteen paths to more efficient and easy installation to make your flooring investment worth every penny.

Go to a Showroom

• Before you have your flooring installed, it pays to go to a showroom and see the floor with your own eyes. By doing this, you’ll also learn about the various choices you have in flooring if still not sure about what to buy.
• Certainly online shopping has its place, yet seeing the flooring in person will help you better determine what you need. In some circumstances, having samples mailed to you helps if you can’t make it to a showroom. We can do this for you at our related site, Floor City.
• We still recommend going to showroom if you can to determine the materials you want and what the flooring colors look like in reality.
• You’ll also be able to ask questions to sales staff in the showroom. This is what showrooms are all about: to learn every product detail before making a final buying decision.
• When you attend a showroom, the staff there aren’t just salespeople hired to sell on commission. They’re true experts in flooring to give you real educated answers. No doubt you have a lot of questions to ask, including what kind of materials the floor uses, how eco-friendly it is, installation methods, and warranties as just a few.
• Once you make a decision, you’ll be able to schedule an installation or purchase in person rather than online. While we make purchasing easy online, meeting with contractors and experts in person can help you schedule a time best for your schedule.
• Good customer service like this in showrooms is important for companies like us, and to gain complete trust.

Going Online to Buy

• Visiting a showroom is important, though you can find a lot of useful information and save money buying flooring online.
• Did you know places like Home Depot typically charge 20% more for flooring products than you can find through online stores? Part of this involves them charging delivery fees.
• The challenge, of course, is finding an online flooring company giving you the best customer service and the best discounts.
• If you do Google searches for flooring companies, you’ll always find hundreds of them in every corner of the U.S. and beyond. Not all of them offer the best possible savings.
• Through our site, you’ll find some of the best discounts on flooring compared to any other online source. It goes beyond just saving up to 10% or more on your initial purchase. The customer service aspect means everything.
• Like going to a showroom above, it’s important to find an online store with real flooring experts who have comprehensive knowledge. If you need to ask a question through email or an online chat, they’ll be there to help you find what you want and explain installation methods.
• We’re there at our site to help you understand the installation process with your flooring purchase. Most of the time, it’s very simple to install your floor. Many products use gluedown methods or click-lock features so you can install on your own.
• If you ever need help on your installation, we’ll help guide you along. Once in a while, a more complex floor may require professional assistance.

Why DIY Isn’t Always Realistic

• It’s true that many installation methods are easy with our flooring products. This still doesn’t mean a DIY floor install is always possible. As mentioned above, some floors are more complicated and require a proper installation service.
• Some people don’t always heed warnings and often try to do an installation on their own. During the install, they soon realize they don’t really know what they’re doing. When you discover this in the middle of an install, it can lead to wasted time and money.
• For a business, it’s especially bad because of the downtime involved and the expense of having to fix what went wrong. Not properly installing a floor can lead to irreparable damage that requires buying new materials to get it done right.
• Even as something as simple as applying adhesive can go wrong if not reading directions correctly or not properly preparing the subfloor. Before some floor installations (like carpet tile), you need to properly clean your subfloor or the adhesive won’t work.
• Temperature issues also affect adhesives and how well they hold long-term. The same goes with not properly analyzing whether the materials you’re using are really durable enough for the area in question.
• No matter if you’ve already done online research on flooring and how it’s installed, don’t assume you know everything. Professional floor installers have years of experience and understand the details required to make sure no mistakes are made.
• Sometimes this means applying a proper wear layer under the floor to help bring more foot comfort and create better sound control in a room.

Owner-Supplied Flooring Materials

• Those of you building a new house may rely on a contractor to buy your new flooring materials. A lot of homeowners go the owner-supplied route instead and buy the materials themselves.
• You’ll find a lot of advantages to doing this, with a price advantage being the most common benefit.
• Buying the materials on your own also helps speed up construction time when a contractor ordering your floor could take longer. This isn’t to say there isn’t some risk in buying material on your own. First, you’re solely responsible if any damage occurs by the contractor for not being familiar with the material you purchased.
• If you’re going to go the owner-supplied route, use a reliable source that gives you the best possible materials. The flooring company you buy from should also provide solid directions on how to properly install the product.
• You have complete assurance of having the right materials, directions, and on-time delivery when working with us. We’ll make sure this benefits you and your contractor who’s likely worried about overhead.
• Our floors are often shipped out the same day, including pickup available at different centers throughout the U.S. We also offer free flooring samples so you’ll be sure to receive the floor and color you really want.

Professional Installation vs. Going Through Contractor

• Having installation done through a contractor is going to cost you more money, partly due to what was outlined above.
• Consider that your contractor has to buy flooring materials for you, which ultimately costs more money as a service. Even though you may not have as much risk depending on a contractor to buy your materials, paying extra for the convenience isn’t necessarily the best route.
• Hiring an independently professional installer is a smarter move because you’ll have a crew familiar with the flooring product you bought. A contractor may have just as much knowledge, though they’re simply going to charge you more than an independent flooring installer would.
• Also, contractors are usually busy with a million other things. They can easily become distracted rather than focus on installing your floor.
• Professional installers will schedule your installation at a time convenient to you while getting it done in one day.
• As they install your floor, they’ll also be there to help educate you on what they’re doing so you know what’s involved. They’ll pass on information you need to know about maintenance as well so you’re not left in the dark about avoiding future damage.
• We’re here to help you through these steps thanks to our superior attention to customer service. Our team consists of real flooring experts who focus exclusively on getting your floor installed fast and accurately to avoid costly errors.

The Importance of Ordering Samples

• Before buying any flooring, you should consider ordering samples before it’s installed. Unfortunately, not all flooring companies offer the courtesy of mailing samples to you so you can make a better decision.
• This is why we’ve created a color disclaimer at our site, Floor City.  We understand that when you’re viewing a floor on your computer screen (especially a mobile device), the colors might not fully translate to reality.
• We’ll snail mail you samples in one day so you can determine what you need before installation takes place. Relying on samples is essential if you don’t want to end up having to buy another floor because you realized after installation you don’t really enjoy the final result.
• With some flooring products, it’s possible to take those samples and apply them to your floor temporarily so you can get a good idea of what the full floor will look like. Many tile-related floors allow you to try samples so you can see how it installs and see the way it looks in a specific room.
• Of course, with tile, you’re able to remove each piece with ease later if you need any repairs done. You still want to depend on a sample, though, so you don’t have to remove all tiles due to a faulty buying choice.
• Ask about our flooring samples when you order from us. We’re there to help and always mail out samples the same day for a quick delivery. No more do you have to take chances with your new floor installation as you maybe did in the past.

Residential vs. Commercial

• One thing you’ll discover when buying most flooring products is they frequently use labels on whether they’re suitable for a home or business.
• You’ll always see this defined as “residential”, or “commercial.”  Never take this as something you have to adhere to rigidly, because it really comes down to how durable you want your floor to be.
• Just because you see a commercial designation for a floor doesn’t mean you can’t use it in your home. If you have a home that’s overly busy, using commercial flooring is always a good choice.
• Most of the time, commercial flooring is just as easy to install as residential flooring. Warranties are sometimes more limited with commercial flooring because of the possible excess wear and tear.
• Regardless, commercial floors will still hold up when you buy quality brands like Armstrong, Burke, Forbo, or Johnsonite as just some.
• They all make it easy to install many of their flooring products, whether in a business or home. Your only challenge is to calculate how much floor traffic you receive every day.
• Before your installation occurs, take some time to figure out your floor traffic ratio. Those of you who entertain often in your home (or have kids and pets) would find installing a commercial-grade flooring better.
• Conversely, if your business is such where you don’t experience tremendous floor traffic (unlike a retail store), then maybe residential flooring would best suit your floor space.

Pricing Average

• Before you have any flooring installed, always find out what the product is going to cost you and what the installation charge might involve.
• Dealing with price from flooring companies you’re not familiar with can easily bring rude surprises. The fees involved working with big box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart are good examples of paying more than you should. Even if those stores always create enticing ads, don’t always assume you’re going to save any money.
• We can help you save considerably in the flooring products you buy and installation costs. On our Floor City site, you’ll find the best discounts, bar none.
• Many of the top brands listed above are frequently $2-$3 cheaper per sq. ft. than you’ll find anywhere else.
• For any installation you need done, we’ll also make it affordable. Of course, you should always do your own research on pricing averages. Far too many of our competitors charge substantial fees to get an installation done.
• You shouldn’t have to overpay for this, especially if you’ve already paid more than necessary for the floor itself.
• Always get an estimate before making a decision on the right floor installer. We’ll make it easy for you by scheduling on your own time.

Get at Least 3 Bids Before Installation

• When asking for an estimate on your floor installation, it’s always smart to obtain three bids first to find the best price.
• Using this approach is good for anything when weighing numerous options. Because flooring companies are ubiquitous, you really do have a lot to consider when it comes to price, quality, and customer service.
• An installation price, though, could potentially cost you more than you bargained. Once you whittle your choices down to three bids, you’ll want to meet with them in person to get a good idea of what their approach is.
• Will they work on your own time and make the installation convenient? If you own a business, you don’t want to pay extra and find out you’ll have to wait for weeks before getting the floor installed.
• The same goes if you’re building a new house and need to finish the flooring by a deadline.
• How about their real expertise as installers? Are they there to just take care of the job and not pass on useful things you should know about the floor?
• Take those three bids seriously and make the smartest choice. We guarantee our installations will rise to your short list based our attention to lower prices and knowledge that benefits you.

Properly Prepare Your Home for Installation

• We hinted above at proper preparation for your new floors, but it’s more than just prepping the subfloor. It’s true removing debris from your subfloor is an important action to take first. Many other preparation steps are involved, though, and it may require some help to set things up.
• You should determine in advance who’s going to move things like furniture and removal of your subfloor. Removing your prior subfloor materials may require hiring someone to take care of disposal. Hiring professional movers may also be necessary if you have heavy furniture to move temporarily to other parts of your home or business.
• Some of this may involve removing items from storage areas or closets if you’re installing flooring in there. It could also mean having to shut off gas appliances or electronic items if they’re in the way.
• Drapes and pictures on your wall may additionally need removing to avoid being disturbed during the installation process. Make sure you find good places to store everything so you don’t lose something important.
• Keep in mind the room temperature also matters in a successful floor install. Most adhesives used on tiles and other flooring materials require moderate temperatures not going below or above a certain level.
• Don’t depend on installers who seem to have limited knowledge on these preparation tactics. Any mistake made here could mean having to re-do the entire install, forcing you to pay more money out of your pocket as a quick fix.

Do You Tip Floor Installers

• One of the most common questions we hear is should you tip a flooring installer or how much should you tip them? Before we answer a simple yes or no, there's some things you should consider about tipping installers.
• First, the process of installing should be a pleasant one with a crew that knows what it’s doing. They should properly prepare your floor, install your floor as quickly as possible, and clean up any debris after the work is done.
• These courtesies might demand a tip. While this is up to you, tipping usually goes on whether the job goes beyond your initial expectations.
• According to an Angie’s List Q&A on the subject, tipping isn’t overly common if you’re relying on a contractor to install your floor. The reason is you’ve already made a commitment to pay your contractor at a specific price.
• Any exception would be one of those workers doing an extra service. In those cases, you might want to give them a cash tip, or maybe what’s known as a “tip gift.” Giving the workers snacks or a drink after working hard all day is always a good courtesy they’ll appreciate.
• When hiring a flooring installer from an independent company, you can also give tips if you so choose. Our team always works hard to go the extra mile to help make all floor installations a breeze. We always appreciate tips, even if it’s not an industry requirement.
• Whether you tip or not, our installations give you the most benefit because of the knowledgeable team we hire to help educate you about your floor.

Make Sure You Understand All Warranties

• You’ll be able to learn a lot about your floor product as your floor crew goes to work. The best installation teams are willing to talk with you at length about various features of your floor.
• Never feel afraid to start up a conversation with your installation crew. They shouldn’t work in silence and then go home without bringing some level of customer service.
• One thing you should ask them about is the warranties involved in your floor and how long they’re going to last. These are important to know before your installation takes place so you know whether you’re truly covered for specific wear and tear.
• In most cases, residential warranties last for life. Commercial warranties are usually more limited due to heavier foot traffic in those environments. Nevertheless, many top brands like Armstrong offer commercial warranties up to 20 years.
• You can find a lot of this information on our Floor City site. Even if you buy a commercial-grade floor for your home, you’ll have many years of use before the warranty is ever put in use.
• Inquiring about warranties is just one thing to ask your installers about. A few other things should be on your must-ask list.

Considering Wall Base Molding With Your Floor

• An important accessory to all floors is wall base. Most of us take this for granted, yet it’s something you’ll need to protect the base of your wall if facing considerable floor use.
• Wood, carpet, vinyl or rubber wall baseboards require a separate installation from your floor, and your flooring company should know if you need it done. An inspection is required first to determine if your prior wall base is deteriorated enough to warrant a replacement. Or, if you’re building a new home, you’ll need wall base for protection and aesthetic purposes. 
• You'll have two main choices with vinyl or rubber base and that's cove or straight base. Cove refers to the lip/toe at the bottom of the material and straight just means that it has no-toe. If you are installing in a home usually either is acceptable but you might consider the benefits of a coved base to prevent dust and other sediments from settling along the wall. Cove base is also popular in commercial installations. Straight base in commercial spaces is less common but does look nice in upscale hotels or corporate settings that have a fairly high standard for cleanliness.
• In addition to these common bases you'll also have options for decorative wall base trims. Usually these stylish base options come in either wood or vinyl composition. If your looking for standard wood we suggest going to a store like Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. If you want specialty rubber or vinyl wall base shop at Floor City.
• A lot of great wall base brands are available, with Johnsonite being one of the best. Once your contractor or flooring company inspects your wall, they’ll likely have to schedule a separate day to install the base.
• Installation here is going to involve preparing the wall by sanding the area. Doing this removes dirt to improve the surface before the adhesive goes in place.
• Many wall bases are easy to install, though you may need special installation expertise depending on the complexity. Almost all wall bases use adhesives that require expert application to avoid mistakes.
• Various tools are also required, some of which you may not have on hand. Adhesives need application with a V-notched trowel. Plus, you’ll need small tools like a gouging knife and 200-grit sandpaper.
• Ask your flooring company about wall base as part of your installation process. We also sell wall base at discount prices. Once again, we’re there to talk to if you have questions about installation procedures.

Floor Care & Maintenance (Cleaning Tips)

• Maybe you have a general instruction sheet on how to care for your new floor. It’s just as important to have your installers give you pointers in person.
• Like the topics mentioned above, don’t hesitate to ask your installers about how to properly care for your floor. Maintenance is a big part of keeping your floor in optimal shape for years to come.
• Your installation team can give you additional tips that maybe a general tip sheet won’t provide. Many specialized floor brands have a list of maintenance methods you can use on a regular basis. Maintenance usually involves relatively straightforward cleaning techniques like mopping and vacuuming.
• Ask your installers about any specific cleaning you need to do if you experience unique stains on anything from laminate flooring to carpet tiles.
• Some installers may even recommend you invest in a Roomba if you don’t have a lot of time. These programmable vacuums allow you to go away for long periods and still have methodical cleaning to remove general dirt and dust buildup.
• Other maintenance may require your own work. Fortunately, many flooring brands have their own cleaning solutions your installers can help lead you to. A lot of those products are available on our Floor City website.
• Your flooring team is there to take care of any issues when you need a replacement. Thanks to the era of tiles, you don’t have to worry about replacing an entire floor when full maintenance is needed. Many replacements take place quickly to avoid long interruptions to your business or home life.

Scheduling a Floor Installation

• After taking everything above into account, it’s time to choose the team you think is the best floor installer in your area. Those who make it the easiest on your schedule are the ones to consider first.
• Any flooring company that forces you to work on their schedule isn’t paying attention to bringing top-tier customer service.
• We understand how busy you are and install when you’re ready. No worrying about interruptions to your business or home when you need your flooring installed fast.
• Let this guide be a good barometer on what the realities are with floor installation. It’s not always a breeze, yet an expert team will get it done without creating problems and delays.
• Through our Floor City, we make ordering just as easy. When using our (800) order number, we’ll help you pick up your floor in one day through our pickup centers nationwide. Installations are also done with our customer service expertise.
• Look out for more tips in our future e-book guides on floor installations. Being sure it’s done right the first time is imperative so you can enjoy your floor for many years to come.

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