KIM MECKLER
We just received a boatload of new copies of FloorsFirst magazine.
This is a special issue stuffed full of helpful hints regarding preparing for, installing of and caring for your flooring.
For anyone renovating or building this is a must have guidebook to give you the 101 on everything from carpet underlay to hardwood. Fascinating tips await you such as: - When installing hardwood make sure the room is the correct temperature and relative humidity in accordance with manufacturers' directions.
- Floating laminate or hardwood cannot be installed in a room over 30’ wide without an expansion gap (which means a nasty transition moulding).
- Unroll a carpet and allow it to ‘relax’ before installing. Perhaps some soothing music.
- Finish other renovations before flooring, especially painting. Allowing paint to dry and cure is a good idea even if there are touch-ups required.
Sometimes adding a whole room of paint can drastically raise the humidity level in a room and have an effect on your flooring.
- If you are choosing a thicker carpet, you may need to cut down the bottom of your interior doors.
- Underlayment is available for every type of flooring, the higher the quality of underlayment the more satisfied you will be with your installation.
- Many tile patterns made today employ inkjet technology, yes just like your printer.
- The higher the quality in most tiles and laminate the more realistic and sharper the visual will be. Higher priced tiles use four to five colours on their patterns whereas lower priced products usually only have two to three.
- Do not use ammonia or vinegar to clean your tile as it may discolour your grout.
- Wear resistance on laminate is more important than thickness. Look for the AC rating which stands for Abrasion Coefficient. Laminates are rated from one to five.
If a laminate does not reveal its rating, it must be hiding something.
- In Alberta if you want a hardwood wider than 3” it is recommended you switch to an engineered hardwood because of our dry climate.
- Many carpets now come with stain blocking and anti-microbial properties which help prevent odours in your carpet from bacteria growth.
- Most cork, hardwood and clay tile are cured outside.
- Cork is built like a complex honeycomb and contains the ingredient Suberin which is a waxy substance that is naturally resistant to insects, fire and water.
- Cork is naturally resistant to mould and mildew, does not absorb dust and is one of the easiest floors to keep clean as it does not absorb dust.
Didn’t I promise you it would be fascinating? Become master of your own destiny and skilfully versed in your own renovation project.
Many questions have been raised and more will continue to be answered as you move forward with your renovation project. Knowledge is power and power is your new tool you will need to buy to get this project done.
Kim Meckler is an interior designer in Red Deer with Carpet Colour Centre.