Planning on Upgrading Floors

Often people watching home design and renovation shows on television are confused into thinking they need hundreds or thousands of dollars to live in an elegant home. With time and effort live well with minimal cost.

This demonstration focuses on floors. Luckily, I have wood floors under the carpet. With an investment of fifty dollars a month a person can buy supplies before summer. Supplies include: hammer, flathead screwdriver, staple remover, needle nose pliers, large trash bags, sandpaper, bucket, floor cleaner, hardwood floor cleaner (wax), Philip screwdriver and threshold. Sanding machines are on frequently on sale. Multipurpose items are great, screwdrivers with interchangeable options or pliers with wrench combined into one tool. However, one use for flathead screwdrivers is similar to a chisel or pry bar. A regular flathead screwdriver is handy in many situations.

Lift up a corner of the carpet before getting started. Replacing carpet or tile requires a larger budget with wood floors. One option for concrete is to cover it with black spray foam or wax similar to what is used in dance clubs. The major problem with concrete is it doesn't have give. If a person fell it would hurt. Anything dropped would break.

After creating a plan for redecorating, it is a matter of time. Remove carpet in strips that easily fit in the usual trash can or wait for the annual large item trash pickup. Carpet installed with padding may cost a minimum $500 for one room if purchasing overstock carpet samples. Measure the room. It is easier to cut off excess than make it larger.

Adding hardwood or tile may cost a minimum $200 for a similar situation. Labor doesn't cost much more than the supplies so might as well have a professional handle it over running into several problems trying to get it to fit and fussing with felt, netting or mesh.

People often focus on carpet, wood or tiles everyone sees; however, all of these have underlying factors which are more important than the top layer. The foundation makes it durable and movable. Padding for a carpet equals longer wear and water resistance so the floor underneath is protected from mold. Removable throw rugs are great, because you can roll them up and clean underneath; however, they are only warm, not cushy and the friction against created traffic imprints.

Wood floors have a layer of felt underneath. Felt allows the floor to move, avoid cracking, reduce squeaking and provide water resistance when wood is lightly fitted together. Felt does most of the work. Imagine a floor you cannot spill anything on, that would be awful. What is the point when the joints are so close together they will squeak? Though wooden, it still needs room to breathe in order to last a significant amount of time.

Tiling rests upon plywood. There are unique factors around tiling. If working on concrete adhesive foam is workable, yet difficult to remove. This is unkind to future residence wanting to make changes. Ideally wood floors are underneath. The plywood is nailed into the existing wood. Settle for wood and get tile later? Wood floors should be treated for water resistance, especially when installed in a kitchen or bathroom.

This video demonstrates removing an old carpet to expose the already existing wood floors underneath. This is an ideal situation; therefore, wood floors are preferred. Whether wanting carpet, tile or wood the base is already installed and ready.

Flooring is great. Hopefully the best situation is already in place. In all situations, planning saves money and turns an exorbitant cost into a fun project. Incremental planning is great, because it takes place over months or years making large renovations possible. People buy supplies as they go.

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