There are many things to consider when deciding what flooring is best for your home. To make the right choice, you must understand the basics. Flooring materials vary in price; at some stores, you can buy as little as one square foot for under $2, while other stores require a minimum purchase of 25 square feet or more. This may seem a big difference, but it is not as big as you think. When calculating the price per square foot, remember that the flooring cost depends upon three factors: type of flooring material, thickness and grade, and the density of your area.

The cost to install a select range of hardwood flooring can vary from $13 to $20 per square foot. While this does not mean purchasing laminate is cheap, it does mean that it is much less expensive than solid wood flooring or vinyl tile. If you are unwilling to take on a new expense, you must consider what lifestyle will accompany your decision on which flooring material to use.

When considering the cost of flooring, many homeowners do not consider maintenance or replacement. In some cases, purchasing a lower-quality product that wears well, can be repaired quickly, and does not require too much upkeep, in the long run, may be better. Ultimately your choice should consider your lifestyle, your budget, and how much time you want to spend maintaining your floors.

Many types of flooring are designed for outdoor use. Some are even designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic, such as zoysia grass or gravel. Other materials, such as cork tiles and linoleum floor tiles, absorb extra dirt from shoes and require cleaning more often than on different surfaces. If you have pets, avoiding tile and sharp-edged surfaces is a good idea.

This is an area where homeowners can make substantial savings by doing the work themselves. The nailer is the most powerful and labor-intensive tool, which drives nails into the floor joists to hold the plywood subfloor in place, as well as a circular saw or jig saw to cut the plywood into pieces that can be lifted easily. A drywall or masonry hammer or chisel and a pry bar are used for the demolition of vinyl flooring and tile. The flooring is then cut to size with a miter saw, and the pieces are either formed with a hammer or dragged edge to edge with a hand sander. The flooring Brisbane is then applied to the surfaces that have been cut out, and nailing begins as well.

Traffic is another concern when installing flooring. After the floor has been put into place, it needs to be sodded or tamped down for better adhesion. Sodding refers to a process of spreading the material, sometimes on top of existing grass, to a depth of 12 inches, at least in commercial installations. The grass absorbs small particles of water that may come into contact with the subfloor and help it adhere.