What’s the procedure when having your flooring installed?

Having new flooring installed is a major project. Furniture needs to be moved, the old flooring needs to be taken up and the new flooring put in its place. Improper installation can not only look shoddy but can shorten the life of the new flooring. Furthermore, poor installation can create safety hazards. For example, if adhesive is not applied properly, the floor may warp causing people to trip. Similarly, a poor installation job may leave a gap in the flooring which can catch someone’s foot.

It is essential to find experienced fitters when you are having new flooring installed. Reputable workmen should be able to provide references to assure you of their quality and professionalism.

Although professional installers will clear the room of furnishings, it would be advisable for you to remove all breakable items including vases, lamps and plates from the rooms. You should also unplug all electronic devices including TV’s, hi-fi and computers.

The procedures for installing new flooring vary according to the type of flooring being fitted.

 

The procedure for installing new carpet

Your flooring retailer will send a professional estimator to your address for your floors to be measured. The estimator will calculate exactly how much carpet you will require and advise you on the best layout of the carpet in all rooms. The estimator will also work out where seams should lie, how patterns can be matched, and how to cut down on carpet waste.

Next, an appointment will be made for a professional carpet installer to commence the installation. Your retailer should be able to advise you what you need to do to before the installer starts work.

The installers will start work by preparing the floor for the new carpet. If the floor was previously carpeted, the old carpet must be taken up and the old glue scraped off the floor.

After the new carpet is laid, your installers should check that all doors close. In some cases doors might need trimming to enable sufficient clearance over a thick carpet.

 

The procedure for installing real wood flooring

It is essential that wood flooring is properly acclimatised before installation. Heat and damp will cause wood to expand. The new wood should be given 48 hours to adjust to the environment of the room before it is installed.

Before installation, it is important that the sub-floor is thoroughly checked to ensure it is clean, dry and flat. If the sub-floor is uneven, it may need to be levelled.

The real wood is installed using a special adhesive and sealer.  After installation, the room should be left unused for 12 hours to allow the floor to settle.

 

The procedure for installing laminate flooring

The procedure for installing laminate flooring is more straightforward. Modern laminate flooring products use connectors or interlocking shapes which facilitate quick and simple installation.

Laminates need some time to adjust to room temperature and humidity, so your installers may decide to keep the laminates in their intended room for a few hours before starting work.

Your installers will often lay down a foam layer below the laminate pieces. This will help cushion the floor and will also act as sound insulation between rooms. Additionally the foam will protect the laminate from moisture. The laminate floor is not glued to the sub floor. Instead the laminate pieces float above the sub floor in a way that allows them to expand and contract with variations in temperature.

 

The procedure for installing vinyl flooring

Before installing vinyl flooring, the underlying surface must be dry, clean and perfectly flat. In some cases the existing floor may need to be treated with concrete to make it suitable for vinyl. Concrete floors may need to be planed and levelled before installation can take place.

If the floor is wood, loose boards should be screwed down. Boards and joints must be levelled.

The vinyl should be given time to acclimatise to room temperature for up to 24 hours before installation. The vinyl should be removed from its packaging and spread out during this time.

 

Find out more

At Cherry Carpets we have a team of expert fitters with years of experience in installing a range of flooring materials including carpets, real wood, laminates and vinyl.

If you have any questions about having new flooring installed, our team of friendly staff would be delighted to help. Please give a us a call today on 020 8249 9726