Getting new flooring can be an exciting change to any home. It can completely transform the look of your home, giving you a fresh look or a completely different style. However, getting new flooring does take some research to avoid some headaches later. Here are a few mistakes to avoid with new flooring:

Mistake #1 – Not Considering Your Lifestyle

One of the most common mistakes you can make with new flooring is not considering your lifestyle. You should determine how your lifestyle will work with the material and maintenance levels. For example, if your house is always busy with a lot of activity, you will want a material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Some flooring, like hardwood floors, is not suitable for a lot of activity and may scratch easily. This is just one of the reasons hardwood flooring might not be right for you.

If you still want the look of a certain flooring material, you might be better off choosing luxury vinyl flooring. These materials can mimic the look of hardwood or other flooring but have the durability to withstand a lot of activity. Plus, there are so many design trends in luxury vinyl flooring that you’re bound to find the best style for your home.

If you have children, make sure you have a good mix of soft flooring, too. Carpeting is a great choice for a child’s bedroom because they’ll be able to play on the floor much more comfortably. If you prefer hard flooring throughout your entire home, make sure you have plenty of area rugs throughout your home for comfort.

Mistake #2 – Only Picking Flooring Based on Aesthetics

While aesthetics and durability are certainly among the things to consider when choosing flooring, there are also a few other things you should consider. It’s important to keep the slip factor in mind when choosing a material. This is especially important in areas that have a lot of moisture, like the bathroom or kitchen.

Some materials, like porcelain, can become especially slippery when water or other liquids end up on those floors. Not picking the right flooring material is a bathroom remodeling mistake to avoid because it can lead to slips and falls and can cause some serious injuries.

If you want a certain type of flooring that tends to cause slips, look for that type of flooring material with a textured surface or ask for a coating to prevent accidents. This way, you can have the style you want while still prioritizing safety.

Stairs are another area where you should be careful about your flooring. Flooring that has a slippery surface on staircases can be extremely dangerous. If you still want that flooring, you should consider a stair runner or stair treads.

Mistake #3 – Not Planning Transitions Between Different Types of Flooring

Unless you intend to have the same flooring throughout your entire home, you should consider how to properly transition between different types of flooring. For example, if you have a floor that goes from carpet to tile flooring, you need to have an end cap that gives you a clean transition. Not only do the end caps give you a clean transition, but they can also protect the edges of each flooring material from extra wear and tear.

Mistake #4 – Not Keeping Up With Maintenance and Cleaning

Another one of the mistakes to avoid with new flooring is not keeping up with maintenance and cleaning. All flooring benefits from regular cleaning, like sweeping and vacuuming. This is necessary because even small specks of dirt can cause scratching to some flooring materials over time. Even durable flooring can be prone to continuous scratches, so cleaning it regularly can help your floors last a lot longer, and look better longer, too!

You also need to be aware of how to properly clean your floors. Properly cleaning them is part of regular maintenance, and you should be using the right cleaners to keep your floors in good shape for a long time. Using the wrong cleaners is a home maintenance mistake to avoid, so be sure you know what cleaners you can and can’t use for your specific type of flooring.

One of the biggest benefits of tile flooring or luxury vinyl flooring is that cleaning them is as simple as using a basic floor cleaner or even just soap and water. This can save you a lot of time over time by reducing how much maintenance is needed.

Get New Flooring For Your Home With Zephyr Thomas

These are just a few mistakes to avoid with new flooring. Working with a professional home improvement company can help you avoid making these mistakes. If you’re seeing any signs it’s time to replace your flooring, or if you’re just ready for a change, it might be time to talk to the experts at Zephyr Thomas. They will walk you through every aspect of this process, making it go much more smoothly. Call Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 to get started today!

Check out the time-lapse video below to watch the Zephyr Thomas team install new tile floors in the kitchen, hallway, and entryway for this homeowner!