A beginner’s guide to flooring installation
Lockdown turned you into a DIY-enthusiast?
It’s not surprising. To help slow the spread of COVID-19, people are spending more time than ever at home and looking for new ways to while away the hours. If your house is in need of a little update, there’s never been a better opportunity to get it done. So, why not have a go at laying a new floor?
It’s not as difficult as you might think. Whether you’d like to fit carpet, hardwood, lino, or luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), the basic steps are the same and here we offer a few handy ‘flooring installation’ tips to help.
1. Measure carefully
First things first, to ensure the fitting runs as smoothly as possible, it’s important to get your measurements right. You need to know exactly how much flooring (and underlay!) you require.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by drawing a diagram of the room. You can measure each wall in turn and make a note of the dimensions as you go. Then, repeat the process a couple of times. Check and double-check the numbers – until you are 100% certain that you’ve got it right.
2. Prepare yourself and the subfloor
Preparation is often the key to a successful flooring fitting.
Before you start work, clean and tidy the subfloor. Use a brush and hoover to remove any debris and dust and, if you’re laying carpet, ensure carpet grippers are fitted around the perimeter of the room.
You should also check you have all the necessary equipment to hand. Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we have a comprehensive range of fitting tools – including carpet kickers, trimmers, knives, hammers, shears, adhesives, tapes and more. So, take a look through your toolbox and, if there’s something missing, browse our online collection and get anything you need to do the job.
3. Invest in a quality underlay
The quality of your underlay can have a huge impact on the overall finish of the flooring. Which is why, in most cases, it’s usually a good idea to rip up the old and replace it with new.
Research the market for the best quality products, and be sure to choose an underlay that is designed for the specific type of flooring you wish to install. For example, for carpets, we recommend the 12mm Plushwalk. Cut from ‘bounce-back’ memory foam, this creates an incredibly soft, comfortable feel underfoot and significantly enhances thermal and acoustic insulation.
For laminate and LVT, however, we recommend Acoustic Vinyl Click Underlay. And we typically suggest pairing hardwood flooring with either 5mm or 7mm Fibreboard.
4. Take the installation slow and steady
When it comes to the actual installation, take as much as time as you need. There’s no rush. If it’s the first time you’ve installed flooring, it may be worth checking out free online tutorials – such as those available on YouTube. Or perhaps take a look at the step-by-step guides written by our in-house experts, including ‘How to lay carpet underlay’, ‘How to lay wooden flooring’ and more.
Follow all instructions carefully and, before you tackle the next step, give it some thought first.
5. Final touches
Don’t forget to tidy up your work with a few final touches. This can often be the difference between a floor that looks amateur and home-fitted and one that looks professional and high-end. For example, skirting boards or floor trims can be used to hide the edges, and threshold strips are a fantastic way to create a seamless transition from room-to-room.
Contact our flooring installation experts
If you’re ready to start your first ‘flooring installation’ project and would like a little extra guidance, feel free to get in touch. We’re knowledgeable and experienced in this area and always happy to help. Not only can we offer additional tips on how to lay flooring successfully, we can also advise on the best underlay for your needs. Simply give us a call on 0203 887 0994 or send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.
- Carl Smith
