When to Have a Contractor Install New Flooring in Your Home
Some options for new flooring are very easy for homeowners to install; peel-and-stick tiles require no glue and few tools and can often be put right over your current floor. However, there are times when it's best to have a flooring contractor manage the installation of new flooring, even if it seems somewhat easy to install certain materials on your own. Note when this is and why a flooring services professional should be called in certain circumstances.
In older homes
Older homes may have subfloors that have cracked or gotten weak with age. Consequently, any flooring you add can put undue weight on the subfloor. This can cause even more cracking and broken boards or that annoying squeak you hear when you walk across old floors. That squeak is caused by the wood shifting and scraping up against other boards. A flooring expert can note if your home's subfloor needs added bracing in any way in order to support your flooring choice or can note other choices you might consider that are lighter and less likely to cause more damage to your old flooring materials.
Heavier floor products
Even if your home isn't necessarily old, heavier flooring products may need some extra care when being installed. A contractor might note to brace up the subfloor, even if it's new and in good condition, to prevent future damage. Heavy stone tiles can also be very difficult to work with and might crack and break if you were to drop one or bang it against another tile. To avoid this type of damage, have a contractor manage the installation of limestone, granite, marble, and the like.
Solid wood
Solid wood is difficult to install on your own because it needs to be glued or nailed to the subfloor or otherwise attached to your home's flooring. This can be a difficult job to manage without damaging the wood planks or slats. Using the wrong glue, too much glue or not enough glue can also mean having the glue become brittle and pull away from the materials or not holding the flooring in place. Solid wood can also more readily expand and contract as it absorbs moisture and then dries out, so it needs to stay a certain distance away from walls to allow for that expansion. A flooring contractor will be experienced with how to manage the installation of solid wood so that it stays in place and doesn't cause damage to the walls over time.