Flooring is one of those purchases that looks simple on the showroom floor and gets complicated the day the installers show up. A good price on a pretty plank can turn into a floor that dents, creaks, buckles or peels, and ripping it out and starting over costs far more than doing it right the first time. Most of the regret comes from three mistakes that are easy to avoid.
Here is what to ask and what to check before you sign anything.
Cheap vinyl plank that dents
Luxury vinyl plank has become hugely popular because it is water resistant, looks like wood and is easier to install than many other floors. But not all vinyl plank is the same. The cheapest products tend to be thinner, with a thinner protective wear layer on top, and they can dent, scratch and scuff more easily. Heavy furniture, a dropped pan or a dog with long nails can leave marks you cannot undo.
When you shop, ask the salesperson about the wear layer, the overall thickness and the core type of each product, and ask what the warranty covers. Read the warranty itself, not just the sales pitch. Many have exclusions for things like pet damage, indentations from furniture or moisture problems, and some require installation by specific methods. Ask what residential warranty applies to your room, and whether it is the same for every plank in the line.
If you have kids, pets, rolling chairs or heavy appliances, tell the salesperson up front. A floor that is perfect for a quiet guest room may not be right for a busy kitchen or family room.
Skipping the underlayment
Underlayment is the layer between the subfloor and the new flooring, and it is where people love to cut corners. It can add cushioning, reduce noise, smooth out small imperfections and, with some products, help with moisture. Skipping it, or using the wrong kind, can leave you with a hollow, clacky sound underfoot, or a floor that telegraphs every bump in the subfloor.
Some floating floors come with underlayment attached. Others require a separate layer, and some manufacturers say that adding one can void the warranty. That is exactly why you should ask. Check the installation instructions for the specific product you are buying, and ask your installer which underlayment is required, allowed or not recommended. Do not assume that the cheapest roll in the store is right for your floor.
Ignoring subfloor moisture
This is the sneaky one. The most beautiful floor can fail from the bottom up if the subfloor is damp. Moisture from a concrete slab, a basement, a crawl space or a past leak can cause wood to warp and cup, adhesive to fail, planks to buckle and mold to grow underneath. Many flooring warranties exclude damage from moisture that was not dealt with before installation.
Before flooring goes down, the subfloor should be checked, clean, dry, flat and sound. Ask your installer how they test for moisture, and whether they follow the manufacturer’s requirements. If you have had water problems in the past, such as a leak, a flood or a musty smell, deal with the cause first. Flooring is not a fix for a wet subfloor. Uneven spots may also need to be leveled, because many products have limits on how flat the surface must be.
Take samples home
A tiny square under showroom lights tells you very little. Lighting at home is different, and so are your walls, your cabinets and your furniture. Ask to bring home a few full-size samples, or even a few planks, and lay them out in the room where the floor will go.
- Look at them in morning light, afternoon light and under your lamps at night.
- Set them next to your cabinets, trim and wall color.
- Drag a chair leg or a key across a sample to see how it scratches.
- Press a fingernail or a heavy object into the surface to check for dents.
- Spill a little water on it and see how it handles the mess.
- Let family members weigh in, since everyone will walk on it.
Some stores let you borrow samples for free, and some charge a small fee. Either way, it is cheap insurance against an expensive mistake.
Ask about the full cost
The price per square foot on the tag is rarely the whole story. Installation can be a big part of the total, and so can removing old flooring, hauling it away, moving furniture, prepping the subfloor, buying underlayment and trim, and replacing baseboards. Ask for a written estimate that lists every item, and ask what happens if the crew finds a problem once the old floor is up. Get more than one quote, and compare what is included instead of comparing only the bottom line.
Questions to bring to the showroom
- What is the wear layer and the core on this product?
- What does the warranty cover and exclude, in writing?
- Does it need underlayment, and which kind?
- How should the subfloor be prepared and tested for moisture?
- Is installation included, and what is not?
Flooring is something you will live on for years, so a few extra questions are worth the effort. Take samples home, read the fine print, and make sure the subfloor is ready before any planks go down. The best floor is not the cheapest one on the shelf. It is the one that is still looking good long after the receipt is forgotten.
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