DIY flooring explained
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 7:23 PM
A professional-looking finish for a floor can help to enhance the appearance of a room but need not cost a lot, as it is possible to install most flooring products as a DIY job.
Fitting flooring in a room in a domestic property is one of the most straightforward DIY tasks, meaning you can save some of your home improvement budget for other projects instead of splashing out on a professional installer.
However, it is important to do some thorough research about how to lay your chosen flooring surface and what kind of preparation is required before you begin work.
Whether you have selected carpet, laminate flooring or another covering, you will need to begin by cleaning the subfloor and making certain it has an even surface. You may also need an underlay, depending on the condition of the subfloor and the type of product you are installing.
Perhaps the simplest product to fit is laminate flooring. Many of the modern laminates come with a snap-and-lock system that will allow you to simply cut the boards to size and click them into place - meaning you can create a floor with a high-quality finish in a matter of hours.
Vinyl flooring is another type of covering that is easy to fit. You will need to use an adhesive for most types of vinyl flooring, but you can make the process even more straightforward by choosing a product with stick-down installation strips.
Cork flooring is also available as stick-down tiles, although you will need to use click system installation if you select an engineered cork floor.
The most difficult product you can choose for DIY fitting is carpet, but it is possible to lay this warm, comfortable type of floor covering without spending money on a professional installer. The process requires a lot of preparation and can be time consuming, but you will find it is worth it once you see the finished look.
As it is possible to fit all this flooring on a DIY basis, you can make a choice on what looks best and is the most practical solution for the room you intend to fit it in, without having to worry about installation costs.
