Top Flooring Solutions
With the price of hiring a handyman rising each year, and more and more people retiring early, there’s never been a better time to engage in some good old-fashioned DIY.
When it comes to flooring, there are plenty of solutions these days that don’t cost the world and that you can fit yourself without needing help from a professional. In this article, we’ll let you know about the easiest-to-install flooring and where you can buy it. But first, let’s look at why installing flooring yourself is good for your physical and mental health.
Why Do It Yourself?
A DIY flooring project is all the rage these days, and it’s easy to see why. Doing manual tasks yourself will reconnect you with your ancestors as you enjoy the lost art of working with your hands. It’ll discourage you from spending too much time on your phone and mean that you and your family can build your beautiful home together.
Being able to do more tasks yourself negates the need to spend big sums of money on outside contractors, making it a great solution for those with tighter budgets. Plus, you’ll learn new skills, get fitter by moving your body and feel mentally well knowing you did something for yourself and those you love.
While some jobs are too technical not to require a professional, a DIY project involving flooring is achievable without help. You’ll indeed need to buy a pencil, ruler and other tools - but besides that, all you’ll need is perseverance and great music to keep you company. Let’s explore which types of flooring are the easiest to install.
Types of Easy-To-Install Flooring
Four great types of flooring are easy to install without the task needing to be completed by a professional floorer. Each provides a unique fit and is a great DIY project you’ll enjoy doing.
Laminate
While most types of hardwood flooring are difficult to install without experience, laminate provides a similar look without the challenges. It looks like wood, yet is made from a softer and more durable material. It’s more resistant to stains than traditional wood solutions too, with most spills being easy to wipe up. It’s also cheaper than hardwood, costing as much as four or five times less.
Laminate flooring is available in multiple formats, some easier to install than others. The first type clicks together, meaning it’s by far the easiest solution. Simply place, stick and click. Other laminate solutions require the use of glue or nails - which, while still a possibility to do yourself, will require a little more precision and skill.
Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring, also known as vinyl tile, is even more durable than laminate. It’s scratch-resistant, meaning it’ll last longer than other flooring solutions. Vinyl plank or tile flooring is mostly used for indoor spaces, though is strong enough to withstand tougher outdoor environments. This type of flooring is waterproof, too, making it a great addition to garden areas.
Vinyl plank or vinyl tile flooring is usually sold with a sticker underneath, meaning that you simply place it in the correct location, remove the sticker sheet underneath and stick it to the ground.
Carpet Tiles
If you have laminate or vinyl plank flooring and are looking to change to carpet, this is quickly achieved with the use of carpet tiles. This is when, rather than being sold as a large roll, the carpet is sold to you in smaller panels. They tend to simply require you to peel the underneath sheet and stick it down onto your current flooring.
As you get to the edges of the room, you’ll need to cut the carpet tiles to size. This is achieved using a pair of scissors. Just be careful not to cut off too much because, while you can continue making a tile smaller, you can’t make it bigger again.
Hardwood
Despite hardwood being one of the hardest floors to install yourself, there are better variants within this floor type if you’ve got your heart set on it. Try to find hardwood flooring that clicks together. While definitely not a solution for those with only very basic DIY skills, it’s a possibility for those with some experience on similar projects. While hardwood floors can stain easily, they are a higher-end product that provides a real wood style that you, your family and your guests will love.
Where To Buy Easy-To-Install Flooring
Lots of companies in the United States sell easy-to-install flooring. Some of the best include Lowe’s, Home Depot and Costco. If you’d prefer to support smaller brands, be sure to check your local DIY store. They might not have the exact type of flooring you’re looking for in stock but are usually happy to source some for you for collection or delivery.
Take a look at some options for living room floor decor.