Wood floors are a major purchase, whether you are installing a new one or replacing worn down wood floors. You want to make the right decision so that you are happy with the quality of the work and the price of both the product and the installation. The best way that you can do that is by asking the right questions. Here are 4 questions you should ask before you start shopping for wood floors and having them fitted.
What Type of Material is This?
First of all, ask yourself whether you want to install a solid wood floor or engineered wood floor. Solid wood floors consist of solid wood from top to bottom. The boards will interlock with each other. This is the traditional type of wood floor. Engineered wood floors have a thin veneer of real wood on top of cheaper plywood. This brings down the cost and makes the floor more stable. For example, they won’t expand as much as temperature or humidity levels change.
Some engineered wood floors include recycled wood fibre which creates dimensional stability. Another popular choice is bamboo flooring. It is a tough, durable and eco-friendly material glued together to come together like hardwood. Whatever you choose, you want to know how to care for it.
If you work with a professional, you need to verify they have expertise in working with whatever material they’re using. You don’t want someone who may apply an incompatible finish.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Experience is the biggest factor in hiring someone to install or refinish your floors. It doesn’t matter how old the floor is; the quality of work they do to restore it depends on their expertise and experience, and that is true no matter what type of wood floor you chose.
Always ask if they have experience doing the type of work you want done. For example, suppliers like woodfloors-farnham.co.uk offer a variety of wood floors. They offer everything from traditional wood plants to herringbone blocks. Ask the contractor if they have experience installing bespoke wood flooring before you hire them. They may only know how to work with basic wood planks.
Do You Have Good Recommendations?
Don’t use testimonials on their website or their mere word for it as proof that they’re good. Check out the online recommendations and reviews for the contractor on third party sites. Ask the contractor for references, and then follow up on them. Verify that past clients are happy with their work. Ask the clients how the person did in terms of cost, schedule and quality.
What Happens After Installation?
You should ask what happens after installation. Does the floor require maintenance? If so, who will do it, and what needs to be done? How should you handle spills? How do you care for the wood? Who do you contact if you experience problems with the floor? Will they be giving out your contact information to prospective clients to give recommendations? Can you refinish the floors at a later date if you decide you want a different colour? Solid wood floors can be, but in engineered floors, this depends on the thickness of the top layer of wood.
Wood floors are a beautiful, natural and timeless type of flooring. However, you’ll only be happy with the results if the contractor can do a good job, so make sure that you ask the right questions to make sure that they’re the right fit.
