From the outside, installing floors may seem quite straightforward. The old floors are stripped, and the new floors are installed. However, the decisions made that affect the look and longevity of the floor tend to take place before any of the pieces are fastened down.
This article will guide you through the process of flooring installation in Toronto right from the initial visit to the final walk-through. You will learn how to prepare for it, what happens at the end of every day, and what should be checked in order to know if the installation is complete. It will even show you when you can expect to see your skilled installers from AV Floors.
Before the First Board is Installed
It all begins with a visit rather than a quote done by phone. The flooring expert visits your house, takes measurements of each room and sees what’s underneath the existing floor. The installation team from
AV Floors gives you an in-home estimate for free and an estimate in writing with no hidden fees.
This is also the point when you should discuss the material you want. Solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and carpets react differently in kitchens, basements, or bedrooms. Talk about your pets, children, noise issues, budget, etc. The right flooring type always depends on the room.
Take your time for this step. It’s when most of the problems which people face later can be avoided. A mismatched floor level with your hallway or unexpected colors in your living room lighting are among them.
Your first visit should include:
- Measurement and room layout
- Subfloor (which is the floor that lies underneath yours) and its weaknesses
- Materials and sample
- Realistic starting date depending on material availability and crew schedule
There isn’t much you need to do, but some preparation will save time when the crew comes.
- Move small stuff out of the way, like little objects and rugs.
- Let the crew move and put back larger furniture.
- Organize the parking and, for a condo, arrange the use of an elevator.
- Figure out where your pets and kids will be spending their day.
Out With the Old: Removal and Subfloor Inspection
Removing the old flooring
The old floor will be removed and transported away by the team. There are some types of flooring that may be left intact. For instance, laminate flooring installation may in some cases be installed directly on top of an old flat, dry and intact floor. You’ll learn whether or not that is the case during the estimated visit.
Reasons for giving the subfloor so much importance
An unlevel and/or wet subfloor leads to spaces, squeaks, and raised sections, regardless of the quality of the new floor. For this reason, the installer levels and inspects for wetness before smoothing out low spots and correcting any weaknesses.
The other aspect that requires special care in wood is acclimation, a process in which the hardwood adjusts to the indoor environment before its installation. As per the guidelines of the National Wood Flooring Association, cited in Hardwood Floors, both the wood and subfloor should be tested for moisture content.
Installation Days: What You Will Really See
After the preps have been completed, the process begins room by room. The trim, transitions, and stair nosings are installed last, which is why sometimes the floor may appear incomplete until nearly finished.
This is the range that AV Floors provides for regular installations. Your written estimate tells you your actual amount.
Project | Typical timeframe | Other info |
Hardwood, one room | 1-2 days | The wood requires acclimation |
Hardwood, entire main floor | 3-5 days | May take longer if subfloor repair is required |
Laminate, one room | Less than 1 day | The underlayment is installed first |
Laminate, entire main floor | 2-3 days | The more transitions required, the longer the process |
Staircase installation | 2-4 days | Longer if railings and spindles are part of the install |
Updating existing staircase | 1-3 days | Installing new treads, railings, or converting from carpet to hardwood |
Hardwood: slow installation, consistent finishing
Hardwood can be nailed down, stapled down, glued down or floated, depending on the type of wood and the sub-floor.
Solid hardwood flooringis easy to sand and refinish numerous times; however, it is sensitive to moisture. Engineered hardwood is more resistant to moisture. Both solid and engineered hardwood are installed by AV Floors, which will recommend one or the other for your room.
Laminate: It is all about the underlying layer
Installing the laminate flooring installation depends on the underlayment, the layer that homeowners don’t know much about. This layer will determine whether your laminate floors remain quiet or will begin clicking and moving. If it is for basements, moisture testing and vapor barrier are installed. Laminate flooring installation repels water, but it is not waterproof, so if you need a waterproof one, ask for it in advance.
Stairs: The surface used the most in the home
The installation of stairs may involve installing the new treads and risers, new railings or building a complete set of stairs if you have an extension project or want to put one in a basement. Matching stain and species is possible; samples can be used for this purpose.
Why the Final Walk-through is Important
ng Installation in Toronto
Before you can declare the job completed, take a walk through the space with the installer. Give it some time to make sure that:
- The seams and joints are tight with no lifted edges
- Transitions and trims are properly placed around the thresholds and the walls
- All stair treads are sturdy and level
- The floors are steady throughout all rooms with no hollow areas, squeaks, or clicks
- The surfaces are without any scratches, adhesive residue, or marks on the walls
- The work area is clean
If anything seems wrong, point it out when the crew is still there; it will be easier to fix.
Then find out about the warranty. AV Floors provides warranty for their installation service, but the warranty on the floors varies depending on the products from the manufacturers.
An experienced floor installer will be able to notice little issues right away – for instance, the unevenness of the sub-floor, moisture in some corners, or a need for another transition strip by the door. If left unresolved, they will result in callbacks.
This is precisely the benefit of working with flooring contractors in Toronto who have already had experience with various houses – they will know what to look out for and will warn you about it in time.
It will take just one quote in writing, protected walkways, protection for your furniture, and cleanup at the end of each working day. AV Floors provides such information on its service page.
FAQs
The process of a successful floor laying process is relatively easy: accurate quoting, proper preparation, steady installation, and an honest walk-through. Understanding the process makes it easy to control everything.
