Choosing the right floor: avoid these small mistakes!

Choosing flooring when building or renovating a home is no small task. However, when the choice is right, flooring can create the perfect ambiance in any room.

Making the wrong choice can be unpleasant, since covering a surface with ceramic, wood or vinyl can be costly if you don't like the result! Here are the most common mistakes… and how not to get caught.

Buy a floor without ordering a sample

This may seem obvious, but it is the most common mistake. Don't order flooring without bringing a sample into the house. This will help you avoid:

• That the color does not exactly match the one on the picture, so it does not suit your taste or the rest of your decor;
• That the floor is too thick and will not fit under door frames or create a tripping hazard in transitions of different floor coverings in the home;
• That the floor is not resistant enough to scratches and stains;
• That it simply does not suit your expectations in the light of your home.

Choosing a floor that doesn't fit your lifestyle

Some floors are best suited for families with young children, homes with pets, or busy people who don't have time to maintain fussy flooring. Inspiration photos don't show the other side of the story. Make sure your dream floor can fit your everyday reality, so it doesn't turn into a nightmare.

Also consider the room where the floor will be installed. Lots of traffic? Choose ceramic or vinyl tiles. Comfort is a priority? Natural wood or carpet is best.

Do not buy a sufficient quantity

Always allow at least an additional 5% of the total area of the house or room to be covered. For flooring with a specific pattern, such as patterned ceramic or Herringbone style flooring, purchase at least 10% extra. Buying extra flooring will give you peace of mind during installation. Imagine if you need more tile, but there's none left in stock?

Besides, the amount of flooring lost during the cut may be more than you think, especially if you have to make special cuts because of the pattern or particular angles of the room. There's also the risk of making mistakes and having to start a cut several times, especially if you're new to flooring installation.

Finally, keep at least one or two boxes in case your floor becomes damaged, so that you can replace it more easily. Variations exist depending on the stock, or the chosen flooring may not be available in a few years. But no matter what the reason, buying a little extra to hold on to in case of unforeseen circumstances is a less expensive insurance than replacing the entire floor.

You are now able to avoid all these mistakes when choosing your floor. Happy shopping!