Stretch-In Carpet Installation

This is the most standard and practiced technique for installing carpeting in homes, which is typically called residential carpet. Strips of wood, called tack strips are nailed around the edges of the room. These strips have very sharp pins, or tacks, that will grip the back of the carpet and hold it in place. Padding is used in this type of installation to make the carpet feel softer underfoot, and to protect the back of the carpet from wear. One tack strips and padding are place, the carpet rolled out and then stretched to the edges and attached to the strips. There are special tools professional installers use in order to properly stretch a carpet, such as a knee kicker and power stretcher.  Carpet will not stay flat without getting lumps unless enough tension is place on the carpet to pull it close to the wall and fix it to a tack strip.

Your professional installer with Empire Today has the essential tools and expertise to properly complete stretch-in carpet installations.

Glue Down Carpet Installation

Used commonly in commercial spaces or special areas like your basement, a glue down installation is when the carpet is glued directly to the floor and without a pad. While this provides a solid base, the lack of a pad means less comfort and less durability. Also, the floor that the carpet is being glued to needs to be completely smooth otherwise you will feel (and maybe even see) imperfections through the carpet.

Wood Flooring Installation Methods

Nail Down Wood Flooring Installation

This flooring installation method is how it sounds, flooring is nailed or stapled to a subfloor. Solid hardwood is typically nailed down, while some engineered hardwood options may be stapled. In order to nail down a floor, there must be a suitable subfloor underneath. A floor cannot be nailed down to concrete, and the subfloor must be dry, level, and flat. This type of installation is considered to me more permanent because it is difficult to remove planks once their nailed down. 

There are also special tools needed to property perform a nail down installation, such as a specialty flooring nail/staple gun, jamb saw, and router. Your Empire Today installation contractor will have all the necessary tools to complete a nail down installation.

Glue Down Wood Flooring Installation

Like carpet, engineered hardwood and vinyl flooring can be glued down. This leaves no space between your floors and the subfloor, creating a cohesive surface. It also helps reduce bounce on the floor and helps deaden the sound of footsteps. Keep in mind, that while it’s possible to glue down laminate, it isn’t common since most laminate was built for a floating installation, which we will discuss next.

Floating Wood Flooring Installation

A floating floor installation does not require the floor to be nailed or glued down. Instead the floor planks are connected together using a click-and-lock system. The planks have tiny groves along the edges that allow them to be strongly joined together. An advantage of a floating floor is that it allows the floor to adapt by expanding and contracting to alterations in the room’s humidity.

Installing floors is a big job that requires tools, experience, and knowledge. Empire has been installing floors in homes for more than 65 years – it’s what we do… everyday. Avoid a DIY disaster and leave flooring installation to the pros.

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1. All Furniture and Décor Should Be Considered

Professional installers can do really good with moving your furniture and keeping it protected during the job. But as a courtesy, ahead of time, alert installers to particularly heavy or hard to move pieces. And if there are areas with clutter, a flooring installation team will greatly appreciate you clearing them out. It’s also good to talk to the installation company to get an understanding as to any limitations crews have with regards to moving furniture. You’ll probably also want to disconnect certain electronics and remove fragile wall hangings before the job starts.

2. You Should Designate a Cutting Area

Your professional installation team wants to make the experience a positive one, but the plain truth about some flooring types, such as hardwood, laminate or tile, is that putting them in can be a dusty affair. Installers need an area where they can cut and prepare materials that does not disturb other areas of the home. Before installers arrive, figure out what area of your home – whether it’s a garage, patio, driveway or somewhere else – is okay for this activity. And If a dust barrier system is needed either get one or make sure the team has one before the job starts.

3. Existing Floors Should be Protected

When you decide on good pathways for installers to come in and out of your home, you should also consider the floors in the home that are staying in place. Will the crew be walking on them? Will dust intrude those areas, and what if there isn’t a door to stop dust from traveling into the space? Your installation team might be able to help with coverings or dust barriers, but it’s a conversation you should have up front, and be prepared with your own coverings or barriers, just in case.

4. Climate Matters

Hardwood and laminate don’t perform so well with humidity and ceramics don’t offer much warmth, especially in cold climates. Factors such as these are why it’s so important for you to consider the climate of your home’s location. You wouldn’t want cold tile if you lived in a region that has frigid winters. If you do live in a climate that has high humidity and still want hardwood, be sure to add a dehumidifier to your home to help offset the damaging effects.

5. Subfloors Can Make or Break Your Flooring Installation

Before you have a team come out for the installation, you’ll want to understand the subfloor types in your home, as well as their condition. Here are some common subfloor situations that trip up homeowners.

• Carpet: Do you have existing tacking around the perimeter of the room, or does an install team need to install fresh tacking? Is the floor underneath your future carpet concrete or wood? That could affect the cost of the installation and the amount of time it takes to install your carpet and/or new tacking.
• Wood Looks: Is this a floating floor that rests on a pad, or is an adhesive used to install the plank? Is the subfloor wood? If so, you may need a special floor preparation before wood, laminate, vinyl or other flooring types are installed. Again, this could all impact the time and effort it takes to install the floor.
• Tile: If your subfloor is uneven or cracked and you choose ceramic tiles, you’re buying a product that is more likely to crack over time as the subfloor shifts.

These are just a few examples of how the subfloor can impact an installation. During a sales consultation, it’s a good idea to ask how the subfloor in your home will impact the new floor you desire. It’s better to get any bad news about cleaning, preparing or repairing a subfloor upfront; then you can budget time and dollars to make sure the installation is done properly.

Picking the right floor is one part of the experience, but with a smooth and easy flooring installation your new flooring experience will be that much better. Are you ready to take the leap with a new floor installation? Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate today!

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1. Professionals Know Their Stuff

Doing thorough research is a given for any homeowner trying to invest in something as big as new flooring. However, nothing compares to the knowledge of someone who installs floors for a living. They’ve basically seen it all. This makes them perfectly equipped to handle unique situations should any problems arise.

Not only are they ready to handle problems, but they know how a specific type of flooring should be installed. Laminate shouldn’t be installed the same as real wood, and even solid and engineered hardwood have their differences. With each room and flooring type possibly requiring unique installations, it’s better to get a professional to do your flooring installation than to trust tutorials from the internet.

2. Get Flooring and a Peace of Mind

Between work and the kids, your life is probably already hectic. A DIY project may seem fun in the beginning, but it requires hard work and dedication to detail. Moving furniture, removing the old flooring, and taking the time to lay down your new floors with no mistakes can be heavy tasks in your busy life. Sit back, relax, and let the pros handle your flooring installation while you continue tackling your everyday projects. Why add on to your stress when you can let someone else do the work while you take it easy?

3. Fewer Mistakes for a High-Quality Finish

Installing floors may seem like an easy process on paper, but actually working on the project may tend to be harder than expected. Mismeasurements, scratches, and the wrong cut can ruin the aesthetic of the finished look. With a professional to do your flooring installation, this is less likely to happen. If it does, they’ll be better equipped to rectify the situation. Having a carpet stretcher, for example, is imperative to getting the carpet installed right and knowing where the seams should go can make all the difference.

4. Professionals Can Get the Job Done Faster

You shouldn’t have to wait forever to get the flooring you want! Not just because you can’t wait to get new home décor, but delaying the process can be an inconvenience. With the furniture moved and your foundation exposed, your home can be cluttered and even dangerous. That’s why it’s best to get the job done as quickly as possible. With more experience and better tools, a professional is more than likely to install your floors faster than you.

Empire Makes Getting Floors Easy with a Quality Professional Flooring Installation

When it comes to something as important as flooring, it’s best to leave it to the pros. Not only will you save time and energy, but you also have a better chance of achieving your look with fewer mistakes. Get flooring quick and easy when you schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate with Empire Today.

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