Knoxville Flooring Installation: 10 Considerations When Choosing the Best Option

Floors are a pretty important part of the overall structure of your Knoxville home, or any other building for that matter. They are exposed to a lot of wear and tear from being walked on all day long, so they need to be highly durable and long-lasting to provide maximum long-term value. But because they also take up a huge amount of visual space in every room, the importance of finding the perfect floor style to suit your personal taste can't be overlooked either.

If your current floors are in rough shape and not functioning well for the needs of your household, or you're tired of looking at old, ugly, outdated flooring, it's time for a Knoxville flooring installation project. But with so many materials, colors, sizes, shapes, patterns, textures and configurations available, how do you find the ideal style that will perform well and look fantastic in your home? This guide explains 10 factors you should think about when you're choosing the best option for your house and family.

When you're ready to say "out with the old, in with the new," count on your local Knoxville handyman to handle your new installation. The expert service professionals at Mr. Handyman of West Knoxville have years of experience with flooring installation in Knoxville and other nearby communities in Tennessee, and we take a lot of pride in delivering the highest standards of quality workmanship and outstanding customer service on every job.

1. Knoxville Flooring Installation Vs. Repairs

First up, it makes sense to consider whether you need a brand-new flooring installation or if a couple minor repairs would suffice to get your surfaces back in good condition. The "repair or replace" question is one we are often asked by Knoxville homeowners, and in our professional experience, the answer depends on a few main factors: the severity of the damage, how widespread it is, and your satisfaction with the look of your current surfaces.

If you've got a few minor chips, cracks, dents or scuffs, then professional repair from your Knoxville handyman is likely all you need to get your home back in excellent condition. But if the damage is more severe, or widespread across a large percentage of the surface, a new flooring installation is actually likely to be your most cost-effective and long-lasting option. It takes a lot of time to repair many small problems, and repair may not even be feasible for particularly bad damage. A total replacement will be a less costly choice that gets you better-looking and better-performing results in the end.

2. Your Priorities for Flooring Installation in Knoxville, TN

The next thing you need to think about is what the main priorities are for your new installation. It helps to consider the location and purpose of the material that's going to be installed. For example, is the surface going in a utilitarian, high-traffic area that is prone to moisture exposure, such as a bathroom, kitchen or entryway? In that case, you should steer clear of hardwood floor installation and other materials that are vulnerable to water damage and choose a highly durable material with water resistant qualities, such as laminate or ceramic tile.

On the other hand, maybe it's going to be in a part of the house with lower traffic, and you really want to make a striking design choice for that room. In that situation, it's reasonable to consider more delicate but beautiful materials that can really enhance the aesthetic of your house. There's not always a trade-off between appearance and durability—but that should definitely be a consideration when it comes to flooring installation in Knoxville, Tennessee.

3. Maintenance Requirements for Your Knoxville Flooring Installation

That brings us to maintenance requirements. This is something people often don't think about when they're planning out a flooring installation in Knoxville, but the level of maintenance required for any given material can vary quite a bit and should be a major consideration when making a purchase decision.

For example, if you're getting a new tile installation, there are natural stone tile options such as slate or marble that are stunningly beautiful and practically scream luxury. But they are susceptible to damage such as chipping or staining, and need to be resealed regularly to keep them looking their best. You may be perfectly fine with the extra work in exchange for a striking appearance, but it's good to be aware of what you're getting yourself into. While ceramic or porcelain tile aren't quite as flashy, they're still very attractive, highly durable and virtually maintenance-free.

4. Style of Flooring Installation in Knoxville, TN

Some people tend to think of flooring material as "design neutral" in that it doesn't really affect the design vision of a room. But if that was the case, there wouldn't be thousands of styles available to choose from. Those surfaces take up a lot of visual space in any room, and can be just as important as wall treatments when it comes to affecting the interior design of your home.

Just look at how many hardwood flooring options there are to choose from. Hardwood is one of the types of flooring that can blend into almost any design scheme, from modern and elegant to rustic and old-fashioned, but the type and color of wood that you choose will go a long way towards enhancing your chosen interior design—or it can look mismatched and out of place. That effect can be even more pronounced with tile, laminate and other types, so it pays to give careful consideration to how you want your flooring installation to look and how well it will complement your existing décor.

5. Pet-Friendly Knoxville Flooring Installation

If your household includes cats, dogs or other free-roaming animals with sharp claws, you're going to want to avoid hardwood floors and other materials that are easily scratched, scuffed and gouged by the click-clack of little paws ripping around the house. Ceramic tile and laminate flooring are good choices that are durable and make it a lot easier to clean up after your furry or feathered friend. Carpets are often scratched by cats that prefer your new installation to their scratching post, and it can be hard to get those little accidents cleaned out of the fabric. If you have a bigger dog with long, gangly legs, keep in mind that some types of shiny or slippery surfaces are difficult for them to walk on—a tile with a rough texture will help them keep their grip so they don't go flying.

6. Flooring Installation That Reduces Allergy Suffering

Do you or another member of your household suffer from pet dander or dust-related indoor allergies? If so, you'll probably want to avoid choosing carpet installation. Dust, pet hair and all sorts of other allergy-triggering substances work their way into the fibers of a carpet and it takes more than a couple passes with the vacuum to remove it. Allergy sufferers will be a lot more comfortable in your house with a smooth, non-fabric surface such as laminate or tile that can be easily cleaned of dust and other irritants.

7. In-Floor Heating Under a Knoxville Flooring Installation

Do you cringe when you have to put your feet on an ice-cold surface first thing in the morning, or really any time of the day? A new Knoxville flooring installation is the perfect opportunity to consider adding an in-floor heating system. There's a common misconception that they only make the surface warm, but in-floor heating can actually improve the comfort levels of an entire room. Because the heat rises from the entire surface, it fills the room evenly and doesn't leave hot or cool patches like a forced-air system. If you do decide to go with in-floor heating, engineered wood, or porcelain or ceramic tile, are the best choices. They are porous enough to allow the transfer of heat but won't be warped or damaged by the additional warmth. Is your flooring installation part of a kitchen remodeling project? Check out our steps to preparing your West Knoxville kitchen remodel.

8. Warranty and Guarantee for Flooring Installation in Knoxville, TN

When you are searching around for the ideal Knoxville flooring installation option, make sure your choice is covered by a decent product warranty from the manufacturer. If you happen to get faulty or defective material, you want to know that you can get it replaced quickly at no additional expense to you.

Because damage to material does sometimes occur during installation, especially if it's being done by someone with little or no experience, it's also a smart idea to make sure that the Knoxville handyman you hire guarantees their workmanship. If it's not installed correctly, they should come back and fix it so you don't have to worry. At Mr. Handyman, we always hire the best service professionals Knoxville has to offer. We're confident they can get your installation finished correctly the first time, which is why we back them up with the Done Right Promise, a guarantee on workmanship. If it's not done right, we'll make it right!

9. Staying on Budget With Knoxville Flooring Installation

Sticking to the budget is a concern with most home improvement projects, and flooring installation is no exception. If you're working with a limited budget and want to find areas to cut back on expenses, material costs are a good place to start. However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a cheap product. There are many excellent options available for all budgets.

Make sure to check around at a few different places and see what you can find, because you never know what you might be able to get on sale, at a discount or just unusually favorable pricing. If you are thinking about a luxury material like natural stone or exotic wood, consider less costly options that can give you elegance at prices that don't break the bank. For example, laminate floor material uses an image layer that is often made to mimic the look of hardwood or natural stone. It's a great way to get the look you want at a fraction of the cost, and laminate is both long-lasting and easy to clean. If you're planning on putting your home on the market in the near future, flooring installation is a great way to get a good return on investment and help convince prospective buyers to seal the deal.

10. Preparing for Knoxville Flooring Installation

Once you've got a good idea of what you want for your flooring installation in Knoxville and you've scheduled an appointment to have it done, there are a few things that need to be taken care of prior to the day of service. All the furniture needs to be moved out of the room, of course, but there are other steps that some homeowners aren't aware of.

Here's a list of a few things that need to get done before Knoxville flooring installation:

• Remove delicate, breakable items that are attached to the walls, such as glass-fronted cabinet doors, framed photos and paintings
• If you have low-hanging window drapes, tie them up near the ceiling or remove them altogether
• Clear everything out of closets or storage areas connected to the main area where the flooring installation will be done
• Measure the openings below doors to ensure that they will not scrape against your new flooring
• Give your existing surface or subfloor a thorough cleaning
• You may need to adjust your thermostat to help your new flooring material acclimatize

Are You Ready to Get Started On a Knoxville Flooring Installation Project? Call your Local Handyman!

Whether you are in Knoxville or a nearby area such as Oak Ridge, Karns or Powell, you can get the beautiful floors you're looking for from the experienced flooring installation team at Mr. Handyman of West Knoxville.

Get in contact with us today by picking up the phone and calling us to speak with our friendly customer care representatives and find out more about our reliable floor services, or to schedule a service appointment at a convenient time. Or, take a look at our local reviews to learn more about Mr. Handyman of West Knoxville.