Spec PlanQ: Flooring

spec plan-Q: flooring

Spec Plan Q: Planning Floors

what you need to know —

You need to plan flooring for every room and area in the home. The unfinished attic will likely have plywood; the basement concrete. But what about the main floor, the stairway leading to a higher level, the bathrooms, bedroom, kitchen, etc. Let's start by reviewing options:

Types of home flooring to consider:

 

Pros/Cons Room Flooring:

• Kitchens/Bath:

  These two room have the most moisture and high probability of getting the floor wet (especially bathrooms with shower/tubs).
  
  Hardwood is not a good choice for these two rooms. Water spillage can warp the wood.
  
  Best options are tile, luxury vinyl, and other materials that withstand water such as polished concrete.

• Living Areas:

  Living areas include living rooms, family rooms, home office/dens, recreations rooms, and home theaters.
  
  Hardwood floors is the #1 choice for living areas for most homeowners. An alternative choice would be engineered or luxury vinyl planks that resemble wood.
  
  Carpets are also widely used - especially for home theater rooms to muffle sound and home offices where heavy movable furniture like chairs and desks can scratch up wood.

• Bedrooms:

  The best surface to setup onto after crawling out of bed is carpet. It is warm and soft to the feet unlike wood-like floor that can be cold and hard.
  
  However, hardwood is still a popular choice along side with rugs for adding the softer touch for bedrooms.

• Foyers/Entryways:

  The foyer can be the extension of the flooring type used for living areas - or it could segmented off with stone or tiled floors.
  
  That's best flooring for coming in from outside with wet shoes or clothes A stone flooring gives the entrance an elegant look.

• Laundry Rooms:

  And of the synthetic floors such as vinyl, laminate or linoleum. Laundry room can leak - and with dirty clothes, shoes, and the like, these type floors can be easily cleaned without damaging the surface.
  
  If you like the look of wood or some other creative design, many of these synthetic materials will offer an array of floor design.

• Basements:

  Polished concrete is best option given that basements can flood and/or retain moisture. Carpets are not good for that reason; though you will find many home with carpeted basements.
  
  If carpeting is your choice given what you plan for the basement, make sure to use durable carpet that can withstand moisture and other wear. If you have laundry facilities in the basement, keep that area concrete with some drainage if the event of washer leak.

Viewing Flooring By Room:

 

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spec plan-Q: flooring

Getting Started

Step 1: develop the plan

• take a completed draft of the flooring spec sheet to your architect or planner, who will can customize a remodeling plan or revise an existing plan that meets your specs.
  
• use your spec sheet and floor plan to bid the construction project out to contractors

flooring spec sheet

 

Step 2: get required building permits

• It will either be up to you or the contractor to obtain each permit.
  all about permits
• Check with your local jurisdiction regarding site and change permits:
  local government for permit information

 

Step 3: find pre-screened contractors and other service providers

Find Flooring Services
	Brick & Stone		Concrete
	Carpet		Hardwood
	Laminates & Vinyl		Tile
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spec plan-Q: flooring

Related Topics

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Affordable Flooring Styles for Luxurious Kitchens

Where Would Carpet Flooring Look (Work) Best?

How an Area Rug Can Add to Any Room Decor

Your Definitive Guide To Concrete Floor Finishes

spec plan-Q: flooring

Planning Forms plan and budget insulation needs and specs. flooring spec sheet spec budgeting worksheet DYI estimates selecting your contractor contractor evaluation sheet working with your contractor managing your contractor Quick scroll to key resources below: analyze flooring flooring topics what's needed for flooring

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