Before you head on to your local flooring store in Osoyoos, it’s important you know what’s on offer and what type of flooring would work best for you. Whether it’s hardwood floors, carpets, or tiles you’re looking for, here’s how to ensure your flooring on Osoyoos goes off without a hitch.
Before You Head to Your Local Flooring Store in Osoyoos
When considering new flooring, start by calling the store to get a sense of their customer service over the phone. Reflect on the room’s purpose: is it a high-traffic area, a space for entertaining guests, or a sanctuary for relaxation?
This will guide you in selecting the most suitable flooring type. Think about your lifestyle too; if you have kids, pets, or frequently entertain, you’ll need flooring that is durable and easy to clean.
Establish your budget early on, as flooring options range from budget-friendly to high-end. Finally, research the different types of flooring available, such as hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet, and vinyl plank, to understand the pros and cons of each.
What to Consider When Shopping for Flooring
When you visit the store, take time to examine the flooring samples. Seeing these samples in the actual room where they will be installed will give you a better idea of how they will look and feel.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the different options and pricing available. You might also want to borrow samples to see how they match your space over a few days. Make sure to explain your timeline and specific needs to the salesperson, who should be able to offer guidance.
If you need flooring quickly, focus on in-stock options, as some stores do not carry inventory and may require special orders.
When finding the best flooring store in Osoyoos, you should also be wary of some red flags. If a flooring company offers a limited selection of products, it may not have the best options to meet your needs. Having a variety of choices ensures you find the perfect match for your space.
The inability to see or feel flooring samples can make it difficult to imagine how they will look in your home. Taking home samples to view in your space is crucial to ensure the product and colour work for you.
Also, poor over-the-phone help is a significant indicator of a problematic store. If a flooring store in Osoyoos can’t help you with simple requests over the phone and insists on an in-store visit for basic information, it likely operates in a high-pressure sales environment.
The Main Types of Flooring to Consider
When you head into the flooring store in Osoyoos, you should consider all the different types, each featuring its unique advantage.
Solid Wood
One of the main advantages of solid wood flooring is its natural warmth and impressive wear resistance. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, extending its lifespan. Prefinished wood floors are installed more quickly, avoiding the dust, fumes, and drying time required for on-site finishing. Additionally, factory finishes generally last longer than those applied on-site.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring offers several notable advantages. Made from thin layers of wood bonded together with adhesives, it can withstand higher humidity levels and is less prone to expanding and contracting compared to solid wood flooring.
This type of flooring features a thin veneer of real wood or bamboo over structural plywood, making it a more cost-effective option. When installed correctly and crafted from high-quality materials, engineered wood can be just as durable as solid wood.
Laminate Floors
Laminate flooring is constructed of dense fiberboard topped with a photographic image and a clear plastic protective layer, allowing it to mimic a wide range of materials. Some brands incorporate a cork backing to help muffle sound. The best laminates resist scratching and discoloration from sunlight better than most wood products, making them extremely durable and tough.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is exceptionally resistant to wear, dents, scratches, sunlight discoloration, and stains. Its waterproof nature makes it an excellent alternative to tile in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, providing a comfortable surface underfoot.
There are two main types of vinyl flooring: traditional vinyl and luxury vinyl flooring (LVF). Both are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but LVF is thicker, more rigid, and typically has more protective top layers.
Regular vinyl comes in rolls and is glued in place, while LVF is available in tiles or planks that click together for easy installation. High-quality LVF can effectively mimic the appearance of stone, tile, or wood.
Linoleum
Linoleum, made from linseed oil and wood products, is a natural and resilient flooring material. Modern linoleum offers a wide range of styles and colours, far surpassing the options available in the past. Additionally, linoleum is resistant to discoloration from sunlight, maintaining its vibrant appearance over time.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are classic materials known for their resistance to wear, moisture, scratches, dents, and stains. While ceramic tiles are best suited for indoor use, porcelain tiles, which are a type of ceramic fired at higher temperatures, can be used both indoors and outdoors due to their increased durability and weather resistance.
Choose the Best Flooring in Osoyoos
Once you have a better understanding of the type of flooring you want, here’s how to ensure you’re getting the highest quality.
Compare Samples
Before making a purchase, get samples of your top flooring choices. Compare them side by side in the area where they will be installed, and observe them from different angles and under various lighting conditions. This will help you ensure the flooring complements your space perfectly.
Consider Consistency
Manufacturers strive to match the colour and grain of solid and engineered wood flooring, but variations can occur between batches. To ensure consistency, purchase all the flooring you need at once and shuffleboards from multiple packages during installation. This approach also helps minimize pattern repetition in laminate boards from the same box.
Measure
To determine how much flooring you need, start by measuring the room’s square footage by multiplying its length by its width. For irregularly shaped rooms, divide the space into smaller rectangles, calculate the square footage of each, and then add them together. Once you have the total, purchase 7 to 10 percent extra to account for mistakes, bad samples, and waste. Additionally, consider buying an extra box of flooring for future repairs or additions.
Understand Traffic Patterns
Common high-traffic areas, such as entryways to rooms and the house, require very resilient flooring. Family rooms and other spaces frequented by pets and kids should also have durable flooring. Our top products excelled in simulated foot traffic tests, proving their resilience. For less busy areas, consider engineered wood or bamboo floors, which offer a natural veneer and easy installation.
Choose Underfoot Flooring for Your Flooring Services in Osoyoos
With a successful trip to the flooring store in Osoyoos, it’s time to call the professionals to do your floor installation. Underfoot Flooring offers premium carpet, high-grade hardwood, tile and stone, luxury vinyl, and laminate flooring.
Call us today and see how we can bring your flooring vision to life!
