About Floors, Carpet Flooring, Floor Care

When it comes to installing new hard surface flooring—whether it’s laminate, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or engineered wood—proper floor preparation is crucial for achieving a beautiful and lasting result. Unfortunately, we cannot provide an accurate estimate for any necessary floor prep until the existing flooring is removed. Hidden issues may arise, including asbestos, termite damage, uneven concrete, or additional layers of underlayment that could delay your installation.

Common Challenges with Older Homes

Many older homes, especially those with upper floors, often have uneven subfloors. The most typical issue we encounter is this unevenness, which we address using 25 lb bags of “float” material at $65 per bag (this price includes both materials and labor). It’s important to note that we do not level floors; a quality installation requires the subfloor to be flat, not perfectly level. For instance, in a 1,000 square foot area, you might need around 10 bags of float, costing approximately $600—though this can vary based on the specific conditions of your subfloor.

When Floor Prep Is Necessary

If you are replacing a floating floor with another floating option or a hard surface, and if the previous installation was done correctly, you might not need any additional floor prep. However, if we’re demoing a hard surface, there’s a chance that prior floor prep could come up, necessitating further work.

We often hear homeowners say, “My house is new; it shouldn’t need any floor prep.” The age of your home has little bearing on the amount of prep work required. We are always happy to discuss these details to clarify your specific situation.

The Role of Float in Quality Installations

Utilizing floor float is essential for a high-quality installation and to uphold your manufacturer’s product warranty. Companies that include floor prep in their initial bid may face issues later, as their installers might have less incentive to use adequate prep materials, leading to calls for repairs down the line. In rare cases, if your floors are excessively uneven, you may need the expertise of a framer or concrete specialist to resolve significant issues that could impede our installation.

Why Flat Matters

A flat, smooth subfloor is critical for the performance of hard surface flooring. If the subfloor has dips, humps, or uneven patches, it can cause locking mechanisms in laminate or LVP to fail, leading to gaps, squeaking, or even damage over time. A level subfloor ensures that the flooring panels fit together seamlessly, preventing movement and buckling, which can drastically affect the longevity of your new floor.

In Conclusion

In summary, investing in floor float during your flooring installation not only enhances durability and visual appeal but also ensures optimal performance. It eliminates common issues caused by subfloor irregularities, paving the way for a smoother installation and a resilient final product. If you have any questions or need further clarification on your flooring project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you achieve a high quality installed floor!