Archives November 2023

When it comes to home renovations, selecting the right contractor for flooring and stairs is crucial. These are key elements of your home that not only impact its aesthetic appeal but also its functionality and safety. To ensure you make the best choice, here are some essential qualities to look for in a contractor.

1. Experience and Specialization

Years in Business: Look for a contractor with a solid track record. Experience often translates to expertise.

Specialization: Ensure they specialize in flooring and stairs. This specialization indicates a deeper understanding of the nuances involved.

2. Reputation and Reviews

Online Reviews: Check online reviews on platforms like Homestars. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews.

Word of Mouth: Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have had similar work done.

3. Portfolio of Past Work

Quality of Workmanship: Review their portfolio to assess the quality of their work. Look for a range of styles and finishes.

Before and After Comparisons: These can provide insights into their capability for transformation.

4. Communication and Professionalism

Responsiveness: Good contractors are prompt and clear in their communication.

Professionalism: They should be respectful, punctual, and maintain a clean work site.

5. Detailed Quotes and Contracts

Transparent Pricing: Look for contractors who provide detailed, written quotes.

Clear Contracts: A clear contract outlining the scope of work, materials, timeline, and payment schedule is essential.

6. Flexibility and Problem-Solving Skills

Adaptability: They should be able to adapt to unforeseen challenges.

Creative Problem Solving: The ability to offer solutions to unexpected issues is a sign of experience and skill.

Choosing the right contractor for your flooring and stair needs is a decision that will significantly impact your home’s comfort, safety, and value. At Delight Flooring, we pride ourselves on embodying all the qualities mentioned above. With our extensive experience, proven reputation, comprehensive portfolio, and unwavering commitment to professionalism and customer satisfaction, we ensure that your home renovation project is in the most capable hands. By choosing Delight Flooring, you are not just hiring a contractor; you’re partnering with a team that is dedicated to bringing your vision to life with excellence and precision. Remember, investing time in selecting the right contractor like Delight Flooring will pay off in the long run with results that meet, or even exceed, your expectations.

The full spread glue-down installation method is an ideal choice for engineered hardwood flooring, particularly when installing over concrete subfloors, as often found in condominiums and apartment buildings. This technique offers a sturdy, permanent solution for flooring installation, essential in multi-story buildings where stability and sound reduction are key considerations. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Preparation of Subfloor: The concrete subfloor must be thoroughly prepared before installation. It should be clean, dry, and level. Any cracks or irregularities in the concrete need to be repaired. Moisture testing is crucial in these settings to ensure the concrete is not too damp, as excessive moisture can damage the wood over time.
2. Acclimatization of the Flooring: Similar to other installation methods, the engineered hardwood should be acclimatized to the room’s environment. This step is critical to prevent the wood from expanding or contracting post-installation due to changes in temperature and humidity.
3. Selection of Adhesive: A high-quality adhesive suitable for wood flooring and concrete subfloors is essential. The adhesive should also have moisture barrier properties if the concrete subfloor has higher moisture levels.
4. Applying the Adhesive: The full spread glue-down method involves applying a uniform layer of adhesive over the concrete subfloor using a notched trowel. The size of the trowel notch should be chosen based on the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure optimal adhesive spread.
5. Laying the Planks: Engineered hardwood planks are carefully laid onto the wet adhesive, ensuring each plank is firmly pressed down for a secure bond. The planks should be installed in a staggered pattern to enhance floor stability and aesthetic appeal.
6. Adhesive Curing Time: After laying the planks, it’s important to allow sufficient time for the adhesive to cure fully. During this period, foot traffic on the floor should be minimized.
7. Finishing Touches: Once the adhesive has cured, finishing touches like installing baseboards or trim can be completed. These not only enhance the floor’s appearance but also cover the expansion gap left around the room’s perimeter.
8. Post-Installation Care: Care instructions, especially in the initial days post-installation, include avoiding heavy furniture placement and maintaining a stable room temperature and humidity level.

The full spread glue-down method provides a robust and lasting installation, ideal for concrete subfloors in condos and apartments. It ensures a quiet, stable, and durable flooring solution, making it a popular choice in multi-story residential buildings.

Engineered hardwood flooring installation using a combined glue assist and nailing method is particularly effective for boards wider than six inches. This approach ensures maximum stability and longevity for these broader planks, which can be more prone to movement and warping. Here’s a detailed description of the process:

1. Preparation: Before installation, the engineered hardwood planks, especially those over six inches wide, are acclimated in the room for at least 48 hours. This step is crucial for wider boards as it allows them to adjust to the room’s specific humidity and temperature, reducing the risk of future warping or gapping. The subfloor is also prepared by ensuring it’s clean, dry, level, and structurally sound.
2. Layout Planning: Measuring the room accurately is essential, especially with wider boards, to ensure a seamless fit. The layout is planned, typically with planks running parallel to the longest wall, and an expansion gap is accounted for around the room’s perimeter.
3. Glue Assist Method: A bead of wood flooring adhesive is applied either directly to the subfloor in a serpentine pattern or along the tongue side of each plank. This glue assist method provides an initial layer of stability and adhesion, especially important for wider boards that have more surface area and potential for movement.
4. Nailing: In addition to the glue, nailing is a crucial step for wide planks. A flooring nailer or stapler is used to secure the planks to the subfloor. Nails or staples are driven at a 45-degree angle through the tongue of the planks, ensuring they are hidden by subsequent rows. This nailing provides additional structural integrity, crucial for the wider boards.
5. Installation Technique: Care is taken to stagger the seams and maintain an even distribution of the wider planks. This staggering is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds to the floor’s overall structural stability.
6. Finishing Touches: Once all planks are laid, any excess glue is cleaned up immediately. Baseboards or molding are then installed to cover the expansion gaps, giving the room a finished look.
7. Post-Installation Care: Proper care and maintenance are advised to retain the beauty and durability of the flooring, especially considering the wider plank size, which may require more attention to prevent warping over time.

This installation method, combining glue assist and nailing, is ideal for engineered hardwood floors with planks wider than six inches, ensuring a stable, durable, and visually appealing finish.