Tips for Buying Wood Flooring Online
Posted on: 27 August 2015
Buying wood flooring online can often save you quite a bit of money, as online distributors may not need to face the expense of having a showroom and the staff to run it. In turn, they may sell their materials for much less cost than home improvement stores. However, the one drawback of buying anything online is that you need to be careful about what you order since you can't see or touch it before you make your purchase. To ensure you get the right type of wood flooring for your home, note a few tips.
1. Check the weight
You probably know how heavy lumber can be, so keep in mind that your home's subflooring will need to support that same weight when you install wood floors. Depending on your home's construction and the size of the floors, the subfloor may not be able to support the weight of certain materials. Some wood such as mahogany or cherry may be heavier than a choice like bamboo. If you're not certain of the strength of your home's subflooring, err on the side of caution and opt for the lightest wood variety you can find.
2. Note how the flooring is installed
If you're buying wood flooring online in order to install it yourself, you need to know how the slats are installed. Some need to be glued to the subfloor individually, whereas others are pounded into the slat next to it and then simply float over the flooring underneath. This type of installation may be easier for you since you don't need to worry about applying adhesive with each slat. You also won't need to worry about installing plywood sheeting, which often needs to be done when a floor is not perfectly even. The floating slats can be the better choice for uneven floors.
3. Check samples
Even if you need to pay to get a sample of certain wood flooring pieces, it can be worth it to do this before you order. You may find that the sample looks much darker in person than online, and installing it in your home might make it look like a cave. You might find that certain slats seem too narrow in person, and larger sections of this flooring can seem cluttered and busy. If you cannot get actual samples online, note the brand and other specifics and see if you can find them in a local store, just to find out what they look like up close. This can help you decide on the right option for your home.
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