Overview

Installing Your New Congoleum Floor

Your new floor is an investment - from the time and care you’ve taken to research your options and make your selection, to its purchase cost and upkeep. So, ensuring your floor is installed properly just makes sense, for your overall satisfaction with your floor in addition to optimizing its longevity and performance.

Here at Congoleum, we understand just how important a good installation job is – how it will affect how a room looks and how a floor performs. That’s why we devote so much of our research and development on making sure the installation of our products is as smooth and easy as it can possibly be. We are unique in the flooring industry for having developed dedicated installation solution technologies and techniques designed to save you time and money.

Hire a Pro or DIY? Here’s an Overview

Whether you plan on hiring a professional to install your floor or are considering doing it yourself, we recommend you read the Professional and DIY installation instructions for your specific floor beforehand. Some floors are more difficult to install than others, so the more you know and understand the installation requirements for your specific floor, the better off you’ll be to make an informed decision on whether to hire someone or tackle the job yourself.

The amount of time it takes to install a floor will depend on your room, the size, shape, obstacles as well as how much subfloor prep will be necessary in the room.

Do It Yourself Installation

Do-it-yourself projects can be enjoyable and a great way to build different skills, learn something new and spend time with a friend, your kids, or your spouse. There’s a sense of pride and ownership that comes with doing home projects that many people find extremely rewarding. And, if you have the time, doing it yourself can be very cost-effective while providing you with an enriched experience of home ownership.

Having the time to do a home project along with the proper, necessary equipment are just two important considerations before tackling any DIY project. If work and family demands leave you little time for anything else, turning a weekend project into a months-long ordeal, or if you find you’ll need to purchase a lot of new equipment for your project, you may want to reconsider doing the job yourself. It’s also important to understand your skill levels regarding handling different tools and working with them safely.

When it comes to installing Congoleum resilient flooring, we’ve identified different DIY skill levels for floor installation. Take the time to compare our DIY guide with the difficulty level of installing various categories of Congoleum`s residential resilient flooring products to determine which options you would be most comfortable with. Here’s a quick guideline to help you determine your DIY skill level:

Beginner DIYers

  • Are relatively new to DIY projects
  • Likes weekend projects that can be completed in a day or two
  • Eagerly tackles projects such as painting a room or changing cabinet handles

Intermediate DIYers

  • Often tackles DIY projects and likes to put their skills to use
  • Likes weekend projects but are also willing to take on a longer project if necessary
  • Are experienced in more involved DIY projects such as installing a deck or replacing a sink

Advanced DIYers

  • Almost professional level of `handiness` and extremely experienced with DIY projects
  • Can handle projects with a longer completion time frame
  • Tackle other tough DIY projects such as electrical work, plumbing or carpentry

Congoleum Product Recommendations Based on DIY Skill Level

One of the best pieces of advice any DIY newbie should heed is to “take your time.” Read through directions thoroughly - at least twice - and ask questions if anything is unclear. Make sure you have the proper tools you’ll need (not something that you think may work). Congoleum offers products that can be installed by almost anyone if time, care and effort are taken to plan the project and purchase the correct tools.

Floating floor installations are great for beginner DIYers. They provide more flexibility for subfloor irregularities, and although the subfloor must be clean and clear of dirt and grime, small irregularities such as a crack, won`t affect the final look. These products still require planning and exact measurement, but floors that stick to themselves or tiles that can be installed over a floating system allow for a little bit of imperfection and will still look great.

Intermediate DIYers

DIYers with an intermediate skill level can handle many of our products, but while DIYers at this skill level will find most of our floors are easy to install, it is important to note that careful planning, layout and measurement are extremely important when it comes to floor installation. This is especially true for “difficult” rooms, such as those that have numerous obstacles to install around. One such example is your bathroom. Proper installation practices dictate the toilet should be removed for flooring installation and the flooring must be laid out and cut to size around items such as a vanity or bathtub, so you’ll need some plumbing and cutting skills if you’re attempting to tackle a room like the bath. Again, we urge you to read the installation guides carefully and remember to carefully plan your space.

Advanced DIYers

Advanced resilient flooring installations are intricate and delicate. These products and layouts require an extremely steady hand and a near-professional level of expertise. Resilient sheet products must be cut exactly to size - one slip, and the flooring won’t fit the room. Therefore, we recommend only tackling resilient sheet flooring if you feel you are an advanced DIYer.

Custom installations that mix tiles and planks in intricate layouts are also difficult installations. The room must be laid out ahead of time with exact measurements to ensure the final product looks even and professional. While custom installations look great, be sure you are up for the challenge before attempting one.

Professional Installation

Hiring a qualified professional to install your floor will ensure that it comes out looking flawless, making the most of your investment. An experienced, professional installer will know what to look out for to ensure the best results, such as potential moisture issues, irregularities in the subfloor, or if anything could be a potential problem when installing your chosen floor.

A professional will offer his or her expertise on the best layout for the room to guarantee an even installation that looks exactly as you dreamed of, when completed. He or she will correctly measure the room to make sure you purchase enough flooring product. In installations such as tile, they’ll suggest you have an extra carton on hand so if any repairs are ever needed there won`t be a problem finding the correct coloration or pattern.

A professional will utilize the correct tools and materials to ensure the performance and longevity of your floor is optimized, so that nothing goes wrong in the weeks, months and years to come after the installation is complete. He or she is also able to complete the project quickly, so that you can get back to living and enjoying your space sooner. Professional installation is a great choice to ensure the quality and perfection of the job.

To find a professional installer, contact a Congoleum retail store near you.