DIY flooring installation information by floor type

A DIY flooring installation can be a fun project if you have the right tools, materials, and skills for the floor type you want to install. The degree of difficulty, time and effort required to complete a professional looking flooring installation will vary greatly depending on the floor type you choose and the floor you plan to install over. Choose a floor type to get more installation information and understand if a DIY flooring installation is right for you.

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Not ready to install the floor yourself? Find a Store with Armstrong Certified Installers.

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Peel & Stick adhesive backed vinyl tile is a fast and easy DIY installation project and a great way to give any room a new quick makeover.

Vinyl Tile Installation

Alterna Tile is an excellent alternative to ceramic or natural stone tile. It is also one of our more challenging DIY floor types.

Alterna Tile Installation

So easy to install, anyone can become a DIYer. Exclusive Lynx technology makes Luxe Plank one of our best floors for a DIY installation.

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DIY Flooring Installation - Armstrong

Expert advice on how to install hardwood floors from start to finish, including tools and materials, preparation, layout, cutting, and fastening

A successful hardwood floor installation is certainly one of the most rewarding do-it-yourself projects. New hardwood flooring can transform a room with warmth, beauty, and styleand it can also give the person who installed it a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Installing a new hardwood floor can completely transform a room.

Because installing hardwood flooring is usually a major, expensive home improvement, it pays to ensure a quality, durable result. The key is proper preparation.

Make sure that the subfloor will provide a good, solid, flat base and that the use and conditions of the room wont have a negative impact on the flooring. Too much foot traffic on a new floor or excessive temperature or humidity swings can diminish the quality ofand sometimes even ruinwood flooring. Proper preparation techniques depend upon the type of flooring youre installing and the conditions of the base that will be beneath it.

Before you get too far into your project, be sure to read the information in the tab above, Preparing Floors for Hardwood. More about selecting, preparation, and storing your flooring follows here. Then work your way through the numbered links at top right, which will guide you step-by-step through laying out, cutting, and fastening your wood flooring.

As discussed in theWood Flooring Buying Guide, solid- and engineered-wood floors differ significantly. Because solid-wood flooring is milled from lumber, it has a tendency to warp, twist, expand, and contract with changes in moisture and temperature. But because engineered-wood flooring is made from layers of wood sandwiched and bonded together, it is more stable and resistant to changes caused by extreme temperatures and humidity.

You can install a solid-wood floor on a conventional raised plywood subfloor or on a properly prepared concrete slab (see Preparing Floors for Hardwood) but only if the surface is above grade (it must be no more than 3 inches lower than the ground level outside) because moisture, which is typically present beneath below-grade floors, can be very damaging to solid wood. If your floor is below grade, choose a different material. Engineered-wood flooring may be installed above or below grade.

Bathrooms and kitchens are another story. Though moisture is present in both areas, you can protect the surface of a solid-wood floor with a sturdy, protective finish.

Visit link:
How to Install a Hardwood Floor | HomeTips

Temperature and humidity can affect flooring planks. Acclimate the flooring in the house for 48 hours before installation. Stack the laminate flooring being used flat on the floor. Remove any plastic wrapping from the boxes and leave air space around each box to allow air to freely circulate around them. Have about 10 percent more flooring than the square feet of area of the room since you'll waste just a little when cutting some pieces.

Clean the subfloor to make sure it's free of any dirt and debris. If installing on top of a new concrete floor wait until the floor is fully cured. Using a pry bar and hammer, carefully remove all base molding (if necessary) and place it out of the way.

Start by laying out the vapor barrier one row at a time from the longest wall of the room. When joining two sheets of barrier together, follow the manufacturer's directions. Some manufacturers will have you overlap the vapor barrier and some will have you butt each row against the previous one.

Lay a piece of flooring flat on the subfloor and up against the door jambs. Use it as a guide to mark the jambs so that the new flooring can slide underneath the jamb. Use a flat saw or a coping saw to cut the jambs, making sure to cut parallel to the subfloor. This will give the floor and jamb a nice finished look without having to remove the entire jamb.

For the best appearance, lay planks parallel to the longest wall. Install the first plank with the groove toward the wall. Place 1/2" spacers against the wall and push the first plank up against them. These spaces create an expansion gap so that the floor can "breathe" (expand and contract) and not warp or buckle. This gap will be covered later with base molding. The spacers also allow the floor to have a firm base to install against. Place the spacers about every 12 inches along the wall and at the end of each plank against adjoining walls.

For each plank, match tongue to groove and tap it into place using a scrap piece of flooring to protect the planks. Make sure the pieces fit snugly together and that there are no gaps along the length of the planks. While installing subsequent rows, stagger the joints of the flooring. When starting a new row, offset it six to eight inches so the joints at the ends of planks are not lined up row to row (which can weaken the floor and create a too-uniform look).

The last plank will need to be trimmed to fit. To mark the plank to the correct width place a plank directly over the next to last plank and place another on top of that and slide the top plank until it sits evenly against spacers against the wall. Draw a line along the plank below the top plank along the edge of the top plank. This will mark the width of the gap between the next to the last plank and the wall. Rip cut the plank along this line and install.

Install any thresholds between the end of the flooring and any open doors where the flooring ends. Thresholds come in different styles to accommodate the kind and height of the flooring the new laminate floor butts up against. Remove the spacers and install base molding to cover the expansion gap.

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How to Install Laminate Flooring : How-To : DIY Network

Find out what installation type is right for you based on your skill level and the flooring types you are considering. Some floors are easy to install, while others require a professional touch. Determine your DIY skill level, view installation tips, and decide the best flooring installation option for you.

This video will help you to decide which flooring installation method is right for you. Whether you are planning to install your new floor yourself or hire professionals Armstrong can help. If you decide you want to complete your own flooring installation, be sure to visit our DIY Flooring Installation center to learn about the skills and tools needed to complete any type of flooring installation. If you are going to be hiring professional flooring installers, visit a nearby flooring store to find trusted Armstrong installers near you.

Tools featured in this video:

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Vinyl sheet floors can be installed three different ways: modified loose lay, glue-down with releasable adhesive or glue-down with permanent adhesive. Consider hiring a professional installer for your vinyl sheet installation.

Installing Vinyl Sheet Floors

Alterna vinyl tiles are available in large 16 x 16 tiles for ease of installation. Alterna can also be grouted immediately after installation, so theres no need to wait.

Installing Alterna Floors

Luxe Plank is easy to install just peel the release paper from the back of the plank and press it into place. You can also easily reposition the planks if you want to move them.

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Flooring Installation from Armstrong - Flooring and Ceiling ...

ArchiExpo: Ecobuild Special: A Conversation with Annie Chu from Chu+Gooding Architects, 2013
Annie Chu from Chu+ Gooding Architects tells us about her practice #39;s approach to eco-building in Los Angeles. http://www.cg-arch.com/

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ArchiExpo: Ecobuild Special: A Conversation with Annie Chu from Chu+Gooding Architects, 2013 - Video

A sting operation exposes architects of Aam Aadmi Party
A sting operation on nine different members of AAP including Shazia Ilmi and Kumar Vishwas shows them demanding cash for raising funds for their party in ret...

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money section Saving & Spending Real Estate Business & Career Insurance Retirement Investing eHow Now eHow Business Running a Business Operating a Business How to Plan Retail Store Space

Brenda Priddy

Brenda Priddy has more than 10 years of crafting and design experience, as well as more than six years of professional writing experience. Her work appears in online publications such as Donna Rae at Home, Five Minutes for Going Green and Daily Mayo. Priddy also writes for Archstone Business Solutions and holds an Associate of Arts in English from McLennan Community College.

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Planning the arrangement and placement of merchandise and other items inside a retail building is one of the most important parts of operating a retail store. With the wrong design, a company can lose sales by having customers who are confused with the layout or who are unable to find what they are looking for. A well-arranged retail space can even help customers spend more because they are attracted to more expensive items. The planning process will take several days or weeks, and it should not be rushed.

Use the measuring tape to chart the dimensions of the retail space. Create a to-scale diagram of the area on graph paper, including all windows, doors and unmovable objects, such as columns and counter tops. Make several copies of this bare draft.

Read all regulations for the retail space including building codes and fire codes so you understand the limitations of the space. Some regulations may include rules regarding how close together merchandise can be and how much space is required near doors or windows.

Look at other retail stores of similar size and shape to help formulate a plan for your own space. You can also look at retail design magazines for inspiration.

Take one of the copies of the retail space and create an initial plan for the placement of merchandise, storage and any other features that your retail space needs. Consider where you want to place featured items and arrange storage near the back of the store or away from prime shopping space.

Place large cardboard boxes inside the store to simulate the appearance of the space according to your drawing. Make any adjustments as necessary, such as widening the aisles, adding additional counter space or moving featured display areas to a more prominent location.

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How to Plan Retail Store Space | eHow

gas hot water heater installation | (312) 651-6984 | Chicago IL, Illinois |
gas hot water heater installation | (312) 651-6984 | Chicago IL, Illinois | Always get hot water without delay , have a nearby professional install your chosen water heating system . Take...

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gas hot water heater installation | (312) 651-6984 | Chicago IL, Illinois | - Video

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Home Repair & Maintenance Plumbing How to Install a Tankless Water Heater

Murray Anderson

I learned home repair and maintenance hands on. Over the past 30 years I've built sheds, decks, fences and gates and planted numerous trees and shrubs. Inside I've done all the common jobs like repairing and installing toilets, plumbing and light fixtures plus I've transformed three basements from bare concrete floors and walls into warm , bright family rooms. I write on home maintenance and repair for DoItYourself.com and answer maintenance and repair questions online at MyHomeImprovement.com.

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Tankless water heaters (sometimes called on-demand water heaters or instantaneous water heaters) have been a staple in Europe and Asia for quite a few years, and they are now becoming more common in North America. Tankless heaters are electric or gas powered heaters that don't have a storage tank (like the vast majority of water heaters we are used to). Instead, the tankless heater has a water pressure sensor that recognizes when you turn on the hot water tap. Cold water flows through a grid in the heater where it is quickly heated and then flows to your tap. When you shut off the water, the heating element shuts down until the next time. Manufacturers claim you can get energy savings of 20 to 30% in homes using tankless heaters.

Tankless systems are available as single central systems (to essentially replace the hot water storage tank), or as smaller units that can be installed near where the hot water demand takes place (close to a washing machine for example).

Consider how your family uses hot water. A faucet typically uses .75 gallons per minute (gpm) while a washing machine or dishwasher uses approximately 2.0 gpm. If more than one of you showers at the same time or you wash clothes and dishes at the same time, you will need a tankless heater that can produce enough to keep up with your hot water demands.

Determine what you want the heater to do. Is it to serve as a supplemental heater for a single bathroom or as a total replacement for your existing storage tank system?

Understand how tankless water heaters are sized. The heaters are sized based on their ability to provide hot water at a given flow rate (gpm) plus the temperature increase they can produce. If your incoming water temperature is 50 degrees and you want your hot water to be 120 degrees, your system needs to be able to raise the temperature 70 degrees while maintaining your needed flow rate.

Manufacturer's recommend you have a qualified contractor install your water heater. The tankless systems require a lot of energy when they are operating and most existing homes are not capable of supporting them without modifications and upgrades to their electrical or gas systems.

Link:
How to Install a Tankless Water Heater | eHow

How much should it cost to replace a hot water heater?

Here in Southern California we a very special agency called the South Coast Air Quality Management District. That agency attached a surcharge of $120 to the cost of a hot water heater, I think more in an attempt to support their own salaries than anything else (yet another hidden tax), and required the hot water heaters to burn cleaner, a good thing. The burners on the hot water heaters changed radically and now resemble overhead space heaters most commonly seen in warehouses and outdoor patios. There are no flames now and the heaters are much safer, another good thing. These two hits at once doubled the price of hot water heaters a couple of years ago. Most homeowners will receive sticker shock now when replacing that hot water heater that has been faithfully serving them for 10 to 12 years.

Beware of ultra-low price estimates over the phone, most are fraudulent and most companies giving these estimates deliberately leave off many items they charge for in order to mysteriously up the price of the installation due to unforeseen factors once they start the work in your home. It is called bait and switch and it is illegal. So how do they get away with it? There are so many licensed and unlicensed plumbers in the area that the authorities cannot possibly police the trade. If you live in Orange or Los Angeles counties there are at least 3,000 license plumbers within a 30 mile radius of your home. That is a lot. Bear in mind though that 1 out of every 5 plumbing companies in business today, will be out of business this time next year and only 1 in 20 will be in business in 20 years. Most plumbers are not business people, they are plumbers and unfortunately that means that the business will suffer. If your plumber isnt around when something goes wrong, you have no warranty, whether or not you were told you did at the time of the installation. Manufacturers warranties are fine, but they dont cover installation, handling charges, traveling time, delivery time and paperwork time. Most warranties after the first year are not worth the paper they are printed on. Be careful, use a company that has been around the block and has been in business for at least 10-15 years.

Every guarantee we give is written in plain English on every agreement. 10 years parts and labor means you don't pay one penny for any covered repair. Not one penny for distributor fees, not one penny for installation supplies, not one penny for permits, not one penny in handling fees, not one penny period.

Isn't that the the kind of guarantee everyone else is telling you, but not giving you?

No fine writing, no lawyer tricks, no B. S.

Water heater installations require a great many items that you would not normally think of. They need earthquake strapping and if your current strapping is not code approved, it must be replaced. Many heaters installed 10-12 years or more ago did not use proper strapping as most cities were just requiring the heaters to be strapped in some manner, rather than in a prescribed manner. There is now a set way to strap the heaters, strap width, strap thickness, bolt size, number of bolts and positioning.

Does the replacement make a dent in your budget? Dont worry, it has happened to us as well and we are here to help. We work with many finance companies and we will go to bat for you. Most of our clients are approved in less than 10 minutes and we can usually get you in warm safe waters for less than a dollar a day. You can have that new hot water heater for literally pennies a day. Call now 1.877.247.6426. We'll help with your gas hot water heater problems and your electric water heater problems.

Water heaters last here in most parts of Orange County, Los Angeles County and Riverside County between 10 and 12 years. That doesnt mean that your hot water heater will last that long or that your hot water heater will suddenly fall apart at the 10 year mark. The length of service of a hot water heater is directly tied into the quality of the heater tank, the aggressiveness or corrosion properties of the water, the temperature of the tank and the maintenance of the tank.

Somewhere along the line someone decided that you should wait until the hot water heater starts leaking before they should replace it. It caught on and now just about everyone waits until their hot water heater leaks and, in many circumstances, floods the home before deciding its time to invest in a new hot water source. Call now 1.877.247.6426. We'll help with your gas hot water heater problems and your electric water heater problems.

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Discount Home Water Heater Installation