31 May Restore or Replace my Floors?

At some point, every home or business owner will be faced with the decision of restoring or replacing their flooring. It’s a choice that will depend on many factors including the cost, type of existing floor, and age. It can be extremely beneficial to consult with a flooring expert that can provide advice on different options and timeframes.

The first thing you need to do is assess the extent of the damage before deciding whether to replace or restore. If the floor is very worn and showing significant signs of wear and tear the best solution may be a complete replacement. However, you may just be tired of your current flooring or it may not fit your lifestyle, in which case you may want to replace it.

An issue that may arise, particularly in older buildings, is the condition of the subfloor. If the structure has settled and become uneven or has sustained substantial water damage, the subfloor will need to be repaired before flooring can be restored or replaced.

The decision to restore or replace will also depend on the type of existing flooring you may have. A single board or section can be replaced in certain types of hardwood flooring if they become worn, scuffed or warped. Hardwoods can also be refinished, but only so many times. At a certain point, they must be replaced.

Tile floors are highly durable and if damage has occurred, select tiles can typically be replaced without the need for a whole floor restoration. If you have luxury vinyl or laminate flooring, it may be more expedient to simply replace the entire floor.

Ultimately, the decision to restore or replace your floor will be motivated by a wide range of elements. The cost, extent of the damage, age of the flooring, and personal preferences will all need to be considered.