3 secrets for a great flooring upgrade

There’s more to getting new flooring than just choosing tiles you like and having them installed. Make these tile secrets part of your project and you’ll get better, more beautiful and longer-lasting results.

1. Get crack-free floors.

Durability is key with ceramic and porcelain tile floors and the best way to ensure that your new tiles and grout remain crackfree is to install an uncoupling membrane underneath the tiles. These are dimpled plastic sheet materials that go down at the beginning of the installation and work by allowing the tiles and subfloor to move slightly from side to side in relation to each other. Adding this small detail might seem unimportant, but it can make all the difference in terms of your tile floor remaining crack-free over time, especially with tiles installed over wooden subfloors.

2. Use transition strips.

Got a tile installation that won’t sit entirely between walls? Will tile edges be exposed, perhaps where they meet another type of flooring? This is where transition strips can help. The best are available in different metals, finishes and shapes, but all deliver the same thing — a refined, finished appearance where tile edges would normally remain visible.

3. Hire a contractor the smart way.

Need a tile contractor to make your home more beautiful? Always insist on a full written contract before the work starts. This should include the contractor’s warranty on their work, so any problems that arise can be resolved properly. Hiring someone without a contract is risky and can leave you facing expensive repairs or an unfinished job. Real professionals always put it in writing.

The Canadian Home Builder’s Association offers free information on how to hire a contractor the smart and safe way. Find more information at www.getitinwriting.ca.

(www.newscanada.com)