1. What atmosphere do you want to create in the room?

No matter how imaginative you are, inspiration for your new decor won’t come magically. You need to stimulate it by leafing through different magazines, reading blogs and articles on decorating trends. Of course, it’s important that the new look matches the style of the other rooms. Unlike paint, flooring lasts many years. It will influence your decor for a long time to come. Choose it carefully! And if you can’t decide, you can always ask an interior designer for advice.

2. What criteria should you consider when choosing your new floor covering?

Beyond the contemporary, modern, rustic, minimalist or industrial look, the room’s function is very important to consider. If the floor renovation is for your bathroom, for example, you’ll need waterproof flooring. Traffic, easy maintenance, humidity in the basement, the presence of a child or a dog are also factors to consider. A dog running around the house is a lot of fun, but it can also quickly damage a floor if the covering isn’t durable enough. In a condo, opt for soundproofing or flooring that allows acoustic membranes to be installed to comply with current regulations. It’s all a question of function and budget because the flooring’s quality, durability and material have a major influence on its cost.

3. Is it preferable to install over or tear up the existing flooring?

That’s a good question because all floor renovation projects are different. Although many floor coverings can be installed over existing ones, you must make sure that the existing covering is in good condition. If your kitchen tiles are cracked or loose, you won’t be able to install ceramic tiles over them. In such a case, it’s best to tear the existing floor up, taking care not to damage the cupboards. Keep in mind that this work is likely to generate a lot of dust.

If the condition of your flooring allows you to install a new one over it, you’ll need to make sure that this is recommended by a professional before moving ahead. Don’t forget that the height of your floor will rise a few centimetres, whether you decide to install floor heating or not. By installing a new floor over the old one, the floor transition between your kitchen and your living room will no longer be even. And because you’ll lose a bit of ceiling height, this approach isn’t recommended for a basement floor, especially if you’re over 6 feet tall!

4. What’s the condition of your subfloor?

There’s a surprising step in renovating a floor: you have to find out what’s under your current floor. Is it a solid concrete slab, cement board, plywood or old planks? Above all, you need to check whether the subfloor has the thickness and quality required to lay your new floor covering. If your subfloor is delaminated or not solid enough, you’ll have to remedy that. To install ceramic flooring, you’ll need a double layer of plywood or an uncoupling membrane that can accommodate floor heating. If your floor renovation involves vinyl flooring, simple plywood will do. Remember that before working on the top layer of the floor, you should check what’s going on underneath, as this has a major influence on the work to be done and the cost of your renovations.

5. Is your floor covering compatible with a floor heating system?

Ceramic, porcelain and natural stone are preferred for floor heating. These floor coverings offer the best heat conduction and allow rooms to be heated efficiently. As for engineered wood, vinyl, glued-down or floating floor coverings, most quality floor coverings are compatible with electric floor heating; just check with the manufacturer. A maximum floor temperature is generally indicated in their recommendations. Only cork and natural hardwood are not recommended for use with floor heating systems, as the former is a natural insulator, and the latter can be affected by variations in humidity due to heating.

6. Should you do the floor renovation yourself or hire a professional?

If the stresses and challenges of renovation don’t keep you up at night, you may want to renovate your floor yourself. But be sure to read all the manufacturers’ recommendations to avoid costly mistakes. Nobody wants to do this kind of work over again. If you decide to hire a professional floor installer, you’re buying peace of mind! The expert has the skills and experience to carry out the installation. But be careful: a floating floor installation expert is not necessarily an expert at installing your heated floor.

Finally, as with any renovation project, preparation and planning are essential. Not only to know where you’re going, but also to anticipate the costs and time involved. By asking yourself the right questions before you start, you’ll be able to enjoy a new floor that will beautify your home for a long time to come and add value to your property.