Can I Install New Flooring Over My Existing Flooring?
Putting in new flooring might feel like an overwhelming project at first, but with the right information and planning, this great home renovation can be completed quickly and with little stress. You should first consider whether or not you will be installing flooring over flooring. This is an important question, especially if you will be installing laminate flooring on concrete. There is a lot of speculation on this topic, so let’s look at some information to get you started.
Type of Flooring
One of the important factors you will need to consider is what type of flooring you are hoping to install. Different types of flooring will have different manufacturer recommendations. It is always best to follow these recommendations precisely to ensure your flooring will last a long time.
If the manufacturer says that the new flooring can indeed be installed over the old, then you should move on to the next factor.
Condition of Current Floor
The condition of the current floor will help you determine if you should install new flooring on top. If the current flooring has broken or weak areas, it is not a good idea to install new flooring on top. If the subfloor is not in good shape, installing new flooring on top is not a good idea. You should only install new flooring over old flooring if the current flooring is fixed to the subfloor and all is in good shape. Otherwise, tear it up and start from scratch.
Installation Instructions
Before installing new flooring over old flooring, you will need to read the installation instructions very carefully. You should make sure there is no problem adhering the new floor to the old floor material. For instance, if certain types of adhesives are used, will they adhere to that type of surface?
In some cases, the old flooring can be altered to work with the new flooring. For instance, underlayment could be put down first, and new flooring installed onto it.
Height
Another important consideration will be height. Even if everything else is good to go, you do not want to install flooring on top of flooring that is going to make the floor too high. This will cause an awkward appearance.
Speak With a Professional
If all of this information seems a little overwhelming, remember that you can always speak with a flooring professional to get solid advice. They will be able to evaluate the current floor, compare it with the new flooring, and let you know the best way to proceed. If you are unsure of what to do, and this will be entirely a DIY project, the best bet is to tear out all the old flooring and start from the bottom.
Categorised in: Flooring