Do it yourself project
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
What's A Good First Project?
A simple and fairly easy first project would be laying down a new floor in one room of your house. Pick the room that has had the most use and therefore, probably needs a facelift (or floor lift)! What kind of flooring would you like? What kinds of flooring will look good? What kind of flooring can you put down that won't have you ending up with a sore thumb and harsh words about sedimentary rock or giant pandas just about to tumble from your mouth? Even laying down such a simple floor covering as Carpet squares, needs a little prep work. This is a wonderful first project, and because it's not just a matter of assembling the pieces like a jigsaw puzzle, it will be a project and not just a paint by numbers type of thing. Make sure that your subflooring (what lies beneath those wonderful carpet squares, that is) is smooth and level and free from old staples and such. Take up your baseboards carefully. You'll want to put them back after you lay down the carpet squares. Lay out your carpet squares first before finally settling them into place. One good thing about carpet squares is that if you don't like what you just did -- pick the squares up and try again. A great assortment (perhaps retro styles would suit your taste) can be found online. Big varieties of carpet squares may not be found in your local store, but can often be found by hunting around a little on the Web. Carpet squares can be a simple yet elegant first do it yourself project.
What Do You Need To Have On Hand?
It's always good to have a basic homeowner's tool kit on hand. The accessories (sometimes different with each job) such as specific sizes and types of screws or nuts or nails or paint or varnish or power tools), can also be purchased. In the case of certain larger tools, renting often works for those occasional do it yourself projects. Once you have a basic tool kit, space for various glues and pieces of things that you may have left over, can be found in most garages. Label them if it's not obvious what they are, because you may need to use them on the same job they were left over from, years down the road.
Can I Install Other Flooring Types On My Own?
Visiting a good flooring site on the Web will enable you to print off a few instructions on how to lay down Tongue and groove laminate flooring, for instance. You can go to several flooring blogs to compare prices of materials you'll be buying or find advice about the project. There are blogs with general information such as Floor Talk and Buy Flooring Online, and more specific blogs like Best Cork Flooring for consumers who know which flooring type they'd like. Or if you want to learn something a bit more adventurous for your first or second do it yourself project, you can always have a go at putting down real Hardwood Flooring. That can be just about the best looking flooring there is, in most rooms of your home. Another direction many homeowners are choosing to save energy costs and live green is using Green flooring types.
After The First One, What's Next?
After testing yourself with a couple of easier projects, you could have a try at updating your kitchen with a nice new ceramic tile or natural stone tile floor, for instance. Along with that, glass mosaic tiles can make a wonderful backsplash. Even if you aren't into the moderate skill level needed for laying tiles (spacers, grout and a steady hand are utilized), then stick with a few more simple do it yourself projects and you will gain confidence as you start to upgrade your home. And, there is pride in saying that you did it yourself.
