Property owners often wait for spring and autumn, commonly considered transitional periods perfect for new beginnings, to perform structural and landscape renovations. Although this is a wise course of action for many reasons, flooring specialists and other professional home and office contractors have reconsidered winter.
In this guide, we provide the top reasons to seek professional assistance in winter. We outline why no home or business owner should put off planning or implementing these projects. We also discuss several trending solutions. Read on to learn more…
Why Is Winter the New Perfect Time for Renovations?
Although year-round activities damage floors, property owners are often at their most active during summer and autumn and not as focused on preventing damage to their homes or offices from exposure to the elements and natural wear and tear. Common types of damage include breaks, cracks, dents, discolouration, fading, loose areas, lost hardware, scratches, scuffs, stains, subfloor separation and warping.
The damage can cause acoustic problems such as annoying repetitive sounds when anyone walks on a floor, for example, or allow moisture to provide harmful mould with an opportunity to grow and spread. Carpets also pose problems because the fibres can hold onto allergens, bacteria and mould. If a home or office has older carpets or new ones in high-traffic areas, the materials can pollute the interior environment at microscopic levels.
Lastly, many people choose to forego renovation projects when cooler weather sets in, even though most know that projects scheduled for peak spring and autumn floor covering renovation seasons include higher material and labour costs and more scheduling difficulties. Why don’t they want to renovate in winter?
Property owners often choose winter as a time to wind down a bit. Additionally, as many professional installers correctly warn, some wet and colder winter weather moments can cause project delays. Colder temperatures can interfere with adhesives and even cause damage to some materials.
People often perceive these problems as more than slight disadvantages. Yet, expert installers have the knowledge and tools to work around cooler or wetter weather issues.
What Makes Winter a Great Time to Visit Flooring Stores?
Since many store owners and floor installers experience a decrease in interest during winter, property owners can usually enjoy undivided attention from staff throughout the season. With online retailers, they don’t need to leave the comfort of their homes to search for floor coverings. Fewer scheduling issues also mean that they can set up showroom, consultation and installation appointments around their personal scheduling needs far more easily.
Both offline and online stores reduce their prices during off seasons, which means that property owners enjoy deep discounts on both materials and labour. Even if someone wants to wait until spring to make changes to their home or office, they can use this period of less retail foot traffic and low stress to carefully make plans without disruptions or worry from the rush that occurs during the peak spring season.
People who choose to renovate during the winter rarely have to deal with low stock delays seen during spring and autumn when stores are bombarded with product requests. They also usually don’t need to wait long for construction permit turnarounds for more extensive projects.
Traditional, New and Alternative Floor Picks
Property owners should consider several factors when picking new floor products, including a desired look and room atmosphere, functionality and long-term durability. For example, a homeowner with a family might seek options that provide sound muffling against high traffic and low volatile organic chemicals that can cause allergic reactions and sick building syndrome.
Common popular options include low-maintenance, scratch-, scuff-, stain- and water-resistant hybrid floors that look like natural wood planks and stone tiles but feature acoustic underlays, dense cores and commercial-grade protective coatings. They might also take out a wall-to-wall old or damaged carpet and replace it with carpet tiles that offer antimicrobial properties and diverse colour and pattern possibilities.
A faster return on investment and long-term value are additional considerations. Many people are now turning to sustainable and recyclable materials that contain fewer harmful substances and increase home and business value during resale, such as timber and bamboo. Although timber is a more expensive option, lower-cost engineered timber floors are available. That said, true hardwood floors increase home value enough to offset the upfront costs. For those seeking a more sustainable, low-cost option, moso bamboo provides more lasting durability than timber for a lower amount. It’s also anti-static, anti-allergy and waterproof.
Of course, we can’t talk about floor options without discussing artificial or fake grass. Unlike carpet, it doesn’t absorb moisture. It offers an easier cleaning solution for patios and areas with pets. It’s even heat-resistant and a great alternative for outdoor lawns and golf courses. The synthetic fibres come in a variety of soft, simulated grass types.
How to Choose a Flooring Store and Installation Specialist
Without the intense heat of summer, property owners can clear their heads and think a bit more in-depth about their home or office renovation needs. During winter, they can consider how to replace damaged or unsightly floors and carpets with pristine, more durable materials. They can also choose options that make their property match their personal tastes or a specific overall theme.
Selecting the right store and installer isn’t difficult. The best place to start is with excellent online and word-of-mouth reviews and testimonials about communication, timely delivery and project completion. Consumers should also closely consider the amount and type of products in the store’s inventory and its delivery and return policies. With offline and online stores that don’t offer installation services, they should only choose a store that has strong partnerships with local licenced installers who have great reputations.