Top Flooring Mistakes Homeowners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Choosing and installing new flooring can transform your home — but small mistakes can lead to costly repairs or disappointing results. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional, avoiding these common flooring errors will help ensure your new floors last for years.
1. Ignoring Subfloor Preparation
Your flooring is only as good as the surface beneath it. Skipping subfloor prep is one of the most common mistakes.
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Uneven or cracked subfloors can cause shifting, creaking, or gaps.
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Always use a leveling cement or underlayment to smooth and strengthen the surface.
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Clean away dust and debris before installing any flooring.
Pro Tip: Investing in proper subfloor prep saves time and prevents future flooring problems.
2. Choosing the Wrong Flooring for the Room
Each room has unique needs based on humidity, temperature, and foot traffic.
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Bathrooms & basements: Go for waterproof vinyl or tile.
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Bedrooms & living areas: Choose engineered hardwood or LVP for warmth and style.
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Entryways: Use durable tile and grout with sealant to prevent staining.
Make sure your flooring matches the space’s purpose and environment.
3. Skipping Acclimation
Most flooring materials need time to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity.
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Always let vinyl, laminate, or hardwood sit in the space for 24–48 hours before installation.
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This prevents expansion, warping, or gaps later.
4. Using Poor-Quality Setting Materials
Even the most expensive floors can fail if installed with cheap or incompatible materials.
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Use premium grout, thinset cement, and tile spacers for tile jobs.
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Choose high-quality adhesives for vinyl or engineered hardwood.
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Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for compatible products.
At Balance Flooring, we carry trusted brands of grout, adhesives, and underlayments to help ensure professional, lasting results.
5. Forgetting Expansion Gaps
Wood and vinyl expand and contract with temperature changes.
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Always leave a ¼-inch expansion gap around walls and fixed objects.
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Use matching trim or baseboards to cover gaps neatly.
Skipping this step can cause buckling or lifting over time.
6. Neglecting Maintenance
Once your flooring is installed, protect your investment with proper care:
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Clean spills promptly.
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Use furniture pads to prevent scratches.
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Re-seal grout or stone surfaces as recommended.
A few minutes of maintenance can add years to your floor’s lifespan.
So, How Do You Avoid Flooring Mistakes?
It all comes down to planning, quality materials, and proper installation. Don’t rush the process — and don’t cut corners on underlayment, grout, or adhesive.
Get Expert Flooring Advice & Materials in Toronto
At Balance Flooring, we don’t just sell floors — we provide the materials and guidance you need for flawless results. From vinyl and engineered hardwood to setting materials like grout, cement, and underlayment, our team can help you make every step of your installation a success.
Visit our Toronto showroom or browse online to explore our full range of products.