Top Flooring Mistakes Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Top Flooring Mistakes Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
A new floor is one of the best investments you can make — but only if it’s installed and chosen correctly. Many homeowners unintentionally reduce the lifespan of their flooring through simple mistakes.
Here are the most common issues and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Flooring for the Room
Examples:
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Laminate in bathrooms
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Hardwood in humid basements
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Carpet in high-traffic hallways
Solution: Match flooring to the room’s needs (moisture, traffic, temperature).
Mistake #2: Ignoring Subfloor Problems
Uneven or damaged subfloors lead to:
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Soft spots
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Flooring movement
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Peaking and gaps
Solution: Always level and repair subfloors before installing.
Mistake #3: Skipping Proper Underlayment
Underlayment provides:
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Sound insulation
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Moisture protection
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Comfort
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Stability
Toronto condos especially require acoustic underlay.
Mistake #4: Not Leaving Expansion Gaps
Floating floors like laminate and vinyl need space to expand. Without it, you get:
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Buckling
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Lifting
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Cracked edges
Mistake #5: Choosing the Wrong Colour
Too dark or too cool-toned flooring can make rooms feel small or outdated.
2026 trending colours include:
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Warm beige
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Natural oak
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Greige
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Light walnut
Mistake #6: DIYing a Job That Needs a Pro
Examples:
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Herringbone patterns
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Tile installation
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Staircases
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Uneven floors
These often cost more to fix than to install professionally.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common mistakes can save you time, money, and frustration — and ensure your new floors last for years.