Some types of flooring are much quicker and easier to install than others. If you want to install your new floor yourself, you will need to make sure that you are not taking on too much work. If you do choose a type of flooring that requires a more difficult installation then you may want to hire a professional to lay the floor on your behalf. Hardwood and laminate floors can be very easy to install. Some simply lock into place without the need for glue or other types of fixture, although other types of installation can require much more work. Tiles can be more difficult to install, but it is usually possible for someone with experience of DIY to install a tiled floor for themselves. Stone floors usually require professional installation. It is possible to fit your own carpet, but a professional may be able to do the job much faster.
Underneath the FloorAs well as the flooring itself, you will need to consider the sub floor material that will be laid underneath it, particularly if you are choosing flooring for a new build. If you are replacing the flooring in an existing building, you will need to find out what sub flooring is present. You need to make sure that your sub flooring will be suitable for the type of flooring that you wish to install over the top. The sub floor will support the flooring. Heavier flooring materials will require a stronger sub floor structure.
You can use a sub floor material that can also act as the flooring itself, although most people will want to lay a different type of flooring over the top. A sub floor can be constructed from various materials, including cement, plywood, wooden planks and concrete. Special types of sub flooring such as raised, sprung and floating floors are available. You may also want to consider laying insulating material, an underlay or even installing underfloor heating at the same time as you install your new flooring.
A concrete sub floor can be a good base for a layered or engineered floor. It can also be used under floating floors, bamboo, laminate or cork floors. It is important to ensure that there is no moisture on the sub floor before the flooring is installed over it. Plywood sub floors are ideal for nailed or floating hardwood floors, but they can also be covered with laminates, cork or bamboo. If the flooring is to be nailed into place, the plywood sub floor must be at least 5/8 of an inch thick. A particle board sub floor can be used with hardwood, engineered, bamboo and cork flooring, but the flooring must be floating rather than nailed into place.