What options are there for sunroom flooring?

Sunroom & Screen Room Flooring For a Perfect Oasis 

When it comes to installing or refurbishing sunroom flooring, you have a handful of options. Not all sunroom installations will include an option for flooring, so you’ll need to consult a contractor for your flooring needs. If you’re converting a spare room, deck, or porch into a sunroom know that sunrooms are a whole different animal from the rest of your home. Because they are exposed to the elements, albeit gently, as well as to traffic coming from outside, sunroom floors need to be sturdy and fade- and moisture-resistant. Picking out a sunroom flooring type can be challenging, especially if you want to use the room year-round. Floors here need to keep from overheating and burning bare feet when the sun is beating down hard, but they should also absorb some sunlight to warm the room come wintertime.

As with most things, each type of flooring has its advantages and its drawbacks. It’s all about picking the material that will work best for your needs. 

Carpet

If your sunroom also doubles as a playroom for your children, then the carpet might be a good choice. Low-pile is typically best, as it will be easier to clean in a room as busy as this one.  Additionally, carpet offers a wide range of colours and patterns, making it easy to coordinate with your home. 

Tile

Tile is without a doubt one of the most popular choices for sunroom flooring.  Between ceramic, slate, or natural stone, different tiles can completely change the look of this space.  It’s durable, easy to clean and can easily be matched with any existing furniture.  As an added bonus, it can help keep the temperature in a sunroom comfortable during the warmer months.

Hardwood

Another classic choice for a sunroom is hardwood flooring.  With a wide range of choices between species and stains, wood flooring provides warmth underfoot and the home-style look many homeowners seek.

Flooring Tips to Keep in Mind

• Three season rooms generally aren’t insulated, so choose flooring that will help keep the space warm during the winter months as long as possible. 
• Flooring in screen room additions should be durable and be able to withstand the elements since they are exposed to the elements all year round.
• If you install carpet in your sunroom, stick to a thinner pile and make sure your windows have proper UV protection.
• Treat wood flooring with an oil-based stain to prevent sun damage. Many home improvement stores have wide selections of these stains
• Regardless of the option you choose, make sure to clean and maintain your flooring regularly to extend its life and maintain its appearance.

Various types of natural wood flooring are trending today or were trending in the past. So if you are wondering if your favourite wood flooring will ' age well'  our latest Regina flooring article should help you make that decision!  

Is Natural Wood Flooring a Good Option for Your Home?

Do you love Dark Wood Floors?

Dark wood floors are still in style and very popular in new builds. You’ll see shades and tones such as, Espresso, or dark walnut installed in many homes. However, one drawback of these floors is that they will make your room look smaller. Also, another problem is every scratch and dust particle is visible on these floors so they don’t ever look perfectly clean. 

If you have pets or young kids...perhaps these shades aren't the best choice for your lifestyle.  

Light Wood Floors your thing? 

For years, light wood floors were considered old fashioned. However, this is not the case anymore as so many homeowners have started installing light shaded wood floors in their home.

 Among different shades of light wood floors, blonde wood floors have become most popular.

It is because these floors offer endless decorating possibilities and are essentially a blank canvas. Another good thing about light wood floors is that they make your room look more spacious. 

Considering all these benefits, it is very likely that light wood floors will become a trend-turned classic in the years to come.

Dream About Whitewashed Wood Floors?

Whitewashed wood floors make your room look brighter and bigger, and if you are looking for a contemporary look this is a great start!   

These floors are becoming increasingly popular in kitchens and farmhouse style homes.

However, a drawback of these floors is that if the dark wood starts peeking out from underneath, it will somewhat ruin the whitewashed floor’s look. To prevent this be aware that it may not be the best choice for high traffic locations ( such as hallways or near main entrance doors)  - also pets claws and small kids toys may not be a good match! 

Desiring Honey Wood Floors?

This wood shade is just slightly darker than the popular blonde wood. 

As suggested by the name, it is a warm, rich honey wood floor shade that gives a cozy look to your rooms. 

These floors make your rooms look bigger and more open, just like blonde wood floors, but they also add warmth and coziness to them. Another benefit of these floors is that they’re available in many popular wood species. Honey is a natural color so it is very easy to find. 

Honey floors are a classic - so they are ALWAYS going to be in style. 

As homeowners we all wonder what questions to ask a contractor to avoid a potentially horrible situation.  We have all heard  nightmare stories of home renovations gone wrong but how can anyone be sure this wont happen to them?   At Trusted Regina we believe we can help.  Trusted Regina was formed to help the public find local businesses you can TRUST.  In this article we share some of the ways we research businesses to ensure we have the best local contractors.  Giving you peace of mind knowing you have hired someone you can TRUST to do the job right.  

Requesting proof of insurance is one of the first steps in searching for a quality and Trusted Regina contractor.  

Are they Insured ? Any good contractor should carry liability and worker’s compensation Insurance this is something you should always require a contractor to have.

Contractor Liability Insurance

This will protect you if a contractor creates damage to your home, neighboring properties or injury to a third party that may occur during the renovation.  Ask to see a Certificate of Insurance; it should state the name and address of the contractor, the amount of general liability, including coverage for bodily injury and property damage, and the effective and expiry dates of the policy as well as the date of issue of the certificate.  Once you know the contractors liability coverage take it to your Insurance provider to ensure you are fully covered during the renovation as a renovation may require you to increase your coverage for a period of time.   

Workers Compensation

Except for single-person companies, Contractors are required by law to pay WCB premiums on behalf of their employees in the event of a workplace injury. Hiring a contractor that is not in compliance makes YOU the homeowner the project manager and liable for ANY injuries occurred during the renovation. Request a letter of good standing to ensure their premiums are paid up.  

Ask for references 

When anyone applies for a job they are required to provide references.  Why should a contractor be any different!  At Trusted we ask for so many references it's borderline obscene... it is A LOT and we call them all!. We don't anticipate you calling the number we do but we do think it is always a good idea to request references and that you call them.  Typed references or letters of recommendation are ok but a voice and a person are always best. 

There are two types of references you should request.

Client References:

Gaining a list of people who have used there service is extremely helpful and an indication of the amount of jobs they have done.  Asking if they did a good job is not always a good indication of the quality of their work and dedication to customer service.  Dig deeper. here are some suggested questions. - How did you find the contractor? how many jobs have they done for you?  Would you hire them again?  Would you recommend them to a family member? Did they finish the job on time?  Did they charge you the price quoted?  We have the 5 Trusted Guarantees and all of our contractors have to uphold them these are only some of the questions we ask. 

Supplier references

Though not always foolproof, supplier references are very important and help give some insight as to weather or not the contractor pays it's suppliers on time.  Which may in turn help you protect yourself from creditor liabilities.  Builders lien's are something you should know about and try to avoid!.  Here is a great article on how to avoid a builders lien.  

Check their online rating and memberships 

Another way to check and see if a contractor is worth hiring it to check sources like Trusted Regina to see if they have been put through a process of ensuring that they are who they claim to be. This is also are a very strong indicator of a company's commitment to professionalism. You should also search to see if any complaints have been made about them online and how they dealt with those complaints.  From time to time mistakes can happen.  But it is how a company deals with those mistakes that can show a great deal about how they would deal with you.  

Experience, education and certification 

Trade licencing requirements 

A contractor should easily be able to tell you how long they have been in business and have a valid business licence.  Beyond that there are other things you should ask.  Depending on the type of work you want done there are licencing requirements for different trades in Saskatchewan.  Ensuring that each trade has the proper licencing can prevent major issues down the line.  In Saskatchewan there are four compulsory apprenticeship trades. Electrician, Plumber, Refrigeration Mechanic and Sheet Metal Worker. To work in a compulsory apprenticeship trade you must have a journey person certificate or be registered as an apprentice with the SATCC. If one of the trades your contractor has working on your project claims to be a professional in this area ask for their certification. 

Ask for Examples of their work

Most contractors have tons of images of work they have done in the past.  See examples of their work can give you a good indication of the type of work they can do.  We do caution you however that sometimes that though they may be very lovely images you can't always be sure of the quality of the underlying work!

More info...

We hope this article helps you find the right contractor for your renovation project. We always hope you choose one of our Trusted Regina Contractors for any of your projects.   

If you are looking for more information about hiring a contractor we have several other articles that can help steer you in the right direction.

• The difference between a General Contractor vs Builder
• 5 Tips to Surviving a Renovation
• 10 Questions to Ask an Electrician Before Hiring
• Contractor and Renovators tip on hiring a Contractor - PART 1
• Contractor and Renovation expert shares a tip on hiring a Contractor - PART 2
• Renovation Expert shares a tip on Hiring a Professional
• 7 Smart Strategies for Bathroom Remodeling
• What is Trusted about and why do businesses want to be Trusted?

The Best Flooring Choice for Your Home:

House decor is a very personal topic. Each family has its own tastes and priorities when it comes to filling their residence with the things that will make life more convenient … and more beautiful. Flooring is no different from other home accessories in this respect. The good news is that these days, DIY home decorators can find flooring solutions that will suit just about everyone. Decide what's important to you in a floor covering and make your choice, armed with the facts on ceramic tile, concrete, hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, and laminate flooring.

Durability

Vinyl flooring is extremely sturdy and resists staining, fading or discoloration from the sun, wear, and scratching. High-quality laminate is durable, but in cheaper brands, the upper layer may separate from the base. Concrete flooring is tough and long-lasting both indoors and out. Speaking of the great outdoors, if you are planning to install a tile floor on a patio, deck, pool surround, or balcony, make sure that you purchase dedicated tile for exterior use.

Possibility to refinish or replace

Hardwood shines in this category. Repairing nicks and scratches is a simple affair. All you need to do is sand them away and reseal. When ceramic or porcelain tile floors or flooring made of carpet tiles becomes damaged, you can remove and replace just one or two pieces as necessary.

Comfort

Carpeted floors, especially wool, are the most resilient and the pleasantest to walk or sit on in either cold or warm weather. Wood and laminate floors are also fairly resilient and comfortable in all seasons.

Health

Hardwood, concrete, and tile are hypoallergenic (although do be careful about repurposing vintage ceramic tile as flooring -- it may have a toxic lead glaze.). Vinyl and other synthetic flooring materials sometimes off-gas dangerous substances -- look for low, or preferably no, VOCs. Carpet might harbor dust, pet dander, mites, and other substances that can trigger allergic rhinitis.

Green

Linoleum as a flooring solution has been around for decades. Few people realize, though, that true linoleum (as opposed to PVC lookalikes) is an eco-friendly material, produced from a mix of wood byproducts, linseed oil, and minerals, which is mounted on a backing of canvas or burlap. Hardwood floors made from sustainable, fast-growing wood sources, such as bamboo, also score well in this category, although their ranking drops if they require long distance transportation.

Maintenance

Concrete flooring can simply be hosed down if you have a floor drain. Tile is similarly easy to wash, though cleaning the grout will complicate maintenance. Vinyl is relatively low care too, as long as any spills are mopped up quickly and manufacturer's instructions are followed.

Appearance

Hardwood flooring is a huge favourite among American homeowners for its rich, natural beauty, which only improves with age. (It's also popular among house hunters, and will add to your home's appeal if you plan to sell.) Tile is another lovely option, with a wide selection of colors and designs. A surprise entrant in the good looks category is concrete, which can be made to resemble just about any material, including wood planks or marble flooring, and offers an amazing range of decorative finishes.

Budget

The price of vinyl floor installation is usually the least expensive at $1-7 per square foot including materials and labor. Linoleum floors and laminate are also very reasonable, at $2-9 and $3-7, respectively. Wood and ceramic tile flooring cost more ($6-15 and $4-12 per square foot), but due to the relatively long life spans of these substances, may work out to be the best value over time. Cost of carpet is the most variable of all, according to material, style, and quality.

If you look down and realize that your floors have lost their shine and lustre it is likely time to get them refinished. Refinishing is the process of transforming your old floors back into new!

Here is a tip on how to care for wood floors:

There is a specific timeline of how to treat and care for a wood floor after it was just refinished. In this post I’ll outline what chemicals or actions are safe for your hardwood floors and when they become safe.

How Long After Refinishing Will My Wood Floors Be Ready?

All of these timelines are dependent on environmental conditions though. This is an average only! If your weather is warmer and drier than average then you can speed up the timeline a bit (but not too much). And inversely if it is cooler and more humid you’ll have to wait longer for your floors to be ready.

• Up to 12 hrs after coating: Floors should NOT be walked on at all and adequate ventilation must be provided to allow the finish to dry properly.
• 12-36 hrs after coating: Floors should be dry to the touch and are safe to walk on in socks or stockings. No shoes!
• 36 hrs after coating: Floors are safe for light foot traffic with shoes, but high heels and furniture should be avoided if at all possible.
• 1 Week after coating: Furniture can be replaced and normal activities can be resumed. However, avoid placing rugs on the floors until 1 month after finishing. Also, avoid using vacuums any cleaners, or even mopping the floor during this period. A broom and dust pan will suffice just fine for now.
• 1 Month After Coating – Set your rugs, use your vacuum, mop your floor. Anything goes at this point. The finish has cured enough and is as hard and free of VOC’s as it will ever be. 

General Care Do’s & Don’ts

After your newly refinished wood floors have fully cured and life has gone back to normal there are a few things you can do to make sure the finish on your floors lasts. There are only so many times you can sand and finish a floor before you sand right through the floor. So, by taking care of your new finish you can extend the life of your floors and save thousands of dollars by putting off a refinishing for an extra 10+ years.

DO’S

• Sweep Regularly: Dust and dirt that sit on your floor get walked on and ground into the finish. It can quickly wear down your finish.
• Mop Regularly: Depending on how dirty your house gets you need to mop your wood floors about every month. There are plenty of good wood floor cleaners to use but I recommend Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
• Use Felt: Put felt pads on the feet of any furniture you have that will be residing on your floors to prevent scratching and denting from the furniture.
• Change Rolling Chair Wheels: If you have a rolling chair you likely need to get new rollers. The typical nylon rollers on most chairs will scratch and destroy a wood floor’s finish. A set of polyurethane casters will smooth out your ride and protect your wood floors.

 

DON’TS

• Leave spills for long: If you spilled food or liquid on your wood floors clean it up right away. The wood is protected on the face but if it seeps into the cracks and isn’t dried soon the wood can stain or swell or both. Pets are often the biggest offenders in this area.
• Use Oil Cleaners – Cleaners with oil in them like Murphy’s Oil Soap can create an oily residue on your floors that is often difficult to remove. These cleaners were great for floors when the finish was mainly wax, but with a polyurethane floor you don’t want these as part of your cleaning regimen.
• Drag Anything…Ever – A sure-fire way to put a gash in your finish is to drag or slide a piece of furniture across your floor. Even if you put something soft underneath the item you might have a little bit of sand or dirt that gets dragged along and puts fine scratches in your finish.

Without this basic care you may end up needing a hardwood floor repair or board replacement and that begins to get expensive. Wood floors can last centuries if taken care of properly. So follow these simple guidelines and your floors will be a blessing and not a curse for as long as you hang your hat there.