5 Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Flooring

Replacing your home’s flooring is a significant investment that can dramatically change the look and feel of your space. However, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the countless options and potential pitfalls. At CNY Flooring, we believe an informed customer is a happy customer. Here are five common mistakes people make when buying flooring and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Considering Your Lifestyle

It's easy to fall in love with a beautiful hardwood floor or a plush carpet, but is it the right fit for your daily life? If you have a busy household with kids and pets, a soft wood floor might not stand up to the wear and tear. Likewise, putting carpet in a high-moisture area like a bathroom or kitchen is a recipe for disaster.

How to avoid it: Think about who uses the space and how. For high-traffic areas, consider durable and scratch-resistant options like Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or laminate. In kitchens and bathrooms, tile is a great choice. For a cozy living room or bedroom, carpet can be perfect.

2. Skipping the In-Home Consultation

Many people pick out flooring based on a small sample they see in a store, only to find the color and texture look completely different once installed in their home. Lighting, wall color, and existing furniture all play a huge role in how a floor appears.

How to avoid it: Take advantage of an in-home consultation. At CNY Flooring, we bring our mobile showroom directly to you. This allows you to see how different flooring types and colors will look in your own space, under your home’s unique lighting conditions, before you make a decision.

3. Focusing Only on Price

While budget is a crucial factor, choosing the cheapest option can lead to disappointment and costly replacements down the line. A low-quality product might not last as long, wear out faster, and may not be covered by a good warranty.

How to avoid it: Look for the best value, not just the lowest price. A higher-quality product from a reputable brand like Shaw, Mohawk, or Tarkett—all of which we carry—will often pay for itself over time with its durability and longevity. We offer products at different price points, including hardwood starting at $6.99 and LVP starting at $3.49, to ensure you can find quality flooring that fits your budget.

4. DIYing the Installation When You Shouldn't

Watching a few online videos can make a flooring installation look easy, but it’s a job that requires precision, proper tools, and a lot of experience. Incorrect installation can lead to gaps, warping, or an uneven finish, which not only looks bad but can also void a manufacturer’s warranty.

How to avoid it: Trust the experts. At CNY Flooring, we have a dedicated team of professionals with years of experience. We ensure every job is done with the utmost care, from start to finish, so you get the perfect results you’re looking for. We now even install custom tile showers and backsplashes!

5. Ignoring the Warranty and Maintenance Requirements

Different types of flooring have different maintenance needs and warranties. Failing to follow these guidelines can drastically shorten the life of your floor and invalidate any coverage.

How to avoid it: Ask questions! Our non-commission salespeople are here to help. They can walk you through the proper cleaning and maintenance for each product and explain the details of the manufacturer's warranty, so you can keep your new floors looking beautiful for years to come.