Karen is looking for some recommendations. She writes: Help - I need someone to help me install Allure TrafficMaster flooring in my Chicago one bedroom apartment. Want it done right after reading all the reviews. Can you suggest someone for me?
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
I'd bet the retailer who sold it to her could give her some solid referrals...
view bepsf's profile
Yes, definitely call your retailer to inquire. I purchased ours from Home Depot, which said it could send an HD contractor to install.
On the other hand, the staff suggested it was very easy and might be a waste of money to pay for installation. Husband decided he'd take it on, and it WAS easy. He avoids home projects like the plague, yet finished our large basement in 6 hours with minimal stress, looks great & has held up well thus far. Looked far easier than the garden overhaul I was doing at the same time!
view jlynn's profile
Karen, I'd recommend you take a peek at this thread specifically about the Trafficmaster Allure product where you might find some referrals and resources.
view gregory's profile
I recently had flooring installed in my entire place and they did an absolutely fantastic job. I highly recommend aegflooring.com - based out of Des Plaines, I believe. Cost was unbelievable - they are both very nice, work is great, cleaned up - absolutely everything you would want when laying floors.
view jochicago's profile
We installed this ourselves last year, and still love it!
Installation was fairly straighforward, however, here are some things that you need to know and/or should ensure that the installers do:
1) Determine which corner OF the floor you need to start in before you move your furniture around. The flooring only has one sticky edge so you need to start at the appropriate corner of the room. Put down a few pieces to help you visualize, if you must. (A pro will probably know this and be able to tell you which areas he needs cleared first, but we did not figure this out in advance and had to move everything around twice)
2)Determine if you want a 'random width' flooring effect. If so, you will need to cut the first row of pieces to random widths. Also, you/ the install should work from multiple boxes, as sometimes there are slight color variation or repeat patterns in a box.
3) Make sure the floor is clean before you start. Subfloor irregularities will be felt through the flooring. We did not fill or sand down a few dime sized divots in the concrete floor and one little blob of leftover carpet glue. You can definitely feel them through the floor.
4) If DIYing, start in a corner of the room, preferably in an area that will be under a large piece of furniture. Laying the pieces isn't hard, but you will improve after your first few pieces. You have to push the pieces together HARD and at an angle to get as little of a seam line as possible (unless you like that look).
5) You'll need to install (or have installed) additional floor molding to cover the necessary gap between the edge of the floor and the wall which allows for expansion. You will probably have to paint the new molding and old baseboards (if you have them) in order for the color of the 2 pieces to match. For me, this was the most annoying part of the whole process. If you are having someone do this for you, make sure you factor in the cost of molding installation/ painting (or ask them to give you a quote for it).
Good Luck!
view lalo's profile
Hi,
If you are still looking for a contractor to install this flooring, I highly recommend Danny at ADC Floors. You can find him at http://adcfloors.net/ or http://www.yelp.com/biz/adc-floors-chicago
I work at a flooring distributor in Chicago, know Danny personally and know he does great work.
Good Luck with your project!
Jim
view Jim Birch's profile