Best flooring contractors near Rensselaerville, NY

Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.

Plywood is the best type of subfloor for a mobile home, though if you’re installing flooring in a bathroom, you may want to install a vapor barrier or use a moisture-proof subfloor material like Amdry. OBS is similar, but it can swell when moisture is present. 

Either way, old mobile home subflooring made from particleboard can cause issues with your joints. If you’re replacing your subfloor, it’s best to upgrade to plywood.

Laminate is a sturdy material that lasts 15 to 25 years if it’s properly maintained and isn’t damaged. Laminate with a higher AC rating lasts longer than laminate with a lower AC rating. For the most longevity, put laminate with an AC1 rating in low-traffic areas and use laminate with an AC3 or AC4 rating in high-traffic areas like entryways.

A laminate floor will lift if it hasn’t been installed with the proper expansion gaps around the room’s perimeter. Laminate flooring naturally expands and contracts when indoor temperatures fluctuate, and without adequate room for expansion, the planks can lift off the subfloor. To avoid this, ensure your flooring installer knows to leave the proper expansion gaps.