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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.

Carpet stretching can be a worthwhile investment to increase the lifespan of your carpet and eliminate unsightly wrinkles, ridges, and ripples. For an older carpet that is in relatively good condition aside from some wrinkling or bubbling, restretching can make it look like new and extend its life by at least a couple of years. You should consider restretching when you notice looseness or other related issues.

However, it's important to note that stretching will not fix issues like stains, wear in the pile, or discoloration. Consider replacing the carpet instead if the repair cost is more than 50% of the price of a new one. Additionally, if your carpet is past its expected lifespan of five to 15 years, or if it has been stretched multiple times already, replacement is likely a better option.

Few home upgrades add resale value above their installation cost, including terrazzo floors. However, they are still a good option if you like the look. While terrazzo may be expensive, it has a solid return on investment of around 55% to 70%. The durability and low maintenance requirements of terrazzo can be appealing selling points, as many buyers will appreciate flooring that can last 40 to 100 years.

Carpeting with a low pile is both slip-resistant and soft, making it one of the safest types of flooring in the case of slips and falls. In order to be fully ADA-compliant, carpet shouldn’t exceed the thickness of half an inch, and you should secure the edges to the floor to prevent trip hazards.

Other ADA-compliant flooring options include hardwood, laminate, or ceramic tile with a gritty, anti-slip surface. Ceramic or porcelain tile are actually some of the best types of flooring for wheelchair users.