Add Elegant Flooring To Your Home
Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, the kitchen or the entire home, choosing the right flooring is an important part of the process. Flooring will take up a large portion of the budget, and will have a big impact on the overall look as well as its value for future buyers. If you're struggling to decide on the right flooring for your remodel, there are some key issues to keep in mind:
- Cost
- Lifespan
- Installation
- Style
- Maintenance
Discover some of the top flooring options as well as the pros and cons of each to help you determine which will be best for your home's next remodeling project.
Hardwood Flooring
Arguably the most appealing flooring choice for homeowners is hardwood. In fact, many buyers who are viewing homes overwhelmingly prefer those homes with hardwood, which is important to keep in mind if you are remodeling a house specifically to sell in the future.
Hardwood floors can easily last for decades and in some cases more than a century. They can be sanded and refinished to give them a new look, and they can appear both rustic and luxurious depending on the rest of the room's decor.
Hardwood floors are also quite easy to clean and difficult to stain.
The downside of choosing hardwood flooring for your remodel includes price, which is often at the top of the budget for homeowners.
Hardwood normally requires professional installation over several days for an average room. In very humid climates, hardwood flooring may also warp over time, leading to uneven surfaces or creaking.
Hardwood floors can be purchased in different widths and plank lengths as well as varieties of wood including oak, hickory, maple and walnut.
Engineered Wood
If you want to remodel your home and enjoy the look of hardwood flooring, but the cost is too high for your budget, a compromise might be engineered wood flooring. Sometimes referred to as composite wood, this is a layered material that has pressed wood along the base and a layer of hardwood as a veneer on top of each plank.
You will get the look and feel of hardwood as well as the ability to clean up easily after spills. Plus, installation of engineered wood flooring is far easier and faster than hardwood.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to installing engineered wood flooring in your remodeling project. Unlike hardwood, engineered wood can't be refinished, which gives it a much shorter lifespan overall. In addition, engineered wood can vary depending on price and manufacturer.
Tile
Tile is the most obvious choice for people remodeling their bathrooms and kitchens. The biggest upside to using this flooring material is how easy it is to clean and maintain.
In kitchens and bathrooms, that is a definite advantage. Durability and lifespan is also a perk.
If tile is maintained properly, it can easily last for 20 years or more without needing to be replaced. Plus, any cracked or damaged tiles can be pried out and replaced without the need for redoing the whole floor at once.
Since tile is so hard, many homeowners prefer to use it in kitchens and baths while choosing other materials for family rooms and bedrooms.
Stone Flooring
Although one of the most expensive flooring options available on the market, stone can be a luxurious and attractive choice for some homeowners ready to remodel their home and give it a serious upgrade.
Benefits of stone flooring such as granite, marble or slate include a classic visual appeal and fantastic durability.
Vinyl Flooring
For homeowners who are trying to remodel on a budget, vinyl is an appealing prospect for floors. Vinyl is a synthetic polymer that comes in tile shapes, large strips and sheets, all of which can be installed very quickly and easily.
Vinyl is durable and incredibly easy to clean, and it can also resist water well. Vinyl is available in many colors and patterns to fit in with any room’s style.
As you consider using vinyl, you will want to stick with the upper end of the spectrum rather than choosing the cheapest option. The cheaper options of vinyl will not hold up very long under high traffic use. You will see it wear thin and it may be damaged much more easily than a higher quality vinyl flooring.
Carpet
In cold climates, choosing carpet for the floors of bedrooms and living rooms is a popular option. Carpet adds a layer of insulation to any space, retaining heat and reducing energy consumption while providing comfort underfoot.
Carpet can also be a great way to reduce noise between rooms, particularly if a house is shared by several residents or there are multiple stories.
Installing carpet, while generally left to professionals, can be done quickly and won't come at an extraordinary expense.
The drawbacks of carpet include stains, which can set and become very difficult to remove. In high traffic areas like hallways, carpet can tend to wear out quickly, particularly if cheaper materials are used.
Carpet is certainly not the most expensive flooring choice, and you'll find a variety of price points depending on your budget. There is also a wide range of colors, patterns and styles, ensuring that there is a choice for every home and every design aesthetic.
When remodeling your home, don't forget to give plenty of thought to the flooring. Whatever your style or your budget, the right flooring can help you achieve your vision for your home’s overall look and feel.
