Whether you are going to put new flooring in an all-new home, or just trying to spruce up your existing one, looking at all of the available options can seem overwhelming. There are a few facts that will make it easier to make your decision and will ensure that you love your new floors for many years to come.
1) Your budget doesn’t have to have the biggest impact on what you buy.
2) That is because of all the options out there. The internet has changed so much of what it means to be a savvy consumer.
3) Some laminate looks a lot like hardwood floors, is easier to take care of and less expensive to install. If you can’t tell the difference between the two, there is no reason to pay extra unless you want to.
4) It’s probably better to go with a classic look in your home, because putting the flooring in your home that is popular right now, could result in a dated look later.
5) You may want to consider how long you plan to stay in your home. If you are selling in a few years, is it worth buying something at considerable cost that has a lifetime warranty?
6) Where you live can have a significant effect on the type of flooring that would be best in your home. People who live in cold areas might like heated floors and carpet in every room, people who live in warm areas might love tile or hardwood.
7) Ceramic tile is made up of a series of shaped glazed that were fired at very high temperatures.
8) Tile, hardwood, ceramic and carpeting may be the four things people think of first when you mention flooring, but there are dozens, if not hundreds of other options available. Not all homes can support the weight of all the different types of flooring. Some manufactured homes do not have sub-flooring that is adequate for actual hardwood, but do beautifully with the lighter-weight bamboo. If you are unsure, ask your contractor or check with the company that sold your home.
9) Laminate floors are very tough and resistant to damage, but big dogs with long nails can leave scars on laminate, as could moving heavy furniture and allowing it to scrape the floor.
10) Bamboo is one of the lightest woods for a floor, but is one of the most durable and one of the smoothest. The assumption that it is rough is both common and untrue.
11) Ceramic tile can be anything from not shiny at all (matte) to satin to high gloss.
12) The glossier that ceramic tile is, though, the more damage it will show. You’ll often find high gloss in bathrooms only.
13) Laminate floors don’t EVER need to be waxed. If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is.
14) Polished concrete is growing in popularity, but is still not as well-known as other types of flooring. It’s a beautiful, but unique look that is almost sound-proof.
15) Wood and concrete stains not only add to the visual appeal of your home, but add an extra layer of protection for your floor. It’s like lotion for your floors!
16) The use of a sealer on concrete or wood after staining could mean you wouldn’t have to do it again for a decade or more, depending on use, area, etc.
17) Vinyl flooring is another affordable option to hardwood floors and can be made to look almost like it, for a fraction of the cost.
18) Marble is a beautiful and expensive kind of flooring. It’s unique because there are minor differences in each piece of tile, so no two are ever exactly the same.
19) Unfortunately, marble isn’t as common as it could be in common areas, because it is porous and tends to absorb stains and debris.
20) New flooring is a major investment of time and financial resources. You shouldn’t ever allow anyone, even an experienced contractor, to pressure you into buying something for your home that you aren’t happy with. Chances are that if you don’t love it now, you probably won’t love it any more after looking at it for the next 20 years.
Flooring is a major expense and a way to showcase your own creativity. There are many different ideas out there now about integrating different types of flooring within the same home, even when the home has an open floor-plan. In order to be happy with your new flooring, you really might want to consider taking some time to research what is available and appropriate for your needs, so that you are thrilled with the results. If you don’t, you might regret it as soon as it’s too late to do anything about it.