Did you know that Americans spent more than $420 billion to upgrade their homes? If you’re looking to refresh a room in your house, consider starting with new floors. Investing in floor replacement can transform a dull room into a spectacular one.
Keep reading to learn how to choose the best floor material for your space!
Consider Your Budget
Yes, it can be fun to browse flooring options and let your first impressions guide your choices. But finding new floors this way means you could end up spending much more than you should. Instead, start your floor shopping process by looking at your budget.
Be aware that you’ll pay for more than the square footage of materials needed to cover your space. For instance, the layers beneath your floor may need to be repaired or replaced. And you’ll undoubtedly need bonus flooring materials in case anything is damaged during shipment or cutting.
Further, you may want to save time by hiring professionals to install the floors. Once those floors are in place, you’ll need fresh baseboards, too, and potentially some paint or stain to complete the job.
For a cheap floor replacement, go with a low-end laminate. But if you want a floor with a little more polish, upgrade to an engineered wood or luxury vinyl tile option. If money is not a consideration, you may be able to reach for a high-end wood, such as mahogany or cherry.
Understand Where the Flooring Will Go
Are you replacing home floors in your bedroom? Or are you going with new floors in the kitchen or bathroom? The location of your new floors should impact the floor material you choose.
In a kitchen, you want to choose a floor material that is comfortable for standing during food prep. Cork flooring offers comfort when you’re walking as well as moisture resistance. Better yet, you’ll be able to keep it in place for over two decades.
Likewise, linoleum is a comfortable choice when you’re walking around a lot. And you won’t need to invest a fortune to get it or do floor repair.
For areas like kitchens or bathrooms, you need a flooring material that can handle moisture. Opt for vinyl or ceramic tile. If you do choose to lay down hardwoods in a bathroom, you’ll need to be careful to wipe up spills more often.
For family gathering points, going with carpet can be a good choice. The softness of the pile will be comfortable for walking as well as sitting to play with kids. Just be sure to treat spills to avoid stains and vacuum frequently to avoid allergens.
Know Who Will Be Walking Across Your New Floors
For those living alone or in homes without children or pets, you could have more options. That’s because you won’t have to worry about wear and tear as much. You can safely choose floors that are more susceptible to scratches.
For instance, can choose engineered woods without worrying about marring the veneer. And softer wood floors made of spruce may be the ideal way to add warmth to a loft bedroom.
On the other hand, you should go with vinyl or laminate if your floors get a lot of foot traffic. And for homes with smaller kids, introducing carpet to all bedrooms and the playroom can provide a softer landing.
Compare Material Durability
When it comes to durability, not all floors are the same. Porcelain and ceramic tiles, for instance, can handle scratches and cracks assuming they are installed properly. Even better, these tiles won’t fade as they age.
Hardwood remains another reliably durable choice that can stand up to pets and furniture. Hardwoods like oak won’t scratch easily. When they start to look worn, you can have them refinished to revive their appearance.
Vinyl plank flooring provides a durable and attractive option. These planks can stand up to wear and tear in kitchens and hallways. And with the ability to mimic the look of real wood, vinyl planks can be a great solution in family and living rooms, too.
Laminate may be one of the cheaper flooring options, but it lacks the same level of durability as its peers. Likewise, softwood floors, like those made of pine, can be more prone to scratching. A low-end linoleum floor might not hold its aesthetic appeal for very long, either.
Look at Installation Requirements
If you’re eager to save money, consider tackling the installation of your new floors. You may be able to trim up to half of the overall costs by doing this! Just be picky about which type of flooring you choose.
For example, if you’re planning to cover your entire family room in wall-to-wall carpet, let the pros take care of it. They’ll also be able to rip out your existing carpet and dispose of it, too. If you try your hand at installing it, you could end up with a lumpy and bumpy result.
Additionally, it’s wise to let the pros install new hardwoods. It can be challenging to line up the planks and nail them down cleanly.
By contrast, vinyl plank and laminate flooring options can be easier to install. You’ll be able to connect these floating floors without having to worry about attaching them to the subfloor.
Find the Best Floor Material
A good floor material can add aesthetic value to your home and make walking more comfortable. Consider your budget, as well as where you plan to install the new floors. Weigh the material’s durability, too, when you’re determining what the best floors are for your needs.
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