Flooring Buying Guide For Home

Flooring Buying Guide For Your Home

KEY POINTS

Flooring has a primarily functional purpose, but it’ll also have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of the property. If you’re planning a remodel, then you’ll need to think carefully about the floors you install and the company you hire to do the work.

After all, most of the popular flooring options have a 20 – 30 years lifespan — in other words, you’ll be living with your decision for a long time. In this post, we’ll run through some key considerations to keep in mind, as well as outline some of the most popular flooring options on the market. 

Flooring Materials

First up, you’ll need to understand the different flooring materials available to you. As you might expect, there’s no shortage of options! They all have their own pros and cons; some look awesome but are expensive, others are more prone to picking up scuffs and marks, and so on. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular floor materials. 

Laminate

Laminate flooring looks good, lasts for a long time, and is easy to maintain. You won’t be able to use it in areas where water is a consideration (for example, bathrooms), but it can look great in other parts of the home. It’s also highly affordable and easy to install, so it ticks a lot of boxes. Since it’s scratch-resistant, it’s good for homes with pets or that have heavy footfall. 

Stone

Stone floors look amazing, there’s no doubt about it. Plus, they last forever — the stone used in the flooring has been around for millions of years, after all. The downside is that it can be expensive. However, it could be a good option if you’re building your forever home and don’t mind paying extra.

There are a bunch of different stone types you can use, all of which have their own character. Remember that stone floors require much more maintenance than other options since you’ll need to reseal it around 1 – 2 times a year. 

Hardwood

Looking for the most elegant, sophisticated flooring option? Then it has to be hardwood. It would be wrong to say that hardwood floors are trending, since, in reality, they’re always kind of trending — it’s a timeless look that’ll never go out of fashion.

They’re highly durable, look great, and are easy to maintain. They’re also more flexible than other flooring options since you can put them in with just about any decor style and they’ll look amazing. 

Tiles

Tiles have been around for a long old time — they had a moment of popularity a few decades ago, and they can still look great even by today’s standards. However, they’re less versatile than other floor types, so it’s best to check that they’ll fit with your decor selections. They come at various price points, so you should be able to find ones that suit your budget. Plus, they’re relatively low maintenance, so once it’s been installed, you won’t have to worry about it too much. They’re naturally resistant to scratches and marks, too, making them ideal for kitchens where accidents are likely to happen. 

Vinyl

Looking for something that can look like tile, but is a bit warmer, versatile, and cheaper? Then take a look at vinyl flooring. It’s slightly more comfortable than tile, and this flooring material also lasts for a long time — don’t be surprised if it lasts up to thirty years before it needs replacing. However, it tends to be a little less refined and aesthetically appealing than other options, so make sure to work with a quality vinyl flooring installer.

Longevity

The floor-installation process is time-consuming. As such, you’ll hope your floor lasts as long as possible. It’s recommended to match your preferred material with your environment and lifestyle. For example, if you have a lot of young children, then it may be best to avoid tile, which will chip or crack if something heavy is dropped on it (and we all know how accident-prone children are).

If you live in an area that gets extreme weather — a lot of heat or a lot of snow — then think about how the climate will impact the flooring. Some materials can become damaged if exposed to moisture, for example. 

Buy From a Reputable Company

Choosing the right flooring material and style will count for little if you’re not working with a reputable flooring contractor. A good flooring company will have access to quality materials and have the experience and expertise required to install the flooring correctly.

It’s best to work with flooring companies that offer a warranty of at least five years, have plenty of positive reviews, and have been working in the industry for decades. They’ll ensure that you end up with a floor that looks good and which is made to last. 

Buy For The Room

You’ll probably need to select at least a couple of different flooring types for your home. Why? Because different rooms have different flooring needs. Hardwood flooring would look fantastic in your dining room or bedroom, but it may not be suitable for your bathroom, due to moisture.

Pay particular attention to the flooring you install at the entry point to your home. Homeowners often overlook this area, but it’s usually the one that receives the most footfall and dirt, so choosing a durable material that’s easy to clean and maintain is key. 

Conclusion

And there we have it! If you’re remodeling your home — or even building a home — then you’ll have plenty of decisions to make. But few will be as important as the type of flooring you use.

You can change the furniture or the wall color pretty easily, but you won’t be able to replace the flooring without significant effort, so you’ll be making your life much easier if you get it right the first time of asking. Take our tips on board, and you’ll have a floor that elevates the overall quality of your home.