There are dozens of products available on the market today for flooring options.  The sheer number of options can leave many home owners dazed and confused!  There are a few topics that you should consider when choosing flooring options that best fits your aesthetic and budget.

Price

For many people, price is the number one concern when it comes to any home upgrade or change including flooring.  Prices vary greatly among different types of flooring and even within a particular type.  However it is not only the material price that you need to take into consideration when choosing the perfect flooring for your home but also the price of installation and maintenance.  You must also consider how long you expect the flooring to last because many options may be cheaper during the initial purchase but will not stand heavy traffic over a long period of time.  For example, a laminate floor has much less material costs in the beginning, but if you spend extra to use solid wood flooring, you will not need to think of replacing it for years.  It will also increase the overall value of your home because new owners can choose to refinish it in a color of their choice much more affordable than if they were to want to completely replace its laminate counterpart. 

Generically you can say that the cost of flooring will follow this basic list (from least to most expensive):

  • Linoleum or vinyl
  • Indoor/outdoor carpet
  • Laminate flooring
  • Ceramic/porcelain tile
  • Hardwood
  • Natural stone (solid slabs are the most expensive)

It is important to note that the above list is a very basic idea of cost and is not always the case.  You may find one of these to actually be cheaper than another if you pick a very basic color or pattern or happen across the materials on sale. 

Durability

Not only do different types of flooring vary greatly in material price, but they also vary greatly in how long they are intended to last and how much abuse they can take.  For example, linoleum and vinyl flooring is very inexpensive, but don’t expect it to be beautiful for twenty year especially if it is in a high traffic area.  Natural stone, on the other hand, is much more expensive at the onset, but with proper maintenance, it will last as long as the house itself.

Durability can vary greatly even within a specific flooring type.  Laminate floating floors, for example, have different materials in which they are made and different types of seals, water barriers, and wear layers.  You may say a bunch by buying the “cheap stuff” when you first install only to find that you will have to replace the entire floor in a few years.  Often purchasing the highest quality in the beginning means saving a lot in years to come.

Looks

No matter how much you spend on your flooring, it won’t look as expensive as you would like if you don’t carefully consider how it looks.  concrete flooring is about as cheap as you can get if you are starting with a concrete slab foundation, and with the proper finish, it can look fantastic in the right space.  A great way to finish a concrete floor is to use an epoxy paint.  You can even find epoxy paint kits that come with flecks of material that you add to the finish for a very professional look.  This is a great inexpensive option for a utilitarian room that still needs to look polished like a laundry room or workshop. 

Tile flooring comes in so many colors, materials and textures each of which can vary greatly in price, but you can rest assured that you will be able to find a version that is perfect for any room in your home no matter the overall design.  Tile flooring is also one of the easiest flooring options to maintain in the long run.  It is easy to clean and if starts to look really bad chances are that new grout will bring the floor back to “as good as new” condition.

Quality

The number on thing to consider when choosing your flooring is the quality of the materials.  It may be cheap to buy, look good at first, and be easy to install, but if it isn’t a quality product you will be doing major work to it (if not replacing it all together) in just a few years.  Price does not necessarily equal quality.  Often the mark up difference between ceramic tiles, for instance, is more about the popularity or rarity of the color or pattern and less about the quality of the tile.  Any time you have to “special order” a flooring product, chances are you are paying a mark-up for the looks and not the actually quality of the materials.  Do your research to see the different quality levels in the flooring you intend to buy.  Sometimes a product or brand is more expensive because the quality is actually much greater than alternative and sometimes it is more expensive because they know people will pay it. 

Look carefully at the warranty associated with any product you choose.  A good warranty almost always equals a high quality product.  The company is always out to make a profit, so they couldn’t afford to offer an exceptional warranty if they know their product is likely to fail and that warranty will actually be cashed in on!  The best warranties usually mean the manufacturer knows that their product is superior and you will never need to actually use the warranty at all.

You can get flooring ideas from all types of sources including books, magazines, and television.  One of the most reliable places to find inspiration though is by talking to friends, family, and neighbors.  Personally seek out people who already have the same or similar flooring to what you plan to install.  They will be the most honest about its pros and cons.  If they say they would buy it all over again, chances are it is a product you will be happy with as well.  If they regret their purchase, find out exactly why to determine if the flooring simply doesn’t live up to its reputation or if perhaps the material itself is fine, but there are other factors that you should consider for install and maintenance.

Flooring is a huge part of the look, quality, and pricing of your home, so take your time choosing and do plenty research. 

Tags: solid wood flooring | solid wood flooring | choosing flooring | choosing flooring | concrete flooring | flooring ideas | flooring ideas | tile flooring | tile flooring

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