The Best Flooring Options for Your Home
When renovating or building a home, homeowners have several flooring options to consider, including hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile. Each type offers distinct pros and cons based on your home's needs. This blog gives an overview of popular flooring materials to assist in making an informed decision.
Hardwood Floors
With its natural beauty and timeless appeal, hardwood may be the most coveted flooring option for many homeowners. But before choosing it, weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Made from real wood, hardwood flooring — including oak, maple, cherry, and exotic species — provides a classic, timeless aesthetic. It is extremely durable and can last over 50 years with proper maintenance. Hardwood suits living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and entryways beautifully. Expect to pay $6-18 per square foot installed. The top brands are Bruce, Armstrong, Shaw, and Mohawk.
Laminate Flooring
For homeowners who love the look of hardwood but seek a more budget-friendly option, laminate flooring provides an attractive solution. Discover its key benefits and drawbacks.
Laminate flooring mimics the look of real hardwood using a photographed top layer fused to a synthetic core. The man-made materials make it more affordable, durable, and water-resistant than solid wood. Laminate works well in most rooms, especially basements, kitchens, mudrooms, and bathrooms. Costs range from $1-5 per square foot installed. Leading brands include Pergo, Shaw, Armstrong, and Mannington.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring comes in sheets or planks made of PVC or composite wood pulp. It is inexpensive, waterproof, and easy to install and clean. Luxury vinyl tiles convincingly mimic the look of stone and wood. Vinyl works well in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and high-traffic zones. Expect to pay $0.50-$4 per square foot installed. Leading brands include Armstrong Flooring, Shaw, and Mannington.
Tile Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain tile options excel in bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and laundry rooms. Tile is stylish, easy to clean, and water-resistant but can feel cold and hard underfoot. Prices range from $5-20 per square foot installed. Top brands include Daltile, American Olean, and Marazzi.
Key Factors to Consider
With so many flooring options, narrowing down your choices can seem overwhelming. However, focusing on a few key factors makes the decision more manageable. Carefully consider what's most important for your home regarding budget, room function, eco-impact, and installation. This clears the clutter so you can zero in on the perfect floors for your needs.
Budget
When selecting new floors, budget is often a primary concern. There is quite a wide range when it comes to flooring costs. Hardwood, natural stone, and tile fall into the premium category, starting at $5 or more per square foot installed. Their higher up-front investment delivers classic style and longevity, though. More budget-friendly options like laminate and vinyl replicate the look of pricier materials at a fraction of the cost. With realistic wood and stone looks starting at around $1 per square foot, these floors provide serious style without breaking the bank. Just be aware that lower-cost flooring may not last as many decades as the premium varieties. Overall, set a realistic flooring budget based on your goals, then explore options in your price range for the perfect balance of affordability and quality.
Room Use
The way you use each room should guide your flooring choices. High-traffic areas like kitchens, entryways, and kids' rooms need durable, water-resistant options that withstand daily wear and tear. Luxury vinyl and porcelain tile are great choices here. For bedrooms and formal living spaces, look for warm, inviting textures underfoot, like carpeting or solid hardwood. Make sure flooring in moisture-prone areas like basements and bathrooms can resist water. And pick smooth, easy-rolling surfaces for spaces like dining rooms. Match flooring to each room's unique needs.
Sustainability
Eco-conscious homeowners may want to explore sustainable flooring options like bamboo, cork, and recycled rubber. These materials have less environmental impact than wood, ceramic, and vinyl during production. They offer comparable looks and durability, too. However, sustainable floors tend to cost a bit more up-front. Another green option is to refinish existing wood floors rather than replace them. Ultimately, choose flooring that aligns with your environmental values while meeting your home's needs.
DIY Skills
Installing new floors yourself can save substantially on labor costs. But some flooring types prove much more DIY-friendly than others. Materials like vinyl tiles, laminate planks, and resilient sheet flooring often feature user-friendly click-lock systems for easy floating installation. Just make sure to prep the subfloor properly. Solid hardwood and natural stone require advanced skills like precision cutting, extensive subfloor prep, mortar, and grout work. Tile and hardwood are best left to the pros unless you have remodeling experience. Realistically assess your abilities before deciding on do-it-yourself versus professional installation.
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