You’ve done it – you’ve finally made the decision to invest in new flooring for your home. You’re at the start of an exciting process that will end with your home having a beautiful new look and feel. Of course, to get to that point, you have many decisions to make, starting with what floors to select.
We’re here to help! To get you started, we’ve assembled a list of key questions you should answer. Once you have the answers, visit one of our locations and have a look at our selection. We’ll be happy to show you around and help you get to know your options.
Even if you’re installing new floors in every room in the house, each room should be considered separately. For instance, high-moisture areas like basements and bathrooms should have flooring that can withstand moisture, like ceramic or porcelain tile or vinyl. Carpets are perfect for bedrooms and playrooms. And hardwood floors will look great in almost any room of the home.
Kids and pets can be tough on floors. Even if the floors are going into a room that will have little interest for them (like a study or workroom), it’s best to be prepared and choose durable materials that are easy to clean.
Sooner or later, it all comes down to price. The higher your budget, the more options you have. But don’t worry: we have plenty of great options at every price point. Resilient flooring, some laminate flooring, and even ceramic and porcelain tile can be found for $2/sq. ft. or less. (Keep in mind this is the cost of materials only, not installation – we’ll get to that in a minute.) Meanwhile, if your heart is set on exotic hardwood or luxury tile, expect to spend $5/sq. ft. and more.
Opting for professional installation can double the total cost of your flooring, but many find that the increased options and peace of mind are worth it. Professional installers have no trouble with things like wall-to-wall carpeting, nail-down hardwood, and porcelain and ceramic tile. But handy homeowners can manage to install tile, laminate and plank vinyl flooring, and other types of flooring. It all depends on how skilled you are, how much time you have, and how much you want to spend.
Once the practicalities are addressed, it’s time to have fun. Knowing what kind of style you’re going for in a given room will make it much easier to find flooring to suit. An ultra-modern bathroom requires a different flooring than a traditional, cozy one. If you have paint chips or fabric swatches, bring those along! The flooring is the foundation of your room, and choosing the right flooring will make it much easier for the entire room to come together.
No matter what kind of flooring you’re looking for, doing a little research and thinking through your options ahead of time will only help you make your decision. And if you have further questions, remember that our flooring experts are always here to assist. Visit us today to see our selection and find your perfect floor!
By Diane Gennity | October 16th, 2017