Selecting a Flooring for Your Remodel

If you’ve begun selecting the materials for your renovation, a lot of questions can arise, especially when it comes to flooring. This material lays the literal foundation for your space and oftentimes needs to put up with the most wear and tear. With all of the options there are, it can be a tough decision to make. The most commonly used materials are tile, hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl plank, and carpet. Read on to brush up on some basic information to help narrow down your decision.

Tile Flooring

Tile has been a flooring option for centuries and with good reason. Tile is extremely durable, can provide a wide range of styles, shapes, and finishes, and comes in a multitude of materials. Not only does tile come with a range of style options, but it is typically a very low maintenance material. Sealed tile is resistant to staining and water.

Whether a small mosaic, large format stone, or wood look, tile can create the perfect backdrop for any design style

That’s not to say that tile is always the perfect option, it can have its drawbacks. Tile can be costly to install, especially if laid out in an intricate pattern. It can feel cold and hard underfoot. And natural stone tile will need to be resealed on a continual basis to prevent water damage and staining.

Hardwood Flooring

A perennial favorite, very few flooring materials have the classic appeal of hardwoods. Wood flooring can work in with any design style, whether traditional or contemporary and everything in between. Hardwoods typically require little maintenance, regular sweeping or vacuuming and cleaning with a proper wood floor cleaner is it. They are also usually extremely durable. Oftentimes hardwoods found under other materials during the demolition process can be salvaged. Hardwoods also have excellent resale value, usually one of the first things prospective buyers look for in a home.

Hardwood flooring creates an elegant appeal for this dining room renovation

Although typically durable, softer woods do have the ability to scratch easily, so care must be taken when placing furniture on them. Always be sure to use floor protectors on the bottoms of your heaviest pieces. Hardwoods can also be rather noisy as well. They can creak with time and also provide no sound absorption. Using rugs in high traffic areas can help combat this. Also, you must be extremely careful with water around hardwoods, making sure to clean up any spots immediately.

Carpet Flooring

Unparalleled for its feeling underfoot, nothing provides coziness the way carpet can. Carpet is also relatively inexpensive both as a material and for installation costs. It provides generous sound absorption, which can make it a great choice for bedrooms. It is also available in a multitude of styles- plush, frieze, patterned, and Berber. You can also choose many different materials for your carpet, just be sure to select the proper one for your application.

Carpet adds softness to a bedroom

Coziness can come with some other costs though. Carpet can be a poor choice for those that suffer from allergies, as dust mites and other allergens may be more difficult to remove. Staining can also be an issue if not caught right away and professional cleaning can be costly. Also, carpeting does not always translate well in terms of resale.

Vinyl Flooring

Reminiscent of 70s kitchens, vinyl has come a long way. Nowadays, vinyl comes in a multitude of sizes and colors. Sometimes it can even be difficult to differentiate between luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and hardwoods. Vinyl is also extremely cost effective both as a material and for install. It is a 100% man-made material which also means you can find vinyl that is totally waterproof. This makes it an absolutely excellent choice for basements, especially in regions where flooding is possible. Relatively low maintenance, it’s great for homes with pets and kids as well.

A fantastic choice for basements, LVT still provides a polished look

Vinyl unfortunately does have the ability to dent if a heavy object is dropped on it. It can also be difficult to remove if it is glued down – for this reason you should opt for a “click and lock” installation method. And while it won’t negatively impact your homes resale value, it won’t necessarily add much either.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, it certainly pays off to do your homework when considering your flooring options. If you need further help, reach out to us at (847) 983-4024 or Contact Us to set up your free in-home or virtual design consultation!