Remodeling from the Ground Up – Flooring Options for Today’s Homeowners

A dated or worn floor can instantly bring down any room. However, just as a bad floor can spell disaster for a room’s look, a fresh, updated floor can instantly add interest and pizzazz.

Take a walk through your local home improvement center and you will begin to see that flooring options for today’s homes are virtually endless. If new flooring is in your home’s future, the best way to begin the process of selecting flooring is to decide which type of flooring works best in your particular room.

Carpeting

Pros: Carpeting still remains the most popular floor covering in America. Warm, soft and comfortable underfoot, carpeting is usually a wonderful way to update your home. Carpeting can be quickly installed (by professionals, of course) and features a wide array of price points to suit virtually any budget. Many different carpet options, such as plush, frieze and Berber, allow homeowners to find the ideal color, texture and appearance for their needs.

Cons: Carpeting is not meant for every room in the home. Damp or wet areas, such as the front entry or the bathroom, are not ideal places for carpeting, neither is the kitchen, as food and carpeting don’t mix well together. Carpeting can also become stained, damaged, pulled or torn and may be costly to repair or replace. High-traffic areas often see the most carpet wear, thus purchasing higher grade carpeting for these areas is a must.

Ceramic Tile Flooring

Pros: Ceramic tile is a versatile, inexpensive floor covering that is ideal for virtually any room in the home. It is nonporous, which means it resists water and stains, thereby making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. It is available in a wide variety of colors and designs to suit any home’s décor.

Cons: Ceramic tile can crack if a heavy object is dropped on it. The grout in ceramic tile may also become stained or dirty, which may be laborious to clean. Ceramic tile can also be extremely slippery when wet; therefore, it is best to find specific, slip-resistant ceramic tile for wet areas, such as the bathroom, the kitchen or the laundry room.

Hardwood Flooring

Pros: Hardwood floors remain just as popular for homes as it did 50 years ago. The beauty and durability of hardwood is unmatched, thereby making it a key selling point for many of today’s homes.

Cons: Hardwood flooring can be very expensive, especially when dealing with exotic hardwoods. It is also more difficult to install than other types of flooring and requires refinishing, waxing and staining to maintain its beauty over the years.

Wood Laminate Floors

Pros: Wood laminate flooring has gained in popularity over the last few years, as it provides the beauty of hardwood without the maintenance or installation costs. Wood laminate is highly durable and resists stains, scratches and gauges, even in high-traffic areas.

Cons: Wood laminate does not add value to the home like real hardwood does, and some types of wood laminate flooring can look cheap.

Whatever your flooring choice, take your time to view all of the latest styles and designs on the market. They will certainly not disappoint!