There’s no getting around it — floors are kind of...
How to Choose the Right Floor for Your Home
There’s no getting around it — floors are kind of a big deal. Whether it’s having guests over for parties or letting the kids roll around, we spend a lot of time walking, sitting, and cleaning our floors.
Selecting the right floor type for your home is about more than looks, however. You need material that fits your budget, lifestyle, and durability level. A new floor can be a sizable investment, and there is a wide variety out there, so you want to make sure you’re weighing your options before you jump in.
So, what goes into choosing a floor that works best for you? We’d like to help review some overarching elements to consider and discuss some pros and cons of each floor type.
Let’s begin!
Start with a checklist.
You can narrow down your options by considering the following:
- Room type – Are we in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, dining room or entryway?
- Durability – Do you need to account for some wear-and-tear with kids and pets?
- Cost – The more square footage, the more unit cost matters, so measure your space first!
- Aesthetics – Will your floor need to complement your furniture and overall color palette?
- Ease of installation – Are you a DIYer or will you need professional help?
Select your floor type.
Once you’ve narrowed down these factors, you’ll have a better idea of which floors are more suited to your needs and preferences. Each floor has its benefits and its downsides, so let’s walk through each to see which is right for you.
Hardwood
As one of the most popular floor types, hardwood floors are a traditional option that give a warm look and feel to almost any room. The good news is that there are a host of options when it comes to specific variations of wood type, ranging from oak and cherry to walnut and mahogany.
Although they are beautiful and long lasting, depending on the type, hardwood floors can scratch easier than other flooring types. Wood also tends to absorb more moisture, so keep that in mind if you’re reflooring below-grade basements.
Laminate
Laminate is extremely popular as an affordable, durable floor type that’s easy to install and has many wood-like qualities. Laminate floors include several layers of different wood-based elements, which are coated in a wood grain image. This is an economical option for high-impact areas and they come in many different styles and colors.
Keep in mind that laminate floors aren’t as moisture resistant as some other materials. If your laundry room is full of wet clothes or kids who like to splash in the bathroom, laminate might not be the best choice for those rooms.
Luxury Vinyl Tile & Plank
Both luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank are low-maintenance, resilient, water-resistant and affordable floor types. Recent technological advances have brought this material a long way from what you might remember from playing on your kitchen floor as a kid . There are quite a few types of higher quality vinyls that have beautiful finishes. A major plus is that these are very eco-friendly, with most types being made with renewable materials that will biodegrade in a landfill.
Although quite resilient, vinyl is more prone to denting when coming in contact with sharper furniture legs. If you’re considering this floor type for a living room or dining room, you might want to consider furniture pads or protectors.
Porcelain or Ceramic Tile
Due to its harder, less porous surface, porcelain tile is a popular option for bathrooms, kitchens and high-traffic areas like entryways. Both porcelain and ceramic tile offer a sleek, beautiful look to elevate a room with different styles of glossy, substantial finishes. Ceramics are also known for their durability and water resistance, and often feel a little easier to walk on than porcelain tile. Both of these floor types are made from very dense clay that is fired at high temperatures. This makes them ideal for extreme temperatures and moisture, but vulnerable to cracking under intense physical pressure.
Because they are higher quality, porcelain and ceramic tile do come in at a slightly higher investment than some of these other flooring options. However, their exceptional durability means these floors will last years longer than some of the cheaper floor types.
Natural Stone Tile
If you want to give your home a natural, warm ambiance while using eco-friendly textures, natural stone tile is the best choice for you. This sturdy, insulated material is great for families with kids and pets, and will keep your house temperatures under control in both warm and cooler weather. It’s also just an undeniably aesthetically pleasing floor type that can bring rooms together and complement a variety of styles.
As you plan out your budget, keep in mind that even within the natural stone tile category, there is an array of options for every room. Grade 1 stones will come in at a higher price range than a stone with minor defects. It comes down to which floor type is right for the room and in sync with your aesthetic preferences.
Carpet
Carpet has almost as many benefits as it does disadvantages for homeowners. Obviously, carpet is a warm, comfortable, safe option, making it an easy choice for families with small children. Carpet is also an extremely affordable option, and can help with things like noise suppression. There are literally thousands of styles and colors to choose from as well.
If you have pets and an active family, you should consider the sensitive nature of carpet. Keep in mind that you’ll have to regularly vacuum and perform a deep clean at least once per year to keep your carpet in decent condition.
As you can see, there are many factors that go into selecting your floor type. We recommend that you do the adequate amount of research, ask questions and crunch the numbers before you commit to a specific kind of floor. You’ll be enjoying your floor for years to come, so take your time and choose a floor that you’ll be happy with in the long run.
In the end, though, your floor is your choice, and you should select the material that makes you feel comfortable in and proud of your house. Get samples, try a small space first, be patient. You’ll know the right floor when you see it. Now, get out there and explore the wonderful world of flooring!