Have you been scouring the web for the best home flooring lately? Trying to find the right one for the style of your home and the needs it presents takes a little bit of thought. Your flooring is the most visible part of your home—it’s the first thing noticed, and it sets the tone of the space. Before heading to a store, consider these features first.
Durability and Quality. Think about your lifestyle and if you have pets or young kids. Things like accidental spills and heavy foot traffic need to be considered. If you’re looking for that wow factor, then look for a flooring material that has a more durable construction to it, such as engineered wood, ceramic tile, and luxury vinyl.
Installation. Will you hire a professional for the installation or do it yourself? Before you make your purchase, consider the installation choices and, if warranted, hire a professional to install the flooring correctly.
Maintenance. To get the most out of your flooring and keep it looking like new, you need to know which ones will need frequent maintenance and care. More specific types like hardwood, marble, or stone require more of an attention span, while flooring such as laminate or vinyl flooring may require less maintenance.
Affordability. Lets be frank, price is important. But don’t be fooled by thinking the most expensive flooring is the best flooring. In some cases, it might not even be the most suitable one. Before you make your purchase, set an accurate budget and stick to it.
Sustainability. Sustainability is becoming more popular. Underlayments made from recycled materials, water-resistant flooring made from cork, and ‘green labeling’ all mean you can shop with confidence and get the home flooring that you desire.
Aesthetics. Your flooring should fit your style and speak for itself. Think about different textures, colors, staining options, designs, and sizes that you want for your home. Also take into account the ambiance of your rooms—what kind of atmosphere do you want it to have?
Now that you are armed with all the features to consider when shopping for home flooring, you’ll be ready to make the most of the process. You can use your newfound knowledge to make a flooring decision that you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Collections. Do you like unified looks? Then look for collections that feature multiple products with a coordinated look. This will streamline your selection process and make it easier to create cohesive looks for flooring with the same design across different products.
Hues. There are endless hues to choose from and its important to ensure the hue complements the furniture and décor in your home. Play around with floors and planks that come in different sizes and shapes to create the look you love…
Materials. Considering the materials of the flooring is undoubtedly a key factor. Wood is classy and versatile, while some will enjoy the warmth and texture of cork. Or maybe the natural look of ceramic, porcelain, marble, or stone is more your style. Be sure to consider the cost, durability, and maintenance of the material and take samples of the flooring to make sure it’s the right one for you.
Underlayment. It’s important to pay attention to the underlayment used for the flooring. Make sure to look into what type of underlayment is used, as this will contribute to the longevity as well as the aesthetics of your flooring.
Style. Now that you’ve considered all of the practical elements, you can truly let your style shine. Do you like the natural look and feel of wood or do you prefer a more contemporary look? There are so many great options, from traditional-looking hardwood floors to luxury vinyl flooring that looks like wood. Or maybe you’re in to abstract patterns, in which case carpet tiles and area rugs are great options.
Quality. Quality is concretely one of the most important features of home flooring. When looking for vinyl flooring, you want to be sure it has a wear layer that is strong enough to guard your floor against scratches, dents, and stains. Nowadays, some brands also include allergen protection in their floors, which is a great feature for customers who have allergies.
Warranty. Before making a purchase, make sure to look into the warranty. It’s important to know what type of coverage you’re getting, as well as how long it will cover for. This can make a huge difference between good and bad when making a flooring decision.
Installation Considerations. If you decide to get your flooring professionally installed, read reviews of different installers to ensure you make the right choice. Accurately measure and measure again so that the company will be able to give you an accurate quote. And make sure to leave yourself some room in the budget in case any unexpected costs arise.
Environmental Impact. Think about the resources used to make the floor. While laminate flooring has an incredibly realistic look and is highly versatile, often it’s made from plastic, which can do damage to the environment. To be sure your flooring is environmentally friendly, you want to make sure its made from renewable and sustainable materials.
The overall look and feel of the flooring is important to consider during the shopping process. Making sure the floor blends in with the design aesthetic you’re aiming to achieve is necessary and may require a little mixing of both in-person and online shopping.
The feeling of flooring also matters. Whether you want it soft, mushy, hard, or net-like, there are plenty of flooring materials and installers that accommodate the desired outcome. And of course, the brand. Looking into the history and reputation of the brand can always be helpful in judging a quality product.
Noise. Flooring comes with noise levels and it’s important to gauge what kind of sounds are acceptable to you and your family. Dennis Flooring for example, lays out rules for noise proofing and sound control measures right on their website—how convenient!
Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is an organic compound that is used as a preservative in many home building materials. Especially when it comes to laminate flooring, formaldehyde levels above those deemed safe by the EPA could potentially be harmful to you and your family, so make sure to check certification labels and descriptions of your flooring.
Those are the features and factors you should consider when shopping for home flooring. All that’s left to do now is to go pick out the perfect floor for you.