Choosing your home’s flooring décor can be tricky. There are so many choices to consider! But it’s about a lot more than just choosing from carpet, tile, wood, laminate or bamboo.
When you choose flooring, you also have to take some important factors into consideration. Let’s talk about some important flooring décor points, so you don’t get walked all over!
Where will you put your new flooring?
If the answer to this question is a full bathroom or basement, you should definitely choose a flooring made for a higher moisture area. This is generally going to be a ceramic, porcelain or vinyl tile.
If the answer to this question is a family room, bedroom or living room where moisture is not a factor, you can consider any type of flooring available.
Do you prefer a low-maintenance material for your flooring?
If you prefer a floor that won’t require a lot of work and upkeep, then a low-maintenance material such as tile or laminate is going to be your best bet.
Tile requires the least maintenance because it is resilient and mops clean easily. Laminate needs a more careful cleaning method {no dripping wet mop here!} but runs a close second to tile.
At the other end of the maintenance scale is hardwood. Solid hardwood takes a lot of maintenance, but if you love the beauty of real wood, the maintenance is worth it! Hardwood can also be sanded down and refinished multiple times, but laminate cannot.
Are you willing to pay someone to install your flooring for you? Or are you going to do it yourself?
Any DIYer can install flooring, but it’s important to be aware of what you are getting yourself into. For example, wall-to-wall carpeting is difficult for most homeowners to install and get it to lay perfectly flat without special tools and some experience.
Nailed-in hardwood flooring is recommended for a pro, but it can also be a DIY project. Just be aware that installing hardwood takes time and patience! You have to carefully choose your boards and stagger the seams so they look random.
Laminate and vinyl flooring tend to be the easiest types of flooring décor for homeowners to install. If you do embark on a DIY flooring project, practice installing your floor in an out-of-the-way room before tackling your living room or entry.
Know your square foot needs!
The amount of flooring you need is important, and you should add an extra 10-20% to your square footage to account for cuts that will need to be made around doorways, etc.
Know that the least expensive types of flooring, such as a bargain grade laminate, will cost you about $2 per square foot. You can get some solid hardwoods, nice tile, and quality carpeting for anywhere from $3-$5 per square foot.
Exotic hardwoods such as bamboo, as well as premium grade laminates and luxury vinyl will cost you the most.
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