Renovating? Pick the Right Flooring Material for Your Lifestyle

Posted by Justin Havre on Friday, April 20th, 2018 at 10:51am.

Flooring Materials That Fit Your LifestyleFlooring affects the way a home looks and how it is maintained. When a homeowner changes the type of flooring materials in their house, it's important to consider factors like appearance, comfort, maintenance and value. Performing research about the various types of flooring and considering lifestyle factors can help homeowners choose a type of flooring that they can enjoy for many years to come.

Carpeting: Comfortable and High Maintenance

Carpeting is plush, soft and warm. For Windsong homeowners who don't like to have cold feet, carpeting can be ideal. Because it's padded, carpeting is comfortable under foot and safer in a fall. For this reason, carpeting is often the preferred flooring material for homes with household members not particularly steady on their feet.

Some downsides to carpeting must be considered. Carpeting can show wear and tear faster than many other types of flooring material. This is especially true of light carpeting, which can show dirt easily if it's not shampooed on a regular basis. Some homeowners cover their carpeting with rugs and protective runners to keep it looking nice for many years.

Hardwood Flooring: Beautiful and Long-Lasting

The timeless beauty of hardwood flooring is undeniable. For homeowners seeking perfect floors with a touch of class, hardwood stands out above the rest. It's also long-lasting. While it can show scratches and scuffs with time, hardwood can be refinished multiple times. Each time hardwood is refinished, it looks and performs like new.

Despite this flooring being among the most popular home improvements, homeowners seeking low-maintenance living room flooring may find that hardwood is not optimal. Hardwood must be protected by homeowners to avoid cosmetic damage. Removing shoes, trimming pet claws and installing furniture pads are some easy ways that homeowners can protect their floors and avoid scratches. Hardwood floors can also be damaged by water. Homeowners must clean with a dry mop to avoid stains and damage. Even with this level of care, hardwood floors will eventually become worn and need to be refinished. However, good maintenance habits can lengthen the time between refinishings.

How much does it cost to install hardwood floors? This depends on the type of wood you decide to use, with soft woods being the cheapest and exotic woods such as mahogany being the most expensive.

Laminate: Durable and Attractive

For homeowners who want the beauty of hardwood without the maintenance, laminate is it. This durable material is easy to maintain. Homeowners with young children often prefer laminate because it is very difficult to scratch and never shows wear. Like hardwood, laminate is cleaned through regular dry mopping instead of wet mopping.

How much does it cost to install laminate flooring? Laminate is less expensive than hardwood, which makes it an ideal choice for homeowners on a budget. For homeowners who are concerned about slips and falls, rugs can help soften high traffic areas.

Consider Resale Value

The type of flooring that is installed in a house can have a big impact on it's value. Many home buyers are willing to offer more for a home with hardwood floors, especially if the hardwood is in good condition.

Homeowners who are hoping to sell their home soon and who would like to get the most money for their investment can sometimes boost their property value by installing hardwood or refinishing their existing hardwood. In fact, some studies show that over 50% of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood. It's important to consult with a real estate professional before making the decision to install new hardwood or refinish existing hardwood floors. A good real estate professional can help a homeowner decide exactly what improvements to make to improve a home's property value.

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