Whether you just moved in, have lived in your home for a while, or are looking to sell, deciding to replace the flooring in any house can feel like a daunting task. Here at Floor Coverings International® of Vancouver, we understand the ins and outs of flooring projects and can help guide you to pick the perfect style for your lifestyle, budget, and personal aesthetic. There are a few things to consider before you jump to reflooring your home, so let’s take a look to make sure you are prepared.
Budget
As with other types of home improvements, there is a wide variation of costs when it comes to flooring. Before browsing the nearly endless selection of styles, establish your budget. This will help you narrow down your options and make the list of potential styles much more manageable. However, even if your budget seems too small for the elegant floor of your dreams, there are options to replicate the look and craft the aesthetic you want! Technological improvements in flooring products have developed styles such as luxury vinyl and ceramic tile that can emulate the natural grain, colors, markings, and even textures of expensive hardwood and even natural stone.
Lifestyle
When choosing a material for your floor, don’t overlook the impact your lifestyle will have on its lifespan. Heavy foot traffic from busy households or scrapes and denting from children and pets can add more than normal wear and tear to a floor. If you want hardwood, be sure to prioritize the Janka hardness rating to ensure you are getting a durable wood. If you are nervous about your floors becoming worn in busy areas of your home, invest in strategically placed area rugs to alleviate some of the pressure on the floor.
Climate
The climate in a certain area can impact your floors more than you may realize. For example, the humidity in certain areas of the country and even in the microclimates of your home can warp and damage wood and ruin its quality and value. For this reason, hardwood shouldn’t be installed in bathrooms where the floor is exposed to excessive moisture and water spills. However, if you live in a humid area and still want hardwood, consider engineered planks, which are more resilient against warping. On the other end of the spectrum, if you live in an area that experiences particularly cold seasons, radiant floor heating is a great addition to your home, but it isn’t compatible with all styles. You can’t use radiant heating with hardwood, carpet, or rubber. It is a perfect match for ceramic or stone tile, which are great heat transmitters because they allow the warmth to pass through rather than absorbing it all.
Selecting new flooring to install in your place is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. Therefore, you obviously want to get it right the first time. If you’re on the fence about what type of floors to put in your home, consider these important factors. Call Floor Coverings International® of Vancouver to get started with a free in-home design consultation and estimate today!
Photo Credit: © Joe Ferrer