After considering climate, rooms, and your general lifestyle, you need to figure out which floor is right for your home. While this can be a fun and exciting step, make sure you weigh your options with the long-term benefits in mind. Hardwood may have a timeless look, but it can still be damaged if it is exposed to moisture. You may want to opt for waterproof flooring like vinyl plank or laminate to achieve a realistic wood look.
If you were thinking of carpet but are hesitant because you may have pets or allergies, don’t cross it off your list just yet. Instead aim for carpet that is specially made for your lifestyle, like the hypoallergenic and odor-reducing carpet options.
The floors in your home bear the brunt of the wear and tear it receives. Daily, they’re put to the test of handling dirty shoes, spills, and scratches from furniture, pet claws, sweepers and more. So it’s only a matter of time before they need to be replaced. The question is: how long?
Carpet generally lasts about 10 years, while flooring types like tile, wood, and laminate can last longer. It all depends on how much damage they face over the years or if the current flooring doesn’t match the style of your home or your general lifestyle.
Increased value: One of the top benefits of the new flooring is the increase in value your home will receive. This is particularly beneficial if you’re planning to sell your home soon, but even if you’re not, having newer floors will make your home worth more in the long run. It’s also common for the flooring to be the catalyst for more home renovations, which can drive the value up even more.
New look and feel: Most homeowners upgrade their home’s flooring to better match the style they desire in each room of the house. It’s marvelous how much of a difference flooring can make in pulling a room’s look together. If you’re unhappy with the way your floors look, you’ll likely be unhappy with the overall appearance of the room.
Functional updates: Perhaps your old floors were extremely difficult to clean, had squeaky boards or were particularly scraped or damaged. New floors improve the overall functional aspects of flooring and can alleviate some of the more minor nuisances you’ve dealt with in your home for years.
Health benefits and cleanliness: If you’re removing carpet and replacing it with hardwood floors or tile you and your family might see additional health benefits. Old floors, but carpet, in particular, can house lots of dust and allergens that are removed once new flooring is installed. Additionally, your new floors will not have any of the old stains or odors your old floors had!
Increased efficiency: New flooring also plays a big role in the amount of money you pay to heat and cool your home. Certain types of flooring are better insulators, but new floors in general help to preserve the temperature inside your home and lower your utility bills.