Flooring is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home. It directly affects how comfortable and practical a space is to live in.
It also has a major impact on the value of your home. That’s why you need to do a lot of research before you commit to a particular style.
1. Easy to Clean
Flooring has a significant impact on how clean and sanitary your home is. Certain materials are easier to wipe down, which can save you money on specialized cleaning products and labor costs. Some floors even repel stains or other unwanted build-up, which can help keep your family healthy and free from allergens.
Tile floors are a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms because they are hygienic, durable, and easy to clean. Spills and smudges are quickly removed with a damp mop, and tile is resistant to dirt and water damage.
Hardwood floors are also easy to keep clean. A light sweep or vacuum once a week should do the trick to pick up any dust or debris that has collected, and hardwood can withstand spills as long as you wipe them up right away.
Carpets, on the other hand, trap dirt and dust in the fibers, making it difficult to clean them consistently. If you’re looking for a stylish option that’s also easy to clean, consider poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) flooring. Reichert recommends using a vinegar-and-soap solution for weekly floor maintenance. Gently mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with soap and warm water in a spray bottle, then spritz the floor one section at a time and wipe with a microfiber mop as you go.
2. Durable
Durability refers to how well flooring holds up under foot traffic, impact resistance and other factors. A floor’s durability can also be a result of its material, installation and other characteristics.
Wood flooring is highly durable, particularly if it’s made from exotic hardwoods like Jatoba and Brazilian Cherry that rank high on the Janka scale for hardness. However, these floors can scratch easily. Depending on the homeowner, this can add character or detract from a room’s aesthetic. Luckily, many wood floors can be sanded and refinished to restore their appearance.
Carpet is another flooring option that’s extremely durable. It’s important to choose a style that meets your needs, but it can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist stains, soiling and other damage with ease.
Concrete floors are durable and easy to maintain. They’re cold, though, unless you install radiant heating and can be noisy. They also require resealing, and they need to be covered with lots of rugs or mats to prevent moisture and damage. For these reasons, concrete might not work best in your home.
3. Easy to Refinish
If a property’s wood floors have gotten dull or dark over time, it is easy to give them a fresh coat of finish. This will restore their shine and make the rooms look newer without having to tear out the existing flooring and install something new.
To refresh the floor without sanding, find a product that is specifically designed to revitalize old sealed hardwood floors. These products have a thick consistency that will fill light scratches and soften dings. They also have a low odor so you can work in the house while you apply the finish.
Before you apply any finish, sand the floors to remove any deep scratches or areas where the finish has worn away. Be sure to wear protective eyewear and a respirator equipped with organic vapor canisters while you sand the floors.
If your floors are still in good condition, you may be able to use the chemical etching process. This is another option that is fairly low-odor but will take a bit longer. Before attempting this, you should test for wax and other chemicals that may prevent the new finish from bonding to the floor.
4. Aesthetically Pleasing
While many people don’t consider flooring to be a critical aspect of their home, it can increase the value of the property and influence the overall design of the space. This is why it’s important to choose a flooring option that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
With a variety of colors, patterns, and textures available, it’s easy to find a flooring style that complements your home’s design. The most popular options include wood and concrete. Concrete is often chosen for its durability, but can be aesthetically appealing with the help of color stains and designs. For example, a decorative herringbone pattern can add a subtle sense of texture and design to a floor.
In terms of wood, a lot of homeowners are looking for more natural looks this year. This includes scraped, sawn, and treated grain effects. Also, longer and wider planks make rooms look bigger and more open. Rustic textures like knots and wire brushes are making a comeback too, as well as herringbone and parquet patterns. These styles add a touch of warmth and character to any room.
5. Affordable
Flooring can have a huge impact on the comfort of your home. It can affect acoustics, making a room feel quieter or louder, and it can even save you money on heating bills by trapping warm air underfoot. Fortunately, it doesn’t cost a fortune to improve your floors. Thanks to manufacturing advancements, beautiful and durable floors are available at affordable prices.
One of the most budget friendly options is vinyl. It is available in a variety of patterns and colors that mimic the look of wood, stone, or high-end tile. It also has a protective wear layer that resists scratching, fading, and other damage.
Another great budget option is laminate. It is constructed of dense fiberboard topped with a photographic image and a clear-plastic protective layer. It can mimic nearly any type of material and can withstand moisture better than most wood products. It is a good alternative to expensive hardwood and can be laid in place of a traditional subfloor.