The start of the new year in the Tennessee Valley is a great time to reenergize your home, and one of the most popular ways to liven up a room is to replace the floors.
New floors are not only about style and décor. Cost, durability, moisture and maintenance are other important factors to consider when purchasing new floors for your home.
To help you decide what flooring works best for your home, here are some popular floor options among homeowners.
Hardwood
Classic, contemporary and durable, hardwood floors remain one of the most desired floor types for homeowners.
Your final choice can be made from several different types of wood, available in finished or unfinished. Hardwood floors can increase your home’s resale value and are easy to clean. Unlike other flooring options, hardwood is susceptible to scratching, dents or warping due to lengthy exposure to moisture.
The final cost for wood flooring depends on type of wood selected, with exotic wood types generally more expensive per square foot.
Laminate
A popular, less expensive alternative to hardwood floors is laminate. This type of flooring is manufactured with various wood-based materials layered together, which are “laminated” and finished off with a photographic imprint.
Generally, laminate is available in tiles or planks and is relatively easy to install and maintain. If you still want the look of hardwood floors without having the upkeep, laminate flooring is a viable option. Laminate is also more resistant to scuffs and scratches; however, like hardwoods, extended exposure to moisture can damage the floor.
Tile
A popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens, tile is water-resistant and is available in an array of colors, materials, sizes and textures. While most often regarded as square in shape, tile now comes in planks, as well, and can even have the appearance of wood.
When choosing your tile, remember to consider your preferences on the color of the grout and width of the grout line.
Vinyl
Cost conscious homeowners in search of a resilient flooring option might consider vinyl. Unlike other types of flooring, vinyl is ideal for areas in your home that are prone to moisture such as laundry rooms or basements.
Vinyl has adhesive and is available in sheets or tiles. Repairing damaged vinyl is as easy, but there are several limitations with this type of floor. Vinyl is likely to scratch, can vary in quality and might not have the contemporary look compared to other flooring options.
Bamboo
Unlike the name implies, bamboo floor is manufactured out of lightweight wood grass. Bamboo floor is durable, resistant to changes due to temperature fluctuation and relatively easy to install.
This flooring type is available in strips or planks. While it’s a less expensive option to hardwood floors, installation costs tend to be more expensive.
Linoleum
Made of natural materials and available in planks, sheets or tiles, linoleum is scratch resistant and easy to maintain. Like other flooring options, linoleum is available in a variety of colors and patterns.
While durable, linoleum is not as water resistant as other types of flooring and can fade with long term exposure to direct sunlight.
Carpet
Soft fibers and a variety of colors and textures make this type of flooring option popular, especially in living areas and bedrooms.
Depending on the type of carpet you select, this type of floor can resist moisture, mildew, water or stains. Carpet can also be soft and pillow like on your feet based on the type of padding you select.
Not all carpet is stain-resistant or easy to clean. If you live in a home where someone suffers from allergies, this is not an ideal flooring choice since carpet fibers capture pollen and pet dander easily.
Find Chattanooga-area flooring professionals ready to help you with your next project by visiting the online directory of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at www.HBAGC.net.