The works on your new home are nearing an end. All that’s left now are those finishing touches. Things that you don’t think too much about, but make all the difference. Details that give the place personality and truly make it a home. One of the biggest tasks on that list is the floor. A defining touch. However, choosing flooring for your new home is as much an art, as it is science. Many factors will impact your selection, from price to look and feel. And it is why we here at Top Rated General Contractors decided to compile the list of tips to help you make the right choice.
What are your options?
It would be an understatement to say that your choices are immense. From the material used to general functionality to the look of the finished product. Each of these options has its pros and cons. Therefore, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. Below are some common options to consider before hiring a general contractor Orange County to do the works.
Laminate
Pros:
- One of, if not the cheapest option on our list;
- Easy to DIY install, even without any previous experience;
- Almost too easy to maintain. It just needs a regular sweep, and you’re good;
- A vast variety of designs. The look laminate has is a printed picture, so you can find virtually anything. Custom options included;
- Tough and can withstand a lot of traffic;
Cons:
- Susceptible to water damage. However, there are waterproof variants, albeit a bit more expensive.
- No possibility of repair. If it gets damaged, you’ll have to replace it.
- Unnatural “fake” feel, despite the variety of “natural” prints.
- Can be noisy if the cushioning underlay is not installed properly.
- Has no impact whatsoever on the resale value of your home.
Vinyl planks
Pros:
- A bit more expensive than laminate, but still extremely cost-effective.
- Completely moisture resistant;
- Durable;
- Stain and scratch–resistant;
- Easy to DIY install, even for the first-timers;
- Easy to maintain;
- Some variations can withstand heavy traffic;
- Comes in a variety of looks, such as wood, stone, marble, etc.
Cons:
- Easy to puncture with sharp objects;
- Heavy objects can lead to indentation;
- Lengthy exposure to sunlight can cause fading or discoloration;
- If glued down during installment, it becomes a nightmare to remove.
Linoleum
Pros:
- Made of natural materials. Therefore, it’s eco-friendly and biodegradable;
- Soft material that is comfortable underfoot;
- Long lifespan. With proper maintenance, linoleum can last you up to 40 years. Good long-term investment.
- Easy to DIY install;
- Lots of designs, colors, and patterns to choose from;
- Very durable. An excellent choice for high-traffic areas of the home.
- Virtually effortless to maintain.
Cons:
- Prone to dents by heavy objects, and cuts with sharp objects;
- Susceptible to moisture;
- Exposure to sunlight can lead to darkening or “ambering” (gains yellowish tone). This isn’t necessarily a downside. Darker coloration can lead to a warmer atmosphere in your home.
Hardwood
Pros:
- By far the best-looking flooring of all;
- It’s natural and gives homes that warm, cozy feel;
- Durable;
- Long-lasting. With proper maintenance, hardwood floors can last for decades. Centuries, even.
- Adds great value to the property;
- Relatively easy to maintain;
- Wide variety of looks, depending on your choice of wood;
- Fits in every space and works well with any decoration.
Cons:
- Expensive. Extremely, in some cases. However, it’s an excellent long-term investment.
- Expensive and labor-heavy installation. Not a DIY job, by any means.
- Not children or pet-friendly. Hardwood is susceptible to wear and scratching;
- Repair, or “refinish”, as it is called in this case, can be quite costly.
- Can be noisy, making rugs almost a must, which is an added expense.
- Extremely susceptible to water damage. Therefore, it’s not suitable for every room.
Ceramic, Porcelain, or Concrete Tiles
Pros:
- Extremely durable;
- Moderately affordable;
- Damage and stain resistance makes them ideal for kitchen and bathroom remodeling Los Angeles projects;
- An immense variety of colors, patterns, and designs;
- Easy to replace damaged portions, as you only have to replace a few tiles, not the entire flooring.
- Glazing makes them super easy to maintain.
Cons:
- Installation is a true pain. It’s time-consuming and labor-heavy.
- Glazing is almost a must, as they are prone to seepage otherwise.
- Grouts are prone to mold buildup, if not properly sealed.
- Moderately affordable;
- Cold and slippery, especially when wet;
- Extremely heavy, making it less suitable for upper floors.
Bamboo
Pros:
- Bamboo is grass, that looks like wood. So – the natural, organic look is a given;
- Easy to maintain, with only regular cleaning;
- You can do a refinish if it gets damaged;
- Adds value to your property;
- Natural aesthetics allow it to fit in almost any design setting.
Cons:
- Can be expensive, but not as hardwood flooring.
- Not a DIY installation. In fact, bamboo flooring installation costs about the same as hardwood.
- Prone to water damage. A bit less than hardwood, though.
- Prone to scratches;
- Soft material, especially if carbonized to get a darker tone. So it’s not a good choice for high traffic areas.
How to make a choice?
As you noticed, some items tend to repeat themselves across every category. Things like price, ease of installment, and moisture resistance. These are factors you’ll have to consider when choosing flooring for your new home. So, the floor doesn’t only need to be aesthetically pleasing. It has to suit the purpose of the area, too.
Your choice of the floor will be (mostly) budget-dependable
As we mentioned, some flooring types are more expensive than others, and vice versa. Therefore, it’s important to choose the option that will fit your budget, along with your home.
- Cheap options: Low-end laminate, ceramic tiles, and vinyl;
- Moderate cost: High-quality laminate and vinyl, tiles, and even some types of hardwood;
- Price is not an issue: Imported and rare hardwood, premium quality laminate, vinyl, and tiles.
High moisture areas demand suitable solutions
Basement, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room – these areas carry a high risk of water damage. Therefore, you need options that won’t be ruined after only a few months. Your best choices here are ceramic tiles or vinyl, whether you’re choosing for the first time, or working on a bathroom and kitchen remodeling Los Angeles project. Both are durable and water-resistant. And with a wide variety of looks available today, they can fit really nicely into any of the mentioned areas.
Wear-and-tear resistance is critical for high-traffic areas
You’ll use some areas of your home more than others. Living room, halls, and hallways are in use every day, both by you and your visitors. For these areas, it’s best to go with durable options when choosing flooring for your new home:
- Laminate;
- Vinyl;
- Ceramic tiles.
If you have (or plan on having) kids or pets in foreseeable future, avoid bamboo and hardwood floors. Children’s toys and pet’s claws can ruin them beyond repair.
DIY or professional installment?
The cost of installing flooring in your new home can sometimes be pretty high. That said, you need to determine if you’ll wing it DIY-style, or will you hire professionals to do it.
- Laminate, vinyl, and linoleum are easy to install. It’s almost like building a puzzle: you get the pieces and all you need to do is snap them together.
- Tiles (all varieties) are not too difficult to install, per se. However, they do take a lot of time and effort. Not to mention – the whole process is extremely messy.
- Lastly, we have hardwood and bamboo floors. Leave both of these to professionals. Not only because of difficulty. But because improper installation can only cause future problems and expenses.
Choosing the flooring for your new home is not an easy decision
Although barely anyone thinks about it, flooring is a high-impact part of your home. It will affect your life for decades to come. So don’t rush with choosing the flooring for your new home. Take the time to think. And, when in doubt, don’t be shy to consult with your general contractor. Professionals with years of experience will give you good advice on choosing to floor for your new home.