How to Choose the Right Flooring for You?

Choosing the right type of flooring for your home or office space is not necessarily the easiest thing in the world. Considering that look and appearance are not the most important aspects of your choice when it comes to flooring, many people find it challenging to make the right choice that can guarantee durability, stability, and long-lasting power. There are many factors you must consider when planning to install a new floor or change your old one with a new one including moisture, durability, costs, the specifics of the project, and a bunch more that will greatly influence your final decision. So if you are challenged with finding the right floor for your project, here are 5 helpful ideas and tips to consider. These steps will work as your guide through the amazing world of the plethora of flooring options for domestic and commercial projects.

Where will be the floor installed?

The location of the floor will greatly influence your choice due to comfort reasons but also due to the fact that some areas of your home will have a higher level of moisture/humidity which can greatly affect some types of flooring and make it impossible to install a wooden floor, for example. For high moisture areas such as the bathroom, basement, or others, it is highly recommended to consider moisture-resistant flooring options. Thankfully, the market offers a bunch of options that are suited for medium and even high moisture.

Concrete, ceramic, porcelain or vinyl tiles are all some of the best fits for areas that struggle with a higher moisture level. You can choose between these all and decide on the one that offers the most in terms of comfort and appearance to your project. Alternatively, engineered wood floors are also an option for such areas but not a common one and it highly depends on the method of installation. Floating installation is the best choice for engineered wood installed in areas of moisture and humidity but you will also have to invest in a high-quality moisture-resistant underlay. Moisture is still a highly limiting factor for hardwood floors as it has a great influence on their condition in a long term.

Do you need an extra durable floor?

Of course, everyone would like to have an extra durable floor that can last for many, many years. However, sometimes there are some factors such as young kids and pets in the house that determine the real need for an extra durable floor. While most of the flooring options out there appear to be or are claimed and advertised to be extra wear-resistant, this is not always the case. Still, you are in need of a superior wear-resistant flooring option that will not experience great wear and tear in the upcoming few years at least. In this case, you are recommended to consider options such as ceramic or porcelain tail, laminate, plank vinyl flooring, or even carpets.

One of the major advantages of the above-listed examples is the fact that these flooring options are also pretty budget-friendly and they can be easily substituted by a new floor if needed. Hardwood flooring is also an alternative option because of its great stability and durability. However, keep in mind that hardwood floors are prone to scratches and dents. Still, hardwood floors can be easily re-sanded and look like brand new at least a couple of times in their lifespan. Make sure to choose a long-lasting and hard-wearing hardwood flooring finishes too.

What is your square footage budget?

Budget and cost are two of the leading factors when choosing flooring, indeed. So if your budget for a new floor is extra low, you will be happy to find out that the market offers some great bargains, mostly when it comes to laminate flooring. Laminate is really a good idea because it gives you the appearance and charm of real wood but just for a fraction of the price of hardwood flooring. Sheet and tile resilient flooring can also be found in a very budget-friendly price range.

Gorgeous ceramic and porcelain tile flooring is also available on a lower price compared to other flooring options. However, keep in mind that tile flooring is a challenge to be installed and it requires a lot of skills and mastership so the installation service can cost you a lot. In case you can afford a bit more than the bare minimum of budget when it comes to investing in a new flooring, then you will be in the sweet spot of the middle-range flooring where you have a lot more options to choose from – domestic solid wood and engineered wood can sometimes be found on sale or at a bargain price, more attractive laminates and high-quality luxury vinyl tiles also fall within this range.

Finally, if your budget is not limited and you can afford to pay the highest price, you can practically choose between anything and everything available on the market. Within the higher price range, you can enjoy the harder and more luxurious exotic hardwood floors, engineered wood options such as mahogany, Brazilian cherry, ipe, and kempas, the highest premium quality laminates, luxury vinyl flooring, and more.

Do you plan a DIY installation or a professional fitting service?

No matter how much of a handyman you are, some flooring types simply require a professional installation service, a lot of skills, craftsmanship, years of experience and knowledge, very specific and high-quality equipment. If you want to avoid paying for a professional installation service and you decide to go for a bit of DIY-ing instead, make sure to settle with some of the more easy-to-install flooring options that does not require some special skills, training, and equipment, such as laminate, plank vinyl flooring since both require a floating installation and this one tends to be the easiest for homeowners who want to self-install.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are definitely more challenging and require a lot of patience and skills. However, the most challenging for DIY installation tend to be wall-to-wall carpets, nail-down solid wood floors, engineered wood floors.

Do you want a low-maintenance flooring?

Every flooring will last longer when it is maintained properly. However, some flooring options require significantly more maintenance and care than others, which can also be an expensive routine. So if you are not the one who wants to spend all the time, energy, nerves, and money, some of the best low-maintenance options you would like to choose from include vinyl flooring (tile, sheet, or plank) and laminate.

However, if you don’t mind the more intense maintenance or you believe that the appearance and durability of some flooring options totally worth all the hard work, you can definitely choose solid hardwood or engineered wood. The best part is that both types can be re-sanded and look like brand new every few years.