We expect our floors to last for many years, giving us comfort, style, and durability. Many flooring options work well in a home, but the results vary depending on lifestyle and the room the flooring is in. In this article, we’ll discuss what to consider when choosing flooring for your home. Choose wisely, and keep your flooring with you as you create a lifetime of memories.
How Much Upkeep Is Required
One of the biggest differences between flooring types is the required upkeep. Let’s break it down and look at the basic requirements for maintaining different flooring types:
- Carpet: regular vacuuming, professional cleaning once a year, stain removal when spills happen or when dirt is tracked in, and eventual replacement, as carpet wears out quickly
- Hardwood: regular sweeping and use of a wood cleaner when necessary. Hardwood lasts a lifetime when properly cared for.
- Ceramic tile: regular sweeping and mopping as necessary and tile replacement when they become cracked
- Vinyl: sweeping or vacuuming and mopping with mild detergent. Depending on the quality, replacement is necessary every 5 to 20 years.
Your Lifestyle Today and in the Future
What’s your lifestyle like? This is the most important question to ask when you’re considering the flooring choice for your home. A busy family with kids running around and happy pets chasing them has a different flooring need than a bachelor in a high-rise.
Plus, your future lifestyle matters, too. Do you hope to stay in this home forever? If so, you have two options: choose flooring that lasts a lifetime now, or lower-quality flooring for now and new flooring down the road.
Resale Value
You never know what the future holds. If there’s a possibility you may sell your home in the future, then an investment such as wood flooring is worth it. Wood floors raise property value, and buyers prefer how they look. On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry and money is tight, some fresh carpet may also do the trick.
Color
No matter what type of flooring you choose, color choice may be the most overwhelming part of your decision. When you’re choosing hardwood, that decision requires even more thought as you go beyond color choice and discover the many wood species available. Each wood type has its own grain and undertones, making it versatile and full of color options.
Even with ceramic tile and carpet, the possibilities are endless. No matter which flooring material you choose, find a color that suits your taste and complements the walls and décor. We also recommend you choose a color you can live with for years to come. Purple carpet sounds fun until a few years go by and you begin to wonder what you were thinking.
Flooring is a big decision, but it’s an easy one when you know the questions to ask. Choose the flooring, and then focus on making memories in your warm, comfortable home.
