While your home remodel will involve many aspects, choosing the right flooring is one of the most important parts. You’ll want something that is durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear your family imposes. Additionally, it needs to be suited to the climate of the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re considering remodeling your whole home or just a room, these tips will help you before you contact a flooring company.
The Points to Consider When Choosing Flooring
There are so many kinds of flooring materials that it may make your head spin. Aside from aesthetics, there are many things to consider before making your final flooring selection.
Working with professionals, it will be easier to see beyond appearance and cost which flooring options will work best in your home.
Comfort and Usage
Naturally, you’ll want your floors to look beautiful while staying within your budget. However, they should be functional and suited for the room. Natural stone is a stunning type of flooring, but because it tends to be cool, it may leave you uncomfortable when the temperatures drop if you don’t have radiant heat.
Consider the use of each room, too. When you stand in your kitchen for a while, you want kitchen flooring that feels comfortable on your feet. For example, you’d never want slippery tile flooring in your kitchen where you or your children could get hurt. Laundry rooms are another place where you may be on your feet for a while. With high-quality flooring that provides comfort for your feet, you’ll have the best flooring for your home.
Cleaning and Maintenance
When considering replacing existing flooring, it’s easy to get swept up in the gorgeous portfolios of possible finished results. Don’t forget to ask what is required to keep up the appearance of the flooring materials you choose.
People with children or pets will want to consider more durable flooring options. However, even a home without kids or pets will incur heavy foot traffic over the years. You’ll want to ask questions of the flooring company regarding what is required to keep your new flooring looking in tip-top shape.
Health and Environmental Concerns
The long-term consequences of the materials you use in your home can impact the environment and your health. Choosing wood floors may make you worry about harming the environment, however, choosing hardwood flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council can put your mind at ease.
In addition to making a sustainable choice for your home, you should also look to reduce the presence of harmful chemicals. Flooring that has low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a preferred choice.
How to Choose Flooring for Your Remodel
Take a look at some of the most common flooring options and see if they work with your personal style and needs.
Wood Flooring
Wood flooring is one of the most popular and enduring options for homeowners who want a natural and classic look. Hardwood flooring fits with many design styles, too, though it is initially more expensive than low-quality engineered wood.
Because it lasts longer, hardwood floors may be worth it since this real wood will withstand years upon years in your home. You must keep up with the maintenance on real hardwood, though, which is why a number of people are turning to laminate flooring to achieve the look for less.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is cheaper than solid hardwood, and while you don’t have to choose styles that look like wood, you certainly have that option. It’s also more resistant to scratches and dents, making it an excellent option for families or anyone who can’t afford hardwood.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Often called luxury vinyl tile flooring (LVT), this option is more expensive than laminate floors, but it provides a more seamless resemblance to hardwood flooring. You can use the luxury vinyl plank to look like solid wood while resisting stains, scratches, and dents. You can also use vinyl tiles in an array of styles if you’d rather have a different look, too.
Carpet
You can opt for carpet installation to add comfort in areas that aren’t heavily trafficked in your home. Bedrooms are the most common place for carpet as it adds warmth and comfort, and you’ll find various colors, textures, and patterns. It’s affordable and easy to maintain, but definitely takes on more wear than other flooring.
Tile Floors
Whether you choose porcelain or ceramic tiles, tile installation services may be best for your home remodel. There are many shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from that will fit your style perfectly. However, this flooring option requires professional installation.
What Is the Best Flooring for the Pacific Northwest?
Adding value and getting a better return on your investment in your home through upgraded flooring is best achieved with real wood floors. However, if you want an option that lets you live freely without requiring high maintenance, you may find vinyl flooring to be your best match.
Should I Do My Whole House in the Same Flooring?
The choice is entirely up to you! You should use stone or ceramic tile in areas that have more moisture, such as bathrooms. Real wood is ideal for any other living area in your home, though the kitchen can also go with ceramic tiles. You should ask a flooring expert to help you weigh your options.
Should I Run My Flooring from the Front to Back of My House or Side to Side?
The best way to approach how the flooring is laid is to go in the same direction as the main light source for that room as well as in the same line as the most frequent entrance. Horizontal installation can make a narrow space wider while vertical installation can lengthen a shorter room.
Where to Find Tile Installation Services in Bothell, WA
Home Care Contractors is the expert for installing popular flooring options for your bathroom remodel, kitchen remodel, or remodel of any other room. View our home remodeling portfolio to see what we can do for you and contact our Seattle area general contractors to discuss the right flooring for your home!