Choosing the Best Flooring For Your Home

New floors are one of the projects that can make homeowners sweat. There’s the measuring, the shopping, the color samples, and the seemingly infinite details that goes into choosing a new floor.

Choosing the best flooring for your home doesn’t have to be hard! Let this guide point you in the right direction towards finding that perfect new floor for your home.

Choosing the Best Flooring For Your Home - NTR Choosing the Best Flooring For Your Home

As if re-flooring a room wasn’t a daunting enough task on its own, there are many types of flooring to choose from and budgets to consider before installation even begins.

What type of room is being re-floored?

You always want to make sure that the type of flooring fits the room. For example, you wouldn’t want to have concrete flooring in the kids’ playroom; concrete is better for a workshop! Likewise, you want to have an easy-to-clean surface in a kitchen. Cleaning tomato sauce out of carpet is not something you’d want to do on a regular basis!

How heavily is the room used?

If you are always using a particular room, you want a floor that can take a lot of wear and tear. Otherwise, you’ll be preparing to replace it sooner rather than later! Rooms that will not be used regularly can feature attractive, if less durable, floors for aesthetic appeal.

Choosing the Best Flooring For Your Home - NTR Are there any children or pets in the home?

Children and pets are both playful and messy, and can put any floor through its paces. There are many types of low-maintenance carpet options which are designed to be durable, low-maintenance, and capable of handling stains and heavy traffic. Synthetic floorboards are also a great option. Wood, tile, and concrete aren’t usually good idea for homes with children or pets.

What is the budget for new floors?

Regardless of whether you’ll be installing new floors on a budget or if you’ve saved up for your dream floor, your budget is always a strong consideration when choosing flooring. Over-estimate how much you’ll be spending; that way you can cover any unforeseen expenses without breaking the bank.

Who will be installing the new flooring?

Will you be hiring a professional to install your floor, or doing it yourself? Many types of floors come in ‘peel and stick’ options, making it easier for the home handyman to install flooring themselves. While tile can be installed without a professional, it may not be the best task for a beginner! Other types of flooring like stone or handcrafted timber may require someone experienced for proper installation.

Are you looking for a low-maintenance floor, or are you willing to put some work into keeping it looking good?

For many people, day to day life is very busy and the last thing that they want to add to their ‘to-do’ list is applying new oil to a wood floor or stripping tile. If you’re always on the go, then a lower maintenance floor like linoleum, vinyl, concrete, or laminate may be strong contenders for you!

What type of sunlight does your room have?

Rooms with lots of natural light can handle darker flooring options without feeling confined. Rooms which do not have a lot of natural light benefit from light-colored flooring options, making them feel more spacious.

Types of Flooring

There are many types of flooring options to choose from. Here’s an overview of the most common types.

  • Bamboo: An eco-friendly material which looks like wood, but is actually a type of grass! Bamboo is durable and attractive, perfect for homes with kids or pets, and a great alternative to wood floors.
  • Carpet: A standard in most homes, carpet comes in a wide variety of colors, materials, and weaves. Carpet can be decorative, or it can withstand years of high traffic; it all depends on the type you choose.
  • Cork: Cork is a green-friendly flooring option which is comfortable to stand on, naturally non-slip, and especially great for kitchens and bathrooms. Plus, cork is great at absorbing sound!
  • Concrete: Finished and painted, concrete can turn any room into a trendy, modern-industrial space. These floors are a wonderful low-budget option which can easily be softened with carpets and rugs.
  • Wood: One of the oldest flooring options, there are hundreds of wood types and stains to choose from. Wood floors are always timeless and classy, and a beautiful addition to any home.
  • Vinyl: Vinyl is perfect for flooring on a budget. Vinyl comes in many different prints and patterns, and can last for years.
  • Linoleum: Similar to vinyl in its ease of use, durability, and cost, linoleum is a green-friendly option as it is made from natural materials.
  • Tile: A common find in many kitchens and bathrooms, tile can be mixed and matched to create a truly unique floor. Durable and long-lasting, and easy to maintain between waxing.
  • Stone: Most commonly found outdoors on decks and patios, stone floors can also be great in basements and sun rooms. Stone is a great way to keep any indoor room cool, which can be especially helpful in Atlanta’s hot weather!
  • Other: Mosaic, pebble, metallic, and other types of flooring can be great eye-catching features to complete a room. The expense and durability for these will vary depending on the type you choose.