Choosing the right kind of flooring for your home is an important decision. If you’re starting to think about replacing your floor, you might be overwhelmed and may be unsure of where to start. Having a starting point can be helpful in narrowing down choices so here are a few things to consider when choosing flooring:

1. Location and Foot Traffic

One of the most important considerations in choosing flooring is the location because there are parts of your home that have higher foot traffic than others. These areas include kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. For rooms with higher foot traffic, you should consider flooring with higher durability to hold up to the wear and tear. One of the biggest benefits of tile flooring is its durability.

You should also consider the location of the flooring. Not all the same flooring works in your entire home. For example, carpet should be kept out of bathrooms and kitchens, while tile might feel too cold in a living room or bedroom. If you prefer harder flooring in areas like bedrooms, utilizing area rugs can help rooms still feel cozy and comfortable.

2. Durability

Durability should always be an important consideration in your flooring choices. Not only can the quality of your flooring contribute to the value of your home, but it can also affect how you enjoy your home. Thankfully, there are quite a few durable flooring options to choose from.

One of the most durable kinds of flooring is tile, but luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is also highly durable. Unlike the vinyl flooring of the past, design trends in luxury vinyl flooring have greatly expanded and these floors have been engineered to offer high durability.

Vinyl can now deliver the look of wood but with much more durability than real hardwood floors. This flooring is water and scratch-resistant, which makes it an ideal option for bathrooms and kitchens, and is one of the best basement flooring options.

3. Aesthetics and Style

Along with durability, you should choose flooring that is attractive and fits in with your current home aesthetic or the style of your remodeling project. Having the wrong flooring is one of the things that can hurt your home value so make sure to take your time and compare a few styles and designs.

With so many kinds of flooring available to choose from, it should be easy to pick something once you know what you’re looking for. There are many tile flooring options available that are perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. For a more affordable option that still offers versatility and durability, luxury vinyl tile or plank can fulfill almost any design style.

4. Level of Maintenance

Another one of the things to consider when choosing flooring is the level of maintenance required and how much maintenance you realistically want to do or worry about. Some flooring offers lower maintenance than others. However, every type of floor will require at least some type of maintenance, especially if you want your flooring to look new for as long as possible and stay in good shape.

Remember that maintenance involves more than just cleaning. You should take into consideration how easily each type of flooring is damaged and how much time and money it takes to fix any damage. You should also be aware of any other type of maintenance. Some natural stone flooring requires a sealant while hardwood floors need regular polishing. Choosing a material like LVT can eliminate the need for sealants and polish while still giving you the design aesthetic you want.

Each kind of floor will require a regular cleaning schedule, but this will depend on the kind of flooring you choose. Flooring like tile and luxury vinyl tile are easy to clean with basic floor cleaners or even soap and water while other types may require more frequent cleanings along with specific formulas and tools to avoid damage. Not using the right type of cleaners is a home maintenance mistake to avoid.

These are just a few things to consider when choosing flooring. If you’re seeing any signs it’s time to replace your flooring, it might be time to talk to the experts at Zephyr Thomas. We’ll walk you through the steps of choosing the right material and provide excellent installation. Call us at 717-399-4708 to schedule a free estimate!