Replacing the flooring in your properties is a great way to revive the look and feel of the property after so many years of use. Regardless of the quality of the pre-existing flooring, over time it wears down, especially in high traffic areas. When it comes to choosing flooring, you need to think about the style you want, the location of the property, and the functionality of the room with the new flooring.
Location
Choosing flooring for any property largely depends on the location of the property. This is extremely true in high humidity or flood zones. It would not be a good idea to have carpeting or hardwood flooring in this region because humidity can cause the hardwood to expand and buckle or crack. The humidity and flooding also poses a high risk for mold growing in or under carpeting.
Room Functionality
The same rules apply to which room the flooring will go into. A general rule is carpeting in the living areas and hard flooring in the bathrooms and kitchen. Due to the humidity and risk of flooding in the bathrooms and kitchen areas, carpet would not be a suitable choice. While hard flooring is ok in living areas, carpet is more comfortable.
Types of Flooring
Laminate – Laminate flooring is a common choice because you can still get the high end look of hardwood without paying the higher prices. Laminate flooring comes in many styles to look like hardwood ranging from light tan to dark cherry.
Vinyl – Vinyl is another budget friendly option for flooring when you want a nice look without the large prices. The vinyl squares paired with grout can give a realistic look of tile flooring. It is also very easy to create patterns and alternative layouts and shapes with vinyl as it is easy to cut.
Tile – Tile is a more costly option but the end result is marvelous. Tile comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Tile is also not a user friendly DIY option as it requires more work. When installing tile it is a good idea to get a professional.
Carpet – There are different styles of carpet to choose from, the most common being shag, plush, and berber. While carpet is not ideal in some locations and rooms, this is the optimal choice for living rooms and bedrooms for comfort. Carpet tends to be a cheaper option and can be ripped up and replaced.
Hardwood – Hardwood flooring is the most expensive of the flooring options but is so for its quality look and easy cleanability. However, maintenance takes more work if the flooring is scratched, so hardwood is not an ideal choice for properties that allow pets.
