It’s Basic, But a Big Deal: Flooring Options for Your New Home

Flooring is one of the most important choices you will make when designing a custom home. Not only does flooring contribute so much to the overall aesthetic of the building, but it’s also important that you choose an option that works with your lifestyle, family, and how you use the home. You also want to consider a balance between what you like, and what will lend toward resale in the future. That’s a lot of pressure!

To help make your life easier, here’s a quick breakdown of the types of flooring you will select from:

Carpet – This option ranges from inexpensive to very expensive. We definitely see the most variation in price on this type of flooring. Although it’s becoming less trendy, it still makes sense for many rooms. It’s softer (obviously) than hardwood options, and makes less noise, making it a nice choice for bedrooms. It can also lend warmth to a home. The downside is that it can retain odor and stains and is not as popular as hardwood in terms of resale.

Engineered wood flooring – If you love the look of wood floors but they’re not quite within your budget, take a closer look at this type of flooring. To create this flooring, a thin piece of natural wood is adhered to plywood. Think of the materials as a less expensive backer with a “skin” on it. It’s naturally less expensive and can be less durable.

Hardwood – There’s a reason you often to see hardwood in both older and newly built homes. It’s a timeless classic that provides durability and easy maintenance. Real wood flooring will boost your home’s resale value as well. Some wood most wood flooring is pre-finished outside of the home and is completed as soon as it is installed.  Other wood floors are finished in place and take several days to stain, varnish and cure; this is the best option for a custom look. Wood is a more expensive product, and it is generally not a good choice for rooms that get a lot of moisture (such as a bathroom).

Vinyl plank flooring – This is an option similar to engineered flooring and natural wood but without the hefty price tag. You can create a floor with the look of natural wood and it is durable and easy to maintain as well as not affected by humidity changes. You can create any look you want while keeping installation and maintenance costs relatively low. Good quality vinyl plank, with its realistic look, durability, flexibility and wear ratings, is the choice of not just homeowners but commercial stores and restaurants.

If your new home has a basement, there are a couple of things you should note. Not all flooring works in a basement environment, in particular, wood and carpet. They can absorb moisture and feel damp (carpet) or expand and contract (wood). Vinyl plank flooring is ideal for these areas.

Remember: flooring is key in your new home. It can be overwhelming to make such a big decision – so if you need help, we are here to offer advice and inspiration! Contact us here.

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