Flooring Choices - How do you decide?

If you read this you're looking for flooring - or do you think about in search of land and otherwise wave a magic wand, hoping for some guidelines to simplify the process. If you are renovating, then flooring is just one of many decisions you need to make. And face it, even if you do not renovate Nine in ten cases a new floor new room decor be warned - new colors, trim and window treatments will soon follow.

Household, lifestyle, land use / traffic patterns andTaste are the key considerations to help you navigate a world of choice. Consider each one in turn.

Flooring prices that fit your budget

Money is no object? Or do you have any doubts, preferences and practical issues within clear boundaries? Here is a very general rule of thumb: medium grade carpet or vinyl installed runs about one third of the price of hardwood or ceramic is set installed in the same room, laminate is approximately two thirds of the price. That theseVariety of quality and selection is in the range of ground-seen quantities - can be installed vinyl installed everywhere from $ 1.40 to $ 6.50 per square foot, laminate from $ 2.50 to $ 7.50 to be installed, hardwood of $ 9.00 to $ 12.00.

Of course, if you are fairly and fearlessly at the thought of their own installation, all bets are off. You can get a lot of money, as long as you know, what are you doing to save, have the requisite time, skills, tools, patience and understanding roommate. (Remember, yourWork takes up their evenings, weekends and holidays also time.)

Brands and guarantees are also a factor in the budgetary considerations. Basically, the longer the warranty, the better the soil and the higher the price. You get what you, if you like, the floors will last, look for a decent pay with guaranteed visibility. Are recommended in the lifestyle section mentioned below.

Flooring that your lifestyle

Are you a growingFamily, on your own or a couple? Do you entertain a lot? Are you planning to move in the near future or discontinuation roots? Do you have the time and inclination to vacuum frequently or brush is your best friend? Do you have any pets? (In a tank or fur? "Bigger than a guinea pig?" Did they get the run of the house? Inside, outside or both?) The answers to these questions give you a feel for what laminate flooring is suitable for your needs. Consider the following pros and cons.

Carpet is warm,comfortable and convenient, generally well warrantied and dirt. A lower grade will show stains, wear and faster than a higher quality level and Berber is a good choice for children and pets. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning will keep your rug in good condition, but here I have to confess a personal bias. Vacuuming is not my hobby, and I still have a ceiling that stands up well over time to take furballs, pet hair and pet odors. (Although I industrial wet / dry shop-vac recommend ifThey have dogs - we had 3.) Preferred Brands - Richmond, Shaw, Coronet, National. For resistance spot, look for the STAINMASTER Seal.

Vinyl is a handy padded floor for a bathroom, hallway or kitchen. It has no odor and it is easy to clean. It comes in a variety of designs and looks, to imitate, ceramic and hardwood. While vinyl is surprisingly durable, with the current trend towards hard-wood floors, a few select it for a family or living room. WeInherited vinyl tile flooring in our living room, and it made a good-looking, resilient flooring for several years. Recommended brands - Armstrong, Tarkett.

Laminate is a very practical, popular flooring choice. Plank flooring comes in every imaginable color, pattern and finish - your path may look like bamboo, oak or heritage polished hardwood. Ceramic and cork are also on a tongue and groove laminate tile support for easy installation. Durable, easy-to -clean, scratch-and stain-resistant, laminate chip can, if heavy objects are dropped with a lot of power. Not mop up spills immediately - do well in the wet laminate. Preferred Brands - Pergo, Laurentian, Armstrong, Wicanders.

Ceramic tile is a beautiful and practical choice. Available in a variety of sizes of tiles for floors, backsplashes, and work detail. Pottery is fragile and it is not comfortable feet - if you use it in the kitchen, an Anti-slip mat in the base. RecommendedBrands - Casa Roma, Centura, Olympia Tile.

Hardwood flooring is a classic favorite. If you have scratches and marks are of the opinion to go with a harder hardwood - oak, maple, cherry or bamboo. Finally, all hardwoods brand, but a characterisitic brands will be made of wood and soil can always be refinished. The differences in pattern and color that provides natural hardwood is timeless. Preferred Brands - Bruce, Laurentian.

Something green? Bamboo hardwood is harvested from the bark ofthe tree, which fills in about 5 years. It takes 23 years to a mature oak tree to replace - and Bamboo is 23% harder than oak.

Flooring that fits your room and traffic patterns

What place do the update with a new floor? How to use the space and who uses it most? Does your family spend much time there, or there is a high-traffic, pass-through area? High-traffic pass-throughs to show wear more quickly invest in a quality stock with good coverWarranty. While there are no fixed rules, the following is a list of common decisions Region:

Bathroom - vinyl, ceramic, laminate

Kitchen - vinyl, ceramic --

Living Room - Carpet, Laminate, Hardwood

Family Room / Basement / Game room - carpet, laminate, hardwood

Study - carpet, laminate, hardwood

Bedrooms - carpet, laminate, hardwood

Hall - carpet, vinyl, laminate, hardwood

Inputs - ceramic, vinyl, laminate

Stairs - Carpet, Laminate,Hardwood

There's no accounting for taste

Taste is the indefinable element that often take precedence over all other considerations. Unless you move, you will live with your choice for a long time so you better love it. Limit the number of people out in the final decision on the two parties, then the options, like the both of you. Be prepared: the person with more passion for style, color and fashion often varies the vote. In our household, when we find something we bothwe love to buy - that's why we finally trade in the vinyl panels for bamboo hardwood! (That is, after the necessary color and trim updates are complete. Yours is too much fun painting from the old floor along the walls!)

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