Refresh Your Home with New Floors
Judie Docs, Executive Officer – CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM
North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) ncbia.com
Minor upgrades to your home can make a significant difference. The good news is that home refresh doesn’t always require significant renovation. New flooring can change the look and feel of your home. Aside from style and décor, there are several factors to consider when deciding what flooring material to select when purchasing new floors. Cost, durability, moisture, and maintenance are important factors to consider in your new flooring choice and the area in your home you’ll be refreshing. Here are some popular floor options among homeowners to help you evaluate what works best for your home.
Hardwood. According to a recent home buyer preferences survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), an overwhelming share (81%) of home buyers said they want hardwood floors on their main living spaces. This popular flooring type is available in various wood species, such as oak, cherry, and maple. Wood floors can be beautiful and durable if they are well-maintained.
Laminate. A popular, less expensive alternative to hardwood floors is laminate. This type of flooring option comprises various wood-based materials layered together, which are ‘laminated’ and finished off with a photographic imprint. Generally, laminate is available in tiles or planks and are relatively easy to install and maintain. However, laminate flooring is a viable option if you still want the look of hardwood floors without having them. Laminate is also more resistant to scuffs and scratches.
Vinyl. Durable vinyl flooring is available in several patterns that mimic natural materials like wood, stone, and marble. Vinyl has dramatically improved in style and performance and there are options:
LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank. LVP flooring is water-resistant and conveniently low-maintenance, making it ideal for high-traffic areas of the home, like the entryway and kitchen. While several types of LVP are available, they’re usually affordable and available in a wide range of realistic wood and stone patterns. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring provides a realistic wood and stone look using 3D printing technology to mimic the texture of the real thing.
LVT stands for luxury vinyl tile. In most cases, LVT replicates the look of traditional stone or ceramic tile flooring at a fraction of the cost. Some types of luxury vinyl tile are waterproof, and nearly all are water-resistant. LVT is low-maintenance and available in a wide selection of styles and colors. Some types of LVT can be installed using peel-off backing, while others are installed with full-spread adhesive.
EVP stands for engineered vinyl plank, which has a rigid core made of fiberboard. It also has a bottom layer of cork used for cushioning, added comfort, and sound absorption. This fiberboard core is often called high-density fiberboard (HDF) or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). EVP is perfect for areas with minor irregularities in the subfloor. Both types of EVP flooring are either
Tile. Porcelain and ceramic tiles come in beautiful designs, including diamond, herringbone, chevron, and basketweave, with shapes including circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles. The variety of designs may be one of the reasons why two-thirds (64%) of home buyers prefer tile as a flooring choice in their main living areas. In addition, porcelain tile offers easy maintenance, durability, and stain and slip resistance.
Carpet. Depending on depth and fiber type, carpet can provide warmth and reduce noise. Carpet depth is categorized by low pile, medium pile, and high pile, most of which are available in various textures. Textures are created by the thickness of the yarn and how it is woven together to make the carpet. Regular maintenance or hiring professional carpet cleaners is recommended with this option to keep your floor looking and feeling fresh year-round.
A careful mix of flooring materials can make for a long-lasting and beautiful home and provide comfort for the pattering of many feet throughout the years. With the many options available, it’s hard to go wrong. For more information about flooring options or other home renovations in the new year, contact the NCBIA for a list of professionals in our area.
We are your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other services available to help you in the future. So, you can see that you use an NCBIA member for your protection. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090. We also have a job posting board (under the Industry tab).
For information about new homes as well as local remodelers available in the community visit ncbia.com 24/7 Virtual Parade of Homes!!! It lets you look at some of our builders’ new homes and communities on your mobile device or computer. You can also see our remodelers. We know time is our greatest asset, and via our NCBIA Virtual Parade of Homes, we save you time looking for a new home or a community that fits your lifestyle.
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