By Maura Keller
Flooring is an investment in your home, and factors into the design of every room. Naturally, if you want to update or replace flooring in your home, it’s well worth it to consider the latest options.
Mark Geller, president at Flooring Designs, says when clients are planning to invest in new flooring, he finds they prefer wood floors for their look and durability, porcelain tile for its variety of sizes and sturdiness, and carpeting to soften spaces.
Wood floors add lasting value and are popular for their ability to match with any design aesthetic. Porcelain tile can offer a natural stone look, with less upkeep.
“While they need a little extra care in maintaining, a wood floor can last the life of the house,” Geller says. “Large-format tile means less grout, as some people associate grout with maintenance, and the technology in manufacturing porcelain makes it difficult to differentiate between natural stone and porcelain tile. Porcelain tile requires no sealers or special maintenance, and is virtually stain-proof.”
Haley Korsmo, flooring and countertop designer at Nonn’s, says luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are popular flooring options with customers. LVP and LVT are made from vinyl material, which is softer underfoot, but can be more susceptible to scratches or dents.
“HGTV and other home remodeling shows have increased the popularity of [LVP and LVT] since it can closely resemble wood grain or tile flooring [respectively], while staying within a customer’s price range,” Korsmo says.
Laminate flooring is another common choice for customers who want more durability and resistance to scratching and dents, which can be beneficial if someone has pets or children. This type of flooring has a denser wood composite core, and is less susceptible to damage. There are also multiple installation methods depending on the project, and it can be a good product for someone who is looking to install it themselves.
Suitable areas to install LVP, LVT, laminate or hardwood include kitchens, dining or living rooms, and bedrooms, since these materials are all easy to clean and low maintenance. Many new construction homes are open-concept and homeowners would rather have their flooring be continuous throughout, so wood, tile or LVT/LVP flooring can be used throughout an entire level.
“Tile is a great option for areas with moisture like a bathroom, mudroom or laundry room,” Korsmo says.
Carpet can be a higher maintenance product when it comes to cleaning, and may need to be replaced more frequently compared to other flooring. Geller points out that many homeowners like the warmth of carpet in bedrooms; however, area rugs are a popular alternative to wall- to-wall carpeting that can be used on hard surface floors.
“Keep an open mind to the many different options of flooring available and do some research as to what the best option for [your] lifestyle might be,” Korsmo says. “If someone is remodeling their home and is struggling to find flooring options that could complement their home, bring along a cabinet door, a piece of trim, couch cushions, paint samples, et cetera. This helps narrow down the many options and gives customers a better sense of what the product could look like in their own space.”
