Floors can be the single most expensive surface in your home.
Make sure you purchase the right floor for the right reasons.
Follow these tips to help you buy the floor you need:
As a consumer, the last thing you want is to buy a floor that you regret buying, or a floor that only “kind of” matches your décor. Today, more and more consumers are turning to the internet to find blow-out prices on flooring products, but are sacrificing other factors like quality, durability, and overall appearance.
It’s very important to make sure that your are not compromising on quality while searching for low prices. Generally speaking, flooring is priced based on its quality and construction. So remember to find a balance between the two. Use the tips below to help you decide which floor is best for your needs.
Consider Function
What is your new floor going to be used for?
Think about what type of activities are going to be performed on your new floor. Is the floor more for comfort or is it for a professional environment? When you figure out what elements the floor is going to be exposed to, you can then decide what type of flooring materials are appropriate for that setting. We have had some customers who went against our recommendation and installed products that were not appropriate for the intended use of the floor. Needless to say, within a year the floor was damaged and we had to install the more appropriate flooring material.
Where is the floor going to be installed?
Some floors cannot be installed in certain areas of your house. For example, it is not recommended to install solid hardwood flooring on ground level floors where moisture is an issue. It will cause the wood to warp and buckle. This would be a good reason to install an engineered hardwood floor instead. Also, it is generally not recommended to install carpet in bathrooms. When you know where the floor is going to be installed, you can begin to eliminate some flooring options and focus on the materials that are applicable.
Who is going to use the floor?
This is a very important question to ask yourself. Some floors may not be appropriate for certain people. For example, elderly people who are susceptible to slips and falls should stay away from hardwood floors and other slippery surfaces. Instead, cork or textured vinyl floors would be good choices. In a children’s playroom you might want to install a Marmoleum floor that is easy to clean and durable enough to endure years of fun and play. Considering who is going to be using the floor will provide more clues and information about what type of floor is appropriate to install.
Select the Quality you need
How much traffic is the floor going to receive?
No, we’re not talking about cars and buses. Foot Traffic! Bedrooms generally receive the least amount of foot traffic while hallways absorb greater levels of traffic. This is why bedrooms are good areas to invest in higher quality carpets. You wont have to worry about the carpet wearing out prematurely. On the other hand, because hallways and entrance ways receive much higher levels of foot traffic, these are good places to install hard-surfaces like hardwood, tile, marble, or laminate.
Carpets with higher densities are ideal for high traffic areas like stairs. Engineered hardwood floors are available with different wear layers. The greater the wear layer, the better the floor will hold up. But the price also increases as well. That’s why you should only buy the quality that you need. Estimating traffic will help you buy a floor that is strong enough to withstand your use without over-paying for something you do not need.
Do you really want the lowest Price?
Set a budget that makes sense
It’s important to be realistic here. You would never buy a fully loaded car with features that you don’t need, right? But you do have a price range that you are expecting to pay for that car. So why should flooring be any different? Not all floors are created equal and there is value in purchasing a quality floor. Setting a budget that correlates to the type of floor you need will help you distinguish higher quality floors from lower quality floors. You can then weigh the pro’s and con’s of each quality level and decide which floor has the features you need. After you set your budget you’ll be able to clearly see which products you can add or eliminate for your flooring options.
How long do you want your floor to last?
Another key element when purchasing a floor is to estimate how long you want your floor to last. As mentioned before, when it comes to flooring, you usually get what you pay for. Less expensive and lower quality products are still great and will last 5, 10, maybe even 15 years. But if you want your investment to last for 25, 35, or even 45 years, better quality floors may be pricier, but are well worth their weight in gold.
What if the floor you want is just too expensive?
We know you have good taste. But good taste can also be expensive. Because floors are available by many different brands, it’s easy to find similar products within your budget. Don’t get discouraged if the floor you want is beyond your financial means. In the next section you’ll read about the importance of buying the floor you really want. We will help you find a similar floor that is within your price range. We will also make sure that you are still selecting a floor that meets your quality and functional requirements.
Buy the floor you want
At the end of the day and after all is said and done, the most important thing to consider is your satisfaction with the look and design of the floor. Maybe you got a steal of a deal, maybe you slightly over paid. Years after your purchase, the only thing that matters is if the floor is exactly what you wanted. If after 6 months you decide that you are not happy with the floor, you’ll be spending even more money replacing the floor you don’t want.
Take the time to look at all the options available. Even more expensive products have less expensive counterparts. The floor is one of the most used areas of your home. It is also the background that all your furnishings and decorative pieces sit on. We want you to be happy with your purchase years from now, and the best way to ensure this is to buy the floor you really want.
We hope this short article was helpful.
We are always happy to help you answer any questions. Buying a new floor takes time and it’s important to get the information you need. Don’t get discouraged if the product you want is too expensive. We will gladly share our knowledge of flooring to help you find the best product for your project.
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