How to Choose the Right Flooring for Home Remodeling

Flooring is a crucial component of interior design. Along with paint colors and/or wallpaper, your floors act as the backdrop for every other feature in your space. Selecting the right flooring material for your remodel starts by evaluating your needs, budget, and personal style. 

Building materials have come a long way in recent years, and flooring is no exception! From traditional hardwoods to elegant stone tile and luxury vinyl, you have a wide range of options.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the best flooring for remodels, and we’re here to help you make an informed decision so you’re sure to love your new flooring for years to come!

Factors to Consider for Choosing the Best Flooring

Design Style

Your personal taste and design preferences should be a key factor in every remodel decision you make. From traditional Southern hardwoods to warm, mediterranean-inspired terracotta tiles, to cozy carpeting, let your personal style be your guide!

Location in the House

In general, different types of flooring are better suited to different rooms. Consider the moisture and heat conditions in each room as well as the level of foot traffic. It’s generally a good idea to stick to more durable and moisture-resistant flooring in kitchens and bathrooms, while living areas and bedrooms are excellent for carpeting.

Durability and Scratch Resistance

Scratch-friendly flooring is an important consideration in most homes. It’s especially vital if you have pets or small children, or if you rely on a wheelchair or other aid to get around.

Cleaning and Maintenance

When it comes to building or remodeling your dream home, the way it looks on walkthrough day is only part of the story. The cleaning and maintenance requirements of your building materials are incredibly important when it comes to how your home will look 10 years down the road. Always work with your contractor to ensure you know what kind of ongoing maintenance is required from your flooring.

Related: 8 Important Interview Questions to Ask a Design-Build Firm

Comfort

Just like the furnishings you choose, your flooring selections contribute to your daily comfort. Carpeting offers the most cushion against your feet, but also keep in mind you can add decorative rugs to hardwoods, tiles, and other types of flooring to add comfort and visual interest. For maximum comfort, heated flooring is one of our favorite features to include in a luxury bathroom remodel!

Sustainability

Certain types of flooring are more environmentally friendly and sustainable than others. Even better, many of the more eco-friendly, non-toxic options can also save you money by reducing your energy bill long-term.

Popular Flooring That Is in Style

Luxury Vinyl

Unlike the peel-and-stick vinyl planks of the past, luxury vinyl is a low-maintenance and versatile option. In fact, luxury vinyl can accurately mimic the look of a variety of flooring types, including natural wood and tile – at a more affordable price.

On the other hand, luxury vinyl falls short when it comes to sustainability, as the materials used aren’t biodegradable or eco-friendly. Luxury vinyl can also be difficult to remove and is susceptible to UV-related discoloration over time.

Tile

Usually made from ceramic, porcelain, or stone, tile flooring can be incorporated into various aesthetics, from intricate mosaic designs to traditional stacked tiles. Tiles are also remarkably water-resistant and easy to maintain, making them an excellent choice for kitchen and bathroom remodels. However, tile flooring (especially ceramic tiles) can become slippery when wet, so it may not be the ideal choice for the elderly or those with specific foot or balance issues.

Carpet

Carpet is the most comfortable flooring option available. With a number of colors, styles and materials to choose from, it’s a great option for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and more. If you’re looking to save money on your home remodel, carpet is one of the most cost effective flooring options around. One of the main downsides of carpet flooring is that it’s susceptible to dust and dirt buildup, which can impact the look of your floors and aggravate allergies.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has been popular for centuries, and it’s not hard to see why. New hardwood floors can offer a return on investment of up to 70%! They can be customized with just about any species of wood to achieve a range of visual effects, from elegant, to rustic, to understated. It can also be made from pure solid wood or engineered wood depending on your needs.

Unfortunately, authentic hardwood floors tend to be more expensive than other options. Additionally, they can be susceptible to scratches, scuffs, and water damage. 

Laminate

Laminate is a budget-friendly and easy-to-clean alternative to wood, tile, and stone flooring materials. Laminate flooring is usually made with a dense fiberboard before an image of wood, stone, or tile is imposed on top. A plastic topcoat is then applied to make the floors damage-resistant and long-lasting.

Though laminate flooring is a fantastic alternative to more expensive options, it isn’t an exact substitute and won’t offer the same return on investment as hardwood.

Concrete

Although it’s often been overlooked in the past, concrete is becoming more popular in home renovations. It can offer unique textures and hues to make a space more dynamic. It’s also an exceptionally durable material and will be difficult to scratch or stain. Concrete flooring, however, can be uncomfortable to stand on for extended periods, so soft rugs will be essential in most homes.

FAQs

Q: Does all the flooring in the house need to match?

A: This is really up to personal taste and convenience. Some homeowners prefer having the same flooring throughout their home to achieve a seamless, elegant finish. Others prefer mixing and matching various styles of flooring to accommodate the unique styles in each room and add visual interest.

Q: Should flooring run vertically or horizontally?

A: The most popular method for installing hardwood floors is to begin at the primary entrance and go toward the opposing wall (vertical installation). This can make your space appear more open, inviting, and spacious. However, there’s no set rule, and horizontal installation can look charming and unique.

Q: When during the remodeling process should you redo the floors?

A: The order of operations during a remodel is important for convenience, budgeting, and achieving the ideal final result. Traditional wisdom suggests it’s best to leave flooring for last, in order to protect them from scratches and other damage during construction. But depending on the protective coverings your contractor uses, it’s sometimes more convenient and cost-effective to get floors in earlier in the remodeling process.

Related: Remodel Existing Home vs New Construction: Pros and Cons

Let us help you create your dream space!

Kamanski Construction is a full-service home builder and residential contractor serving the Greenville/Duncan area in South Carolina.

We love working with homeowners to build their custom dream homes or renovate their current homes to better suit their needs, personal tastes, and lifestyles. Our dedicated team of designers and builders is ready to help you turn your vision into a reality!

Browse our portfolio to see our work and get inspiration for your project, and don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone at 864.800.9912 with any questions or to get started on your project!