Flooring
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Flooring
Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.
Materials almost always classified as flooring include carpet, laminate, tile, and vinyl.
Types of Flooring
The floor is the largest surface in the home, and picking the best type of flooring for your space depends on your budget, lifestyle and personal tastes. Each type has its unique benefits, and determining which flooring is best depends on each room’s needs and location.
Popular flooring options include wood, engineered flooring materials, vinyl, tile and carpet. Learn more about the most common flooring types, the materials’ best attributes and the best usage of each one, as well as overall flooring costs.
Wood
The floor is the largest surface in the home, and picking the best type of flooring for your space depends on your budget, lifestyle and personal tastes. Each type has its unique benefits, and determining which flooring is best depends on each room’s needs and location. Popular flooring options include wood, engineered flooring materials, vinyl, tile and carpet. Learn more about the most common flooring types, the materials’ best attributes and the best usage of each one, as well as overall flooring costs.
Laminate
Laminate floors are a less expensive alternative that seeks to achieve that wood-floor look. The material is composed of wood-based materials that are laminated together then layered with an imprint that mimics wood grains. Besides wood grain, laminate floors come in a variety of colors and styles. They’re durable and easier to install than hardwood. Although laminate is useful in high-traffic areas, it’s subject to moisture damage in kitchens or bathrooms where the floor gets wet often.
Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered wood floors are made up of plywood planks that are layered on top with a real but very thin hardwood veneer. They’re a great option for those who want something in-between laminate and hardwood. Because they have real hardwood layered on top, they more closely resemble real hardwood floors at a fraction of the cost. Unlike hardwood, refurbishing these floors usually requires replacement of the surface.
Tile
Tile is a popular option for many homeowners. Materials range from porcelain, terra cotta, marble, granite to slate. Glazed porcelain is the most cost-effective. It’s nonporous, waterproof (making it great for kitchens and bathrooms) and sturdy enough for high-trafficked parts of a home. Tiles come in a wide range of textures, shapes and finishes allowing a homeowner to be creative with tile selection. Overall tile floors are durable, but they can be expensive and difficult to install. Chips and scratches can damage tile and are difficult to repair.
Carpet
Carpet is a common floor type in colder climates, especially in bedrooms. Carpet is cost-effective and is soft and warm underfoot. Carpet comes in a myriad of colors and styles and some are stain-resistant, which is preferable in homes with young children or pets. Carpets can be difficult to maintain; it’s best to have carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Linoleum
Linoleum is another eco-friendly flooring alternative. Linoleum is made from all-natural materials that make it antistatic and resistant to water, dings or scratches. Linoleum floors are often found in commercial buildings, like hospitals, because they’re easy to clean, comfortable underfoot and come in a variety of colors.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and has a softer underfoot compared to tile or stone. Vinyl is a popular choice for basements, bathrooms or kitchens where moisture can be an issue. It’s generally affordable and comes in sheets or self-stick tiles, which makes vinyl a great DIY choice. Vinyl flooring is sold in a range of widths and thicknesses. Choose a thicker vinyl for high-trafficked areas.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an extremely durable floor type that’s made from a lightweight woody grass. It can resist swelling and contractions that often happens to hardwood floors in warm, humid climates. Bamboo is also moisture-resistant making it a good option for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Concrete
Concrete floors have become popular, offering long-lasting durability and lower maintenance compared to other popular flooring types. Gray concrete can be stamped or stained to look like other expensive materials like marble, granite, stone or brick.
Cork
Cork floors are an eco-friendly alternative. They have a light, cushiony feel that absorbs vibrations and sound. If cork floors get dented, they can often bounce back over a short period of time. Its natural, non-slip surface is ideal for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
How to choose flooring
Determine your budget
While some flooring and carpet companies specialize in discount products, others position themselves in the upscale market. When determining your budget, be sure to understand all pricing considerations.
- Seasonal sales: Smart shoppers can take advantage of seasonal sales to purchase materials for less.
- Measurements: Be aware that carpet was traditionally priced by the square yard (there are nine square feet in one square yard), but in recent years many retailers are advertising square-foot prices. When shopping, make sure all products are priced with the same square-area calculation.
- Resale value: Solid hardwood floors, if maintained in good condition, typically add more to the resale value of a home than any other type of flooring. Natural stone tiles are also highly desirable to homebuyers.
- Energy bills: Most flooring has little insulation value, so it won’t dramatically affect your energy savings. Carpeting has an R-Value of about 1.0, but when installed over dense polyurethane-foam padding it can triple the insulating value to about 3.0. Stone and tile feel cool underfoot in summer and will hold and radiate heat in winter if installed over a radiant-heat system.
Take home flooring samples
Flooring samples let you see the color, thickness, construction and quality of the flooring before purchasing it. Samples are especially important for customers who shop for flooring online.
- Price: Flooring samples are free from many companies, while others charge a nominal fee — usually less than $5. Of course, you can view and handle flooring samples at flooring stores and home improvement centers, and some retailers will let you take samples home if you promise to return them.
- Analysis: You should consider texture, style and color when comparing samples; you can also test them to see how easily they scratch, dent and stain.
- Availability: Most retailers have flooring samples on hand for you to take home, while manufacturers and online sellers will ship samples to you.
Compare flooring material options
Some manufacturers make just one or two types of flooring, while others offer a broader range of products. And although there are retailers who focus on one product category — tile, for example — most stores sell and install virtually every type of flooring.
- Hardwoods: You can sand and refinish solid hardwood floors so they don’t have to be replaced. Engineered hardwoods are easier to install and come in more wood species and colors.
- Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile: These materials are extremely durable and, when properly installed, waterproof. Tile is most popular in bathrooms, kitchens and foyers.
- Carpet: Carpeting offers soundproofing, insulation, affordability and a soft, cozy feel for bare feet. It also goes down quickly with a minimal amount of mess and disruption to your home.
Consider custom flooring
Homeowners increasingly have the option to design their own flooring, but expect to pay more for this privilege.
- Design floors yourself: Online tools and in-store design help can assist in custom-designing the style, color and pattern of your new floor. Just be sure to check the flooring samples before ordering.
- Have a company design your floors: Several dealers customize flooring using photos, sketches and artwork provided by homeowners.
- Best materials for customizing: Carpet tiles and ceramic and porcelain tile are ideal for customization. This is done by placing the tile in unique designs, patterns and colors.
Compare flooring installation options
Several companies offer free flooring installation as part of a deal, while others subcontract the job to third parties. Never assume a seller will take care of the flooring installation; get it in writing and ask about the following:
- Insurance: Installers should be insured and bonded to show homeowners they meet minimum standards and have coverage in the case of a faulty installation or worker injury. Being bonded offers protection if an installer fails to finish the job.
- Fees: Be sure to ask about any additional charges for delivery, moving of furniture or removal and disposal of old flooring.
- Warranty: Many installations come with warranties. As with all warranties, these provide varying levels of coverage for various lengths of time. For example, if a homeowner makes an alteration to the flooring after installation or improperly cleans it, they risk voiding their warranty.
Decide if you should finance
Dealers frequently offer financing through specialty credit cards. Others provide financing through loans — either their own or through local banks.
- Interest-free offers: Interest-free offers are a good idea if you know you can pay off the bill before the term expires; otherwise, expect hefty interest charges.
- Interest rates: Local flooring and carpet companies often charge higher interest rates than national companies, so read the terms of the loan carefully.
- Requirements: A down payment from 1% to 10% and a minimum purchase amount are common prerequisites for financing through a loan; store credit cards tend to require minimum purchase amounts but no down payments.
Window Treatments
Honeycomb shades (also called cellular shades) are made from one continuous piece of fabric and they either roll up or fold up along their crisp pleats. Fabric is then bonded together to form the honeycomb shaped cells. voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
Real wood blinds are truly made from wood which has an outstanding look which offers the natural, warm and organic feel to your decor. Many people prefer real hardwood blinds just for the sophistication and refined quality that real wood blinds impart to any room.m voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
Faux Wood Blinds are made from a variety of materials including composite, PVC, vinyl or foam wood. They include a wood grain and are stained to match wood colors. Manufacturers use the term “faux wood,” meaning a wood substitute to create the look and feel of true wood.
Vertical blinds function a lot like venetian blinds in their design. Instead of being horizontal, they’re vertical – but it’s the same concept. Opening them is easy with two cords to the side that slide the vanes across the headrail and kept together by chains at the bottom.
Unlike venetian blinds, the fabric of a vertical blind is much thinner and allows for better overlap. This means that they come available in either dimout or blackout options.
- Benefits of Vertical Blinds:- Vertical blinds are perhaps the most affordable choice for full-size windows and doors. Whether it’s a sliding door or a French door; their simple design makes them excellent candidates. Like most other fabric blinds they come in an array of colours to choose.
- Disadvantages of Vertical Blinds:- Vertical blinds are typically chosen to cover large areas, so when it comes to cleaning them, you need to wipe each vane separately. In their defence a large surface area would always be harder to clean, but it would be much easier with a single fabric such as roller blinds.
A mini blind is a type of horizontal window blind made of long, narrow slats held together by string. Its slats are less than half the width of a regular venetian blind, and are often made of aluminium, measuring 15 millimetres or 25 millimetres.
- Highly effective at controlling light – While mini blinds aren’t as effective at blocking out light as blackout shades, they provide ample light control for most homeowners. They’re also easily operated, as wands can be used to open their slats and lift cords can be used to pull them up or down as needed.
- Moderate cost – Mini blinds are popular choices for homeowners with a variety of budgets. They’re an especially attractive option for people who need to outfit an entire home, as the costs of higher end window treatments can add up when they must be purchased for a dozen or more windows.
- Easy to clean – Because most mini blinds are made from highly durable and often synthetic materials, they’re easy to clean with household items, including many mild cleaners. With other blinds and shades, homeowners may need to watch out for staining or fading, but mini blinds hold up even after being exposed to small amounts of water or cleaner. They’re also easily dusted and wiped clean, making routine maintenance and upkeep a breeze.
Woven wood shades are a beautiful way to add texture and update your windows from boring slatted blinds. They’re made from bamboo, jute, rattan or natural grasses that are woven into a material with natural variation and rich texture.
Fabric blinds or cloth blinds are a combination of the light filtering properties of a shade with the light controlling slats of a blind. Fabric blinds have slats made from woven fabrics that can be tilted to better control the amount of light entering a room.
A window shutter is a solid and stable window covering usually consisting of a frame of vertical stiles and horizontal rails (top, centre and bottom). Set within this frame can be louvers (both operable or fixed, horizontal or vertical), solid panels, fabric, glass and almost any other item that can be mounted within a frame. Shutters may be employed for a variety of reasons, including controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a room, to provide privacy, security, to protect against weather or unwanted intrusion or damage and to enhance the aesthetics of a building.
How much should floor installation cost?
Cost of flooring installation varies greatly depending on the material you choose. Materials are typically sold per square foot. Other costs include installation, delivery, labor, cleaning and disposal of old floor materials. We recommend adding 20% to 25% of the budgeted amount to any home improvement project—you never know what you’ll find when you get started.
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Flooring installation prices and our costs on the carpet, wood, tile, laminate and ceramic flooring