When considering different options to add value to your home, don’t forget about the floors. Whether your reason for getting new floors is to increase the value of your home in preparation for a sale, or if you just want to revive your current living space with a fresh look, there’s nothing more refreshing than new floors. Potential home-buyers will be impressed when they walk into a home and see new floors matching the decorations that are fresh and inviting. You will be able to list your home at a higher price range because of the increased value. Three flooring options for improving the value of your home are tile, hardwood floors, and vinyl plank.
Tile Floors
Many homeowners choose porcelain floor tiles for entrance ways, kitchens, and bathrooms. However, porcelain tile floors can add a certain charm or sense of sophistication to any room. Porcelain floor tiles are not only beautiful in appearance, but they add the quality to your home that is easily appreciable. With tile, kitchens, and bathrooms have a clean, hygienic look that appeals to potential buyers. The fact that you take pride in your home will speak loud and clear through the installation of carefully chosen porcelain tiles.
With porcelain floor tiles, you don’t have to worry about spills, because they are very absorbent and resistant to stains and scratches. They are easy to maintain. Because of the high quality, well-crafted tile Porcelain tile shows the commitment and level of care that is indicative of the type of care you have taken to the rest of your home.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors can significantly increase the resale value of your home, but cost more up-front than other types of floors in most instances. Studies show that over half the potential home-buyers are willing to pay more for a home that has hardwood floors. This is because hardwood floors provide more than just an excellent look in a home, but it also provides a long-lasting investment option. A well-maintained hardwood floor could last as long as the house itself! Putting that type of investment into a property will certainly improve its overall value.
Some of the reasons why hardwood floors are so popular are because they give the room a sense of warmth, easy to clean, maintain their value. Unlike other types of floors, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished numerous times, which means they retain their value for many years. Once hardwood floors are installed, they almost never need to be replaced. Water damage is really the biggest cause of ruin when referring to hardwood floors. However, even if a floor gets water damage, the individual pieces can be taken out and replaced.
Vinyl Plank Floors
Vinyl plank flooring comes in strips and is designed to resemble hardwood. This product comes in several unique styles, each mimicking a specific type of wood, including hickory, oak, and others. Because vinyl plank floors imitate hardwood, there are many versions available that will match any home’s decor. However, vinyl plank floors do not have the same rate of return as hardwood flooring. The good news is whatever is lost in longevity is made up in cost, check out Dublin Floors and Doors for cost options. For anyone renovating a house and want to have the look of hardwood floors without the expense, this is the most cost-effective option.
Other positive benefits of vinyl plank floors are that it is easy to clean, resistant to scratches, and can be installed in places where hardwood flooring is not recommended. Because hardwood flooring is susceptible to water damage, will darken with age, and attracts dust, it may not be the ideal flooring option for bathrooms. Moisture seems to be the biggest flaw of this type of flooring.
While vinyl plank may look like wood, it is not the same and does not have the same quality as hardwood floors. In high-traffic areas, the vinyl plank floors can show wear and tear that would not be as noticeable with hardwood floors. Also, vinyl plank floors can’t be sanded or refinished to make it look brand new again.
Why Not Carpet?
You may be wondering why carpet is not considered as an option to increase the value of your home. Carpet gives your home a sense of warmth. Carpeted floors are soft, comfortable, and less noisy than other types of flooring. Noise reduction is an important consideration if the room is below or adjacent to a bedroom where small children will be playing or pets running around. Carpeting is also very versatile as demonstrated through various pictures found online. Carpeted floors can be more cost-effective than other types of floors and remain the most popular choice for covering the floors.
A light-colored neutral carpet can brighten a dark space, make it look larger, and help you feel cheerier in that room. New carpet that smells fresh gives the sense that the home is kept clean and has been well-maintained. This is often difficult if you have children or pets running around the house–but it is certainly doable.
Replacing the carpeting does not add value to your home but having a carpet that needs to be replaced will potentially lower the value. Old worn-out carpet can be a turn off for potential buyers and cause you to miss out on a sale.
Summary
Three important things for anyone to consider when remodeling with the flooring is choosing a product that is easy to maintain, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. Another consideration of how much money you have to work with and staying within your budget. If you replace the existing flooring with the wrong product, it will defeat the purpose of installing new flooring. Many companies, like Empire Flooring, take your situation into account when providing an overall flooring estimate. The intended purpose is to add value to your home. Choosing a product that is too expensive or the wrong type of flooring for the room, you will inadvertently lose value. Choosing the wrong type of flooring will cause you to have to replace the flooring sooner than later. Ultimately, your choice will depend on the style and decor of the room where the new flooring will be installed and your personal tastes.
You have three very good options to choose from, tile, hardwood flooring, and vinyl plank. Each of which can substantially increase the value of your home. In today’s climate, depending on where you are, our recommendation is a vinyl plank.
AUTHOR BIO: Robert Atkins is a life-long home improvement specialist that has worked in and around new real state, and investment real estate, all his life. He specialized in floor installation and consultation for 20 years and helped countless homeowners make better flooring decisions.