For homeowners, there’s nothing sweeter than these three words: brand new floors.
Outside of a fresh coat of paint, nothing else comes close to changing the look and feel of your home (or making a statement) as newly installed flooring.
Of course, a dramatic home improvement project like installing new floors project typically requires a considerable investment in terms of time and money—if you want it done right, you’ll need to do a little research to determine which type of flooring is right for you and your home.
So, with so many different flooring options to choose from, where to start? Right here. As home to one of the largest renovation teams in the country—Offerpad Renovations—we’re no strangers to flooring projects. We’re fluent in ceramic tile, wood plank flooring, and most everything in between.
Let’s dig a little deeper into some of the most popular home flooring materials and what you’ll want to consider with your renovation project.
Ceramic/Porcelain tile flooring
This isn’t a popularity contest, but ceramic tile is one of the most ubiquitous flooring options in homes across the country. There’s good reason for that, too: ceramic/porcelain tile has tons of variety in terms of shape, color, and size, making it easily adaptable to virtually any space.
Tile flooring surfaces are easy to clean and sterilize, featuring a durable and water-resistant finish. While tile is resilient, you can easily replace sections if you happen to chip or crack it. Even then, cosmetic blemishes are difficult to detect.
Although tile plates can be quickly cleaned, tile grout can attract stains and be a bit more labor intensive to clean. The firm underfoot feel is also a not-so-gentle reminder that anything brittle or fragile is more susceptible to breaking should it fall from any considerable height to the floor.
Hardwood flooring
There is a certain style and grace that comes to mind when you think about hardwood floors—the cozy ambient glow of the fireplace reflecting off the warm sheen of the wood, the sense of personality it adds to virtually every space. Known for being durable, hardwood floors provide a timeless look.
Although hardwood floors require a little more upkeep to maintain (they can show dirt more easily), they’re a breeze to clean. You also have the added ability to re-sand and refinish most wood flooring, unlocking new color tones capable of changing the dynamic within your home.
While hardwood floors are highly coveted among homeowners, they’re generally more expensive than other flooring options. Depending on the material, hardwood floors can also be difficult to install.
It’s not all aesthetics—depending on the space, hardwood floors can amplify sounds in your home. Wood panels can also shrink/expand depending on the season, somewhat changing the underfoot feel. Speaking of temperature, if you live in a colder environment you might want to consider hardwood floors generally do not retain heat. Keep in mind, you’ll also need to take certain precautions as excess water can warp wood as it gets between slats.
For many homeowners, these aspects are negligible and entirely overshadowed by the visual appeal hardwood floors provide.
Wood plank tile flooring
In recent years, wood tile flooring has become a hugely popular option among homeowners. Essentially a hybrid between hardwood floors and traditional tile, this material combines the visual appeal of hardwood floors with the easy upkeep advantages associated with tile.
The tile material makes for an easy installation job and it also shares the same insurance benefits of its predecessor—easily replaced should it incur any significant or cosmetic damage. For what it’s worth, the material is also considered hygienic.
Of course, if you’ve always pined for genuine hardwood floors, the similarity begins and ends with the aesthetics. Wood tile has a firmer underfoot feel than wood and doesn’t have the flexibility to be re-sanded or refinished over time.
Engineered hardwood flooring
Many homeowners looking for a long-lasting flooring that provides an affordable alternative to hardwood ultimately choose engineered hardwood flooring. This material packs the same aesthetic appeal as traditional hardwood with the durability of more sturdy options like laminate flooring.
What’s the difference between engineered hardwood flooring and genuine hardwood? Engineered hardwood flooring utilizes a top layer of solid wood to cover a plywood core—genuine hardwood flooring is essentially one component of genuine wood. With less genuine hardwood to work with, engineered materials can’t be as frequently sanded or refinished.
Carpet flooring
Carpet may not be as trendy as other flooring options, but its benefits certainly never go out of style. It starts with affordability—carpet is generally on the low-end in terms of price, giving you more bang for your buck. It arguably provides the most comfortable underfoot feel compared to other materials, snug enough to lay on depending on the texture.
Speaking of texture, there is a ton of variety here, too—endless combinations of color and feel to perfectly accent any space. In colder months, carpet floors act as insulation and help retain warm air—year-round, the material helps dampen sound in your home.
Carpet may not be a great option for people with very sensitive allergies—things like pet dander and other common air pollutants can find their way into the material and cause irritation. While this effect can be mitigated with regular cleaning, professional cleaning services can be expensive.
Perhaps the biggest knock on carpet is that it easily stains—here, your mileage may vary. Modern carpet materials are engineered to combat stains and the color and style you choose may be less susceptible to these blemishes. Further still, stains may be a non-issue for homeowners who don’t have small children or pets. If you choose carpet, be mindful that it’s likely to wear out and show its age faster in any high-traffic areas of your home.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring
Easy to install and one of the fastest-growing flooring options out there, luxury vinyl is known for being affordable and providing a hardwood look. While this material is slightly more expensive per square foot than common vinyl flooring, it’s notably more durable and waterproof. Apart from design flexibility, luxury vinyl is also considered easy to maintain.
While vinyl plank flooring can withstand some abuse, it’s considered more susceptible to damage versus heartier flooring options including tile and stone. Are you installing new floors to raise the value of your home? Luxury vinyl flooring doesn’t fetch the same return as other options like genuine hardwood. If you plan on staying in your home long term and want a more affordable alternative to hardwood, luxury vinyl is about as close as it gets to the real deal in terms of looks and feel.
Offerpad Renovation
In the market for a new home? In the future, Offerpad Renovation will help turn your dream flooring into a reality. By leveraging one of the largest renovation operations in the country, we install your custom flooring with no immediate out-of-pocket expense prior to move-in, rolling the associated cost into your mortgage. Once available, it will be the easiest way to fully realize your dream from day 1.
Utilizing Offerpad’s mobile app or via the web, consumers can browse our available home listings and select a property to customize. Our customization feature leaves nothing to the imagination, so go ahead—see how that hardwood accents the gallery kitchen, get a sneak peak of that luxury vinyl and how it completely transforms the living space. It’s all possible with Offerpad.
The perfect home is waiting for your signature touch—visit Offerpad.com for more information.
