Choosing flooring for your home is one of the biggest decor decisions you’ll make. The style you choose can make or break the look of a room, and ultimately how comfortable you feel being there.
Thankfully, with a little forward thinking you can make sure you know what suits you and your lifestyle. Read on to follow our 10 steps to choosing the best flooring for your home.
Different types of flooring:
No flooring guide would be complete without mentioning the wide range of types of flooring available to you. Each type comes with its own unique characteristics and benefits:
Hardwood: Known for its timeless beauty and durability, hardwood flooring offers a warm and natural aesthetic.
Laminate: Offering the look of hardwood or stone at a more affordable price point, laminate flooring is a synthetic product that mimics the appearance of natural materials.
Vinyl: Versatile, budget-friendly and resistant to moisture, vinyl flooring is available in sheets, tiles, or planks.
Carpet: Soft and cozy, carpet provides warmth and comfort underfoot. When it comes to colors, textures and pile heights, the possibilities are endless, allowing you to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere in your home.
Tile: Durable, water-resistant and available in a range of materials including ceramic, porcelain and natural stone, tile flooring is a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from, which doesn’t make your job any easier! But by familiarizing yourself with what's available, you'll have a better understanding of their characteristics when deciding which is best for your home. Which leads us onto the next step...
How to choose the best flooring for your home
Whether you want to cover a small room or pick out the best flooring options for an entire house, here are 10 steps to guide you through the decision-making process.
1. What’s your budget?
Your answer to this question lays the foundation for every other flooring decision you’ll make. Different flooring materials range dramatically in price; some may even need to be installed by a professional which could increase the cost further. Setting a budget now will help you narrow down your options and while still providing you with the look and feel you desire.
2. Which type of flooring is most suitable for the space?
We use our living spaces in very different ways and the type of flooring you choose will depend on the characteristics of each room. Some types of flooring are more suited to certain rooms than others, particularly kitchens and bathrooms which are always in use and have specific requirements. It all depends on your personal preference but it’s always a good idea to consider what you the room will be used for so your flooring can compliment that.
3. What type of flooring is compatible with your lifestyle?
Your home should be somewhere you can relax and you don’t want to end up worrying about ruining your new flooring when you should be enjoying home comforts. That’s why you should think carefully about your own lifestyle and which flooring would suit it best. Do you have dogs whose muddy paws would destroy a cream colored carpet, or young children who love painting? Do you have creative hobbies that could scratch a wooden floor? All these factors should be taken into consideration so you can be confident that your final decision really works for you.
4. How durable is it?
Durability is a key factor in selecting flooring because it determines how long your floors will last through regular use, wear-and-tear, and environmental changes like moisture or humidity levels. Make sure to find out about the durability rating of each material you’re considering so that you can ensure your floors will stand up to everyday life in your home for as long as you need it to.
5. How long will you use it?
Do you plan to keep the flooring for years to come or would you prefer to have the option to replace it regularly? Some flooring is more suited to long-term use while others might need to be replaced more frequently, and that can be reflected into the price, so consider how regularly you’d like to renovate your space and select your flooring accordingly.
6. What kind of maintenance does the flooring require?
Flooring requires regular maintenance, from cleaning, sweeping and vacuuming to mopping and even refinishing, depending on the type of surface you choose. Ask your flooring provider about what type of regular upkeep is associated with their product and factor that into the total cost of the flooring you select.
7. Does it offer noise reduction?
If you’ve ever experienced issues with noise in your home you’ll understand the vital importance of suitable noise reduction measures. Not all types of flooring are designed to reduce noise, and it’s important to know if the product you choose can provide a buffer between rooms. Ask about the sound insulation capabilities of the flooring materials you’re considering so that you can make sure the type of flooring you select won’t transfer noise from one room to another.
8. Is there a warranty?
A good warranty will cover any defects in your flooring and could potentially save you a lot of money in the long run. Ask how long the warranty is for and what it covers so that you can make sure your investment is properly protected.
9. Are there additional costs?
Don’t forget to factor in installation costs and other materials you need (like underlayment), and ongoing maintenance costs. Find out early so you have an accurate estimate of the overall cost of your new floor.
10. Where will you buy from?
Where you purchase your flooring from can have a huge impact on the overall experience. When it comes to making big decisions like this, hearing what others have to say can be incredibly helpful. This is where Trustpilot reviews come into play. Customers share their honest thoughts and experiences and by paying attention to the reviews that align with your specific needs, you can use these real insights to guide you towards the best flooring choice for your home.
If you already have a company in mind, search for them on Trustpilot to see what others have to say about their service. Alternatively, you can scroll through our flooring store page to compare the best companies in this category.
Bottom line
Once you’ve asked all these questions, you should have all the information you need to decide which type of flooring is best for your home. Of course, you’ll also want to take into account personal preference and style when deciding on which flooring material is best, but with the right combination of factors, you can make sure your flooring investment is one that you can be happy with for years to come.
Trustpilot is a review platform that is open to all. The companies and profile pages referenced in this article are provided for informational purposes only and are not recommended, endorsed by, or representative of the views of Trustpilot. The Trustpilot companies linked in this post are expected to abide by Trustpilot’s Guidelines, but have not been reviewed for compliance.
