Guest Post by Floor Coverings International of WNC
When choosing the right floors for your home, it is important to think about your lifestyle and what you want the floors to do for you. Do you have pets or children? Durability would be essential. Are the floors going into a place that typically has moisture, like a laundry room or kitchen? Waterproof floors would be the answer. With so many choices, it is important for you to examine all options in order to find what is the best fit. Below are common questions that consumers ask when making flooring purchases and the expert advice we recommend:
Q: I have kids and pets and want to make sure the flooring can handle scratching, denting and wear.
What flooring is best for me?
A: If durability is the most important factor, laminate flooring is a great option. Not only does it do an excellent job of withstanding pet scratches and active kids, it is virtually maintenance free, and thanks to the protective top layer dirt cannot penetrate the flooring.
Luxury vinyl would also be a good option with the added benefit of being waterproof. It allows you to obtain the look of any hardwood or natural stone flooring style, while still being water-resistant, easy to maintain, and budget friendly. This makes it a great option where moisture would be an issue such as kitchens, laundry rooms and basements.
Q: I am putting flooring in my laundry, kitchen and bathroom but concerned about water damage. What flooring is best for me?
A: Any area of your home where there are appliances that can potential leak, should have flooring that’s water resistant, if not completely waterproof. This automatically rules out hardwood and laminate, as neither would hold up to any kind of water leak.
Luxury vinyl is a great option. Most manufacturers offer a floating, interlocking 100% waterproof
options. In addition, Luxury vinyl offers realistic wood or tile visuals for a fraction of the cost.
Q: We want new hardwood floors, but we are concerned about price. What flooring is best for me?
A: Hardwoods are a timeless look and account for most of the flooring sales in the US. However, due to advancements in the industry, solid hardwood is not your only option. Often engineered hardwood is more affordable than solid hardwood. The difference in construction is that solid hardwood flooring is simply solid wood cut into planks, whereas, engineered hardwood is built out of multiple layers of wood and plywood.
In almost every category, engineered hardwood will outperform solid hardwood including moisture resistance, expansion and contraction which makes it ideal for rooms with humidity. Added with the lower cost, it is a great way to have hardwoods without the hefty price tag.
Q: I want floors that are low maintenance and easy to clean. What flooring is best for me?
A: Your low maintenance options include your waterproof luxury vinyl or ceramic and porcelain tile. Both of these options are easy care solutions.
We suggest sweeping your floors at least once a week, but more if needed. Mop your floors regularly as well with a cleaning solution that will not harm the flooring. We suggest a simple mixture of warm water and vinegar for cleaning any type of flooring.
Q: I want floors that will be an investment in my home’s future value. What flooring is best for me?
A: Hardwood and tile are the only flooring options that give you a return on your investment.
Homeowners selling their home often see three times the return on their investment with hardwood and tile.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles can be manufactured to mimic hardwood and stone, even down to the texture. Consider a wood-look tile for a classic aesthetic where hardwood would not be an option. Tile is a popular and time tested flooring option, it offers water-resistant protection coupled with a sleek attractive look.
Q: I need my flooring to be soft on my feet. What do you suggest?
A: Carpet is a great option for bringing softness to a room coupled with sound absorption which can make a large room feel cozy. You can choose from a wide range of colors and styles in either a loop or cut weave. Even though you won’t see it, the quality of the carpet pad is a huge factor in the softness underfoot and will be something that you want to pay close attention to.
Cork is also a viable option. Cork’s resilience provides built-in cushioning, is naturally anti-microbial and is an environmentally sustainable product. People often put cork in rooms that need extra sound resistance such as offices, studies and basements.
Floor Coverings International Western NC is a premier flooring company serving the Asheville / Hendersonville, NC area. We provide high quality design and installation services and carry the latest flooring products including hardwood, carpet, stone, and tile flooring. Take the guesswork out of getting new floors and schedule your free in-home consultation today or come by our showroom at 133 Weaverville Road, Suite 1 Asheville NC 28804 or call 828-633-6222.
