You might not necessarily think about your floor often. So long as it’s under your feet, solid, and not creaking as you walk, it doesn’t matter, right? Wrong. The flooring of your home is a vital aspect to consider when you begin renovation. A lot of factors go into selecting the right flooring, so it’s not a decision you should take lightly.
Consider the Room You’re Reflooring
Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to flooring is what room it’s going in. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Different rooms require specific types of flooring for both practical and aesthetic purposes.
For example, bathrooms experience a lot of humidity and will frequently get wet thanks to baths, showers, and more. Therefore, you want a flooring material that is waterproof so it doesn’t get damaged. This rules out hardwood flooring and carpet, as both are easily damaged in moist conditions. Instead, materials like porcelain or stone tiles, or perhaps waterproof vinyl flooring, are the best option for the room’s needs. From there, you can decide which material best suits your aesthetic, resulting in the room of your dreams.
Think About Durability and Foot Traffic
There are rooms in your home that get more foot traffic than others, so the floor material has to be up to the task. High-traffic areas like hallways, mudrooms, and kitchens require durable floors.
Hardwood floors are aesthetically gorgeous in most homes, but they might not be able to stand up to the constant foot traffic. You might be finding yourself needing to refinish those floors more than you’d like, as they’ll get worn out and potentially damaged. Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum, concrete floors are incredibly durable and have no give. This can cause back and joint pain over time if you walk on them too much. So for high-traffic areas of your home, homeowners explore something like tile or vinyl, which is durable but still has enough give that you won’t end up sore just from walking around.
Determine Your Cleaning Preferences
Let’s face it; floors get dirty fast. You walk on them everyday, tracking in dirt, mud, and debris, all of which need to be cleaned up. Some people love to clean and find it relaxing and satisfying. Others dread this chore, regardless of how necessary it is. So when choosing your flooring material, you need to decide how much cleaning is for you.
Hardwood floors occasionally need refinishing, but they can also be extremely easy to sweep. This means they’re great for the living room and dining room, where guests will often spend their time, so you want to make a good impression. And the easier to clean your floors are, the less you need to stress over them if you get a last-minute call warning you that company is coming over.
Don’t overlook your floors when you begin remodeling your home. Make them a key aspect of your remodeling plans and treat them as the foundation of your new room. For more information on flooring options, request a project consultation with JM Construction.
