What is the best flooring for the money?
By Dana Krizmanic,
Whether you're looking for living room flooring or something to lay down in the basement, you can get an updated look without spending a ton on flooring costs.
Carpet
Wall-to-wall carpet is an inexpensive flooring option. The choices are vast, thanks to a wide range of materials and quality levels. You can expect carpet to last ten years or longer as long as you vacuum regularly and treat stains immediately. Carpet is soft to walk on and excellent at dampening sound. However, carpeting will show wear faster than other kinds of flooring. In addition, don't install carpet in rooms where the presence of moisture can lead to mold.
Tip – Try Shaw Flooring's Floorigami Peel-and-Stick carpet tiles. These peel-and-stick carpet tiles are easy to install. Floorigami carpet tiles come with their own adhesive backing. Just start with a clean floor, peel off the backing and affix the tiles to the floor. All you need to do is trim pieces as needed with a box cutter to trim pieces as needed. Great quick fix for a small room! Floorigami is available at both our Mokena, IL, and Highland, IN, showrooms.
Laminate
Laminate is constructed with composite materials and mimics the look of hardwood. It is installed as a floating floor. In other words, the pieces click and lock together rather than being glued directly to the subfloor. Laminate is comparable to vinyl in terms of cost. However, laminate is not as durable as vinyl. Do not install it where it would be exposed to heat or high-moisture areas like basements, bathrooms or kitchens. Laminate can last about ten years when properly maintained.
Tip – If you already have hardwood floors, you can save by refinishing them instead of replacing the entire floor. Schedule a hardwood refinishing HERE!
Tile
Durable porcelain tile makes an excellent inexpensive flooring option. Great in rooms with moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. Porcelain is denser than ceramic making it better at repelling water. It cost slightly more than ceramic, but it is worth the additional expense because it wears better.
Tip – Your current tile can be renewed just by refreshing the grout.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the least costly flooring cost options. If installed correctly and properly maintained, it can last up to 25 years. Vinyl flooring is available in luxury vinyl tiles, luxury vinyl planks and sheet vinyl. Since it is waterproof, it can be installed anywhere in your home. Maintenance is minimal - vacuum or sweep regularly and mop occasionally.
Tip – Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar, as it will scratch the top wear-layer over time and ruin your vinyl floor.
You can undoubtedly get an updated look without spending a ton on flooring costs. Stop by Creative Carpet and Flooring and we will work with your budget to help you get the best floor for your money!