It's where your children play. It's what you and your true love dance on. It's the thing that tells your feet you've arrived home. Flooring plays a pivotal role in your house, and upgrades can increase value, aesthetics and functionality. Good floors also just make your home feel better.
The choices for types of floors can be dizzying. Before you start tearing up carpet, consider what flooring fits the way you live in a particular room. If you or your kids spend a lot of time sitting or playing on the floor, carpet or area rugs might be the way to go. If allergies are an issue, wood floors or tile might be better. Costs for each kind of material vary widely, depending on quality and, of course, square footage. And the labor costs can dwarf the material expense. Continue Reading
Before you make choices about where to cut costs and where to splurge when it comes to your flooring, remember that floors get more wear and tear than any other part of your home. What might save you money up front in lower grade materials and do-it-yourself installation may cost you more in the long run. Think carefully about the use of the room, traffic patterns, kids, pets and anything else that can do damage to your floor.
One cost homeowners often forget is preparing the sub-floor. If you don't have a clean, flat-level surface, you may need a contractor to do prep work before you can put down flooring materials.
Hardwood Flooring
Wood floors can add an elegant and earthy look to your home. They can be installed relatively quickly, and they're tremendously versatile. You can change the color of your wood floors simply by applying a stain. They can be sanded and refurbished many times and kept looking new. On the downside, hardwood floor installation can be more expensive than other options. Of course, how much you'll spend depends on the type of wood, with the harder woods generally costing more and lasting longer.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Made using three to four layers of wood glued together, engineered hardwood is often more durable, more environmentally friendly and can stand up better to changes in humidity as well as unruly children. The material costs are about the same as traditional hardwood, but the installs are faster and cheaper. Here's more about traditional hardwood vs. engineered.
Bamboo Flooring
Not only is bamboo resistant to moisture, its just about as green as you can get, as bamboo grows so quickly. Bamboo is considerably softer than traditional hardwoods, so it will be gentler on your joints. Dancers love it. Another advantage is that the softness of the floor reduces noise. The downside? It can be expensive and brittle, and although its generally durable, its more susceptible to dings and scratches than other wood floors.
Cork Flooring
Like bamboo, cork represents an eco-friendly alternative. And, also like bamboo, its expensive and soft, with all the advantages and disadvantages that represents.
Laminate Flooring
This cost-effective option is simple to install, easy to clean and can stand up to abuse from kids and animals. Laminate floors are made of synthetic layers with an inner core of fiber board or resin. Unfortunately, it doesnt carry the rich look or feel of wood, and damaged laminate can be difficult to repair.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring
Vinyl and linoleum represent the cheapest options to install. And though they can get a bad rap for the low-end varieties, recognize that modern versions are far better than your grandmothers linoleum kitchen floor. They can be rolled or installed in squares, the latter of which is generally easy enough for the DIY set. Maintenance and repair costs are generally inexpensive but can also be doable DIY tasks. Although sometimes described interchangeably, vinyl is a petroleum product, while linoleum is made largely of linseed oil, an extract from flax seeds.
Carpeting
New carpet in your home is a great way to freshen the look of a room - or your whole house. Carpet can be relatively inexpensive, but choosing the right carpet and installation method is important. Carpeting prices can be compared based on several factors, including the pile of the carpet, room size and cost of installation. The pile of the carpet refers to the thickness or density of fibers used to weave the carpet. Natural products often cost more than those made of synthetic materials because natural fibers cannot be mass-produced as easily. Carpet is commonly priced by the square foot so your room size will also determine cost. The cost of carpet installation will vary, but many companies will offer free installation if you buy your carpet from them.
Tile Flooring
Popular in bathrooms and kitchens, tile flooring is the cleanest-looking and often the most durable option. Tile prices vary according to the materials used and where theyre produced. Among the options: ceramic, stone, marble and porcelain. Material costs can swing from a few bucks to thousands of dollars per tile, varying from big box mass produced to handcrafted and hand painted. Installation is fairly involved, and is often more expensive than the material costs.
Another Factor
Flooring, particularly tile, can be cold on bare feet. Before you put down your new flooring, you might consider an under-floor heating system, using radiant, electric, liquid or air-heating systems.
When you say "average cost" for a floor installation, what size do you mean?
Sam Sherstobitofff
More than 1 year ago
What is stated here is not exactly when it comes to Bamboo flooring which I installed in my home. It is much more durable then hard wood. There is no problem with women walking in high sharp pointed heels, where as hardwood dents easily.
I am not sure how they rate harness here but I have found bamboo significantly more durable then hardwood.
ATSUMI Goodrich
More than 1 year ago
I don't think I've ever heard of hardwood 'denting' before. I've had hardwood floors since my house was built in 1963 and not a single dent. I even raised 3 girls in this house so many years of high heals as well as many different types.
Zak Khanfar
More than 1 year ago
i always recommend hardwood flooring to my customers with Stone type tile in the bathrooms and the fireplace "always complement natural materials like hardwood with another natural materials like stone tile or slab. ......it is investment for life.......
Zak...".Zaks floor coverings inc."
Andrew Dempsey
More than 1 year ago
Can I get a price for 1000 ft. Of vinyl plank.I already have the materials
Barbara Baldwin
More than 1 year ago
You haven't mentioned Luxury Vinyl Planks as an option.
Janet Embey
More than 1 year ago
I want oak floors refinished. Do you have the dust free sanders?
Jean Hatcher
11 months ago
i have an issue with my plumbing.
Jean Hatcher
11 months ago
logout
Glenn norris
11 months ago
stain concrete
Glenn norris
11 months ago
3700 feet 37x100
paula sangwin
More than 1 year ago
what is low to high cost for removing old tile in all rooms of house other than 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms?
Teresa Hurtig
More than 1 year ago
I am considering removing 452 sq feet of defective bamboo flooring. - only 5 years old - but splitting, separating and major discoloration. Purchased from Lumber Liquidators in July 2013. Can anyone give me a cost estimate?
Lee Ann Hyatt
More than 1 year ago
What is the name of the product used to level floors?
Dell Housewright
More than 1 year ago
No much help. I was looking for replacement of MH subfloor.
Annette Bowser
More than 1 year ago
Have about 500 sq. feet of Mexican tile that needs restored .
Susan Brody
More than 1 year ago
I AM LOOKING FOR PRICES TO CLEAN MY HOME. I WOULD ALSO LIKE PRICES TO CLEAN HARD WOOD FLOORS AND STAIRS.
Cindy Bruning
More than 1 year ago
I have hardwood under carpeting. Can you give me an idea what the plan would be to rip out carpeting, sand floors, stain and finish. Estimate how long it would take and estimate how much? Thanks.
Jason Yerbey
More than 1 year ago
About how big is the area
Amy Hodge
More than 1 year ago
We had beautiful Karndean vinyl that looks like travertine! Everyone that came into !y kitchen thought it was stone! It comes in many different styles and colors, easy care. The expense was well worth it.
Allen Washington
More than 1 year ago
I would like the hold floor replaced.
john geraci
More than 1 year ago
awaiting estimates. going for marble look.
Marietta Murphy
More than 1 year ago
Had my double garage resurfaced by Garage Floor Coating of MN. Area is double garage with minimal extra space. - They did a VERY GOOD job…BUT agreed finish date was late… 3 extra days before I was able to use it. I wanted to use it on July 4th but was not able to GET IN until July 6th in the EVENING. They say it was finished on time BUT the yellow warning tape was still up, (I removed that), roll of draping was still hanging there, AND my garage door opener DIDN'T WORK until they sent people to fix it on July 6th in the evening. So, I requested a $200.00 reduction in the total - so NOT $2800.00 but $2600.00. They said No! After discussion they offered $100.00 reduction. I felt my request for $200.00 off was FAIR. They did not. I settled for $100.00 off. Marietta Murphy Bloomington, MN
I am not sure how they rate harness here but I have found bamboo significantly more durable then hardwood.