Flooring can have a big impact on the value of your home. When it comes to making home improvements and getting the best return on investment, many homeowners focus on things like remodelling their kitchen or bathrooms, finishing a basement or upgrading their windows.
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. One of the things potential buyers will notice is the condition of your floors. If your floors are dated or in need of repair, it can make buyers think twice about putting in an offer.
Carpet has long been a staple in homes, but it is increasingly being left behind in favour of hard surface floors. Tile and hardwood floors are much more durable than carpet, require less maintenance and are easier to keep clean, which are important considerations for many buyers. In addition, wood and tile along with today’s luxury vinyl and laminate options have a more modern look, while carpet can quickly look worn and feel dated.
Surprisingly Smart Flooring Choices
Hardwood Flooring
Not only is hardwood clean, classy, and elegant, but there is arguably no flooring option on the market that can add as much value to your home. For home buyers, solid hardwood floors are always a hot commodity. Part of the reason is that hardwood floors are classic and timeless — they never go out of style.
Hardwood comes with a higher price tag than other types of flooring, but homebuyers are willing to pay more for that quality. When properly installed and maintained, these floors will last for generations. But there are also some very practical reasons why home buyers are willing to pay more for solid hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are easy to keep clean, they’re durable and they won’t trap dirt, dust, dander and other allergens like high-maintenance carpeting will.
Hardwood is a natural product, and depending on its hardness and the type of finish, it can be susceptible to scratches and dents. However, scratches can be sanded out and the floors can be refinished multiple times over the years. Hardwood floors should also be regularly cleaned and maintained in order to keep them looking their best. You don’t need to put in a lot of time and effort, but if you’re willing to give your floors regular attention, they’ll reward you with years of beauty and value.
While the true return on your flooring investment can be difficult to measure, real estate experts estimate that homeowners can add anywhere from 2-5% to their home’s value. You can expect to see a return on investment of between 70-80%, while some experts even estimate a return of 1 to 2+ times your cost.
It’s important to remember that the money value of your home isn’t the only consideration. The emotional value of your home is also important, and hardwood floors can create a distinctive look and atmosphere that dollars can’t measure.
Tile Flooring
Tile is another popular option, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. But it’s important to realise that tile isn’t suitable for every room in your home. Tile is a hard surface that tends to be cold (without radiant heat) and unforgiving underfoot. This makes it ideal in a bathroom or kitchen, where you want a clean and sanitary environment. However, in a living room or bedroom, you probably want a softer, more comfortable surface.
Tile flooring is a great way to add value to your home without breaking the bank. It’s a popular choice for flooring, backsplashes, and countertops because it is durable and easy to clean, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom. In addition, tile comes in a wide range of colours and styles, so you can create a look that suits your taste and matches the style of your home.
But tile can also be a great way to increase the value of your home. Because tile is so durable, it is often seen as a sign of quality by potential buyers. And tile can last for decades with proper care, meaning that it can add and hold value to your home for many years to come. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just want to spruce up your space, new tile flooring is a great investment that is sure to pay off.
If you’re considering tile flooring for your home, it’s important to choose a style that won’t look dated in a few years. First, consider the overall style of your home. If you have a modern home, then you’ll probably want to choose a more contemporary tile. However, if your home has more traditional features, then you might want to choose a classic tile design.
Second, select classic shapes and colours that have timeless appeal. For example, instead of choosing the latest trend — which could quickly look dated — opt for a more traditional pattern such as a subway tile or hexagon shape, or a neutral shape like square or rectangular. If you want to add a touch of personality to your floor, opt for a subtle pattern or texture.
When it comes to colour, stick with muted tones that won’t clash with future trends. Cream, grey and white are all good choices. With careful selection, your tile flooring will still look great years down the road.
Engineered Hardwood
If you’re considering adding hardwood floors to your home, you may be wondering if engineered hardwood is the right choice. But the truth is that engineered hardwood can offer some distinct advantages, both in terms of performance and value.
For starters, engineered hardwood is designed to be just as durable and even more stable than traditional solid hardwood. It’s less susceptible to damage from temperature and humidity fluctuations, meaning that it’s less likely to warp or cup over time.
Additionally, engineered hardwood can be installed over a variety of subfloors like concrete, tile, vinyl, over radiant heat, or as a floating floor — making it a versatile option for any home. And because it’s available in a wide range of wood species, colours, grains, finishes and styles — including wider planks than solid hardwood for a more contemporary look — you’re sure to find an option that fits your personal taste.
Best of all, engineered hardwood can add real value to your home. In fact, it’s more affordable than solid hardwood flooring but still a home improvement project that can increase the resale value of your home. So if you’re looking for a way to add beauty and value to your home, engineered hardwood may be the perfect choice.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
One popular option that homeowners are increasingly considering is luxury vinyl flooring (LVF). LVF is a type of synthetic flooring that mimics the look of natural materials like wood or stone. It’s durable and easy to care for, making it a great choice for busy households.
Luxury vinyl has come a long way in recent years, and they now offer a great balance of beauty, durability and price. If you’re only familiar with standard vinyl flooring options from the past, you’ll be impressed with what’s on the market today. Luxury vinyl is made with a high-density core that is highly resistant to wear and tear. They can also be treated with a special coating that makes them resistant to stains and spills.
In addition, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are often made with a realistic wood grain pattern that gives them an upscale look, while luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are made to look like tile, stone, slate and marble. If maintained properly, vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, depending on the quality of the product and how well it’s installed. It comes in a wide range of attractive, high quality finishes and has a good balance of firmness and give, which makes it much more comfortable underfoot than tile.
Best of all, luxury vinyl is typically much more affordable than solid hardwood or tile floors. So if you’re looking for a beautiful and durable flooring option that won’t break the bank, luxury vinyl flooring is definitely worth considering.
But does it actually add value to your home?
The simple answer is yes. Because it’s so durable and low-maintenance, LVF is seen as a valuable asset by potential buyers. In fact, one study found that homes with LVF sold for an average of 3% more than homes with other types of flooring. Vinyl’s much improved beauty, quality and durability goes a long way with today’s homebuyers. So if you’re thinking about making some changes to your home, LVF is definitely worth considering.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors are a popular choice for many homeowners because they offer the look of real wood floors at a fraction of the cost. They’re made of several layers of high-density fiberboard that are fused together with heat and pressure. A wear-resistant outer layer is then added to protect the print layer from scratching, fading, and staining.
Because laminate floors are so durable, they can be used in high-traffic areas of the home, such as the living rooms, kitchens and hallways. Additionally, laminate floors are very easy to care for — simply vacuum or sweep on a weekly basis and mop with a gentle cleanser when needed.
When compared to other types of hard surface flooring, laminate is generally less expensive. With proper care, a high-quality, properly installed laminate floor can easily last over 20-30 years — making it a very economical choice in the long run.
Additionally, laminate floors are becoming increasingly popular with home buyers. Like luxury vinyl, laminate is seen as a budget-friendly yet quality flooring material that’s both beautiful and durable.
Eco-friendly Flooring: Bamboo and Cork
If you’re looking for eco-friendly options that are also beautiful and durable, bamboo or cork flooring may be the perfect choices for you.
Not only is bamboo a good choice for the environment, but it can also add value to your home. Homebuyers are increasingly interested in sustainable features, and bamboo floors can give your home a competitive edge when it comes time to sell. In fact, homes with bamboo floors have been shown to sell faster and for higher prices than comparable homes with other types of flooring.
Cork flooring is also a great investment for your home. Not only does it add to your home’s resale value, but it’s also easy to repair and refinish, which extends its surface life. It’s a natural product that’s harvested from the bark of cork trees, manufactured into sheets and pressed into tiles or planks.
Cork floors are durable and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas. And because cork is a renewable resource, it’s also eco-friendly.
If you’re looking for durable flooring that will add value to your home, bamboo and cork are great renewable options that appeal to eco-conscious homebuyers.
Avoid These Flooring Mistakes
Anyone who’s renovated their home knows that it can be a fun and rewarding process. They also know that it’s more complicated than it looks. Many first-time DIYers quickly find themselves in over their heads due to improper planning and unexpected challenges. For those who are taking on the task themselves, it’s important to avoid making rookie mistakes.
Have a Plan
First and foremost, proper planning is essential. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a flooring project is simple and straightforward, but there are actually a lot of factors to consider. You need to measure the space you’re working on, determine the square footage, and then add 10 to 15 percent. This will give you the amount of flooring you need. You also need to take into account the type of flooring you want and its special features or installation requirements. By taking the time to plan ahead, you can avoid making costly mistakes that could ultimately jeopardise the success of your project.
Professional Installation vs. DIY
Many homeowners choose to save money by installing their own floors. However, the truth is that a floor is only as good as its installation. Even the most expensive and exquisitely crafted flooring can be ruined by poor installation. Flooring is one area where DIY-ers can easily get in over their heads, because even though it may look simple, there’s so much that goes into doing a professional job.
Professional floor installers install floors every day. Even the most experienced DIYers cannot install a tile or hardwood floor with the quality, efficiency, and speed of an experienced floor installation team. It’s common for inexperienced DIY-ers to make fundamental mistakes that can be costly and time-consuming to fix. Above all, you risk making a significant investment in flooring material — and countless hours of labour — only to end up with a noticeably sloppy installation.
Remember the Subflooring
The subfloor is the foundation for your new floor, so it’s important to make sure you have the right underlayment for your flooring material. It needs to be structurally stable, level and free of debris before you start installation, or you risk having uneven surface variations, squeaking within the floor system, excessive movement and damage to your surface material.
Details Matter
Most floors are not perfectly square, and professionals know how to factor in any irregularities. While some flooring jobs can be done with basic tools, materials like tile and hardwood require more specialised equipment. If you don’t have the right tools for the job, you’re definitely more likely to make mistakes. Installing your own flooring means the added expense of buying or renting these specialised tools.
And if you think no-one will notice an unprofessional installation, you’re wrong. Homebuyers and home inspectors are definitely checking out your floor, and will notice the imperfections, large and small.
Quality Matters
What flooring provides the best value for your home?
In general, high-quality, hard surface floors are the most popular and preferred option among homebuyers. If you’re looking for beautiful, durable, low-maintenance options, then any of the materials we listed above are great ways to increase the value of your home.
If you’re thinking about new floors for your home, also be sure to consult with a professional to get an accurate estimate of all the costs, considerations and benefits. A professional can give you recommendations that suit your style, budget and your home’s character, while keeping in mind the best return for your investment.
XPression: Expert Guidance
Don’t worry if you’re not sure what kind of flooring to choose for your project. Our Ottawa flooring experts are highly knowledgeable and always happy to answer your questions. We can also help with flooring installation.
Simply drop by our showroom or give us a call for a quote at 613-688-2080
