5 Tips for Choosing Hardwood or Laminate Flooring

Does your home harbor stained carpet or another type of over-worn and outdated flooring? Considering hardwood or laminate as replacements is a smart decision, however, choosing which is best for you and your home could seem impossible. Follow these five tips to make easy work of selecting your house’s new floor.

Review Your Options and Research

Don’t immediately commit to the first type of hardwood or laminate you lay eyes on. A consultation with a contractor well-versed in floor materials helps you determine which is best for both your lifestyle and the space in which it will be installed. Choose styles you love, pay attention to hardness levels and compare pricing.

Compare Samples in the Comfort of Your Own Home

Observing samples of flooring within your space gives an idea of what will lookbest when installed. You may love something you eye in a showroom and feel completely different about it once you’ve looked at it for several days in your own house.

Decide Which Flooring is Most Suitable for Your Home

Once you start comparing both solid hardwood and laminate, choosing which is best for you may become difficult. Keep in mind the use of the area in which it will be installed. If spills or wetness are common, laminate may be a better choice. Hardwood is best for increasing the resale value of your home if that’son your radar. Depending on budget, laminate is often a more economical choice over hardwood.

Consider Warranties

It can be tempting to make your final selection based off accompanying warranties. While it’s best to avoid those as low as one or two years, it’s unlikely to make much of a difference once you raise above the 15-year mark.

Proper Installation is Key

You can choose the highest-quality floor money can buy, but if it’s improperly installed that quality won’t shine through and you’ll be left feeling disappointed. Choose a contractor with experience installing your final choice.

Ultimately, taking your time with your decision, comparing options to ensure they meet your needs and hiring the right flooring professional are the keys to choosing and loving your new floors.