Laying the groundwork of a room can sometimes be the toughest part.
Choosing flooring options can be tough for many homeowners. Whether you are building your home or renovating a room, people see the benefits of hardwood flooring and the benefits of vinyl flooring. Hardwood flooring typically comes from solid pieces of wood or wood that has been layered to provide a different aesthetic experience. On the other hand, vinyl flooring is often a textured material that lays on top of plastic sheeting.
Let’s go through several important points for your flooring so you can decide if hardwood flooring or vinyl flooring is the best choice for your home remodeling project.
Installation of Flooring
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are best installed on level wooden or cement foundations. Wood bends over time, so the foundation's evenness is important to creating and maintaining a level floor. Make sure to leave a gap between the wall and the flooring for expansion.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is typically easier to install than hardwood. For vinyl flooring, you need the surface to be completely clean. Vinyl can go on concrete, wood, or another flooring that is already in place. Vinyl flooring is easier to install, but harder to remove.
Costs of Flooring
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring materials usually cost more. There is a range in prices depending on the quality of the materials you choose to use. Maple or oak wood panels typically cost between $5 and $13 per square foot. Mahogany and other expensive wood materials can get up to $25 per square foot and more. Installation costs can be higher as well because wood flooring is more difficult to install. Hardwood flooring makes up for the price of materials and installation costs by increasing the resale value of your home.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring materials are typically less expensive. You can get vinyl in three types: planks, sheet, and tile. Sheet is the least expensive that can be as little as $0.50 per square foot with tiles and planks ranging up to $6 per square foot.
Maintenance of Flooring
Hardwood Flooring
You will need to protect your hardwood flooring from scratches. Sweep up dust, dirt, rocks, and debris to avoid any marks on your flooring. Use cleaning products made for wood flooring. Every decade or so you will need to refinish or redo your hardwood flooring.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is easier to maintain. Make sure to regularly sweep and mop it. You can even vacuum it to clear debris. Make sure to use area rugs in high traffic areas to avoid damaging your floor. Remember, you can only replace vinyl flooring, not repair it.
The Durability of Flooring
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring will have a long lifespan, if you take care of it. Hardwood also can be fixed up and refinished if it gets damaged. Watch out for moisture damage by not having hardwood flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring stands up to day to day wear and tear of average lifestyles. Scratches, dust, and moisture mean nothing to vinyl as you will see no damage. The problem is, if your vinyl flooring gets damaged, there is no coming back. Prepare for easy maintenance or replacement.
Get the Right Flooring for Your Home with the Remodeling Experts
Vinyl and hardwood flooring both provide great options for your home’s flooring. You may want different types of flooring in different areas of your home. To get the best outcome for your home’s flooring, call in the experts at More for Less Remodeling. Our team of professionals can help you pick out the right flooring to satisfy your family’s needs and then get it installed under budget. Call us today to chat through your project.