Building a home can be very exciting, but it can also be very overwhelming. There are many choices to make when deciding on finishes in your home from counter tops and cabinets to paint and flooring. And depending on your needs and lifestyle, there may be better options than others when selecting flooring for your home.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the types of flooring materials used in your new home.

1.       What is the main purpose of the room or area?

Depending on whether the room is the main entryway to the house, the kitchen, bathroom, kids’ playroom, or bedroom will likely contribute to your decision on which flooring you choose. Areas where sinks or other plumbing fixtures are present typically have hard-surfaced flooring such as laminate, tile, or vinyl. Lounging areas and bedrooms are typically carpeted.

2.       Is it in a high-traffic area or near an outdoor entrance to the house?

High-traffic areas, or areas where the occupants of the home will be frequently walking, tend to get worn more quickly than other parts of the flooring, especially with carpeted floors. However, if the flooring is located at the entrance of the home, hard-surfaced flooring can get quite slippery.

3.       Do you have pets or children who may scratch, dent, or rip the material?

Pets with claws and children can damage hardwood floors. But depending on the age of your children, you may consider installing carpet to help pad any slips or trips.

4.       Do you or anyone in your family suffer from allergies?

For those who suffer from allergies, especially pet dander and dust, having carpeted floors can cause issues.

5.       How much money do you want to spend on flooring?

There are several flooring options for practically any budget. Of course, the higher the budget, the more options that are available.

6.       How much time do you plan to spend on maintenance?

Some flooring requires continued maintenance. Carpet usually needs to be shampooed once or twice per year. Sometimes, certain types of hardwood flooring require staining or waxing as well. Other types of flooring require little to no maintenance.

7.       What style or look are you trying to achieve?

From rustic to modern and industrial to traditional, picking the right flooring can make or break your look. Not only do you have to choose the right finish, but the right color and pattern as well.

Choosing the right flooring for your home can make or break the look and can be very expensive to replace. Once you have answered the questions listed above, you will have a better idea of what type of flooring will fit your needs. For a more detailed description of the different types of flooring options, check out our blog post about five different flooring options here.

One thing to always keep in mind is that if you decide at a later time that the flooring you chose is not working, it can definitely be replaced with something else. If you are looking for experts to help you build a custom home (including choosing the flooring), give us a call or contact J. Thompson Builders here.