Perhaps you have recently looked at a room in your home and thought: "That flooring needs replacing." Or it may be more than one room. Then you may have asked yourself: "What are the options?" This article will look at some of the options and the work and costs they involve.
If you have floors of solid wood planking that have become worn, you have something of value that is worth keeping. They can be sanded down and refinished to provide many more decades of use. Wood flooring gives a warm feeling to a room. It is durable, and provides good insulation value. A room with a nicely finished wood floor is distinctive, and adds value to your home.
You can hire a firm to do the refinishing, or you can do it yourself. It is a lot of work, but you will be pleased with the results. Home improvement stores will rent you the commercial floor sander--and any other equipment you may need. Choose a new stain and finish that blends with the decor of the room.
Another option is to install wall to wall carpeting. If there is old carpeting in the room, it may be easiest to simply replace it with new. When you take out the old carpeting, you may be unpleasantly surprised at what you find underneath. You may find an accumulation of fine dirt. You may realize that the old carpet had become a haven for zillions of dust mites. You may wish you had replaced the carpet earlier.
Again, it can be a DIY job or you can pay someone. Often, home improvement stores offer a special deal on installation if you buy the carpet from them. You definitely want new padding also.
If you decide to do it yourself, you may be able to re-use the strips the carpet is fastened to. You will want to thoroughly clean the floor before putting down new carpet; sweep and also vacuum, even mop if the floor has sealant. You won't get a chance to clean that floor's surface again for years!
For a floor that gets wear and tear, such as the kitchen or foyer, vinyl tile is an inexpensive, easy to install, and practical option. It will be waterproof and durable. Vinyl tile is available in almost any color and texture. It can look very much like more expensive ceramic tile or stone.
Or you can choose the highly durable and classy look of ceramic tile or stone. This is harder to install, but can be worth the effort.
Many people today are choosing the inexpensive and handsome option of wood laminate flooring. The construction of laminate flooring has advanced. It can have a fine appearance and provide a lasting floor you will be proud of. It is relatively easy to install--but read the directions carefully. Laminate flooring with an underside of insulation is a good option. It can decrease your heating bills.
Painting a floor is easy, and may be a good option in some places. But you will have to repaint fairly often, even is you used a good quality paint. A painted floor is susceptible to water damage and wear.
A stencil design painted on canvas, or directly on the floor, is becoming popular again. It was used in the nineteenth century, and is enjoying a comeback. It can provide an antique charm to a room.
Check out all the options given above, and you are sure to find the right flooring for your room.