Whether you are remodelling, thinking of remodelling, or just want to know more about what your flooring in your home is worth, here is a list of the best kinds of flooring to have in your home. 

 

In the first quarter (not half, quarter!!!) of 2021, $353 billion was spent in North America on remodelling projects. How much of that do you think accounted for flooring? 

 

Hardwood Flooring is Still King.

Solid hardwood (oak, maple or walnut) is still some of the highest valued types of flooring to this day. Solid hardwood flooring is known to stand the test of time lasting up to 100 years when properly taken care of.
Hardwood flooring has the best return on investment with an average of 106%. The beauty of hardwood flooring is you can always refinish it to change its look without having to replace the entire floor again. Making hardwood the most durable and cost-effective type of flooring. 

Harwood is best when kept away from water and humidity. So the location of the home will make a huge difference in durability. It is best kept away from kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

Hardwood is difficult to install so make sure to not use it to test a DIY project. Hire an expert floorer to install all areas of hardwood. Hardwood does require more maintenance than other types of flooring. Make sure to ask your expert installer the best products to use on preserving and cleaning the floors. Stay away from any products that might strip the flooring.

Engineered Hardwood is a Great Choice. 

Engineered wood flooring looks similar to hardwood but is constructed differently. It is constructed with some hardwood on the top, plywood in the middle, and more hardwood on the bottom. 

Engineered hardwood can last between 20 - 40 years (depending on the environment, use, and care), and can be refinished once or twice depending on the quality and finishing changes. 

Engineered hardwood is much more water-resistant making it better for places like kitchens and laundry rooms. 

One of the biggest perks of engineered hardwood is it is cheaper than hardwood for more reasons than one! The return on investment difference between engineered hardwood and hardwood is minimal! So depending on your lifestyle, ability to maintain, if you have pets, etc, engineered hardwood may be the way to go! Engineered hardwood, similar to hardwood, is tricky to install. So same protocol goes for hiring a pro and asking necessary questions.

 

Exotic Wood Flooring 

Back in the 90’s & early 00’s exotic flooring like teak, cypress, bamboo, cork and pecan were popular choices. If you haven’t seen them before they have beautiful, unique, bright in colours and designs. And they are more expensive than traditional hardwood. They quickly fell out of popularity with the growing concern of the environmental impacts of removing these slow-growing types of wood from their native habitats. 

Depending on wood type, all characteristics vary. For installation, always ensure to hire an exotic wood specialist. Living in rural areas and choosing this type of wood may be difficult due to the availability of specialists as well as specialized cleaning and maintenance supplies. Be sure if you’re choosing this variety of wood you have access to all the specialized care it may need. 

 

 

Luxury Vinyl Too Look Like Hardwood for Less

Luxury vinyl is a great cost-effective option with amazing durability. It looks like hardwood but is waterproof, won’t grow mould, won’t warp, and won’t take in water. It works perfectly in all areas hardwood is not recommended such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

LVP requires little to no maintenance and has less expensive maintenance supplies. 

You do not get as much return on investment for LVP but as long as it looks well-maintained people will likely not be too fussy. 

Vinyl is much easier to install. If you are a handy DIY’er you may consider taking this project on your own, or you may still consider hiring a professional.


Laminate Flooring 

Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials and is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and water. It is great flooring to have for people who are on the go and rough on their floors with no time for floor maintenance. This is a great choice of flooring for young families who live busy and active lifestyles with kids and pets. 

Laminate flooring is easy to install and can be done by a handy DIY’er. 

Laminate flooring has a vast variety of colours and patterns to pick from. 

 

 

Carpets

Do everyone a favour and rip out all wall-to-wall carpets. It is a trend of the ’50s. It is the cheapest flooring material per square foot and the easiest to install. 

If you are selling your home, know, that every time someone walks in and sees the wall-to-wall carpet, they add in the expense of ripping it out and replacing it with some kind of wood flooring. 

For areas like bedrooms where most like some carpet, consider area rugs or depending on your budget, heated floors. 

Carpets decrease the value of your home. People stress about odours, allergens, stains and much more. 

 

 

Tile

Tiles, when done right and following trends, can add tremendous value to your home! Tile is great in high traffic areas or areas that receive a lot of moisture like kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and entranceways. They are also great in more humid climates. 

Depending on tile choice, there is very minimal maintenance required. Tiles offer a wides range of choices with styles, shapes, colours. If you think it, there is probably a tile for it! 

The most expensive part of the tile is the installation. If you are a go-getter, have all the tools, and know-how, then have fun with your installation! 

Your next tile project can have a great return on investment. 

 

 

 

Stone

When it comes to stone flooring, similar to tile, there are many different options. The ones that are most popular and hold their value the most are travertine, granite, marble and terrazzo. Again, very similarly to tile, stone floors are perfect for humid environments or areas with large moisture exposure. 

The downside of stone flooring is the high upfront cost for both materials and installation, as well as some kinds, which may require lots of maintenance to avoid staining and cracking. 

Stone still typically has a higher return on investment than most flooring, but be cautioned to choose wisely based on lifestyle needs. 

 

The best way to choose your new flooring is based on your lifestyle, budget, and overall look of your home (you don’t want the floor to be out of place, keep it current with updates). Remember too, there are costs for demolition and removal. Make sure you budget accordingly for your project. Also, don’t overdo it! By that, we mean to keep in mind your home's price point. If you are in a neighbourhood of homes worth $200,000 don’t do a $700,000 upgrade. Your home likely won’t be worth $900,000 when it’s done because of the neighbourhood it’s in. And finally, think about how this project will affect your lifestyle. If you are living with contractors in your kitchen for a week, what expenses might you incur with the cost of eating out and whatnot. 

 

But finally, best of luck if you choose to re-do your flooring!