Buying Your New Floor!

Buying Your New Floor

Buying a new floor is a big and expensive step in your life. It is one of the most important things to get right, whether you are moving into a new home or refreshing your current one. With all the different options available at your finger tips, along with all the pressure for picking the right one, it is an incredibly overwhelming and daunting task. In this blog post we will guide you through the process, and weigh out the pros and cons and necessary items to think about when buying a brand new floor. Znet Flooring is here to help you!

What to Consider…

Many important things to consider about your lifestyle is the traffic level, moisture levels 

(can range from the humidity in your area from where this floor will be placed, bathroom or kitchen), pets, sunlight, and your subfloor. It’s also important to take into consideration whether or not you’re planning on installing it professionally or DIY, as some floors are made with DIY-ers in mind. 

When picking out flooring, it’s crucial to take into consideration which type of floor you’ll want to buy and it’s usually between vinyl, laminate, and hardwood floors. These different types of flooring are differently suited for different types of homes, or even different areas in your home. Important things to consider are your climate, traffic, subfloor, sunlight exposure, cleaning, and if pets or children are in the house. Many people make the mistake of choosing their floor based on color or aesthetics alone, when there is so much more that goes into choosing your perfect floor than just that. It’s important to take into consideration how your home is being used by you and the other people (or creatures!) that inhabit the space.

Let's review! Important things to consider: 

• Traffic level
• Moisture Level
• Pets and/or children
• DIY 
• Subfloor quality 
• Sunlight exporsure

Below, we will go into more detail about the importance and what to specifically look for! 

The Breakdown

Start by thinking about how much foot traffic the space will see on a daily basis. Entryways, hallways, kitchens, and main living areas experience far more wear than bedrooms, bathrooms or guest rooms. Higher traffic areas benefit from flooring with stronger surface protection and durability, while lower traffic rooms offer more flexibility in style and finish. Vinyl and hardwood floors are both good options for higher traffic areas, since theyre both durable and last a long time. Floors with higher wear layers have better protection than floors with lesser wear layers, you can read our blog post about wear layers here!
Moisture exposure is extremely important to consider, while the climate you live in can affect it, different rooms in your house can experience more moisture than others. Bathrooms and kitchens experience a lot of water. Once these factors are considered, it becomes much easier to narrow down which manufacturer makes the most sense for your space. Moisture does not only apply to spills or accidents on your floor, however those are still important to consider.Some floors, like vinyls, are much better equipped to deal with everyday moisture and spills than others, while laminate calls for better and more careful care. It’s also important to remember that water-resistant and waterproof do not always mean flood-proof.

Homes with pets need flooring that can handle everyday accidents, quick cleanups, and extra wear from claws and tumultuous activity. While no floor is completely damage-proof, certain flooring types are easier to maintain and more forgiving in pet-friendly households. Cleaning habits and response time often matter just as much as the flooring itself. Floors with a thicker wear layer may also be more useful and durable in a house with pets. 

Typically, natural sunlight will not be a problem for your floor because your floor will not be outside or directly exposed to sunlight often. Floors that are outside for too long may fade, so if you do have a room with large windows you may want to have simple preventive measures, like window treatments. 

Your subfloor also plays a role in determining the best flooring option. Concrete and wood subfloors behave differently, especially when it comes to moisture and installation methods. Certain flooring types are better suited for slab foundations, while others perform best over plywood or OSB subfloors.

Once you’ve taken these factors into consideration, it will be a lot easier to figure out which type of flooring is easiest and best for you and your home!

Now What? 

Right now, vinyl floors are the most popular for their durability and supreme waterproof-ness while still maintaining a lovely price point. Vinyl floors handle water better due to their core, because it's a synthetic core it doesn't swell with water intake like laminate floors do, and Shaw's COREtec has cornered the market on premium vinyl floors! Along with that, they also do not need any acclimation like laminate or hardwood.  Vinyl flooring is also mainly the easiest flooring to install and deal with. Some manufacturers, like Karndean, have made an incredibly easy DIY vinyl floor, called ‘looselay’ that can be installed with minimal subfloor prep. ADURA Flex is also another one that is easy and popular amongst DIYers, due to its forgiving nature. Though a lot of glue down vinyls have a similar “flexible” feature.

Wood floors are known for their luxury, high price point, and beauty. Unlike carpets, they don't trap dust or allergens easy making it a good choice for those who care about higher indoor air quality. Though, while daily cleaning is low maintance you will need to be able to clean up spills and accidents quickly otherwise it may suffer water damage. While wood is durable, it also scratches easily, making it not a great choice for those co-existing with pets, though they make for good resell value and a more natural look to your home. Mannington has some gorgeous hardwood to offer you, take a look here! However, they are harder to install, and likely would need a professional installation team to properly install it. Though, some do think that a well loved hardwood flooring with scratches and all, makes for a gorgeous authentic look in your home. Especially since it’s regarded and generally more durable than others, as a well cared for hardwood floor can last you decades. They can be quite durable in high traffic areas. Furniture can also be a perpetrator of scratches on your floor, any floor but especially hardwood floors, so it's important to use felt pads, learn more about them here! However, if your wood floors do get damaged you can sand them down and refinish them, a luxury you do not have with other floors. They can also get stained professionally to better match the color scheme you have in mind for your home.

Laminate floors are most cost effective, though they typically come second to Vinyl Floors due to their water resistance. Their cores are still made with wood or cork, making them more environmentally friendly but they still have issues with water. Officially, vinyl floors are waterproof, as they are not made from natural materials so it doesn't affect them too much, while laminate floors are water resistant. They can handle a little water damage, but since they are made from natural materials too much water can turn into an issue really fast. This makes them sensitive to certain types of climates as well, making it common to leave out laminate flooring for 2-3 days before installation to let it acclimate to the weather, or else it may swell or shrink depending on humidity in the area. Mohawk has made amazing laminate floor lines, like RevWood and Puretech to give your home a lovely touch,  also making laminate flooring one of the easiest floors to clean. They don’t stain like wood, and aren't very needy making them only require a light sweeping.

FAQ ; TLDR:

• Foot traffic is important to consider! Hardwood and Vinyl floors do well in high-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens, and hallways because of their thicker wear layers, while low-traffic rooms allow more flexibility.
• Think about moisture from spills, humidity, and everyday use, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl handles moisture better than laminate or hardwood.
• Homes with pets need flooring that can handle accidents, quick cleanups, and extra wear. Thicker wear layers and proper maintenance can make a big difference.
• Most floors won’t be affected by sunlight, but rooms with large windows may need simple prevention like window treatments to reduce fading!
• Concrete and wood subfloors handle moisture and installation differently, and some flooring types perform better depending on what’s underneath. 
• Final thought: Once these factors are considered, choosing the right flooring for your home becomes much easier.

What is the best flooring for most homes?

The best flooring for most homes is vinyl flooring because it is waterproof, durable, and easy to maintain, while still offering great style at a practical price. 

Is vinyl flooring better than laminate?

Vinyl flooring is better than laminate for kitchens, bathrooms, and busy homes because vinyl is waterproof, while laminate is water resistant and can swell if water sits too long.

Is hardwood flooring worth it?

Hardwood flooring is worth it if you want premium looks, a decades lasting floor, and resale value or if you love the look of nature and wood, and you’re okay with more upkeep since hardwood can scratch and reacts more to moisture than vinyl.

What flooring is best for kitchens and bathrooms?

The best flooring for kitchens and bathrooms is vinyl because it handles spills, humidity, and everyday water without warping like wood-based floors can.

What is the best flooring for pets?

The best flooring for pets is vinyl because it resists moisture from accidents and holds up well to daily wear, while hardwood can show scratches faster and laminate needs quicker spill cleanup.

Do I need professional installation for new flooring?

You don’t always need professional installation because many vinyl and laminate floors are DIY-friendly, but hardwood is usually best installed by a pro for long-term performance. However, all floor types can benefit from being installed professionally.

How can Znet Flooring help me choose the right floor?

Znet Flooring helps you choose the right floor by matching you with the best option for your space, budget, and lifestyle, so you get a floor that looks great and lasts.