Remodel From the Ground Up With New Flooring

Under Foot

When you’re remodeling a home, flooring is the foundation of the project. And because it’s constantly underfoot, the right type of flooring can make all the difference in creating a space that’s comfortable, functional, and inviting for your family. Each type of flooring has benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand how materials might function in your space before making any decisions. In addition to aesthetics, factors such as durability, cost, and the unique Utah environment should be taken into consideration when selecting the perfect flooring for your remodel.

Eenie Meenie Miny…How do I Choose?

With so many appealing varieties of flooring choices available, including carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, and tile, how do you know which material will best suit your aesthetic and lifestyle? Let’s start by taking a look at the pros and cons of each.

Carpeting

Carpet is a popular flooring choice for many Utah homes. Carpet can provide warmth and comfort, as well as sound insulation from the outside world. It comes in a variety of styles, lengths, patterns, and colors to match any décor, and it’s relatively easy to install.

Popular carpeting options include Berber, shag, frieze, plush and Saxony carpets. All of these have their own unique look and feel that can fit various décor styles as well as provide different levels of function and comfort depending on the desired purpose of each room.

However, carpets are prone to stains and need cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Regular vacuuming and steam-cleaning are essential. Additionally, carpet doesn’t last forever, so you may end up having to replace it within 5-10 years, depending on how much wear it gets.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is a great option for high-traffic areas or for homeowners that prefer something easy to care for. It’s a perfect way to add the look of hardwood or stone to your home with less hassle and expense. Laminate floors are made of pressed particleboard wood base covered with a photographic image that looks like real hardwood or stone. It tends to be more durable than other types of flooring, making it ideal for areas such as kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, or living rooms where messes or high traffic might occur.

There are many types of laminate available, including high-pressure laminates (HPL), which feature an extremely durable top layer made from melamine resin that makes them highly resistant to scratches, dents, and fading. Other popular varieties include luxury vinyl planks (LVPs), engineered wood laminates, and even bamboo.

When it comes to durability and maintenance, laminate floors tend to stand up well over time in comparison with other materials such as carpeting or tile. They’re much easier to clean since all you need is a damp cloth or mop—no special cleaning solutions required. However, when spills happen on laminate flooring, they can be difficult to remove or can stain if not cleaned before they have time to set in. 

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl has seen a resurgence in popularity among homeowners lately due to its affordability and durability compared to other types of materials like hardwood or tile floors. Vinyl is a synthetic material consisting of several layers of material pressed together to form water-resistant, inexpensive, long-lasting flooring. It’s easy to install and comes in a wide variety of styles and colors to compliment your existing decor or mimic wood, stone, marble, and more. 

Vinyl sheets come in both plank or sheet form (for larger spaces) or tiles (for smaller areas). The two primary types of vinyl available are plank form (for larger spaces) and tiles (for smaller areas). Plank vinyl consists of large strips that are laid out side by side, a look that mimics real wood due to its lengthwise orientation, which gives it a more “natural” feel than tile options would provide. On the other hand, tile vinyl typically features square pieces with interlocking edges which can be arranged into various patterns depending on personal preference. The texture found on these tiles also helps prevent slips while providing some additional sound insulation. They’re also ideal if you want something softer underfoot than traditional ceramic or stone. 

Vinyl is easy to care for and only requires basic maintenance—occasional sweeping and mopping. And though it’s more scratch and moisture-resistant than other surfaces like hardwood, vinyl is still susceptible to damage such as fading from persistent exposure to the sun or denting and scuffing, particularly from large, heavy pieces of furniture. 

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood has been used as flooring for centuries due to its timeless beauty and elegance; however, this type of material isn’t always suitable in certain situations, such as bathrooms, where moisture levels could damage the product over time if not properly sealed.

When it comes to hardwood flooring, there are a variety of types available that can be used to create the look and feel you desire for your home. Common options include oak, maple, cherry, walnut, hickory, and ash, some of which are native to Utah and would lend a natural tie to the state’s environment. Each type of hardwood has its own unique characteristics, such as color variations or grain patterns, which makes it fun to find one that perfectly matches your personal tastes and existing décor.

When considering durability and maintenance for hardwood floors in Utah homes, it’s important to consider factors such as humidity levels (which may cause warping over time) as well as potential damage from pets or furniture moving around on top of them regularly. Additionally, some types of wood may need additional protection from spills or water—such as waxing or sealing—in order to look their best over long periods. While this is an extra step in upkeep at first; doing so regularly can help preserve these materials for years down the road while also providing a beautiful shine.

Tile Flooring

Tile is a popular flooring choice due to its versatility and durability. There are numerous types of tile available, including ceramic, porcelain, quarry stone, and glass; each offering its own unique look and feel that can be tailored to fit your personal preferences. Certain materials such as marble or granite also provide added durability, which makes them perfect for areas with high traffic or heavy use, such as the kitchen or mudroom!

When it comes to maintenance, tile floors tend to hold up very well over time. They’re highly resistant to scratches, dents, or fading—making them ideal if you have kids or pets in the house. Additionally, tiles require minimal upkeep in order to keep them looking fresh: all you need is to give them a quick sweep or mop every now and then. However, it’s important not to forget about the grout lines between tiles since these can become discolored after extended exposure without proper cleaning; so make sure these get tackled at least once every 6 months or more often depending on how much foot traffic goes through those particular spots.

Tile is more time-consuming to install and requires some skill and special equipment to cut, place, and grout. And in Utah’s winter months, tile can feel colder underfoot than other materials such as carpet and hardwood. But with its durability in high-traffic and moisture-prone areas and ease of cleaning and maintenance, it’s easy to see why tile is such a popular flooring choice. 

What Next?

At this point, whether or not you’ve decided on which type of flooring to use in your remodel, you probably have questions, and Utah Home Remodel is here to help. Our remodeling experts can walk you through more flooring options, offer suggestions based on your personal budget, floor plan, aesthetic, or lifestyle needs, help calculate the cost and timeframe of the project, and get the job done with precision craftsmanship and care. So, let’s talk and get your new flooring started on the right foot!