Flooring is the foundation of any interior design. It sets the stage for your furniture, decor, and overall aesthetic. But with a dizzying array of options available, how do you choose the best flooring for your home?

This guide explores popular flooring choices, highlighting their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Hardwood Flooring: A Timeless Choice

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for its natural beauty, warmth, and enduring style. It complements a wide range of design aesthetics, from traditional to modern, and adds a touch of elegance to any space.

Pros:

• Durability: Hardwood is a resilient material that can withstand years of foot traffic.
• Variety: Choose from various wood species, colors, and finishes to match your style.
• Timeless Appeal: Hardwood flooring never goes out of style and can increase your home’s value.

Cons:

Susceptibility to Moisture: Hardwood can be damaged by water and humidity, making it less suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.

Maintenance: Requires regular cleaning and occasional refinishing to maintain its beauty.

Cost: Can be more expensive than other flooring options.

Tile Flooring: Durable and Versatile

Tile flooring offers exceptional durability and water resistance, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas and moisture-prone spaces.

Pros:

• Water Resistance: Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to clean and resistant to stains and scratches.
• Design Versatility: Available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and styles to suit any taste.

Cons:

Hardness: Can be hard and cold underfoot.

Installation: Can be more complex and time-consuming to install than other flooring options.

Potential for Cracking: Can crack or chip if heavy objects are dropped on it.

Laminate Flooring: Budget-Friendly and Practical

Laminate flooring offers the look of hardwood or tile at a more affordable price point. It’s a durable and versatile option that’s suitable for various rooms in your home.

Pros:

• Affordability: A cost-effective alternative to hardwood and tile.
• Durability: Resistant to scratches, stains, and fading.
• Easy Installation: Often comes in click-together planks for easy DIY installation.

Cons:

• Moisture Sensitivity: While more water-resistant than hardwood, excessive moisture can still cause damage.
• Less Authentic Look: May not have the same visual appeal as real hardwood or tile.
• Not Refinish-able: Cannot be sanded down and refinished like hardwood.

Vinyl Flooring: Resilient and Water-Resistant

Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for its durability, water resistance, and affordability. It comes in various styles, including sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and vinyl plank flooring.

Pros:

• Water Resistance: Highly resistant to water and moisture, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Durability: Can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches and dents.
• Comfort: Softer and warmer underfoot compared to tile.

Cons:

• Susceptibility to Fading: Can fade over time with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Environmental Concerns: Traditional vinyl flooring can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Look for low-VOC options.
• Less Desirable than Natural Materials: May not have the same appeal as hardwood or tile.

Natural Stone Flooring: Elegant and Unique

Natural stone flooring, such as marble, granite, and slate, offers a luxurious and timeless look. Each stone has unique characteristics, adding character and visual interest to your space.

Pros:

• Durability: Extremely durable and long-lasting.
• Unique Beauty: Each piece of stone has its own natural variations, creating a one-of-a-kind look.
• Increased Home Value: Can significantly enhance the value of your home.

Cons:

• Cost: Can be one of the most expensive flooring options.
• Maintenance: Requires regular sealing to prevent staining and damage.
• Hardness: Can be hard and cold underfoot.

Beyond the Basics: Handrails and Posts

While often overlooked, handrails and posts contribute to your home’s overall aesthetic. Refinishing these elements can breathe new life into your space.

Benefits of Refinishing:

• Restored Beauty: Removes scratches, stains, and signs of wear.
• Increased Longevity: Protects from further damage.
• Updated Style: Allows you to change the color to complement your design.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right flooring involves considering your lifestyle, budget, and design preferences. Factors like foot traffic, moisture levels, and the overall style of your home should all play a role in your decision.

Need help navigating your flooring options? Contact Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement for expert advice and professional installation and refinishing services. Get your FREE quote today!

Buildings should be built with the future in mind. Whether this is the first building you’ve ever renovated or you want to rework your process and create something completely new, you’re not alone in this pursuit.
These are the top renovations to keep in mind.

1. What Makes Materials More Durable?

More durable materials, like slate or metal, are stable because of how dense they are and how long-lasting they can be. For instance, wood shake shingles can last thirty to fifty years if well maintained, but slate, which is denser and more durable, will last up to a hundred years.
More durable materials were built that way from the get-go and are made even more durable by being maintained properly. You can make almost anything last a long time by treating it correctly.

2. Does Durable Automatically Mean More Expensive?

When looking at materials like synthetic stucco, it’s easy to feel like you’re staring down a hundred different options that are incredibly similar to one another. Although it’s vital that you make the right choice, what that choice is will often be blurred by price, timing, and reviews.
Durable doesn’t mean more expensive.
Instead, look at the timeline the sellers have for how long it will last and at reviews from buyers who have purchased it before. Although many durable materials that are carefully manufactured will be pricey, you might still be able to get a good deal!

3. What Areas of the Home Should You Invest In?

Some portions of your home will require more updates and work than others. Most people focus their attention on their kitchens and bathrooms since these are areas we interact with more than any other.
Go for energy-efficient updates that use less power while still functioning incredibly well.
Beyond the machinery, look at flooring in these areas! Waterproof, strong, and attractive should all be in your mind when hunting for good floor materials.

4. How Does Weather Resistance Factor In?

The weather in your area will make a huge difference in choices like porcelain vs. concrete pavers or what type of building layout you need to lead with. Look at the weather in your area and how it’s shifted over the years.
Are you in a space that deals with a lot of forest fires? Is flooding a high risk in your city? Although the weather has seemed more unpredictable than ever before in recent years, you can still work to protect your property from most natural disasters with a little planning and high-quality materials.

5. Energy Efficiency Takes it Further

Energy efficiency is incredibly important because it helps you save money in the long run, runs your HVAC system less, which makes it last longer, and can give back to the environment you’re in.
Using energy-efficient materials and supplies will make your property last longer and generally not be updated or upgraded nearly as often. Simply remember to maintain these areas of your home.

6. Why Work With Professionals On Every Step

It can be tempting to DIY as much as possible and avoid spending a lot of money, but you can end up hurting yourself in the long run with this. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could install something improperly or possibly buy the wrong product or tool needed for the job.
These repairs and replacements will end up costing you more money, wasting time, products, money, and energy. Working with a professional from the first moment will save you any of that embarrassment and cost.

7. Can These Projects Offer High ROI?

Yes! You can easily create a great return on investment if you know what you’re doing. For instance, updating to a slate roof, which lasts longer, will boost your home’s value instantly. Look into the age of areas of your home, and try to update the older portions first since those will need the most work.
Buyers get scared away by large projects and unfinished properties, so completing these will help your bottom line.

8. Easy Mistakes to Avoid

There are countless mistakes that could bring down a home renovation, but it’s important that you know these three largest ones.
Avoiding budgeting or planning your time schedule ahead of time is a huge mistake that could lead to an unfinished project that wastes endless dollars and hours. Take your time and lay out a thorough plan before you ever start.
Another mistake is jumping in before talking to your HOA. If you have a homeowners’ association, it’s extremely important that you speak with them before completing any projects.
The third mistake is DIY-ing it! You’ll cost yourself more money and time if you try to do things alone without any formal training.

Durable Building Materials Are the Best Choice

The buildings you create should last for many lifetimes beyond you, so it’s vital that you start with the best materials possible. Work with professionals like Patricks Painting to create a building that lasts.

Andrew Wesley

Andrew Wesley is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on painting projects and materials. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Andrew’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisors, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.

It can be argued that there is no such thing as a “bad” renovation project. After all, any time you make an improvement to your property, it will pay some sort of dividend, whether it be increased safety, functionality, or resale value.
With that said, there will be some projects that you want to prioritize over others. For example, any type of renovation that will increase energy efficiency, prevent any subsequent issues from arising, or improve the safety of your home should be above more luxury-minded renovations on your checklist. With this in mind, keep reading to discover 5 top renovation projects to pursue first.

Any Projects That Increase R-Value

Unless you have been living under a rock, the importance of energy efficiency in all walks of life is one of the issues with which you are undoubtedly most familiar. For homeowners, there are numerous ways that energy efficiency can be improved. Some of the most popular ideas include solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and smart thermostats.

However, one of the best ways to curb energy consumption in your home is to renovate with R-value in mind. R-value is the measure of a home’s insulative quality, with a higher R-value indicating a more well-insulated (and more energy-efficient) home. Some ways to increase the R-value of your home include installing a continuous insulation system in the walls and roof that eliminates thermal bridges, choosing framing and roofing materials that have high thermal mass, and making sure that there are no leaks in the building envelope that will allow unwanted air transfer.

To this effect, one of the best ways to improve the R-value of your home is through the installation of synthetic stucco. This unique cladding system uses a layered approach to create a true air and watertight exterior that has an R-value significantly higher than traditional stucco siding. In addition, synthetic stucco can be applied using a number of attractive finishes that not only improves the home’s R-value, but enhances curb appeal as well.

Saying Goodbye to Concrete Driveways and Sidewalks

Concrete sidewalks and driveways have been a staple in suburban America for decades. And in all fairness, fresh concrete surfaces do look classy. However, exterior concrete comes up short along a number of lines. First, unsealed concrete can be highly absorbent, leading to cracking and buckling during temperature changes. Furthermore, flowing water readily rolls over concrete, increasing the risk of erosion that will threaten your landscaping and possibly even your foundation.

Therefore, when it comes time for a replacement, many homeowners are choosing to forgo the concrete and choosing gravel and other types of permeable stone landscaping pavers. While these types of surfaces traditionally ran the risk of rutting and clumping, innovative permeable pavers hold gravel and stone in place in the face of hydrostatic and other forms of pressure, ensuring a consistent appearance that maximizes the natural drainage properties of gravel.

Projects That Improve the Quality of Exterior Space

Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, renovation projects that increase the quality of exterior space are at the forefront of homeowners’ minds as they look for creative ways to get some fresh air and enjoy a change of scenery. Some projects that are increasing in popularity include the installation of outdoor kitchens, adding pergolas to patios and decks, and replacing worn deck boards with rot-resistant cedar decking. By completing any of these exterior projects, homeowners not only boost the resale value of their home through the improvement of functional exterior space, but by enhancing curb appeal in the process.

Window Upgrades

Windows are a truly unique aspect of the home in that they function as both an interior and exterior renovation. New windows will not only allow more natural light to pass through into the interior, but they will provide a major boost to curb appeal as well. Thanks to this dual nature, window projects should be at the top of your renovation list.

A full-scale window replacement will involve removing degraded frames and glass and updating to more modern materials. In this regard, aluminum frames are viewed as a superior option thanks to their water resistance and low maintenance fabrication, while innovative smart glass and low-E glass is now helping increase energy efficiency by limiting the type of sun rays that enter the home. All in all, this results in a more solid window-to-wall transition that will optimize the strength of the building envelope.

Flooring Projects

Finally, a flooring upgrade is always one of the most important remodeling projects a homeowner can undertake. As the floor is subjected to arguably the most wear and tear of any interior aspect of the house, the difference between an average flooring material and elite flooring material can make a world of difference. Therefore, bypass carpet and low-quality vinyl products in favor of engineered hardwood or polished concrete. While these types of floors may be a bit more expensive to install, they will do much more for resale value than more affordable flooring materials. In addition, they are extremely low maintenance and can be cleaned with nothing more than a broom and wet mop-an important characteristic for time-strapped homeowners in 2022.

Best Renovation Projects to Tackle First

While all types of renovation projects will be valuable in their own respect, there are some that should be given priority over others. For example, projects that improve energy efficiency, safety, and prevent subsequent issues from arising will provide the most bang for their buck. With this in mind, projects that increase insulation R-value, improve exterior functionality, fortify the windows, and improve the floor are some of the most important renovation projects to prioritize.

Andrew Wesley

Andrew Wesley is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on painting projects and materials. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Andrew’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisors, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.