Types of Flooring that Increase Your Home's Value

 

Whether or not you have any immediate plans to sell your home, it's a good idea to think ahead and install the right flooring that will increase the overall value of your property. Sometimes adding a few extra cents per square foot can make all the difference in how your flooring looks, functions, and contributes to the cash value of your home. Read on to see why flooring matters, and which types of flooring you should be considering for your home.

Hardwood Flooring for Added Value

Homes with hardwood flooring sell for more money, even in struggling local real estate markets. There's something about hardwood floors that prospective home buyer's can't seem to resist, and there's no question that a hardwood floor is more durable than many alternative options.

Hardwood flooring can be expensive to add to your home, but is a worthwhile investment if you're planning on selling. Some homeowners are even happily surprised to find that hardwood flooring exists under their laminate floors, though it often needs restored in these cases.

There are a variety of styles of hardwood flooring, but it's a timeless type of flooring that is appreciated by every generation. You can stain your existing or new hardwood floors in differing shades and tones, creating the perfect, customized setting for any room.

Tile and Grout Flooring

Another fantastic choice in flooring for any home is tile. Ceramic tile can add value to your home in the same way that hardwood can, and can often be installed for far less cost. Tile and grout work well in any room, but are most often found in kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, and enclosed porches.

Many homeowners currently have tile and grout flooring but feel it's in need of replacement. There's often an easy way to bring a new life into your tile, however. Consider using a commercial tile and grout cleaning product to restore the original color of your tile and grouted surfaces before making any plans to lay new tile. Such products are often able to restore faded, dingy grout to a solid, spotless original hue.

Premium Vinyl and Laminate Flooring

While vinyl flooring has a reputation for being easy to scratch, and often needing replacement, newer vinyl and laminate flooring solutions fare much better under heavy use. Premium vinyl tiles and sheet vinyl are now available with thick, durable surface areas, cushioned foundational layers, and stain-resistant coatings. You can even find textured vinyl at a fraction of the cost of hardwood, that looks just as good and can increase your home's value significantly.

Interlocking laminate flooring is another option for increasing your home's value. You can find premium interlocking laminate flooring at varying price points, with a range of detail and even realistic-looking and feeling wood patterns. This flooring is often as durable as solid wood flooring, and can be more comfortable in many cases. Another compelling reason to look at laminate and vinyl flooring options is for sound-deadening. These flooring types work wonders in second-floor rooms, where hardwood or tile can be loud.

Premium Carpet for Adding Value

With several types of hard flooring considered, it should be noted that carpet is still trendy and desired in the housing market. The key to increasing your home's value with carpet is buying high-end carpet that can withstand years of use and vacuuming.

It's generally wise to avoid thin, office-style carpeting, as it could potentially detract from the value of your home. Carpet does have the sound-proofing qualities that make small living spaces more pleasant, so it may be your best bet if your home is lacking in space.

Adding a new floor to your home can certainly increase it's value, but isn't always necessary. Check if your current hardwood or tile floors can be restored before jumping into a replacement project, and you could potentially save hundreds of dollars per room. If you're replacing the floors in your home, consider hardwood or tile, or find a premium vinyl flooring to ensure you're working towards adding value to the property.