right type is like finding the right shoes - you want to balance style, comfort and cost. If your floors need updating, here are some tips to help find that "perfect fit."
Style
Carpet fell out of favour for a time, but it has made a comeback with a wide variety of stylish and practical options. Ideal for bedrooms and play areas, select neutral colours to accommodate décor changes and to optimize resale value.
Hardwood is best for main floors and high-traffic areas as it is durable and easy to keep clean. It is also an attractive feature when it comes to selling your home because hardwood never goes out style.
Comfort
Carpet is soft, cozy and welcoming to your toes in our often cold Canadian climate. It absorbs sound and lessens the noise of TV, children running about, and even walking. Carpet can help reduce heating bills and is good choice if you live in a condo, townhouse or semi.
Hardwood is cold, but can be warmed up with area rugs. Hardwood floors are also noisy, but strategically placed rugs and runners can help soften both the look and sound of hardwood.
Cost
Carpet is the cheaper option and when properly cared for, can last 10 to 15 years. Replacing worn carpet can make a home look new again, especially when you're looking to sell.
Hardwood is more expensive, but is hard-wearing and should last 20 years or more. Refinishing hardwood can be costly, but hardwood is a great investment. Like fine wine, it gets better as it ages.
Other Considerations
Eco Friendly - Natural wool and sisal are healthy options for your home, as well as the environment, and both are warm, soft, durable, and anti-static. Ensure the carpet label identifies it as having low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reclaimed hardwoods, harvested from older homes, buildings and barn boards, are more expensive but provide a truly antiqued patina that cannot be replicated otherwise.
Hard Options - Laminate flooring is available in colours and finishes that look similar to wood. Easy to install and care for, laminate can last up to 25 years. Ceramic tile is also hard- wearing and best suited to well-trafficked, sometime wet areas, like entryways, bathrooms and kitchens.
Basement - Special consideration should be given to basements, which are moisture prone. Install a sub floor over the concrete and consider a resin type laminate, which can withstand moisture, or opt for tiles.
The right flooring for your home will feel like the "perfect fit" beneath your feet, and will give you and future buyers style and comfort for years to come.
Style
Carpet fell out of favour for a time, but it has made a comeback with a wide variety of stylish and practical options. Ideal for bedrooms and play areas, select neutral colours to accommodate décor changes and to optimize resale value.
Hardwood is best for main floors and high-traffic areas as it is durable and easy to keep clean. It is also an attractive feature when it comes to selling your home because hardwood never goes out style.
Comfort
Carpet is soft, cozy and welcoming to your toes in our often cold Canadian climate. It absorbs sound and lessens the noise of TV, children running about, and even walking. Carpet can help reduce heating bills and is good choice if you live in a condo, townhouse or semi.
Hardwood is cold, but can be warmed up with area rugs. Hardwood floors are also noisy, but strategically placed rugs and runners can help soften both the look and sound of hardwood.
Cost
Carpet is the cheaper option and when properly cared for, can last 10 to 15 years. Replacing worn carpet can make a home look new again, especially when you're looking to sell.
Hardwood is more expensive, but is hard-wearing and should last 20 years or more. Refinishing hardwood can be costly, but hardwood is a great investment. Like fine wine, it gets better as it ages.
Other Considerations
Eco Friendly - Natural wool and sisal are healthy options for your home, as well as the environment, and both are warm, soft, durable, and anti-static. Ensure the carpet label identifies it as having low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reclaimed hardwoods, harvested from older homes, buildings and barn boards, are more expensive but provide a truly antiqued patina that cannot be replicated otherwise.
Hard Options - Laminate flooring is available in colours and finishes that look similar to wood. Easy to install and care for, laminate can last up to 25 years. Ceramic tile is also hard- wearing and best suited to well-trafficked, sometime wet areas, like entryways, bathrooms and kitchens.
Basement - Special consideration should be given to basements, which are moisture prone. Install a sub floor over the concrete and consider a resin type laminate, which can withstand moisture, or opt for tiles.
The right flooring for your home will feel like the "perfect fit" beneath your feet, and will give you and future buyers style and comfort for years to come.