Flooring is an often forgotten aspect of a home when it looks good and works well. However, as it becomes outdated or worn, it takes center stage and not in a good way. Here is a look at the reasons to update the floors in your home and how to do it efficiently and affordably.
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Why You Should Update Your Floors
The most obvious reason to switch out your current flooring for new materials is because it looks bad and it’s a big thing that potential buyers look at when searching for a new home. If you cringe every time you see your old shag carpet or trip over a broken tile, you know the importance of a beautiful-looking floor. Your flooring choice can make or break how put-together you room looks. No volume of paint or furniture can make a room feel clean and inviting if the floors are yucky.
Another reason to invest in new floors is because it increases the value of your home. If you plan to sell in the next few years, your floors will have a big impact on how much you can sell your home for and how quickly it sells. It’s a big expense for a buyer to put into a home outside of their mortgage, so consider updating the areas of your home that need it most so you can get that return on your selling price. Buyers will appreciate a neutral, clean, updated flooring choice so they can be move in ready.
A third reason is that new floors save time. You don’t spend as much time cleaning them, hoping to get them to look a little better. Vacuuming a new carpet is much easier than going over one that’s frayed and worn.
Things To Consider When Updating Your Floors
Once you’re convinced of the need to update your floors, the next task will be to figure out how. First, you’ll need to decide if you want to replace the outdated flooring with a new version of the same product or if you want a different material.
For hardwood floors, you may only need to make repairs on any damaged boards and then sand the floor before putting on a new stain. You can completely change the look of your floor just by going from a dark stain to light or vice-versa. Another option is to paint your floors, which will create a modern space that stands out.
You can also update a tile floor that is in good shape but has gotten dull by having it re-grouted and buffed to a shine. This only works if the pattern and style aren’t outdated, but it can extend the life of your current floor and make it look like new.
Choose the material based on the room and how you use it as well as your personal taste. If you plan to sell your home soon, it’s always better to get a few opinions from real estate agents, designers and contractors on the best choices in order to get the most out of your home. Sometimes your personal taste may not be what appeals to the masses of home buyers. Perhaps you like the soft feeling of carpet in the bedroom but hardwood floors could be done affordably and increase your resale value significantly; it’s something to consider and weigh out.
Replacing Your Floors
If the only option is to replace your floors, you’ll have to decide what you want the new material to be. In most cases, you’ll need to tear out the old flooring and ensure a solid subflooring lies underneath. You can lay carpet over old tile or hardwood without removing the original floor, which reduces the cost.
You never want to install any type of floor over the concrete without a subfloor to help reduce moisture. An example is if you have a converted garage or basement. You’ll want to have a subfloor put in between the concrete foundation and the new flooring to prevent future problems.
Visit old houses and you may find layers upon layers of old flooring on top of each other, especially with tile, vinyl and carpet. You don’t want to do this in your house. Take the extra time needed or pay a professional to remove the old floor and start out fresh. It will improve the integrity of your new floor and ensure a smoother surface.
Updating your floors is a relatively inexpensive investment to make in your home. A new floor can make you fall in love with your house all over again and help it sell faster when it’s time to move on. Talk to the professionals at Indiana Residential about new flooring options for your space.
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