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Flooring Trends

Check out some of the newest technologies and reclaimed materials that are becoming the hottest products in flooring.

The economy may be keeping a lid on spending, but when it comes to flooring, it’s driving trends. That’s because today’s cost-conscious consumer is more demanding of value than ever.

“There’s definitely been a shift from spending to savings,” says Chris Davis, the president and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “But that doesn’t mean consumers aren’t buying flooring: it means they’re looking for value and comfort. They might not be moving up right now, but they’re still into feathering the nest.”

Flooring manufacturers are getting the message. As a result, they’re keen on providing more bang for the buck — reining in high-end marketing and concentrating on products that are sensible, low-maintenance and easy on the budget.

That means bringing more innovation and variety to the perennial low-cost champs: resilient vinyl and carpeting.

This increasingly popular, low-cost and low-maintenance vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors, styles, and textures. The luxury vinyl featured here is made to look like top-quality wood at a fraction of the cost.

Choices for resilient vinyl flooring include a spectrum of styles, colors, textures and patterns. Add in vinyl’s easy-to-clean characteristics, comfort under foot and family-friendly stain-resistance, and the result is increasing popularity with value-hungry shoppers.

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The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses

So you’re wanting to get into the house flipping game. Maybe a friend of yours has made money flipping houses, or maybe you’ve been watching a ton of reality television; whatever your reasons, you’re ready to test your eye for design and start flipping houses. However, what is the best flooring for flipping houses? Let’s get started!

What does “flipping houses” mean?

Hint: It’s not what happens in The Wizard of Oz. Flipping houses is when a person buys a house at (usually) an affordable as-is price and then, through remodeling, improves the overall house. The goal is to resell the property and have a high ROI, or Return on Investment.

Laminate:

Laminate is very popular among experienced house-flippers. One reason being it gives houses an expensive look without the expensive investment. Laminate can also come in a variety of looks, so the choice is yours (though we would recommend more neutral colors if flipping).

Laminate is a great choice if you have a lower budget but still want a good ROI when you sell.

Luxury Vinyl:

Related content –>2017 Vinyl Flooring Trends: 16 Hot New Ideas

Luxury vinyl flooring is the new flooring of choice for experienced flippers. While laminate is still popular for flipping, vinyl flooring has more perks at close to the same price. You can buy vinyl flooring in planks, tiles, or rolls, so you can control the look of your flip easily. Vinyl flooring also comes in a variety of finishes including wood look-alikes and natural stone.

Additionally, you can buy WPC vinyl flooring, which is 100% waterproof. This makes it a great choice for a continual flooring from living room to the kitchen. It can even be used in the bathroom!

Best yet: vinyl offers a great ROI.

Engineered Wood:

If you have the budget for it, engineered wood is great for a house flip. It has a high-end hardwood look because it is real wood! Engineered wood is constructed in layers to offer more durability and moisture resistance. These floors won’t have potential buyers daydreaming about ripping up your floors.

It is often more expensive than say, laminate, so it might be best to choose this for higher-value houses to make sure you earn a good ROI.

Hardwood:

Does your flip already have hardwood? Is there hardwood hidden underneath the carpet? If so, you struck a gold mine! Everyone wants hardwood in their home. If you have it already, even better. Your best bet would be the sand and refinish the hardwood to make it beautiful again.

If you don’t have hardwood, is it worth it to invest in it? Maybe.

Whether or not you want to buy hardwood for your house flip depends on the answers above. The truth is, hardwood will always raise the value of your flip and will make buyers more keen to make an offer; however, hardwood flooring is expensive.

If your budget doesn’t allow for it, or if hardwood floors are uncommon in the area you are flipping, it may not be worth the investment.

Carpet:

Carpet is a big no-no in the house flipping world. Adding carpet to a flipped house probably won’t increase your ROI. Truth is, not a lot of people want carpets in their houses anymore. Those buyers that are going to view your flip? Yeah, they’re just thinking about how much it will cost to rip-out your brand new carpet and replace it with something else. Pity.

However, replacing old carpet with new carpet is always better than leaving the old carpet in place. If you can’t afford to upgrade the flooring to something other than carpet, at least replace it and you’ll break even.

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Where is the best place to install laminate flooring?

The sales blurb will tell you how laminate is the right choice for every room, but is it true?

In this flooring guide we’re going to re-examine the advantages of laminate floors and take a look at the pros and cons of it versus other materials.

Pros and Cons of Laminate Floors

The main benefits of laminate over other types of home flooring and the reason it is so popular, are affordability, ease of installation and low maintenance.

Laminate is cheap because it’s easily mass produced. It’s easy to install, you can float it over most existing subfloors. And most importantly, it’s easy to clean and care.

So why not just use laminate throughout your home?

Laminate is a great mid-priced flooring option but there are times when a more expensive hardwood floor or a cheaper vinyl floor could be the best choice.

Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring

Two words for it price and style! Laminate floors look great, not as great as hardwood and that’s a fact. But, laminate wood flooring fits perfectly in a space where practicality is your priority. If stains and extreme weather conditions are a part of daily life then laminate flooring is the smart choice.

Laminate Vs Vinyl Flooring

You should think twice about laminate in a damp basement or a bathroom that regularly experiences standing water. Vinyl however, won’t let any water getting through to your subfloor and is your ideal choice in this scenario.

Luxury Vinyl Vs Laminate

Luxury vinyl flooring is flexible, great looking, reasonably priced option and it matches the durability of laminate. Of course it is better to see luxury vinyl up close and personal before you decide if it’s a good choice.

Laminate Vs Engineered Wood Flooring

In this comparison the pros and cons are the same, laminates tend to be more scratch and impact resistant however engineered wood has much greater longevity.

The really interesting comparison is price. Both materials are at opposite ends of the most budgets.

Laminate Vs Tile Flooring

The biggest difference between these materials is installation. Laminate installation is a breeze compared to the prep, skill and time required to install tile. You can’t beat tile when it comes to durability and longevity. Tile is common in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s resistance to wet conditions.

Laminate Vs Carpet

Between carpet or laminate your final decision will ultimately come down to comfort and cleanliness. In fact the biggest advantage that laminate has over carpet is ease of cleaning and keeping clean.

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Hardwood or laminate floor; which is best for my needs?

No matter your preference, there are pros and cons when it comes to hardwood Vs laminate wood flooring. We want to help you determine which one is best for your budget and home. 

Price

The reality of flooring costs and what you can afford may be miles apart.

Hardwood: CONS – Made of harvested trees it’s price depends on how exotic the trees are. In general hardwood is more expensive.

Laminate: PROS – The material itself is cheaper and laminate wood installation cost is, on average 50 percent less than hardwood installation.

Durability

A durable surface will make maintenance easier and look great for years.

Hardwood: CONS – It’s susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from moisture and will show wear. PROS – Hardwood is the real deal; it is gorgeous and can add value to your home.

Laminate: PROS – It is more durable, it resists scratches and moisture is also easier to clean. CONS Low quality laminate can have artificial-looking texture.

Repair

From minor accidents to excessive wear and tear both material have advantages and disadvantages.

Hardwood: PROS – Can be repaired by sanding imperfections and refinishing.

Laminate: CONS – This flooring doesn’t repair easily. To replace individual boards depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly.

Deciding whether to use hardwood or laminate is up to you, review the pros and cons and be realistic about your lifestyle that may influence your decision. Consider the factors and know that new floors will improve your home’s aesthetic, appeal and value.

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Laminate Flooring = Lasting Durability

Laminate flooring could be the perfect choice for your active lifestyle.

Durability, good looks and value are smartly balanced so you upgrade and decorate without breaking your budget or loose quality.

Choose Laminates to Achieve Your Decorating Goals

Laminates are available in a broad variety of handsomely crafted designs. They provide the rugged durability at a value price. Thus you can find a long-wearing laminate style that can help accomplish your decorating ideas within your budget.

Laminate Flooring = Lasting Durability

The beautiful design you love today will remain the same in the years to come.

All laminates are constructed of four layers:

The wear layer is a clear layer of aluminum oxide that protects against fading, stains and surface burns.
The design layer contains a photograph of the floor’s surface appearance.
The core layer is a durable high-density board to protect the floor.
The back layer is a stability layer that helps balance the floor.

Thanks to layered construction, Laminate Floors will always look as good as the day it was installed.

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