What Type of Flooring is Right For You?

iDeal Floors' Guide to Buying New Floors

Thinking it may be time for new floors? Don't get overwhelmed by the multitudes of flooring options out there. At iDeal Floors, we know floors and are happy to help you get started on your newest home improvement project!<

With options ranging from engineered wood to laminate to porcelain tile, who wouldn't be overwhelmed when looking for new floors?<

What flooring is best for my home and family? Can I afford it? How intensive is the installation?

We're here to answer all these questions and more because at iDeal Floors, we know floors!<

1. What's my budget?

No one likes falling in love with a specific product only to find it's way outside of your budget. Instead, narrow down your options by budget first.

Contact us for a current financing deals!

2. Where is this flooring being installed, and what kind of traffic will it have to withstand?

While so many of us have set our eyes on that classic hardwood look, it often is not able to withstand most families' lifestyles.

3. What kind of cleaning and maintenance am I able to realistically keep up with?

In the excitement of home renovation, our eyes may be bigger than our figurative stomachs.

Different types of materials require different types of maintenance within different types of lifestyles. Each of these aspects must be realistically considered to prevent your floors from not holding up in your home. We want your floors to stay beautiful years after installation!

4. What kind of look do I want?

Finally, it's time to look at all types of styles, colors, and samples. The fun part has arrived!

Now that you have narrowed down your options by budget, material durability, and required maintenance, you won't risk falling in love with a specific flooring that isn't right for your home.

So we've given you some good questions to ask, but where do you find the answers?<

We've created an in depth overview for each of the most commonly used flooring materials and their durability, required maintenance, and look.

Laminate Flooring

What is it?

Laminate is constructed of dense fiberboard and features an image of a material, such as wood or stone, beneath a clear-plastic protective layer, laminate can mimic almost anything.

Installation

It will either have a "floating" installation in which pieces fit together in grooves (click lock) or it will be glued down.

What does it cost?

Laminate is one of the most affordable flooring options.

At iDeal floors, we have laminates ranging from $0.99/sqft to $2.29/sqft.

Did you know the average cost for Laminate at other retail flooring stores is $2-$7 per square foot?

Durability

Laminate is pretty tough stuff! It tends to resist scratching and sunlight discoloration better than most wood products.

However, once the top layer has worn through (this doesn't happen easily), it will most likely have to replaced because it can't be sanded down like wood.

Vinyl Flooring

What is it?

Vinyl flooring can come in long rolls of flooring like Laminate but it often comes in planks.

It consists of synthetic and durable printed vinyl material protected with a top coat over a hard backing.

Installation

Like Laminate, It will either have a "floating" installation in which pieces fit together in grooves (click lock) or it will be glued down.

What does it cost?

While many Vinyls tend to be more affordable than wood products, because of its amazing durability some high end vinyls can be the same or more than wood floors.

At iDeal Floors our sheet vinyl ranges from $0.61/sqft to $1.82/sqft.

Our Vinyl plank ranges from $0.89/sqft to $2.99/sqft.

Other retail vinyl can make it all the up to $5 per square foot! Thank goodness for iDeal Floors' prices!

Durability

Often called, "resilient flooring," Vinyl is Especially good at fending off wear, dents, scratches, discoloration from sunlight, and stains. Many variations are waterproof as well.

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

What is it?

Ceramic tile is a clay mixture formed and then baked in a kiln.

Types of ceramic tile include glazed ceramic, quarry, porcelain, and terra-cotta.

Porcelain tile comes from finer clay that is baked at a higher temperature, making it extra durable and water-resistant.

Installation

Unfortunately, installation is the downfall of tile.

Intensive prep work is needed as your subfloor needs to be perfectly smooth before you can set your tile and grout.

For most applications, it's best to hire a professional, which can be pricey, as tiles can crack and some grout can stain.

What does it cost?

Although tile prices per square foot are pretty affordable, installation prices can double the total price.

iDeal Floors has large stock of tiles in ranging from simple to extremely intricate.

Our tile prices range from $0.19/sqft to $24.99/sqft.

Durability

This classic look tends to resist wear, moisture, scratches, dents, and stains better than any other flooring.

Engineered Wood Flooring

What is it?

Engineered wood is made of thin layers of wood sandwiched with adhesives. It uses a thin veneer of real wood over plywood making it quite a bit more cost effective than regular hardwoods. However, It still looks just like regular hardwood floors!

These floors also increase the value of your home more than vinyl or laminate.

Installation

Engineered wood can also be installed by glueing it down or by click lock installation (floating floors).

What does it cost?

Engineered wood is the less expensive twin of hardwoods.

iDeal Floors' engineered wood prices range from $1.89/sqft to $2.99/sqft.

Durability

Because of its construction, it can usually withstand higher levels of humidity and would be less likely to expand when compared with solid wood flooring.

However, is scratches and dents slightly more easily and most engineered woods cannot be refinished as often as regular hardwood.

Hardwood Flooring

What is it?

Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber. They provide a natural warmth to any home and greatly increase the value of your house.

Installation

There are four basic types of installation: nail down, staple down, glue down and floating/click. Nail down is a popular method for hardwoods because of its permanence.

However, this method does require a wooden subfloor, which greatly increases the overall cost if you don't already have one.

What does it cost?

Solid hardwood flooring tends to be one of the priciest flooring options.

iDeal Floors hardwoods range from $1.99/sqft to $3.99/sqft.

Most retail hardwoods are in the $2-$6+ range.

Durability

Hardwoods have an impressive wear resistance, and it can be sanded and refinished several times. Pre-finished floors can hold up better than those finished on-site, but tend to be more expensive.

However, it will expand and contract with varying humidity levels and can also dent somewhat easily. It is not meant for basements, bathrooms, or any rooms with dampness or humidity. Some types of solid woods tend to be discolored from sunlight as well.

Wishing you had someone to help you through this process? Here at iDeal Floors, we'd love to walk you through it and find the best flooring for your home!

Click here to get a free estimate and one on one help with one of our expert professionals

OR

Reach out to us at...

[638 E Hwy 67, Duncanville, TX 75137] - [972 283-6600]

[1221 W. Buckingham Road, Garland, TX 75040] - [972-675-6800]

[1145 Louise St, Fort Worth, TX 76112] - [817-492-8500]

Or check us out on Facebook or our website!

www.idealfloors.com • https://www.facebook.com/iDealFloorstx/