Flooring Fairfield NJ is important to a room’s aesthetic and function. A flooring purchase can be a big investment, so it’s worth investing some time and research into this feature of your home.
Some spaces need a floor that is resilient to above-average wear and tear, such as an industrial plant or school cafeteria. Other spaces are focused on beauty and design, such as a hotel lobby or retail space.
When looking for a flooring material that will meet your home’s and lifestyle’s requirements, you need to consider many factors, including cost, longevity, comfort, and sustainability. All materials come with their own pros and cons, but homeowners often focus mainly on look and price when making the purchase.
This is a mistake, especially if you want to be eco-friendly and sustainable. While hardwood floors are a great option, there are many other flooring materials that are just as beautiful and have better environmental credentials.
For example, concrete floor types such as poured resin or concrete slabs offer a versatile design-led solution that can be finished to suit any interior. Whether you choose a matt or gloss finish and with or without texture, the only limit is your imagination. It can be poured wall-to-wall or in a specific area of the room, and it is extremely hard wearing, hypoallergenic, sound absorbing and water resistant. It also works well with underfloor heating and is very easy to clean.
Another great option is engineered wood, which combines plywood with a thin layer of real wood for a similar appearance to hardwood but at a much lower cost. It is less susceptible to the damage risks of traditional hardwood and can be stained in a range of colors and finishes. Laminate is also a good choice, as it offers the stylish look of hardwood but at a fraction of the cost. It comes in a wide variety of designs and colors, from realistic wood to tile and stone, and is easy to install yourself with minimal tools.
Cork flooring is also a popular choice, offering a natural and renewable alternative to hardwood floors. It is soft underfoot and has a unique ability to insulate and absorb sound, but it is prone to dents from heavy furniture and has a low tolerance to humidity so requires a lining underneath. Vinyl floors, while available in a wide range of colours and patterns, are not as durable as wood or other flooring materials and can release high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Bamboo is another hardwood alternative, with the ability to be colored to show off its unique grain. It is an environmentally friendly and fast-growing product, but is often not as durable or as long-lasting as hardwood.
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
The decision of what flooring to buy often comes down to price, but a homeowner should think about how they will live with the material long term. For example, a flooring material that has a soft feel underfoot can be much more comfortable than one that is rock hard. This is particularly important in rooms that require a lot of standing, like kitchens and laundry rooms.
When shopping for a new floor, it is also important to know the going rate in your area. Get quotes from several local companies to see what the competition is offering. This will give you bargaining power when making your final purchase.
If you’re looking to save even more money on your new floors, consider purchasing them at wholesale distribution. This can cut the cost of the flooring by up to 40%, and it will also mean you have more product on hand should any unforeseen damage occur during installation.
Many homeowners don’t realize that negotiating is an integral part of the process. When shopping for flooring, don’t be afraid to ask for a discount or better terms from the company you are working with. However, it is always wise to remain professional and never let fear drive you into a rushed agreement that may not be in your best interests.
Buy a Sample
Flooring is a major investment and it’s important to purchase a sample before making a final decision. Many stores will offer free samples and they are a great way to get a feel for the floor and to see how it will look with your paint colors and home decor. Some online retailers will even ship the samples to your home free of charge.
Samples of flooring are also a great way to test out the durability of a new product. For example, some wood floors are smooth and will feel nice in socks, while others have a more rugged finish that may seem rougher on bare feet. Similarly, laminate floors can vary in durability – some have a high scratch resistance while others are more vulnerable to denting and staining. Purchasing a sample is the best way to determine which type of floor will best suit your lifestyle.
It’s also worth considering how lighting will affect your flooring choice. The light in a showroom is different from the lighting in your home, and this can dramatically change how a product looks. It’s a good idea to try your flooring in your space with various types of lighting at different times of the day to get an accurate idea of how it will look.
Buying flooring from an established and reputable local business can also be a wise choice because the sales staff will be committed to helping you find the right product for your home. They’ll also be far more likely to work with you on any issues that may arise when compared to some online retailers that don’t really care about their customers.
Getting a flooring sample is the only true way to make sure that you are happy with the color and style of your new floor. If you can’t make it to the store in person then consider asking the manufacturer if they have any of that specific style of flooring available. They might have it in stock at their warehouse or they could be able to give you a similar product under another name or number.
Check Out Reuse Centers
Flooring isn’t typically recycled, so when homeowners need to replace it, the only option is to buy something new. But if a homeowner is willing to take the extra step, they can keep the old flooring out of the landfill and prevent the manufacturing of new materials from scratch.
One option is to find a reuse center or architectural salvage store. These stores specialize in reusing and selling building materials that would otherwise be headed to the dump, including appliances, cabinets, doors, windows, wood flooring and trim, and carpet remnants. These stores also offer educational opportunities for homeowners who want to try a do-it-yourself project.
Reuse centers usually have a limited selection, and the type of flooring they carry changes frequently as they receive new donations. For example, they may only have hardwood planks that are unattached or nailed down. They may not have vinyl or linoleum, which are often glued to the subfloor and cannot be removed easily without damaging them.
In some cases, wood flooring can be reclaimed and used again in another home, especially if it’s a species that grows quickly and can be harvested again. However, the flooring may need to be sanded down and refinished to remove any signs of wear and tear. The boards can then be reinstalled.
Engineered wood floors are another option that may be available for reuse. Unlike solid hardwood, which is typically attached with glue or nails, engineered wood is built with thin layers of natural wood over less expensive plywood. The layers are bonded together with chemical-free adhesives. The resulting product is sturdy, and it can be sanded down and refurbished as needed.
Most salvage shops and reuse centers ask that donated lumber be clean, with no exposed screws or nails that could be a hazard to other homeowners. Many also prefer a more uniform color of the wood, so they can resell it for use in other projects. For example, a person who wants to build a deck may be interested in salvaged wood that’s been exposed to sunlight, but someone who’s planning on using the material to line a bench might need more consistent coloring.
