Flooring is one of the most popular home improvement projects in America, and it can also be one of the most challenging for many reasons, including getting the right flooring for your home and living conditions. There are many great options available in a range of prices to fit any budget, including the current options offered by Liberty Homes: carpet, vinyl, EVP, and tile.

How to Choose Flooring

Before we get into some of the options and the pros and cons of those, there are some factors to consider when selecting flooring:

  • Room: One of the biggest factors is which room the flooring will go in. Some types of flooring really don’t work in certain rooms in your home. For example, with the amount of water and moisture present in a bathroom, carpet isn’t a great option for those rooms.
  • Family Situation: Have small kids? Pets? You’ll want something durable, spill-proof, and scratch-resistant.
  • Budget: No matter how big or small your budget, you will find flooring that fits within it. But to ensure you do not get caught off guard, set your max budget before you even begin looking at options. And be sure to factor in any extra costs, such as carpet pads, underlayment, etc.
  • Installation Needs: Speaking of carpet pads and underlayment, make sure you understand everything needed for the type of flooring you select so you can have those budgeted for and in-hand before starting installation.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): This factor is likely not as important as the others, but if you anticipate selling your home down the road, you may want to consider the cost vs. return of the materials. Higher cost or quality often means a better long-term investment and return on that investment.

Carpet

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring choices, particularly for bedrooms.

Pros:

  • Carpet remains one of the most cost-effective options for flooring
  • Soft and warm on the feet
  • Many options for colors, textures, and fibers
  • Reduces noise
  • Stain-resistant and wear-resistant options
  • Can be installed over many different kinds of surfaces

Cons:

  • Can be higher maintenance than other options with regular vacuuming required and professional cleaning recommended each year
  • While you can install carpet yourself, it is recommended a professional do the installation for the smoothest, best result
  • Can absorb smells
  • Not as pet-friendly as other options
  • Can fade over time
  • Repairs can be difficult
  • Not recommended for moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens

Cost:

According to HomeAdvisor, carpet ranges in price from $2 to $7 per square foot, though there are some more expensive options available. This does not include the carpet pad, the price of which will vary depending on the thickness. HomeAdvisor says carpet padding prices range from $0.25 to $2.75 per square foot. If you have someone install the carpet, that typically adds an extra $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

Vinyl

A cheaper alternative to linoleum, this durable flooring is a great option for those on a budget.

Pros:

  • One of the most affordable options for flooring
  • Durable, making it great for high-traffic areas
  • Easy to maintain
  • Many options for colors and patterns, including mimicking wood, ceramic, and stone
  • Resistant to water and humidity
  • Easy to install and great for DIYers

Cons:

  • Lower ROI vs. other flooring options
  • Less popular due to appearance and perception of quality
  • Can get gouged
  • Can change color
  • Not eco-friendly
  • Some vinyl flooring can emit VOC’s

Cost:

Vinyl tiles and sheets can cost anywhere from less than $1 to $5 per square foot. Consumer Reports’ average cost for the vinyl it tested as $3.44 per square foot. According to HomeAdvisor, installation adds another $3 to $10 per square foot.

EVP

Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP) is a subset of Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and is a hybrid between engineered hardwood, laminate, and LVP. It has five layers, including a rigid fiberboard core, making it stronger than other LVP options.

Pros:

  • More affordable than wood or stone
  • Waterproof, allowing you to get a wood look where wood flooring doesn’t traditionally work
  • Endless wood and stone looks that are very realistic in appearance
  • Low maintenance
  • Click together system makes installation easy
  • Hides minor subfloor imperfections
  • A thick wear layer on the top makes it extremely durable
  • Softer than wood or stone, making it a more comfortable option

Cons:

  • Can fade from the sun
  • You cannot refinish damaged EVP
  • ROI is unknown
  • Some EVP can emit VOC’s
  • If installed floating, planks can shift with time (a professional installer can help prevent this)

Cost:

On average, most EVP will cost between $4 to $6 per square foot. Installation costs between $1.50 and $6 per square foot.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile are great for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Pros:

  • Comes in a wide variety of colors, designs, textures, and sizes
  • Durable – Consumer Reports testing found it to be the most durable type of flooring
  • Extremely stable
  • Non-porous or waterproof
  • Easy to clean
  • Can be refinished and reglazed
  • Because color is permanently baked in, it won’t fade
  • Moderately to highly scratch resistant
  • High ROI

Cons:

  • One of the most expensive flooring options
  • Difficult to install and needs a smooth subfloor
  • Can chip and scratch under heavy use
  • Repairing or replacing damaged tiles can be difficult
  • Grout can discolor or stain
  • Feels cold and hard underfoot
  • Depending on type of tile selected, you may have additional maintenance such as sealing

Cost:

HomeAdvisor says most types of tile fall in the $2 to $15 per square foot range, but there are options that can be a little less or more than this range. Installation costs can vary greatly, but HomeAdvisor says those are typically run $6 to $20 per square foot.

This is not an exhaustive list of flooring options – just the primary options offered to Liberty Homes. Among the other choices out there are solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, polished concrete, and stone. If you are interested in one of these other options, a quick Google search can give you the pros, cons, and costs for them.

Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for more than 25 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have a limited number of single-family homes available in Bluffdale and West Valley and townhomes available in Salt Lake City. Contact us today to get started building your new home.


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