Never before have there been so many choices for fine flooring at affordable prices. In days past, vinyl was everywhere. It wore well and cost little. Ceramic moved in because it lasted forever and looked great, while costing only a small sum more. Today, everything is on the table, er, on the floor.

Hardwoods, while still pricey, are more durable and cost-effective than ever. Whether the desired choice is a fine Brazilian Walnut or an outstanding Australian Cypress, a hardwood floor is within most budgets today. Given that, with proper care, it can last 50 years or more, this makes for a great long-term investment. Hardwoods provide great wear and look beautiful.

But if hardwoods are a bit of a stretch financially, or the care required is a little more than desired, laminates make for another excellent option. With faux wood or even ceramic surfaces, they look great. Thanks to a strong four-layer construction, they’re highly durable, too. Per-square-foot costs for laminates are much less than hardwoods and they’re ultra-easy to install.

Ceramic is still a favorite among many, and for valid reasons. They provide a rich, cheery look and can last for decades or longer. Porcelain is among the up-and-coming winners in the ceramic race because of their strong support combined with an elegant appearance.

Concrete used to be reserved for the basement. Today, it can be found in the bathroom, kitchen… anywhere. Surface effects create colorful flooring that can emulate marble or tile. It’s low cost and looks great.

Carpet is still a first-rate choice for numerous applications. There are a half-dozen basic types to choose from - flatweave, cut pile and others - covering hundreds of styles and designs. Everything from a simple throw or area rug to full-room coverage can be relatively inexpensive, but long lasting and beautiful.

What’s under the floor is getting more attention these days, too.

Heating systems have come down in price and risen in efficiency. Whether electric mesh or radiant tubing, they keep the floor warm and help to raise the temperature of the room as well. That helps offset the need for other room heating methods, so the option is less expensive to run than it might appear.

Sub-floors are getting more notice as floors age and require repair. These days they are as likely to be concrete as the traditional plywood. Even planking has improved, though, where that is used. Better wood treatments help reduce the odds of insect invasion and water damage.

If you plan to install tile, what’s underneath will get looked, as well. Laying it down requires good preparation, so making sure the sub-flooring is strong and super-flat is a necessity.

Then there is the need to take care of it all after installation.

There’s no getting around the fact that every type of flooring requires some care. Carpets need to be cleaned, especially on those occasions when something spills. Ceramic and laminates need to be mopped. Hardwoods require good care, lest they become dull and scratched from small grit dragged over the surface. Some minor tile cracks, carpet burn repairs and laminate scratches can require will call for more extensive efforts.

But at the end of the day or the decade, you can look back and look down. Even though it’s underfoot, flooring can make or break the look and use of a room. Selecting well and keeping it in good shape will reward the cost and effort many times over.

Tags: DIY - Flooring – Ceiling

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