A Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Floor

So you\'ve just moved into your new home, and you\'re ready to start decorating and getting it just the way you want. And as contractors have probably told you, your first step is choosing your flooring. Floors are often the most expensive part of the home, and for that reason alone it pays to take your time and get to know your options. Here are some factors worth considering to make sure you get your money\'s worth.

Budget: Start by figuring out how much you can afford for a floor. Take into account the other home improvements you\'re planning. Spending a bit more on the floor is expected, but take into account other costs such as installation, sealing and refinishing. Some floors may be cheap at the outset, but can end up costing more in maintenance over time.

Material: Flooring materials are more varied today than ever before, but that doesn\'t mean they\'re all good. Your choice should be based on your lifestyle and how much abuse you expect the floor to get. Stone and hardwood are popular choices, but if it\'s a less traffic-heavy room, you can save money by going for tile or resilient flooring.

Maintenance: All floors need a bit of maintenance, no matter how sturdy they claim to be. The question is how much maintenance you\'re willing to do. If you don\'t mind vacuuming every other day, then you could go for carpet flooring. But if you\'re busy and hardly have time to clean, you may want a less demanding material such as ceramic tiles.

Installation: Every floor requires a different approach to installation. Some of them you can install yourself, even if you\'re a beginner. Others need to be professionally installed and delivered. If you\'re getting it done by the manufacturer, make sure there\'s a warranty so you\'re covered in case something goes wrong.

Manufacturer: This is probably the least acknowledged factor in home flooring. Remember, the deal doesn\'t end once you\'ve bought the floor-chances are you\'ll have to come back for warranty claims, cleaning services and installation. Look for a company that\'s been in the business for a while and has a good track record.