If you’re looking to increase your home resale value, one of the best ways is to add new floors. However, you must choose wisely. Considering a garage epoxy floor provider in Chicago can offer durable and attractive flooring options that enhance your home’s appeal. In general, replacing old carpets with hard surfaces always boosts resale value. But which flooring materials should you consider? Here are a few options. Choosing the right floor is all about matching your needs with what potential buyers want.
Hardwood
Flooring has the potential to make a significant impact on your home’s resale value. Unlike carpets, which can be costly to replace or maintain, hardwood floors are long-lasting and durable and add a timeless elegance that is coveted by buyers in the real estate market. Additionally, wood is a sustainable material that supports green living. However, the type of wood chosen greatly influences cost and value addition. For example, exotic woods like Brazilian cherry can be more expensive but provide a unique design style that can appeal to niche markets.
The most common hardwood options include oak, maple and walnut. Each provides a solid balance of durability and color range at reasonable costs. Oak and maple also pair well with many design styles, including modern and contemporary. In recent years, wide plank hardwood floors have surged in popularity and are an excellent choice for maximizing resale value.
When selecting hardwood, consider your current lifestyle and location. In areas where hardwood is in high demand, it can increase resale value by as much as 2.5%. However, this may not be the case in every neighborhood. The type of wood and finish is also important, as some species of wood are more desirable than others.
Choosing a flooring contractor that is knowledgeable in your location and can advise you on specific hardwood products, finishes and colors will ensure the best return on your investment. It is recommended to have your floors refinished about once every 10 years. Refinishing involves sanding the existing wood and applying new coats of finish. It is best done by a professional to avoid damage and keep your wood looking great.
While some remodeling projects can be a substantial investment, they have the ability to pay for themselves through increased resale value. According to the Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, hardwood floors typically have the highest ROI of any flooring material.
A new hardwood floor is a major selling point for homes, attracting potential buyers and showcasing the quality of care and maintenance. Buyers are often willing to pay a premium for move-in ready properties and hardwood floors are a key indicator of this.
Tile or Stone
While carpet is still the go-to choice for many, savvy home buyers are increasingly seeking hard flooring that requires minimal maintenance. This is because they know that carpets can become moldy, mildewy and odorous over time and can require extensive cleaning and replacement.
Hardwood floors are the preferred flooring option for many buyers as they provide a classic look that is easy to clean. They can also be refinished and updated to fit the current trend. However, this type of flooring is not ideal for every location as it can warp and grow mold in humid climates.
Another popular choice for flooring is stone, which offers a unique look that adds value to your home. It is available in a variety of natural materials such as slate, sandstone, limestone and marble. Stone is water resistant, which helps to keep homes cool and comfortable during the summer months. It is also easy to maintain with regular resealing, and it can last for a long time when properly cared for.
The downside of stone flooring is that it can be very expensive, and the type of stone you choose will affect how much your floor costs. It is important to consider what types of stone are in demand in your local area and the price range of homes there, as this will influence how much a stone floor adds to the value of your home.
Tile flooring is a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens as it can be easy to maintain, durable and stain-resistant. It is available in a wide array of colors and styles, so you can find the perfect tile to match your design aesthetic and your home’s décor. However, like hardwood, tiles can be costly and can have a negative impact on your home’s resale value if they are poorly maintained or not replaced after damage.
Laminate or Vinyl
If you’re considering upgrading your floors, it’s important to think about how these changes may affect resale value. If you install flooring that is dated or out of style, potential home buyers will be less interested in your property and may even offer lower prices than you might expect. However, with the right investment in flooring, you can add to your home’s resale value.
The most popular flooring option for increasing your home’s resale values is hardwood or engineered wood floors. These floors are durable, easy to clean and look beautiful. They also have the added benefit of providing a natural, warm feel to any room. In addition, they are an energy-efficient choice for your home, which may appeal to environmentally conscious homebuyers.
If hardwood isn’t an option for your budget, consider laminate or vinyl. These types of floors are also becoming more popular because they can mimic the aesthetics of their pricier counterparts. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, so you can easily find something that will complement your current decor. In fact, many homeowners can see up to an eighty percent return on their investment in new flooring.
While vinyl has traditionally been poor at returning resale value, it’s gained some traction in recent years as thicker and more realistic products entered the market. Both types of flooring are inexpensive, easy to clean and can withstand heavy foot traffic. However, you should be careful about using vinyl in areas that are exposed to moisture because it can warp over time.
If you’re not sure which type of flooring would be best for your home, consult a real estate agent with experience in your area. They can help you determine your home’s current resale value and suggest the type of flooring that will add to its overall appeal and resale value. With proper installation and dedicated maintenance, you can add to your home’s value by investing in the right floors. Just be sure to choose a floor that suits your lifestyle and taste, as well as the preferences of the majority of home buyers in your area.
Consistency
Imagine you are touring a home that seems to check all the boxes on your wish list. The structure is strong, the appliances are stylish, and the kitchen has granite counters. But as you walk from room to room, you start to notice one major blemish: the floors are mismatched.
While a few rooms of different flooring might work for some homes, buyers tend to prefer consistency. The reason is that it creates a more cohesive look for the space and streamlines cleaning and maintenance. Plus, if the same flooring type is used in all rooms of the house, potential buyers will have a more accurate picture of the overall cost of maintenance and upkeep in the home.
Hardwood floors are popular because of their durability, classic style, and perceived value for resale. But there are many other flooring options available that can add just as much value. Carpet is cozy underfoot, insulating, and soft, but it may need frequent replacement and isn’t a great choice for high-traffic areas.
Tile is a durable material that is hygienic and easy to clean, making it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. It also works well in bedrooms, as it’s comfortable underfoot and helps to reduce noise.
Reclaimed wood is a beautiful option for flooring, as it provides character and a unique aesthetic. However, it’s important to consider how it will age, as reclaimed wood can shrink and expand with changes in humidity levels, leading to splinters, cracks, or uneven boards. In addition, reclaimed wood can often contain insect holes or other signs of past use.
The best way to avoid this is by using a milled face, which is a process that takes the original face of the board and machine-planes it, eliminating the imperfection and color inconsistency that would otherwise exist in natural face flooring.
It’s tempting to match your cabinets and large furniture pieces to your flooring, but this can often have a monochromatic and muted effect. Instead, try to complement your flooring in order to make the space feel more welcoming.
