Flooring 101
The time has come to replace your flooring but the endless options of products on the market can be overwhelming! Here at MP James we’ve created a guide for you on how to make this process as easy as possible!
First, you'll want to ask yourself the following questions:
Where are you installing the material?
What is your budget?
What “look” or design aesthetic are you trying to achieve?
The most budget-friendly option out there in our opinion is the Luxury Vinyl Plank. The benefit to this option is that it’s lower in cost for both material and installation. What's great about this product is that it's water resistant! You’ll want to get a thicker wear layer when picking out your flooring. LVP comes in two options; 12mm and 20mm face layer. You will want to get the 20mm if it falls within your budget! Why? Because it's commercial grade which means your kids and animals will have a verrrrrry hard time scratching it! Remember that with increased quality comes increased price so these LVP planks may not be as cost efficient as the “over the counter” options.
Another option is tile. Tile is appropriate for many home styles including modern, transitional, and beyond! It is extremely durable, easy to clean, difficult to stain, and an aesthetic dream! From sleek neutral large format tiles to wood look planks- the options are endless! We could go on and on about the durability and abundance of great tile options, but the main takeaway should be that it is great for an active household! If you’re worried about the ground feeling cold or the space feeling less cozy, we recommend accessorizing with cozy area rugs to create literal and figurative warmth! The only “negative” is that the cost of install is significantly more expensive, but if you’re looking for a long term investment you certainly can’t go wrong!
Another option is going with either an engineered or a solid wood floor. Engineered wood is a more cost effective option than solid wood, but both provide the same aesthetic. The benefit to solid wood is that it can be refinished more frequently than engineered wood; however, the price tag does reflect that. In damp areas, such as kitchens, be sure to always clean up water drops and spills to make sure that your flooring lasts as long as possible. Another benefit of real wood is that the texture more easily hides knicks, dings, and scratches. For modern and transitional homes, choose woods with less color variation and knots; for traditional homes, more knots in the wood create a more “rustic” look.
Still not sure which material to use? Message us in the comments below and we’ll be sure to offer you some input!