How to choose the right flooring for your Florida home remodeling venture

Choose flooring by balancing each room’s foot traffic, exposure to spills and water, comfort underfoot, and the look you want for your home. Compare the flooring’s color and style with your furniture, wall colors and natural light, and consider the suitability of the particular material and finish rather than appearance alone.

Choosing the Right Flooring

Choosing flooring for your home remodeling project can feel daunting and is one of the biggest challenges faced by home renovators. Here are some factors that can help you narrow down your choices and choose a floor that suits your home:

• Traffic: Different floors can handle different levels of traffic, so think about how often each room will be used. Hardwood, tile and linoleum can be hardwearing options, while carpets may wear more quickly in high-use areas. Durability depends on the particular flooring you choose.
• Spills and water: Kitchens, bathrooms and entertainment areas are likely to come into contact with moisture and messes. Easy-to-clean options such as tile, linoleum or polished concrete may be suitable choices, depending on the room and the material. Hardwood may also be an option for kitchens, but its suitability depends on the flooring and protective finish. A finish can help limit moisture absorption; it should not be treated as complete protection from water.
• Warmth: If you want a cozy, luxurious feel, thick carpets may suit that preference. Tile can feel chilly underfoot, particularly in winter, unless it has in-floor heating. If you want an option that can be more hardwearing than carpet while offering a warmer feel than tile, consider hardwood.
• Atmosphere: The aesthetics of your home as a whole play an important role in your renovation. A floor that meets your practical needs may not necessarily give you the atmosphere you want. For a modern look, large, highly polished tiles can provide clean lines, while hardwood can give your home a softer, classic country feel.
• Color: Flooring comes in many colors and tones, and the right choice helps create a home that suits your style rather than clashes with it. Light colors can make rooms appear larger and more open, while dark colors can make small, dim rooms feel darker. Balance your flooring choice with the aesthetic you want, the furniture you are keeping, your wall colors and the amount of natural light in your home.