Specialty Flooring

Reseach Flooring Prices To Get The Best Floor For Your Budget

The flooring options today are limitless.  Within major categories like hardwood, vinyl, tile, laminate, and carpet the options can become overwhelming, especially if this is your first introduction to the world of flooring.  Even those who have a solid understanding of the various options may find that they need time to re-acclimate to the multitude of choices.  Couple this with the fact that money doesn't grow on trees and that sticking to a budget is prudent, then the stress levels can really start to rise.  Flooring prices vary from ultra cheap to ultra expensive making sure you get what you love at a price that makes you happy the goal. 

Generally speaking, vinyl floor coverings are the least expensive and the easiest to install.  Available in square tiles or on a roll, vinyl can be as cost effective as $.39 cents per square foot depending on the brand and quality.  The market offers various grades of vinyl and warranties and so it pays to do your homework prior to making a purchase.  Vinyl works great in areas susceptible to moisture such as a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room and higher grade vinyls offer good durability and wear well in high traffic areas. 

Hardwoods and laminates on the other hand are not recommended for bathrooms but are excellent in most other areas of the home.  In terms of comparing the flooring prices of vinyl to hardwoods or laminates the difference is reasonable and within reach of most renovation budgets.  As an example, R.L. Colston unfinished Rustic Red Oak can be purchased for $1.49 per square foot. 

Exotics on the other hand can cost well over $8.00 per square foot uninstalled.  Laminate floors range from less than $1 per square foot up to $4 per square foot.  Both hardwood floors and laminates are very easy to install. 

Before the end of your project, you will feel like a professional and need to avoid telling friends and family that you can install flooring unless you want to be everyone's project sidekick. Other less discussed options in the flooring market are engineered and cork flooring. 

Engineered flooring prices are comparative to traditional hardwoods but given that they are a mix of laminate with a touch of real wood the consumer may find it prudent to stick to a true solid hardwood or laminate. 

As you can see, flooring prices run the spectrum.  The key is identify the style that compliments your decorating habits, choose what you like, and shop hard for a bargain.