27 Jul Updating Flooring to Improve the Value of Your Home

Updating Flooring to Improve the Value of Your Home

Flooring is one of the most important features of your home. Main level hardwood and tile flooring has almost become the norm, especially when you look at newly built homes. If you plan to be in a home for approximatley three plus years then the investment into hardwood flooring will provide you with enjoyment as well as give you a good return. But if you plan to move within the year, it may not make sense to make this investment. New carpet, vinyl or laminate flooring can be more economical and look fresh to potential buyers. For bathroom spaces, neutral tiled flooring with its durability retains its value exceptionally well. Here are some flooring options to consider.

Flooring options

Lower cost options

First get the carpet cleaned and see how it looks, clean and/or refinish existing hardwood floors, consider lower cost vinyl plank.  If you don’t have tile, first clean the vinyl floors and see how they look, if they need to be repaired review different options based on your budget and time that you will be in the home.

Engineered vs. site finished hardwood flooring

Engineered wood flooring consists of layered tiers of real wood pressed together to form a structure that has the same beauty of solid wood flooring, while allowing stability and options in installation. The real wood surface layer is available in many different wood types, designs and finishes, and is also available in many different thicknesses with more choices of wider planks and handcrafted finishes. Engineered floors are versatile, allowing them to be installed in any part of the home whether it be the basement or directly on slab. These floors can be stapled, glued, nailed, or even floated over existing subfloors. Some engineered floors can be refinished, it is a good idea to verify this with the manufacturer.

Site finished wood flooring enables you to customize many aspects of the installation such as the choice of finish – water-based polyurethane, oil base polyurethane, or natural oil finish, the sheen level – high gloss, semi-gloss, matte and stain colors. You can also customize the installation with patterns such as herringbone, borders, inlays, and medallions and try to match an existing wood floor.  Another benefit is that they can be refinished when years of wear have left them scratched and dull.

Eco-friendly flooring

Choosing new or replacement eco-friendly flooring is one of the emerging trends among house and condo owners. Eco-friendly flooring is made from, or with, more sustainable resources, such as materials that don’t deplete or permanently damage the environment (such as toxic laminates), or reusable or recyclable materials.

Here are some examples:

Renewable and Sustainable – Bamboo, cork, hardwood, natural stone, linoleum, and wool carpet are just a few of the options out there. Before you buy natural flooring products, ask if the harvesting methods are verified through an accredited authority.

Repurposed and Reclaimed – Flooring made from old building structures (e.g., posts, beams, walls, and planks) is a viable alternative to grown and harvested resources. Likewise, recycled glass, plastic, and rubber provide ample raw materials for creative flooring effects. Using them also reduces landfill waste. These products can be found through decorative flooring dealers.

When purchasing any flooring, be it natural or synthetic, it is important to know how the product is manufactured, and that it can easily be recycled when it is beyond its usefulness, as opposed to ending up in a landfill.

Helping you determine what will have the biggest impact on potential buyers and dollars obtained is our specialty. We also have contacts of professionals for flooring, including preferred suppliers with programs to assist clients. Contact us if you would like more information.

Have a question about the market, your home or houses for sale in Kanata or Ottawa, please feel free to Contact us