Buying a new home is very exciting. You probably have a long list of things you want in your new home - an updated kitchen, plenty of natural light, and a place to put your favorite family photo.
But before you start planning a future in your new home, there is one more thing to add to your checklist - the floors! One of the biggest things home buyers forget to look at is the home flooring. But it can have a big impact on the value of the home and the home's overall durability.
Keep reading for a guide on what you should be looking for in your home's flooring.
1. Consistency
When you walk through the house, what do you notice about the flooring in the bedrooms versus the living room? Are all of the floors the same, or do different areas have different styles?
In recent years, home flooring has been trending away from carpet and towards hardwood. However, some homes still have carpet in bedrooms or hallways. Using carpet is still a great choice to warm a room and offer a softer look.
When you're looking at potential houses to buy, consider whether consistency in the floors to your home is important to you.
If the floors are not consistent, consider if you're willing to take on a home renovation project to change them.
2. Pet-Friendly
If you are moving into a new home and bringing your pet with you, home flooring is a big consideration. There are certain home floors that are easier to clean when your pet has an accident. There are also floors that are resistant to scratching and some of the wear and tear caused by pets.
So as you browse new homes, take a look at the floors and ask what they're made of. Tile, luxury vinyl, or hardwood are generally going to be better options for homes with pets.
3. Existing Damage
As you're walking through a house you might notice that parts of the floors are damaged. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, but you should be sure that water damage isn't a regular thing at this house.
Sometimes basements or low floors are subject to dampness or water damage which can be seen in the flooring. Think twice about purchasing a house with water damaged floors because it could mean that you have to install new home flooring more often than you'd like.
4. Smell
This might seem strange, but sometimes flooring can have a strange odor to it. The smell could be caused by a number of things, but if the owner wasn't able to get rid of it, you might not be able to either.
Pet odor, excess moisture, or just old age can cause the flooring to smell bad. Again, just think twice about buying a home with a weird floor smell unless you're open to the idea of replacing the floors right away.
5. Allergies
If you or someone in your family has allergies, your home flooring could make it worse. So when you are buying a new home look for surfaces that are easy to clean and remove any dust, danger, or hair that could cause an allergic reaction.
Generally, tile and hardwood are the best choices in this instance. Cork and bamboo are also natural, allergy-friendly options. If you’re looking for carpet, try cut and loop pile carpet because it is easier to clean.
6. Type of Hardwood
There are a few different types of hardwood floors. Engineered hardwood has a plywood base while solid hardwood flooring is made from single planks of wood.
When you're looking to buy a new home you can ask about what type of hardwood was installed. That way if you ever have to repair or replace it, you'll know what to look for.
7. Texture
The texture or feeling of your home flooring is just as important as the appearance. Imagine walking barefoot or with your socks on throughout the house. Would the floor you're looking at be comfortable?
These are small details, but they make a difference in the overall comfortability of the home. Don't be afraid to touch the flooring of your new home, just to see how it feels.
8. Temperature
Your home flooring affects the temperature of the house too. For example, carpet and tile tend to make a room feel warmer while stone or laminate might make it cooler.
When looking at the flooring of potential new homes, consider the type of weather in your environment. You may also want to think about whether the house has proper heating and cooling to offset any temperature changes caused by the flooring.
9. Personal Taste
The last of the new home buyer flooring tips is to choose the flooring that matches your personal taste. The style, color, or pattern should match with what you plan to put inside your home.
It can be hard to imagine a home with all of your furniture and personal belongings inside. But as you're trying to picture this, don't forget to plan around the home flooring too. For example, if you have a lot of wood furniture you'll want to think about how that might look with a slightly different looking hardwood floor.
What to Look for in Your Home's Flooring
Now you know what to look for in your new home's flooring. So as you plan for the big step of homeownership, don't forget that floors matter too!
The perfect home with the perfect home flooring is out there waiting for you right now. Best of luck in the search and purchase of your new home!
If you're looking to install new floors, or have any questions you can contact us for a free home estimate.
