Greetings!
As an expert contributor, we will focus on flooring trends, maintenance ideas, and quirks that cater specifically to what we see in the Dover Area and Central Pennsylvania. First, we’ll start with the ins and outs of choosing the right floor for your situation. The following are the top considerations to make for the best buying experience for both you and the sales professional:
Match flooring to fit the room, and your lifestyle too!
Some general types to consider include:
- Kids or pets? Choose a scratch‑resistant luxury vinyl, laminate, or pet-friendly carpet
- Halls and steps? Rigid-core luxury vinyl or Nylon fiber Carpet
- High‑traffic area? Scratch resistance from premium luxury vinyl or porcelain tile, or nylon fiber carpet
- Quiet, soft feel? Thicker W.P.C. core luxury vinyl, or P.E.T. fiber carpets
Check sample swatches in your actual lighting.
Pictures are worth only a thousand words. Having a physical sample at home is essential! Dover Area homes often have warm indoor lighting, compared to cooler LED showroom lighting. Colors shift dramatically in our crazy weather patterns around here. Consider a floor that will still have style in 10–15 years or more.
What other plans do you have for the room/rooms?
Flooring is just one piece of the big home improvement puzzle. Avoid “buying the cart before the horse” and choose the proper order of remodel, even if it means putting it off a little longer. This is especially important for kitchens and bathrooms.
Consider the subfloor condition.
Luxury vinyl has been exceptionally popular for about twenty years now. The biggest issue with these floors during that period is separation, inevitably caused by an unlevel subfloor.
Don’t expect too much from the floor if your subfloor is uneven. Many luxury vinyls and woods, especially thinner ones, have much stricter installation and substrate tolerances than most do-it-yourselfers realize. Consider a thicker floor, carpet, or even replacing the subfloor altogether.
Don’t dismiss the old faves!
While there may not be as many options as your parents may remember, carpet and sheet vinyl are still great flooring choices, available in bright and beautiful designs. Many more of these products are made in the USA than tile and luxury vinyl. And if you’re interested in more unique patterns, or a lack of pattern at all, carpet and sheet vinyl can mimic looks that luxury vinyl cannot match because of how they are installed.
Speaking of patterns, these are really popular right now in the Dover Area…
Tiles, hardwoods, and now even luxury vinyls are available in herringbone and chevron patterns. All options are increasing in popularity year over year, not only nationwide but also among my York County clients. They truly offer a dramatic change to a room’s feel and appearance; a modern twist to a timeless look. A downside is that these floors are not the easiest to install, especially in connecting rooms. Highly consider professional installation when using these designs.
Do your homework
Know what you like. And even more so, know what you don’t like too. Have a checklist. Ask questions. Be confident in your purchase…it’s meant to last for decades to come!
Thanks for reading!
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