Choose the Right Flooring for Your Lifestyle

Choosing the right kind of flooring is an important design decision that will affect both the look of your new home in Montgomery County as well as your family’s lifestyle.

For example, while Berber carpet may look amazing, it can trap dust and other particles, which can cause the quality of life issues for those who suffer from allergies. Hardwood and natural stone flooring are susceptible to damage that results from high traffic, such as pets, children, or large gatherings of people.

Here are a few tips to help you determine the type of flooring that may best fit your lifestyle.

What’s Your Lifestyle Like?

There are many aspects of your home and personal life that may dictate the best type of flooring to consider: The first step in choosing the right kind of flooring for your new home in Montgomery County is to look at your lifestyle. 

Any kind of carpet can also cause potential problems because of occasional animal accidents. If carpet is a must, be sure to choose a brand that contains odor-reducing enzymes that will help reduce offensive smells. 

Children

If you have toddlers in your family, a soft padded carpet is much better than a hard floor surface from a safety perspective. However, in areas where young children are more likely to make a mess, ceramic tile or other resilient material offers an easy way to clean up without causing permanent damage. 

Teenagers who play sports can track mud and dirt from one end of the home to the other. If your new home in Montgomery County is equipped with a mudroom or other designated entry area, tile or a durable vinyl plank material can not only withstand years of abuse but will also clean up very quickly. 

Allergy Sufferers

If you or a loved one suffers from allergies, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood products are an ideal choice to help reduce symptoms. Carpet can attract and retain dust, mold, dirt, and tree pollen. While regular vacuuming can help, it usually only gets a portion of the allergens that become trapped in the carpet fibers.

Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets

While we love our furry family members, they can cause permanent damage to certain types of flooring, such as hardwood and expensive carpets. Dirt, mud, and sharp claws can quickly scratch the highly polished wooden, laminate, or cork floor surfaces.

The best type of flooring for a household with pets is one that has a very resilient surface, such as laminates or types of vinyl that have scratch-resistant layers that can stand up to heavy traffic and wear and tear. Ceramic tile is another excellent choice as it is durable and can be easily wet mopped.

Entertaining Guests 

If you have an active social life and like to entertain guests regularly, hard surface floors are an ideal solution. While natural stone, hardwood flooring, and luxurious carpets may look nice, these types of materials tend to wear and stain easily. In some cases, you may need to replace the entire flooring to fix the damage.

Ceramic tile offers the best of both worlds in terms of form and functionality for your new home in Montgomery County. It comes in a wide variety of textures, colors, shades, and patterns that provide a superbly elegant look and feel. Best of all, they’re durable enough to stand up to years of heavy traffic and can easily be cleaned with a wet mop.

Older and Disabled Adults

Soft carpet is an ideal choice for homes with senior citizens or disabled adults. Polished hardwood floors and ceramic tiles have a slippery surface and can easily cause someone to slip and fall. 

Low-pile carpeting will allow for walkers and wheelchairs to move about freely without getting snagged or causing damage. It also provides a soft surface that offers cushioning if someone were to fall.

What’s Your Style?

Once you’ve determined the best kind of flooring for your new home, it’s now time to think about the style. In addition to your favorite patterns and colors, choose textures that match your personal tastes. Polished marble floors, rich hardwood grains, and luxuriously thick carpets will serve to complement both your accessories and furniture.

Consider the future as well. While shag carpet was the go-to flooring choice of the 1960s and 70s, it quickly faded out of style in the 80s. While you can easily replace furniture and décor, changing out your flooring is a major project. If you don’t plan on replacing your flooring anytime soon, opt for a style that offers a timeless look and feel. 

Best Types of Flooring Materials

There are many different types of flooring materials that will complement your particular lifestyle for your new home in Montgomery County: 

Carpet – Carpet is the default choice for many homeowners. It offers a soft surface that provides an extra layer of security for babies, older adults, and the physically disadvantaged. Some carpet brands also come with stain and odor resistant properties. 

Wood and Hardwood – Wood floors not only provide a classic look and feel, they also work very well for those who suffer from allergies. If damage or scratches occur, they can be sanded out to look new again.

Tile – Tile is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas that are prone to spills and dirt. Some tiles, such as ceramic and porcelain, are stain and scratch-resistant and work well in households with children or pets.

Vinyl – Vinyl flooring comes in many different styles, colors, and patterns. Luxury vinyl technology has advanced to the point where it can mimic the exact look of more expensive options such as hardwood or stone.

The Right Flooring for Your New Home

The lifestyle that you live will have a significant impact on the type of flooring that you select. Contact us today to discuss the many flooring options available for your new home. If you’re looking for a move-in ready home or you would like to completely customize your own, reach out to us online. At Hallmark Homes Group, we work with our clients on an individual basis to help them design and create the perfect custom home.