Flooring is the Easiest part of a Home to Customize

With the wide range of flooring materials that you can choose from these days, designing your own home has become just a bit more challenging, especially since the type of flooring can make a significant impact on your home’s appearance, comfort factor, and resale value. To help you narrow down your choices and sort through your options, Big Sky Homes, your affordable housing retailer in Billings, lays out 6 of the most popular products available.

Carpet Flooring

On the Plus Side – Considered as one of the most versatile flooring options, carpet flooring doesn’t only feel soft and comfortable to walk on, it also gives a room a softer, and more comfy look. It acts as an insulator to keep warm air inside during the cold months. It also serves as a noise dampener and prevents echoing within the home. The cost of a carpet depends directly on its quality: the denser it is, the more durable it is, and consequently, the more expensive it is.

On the Downside – Carpet flooring can stain easily and become costly and difficult to clean.

 

Ceramic Tile Flooring

On the Plus Side – Made from a mixture of shale and clay, ceramic tile flooring comes in a wide variety of colors, designs, styles and sizes that make it easy to create distinct, one-of-a-kind patterns. It is durable, requires low maintenance, stain-resistant, easy to replace when it gets cracked or chipped, and is available at costs ranging from very affordable, to moderately affordable, to outright expensive. Some varieties even come with an anti-slip finish for outstanding traction even when the floor gets wet.

One the Downside – Tile can crack or chip. It can cause leg discomfort after prolonged standing because it is very hard on the feet. It can also be hard to clean if it is installed with a thick grout line.

 

Hardwood Flooring

On the Plus Side – With hardwood flooring, a room can easily attain a natural and charming look that will last for years to come. It is easy to clean and wear-resistant. It can be re-sanded and refinished several times through its lifetime to keep it looking as good as it is.

One the Downside – Hardwood flooring is one of the most expensive flooring materials, and is a bit difficult to install. Aside from being prone to scratches and dents, water is wood’s enemy, so you’ll have to be extra careful in keeping it liquid-free. Wood is also susceptible to changes in temperature and is a bit loud to walk on.

 

Laminate Flooring

On the Plus Side – Composed of several layers of non-porous aluminum oxide and other engineered materials (such as plywood) sandwiched together, laminate flooring is designed to replicate the look of tile or wood. Requiring very minimal maintenance, it is easy to install on your own, is resistant to scuffs and scratches, is moderately priced and available at different colors, textures and grain varieties.

On the Downside – Laminate cannot be refinished. Once it shows signs of deterioration, or it gets damaged by standing water (which it certainly will if the water soaks in), you need to start saving up to replace it.

 

Stone Flooring

On the Plus Side – Stone flooring provides a room that classic and elegant appeal that is distinctly its own because of the simple fact that no two stones are exactly alike. Stone is almost indestructible and is impervious to water and moisture. It feels good to walk on in the summer because it is cool on your feet. Stone is naturally beautiful and adds value to your home.

On the Downside – Stone flooring costs relatively high, is difficult to install, requires regular cleaning, as well as regular sealing. It can also easily become slippery when it gets wet and is quite uncomfortable to stand on. Unless radiant floor heat is installed, it’s cold in the winter.

 

Vinyl Flooring

On the Plus Side – Vinyl (often called linoleum) is available in a diverse range of designs and finishes that can mimic other pricier materials such as ceramic tile, stone, wood and many others at a fraction of their cost. Aside from being comfortable to step on, vinyl is easy to clean, is relatively durable, and is almost water-proof, which makes it perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-moisture areas. Plus, you can install it on your own, without any professional help.

On the Downside – Vinyl can be easily damaged: it can be torn by sharp objects, dulled by dust and grit, and faded by sunlight. It can also bubble, curl and dent over time, making its lifespan shorter compared with other flooring materials. Vinyl is also considered as non-environment because it can release VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) from the time it is manufactured, to the time it is installed, and even up to the time it is disposed of.

 

You have Choices at Big Sky Homes

Here at Big Sky Homes, we help you pick the right customization for your new home. You can select a home off of our lot, and have it ready to go within a few days, or you can customize everything; from the paint colors, to the window types, to the flooring. A fully customized home will still cost less than the majority of homes that are pre-built on site.

Come by our lot at 750 Parkway Ln. to get some ideas, and then talk with us on customizing your new home in Billings, Montana.

[googleMap name=”Big” description=”Big Sky Homes in Billings” width=”700″ height=”400″]750 Parkway Lane Billings, MT 59101[/googleMap]