Building a new home is exciting, but the sheer volume of decisions that you need to make can be overwhelming! From fixtures and paint colors to window treatments and flooring, the options are endless.

When it comes to flooring, this can be one of the most significant decisions you make for your new home. That’s because flooring comprises one of the largest surface areas. In addition to being easy on your eyes and something that you love aesthetically, there are other factors you should consider when selecting flooring. Here are a few tips!

Color and Finish Options

There are so many options on the market today when it comes to colors and finishes for flooring. Choosing a floor with a unique pattern or color profile can add extra value to your home, and it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Consider tiles with artistic patterns or unique colors or a rare hardwood variety with a gorgeous grain.

Is It Easy to Care For?

Don’t overlook your lifestyle when it comes to choosing flooring. Do you have little kids running around and spilling stuff constantly? Or pets with long nails which could easily damage your floor’s surface?

The kind of flooring that you choose is vital for these reasons when it comes to day to day cleaning and tidying, but you also want to keep in mind long-term maintenance. Some stone requires sealing and polishing every few years, hardwood floors will need to be refinished, and your tile’s grout will also need a good deep clean from time to time. Be sure to factor in the ease of care when you’re picking out a flooring material.

How Many Stories Is Your Home? 

While many flooring materials work well on the first level of a home, the same cannot be said for those up above. Multi-level homes have suspended floors that tend to flex more over time and with age, and materials like tile or stone can become damaged on these levels over time.

On the flip side, keep in mind that carpet and hardwood are never good choices for a basement because they are not designed to be installed below grade.

Resale Appeal

When you are designing your home, resale appeal is perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind as you are picking out materials. But you should keep in mind whether or not you’re picking out items for your forever home or one that you plan to resell in the coming years. If you fall into the latter camp, make sure your flooring appeals to a broader audience.

Choose Now for Changes Later

It is perfectly okay if you aren’t 100% sure of what kind of flooring you want to commit to as you are building your home. But make your choices now for potential changes down the line.

That means you may want to select a hardwood floor that can be restained, repainted, or refinished in another hue in the future. Installing flooring like tile would make changes much more difficult should you wish to swap it out.

Consider the Durability Factor

Once again, you will have to use a little bit of introspection here because the durability factor depends on your daily usage. With this in mind, consider how long each type of flooring might last given your routine and habits. It is also a good rule of thumb to choose tougher materials in rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway that see a lot of traffic daily.

Selecting a durable material will mean that you can enjoy your flooring for years to come without seeing signs of aging or the need to replace it prematurely.

If you have any questions about flooring options or custom homes in Marion, Cedar Rapids or the Iowa City Corridor, please contact us. It would be our absolute pleasure to assist you!