First things first, let’s talk about the signs that should alert you that the time has come to consider new flooring options. Many people dread the thought of a flooring replacement, and understandably so. It’s a pretty long and tedious process, which can be expensive. However, in some instances, flooring replacement becomes inevitable. Here’s what you should know.

Carpet

Carpet is notorious for having a short life expectancy. Low-quality ones last five to ten years, and high-quality carpets can work for as long as 15 to 25 years. Of course, multiple factors influence the longevity of the material. And Interior Motives, Inc. will guide you on how you can prolong the life of your carpet.

You should consider replacing your carpet flooring when:

• You notice excessive stains that won’t come off
• The carpet gets ripped or torn easily or becomes undone at the ends
• It develops a bad odor that doesn’t go away even after rigorous cleaning
• Carpet fibers are matted down
• Excessive wrinkling has occurred

Hardwood

This flooring material can last for over 25 years if maintained well, and you have the option of refinishing to ensure that it looks as good as new. However, even hardwood can get damaged beyond repair and need replacement. Here’s when you should replace hardwood flooring.

• If the boards squeak or shift more than normal
• If the flooring develops structural issues and slopes
• If you have worn through the finish of the hardwood and dark spots begin to appear

Tile

You can reach out to Interior Motives, Inc. when you feel that your tile flooring is past its prime. The signs to watch out for in tile flooring include

• Cracks and chips in a section with no apparent reason detected
• Tenting or ridges between tiles form due to low-quality installation
• Loosening of the tile occur

Sometimes, even when your flooring isn’t in too bad of shape, there’s no harm in thinking about a replacement. Why? Why should you consider contact a flooring company, and what benefits can new flooring offer you?

• Your property’s value will increase, and Interior Motives, Inc. can help you out with this. Flooring often works as a catalyst for home renovations, and you will realize the difference once you decide to sell your house.
• You can get functional updates with new flooring installation. Old floors are a challenge to clean and often pose other problems. With the new floor, the overall functionality is improved, and you can get rid of the minor nuisances that were troubling you before.
• Quality flooring is great for your health. Dust, pet accidents, bacteria and allergens tend to accumulate on floors with time. With new flooring, you can get rid of these problems.
• With quality flooring, you will also notice a drastic decrease in your energy bills. Some flooring options are better insulators than others. Irrespective of which material you go for, new floors inadvertently help preserve the interior temperature, thereby lowering utility bills.

So what are the standard options you will be presented with when you approach a flooring company? Interior Motives, Inc. is equipped to offer you a variety of flooring with versatility. Here are some of the choices you have.

Solid Hardwood

Solid wood is easily one of the most popular flooring options in the US. The construction is simple, and the installation isn’t too tricky either if a professional flooring contractor is brought on board. The flooring board is available in small to medium widths, and it’s up to you to determine what kind of wood you want to go with. Some options include oak, maple and hickory.

The material is ideal for spaces with medium foot traffic like living rooms and dining rooms. It’s a great option for Kitchens too, but the excessive moisture, dragging of chairs and dropping of utensils are things you need to take into account.

Pros

• Hardwood works well with every home décor.
• It’s durable and long-lasting as you can have it refinished by Interior Motives, Inc. multiple times to make it appear as good as new
• It enhances the resale value of a house
• It’s easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• You have to be careful when it comes to the handling of hardwood. The material warps if exposed to moisture for an extended period.
• Changes and temperature can cause it to shrink and swell
• It’s vulnerable to scratches and dents

Engineered Wood

If you want the best of both worlds, that is, the appearance of solid wood but avoiding its negative sides, engineered wood is an ideal choice. Engineered Hardwood is different from solid hardwood because it has s a thin veneer of natural wood on the top, rather than a solid piece. Layers of plywood are present underneath the veneer making the material sturdier. There’s quite a lot of variety with this flooring option in terms of patterns, wood types and widths.

Engineered wood can be installed in multiple areas of the house, including enclosed porches, basements, living rooms and family rooms, among others.

Pros

• Offers affordable flooring with all the features of hardwood
• Less sensitive to temperature changes and humidity compared to solid wood
• Wide plank hardwood is available in engineered form due to the construction
• Interior Motives, Inc. can install it directly over a concrete subfloor, saving you quite a bit of money
• It’s an environmentally friendly options because it doesn’t use as much highly sought after and sometimes rare woods due to the

Cons

• It can scratch and dent easily
• Some styles cannot be refinished and the wood may not have the same appearance as the original