Building a new home is exciting, especially when you get to customize every feature. When building your dream home, you want to make sure you pick the right options for you and your family, especially your flooring. Flooring not only influences the aesthetics of your home but it can also influence energy efficiency, comfort, and even resale value.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about flooring so you can feel confident when choosing flooring for your new home build.
Flooring for High Moisture Environments
Whether you live in a climate with high humidity or just considering flooring for your bathroom, you should pick flooring that is water-resistant. Flooring that is sensitive to humidity can warp or even harbor mold and mildew. Fortunately, there are plenty of water-resistant flooring options to choose from.
Tile
Stone, ceramic, and porcelain tiles are innately waterproof, making them the best choices for high-moisture environments. Tile is easy to clean and resistant to mold and mildew. Tile is also extremely durable and low-maintenance, but is a bit more costly than some other flooring options.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is much more budget-friendly than tile while still being highly water-resistant. Vinyl flooring is also incredibly versatile, durable, and low maintenance, making it a popular flooring option for many homeowners. Additionally, vinyl flooring can be designed to look like hardwood, tile, or any other material you’d like, giving you plenty of design flexibility.
Check out our portfolio for bathroom flooring inspiration →
Low-Maintenance Flooring
If you want flooring that is easy to clean and maintain, check out these options.
Tile
Stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and waterproof, tile is one of the most low-maintenance flooring options out there. Sweeping and light mopping is really all you need to do to keep the tile looking nice, though grout between the tiles may need deeper cleaning periodically. If you do need to replace any damaged tile, it’s extremely simple to do so; all you have to do is pull up the few damaged tiles and replace them with new ones.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is a fantastic option for low-maintenance, budget-friendly flooring. Vinyl is quieter and has more give than tile or concrete while still being scratch-resistant and water-resistant. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and requires little in the way of repairs.
Longest Lasting Flooring Options
If you want to invest in flooring that will last the test of time and stay beautiful for years to come, there are a few great options to choose from.
Tile
Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are by far the most durable flooring options available. Tile is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and unlikely to fade or change in color. Tile won’t accumulate mold or mildew and is incredibly easy to clean and maintain for many years.
Concrete
Used for streets, driveways, and sidewalks, concrete is one of the strongest flooring materials out there. Concrete flooring is water-resistant, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant, perfect for any room in the house. Since concrete flooring is poured in a solid slab, it can develop cracks over time, so periodic maintenance and patching may be required.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring is more durable than natural wood as it expands and contracts less with temperature changes. It’s also more cost-effective than natural hardwood. Engineered hardwood can also be finished with urethane aluminum oxide to boost its scratch and stain resistance.
Vinyl
Vinyl tile and vinyl plank are two wonderfully durable flooring options. Vinyl is scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and quieter than traditional tile. Some vinyl is even completely waterproof, making this a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Get inspired! Check out kitchen flooring options in our portfolio →
When to Choose Carpet Flooring
Don’t count carpet out when choosing flooring for your new home build. Here are some reasons why homeowners choose carpet flooring.
For Sound Control
Carpet can absorb and muffle sound throughout your home. If you want to create a cozy, quiet haven in your home, consider carpet for most of your flooring.
For Energy Efficiency
Carpet helps insulate your home, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you live in a climate with hot summers and cold winters, carpet is a good choice for energy efficiency.
For Comfort
Carpet is soft and provides a nice cushion for your feet. If you enjoy walking barefoot in your home and sitting on the floor, carpet is a great choice for you. Additionally, carpet is a great option for those with a risk of falling as it lessens the possibility of injury.
Flooring Tips to Make Your Space Appear Bigger
Got a few rooms with low square footage but want to open them up a bit? Choose these types of flooring to make the space appear bigger.
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Large Planks or Tiles
Skip narrow tiles and plank flooring in smaller spaces. Instead, opt for large planks or tiles. This helps create the illusion that the space is larger than it is.
Light or Neutral Flooring
Light flooring gives the illusion of space in small rooms. Choose white tile, whitewashed hardwood, or even a cream carpet and your room will feel bigger right away.
Parallel or Diagonal Flooring
Install plank flooring either parallel or at a 45-degree angle (diagonally) to the longest wall in the room. The lines will trick the eye into thinking the room extends much farther than it does.
Should Flooring Be the Same Throughout the Home?
Flooring doesn’t need to be perfectly consistent throughout your home. It’s extremely common to see hardwood flooring throughout most of a new home build but tile or vinyl in the kitchen and bathrooms. Many two-story homes have carpeting on the upper levels to help dampen noise.
Keep in mind, however, that you don’t want too many different flooring types in your home. Staying limited to two or three flooring types throughout the home helps maintain consistency and boosts resale value later on.
Let Us Help
Bob Webb Home Builders have been constructing beautiful custom homes in the state of Ohio for over 60 years. Our team is dedicated to helping you build the home of your dreams. If you’re ready to start building your custom home, come visit our design center and see all our beautiful flooring options. We have everything you need to build your dream home.
