Where Will the Flooring Be Installed?
The type of flooring you choose will be determined in part by where you plan to install it, and over what type of surface. Solid wood flooring, for example, cannot be installed directly over concrete and is a poor choice for humid areas such as basements and baths. Ceramic or porcelain tile requires a stiff, flat surface underneath to prevent cracking.
How Will the Floor Be Installed?
Different types of flooring are installed in different ways, some of which are DIY-friendly. For example, “floating” floors—typically laminate—consist of interlocking floorboards that use no adhesives; this easy-to-install design is popular with DIYers. But ceramic or porcelain tile is bound to the subfloor with thinset, and the gaps between the tiles are filled with grout. Solid wood flooring is typically nailed down or glued. Installation of either is better left to professionals. Consumer Reports flooring ratings show which installation options are available for each rated product.
Will the Flooring I Choose Need an Underlayment?
Underlayment materials include foam, cork, rubber, felt, and specialized soundproofing mats. The different function that each type performs will affect your choice—as will the type of flooring you’ve chosen and the existing subfloor. “If you’re installing hardwood flooring over a concrete subfloor, use an underlayment that offers moisture protection,” says Stefan Bucur, founder of Rhythm of the Home, a website specializing in home improvement. “Similarly, if you’re installing laminate or engineered flooring over an uneven subfloor, consider an underlayment that provides additional cushioning and helps to even out the surface.” Some luxury vinyl floors in CR’s ratings have thin foam pads attached to their bottom surfaces, replacing the underlayment. Thicker underlayments generally are more expensive, Bucur says.
How Important Is a Flooring Material’s Thickness?
Thin vinyl flooring is more likely to split or break during installation. That could mean you’ll have to buy more flooring to cover those accidents. Focus on vinyl flooring with a thickness of 7 mm or more; you can find thickness information on the product’s label or online product page. Thickness can be a factor in the durability of other flooring materials—and for solid wood, its ability to be refinished. (New solid wood planks are typically ¾ inch thick, enough to withstand multiple refinishes.) Check Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings for our test-based durability judgments of dozens of flooring models.
Does the Thickness of a Floor’s Wear Layer Matter?
The wear layer is the clear protective coating applied to the top surface of a manufactured floorboard. Home Depot lets you search flooring by wear-layer thickness, shown in mil (thousandths of an inch). A thick wear layer sounds like it would protect better against foot traffic. But in Consumer Reports’ tests, we found that wasn’t necessarily so. For instance, between two vinyl flooring products with 20-mil wear layers, one earned an excellent score for foot traffic resistance while the other ranked below the middle. Bottom line: Don’t depend on the reported thickness of the wear layer alone. Consult reviews and Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings for the full picture on wear resistance.
What Should I Know About Surface Textures and Edge Styles?
The type of edge on the tile or planks you choose will have a bearing on how your floor looks—and how easy it is to clean. Prefinished wood and some laminate planks have beveled edges, which makes for a more forgiving installation but can trap dirt and grit later. Tile edges may be pressed (traditional) or rectified—meaning they’re mechanically cut to fit precisely together, which allows for thinner grout lines and an appearance that’s almost seamless, and a floor that’s easier to clean. Flooring with a textured surface can also trap dirt over time, but some texture is advisable in bathrooms and other wet areas to prevent slips and falls. Consumer Reports’ flooring ratings indicate which products are smooth, very textured, and in-between. Both texture and edge styles can influence floor care.
If you’re looking to make some updates to your home but are working under constraints of a tight budget, you may consider making small changes like repainting the walls, replacing the hardware on cabinets or restaining the furniture. However, there are some things you can do to make a bigger impact without having to break the bank. One of these options is replacing your flooring.
There are many different types of flooring available to fit into just about any price point. If you’re considering installing new flooring, a little bit of research will go a long way as far as helping to determine the material that will get you the most bang for your buck, while also supporting your lifestyle needs. Here are five cheap flooring options and some pros and cons associated with each of them.
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Find a ContractorSheet vinyl costs, on average, between $0.50 to $4.50 per square foot, making it a great affordable option. Sheet vinyl is a popular flooring choice among homeowners because it’s comfortable, durable and cost-effective. Additionally, it’s available in a wide variety of colors and patterns to accommodate just about any style wants or needs.
That said, the quality of sheet vinyl can vary from brand to brand, or even within the same brand. If you’re looking to save money, sheet vinyl is an especially great option because it’s generally easy enough for most homeowners to install on their own, so it’s possible to skip the cost of installation. However, it can be difficult to remove, so if you get to that point in the process, it’s recommended to bring in a professional.
The typical price of linoleum flooring usually ranges between $2 and $7 per square foot, making it slightly more expensive than sheet vinyl. It’s often confused with vinyl, as they’re visually very similar and it is also offered in sheets. This flooring type is a good option because it’s low-maintenance, durable and eco-friendly. It should be noted that it’s water-resistant but not waterproof, and if it becomes completely submerged in water, damage will likely occur.
Linoleum that is installed in rooms with high amounts of sun exposure may experience ambering, which is when the surface begins to yellow, however, this can be avoided with proper maintenance like waxing every two to three years (if the floor is not already factory coated). It is possible to install linoleum flooring on your own, but if you’re working with an uneven subfloor, you may want to bring in a professional. If you do want to try your hand DIY installation, you will need to rent a linoleum roller.
Laminate flooring typically costs between $1 and $6 per square foot. This is a great choice for those who want a flooring option that looks similar to hardwood floors but can be installed for a much cheaper price tag. It’s easy to clean and maintain and is fairly durable. That said, laminate cannot be refinished or resealed, so if damage does occur, it usually needs to be replaced.
If it’s not properly sealed and water or moisture seeps through the cracks, it can easily become damaged and warped. Laminate is a good option if you’re looking to save money on installation, since it’s decently easy to install without a pro. However, it sometimes has a reputation of having a fake appearance and being hard underfoot, so if comfort is a top priority for you, laminate may not be the best choice.
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Learn MoreDepending on the quality and material of the carpet you’re looking to purchase, the prices can range from $2 to $7 per square foot. Carpet is an extremely soft and comfortable flooring option, so it provides a level of safety that makes it a particularly good option for households with children.
Carpet can be found in a wide variety of colors, styles and materials, so it’s likely you can find something to suit your style. Because carpet installation is a project that is done without a professional can easily go wrong, it’s not recommended to DIY.
Also, because it’s not a surface that is easily wiped down, carpet cleaning and maintenance is slightly more involved and expensive than that of hard flooring options. Plus, hard-surface flooring options are increasingly on the rise when it comes to style and trends, so carpet can actually decrease the resale value of your home.
Polished concrete floors range in price from $2 to $8 per square foot, making this a relatively low-cost flooring option. Because concrete needs to be mixed and prepared to a specific degree before it can be properly installed, it’s usually best to have a concrete professional do the installation. Any mishaps that occur during the pouring stage will impact the final product and are difficult, if not impossible, to correct.
That said, once the floor has been set and polished, the cleaning and upkeep of polished concrete floors is extremely easy and low-cost. Additionally, if properly maintained, polished concrete floors are extremely durable and can easily last a lifetime.
However, as a flooring option, concrete can be particularly cold, hard and uncomfortable. While the density is an advantage when it comes to durability—as this is a material that is not easily damaged—it’s a disadvantage when it comes to safety, as falling on it can be extremely dangerous.
Installing new flooring doesn’t have to be expensive, if you know where to find the right materials and know which material you’d like to use on your floors. When in doubt, consult a flooring installation company, who can help find the lowest prices and install the flooring for you.
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