Factors to Consider When Choosing Flooring for Your Custom Home

Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to build a custom home of your own. When choosing the materials you want to incorporate throughout your new home, you have many options when it comes to flooring. Analyze the following factors before browsing the latest flooring options on the market today so you can choose the best types for your lifestyle and budget.

This article belongs to the Construction Process Series

Style

Before shopping for flooring, consider your specific style preferences. Do you gravitate towards traditional designs, or do you like a more modern space? A more traditional home might feature hardwood floors, for example, while an ultra-modern one could showcase polished concrete floors.

What are your favorite colors and textures? Do you love the warm brown hues of hardwood, or do you prefer the cooler gray, beige, and black hues of natural stone? Do you plan to bring furniture and décor items from your current house into your new custom home? If you’ll be utilizing things you already own, be sure to select floors that will complement them, not clash with them.

Function

Functionality is a key factor in deciding what types of flooring to install. For instance, you might plan to have a formal living room in your new place; homeowners often select plush carpeting to give this type of space a luxurious, comfortable feel. If you spend several hours preparing dinner for your family most nights, you might want to avoid tile or concrete in the kitchen and opt for more something more comfortable to stand on, like cork, which is both soft and warm to the touch. If you’re a budding musician and you’d like to hone your craft in the basement, consider installing sound-absorbing carpet to help prevent the sound from reverberating through your entire home.

Location

Your home builder will probably stress to you the importance of selecting the right flooring type for each room based on its location in your home. For instance, the mudroom will likely receive a lot of foot traffic and need to be able to withstand dirt and water. As a result, installing hardwood floors or carpet in this area probably isn’t the best solution. Laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements are also prone to moisture issues, so consider water-resistant types of flooring that are easy to clean, such as tile, vinyl, or linoleum.

Lifestyle

If you have an energetic pooch, they might frequently track mud into your house or run up and down your floors often. Concrete floors can withstand whatever abuse your furry friend gives them. If you’re the busy parent of little ones, keep in mind that kids frequently spill drinks and food in your kitchen or dining room, so low-maintenance flooring is a must in these spaces.

Budget

Perhaps the most crucial factor when shopping for flooring is your budget. The costs of different types of floors can vary significantly. Laminate or luxury vinyl tile can give you the look of hardwood at a lower price point, and porcelain tile is an inexpensive alternative to marble, travertine, or slate.

Remember that you usually get what you pay for. If you’re building a home where you plan to stay for the rest of your life, select quality materials that you’ll love well into the future and that will withstand many years of use.

When planning the design for your custom home, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable, professional home building company near you who will walk you through every step of the construction process. If you’re ready to start building your dream home in the Des Moines area, complete with stylish, durable floors, contact Homes by Brill for more information, or schedule a free consultation with us.