Flooring is an essential part of a home’s design and serves as a baseline for the rest of your decor. Its appearance can make or break the look and feel of your living space; however, the quality of your flooring can impact more than your home’s aesthetic.
Your floors’ durability impacts the value of your property and can cause costly repairs if they are not installed properly or made from good quality materials. That’s why it’s very important to choose the right company to buy from, as well as the best installation method.
Another reason to choose high-quality flooring is to increase your property’s worth. If you are remodeling your house to put it on the market this is a very important step because while the first impression potential buyers have of your property will be visual, their first physical contact will be with your floors.
That’s why if you want to find the right flooring to boost your home’s value, seeking advice from professionals in the real estate field is important to point you in the right direction. To help you find the best option for you, our team has listed three of the best flooring choices on the market for your home, as well as some of the best American companies that make them, right here in the USA.
1. Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
One of the most popular choices for home renovations is prefinished hardwood flooring. There are many reasons why this is a great option, some of which are its low cost and durability. Prefinished hardwood flooring is composed of hardwood planks that have gone through a factory finish before being put up for sale. Polyurethane, a versatile plastic material, is used to coat the hardwood to prevent spills and scratches, after sanding and staining the planks.
Prefinished floors are also much easier and quicker to install than unfinished ones, partly because since they are already factory-finished, you avoid the noise, smell, and dust created through the installation of unfinished flooring. But prefinished wood floors aren’t a good choice simply because of their easy installation.
Their durability is another main factor that makes it a great option. Through the application of multiple coats of strengthening and finishing agents, as well as UV-curing technology and highly potent chemical sealers, they are reinforced and their lifespan is lengthened. Even though prefinished flooring begins to fade eventually, it can last for decades, if it’s well taken care of.
There are many providers of high-quality prefinished hardwood flooring in the USA. Companies like Pioneer Millworks create reclaimed and sustainable wood floorings, many of which are UL GreenGUARD gold certified. This certification is given to flooring that meets stringent emissions testing and helps to create healthier indoor air quality. Other companies like Bruce provide prefinished hardwood flooring options that are high quality, durable, and easy to install.
They offer different plank widths to fit the style of the different rooms in your home: narrow planks, which can make the smaller rooms in your house look longer and larger; and wide planks, which can create a modern, or rustic appearance in the larger areas of your home.
2. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl floors are another great option for homeowners looking to renovate their space without breaking the bank. Affordability, durability, and easy maintenance are some of the main characteristics that make vinyl stand out as a great remodeling option. If properly cared for, it can last for many years. Vinyl flooring does not require refinishing or sealing and is usually waterproof or water-resistant, which makes it an amazing option for parts of the home where moisture can be a factor, like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
Vinyl flooring is easy to install and also very simple to keep clean and maintained, with only occasional sweeping and mopping needed for it to look fresh. It can also be a great option for people who suffer from allergies but have pets, as it does not collect allergens such as pet dander and dust. It’s also more resilient than other floorings, like hardwood or tile and when it’s adequately maintained, it’s also resistant to mildew and mold growth. Vinyl floors do not tend to expand or contract due to temperature changes, which makes them a great choice for different types of climates. As an added benefit, vinyl flooring can provide insulation and noise reduction properties.
There are many companies that offer vinyl flooring made in the USA, such as Shaw Floors. With over fifty years under their belt, they offer a variety of durable, waterproof options that are both stylish and practical. Other companies such as Mannington Mills, a 4th generation family-owned business, offer stylish options that are made from high-quality materials while also being DIY-friendly.
Another company that stands out for its renewably sourced products, as well as its environmentally responsible practices, is Mohawk. Their earliest products hit the market in 1878, making them one of the oldest All-American flooring companies. They offer a wide variety of scratch-resistant, lifetime waterproof vinyl flooring, all US-made.
3. Tile Flooring
Tile floors are very resilient, durable and versatile as well as stain and water-resistant. The two most commonly used types of tiles are made from porcelain and ceramic. These floors are seen as a more premium option, which leads to homes with tile flooring often bringing higher resale values.
Another great characteristic of these floors is temperature stability because they do not contract or expand as the temperature fluctuates. This characteristic makes tile flooring ideal for properties located in regions of various climates. Tile floorings are also fire-resistant and very hygienic since they are not prone to bacteria and mold growth.
There are many companies in the USA that specialize in tile flooring. For example, Daltile is one of the country’s leading distributors and manufacturers of ceramic and porcelain tiles. Using high-quality components like PTCA-certified porcelain, they design, develop, and manufacture all of their products in America.
Another company, Marazzi, is Italian-inspired but all their products are made on US soil. With 80 years of manufacturing and product design experience, they feature products that have no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are sustainable and environmentally conscious.
As we have explored, the flooring you choose can make or break your home’s aesthetic, while also having a long-term impact on your resale value. That’s why when you decide to remodel your home, researching the different choices available is essential to finding the most ideal floor options for each room in your property. Seeking professional guidance is always the best route to getting the most out of your investment. Follow our tips in your search for the best flooring made in the USA and you will surely find the best fit for you!