{"id":11011,"date":"2018-08-07T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T14:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virtuance.com\/?p=11011"},"modified":"2019-03-19T16:45:46","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T22:45:46","slug":"cheap-flooring-ideas-4-attractive-inexpensive-alternatives-hardwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.virtuance.com\/member\/blog\/cheap-flooring-ideas-4-attractive-inexpensive-alternatives-hardwood\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheap Flooring Ideas: 4 Attractive and Inexpensive Alternatives to Hardwood"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Terri Williams | Source Realtor.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

New floors do a lot for a home. They can brighten up the darkest of interiors and are all but guaranteed to\u00a0add value<\/a>\u00a0to your property. Most homeowners consider installing new floors a huge renovation project that comes with a correspondingly huge price tag. But laying down new flooring doesn’t have to force you to break into your 401(k).<\/p>\n

You can make\u00a0a big impact on the design and worth of your home for a relatively small amount of cash. How? You need to think beyond standard (and standardly expensive). Instead, opt for a flooring material that is just as attractive\u2014just without all those extra zeros.<\/p>\n

Here are the four most popular inexpensive flooring ideas, including their advantages and disadvantages. Go ahead, pick your material!<\/p>\n

1. Cork<\/h2>\n
Cork flooring is so much more than the stuff you see on your office bulletin board. In fact, it’s\u00a0a very popular choice among homeowners looking for a soft flooring alternative to carpet.<\/div>\n

Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$2 to $4 a square foot<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cCork floors provide warmth and comfort underfoot,” says\u00a0Mina Fies<\/strong>, founder and CEO of Washington, DC\u2013based Synergy Design & Construction. “They’re also sustainable, since cork is a rapidly renewable resource that doesn’t harm trees when harvested.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cork also emits few volatile organic compounds, which means it won’t harm indoor air quality. Also, the softness of cork is good for your legs, back, and ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only is it considered resilient flooring, but it also has acoustical properties that can help mitigate unwanted sound,\u201d says\u00a0Claire E. Tamburro<\/strong>, interior designer at Tamburro Interiors in Arlington, VA.<\/p>\n

Designwise, Tamburro explains, cork floors can be charred to make unique patterns, and colored and finished in several ways. For example, you can create wide plank-style cork boards in gray or brown tones to resemble hardwood flooring.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong>\u00a0Since cork is porous, it will need to be regularly sealed to maintain its clean finish, Tamburro says. The amount of foot traffic will determine the frequency of sealing.<\/p>\n

\u201cCork is a bit fragile and will show wear patterns in heavy traffic areas,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Also, some cork floors are hard to clean and prone to fading. They can also stain easily, Fies says. Alas, cork is not so ideal for red-wine drinkers or families with young kids.<\/p>\n

2. Bamboo<\/h2>\n

Bamboo floors are prized as an eco-friendly choice because bamboo grows at a much faster rate than wood.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong>\u00a0Approximately $4 a square foot<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong>\u00a0Like hardwood flooring, bamboo is long-lasting and sturdy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sustainable, eco-friendly hardwood alternative that’s easy to clean,\u201d according to\u00a0Matt Michael<\/strong>\u00a0with Lowe\u2019s in the St. Louis area.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong>\u00a0While bamboo flooring is more water-resistant than hardwood flooring, you should still avoid placing it in high-humidity areas since it can warp. Also, the bamboo is not one of the hardest wood flooring options, so it can be more susceptible to scratches than, say, maple hardwood.<\/p>\n

3. Concrete<\/h2>\n
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Concrete moves indoors! You’ve seen how durable it is for your driveway, so why not take it for a spin in your kitchen, living room, or any space that gets a ton of foot traffic?<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$2 to $6 a square foot<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong>\u00a0One of the biggest advantages of concrete floors is\u2014you guessed it\u2014durability. It’s tough and low-maintenance.<\/p>\n

And concrete floors make a strong aesthetic statement.<\/p>\n

They “provide a modern, clean, urban feel to a room,\u201d Fies says.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong>\u00a0Concrete lacks the warmth of, say, honey-colored hardwood floors. It’s a very hard surface, which might be tough for families living with kids or elderly folks. It can be porous and susceptible to moisture if it’s not sealed properly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Also,\u00a0due to weight restrictions, Fies says installation is usually limited to the ground level. So if you want to avoid defects, you\u2019ll need to hire someone who can provide expert workmanship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4. Vinyl<\/h2>\n
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Vinyl flooring may have gotten a bad rap during the ’70s, but like many\u00a0design trends<\/a>\u00a0from that era, it’s now making a comeback.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong>\u00a050 cents to $5 a square foot<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong>\u00a0Vinyl may be one of the cheapest flooring options out there, but that doesn’t mean it lacks style. Luxury vinyl tile is particularly impressive.<\/p>\n

\u201cLVT is long-lasting, hard-wearing, easy to clean, and gives a modern look to any space,\u201d Fies says. \u201cIt can mimic wood effectively, even including texture and plank style.”<\/p>\n

Vinyl is highly resistant to water, which makes it a great alternative to wood\u00a0in a basement level, where moisture may be a concern.<\/p>\n

“As a longtime interior designer, I was recently sourcing material for a client and accidentally picked up EVP thinking it was hardwood,” says\u00a0Kristin Davidson<\/strong>, an interior designer at Kristin Davidson Interiors in Palm Beach, FL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Cons:<\/strong>\u00a0Vinyl floors may require waxing every couple of years to maintain their luster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n