(StatePoint) Your home’s flooring matters. Not only can it affect property value, but it’s also a fundamental element of design and style. With so many choices available, it can be difficult choosing what’s right for your family and home.

Here are some guidelines that can help you make smart decisions that meet your budget and lifestyle.

Choosing Tile

“Tiling your home can be a great home improvement to easily add value,” says Keesha Hargis, a home décor specialist.  

Easy to maintain, tile flooring tends to be very resistant to moisture, fading and scratches. Tile allows you to create a variety of looks in your home from Tuscan to modern with the use of stone, such as slate, travertine, marble, concrete and linen.

Natural stone floors are beautiful and elegant, but they are not always ideal for families. However, today’s engineered products are changing that. For example, PurSTONE, a pre-engineered tile flooring available through Flooring America, can be installed quickly with or without grout on any level of a home. Unlike natural stone that needs to be stained and maintained, this alternative can look better longer with minimal maintenance.

Choosing Carpet

There is a vast selection of styles, colors, and fibers to choose from in today’s marketplace, but a simple checklist can help.

“The activity level of the home should be considered first,” says Hargis. “For example, a traditional, patterned wool carpet may not be the right choice for a busy family with toddlers and pets.”

Nylon fibers will hold up well to foot traffic, but may not offer the stain resistance a well-used room may need. Carpets manufactured in today’s polyester and polypropylene fibers resist staining and can be found in vibrant colors and sharp multi-toned patterns, but may not last through years of heavy wear. 

Newer fibers, however, are allowing for softness and durability to co-exist. For example, the Innovia Touch Collection has built-in stain and soil protection. Backed by a 20-year warranty, it can offer the resilience a carpet in a well-used room needs.

Some homeowners may want professional help in making their decisions.  Think about consulting a qualified flooring specialist.

Design tips, home improvement advice and information about innovations in flooring are available at www.FlooringAmerica.com.

Flooring is a long-term investment, so consider factors like maintenance and usage before making a final decision.

*****