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If you want to update your home but have a tight budget, consider making small changes like repainting the walls, replacing cabinet hardware, or restaining furniture. However, you can also make a big impact without spending a lot of money. One great option is to replace your flooring.
There are many types of flooring available to suit almost any budget. If you’re thinking about installing new flooring, doing some research can help you find the best material for your money that also fits your lifestyle. Here are eight affordable flooring options, along with their pros and cons.
Laminate is made from a mix of materials and imitates the look of hardwood or stone using a photographic image on its surface. While it is similar in cost to vinyl sheets, it is not as durable. Laminate should not be exposed to heat, is not waterproof, and typically lasts only about ten years. It is best to avoid installing laminate in areas with high moisture, such as basements, kitchens, or bathrooms.
Laminate flooring is like a floating floor, where the pieces click and lock together without being glued to the subfloor. Preparing the area takes some time, but once that’s done, the installation itself is fairly quick as you fit the pieces together.
Cost: The cost of laminate is $2.50 per square foot (excluding installation). However, the price can go up depending on the materials and warranties offered by the manufacturer.
If you want a flooring option that looks like real hardwood or stone but is more affordable, plank vinyl is a great choice. Unlike sheet vinyl, plank vinyl comes in smaller pieces, which makes it easier to install. You can glue the planks down, use a peel-and-stick method, or opt for a click-and-lock system. Installing vinyl planks is usually straightforward, even for beginners in home improvement.
Cost: The price of vinyl planks varies based on the type you choose, such as engineered vinyl plank (EVP), waterproof vinyl plank (WVP), luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or rigid core vinyl plank (SVP), which is great for high-traffic areas. On average, prices start at $1.39 per square foot (not including installation) and go up based on thickness, quality, and manufacturer guarantees.
From wall-to-wall to peel-and-stick, carpets are a budget-friendly flooring choice for homeowners. There are lots of options because there’s a wide variety of materials and quality levels. Most carpets can last about ten years, and if you vacuum often and treat stains right away, they might even last longer.
The carpet is comfy to walk on and helps reduce noise, but it tends to show wear and tear faster than other floors. It’s not a good idea for places like bathrooms where moisture can cause mold to grow.
If you really want hardwood floors but can’t afford them, engineered hardwood is a great alternative. With prices starting at about $6 per square foot, engineered hardwood gives you that cozy hardwood look without the high cost. These flooring panels have layers of real wood with a stable core material in the middle. They’re easy to install because the planks fit together, and they’re one of our top picks for floors that resist scratches.
Thanks to the core material sandwiched under the natural hardwood, engineered hardwood floors can last up to 30 years, which is pretty impressive given their price. They come in various options like oak, hickory, and maple.
It’s worth mentioning that engineered hardwood has only a thin layer of hardwood on top of the pressed plywood core. This limits how many times you can refinish the hardwood layer before it wears down and reveals the plywood core.
Ceramic floor tiles are among the most affordable options compared to porcelain or stone tiles, starting at much lower prices.
Despite their affordable price, ceramic tiles are not inferior. They’re easy to install and are often recommended for underfloor heating. Plus, they come in many colors, patterns, and textures. Some ceramic tiles even mimic the look of timber or stone quite realistically.
However, there are drawbacks to very cheap tiles; they can be thin and prone to cracking easily, especially those that are not through-colored, which show damage more visibly. Prices for plain, standard-size tiles start from £10/m2. For example, the Trellis Casablanca Tiles from Walls and Floors cost £19.95/m2.
Linoleum could be just what you need if you want affordable and eco-friendly flooring. It’s made from natural stuff like linseed oil from flax plants and rosins from pine trees, so it’s easy on the environment and can be recycled. Prices for linoleum flooring start at about $2 per square foot, but fancier styles might cost more.
Real linoleum is made from natural ingredients like resins, color pigments, linseed oil, cork powder, limestone, and wood flour. You can mostly find it in solid colors like purple, white, cream, red, green, gray, and yellow, although there are a few multi-color choices too.
Linoleum, like vinyl flooring, comes in planks or rolls and is quite flexible, making installation relatively straightforward. Still, you’ll need to measure carefully, like with any flooring. Cleaning linoleum is a breeze because it’s usually one solid sheet per room.
With proper care, linoleum can stay strong for up to 40 years—it’s really durable!
Builders and designers at the top end of the spectrum have taken a liking to this simple building material as a trendy choice for floors and kitchen countertops. Concrete floors, for instance, can go beyond the usual gray and be tinted with dyes. They can also get various surface treatments, like acid stains or rubber-stamp stencils, giving them a totally unique look.
Concrete floors offer more than just a unique look—they’re tough and simple to take care of, especially if they’re sealed properly from the start. Plus, they’re great for radiant heating since they conduct heat effectively. This system involves embedding hot water tubes in the floors during installation, keeping your space cozy. As for the price, expect to pay between $3 to $8 per square foot.
Bamboo flooring is all the rage nowadays, offering a natural look, strength, and eco-friendliness. Since bamboo is a grass, it grows quickly, so there are no worries about harming the environment. You can find bamboo floors in various colors or even painted to match your style. They’re easy to keep clean with regular sweeping and vacuuming, and they work well in any room. Plus, just like hardwood floors, bamboo can be refinished if needed. With its durability and natural beauty, bamboo is perfect for almost any space.
You don’t have to break the bank when installing new flooring. Finding affordable materials and deciding on the right type of flooring can save you money. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to reach out to a flooring installation company. They can help you source budget-friendly options and handle the installation for you, ensuring you get the best deal.
Choosing the perfect affordable flooring for your home depends on what’s important to you. Think about what you like, how you want your space to look, your budget, how much foot traffic the area gets, where you’re installing it, and if you have any pets. These factors will help you figure out which option is the best fit for you.
You don’t have to break the bank when installing new flooring. Finding affordable materials and deciding on the right type of flooring can save you money. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to reach out to a flooring installation company. They can help you source budget-friendly options and handle the installation for you, ensuring you get the best deal.
Choosing the perfect affordable flooring for your home depends on what’s important to you. Think about what you like, how you want your space to look, your budget, how much foot traffic the area gets, where you’re installing it, and if you have any pets. These factors will help you figure out which option is the best fit for you.
Sheet vinyl and vinyl tile flooring are often the most budget-friendly options. They’re easy to install and work well in any indoor space.
Laminate flooring isn’t as tough against things like heat, humidity, and moisture as tile. Plus, it’s not as long-lasting. But it’s way cheaper than tile, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious households that still want stylish floors.
Sheet vinyl is likely the most budget-friendly flooring option out there. It comes in one big sheet, usually 6′ or 12′ wide, which you just roll out to install. But since it’s heavy and tricky to handle, it’s probably a good idea to hire a professional for installation.
PVC or vinyl sheeting is often the most wallet-friendly option when it comes to installing new floors. Plus, they’re easy to tackle as a do-it-yourself project.