Buyer's Guide To Flooring Options

6/11

Concrete Flooring

Wondering what to lay over top of that basement floor? What about just prettying up the concrete itself? Concrete floors are surprisingly attractive when properly stained, sealed or polished. They’re incredibly long-lasting and can add a modern flair.

Most DIYers who are renovating will be looking at staining and sealing existing concrete in areas such as garages, workshops or basements. Those working on new builds can choose any of several concrete finishes during construction.

Concrete Flooring Pros

• Affordable, especially if you’re fixing up existing concrete — no additional flooring to buy, only stains and sealers;
• DIY friendly if fixing up existing; less so if starting from scratch;
• Extremely durable;
• Materials are readily available.

Concrete Flooring Cons

• Echo effect — concrete floors can be noisy;
• Prolonged standing on concrete can cause fatigue;
• Very heavy. If considering adding concrete to an existing home, be sure to consult a pro.

Concrete Flooring Cost (New)

Materials to pour, stain or polish new-build concrete floor range from $4 to $12 per square foot. Price factors include home design, style of stain and pattern intricacy.

Concrete Flooring Costs (Existing)

Materials to stain or seal existing concrete floor range from 30 cents to $2 per square foot. Price factors include style of stain and pattern intricacy.

7/11

Cork Flooring

Like bamboo, cork is an environmentally friendly option for flooring. It has the elegance of hardwood, but with a warmer, more inviting look. Cork flooring is available in planks or tiles. Here, find out why you should consider cork flooring for your basement.

Cork Flooring Pros

• Environmentally friendly;
• Reasonably priced;
• DIY friendly.

Cork Flooring Cons

• May require a special order in some locations;
• Less resistant to wear and tear than hardwood or bamboo.

Cork Flooring Cost

$3 to $6 per square foot. Price factors include squares vs. planks, plank width, color and texture.

8/11

Carpet

While everyone is familiar with carpet, many homeowners don’t appreciate the range of carpeting options. Modern carpet is available as stick-down squares or large rolls, and in an almost-infinite array of styles, colors and textures. In addition, modern carpet pads last longer and give more cushion than in previous years.

Carpet Pros

• Readily available;
• DIY-friendly options available (rolls are large and hard to maneuver);
• Many styles and colors available to match your home;
• Maintenance cleaning is easily done with a vacuum;
• Much softer than other options.

Carpet Cons

• Repair difficulty varies by color and type of carpet pile;
• Easily stained (especially light colors);
• Deep cleaning requires special equipment;
• Durability — most carpet will need to be replaced in five to 12 years.

Carpet Cost

$2.50 to $9 per square foot (for carpet and pad). Price factors include wall-to-wall vs. squares, natural vs. synthetic fibers, quality of padding and pile (the density and length of fibers).