You don’t have to sacrifice great design for great functionality in flooring. Hard-surface flooring is a popular choice for its durability and look. It will outlast carpet and can be easier to maintain, reducing the life-cycle costs of your home. We have seen three great options that have been trending this year in the hard-surface flooring category:

1) Hardwood is very popular as it gives all the benefits of a hard-surface floor plus a warm look and feel. Most homeowners have been using wider planks with a matte-brush finish to give a rustic, worn appearance.

2) Tile continues to be a common flooring choice, and could be called a forever floor if installed properly.  It can be used virtually anywhere, from the outside to a shower or kitchen backsplash.  It is versatile and comes in many shapes and sizes, giving homeowners lots of options to achieve specific looks.  Currently we are seeing more linear-pattern tiles, which tend to be rectangular in shape.

3) As technology has improved its quality and look, luxury vinyl tile is becoming a popular lower-cost option. It mimics the look of hardwood or tile, is virtually waterproof and proves very resilient to traffic.  It’s a great option for those who have pets or are worried about maintaining hardwood flooring.

For more great flooring options, reach out to HAOI member David Decker, The Affordable Companies.