What flooring is best for selling a house?

Author: Prof. Krystina Ritchie  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 7, 2022

According to the National Wood Flooring Association, 99% of real estate agents say homes with hardwood flooring are easier to sell, and 90% say they sell for more money. While this may vary a bit by market, generally dark hardwood floors are the most popular, followed by light natural (non-yellow) hardwood floors.

What type of flooring adds the most value to a home?

While new styles of luxury laminate flooring look beautiful, hardwood tends to be the best flooring to increase home value. Made of natural materials, hardwood exudes a luxurious aesthetic in any home whether it's old or brand new.

What type of flooring is best to sell a house?

Solid hardwood or tile flooring can also work since the materials are well suited to almost any room. According to real estate agents, hardwood is the best flooring option to sell a house fast and also at top dollar.

What color hardwood floor is best for resale?

Dark stained hardwood flooring is by far the best selection when it comes to overall popularity and resale value. Some of the best darks stains for wood are espresso, dark walnut, and antique brown. These darker colors often give way to more color combinations since they do not lean towards a yellow or orange tint.

How much value does new flooring add to a home?

New flooring can increase the value of a home by nearly 10 to 54 percent. Potential homebuyers say that they will put in a higher offer if a home has new flooring. Potential buyers also said they would reconsider putting in an offer if the flooring is outdated, dirty, or worn.

10 Beginner Mistakes Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring

Does laminate flooring devalue a home?

In high-traffic areas it can show wear and tear, and laminate can't be sanded or refinished for an updated appearance. Because of its lower price point, laminate also won't do much for your home's resale value.

Does vinyl flooring devalue a home?

Even though it's not true hardwood, buyers will still appreciate the aesthetics and feel of these durable floors. This is what buyers really care about at the end of the day. So yes, installing new vinyl flooring in your home will raise your property value.

What floors are in style for 2021?

Here are the most popular flooring trends in 2021
  • Embossed-in-register (EIR) finish. ...
  • Luxury vinyl planks (LVPs) ...
  • Faux wood tile. ...
  • Waterproof laminate. ...
  • Blonde wood flooring. ...
  • Artisan tile work. ...
  • Patterned wood.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include:
  • Cannot be repaired.
  • Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
  • No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
  • Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
  • Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

What color floor is timeless?

A choice of timeless hardwood floor colors

Brown Maple floors have hues of rich gold, amber and brown. Cherry floors feature a burnished auburn color that will darken over time. Hickory offers hues from lighter blonde sapwood to cocoa brown and beige heartwood. Red Oak comes in deep, salmon tones.

What is the cheapest flooring to put down in a house?

Sheet Vinyl

Sheet vinyl costs, on average, between $0.50 to $2 per square foot, making it a great affordable option. Sheet vinyl is a popular flooring choice among homeowners because it's comfortable, durable and cost-effective.

Does carpet hurt resale value?

HomeAdvisor.com notes that new carpet in general tends not to affect resale value either way (compared to hardwood, for which 54% of buyers in one study were willing to pay $2,080 more). But stained or outdated carpeting doesn't do you any favors.

What flooring is popular now?

Vinyl in demand

Choices for resilient vinyl flooring include a spectrum of styles, colors, textures and patterns. Add in vinyl's easy-to-clean characteristics, comfort under foot and family-friendly stain-resistance, and the result is increasing popularity with value-hungry shoppers.

What is better laminate or vinyl?

Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.

What flooring has best ROI?

Wood floors are one of the best investments you can make. They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.

Should flooring be the same throughout the house?

There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.

What is the lifespan of luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic. Additionally, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains.

What is the difference between vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl plank flooring?

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.

What is the lifespan of vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl floors can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on their quality and how they're installed and maintained.

Is 12 mm laminate better than 8mm?

12mm is much more impact resistant than 8mm. Sharp items that accidentally fall on a thicker base will have very little effect on it. That's the reason why people prefer 12mm laminate in high traffic areas.

What is luxury vinyl flooring?

Luxury vinyl planks, or LVP, are built in layers, similar to hardwood laminate flooring planks, with a protective finish over multiple layers of pressed vinyl, sealed into a hardboard core, and finished with an underlayment backing.

Is vinyl or laminate flooring more durable?

Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don't forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.

Is gray flooring a fad?

Gray flooring, particularly gray wood, has grown exponentially over the last decade and has quickly become the most popular trend, not just for flooring, but for homes in general. In addition to looking chic and trendy, gray floors set the tone of a cool, contemporary home.

Is luxury vinyl plank flooring a good investment?

True value is achieved when the product lives up to your expectations and needs relative to the cost. That's what makes luxury vinyl tile (LVT) such a great investment — it delivers what most homeowners value in upscale flooring, at a budget-friendly price.

What adds value to a home?

6 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home
  • Update your home's finishes. ...
  • Upgrade to energy-efficient features and appliances. ...
  • Freshen up your curb appeal. ...
  • Put your money into your kitchen and bathroom. ...
  • Finish off your basement or other unfinished spaces. ...
  • Clean and declutter before showing your home.

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