Americans love their carpets– to the tune of making the carpet and rug market a $18.45 billion industry.
The hardwood ($2.05 billion), natural stone ($14.7 billion), and ceramic/porcelain ($8.02 billion) flooring markets are doing equally well.
So what is the answer to the age-old question of every homeowner, “Carpet or solid floors – which is best”?
Did watching the Olympics (Go USA!) ignite your competitive spirit?
Regardless of culture or social status, the Olympics lets us imagine ourselves on the world stage as near-perfect athletes. Even though we are 5,485 miles from Paris, we contributed to the spirit of the Games by cheering for and respecting the work that each American athlete put into preparation. Only a few make it to the Olympics, but the desire to be the best of the best is universal.
That is why we feel deeply responsible for the outcomes of our decisions. Just like Olympians, we can research, speak to experts, and practice scenario responses in our heads . . . but in the end, decisions are made and displayed for others to see and judge.
The Choices
Your decision-making skills impact your athletic prowess, your college degree, your career, your car, your children, your choice of friends and spouse, . . . and even the flooring you install in your home. It seems ridiculous to equate your career choice with a flooring selection – but you must live with those decisions every day.
Choose your flooring type first and then spend some time looking at samples for colors/textures/patterns. Look through editions of Luxe Magazine Arizona and Phoenix Home and Garden and contact your interior designer for inspirational styles that match your vision and landscaping.
There are pros and cons to each choice. Research your favorite flooring types, then determine what you want to live with.
2024 Flooring Trends
Tile
Tile is a favorite among parents and pet owners for its durability, ease of cleaning, and reduced exposure to the allergens and pollutants trapped in carpets.
Plenty of fun colors and texture choices exist, and you can choose your installation pattern.
Natural Stone
Nothing says luxury more than natural stone floors. Natural stone can be installed in tiles or slabs and the materials are often extended to wall applications.
Because marble, travertine, slate, granite, and limestone are natural materials, no two slabs will be exactly the same, even when sourced from the same quarry – adding to the uniqueness of your home. While these selections can be high maintenance and prone to staining and scratching, they are gorgeous and make quite a statement.
Carpet
Carpeting runs the gamut of styles, colors, quality, and textures. Carpet is the best option for noise reduction, safety (soft landings for children), coziness, and acts like a filter trapping dander, dust, and allergens.
Remember to schedule regular professional carpet cleanings so that filtering “bonus” doesn’t become a danger due to accumulated pollution and microorganisms.
Hardwood
If you are going for a classical, time-honored, and elegant look – choose hardwood flooring like oak, maple, walnut, ash, cherry, and teak. If you want a more sustainable material, choose bamboo.
If are looking for extreme elegance, choose exotic hardwoods like zebrawood, rosewood, ebony, or mahogany.
Hardwood floors may not be suitable for high-traffic homes, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is less costly than hardwood and more eco-friendly – while looking almost the same as real hardwood floors. Choose a high-quality manufacturer and maintain the floors properly.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Do you scoff when someone recommends “vinyl” flooring? Do you think vinyl would make your home look like Lavern & Shirley’s basement apartment in Milwaukee? Or the set of Wallace & Ladmo?
Vinyl seems incompatible with ‘luxury’ – but U.S. News and World Report just named the top six LVP picks for 2024. LVP is becoming more popular due to its ease of installation, durability, high-temperature tolerance, and versatility. Think bathrooms, kitchens, pool houses, and casitas.
Rugs
Don’t forget the statement power of area rugs – movable, essentially disposable, and great for reducing noise on hard floors. Even if you impulse-buy a rug – it isn’t permanent and won’t require you to move out for demo and installation.
The Decision
Flooring decisions should not be taken lightly. The purchase and installation will impact your household and it’s something you might have to live with for 5-25 years!
Choose something timeless. And unregrettable.
And you can do that by approaching your flooring decision with full honesty about your lifestyle.
Are you willing to enforce your house rules with your guests – and even your children and grandchildren? Will you really trim/file your dog’s nails every week to keep the hardwood from getting scratched? How many robotic vacuums can you deploy to vacuum every day?
Carpets provide warmth and comfort. Hardwood floors are timeless and can be refinished to accommodate changing homescapes. Tile and natural stone are sleek and can make a bold statement with colors and patterns.
But the best part about remodeling or designing a home – you can choose one or multiple flooring types throughout.
It’s YOUR house. Do it YOUR way!
Stick with the Experts
No matter what flooring you choose, it needs periodic professional cleaning. Carpets, grout, wood, and porous natural stone tend to trap dirt and bacteria. Renew Cleaning Services will professionally clean your luxury flooring to protect your investments, eliminate allergens, and keep your home looking photoshoot-ready!
Renew Cleaning Services has over 28 years of expertise in cleaning all types of flooring – tile, hardwood, natural stone, engineered flooring, porcelain, and rugs. Renew Cleaning Services is a locally owned and operated business that takes pride in a job well done.
We are a trusted provider of floor, furniture, and window cleaning services and we look forward to working with you. We serve Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and North Phoenix.
Please read our 5-star customer reviews and schedule your cleaning today by calling Lee at (602) 619-0687