THE CAREYS \ On The House Installing a new floor? Better watch your step

Buying a higher-quality product is much cheaper in the long run.
By JAMES and MORRIS CAREY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Flooring can make or break the interior appearance of a home and affect the amount of time you spend keeping house. It can even determine how much sneezing and wheezing goes on in your home.
Looks, durability, lasting quality, ease of maintenance and budget are factors that influence flooring choice. Few surfaces in the home endure the level of wear and tear to which flooring is subjected. Therefore, the quality of the goods and how well they are installed and maintained will determine how good they look and how long they last.
As with a new roof, flooring isn't something that most people change often. Thus, it stands to reason that spending a little more up front for better-quality materials can result in eventual big savings.
Whereas carpet and vinyl have been the standard flooring components in most American homes for the past several decades, the trend now is toward both varied and upscale finishes. The days of wall-to-wall carpet -- save for the vinyl covered kitchen and bathroom -- are becoming a thing of the past; hardwood, tile and laminate materials are now gracing rooms in the modern American home. Even high-volume production homebuilders are opting for multiple styles that go beyond vinyl and carpet.
Hardwood
Before World War II, hardwood floor was standard equipment in all living areas in a home. The kitchen usually was covered with tough linoleum and the bathroom floor consisted of linoleum or ceramic tile. That trend changed during the post-World War II housing boom, when wall-to-wall carpet replaced hardwood, and sheet vinyl replaced tile as builders sought to cut costs to create affordable housing for the masses.
In a trend that developed in the '80s and is still going strong today, scores of Americans have an in-with-the-old and out-with-the-new attitude regarding flooring. Once trendy, wall-to-wall carpet is being ripped out by the landfill load to reveal buried treasure -- hardwood flooring that for years had been hidden. For the modest cost of a light refinishing, owners of these "renaissance" floors are enjoying a chic finish that others yearn for and pay big bucks to have installed.
Why is wood so popular? It's a hard surface that is easy to keep clean and that, with periodic maintenance, can last indefinitely. Over time, however, the surface will grow dull and will have to be renewed with a new hard finish. Beyond that, frequent sweeping and regular cleaning with a damp mop is all that's required to keep the floor in tiptop shape.
Wood floors are available in a host of species and can be stained or finished naturally. These days, wood floors are particularly popular in the kitchen, nook, dining room, entry hall and family room. Though wood flooring can be installed virtually anywhere, due to moisture, installing it in a bathroom can spell disaster -- especially if you have children who splash in the tub.
Manufactured products
There's more to wood than meets the eye. The last decade has produced an abundance of do-it-yourself-friendly look-alike hardwood products that are factory finished, easy to install and less expensive than traditional hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood has a plywood core and a wood veneer finish that looks and feels like the real thing. Laminate flooring, like laminate countertops, has a fiberboard core with a hard plastic finish that mimics the look of hardwood and tile.
The engineered hardwood and laminate flooring products are constructed with a tongue and groove for easy installation. They can be glued down to the substrate or "float" on top of a foam pad, depending upon the style selected and installation specific conditions. Engineered, laminate and floating floors are a cost-effective alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. However, they don't come close to the durability, lasting-quality or ability to be repaired of traditional hardwood. They also are a fraction of the price.
Sheet vinyl
High-quality sheet vinyl remains one of the best flooring values for a kitchen, bath, laundry or other "wet" area. Though vinyl is one of the most maintenance-friendly finishes, it can fade with continuous exposure to ultraviolet rays, yellow or be marred by the rubber backing of some area rugs. Of all flooring, sheet vinyl is the least do-it-yourself friendly. Professionally installed vinyl looks better and lasts longer.
If you like the look -- and price -- of vinyl, but professional installation is a budget-buster, consider vinyl tile. This product is available with a do-it-yourself-friendly peel-and-stick backing, or can be installed using a trowel-in-place adhesive. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are a cost-effective alternative, but should be considered temporary at best. Vinyl tiles, on the other hand, are not as easy to install as you'd think, but can take a beating and offer excellent decorating options.
Tile
Of all the choices, tile (ceramic, marble and granite) offers the most design flexibility and can be installed in virtually any space in a home. Though ceramic tile traditionally has been considered an upgrade finish for bathroom and kitchen floors, its use has increased dramatically in part because the trend in floor construction has in many parts of the country moved from wood to concrete. Thus, the time and expense of installing a mortar bed is not required as tile can be installed directly onto a concrete floor.
The biggest problem that most people have with tile is the grout joints. Grout can stain, crack, and must periodically be renewed and sealed. And, as durable as it is, tile and children often don't mix. A dropped pot can result in a chipped or cracked tile that often can't be replaced with an exact match. On the other hand, tile installation can be challenging and enjoyable, but is guaranteed to be lots of work. When purchasing tile -- for do-it-yourself- or professional installation -- be sure to order extra for future damage replacement.
Carpet
Considering cost vs. value, carpet is the best overall choice for bedrooms and general living spaces in a home. It has warmth and softness that can't be duplicated by any other finish. It also has more levels of quality than any other flooring choice, which is good and bad. It's good since there is a lot to choose from, and bad in that there is a lot of low-quality material that will neither resist stains or wear well. Aside from the quality of the carpet, the means of installation and the quality and thickness of the pad will determine how good a carpet looks and how long it will last. When it comes to pad, more can be less -- meaning that a pad that is too thick can make walking on the carpet difficult and hasten its wear.
If allergies are a concern, hard finishes such as tile, vinyl and hardwood can ease wheezing and sneezing.
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