Top 5 Low Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring
by
Low
Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring
There are many reasons that hardwood
may not work for you. It could simply be that you need a less expensive
alternative, or a product that you can install yourself so you can save money
on installation. Or, you may need a product that is waterproof or resistant
to moisture. Or, you may be installing in a location where solid hardwood
isn’t approved for (e.g. below grade), or there may not be enough height for
solid hardwood. Or, you may have a concrete sub-floor and just want a
product that can go directly on top of the concrete.
So, below are 5 alternative flooring
options you can use. And, best of all, almost all of them can look like
hardwood, and most are less expensive.
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1.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring (or engineered vinyl planks)
This is one of the most innovative
products this decade, and I absolutely love it as it’s looks so good and is so
versatile. Luxury vinyl planks (sometimes
called Engineered vinyl planks or luxury vinyl) are planks that look and feel
like real hardwood, but they are WATERPROOF! Yes, waterproof! So,
they are great for areas that may get moisture or a bit wet (e.g. kitchens,
basements, powder rooms).
US Floors invented the category and
revolutionized flooring forever with their break-though product called Coretec Plus. IIt’s an amazing product that looks like real wood
and clicks together like a laminate, so it’s easy to install (and easy for
do-it-yourselfers). Unlike laminate (which absorbs moisture like a
sponge), Coretec Plus holds up to water and moisture.
Coretec Plus has an attached cork
underlayment, so it adds a bit of cushioning and insulation. It can be
installed directly on top of concrete, or even tile flooring.
2.
Wood look tiles
These have been around for a while
and are a great option if you want a wood look, but also want soemthing
waterproof. They’ve become super popular, so they are now around in a
variety of shades, textures and styles. Some even look distressed or
handscraped.
They are a favorite for many in
kitchens, entryways, mudrooms, bathrooms and basements. They are
especially popular in warm climates as they keep your space cooler in the
hotter months. In cooler climates, they can be cold on your feet, so
these tiles are usually installed in smaller areas or over radiant heat.
If you’re looking for grays or
white washes, these tiles provide great options as they start with a white
base, so they can get a real clean white or gray look (compared to hardwood
floors which are more challenging to refinish gray given the yellow and pinkish
tones in real hardwood). Check out this article to see my top picks for wood
look tiles and
where you can buy them online.
If you have a concrete sub-floor
that’s even, tiles are relatively easy to install as they can go directly on
top of concrete. And, if you’re interested in installing radiant heat,
tiles are the best flooring surface for this as they conduct the heat best (and
therefore are most efficient).
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3.
Laminate flooring
Laminate floors are less expensive
than hardwood, so if you’re really going for “cheap,” this is the way to
go. Laminate flooring is clickable (so it’s a floating floor) and can be
installed easily on top of tile or concrete flooring (as long as you add an underlayment).
Please note that laminates are NOT
waterproof. In fact, they rapidly absorb moisture – like a sponge or
cardboard. Laminates range in quality and prices. The more
expensive ones look better and are more durable, but they do cost more…and at
that point, you are probably better upgrade to a product like Coretec Plus
which is waterproof…or real hardwood flooring.
But, most laminate that you’ll see,
especially in Big Box stores, are on the lower end, and they do not hold up so
well (they often delaminate), and they look and sound more fake. But, as
I said, if you’re looking for the cheapest option, this is the way to go. If you’re looking for the best value
option and can spend a bit more, I’d encourage you to consider some of the
other options.
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4.
Bamboo flooring
Bamboo flooring is an alternative to
hardwood flooring. It’s often misclassified as hardwood, but it’s
important to know that it’s actually a grass. It’s certainly less
expensive than solid hardwood, and it’s engineered and glued together.
Because of this, it acts like an engineered wood and can be glued directly to
concrete floors, making it very versatile.
Bamboo is substantially less durable
than hardwood floors, and there is a LOT of misleading information about this
product online (and in stores). It’s softer than oak flooring (even
though some claim it’s harder…the tests are very misleading and so are the
marketing claims…soon I will need to write a whole post about this).
It scratches more easily than
oak and it shows the scratches more. And, it does not hold up well to
water. (and, yes, we’ve had to replace/repair many of these floors from
minor water damage from everyday use (e.g. water spilled from dog bowls, water
seepage at doorways or windows). And, it’s more challenging to sand and
refinish bamboo floors, and they do not absorb the polyurethane very well.
This would not be my first choice
for a hardwood alternative, but it can work in some apartments, especially if
you don’t have pets and you don’t wear shoes in the house. There are
different types of bamboo, so I’m over simplifying a bit, but still, it would
not be my first choice. The lighter/natural ones hold up better; the
darker ones (i.e. light brown) are made that way by carmelizing the wood, and
that weakens the sugars and wood through the heating process. Also, the
strand woven ones hold up much better (but they are more expensive).
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5.
Cork flooring
Cork flooring is another great
option. It feels amazing on your feet and it has a bit of shock
absorption, so it’s easier to stand longer (an important feature for
kitchens). And, cork has some insulation as well as sound absorption
properties.
Cork is also environmentally
friendly, and many love this aspect. The downside to cork is that it
doesn’t come in as many color options, and some people love the look, but
others don’t.
Conclusion:
So those are my top 5 alternative
flooring options if hardwood floors aren’t right for you. As you can see,
no flooring is perfect. They all have trade-offs (even hardwood
does). The key is to find the flooring that’s best for you, your space,
your needs and your budget.
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