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Looking to upgrade your flooring but worried about the price tag? You’re not alone. Flooring is one of the most important designs and functionality features in any home, but it can also be one of the most expensive. Prices for materials and installation can range widely, making it difficult to create the home of your dreams on a budget.
In such bleak circumstances, what’s a cash-strapped shopper to do? It seems as if you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, but all is not lost. With a little creativity and well-timed research, you can find ways to get the flooring you want without spending more money than you have to.
How Can You Save Money When Shopping for Home Flooring?
Knowing what to look for and where to find it is half the battle when trying to save money on flooring. The endless array of choices available on the market today can be dizzying, but if you go in with a plan, you’ll be much more likely to stay on your designated track. Here are four tips to help you find the best deals on home flooring:
Shop Flooring Remnants
If you’re looking for a bargain, discounted flooring remnants are a great place to start. These are leftover pieces of material from larger samples that can be purchased at a fraction of the price. Manufacturers are eager to get rid of them to make room for new stock, which is why they often offer them at such deeply discounted rates.
Some of the most common instances where you’ll find flooring remnants are carpets. Carpeting is usually sold in large rolls that are too big to fit in the average home. As each customer’s needs differ, varying amounts of the roll will be cut to size, leaving behind a strip of unused carpet. These strips, or remnants, can be purchased for a song and are often just as good as the pieces that were cut from them.
If you’re considering vinyl flooring, you can also find remnants of this popular material. Like carpets, vinyl rolls come in large sizes that have to be cut down to fit smaller areas. The offcuts are then sold as vinyl roll ends, which are a great way to get cheaper flooring without sacrificing quality.
Vinyl is generally more affordable than other types of flooring, so you may not think that you need to look for deals on this material. But when you’re trying to save up, every little bit counts, and if you can find a vinyl roll end for a few dollars less than the going rate, it’s worth snatching up. Plus, it’s a really durable material, so you’ll get your money’s worth in the long run.
If you’re considering using remnants in your home, be sure to measure the space ahead of time and calculate how much material you’ll need. Once you have an estimate, you can start shopping around for the best deals on remnants in your area.
However, it’s important to note that the selection will be limited, so you may not find exactly what you’re looking for. In such cases, you may have to get creative with your design or be flexible with your material choice.
Prioritize Areas in Your Home
If you can’t afford to replace all the flooring in your home at once, you may need to get creative with your budget. One way to do this is by prioritizing the areas of your home that see the most foot traffic. These are the areas that will suffer the most wear and tear over time, so it makes sense to replace them first.
For example, living room carpets are usually more susceptible to everyday wear and tear than those in other parts of the house. This is because they have to withstand things like spilled drinks, dropped food, and tracked-in dirt. If your carpets are looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to replace them.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl might be a suitable choice. Its sturdy build ensures that it can withstand all the spills and splashes that these areas are prone to. Plus, it’s easy to clean, so you won’t have to worry about dirt and grime building up over time.
Take your time to assess the condition of your flooring and decide which areas need to be replaced first. Once you’ve prioritised, you can start shopping around for deals on the specific materials you need.
Install the Flooring Yourself
Installation professionals can be expensive, and if you’re working with a tight budget, this cost may not be feasible. If you’re handy around the house, though, you may be able to install the flooring yourself and save a bundle in the process.
Both vinyl and carpets are relatively easy to install, so if you’re considering one of these materials, self-installation may be a viable option. Just make sure you follow the instructions carefully and take your time to avoid any inconveniences.
Proper Cleaning and Maintenance so Your Flooring Lasts Longer
This might be an obvious one but the more you take care of your flooring, the longer it will last. That means regular sweeping and vacuuming for carpets and mopping for hard floors. You should also clean up any spills as soon as possible to avoid staining or damage.
Carpets in particular require special care and attention. They should be vacuumed at least once a week, especially if you have pets or children. You should also have them professionally cleaned at least once a year to remove any deep-seated dirt or grime.
Vinyl floors are much easier to maintain than carpets, but they still need to be kept clean. Mopping with mild soap and warm water solution will usually do the trick. If you have stubborn stains, you can use a commercial vinyl floor cleaner. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully before using any cleaning products, as some of them may damage the flooring.
Keeping your floors in good condition is the first step to ultimately saving money and cutting down on expenses. By taking care of your flooring and making sure it lasts for as long as possible, you won’t have to replace it as often, which is a welcome relief for any budget.
