It’s important to consider your flooring when looking at home resale value in Virginia. Hardwood, stone, and tile are all classic options that lend themselves to a good final price, but can be expensive to replace or repair. LVT is a great budget-friendly option for folks still looking to keep the historic beauty of hardwoods without breaking the bank.
Outdated Flooring Can Lower Resale Value
Peeling linoleum, stained and scuffed hardwood, and chipped tiles can all severely lower your home resale value. Many homeowners become frustrated and overwhelmed with repairs and decide to list their home as-is, but this can be a costly mistake. Putting in the effort up front into repairs and renovations will greatly increase the price that you can list your home for, and will be worth it when it sells. Flooring is very important when considering home resale value in Virginia.
The History of Hardwood
Hardwood floors have been in fashion since the end of the 17th century. Loosely resembling the parquet floors we see today, these floors were hand-cut and placed in intricate patterns that were then enjoyed by nobility. When England colonized America, hardwood flooring became common due to the availability of large trees. These floors were usually rough and unsanded, but provided a level surface for the pilgrims’ homes.
During the Industrial Revolution, flooring boards started to become mass-produced and sold. What started as something that only French royalty could afford became a staple in everyday homes. Older homes tend to have very wide boards, with newer homes having narrower pine boards due to the smaller-sized trees being cut.
Sustainability of Hardwood
There are many concerns over the sustainability of hardwood flooring with the ever-increasing deforestation of the planet. There have been some efforts in the 20th and 21st centuries to replant forests directly after logging them, but many rainforest woods like teak are still unethically taken, damaging the ecosystem. Hardwood flooring is beautiful, but it can be difficult to source the wood from sustainable loggers.
Refinish Time
The long-praised beauty of hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished multiple times. This extends the floor’s life from 15 years up to 100 years as long as it is well taken care of. In historical homes, it is good to preserve the old hardwood if possible, and keeping the old flooring is good for home resale value, especially in Virginia.
However, older homes often have damaged flooring from decades of pets, children, and neglect. Severe damage cannot be fixed with a refinish and will require replacing the damaged boards. This can be a very expensive fix, as hardwood is not easy to repair.
Choosing LVT for a Flooring Option to Improve Home Resale Value in Virginia
Luxury vinyl tile is a great alternative to hardwood flooring, especially if the current floor is severely damaged. LVT is usually patterned to look like wood grain and will refresh your home with a glossy finish that shines during walk-throughs. It is cheaper than hardwood and easier to install, making it an attractive choice for homeowners looking for a flooring upgrade before selling their home in Roanoke.
LVT has a top coating that makes it resistant to scratches and scuffs. It is also waterproof, making it the perfect flooring for kitchens and rec rooms that see a lot of traffic and have a high possibility of spills. LVT has the classic feel of hardwood flooring, is warmer underfoot, and is budget-friendly.
Tile
For bathrooms, hardwood flooring is not the best option as it is not waterproof. LVT is waterproof, but is very slippery when wet, so it is not a great choice for bathrooms either. Tile flooring is durable, water-resistant, and timeless. It comes in an almost infinite variety of colors and patterns, and is a good flooring option for improving home resale value in Virginia. It can also be used for kitchens, backsplashes, and sunrooms with potted plants.
Stone
Although not as common, stone flooring is a good flooring option for improving home resale value in Virginia. It is durable and timelessly beautiful, although it is very expensive to install. Stone is cool in the summer and feels refreshing underfoot. The opposite is true in winter, with the stone flooring sapping heat and being uncomfortably cold to the touch. If your home already has stone floors, then leave them as is; if not, stone is a very expensive install option for the resale value that it provides.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Carefully considering your flooring is important for home resale value in Virginia. If you have old or damaged floors, consider installing LVT for a budget-friendly option that will greatly increase the value of your home. Let Gino’s Flooring set you up to successfully sell your home!