Top Flooring Choices to Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

Selecting the right flooring for your home not only adds to its beauty and functionality but can also increase its resale value. With a variety of flooring options available—each with unique benefits and styles—it’s essential to choose one that enhances your home and appeals to potential buyers. To simplify your choice, here are some top flooring options that can maximize your home’s value.

1. Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices among homebuyers, known for its timeless appeal and long-lasting durability. Constructed from 100% natural wood, each plank brings warmth, character, and uniqueness to a room. Hardwood floors are available in various wood species, including oak, maple, and cherry, allowing homeowners to select styles that complement different interior aesthetics.

  • Why Buyers Love It: Hardwood’s classic charm is hard to resist. It’s versatile, fitting into both traditional and modern designs, and it can be refinished multiple times, extending its lifespan. Real estate experts estimate that homeowners can recover up to 106% of the cost of hardwood flooring upon sale.
  • Considerations: Hardwood is a more significant investment than some other flooring types and requires proper care to maintain its appeal. However, its ROI and allure among buyers make it a worthy choice.

2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood offers a similar look and feel to solid hardwood but is often more affordable and durable in varying environments. Made from layers of wood veneer glued together, engineered hardwood resists humidity better than solid wood, making it suitable for basements and kitchens where solid hardwood might not be ideal.

  • Why Buyers Love It: Engineered hardwood combines beauty with durability and is nearly indistinguishable from solid wood. It’s also available in a wide range of finishes and wood species, giving buyers options for almost any home style.
  • Considerations: While engineered hardwood can be sanded and refinished, it has a limited number of refinishing cycles compared to solid wood. However, the upfront cost is typically lower, which appeals to homeowners who want to increase value without the higher cost of solid wood.

3. Waterproof Flooring

Waterproof flooring is a relatively new and innovative option that’s especially appealing to families and pet owners. Waterproof floors are available in a range of styles, from natural wood looks to stone visuals, allowing homeowners to incorporate them in high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.

  • Why Buyers Love It: Waterproof flooring offers the beauty of hardwood and stone without the worry of water damage. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and is especially attractive to families who want a low-maintenance, practical solution.
  • Considerations: While waterproof floors are durable, they vary in quality based on the brand and product type. Premium waterproof flooring options, such as those with real wood surfaces, may cost more but offer both functionality and style, adding long-term value to the home.

4. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring replicates the appearance of hardwood at a fraction of the cost. It’s constructed from several layers, with a durable top layer that is scratch-resistant and easy to maintain. Thanks to advancements in technology, laminate floors now have realistic wood textures and can mimic popular species like oak, walnut, and cherry.

  • Why Buyers Love It: Laminate flooring is budget-friendly, pet-friendly, and resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture. It’s also available in an array of finishes, textures, and styles, making it a versatile option for busy households.
  • Considerations: Although it may not add as much resale value as hardwood, laminate flooring’s durability and affordability make it attractive to buyers seeking style on a budget. Laminate can be an especially good choice for high-traffic areas where durability is key.

5. Vinyl Plank and Tile Flooring

Vinyl flooring, particularly luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), has risen in popularity as a durable and versatile alternative to laminate. Vinyl planks and tiles are constructed with composite cores, making them moisture-resistant and flexible. Many designs mimic the look of hardwood or stone, providing a stylish yet affordable solution.

  • Why Buyers Love It: LVP and LVT are durable, waterproof, and low-maintenance, making them ideal for homes with kids and pets. They also come in a wide range of designs, allowing homeowners to achieve the look of wood or tile in any room.
  • Considerations: Vinyl floors may not increase home value as significantly as hardwood, but their ease of maintenance and visual appeal make them a top choice for homeowners looking for budget-friendly flooring with style and durability.

Choosing the Right Flooring for Each Room

Different flooring types have their strengths in various areas of the home, so consider where each flooring type will be installed to get the best value. Here are some tips:

  1. Kitchens: Engineered hardwood or waterproof flooring is ideal for kitchens. These options offer the warmth and beauty of hardwood while withstanding spills and humidity.
  2. Bathrooms: Waterproof flooring, such as vinyl tile or waterproof hardwood, is the top choice for bathrooms. These options offer durability and resistance to moisture, which is essential in a bathroom environment.
  3. Living Rooms: Solid or engineered hardwood adds a classic, high-end look to living rooms, making the space more inviting and valuable.
  4. Bedrooms: Hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate all work well in bedrooms, providing warmth and elegance. Carpet is also popular for bedrooms but may not add as much resale value.
  5. Basements: Vinyl plank and tile or engineered hardwood with moisture-resistant properties are excellent for basements, as they can withstand dampness better than traditional hardwood.

Final Thoughts on Flooring and Home Value

When selecting flooring, think about your home's current style, your budget, and the preferences of potential buyers. Flooring that is durable, easy to maintain, and visually appealing will not only make your home more enjoyable to live in but also enhance its value when it’s time to sell.

If you’re ready to upgrade your flooring, visit Longtermhouse.com to browse our wide selection of hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and waterproof flooring options. We’re here to help you find the perfect flooring to make your home beautiful, functional, and more valuable.

Back to The Blog