Get More Out of Your Flooring Budget
It’s time to say thank you to all the homeowners out there who’ve been helping our economy over the past year and a half. Home renovation projects and home improvement continues to have a big and positive impact on the U.S. economy. If you’re one of the many homeowners who’ve rolled up your sleeves and started a project, you deserve a little credit. If your project is a flooring project, we’re here to offer some advice to help you get the most out of your project budget.
According to Money magazine, flooring is the third most planned renovation project in 2021.1 One good reason for this is that new flooring is economical and offers great ROI, with project costs averaging between $6-$10 per square foot.2 To understand how to get more out of your budget, it helps to know how contractors scope a project, and what things influence cost. Specifically, it’s worth looking closely at overall materials costs, installation costs and how the two influence one another.
Materials Costs
The biggest part of your budget will be spent on materials. As we stated in a previous post, the hottest trend in flooring is luxury vinyl, which comes in tiles and planks. Prices for LVT and LVP range between approximately $3-$10 per square foot.3 Meanwhile, wood floors are always a perennial favorite. Engineered wood runs about $3-$7 for materials, whereas solid wood is a premium of approximately $10-$18 per square foot.3 When budgeting for and choosing flooring products, it’s a good idea to purchase more material than you actually need for your project. Some flooring products, like vinyl and laminate, can’t be repaired, but they are easily replaced in the future if you have extra material on hand. In addition to flooring product, you’ll need to budget for additional materials such as underlayment and a vapor barrier. A good underlayment not only protects and pads your floor, but also may be a requirement. Many manufacturers have warranties that are contingent on the use of an underlayment.
When it comes to price, it’s important to know what you’re getting with your underlayment so that you can compare products fairly. Eco Cork Foam is a favorite among consumers and pros and costs $.75 per square foot. That price includes 10-in-1 features in every roll as well as a 6 mil vapor barrier. Alternative products may be priced at or slightly below Eco Cork Foam but do not include the beneficial and install-ready features that make Eco Cork Foam a great value.
Installation Costs
If you’re planning on hiring a professional for your project, installation costs are another consideration and another opportunity to optimize. Keep in mind that flooring installers scope projects based on labor, so the easier the installation, the better for your budget. Choosing materials that are easy to install can help you reduce your installation costs. Floating floor systems like LVT, which do not require staples, nails or other fastening, are easier to install and can reduce installation costs. Likewise, by choosing an underlayment like Eco Cork Foam that is easy to install and includes a built-in 6 mil vapor barrier, you can further reduce installation costs. For instance, if you have a concrete subfloor, which requires a vapor barrier, Eco Cork Foam saves you the expense of the vapor barrier and the labor required to install it.
If you’re working with a contractor, it’s worth noting that Eco Cork Foam is a favorite among flooring professionals. In addition to the built-in 6 mil vapor barrier, Eco Cork Foam is easy to cut and resists tearing. Contractors can even walk directly on the product without damaging it. At 1/8” thick, Eco Cork Foam smooths over subfloor imperfections, allowing your contractor to unroll and install. Contractors know that Eco Cork Foam is easy to use and incredibly durable, giving them a sense of ease and peace of mind that can save you money.
Precision Products
One often unconsidered way to cut costs is to avoid overbuying. Oftentimes, products that are sold in packaged amounts that work for manufacturing don’t translate to typical project sizes. The result is wasted product, whether that’s flooring or underlayment. Some contractors will estimate the cost of disposal as well. If you notice that Eco Cork Foam Underlayment is sold in 75 square foot rolls rather than the typical 100 square foot roll, it’s because of this very issue. The most common project size is 300 square feet, which requires exactly four rolls of Eco Cork Foam. It’s a cost savings you may not realize until your contractor thanks you.
If you’ve got a flooring project up your sleeve, take a look at Eco Cork Foam. See for yourself why it’s a top-rated underlayment at The Home Depot, and why one satisfied buyer said, “Having the best underlayment is the most important consideration when putting down any flooring. Don’t hesitate, just buy it! You’ll be glad you did.”
About Us
Eco Cork Foam Underlayment is manufactured in North Carolina by Palziv, North America. Palziv brings together world-class science and engineering to deliver innovative products, materials and services for the construction, building, automotive, recreational, medical and packaging industries. Every day, we strive to grow our community, working with others to seek sustainable, innovative, market-driven solutions that promote better, safer, and healthier lifestyles and protect the environment for generations to come.
1 https://money.com/top-home-improvement-value-add-pandemic/
2 https://homeguide.com/costs/flooring-installation-cost
3 https://sweeten.com/renovation-cost-guides/flooring-options-and-costs/
