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| Faux Ceramic Tile Vinyl Flooring |
Our kitchen, laundry and main hallway flooring was a
beautiful white geometric design. It was a very popular pattern when we
purchase our home in the late 1990’s but a decade later, it was just ugly.
Being a REALTOR® and knowing we would be moving within a few
years, we didn’t want to over remodel our home but knew we had to make changes
during our kitchen remodel in 2010. We decided on an upgrade of hardwood for
the kitchen and adjoining family room we were converting into a dining room but
what to do with the hallways and laundry? In my mind’s eye, I saw ceramic tile
but it didn’t calculate as a wise investment. Our second thought was a laminate
floor that looked like tile. However the flooring store professionals talked us out
of that one—best not to use Pergo-type products anywhere that is damp due to potential peeling of the image. So,
we finally opted for an upgraded vinyl that looked like tile. Some of the faux-ceramic tile products have a visible texture so one has to reach down and touch it to see if
it is tile or not. It was the perfect choice! The first day after the vinyl
floor installation, our milkman was making his weekly delivery and asked when
we had the ceramic tile installed. Bingo! Now, two years later and it still
looks new! And best of all, it was just a fraction of the cost of ceramic or
laminate flooring.
It is essential to make smart choices when upgrading features
in your home. This is especially true if you plan to move someday. Not every
home has the value or location to support high quality upgrades. Sometimes a
good, budget-conscious alternative is the way to go. Over upgrading is one of
the saddest news I have to deliver when people ask a market analysis. There is
often a misguided expectation of receiving a dollar for dollar return on the
remodeling investment. The reality is more of 25-30% return on investment on average for most
remodeling projects. However, not doing anything when your home is out of date or
deteriorating can affect the bottom-line when it comes time to sell. This is
where a REALTOR® for life comes in. If you are unsure of whether you need to
install the most expensive or just a good quality alternative product in your
next remodel, give all me. I can help you decide whether your upgrades will
make sense for the neighborhood.
Copyright 2012 Teri Eckholm
