What are the cheapest ways of covering your floor? Perhaps the idea of installing new flooring in your home or business is intimidating; the thought of hiring professionals and covering the cost of materials, installation, and labor on a tight budget can be overwhelming.
In fact, there are several budget flooring options available that surprisingly can be done at low cost without compromising the new look you desire in your home or business. Modern flooring solutions utilize efficient manufacturing processes, chemical engineering, and state of the art design to provide you with cheap flooring that are often easy to clean and mimic the look of wood and stone.
This article serves as a guide for those searching for the cheapest flooring solutions. It will present low cost flooring options, and walk you through the advantages and drawbacks of each, leaving you with the information you need to install new, beautiful flooring within your budget.
Cheap Flooring on a Budget
- Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Water-resistant and lasting 15 to 20 years, sheet vinyl flooring is remarkably cheap to install and easy to maintain. Made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), it is know for durability and offers a large range of varieties to suit your decor needs.
Pros
- Easy to keep clean and maintain
- Excellent choice for uneven/cracked subfloors
- Large selection of varieties of faux stone and wood
- Water resistant and extremely durable
Cons
- Difficult to repair should a future problem arise
- Production is not environmentally friendly
- Tends to discolor over time
- Luxury Vinyl Planks and Tiles
Often priced below $1 per square foot, vinyl planks and tiles are one of the cheapest ways of covering your floor. Vinyl planks and tiles are offered in both wood and natural stone looks.
Pros
- Install a cheap floor with a wood or natural stone look at an affordable price
- Easy and fast to install (saving you money)
- Soft feel to the touch, comfortable to walk on
- Excellent durability against moisture and humidity
Cons
- Can discolor after exposure to sunlight
- Not an eco-friendly production process
- Sharp objects can gouge or scratch the floor
- Laminate Flooring
Inexpensive yet classy, thin laminates can be found for less than a dollar per square foot. Often, the thinner the flooring product, the cheaper the cost. For the lowest possible price, look for laminate flooring with a thickness less than 8mm. Relatively easy to install, you can put in the laminate yourself to save even more money.
Pros
- Planks snap together and are easy to install
- A variety of options to choose from: hardwood, cement, and stone flooring resemblance
- Doesn’t fade from sun exposure
- Cheap to maintain and easy to clean
- Mildew and mold resistant
Cons
- Laminate covers may sound fake and hollow when walked on
- Often wears out faster than other flooring, especially among the affordable varieties
- Some laminates are made of formaldehyde and can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Builder-Grade Hardwood Flooring
Builder-grade hardwood floors are a great choice for installing hardwood floors on a budget, giving you an authentic and warm feel, easy maintenance, and significant savings.
Pros
- Warm and natural hardwood feel
- Features 100% solid wood flooring
- Easy to clean and affordable to maintain
- Wood looks great with most interior styles and décor
- Increases your home’s resale value
Cons
- Some Builder-Grade boards may have splinters
- Expect up to 20% of the boards in your bundle to be unusable
- Knots, holes and other imperfections in the boards are common
- This grade of solid hardwood does not come with a warranty
- Ceramic Tile
While ceramic tiles are durable and inexpensive, they are also hard and cold to the touch. Labor costs may be raised due to the complexity of installation. Glazed tiles are recommended on a tight budget to reduce the cost of sealing tiles after installation, saving you extra money.
Pros
- Remarkably durable
- Broad range of design varieties
- Features high water and humidity resistance
- Ceramic can be easily cleaned and maintained
Cons
- Can feel hard and cold to the touch
- Installation can be challenging and complex
- Unglazed tiles often require sealing at extra cost
- Paint Linoleum
A good option for floors that aren’t high traffic area, paint linoleum is one of the cheapest yet classic floor cover options on the market.
Pros
- Strong durability
- Does not emit harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Requires minimal maintenance
Cons
- Easily dented by furniture legs and high heels
- Changes color when exposed to sunlight
- Freshly waxed linoleum can be slippery
- Vinyl Floor Stickers
About the thickness of a playing card, this cheap floor cover is best for laundry rooms, closets, backsplash in the kitchen, and to cover smaller sections of walls. It is durable and comes in some quite classy designs but is not considered a good solution for large floor areas.
Pros
- Cheapest flooring available on the market
- Good option for floors with excessive movements or cracks
- Easy and quick installation
Cons
- Lack of durability and quality
- Does not provide good moisture prevention in a wet environment
- Geometric Stenciled Flooring
Perhaps you have a boring, plain floor but no budget to invest in a new flooring solution. Geometric stenciled flooring is a good, cheap option to upgrade the look and design of your space without spending on a new floor cover. However, this solution requires a substantial investment of time to create your desired stencil shape in order to create the result you want. Rather than ordering expensive flooring materials, you will need a Xacto knife, paintbrush with floor paint, a paint roller, poster board, and a foam brush.
Pros
- Affordable on any budget
- Flexible and customizable; create any design of your choice
- Smooth and monolithic surface
Cons
- Designs don’t survive wear and tear
- The finished product lacks authenticity
- Acid Stained Concrete Floor
For bland concrete floors lacking character, acid staining presents a cheap flooring solution that adds creativity, color, and life to the space. A good DIY project, acid staining requires the concrete floor be free of any dirt and impurities. Acid staining is a cheap flooring solution that can be done during your free time, saving you labor and material costs.
Pros
- Wide range of products to choose from
- Improves the aesthetic value of your property
- No negative impact on concrete durability
Cons
- Does not cover imperfections on your floor
- Difficult to apply safely in residential settings
- Results are often unpredictable
Summary
If you are ready to upgrade the floors of your home or business, and are facing budget constraints, there are several good options available to satisfy your design needs. Our representatives are available to discuss these options with you and identify the cheap flooring solution that best suits your needs. At Dallas Floors, we will generate a clear and fair estimate that fits your budget and install your floor with professionalism with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
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