Buying and furnishing a house and making it a home is not only expensive and time consuming, but also a very personal decision. From new doors and windows to kitchen and bath renovations, the number of improvements you can make are nearly endless. One of equal importance is the purchase of new flooring. At Budget Construction Company, we have been one of Chicagoland’s premier flooring installers for almost 40 years, and can help beauty your home with tile, hardwood, laminate, or any other flooring material that fits your style and budget.

The Best Material for Your New Floor

The kind of flooring you choose is a matter of personal choice – what you need and what you can afford. Our team of flooring specialists is here to offer advice on style and flooring materials best suited to your situation, and give you the tools necessary for making an informed decision.

Which rooms or areas need new flooring?

Before buying new flooring, there are many questions worth asking:

• How large is your family?
• How active is your household – in other words, how much foot traffic do you expect to have on any given day?
• Do you have children?
• Do you have pets?
• Does any member of your household use a walker, cane, wheelchair, or other mobility-assist devices that wear on carpeting or other flooring?
• Will the flooring in any room or area be subjected to water or other moisture?
• How often do you expect to clean the carpeting, tile, or other flooring surface?
• Finally, how long do you need the floor to last?

Flooring Options

There are many kinds of flooring materials to choose from, some more expensive and durable than others, while some are very stylish but not advisable depending on foot traffic. The most popular choices for flooring include:

• Hardwood. Strong, durable, and stylish, wood flooring is easy to clean and maintain and can be refinished if necessary. Many top brands can be had for $3 – $4 per square foot, but some exotic species of wood cost $50 or more per square foot and take highly skilled professionals to cut and install it. The ideal area for installation is a living room or family room.
• Tile has its own allure thanks to the hundreds of styles and textures to choose from. Perfect for a kitchen or bathroom, glazed ceramic tile is resistant to scratches and minor impacts, resists water, and is easy to clean. Top choices include slate, porcelain, marble, travertine, and granite.
• Laminate re-invents itself year after year. Inexpensive and very durable, it has numerous styles and colors that can mimic the appearance and texture of wood or tile. Perfect for high-traffic areas because of its strength, laminate does have one weakness – standing water.
• Carpeting. From shag to Berber to many other styles, carpeting lends itself to many rooms throughout your home, but is best in low-traffic rooms. Depending on the style and thickness, carpeting will attract its share of dirt and pet dander, and needs to be vacuumed regularly. With the right padding, carpeting is very soft and comforting on the feet.
• Vinyl may be the least expensive flooring material to choose from, and while it comes in many styles and colors, it is not very durable and can scratch or tear easily. It is not recommended for truly high traffic areas or rooms where the floor is subjected to heavy objects.
• Cork is the new celebrity among flooring materials because it is soft, warm, and acts as a sound insulator. Environmentally friendly, it is moisture resistant. The main drawbacks are it fades over time when exposed to sunlight, and may get damaged by heavy furniture or other sitting objects. Choose the room wisely, but cork may be ideal for a child’s bedroom.

For more information or to schedule and in-home consultation, call Budget Construction Company today at 773-283-9200 for the most affordable flooring options in Chicago.

If you are one of thousands of Chicagoland homeowners trying to squeeze more space out of your home and increase its re-sale value, you can achieve both in one fell swoop with a stylish, affordable basement renovation from the experts at Budget Construction Company. For nearly 40 years we have built our business and reputation on quality, value-based home improvements, including new doors, windows, additions, roofing, and kitchen and bath remodeling projects.

Basement Remodeling Tips to Get Your Project Started

As the real estate market improves, many homeowners instinctively believe the best way to accommodate a growing family is to pack up and move. Thus, the home gets a much needed de-cluttering, a fresh coat of paint, and the “For Sale” sign goes up – while a less expensive option is right below their feet. Make no mistake, a basement renovation – small or large – presents its own challenges that should not be ignored, but the benefits can easily outpace the expense of buying a new home.

If you are thinking of remodeling your basement, give one of our design experts a call at 773-283-9200 to schedule a free in-home consultation. We will help review design options, and come up with a plan that fits your budget and needs. In the meantime, here are a few tips to get you started in the planning process.

• The first order of business is to make sure your basement is not wet or damp. During our in-home visit, signs of water damage is one of the first things we look for, inside and outside the home. Depending on the severity of the problem, we may recommend a complete basement waterproofing solution or something as simple as adding or replacing a sump pump. A dehumidifier may also lessen dampness issues.
• For a truly finished basement, one considered “livable space,” there must be a means of exit in an emergency separate from the stairway. This means adding an egress window. Our team of design experts will help determine where it can be placed, and educate you about applicable building codes affecting design and cost.
• Look for ways to save energy. Our team will review the best means to cut down on heating and cooling bills related to your basement renovation, including using specialized equipment to identify where air gets in and out.
• Do you need a bathroom in your new basement? If you are thinking of adding a bedroom or kitchenette, we can discuss installing a toilet, shower, and sink. We encourage all clients to understand their goals, as not every homeowner needs a bathroom in the basement.
• Finally, consider the monthly expense of having a remodeled basement. Additional livable space nearly always results in a higher tax bill, not to mention a potential bump in costs for heating, cooling, water, and electricity.

Call Budget Construction Company for a Free Consultation

We have renovated hundreds of residential basements over the years, and take pride in adding value and style to any project we work on. Whether you have a finished basement that needs renovation, or wish to start from scratch in a bare space, call us today at 773-283-9200 for more information.