New home builders, renovators and remodelers all know how important flooring decisions for your home are and the future economic impact this decision will have on your home’s value. Recent flooring trends back this dynamic in every way from the flooring experts and interior designers who participated in a recent survey.

Wood floors and the many species to choose from, engineered floors, plank widths and finishes are just a few of the choices consumers are faced with today. Your design style, season of life and budget also play a role in your flooring choice. Ultimately your aim should be to make the most informed decision and best investment for the lifetime of your home.

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) understands this consumer dilemma and provides valuable information in its recently published Wood Floor Styles and Trends to consider before making your flooring investment. Wood floors have come a long way and “…will adapt to your changing lifestyle and decorating style…easy to maintain and help improve indoor air quality” according to Michael Martin, CEO of NWFA.

Engineered flooring has also come a long way and continue to gain in popularity. Underneath the beautiful top layer of engineered floors are multiple layers of a composite material made of wood veneers that run in perpendicular directions that create strength and stability against expanding and contracting when exposed to humidity and fluctuations in temperature. They can also be used below ground (basements) for this reason whereas hardwood floors cannot.

Interior designers (205 to be specific) have also spoken through a survey I referenced earlier. Sponsored by MacDonald Hardwoods, based in Denver, Colorado the 2016 Hardwood Flooring Customer Preference Survey specifies top flooring trends that highlight style, hardwoods or engineered, finishes, plank widths and where consumers find their inspiration.

A few of the highlights from this survey have wide plank flooring winning top preference (155) with over half (117) choosing floors finished in a modern style.  Darker stains were preferred by (111) designers while (98) chose engineered flooring.

The competitive gap seems to be tightening between hardwood and engineered flooring. Ultimately you must choose what best fits your lifestyle needs, budget and what most reflects your personal style. Either way you are adding beauty and function to your home and years of enjoyment!