In the market that we are in now, how and where we spend our money is important. If you are shopping for something, many times you will do a little research and ask a friend about it. Depending on the amount you want to spend and what it is for may determine how long you research and ask questions. When it comes to flooring, how do you know where to buy it? There seems to be a big box store in every decent size community that has everything in it and if they don't, there will always be another one not to far away. They have lots of options and stock ready to go out the door. You also have the local flooring store, located a little out of the way behind the local hospital. They don't have stock ready to go. They don't have the credit card offers to pay it off in 6 to 12 months. They also don't have the same prices. It seems to be so much more expensive. In the end, where should you go?
Flooring is a product that is like a car or truck. You can get a base model, or work your way up to the luxury model. In each model in between, there are slight differences and upgrades. There are differences in what fuel they use, what interiors you get, and what buttons you have to push. The prices for the car or truck reflect the changes and upgrades, and so does the sales person. Some sales people are great to work with and will help you every step of the way and then you have the "Used Car Salesman" who can talk you into what he wants you to get and sell it at his price.
When you are looking into flooring, you have just a few options to start with. Carpet, wood, tile, laminate, and vinyl. Within those options, there is even more options available. With carpet, you have what it is made of. Is it polyester, nylon, wool, or some other material? What about those fancy Pet Proof or Stain Master names? Is it a loop pile or cut pile carpet? What is the face weight of the cut pile? How well and tight is the twist of the yarn used? Will this fiber repel dirt more than the other fiber you are looking at? Is it a quality backing or something cheap that will fall apart in a few years? Will this look wore out in a year or two? All of those questions are something that most box store sales people won't be able to give you in detail. That is where the local flooring store comes to play. Because the local flooring store only sells something they can stand behind, they know what will work the best for you and your family.
You can find lots of places to buy wood flooring. Online, warehouse sales, clearance, and so many more. What you may not find is the companies that will stand behind what they sell. When you go to the National Wood Flooring Association Expo, you find hundreds of people who love wood floors. They eat, breath, and live wood flooring. They can tell you everything you need to know about the wood. Where was it grown, how was it milled, how was it made, how did you get the color that you see, and what kind of finish does it have? Many of the companies that you see in the local flooring stores have stories behind those wood floors. They are made by people that pour their hearts into a beautiful product so that someone like you looking for a new floor can find something to fall in love with. Box stores give you basic and some unique wood products. Local flooring stores give you products that may use wood from central Europe that were leftovers from wine barrel companies in France. It is then hand stained and finished so that each board has a deep and rich finish. Others may be from a barn taken down in Kentucy and repurposed into a wood floor bought and sold to someone in North Caronlia. You may even find the wood floor of your dream that is scratch resistant and waterproof so that you can have real hardwood instead of vinyl or laminate because you have big pets in your home.
If you are remodeling a kitchen and bathroom, you may go to the box store and see beautiful tile options. Step back and look. How many shades of taupe, gray, white, black, and neutral colors do you see? If you go to a flooring store or tile store, how many colors and sizes will you find? Colors in a home are more risky and bold. You have to love what you get. Box stores are not for the risk takers and those going for bold. The tile stores and flooring stores are for those looking to express themselves and create visuals and use colors that are for the Pinterest and Home Improvement magazines. You can find Blue, Green, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Red, and so much more in the local stores. Tile is a big investment, so take your time and find what you love and go with it.
Laminate and Vinyl have changed a lot over the past 10 years. You can now find waterproof options for both that lock together and are easy to install. If you are shopping around, grab that sample from the box store and take it to the local flooring store. See what the differences are. The first thing you may notice is that the local store has bigger and thicker products. They cost more, but they may have a reason for that. You will also find in the local store more options and technology in how the products are made. Different cores, digital printed images, embossed prints, patented locking systems, and other aspects in the products. If bigger is better, then you need to go to the local flooring store because they have the largest options in laminate and vinyl options.
In the end, it is your money. If you need help with that, go to www.bpssoutheast.com/financing and see what options are available for you. There are so many more options than opting for credit cards that may get you in the end. You can get a free estimate, and then look to see what your options are to get what you want. As a local flooring store, it is important to help everyone that walks into the door to get what they need and what they want. Getting the right flooring for your home is important. Just selling flooring isn't helping customers if it isn't the right product. Local flooring sales reps are there to take the time to listen to what you need and help you make the right choices. Getting the cheapest option isn't always the best choice. Making the right choice is getting what is right for your home and your lifestyle. That is what makes the local flooring store better than the box store.
