The brunt of the wear and tear on your home is received by its floors. They’re put to the test daily by dirty shoes, spills, and scratches from
pet claws, furniture, sweepers and more. The question is: how long before they need to be replaced?
Carpet generally lasts about 10 years. Tile, wood and laminate flooring can last as long as 25-30 years. Typically the amount of damage they face over the years is the determining factor.
Carpet
If your carpet can’t seem to be restore it to its former glory with cleaning, it’s probably time for replacement. Smells that have penetrated the carpet padding can be challenging. Some stains from bleach, wine and pets won’t completely go away especially if they seep through to the padding below.
Carpet wear and tear is hard to reverse. Matting is a prime indicator when a deep cleaning does nothing to restore the carpet’s form. Rips and tears are also signs that the carpet needs to be replaced.
Wood
Solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished. Costs range between $3 and $7 per square foot to refinish the floors. However, replacing the floors with an alternative material like laminate or engineered hardwood may possibly cost less. If wider planks or a more durable material is what you’re looking for, replacing instead of refinishing the floor could be the better option.
Tile
Ceramic tile can last a lifetime. Broken tiles can be replaced. Stained grout can be cleaned and sealed. Unfortunately, the style of the tile can become outdated. Also, if your tile floor seems to be continually cracking, it may need replacing and your new floor should be outfitted with an uncoupling membrane. This membrane will add flexibility between the floor and the subfloor and help distribute the load of the floor evenly, thereby reducing the chance of cracking.
Laminate/Vinyl
Whether the floor has seen water damage or just simple wear and tear, thin laminate or vinyl tile clearly displays when it’s at the end of its life. If it’s peeling up this shows that the adhesive is starting to fail and the floor should be replaced.