Take the guesswork out of finding flooring

(ARA) - If you haven't shopped for flooring in the past few years, prepare yourself. The vast array of hard-surface options is extensive, to say the least.

From stone to tile, wood to vinyl, linoleum to laminate, the choices can seem endless. How do you sift through the features and benefits of each to choose the product that is best for your home and your needs, from installation to maintenance and upkeep? And, equally important, how much is it going to cost to get the floor of your dreams?

New flooring, no matter what type you select, is more affordable than you may think. The key to success in finding the right floor is to go to a reputable, high-quality flooring retailer who can help you make sense of all the choices available in today's diverse marketplace.

"Besides offering great service, the latest designs and an extensive array of product choices, today's quality flooring retailers also compete when it comes to price," says Gary Finseth, director of marketing for Tarkett Residential, a large flooring manufacturer. "But, their greatest ability is to differentiate themselves with professional sales people who can educate you to make the best purchasing decision for your home and your lifestyle."

A knowledgeable flooring retailer will help you identify the best floor covering choices that complement your style of living, as well as the colors and finishes that suit your individual tastes. This includes more than just showing samples of various flooring options. A quality flooring retailer helps consumers understand how traffic, cleaning needs and other factors can influence a flooring decision -- especially when performance and value are the key factors in most every decision.

For example, you might love the look of real hardwood floors, but if your home has a lot of traffic and activity, an indent- and wear-resistant laminate might be the best (and far more affordable) choice for you. Today's laminate offerings are designed so authentically to mimic wood and other surfaces, it's often hard to tell the difference.

If you're looking for a more performance-based flooring option, some great new products offer unique designs and the performance consumers prefer for their day-to-day living. One option retailers recommend is Tarkett FiberFloor, a fiber-backed resilient sheet that is warm and comfortable underfoot, is water- and moisture-resistant, stands up to scratches, scuffs, stains and indentations, and is easy to maintain.