Granite, Quartz and Vinyl Plank Floors

The amount of options for countertops is mind boggling. Do we go with Quartz? Do we go with Granite? Why can’t we just use plywood and paint it a really pretty color? It would save a ton of money. That’s not a real argument, at least not one I’ve said to Jeff. We really liked the idea of Quarts countertops. They look amazing. We’ve been thrown off by some reviews we’ve seen from owners who ended up with damaged quartz countertops after sticking a hot pan on them. Jeff does that all the time and it’s something he’s gotten used to being able to do. After going back and forth, I think we’ve ended up with a granite countertop, pictured here. We really like the design and color and while every pattern differs, we’re hoping it will look as good as this one does.

Flooring is the next biggest choice and second only to the kitchen, the most expensive investment you are going to make into your new home. I fell in love with the tile flooring used at the Key West II in Longleaf. The tile and install job in the living and kitchen area of the home are beautiful. I was set, let’s do it. Then Annie came along with a dose of reality, “do you know how much grout that’s going to be to maintain!”. Ugh, what a party pooper. I hate when she’s right. We started asking about smaller grout lines, which apparently isn’t a thing. Our next option was looking at the vinyl plank flooring. We had installed a similar product in our previous home and really loved it. It has survived two 90 lb Labrador Retrievers and a rambunctious toddler with hardly a scratch!

We quickly found some amazing looking Level 3 vinyl plank flooring and were even more quickly surprised that it was twice as expensive as the high end, Level 6 tile floor. This is what happens when an item becomes popular. There’s really no other justification for the significant price increase other than, because they can. We are still going back and forth between the Level 2 and Level 3 vinyl plank flooring’s but both look amazing. The picture to the right is of the sales center in Starkey Ranch. They used the same flooring we are looking at. It looks pretty amazing in person.

Two decisions down. I think. I’m not going back to the design center until the final appointment but Jeff is headed back again this week with Annie, so anything could change! Wish them luck.