BE FLOORED BY FLOORING: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHOOSING FLOORING FOR YOUR NEW HOME

Flooring Types and Things to Remember While Choosing Fooring

Your home’s aesthetic appeal and maintenance frequency will depend on the flooring you choose. Here are eight types of flooring you can expect to find in your home.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a popular choice due to its beauty and ability to bring warmth into a space. Hardwood is durable and naturally beautiful.

Hardwood floors can also be stained and sanded, so they will look great over time. You can also experiment with different styles and themes for your home thanks to this quality.

Hardwood floors can be expensive. Wooden floors can be made from a variety of materials, including unfinished oak planks for a more affordable price and exotic planks for a higher budget.

Hardwood floors work well in homes with low traffic and no pets.

Find out more about home-building tips for young families.

Although throw rugs can muffle noises, most people prefer not to cover hardwood floors with them.

Composite wood

The composite or engineered wood is made from combining plywood and then adding a hardwood layer at the top.

Engineered wood is a great alternative to hardwood if you don’t have the money or the desire for the natural look. It is generally less expensive than hardwood and it is often relatively simple to install.

The hardwood top layer must be maintained in the same way as a hardwood floor.

Also, the compressed plywood beneath is susceptible to warping and damage. Avoid high heels or sharp objects on this floor. This floor can be used in any room, except for bathrooms or high-moisture rooms like the bathroom.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the most economical flooring option and it comes in large sheets.

This material is simple to clean and maintain. Regular sweeping and mopping are enough to keep it clean.

It is not easy to repair if it has been damaged so keep it away from abrasive chemicals or anything that could scratch it.

Vinyl is a great choice for anyone looking for low-maintenance flooring. Vinyl is also great for high-moisture areas such as the laundry room and bathroom.

Tile

Natural stone and porcelain are excellent choices for tile flooring. Porcelain is the best budget-friendly option for flooring.

Glazed porcelain can be maintained easily, comes in a variety of textures and colors, and is strong enough to withstand heavy traffic.

Tile has the added benefit of being able to be used in high-moisture areas, which is something that wooden flooring is not allowed to do.

You can now find tile with faux finishes such as wood or stone that offer the same aesthetic benefits of traditional floor types but at a lower price.

Tile is easy-to-clean and can be cleaned easily. Its durability and ease of cleaning make it an excellent choice for areas with high traffic and rooms that have children and pets.

Tile flooring is water resistant and great for bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchen floors, and areas where there are spills and moisture.

Linoleum

Linoleum is an excellent choice for people who care about the environment. Linoleum flooring is made of natural materials such as rosins and linseed oil. It has no adverse effects on forests or greenery.

It also has anti-bacterial properties that prevent the growth of microorganisms. Additionally, this flooring’s all-natural components have no adverse effects on health when installed or used.

It is suitable for homes with small children or those who have compromised immunity.

Linoleum can also withstand water, bumps, and scratches, making it ideal for any room in the house, whether you have children or pets.

You don’t want to use linoleum in your bathroom as water can seep through the seams, causing warping and separation. However, linoleum sheets are suitable for the bathroom.

Carpeting

Carpets are still the most popular flooring option. They are loved for their warmth, variety of colors and texture.

Despite the advancements in carpet technology, they still attract dust and dander so it is important to clean them regularly.

They are a Catch 22: They can be used to provide warmth and muffle sound, but they can also attract dirt in high-traffic areas such as the living room.

They also require more maintenance than other types of flooring like vinyl or tiles.

Regular vacuuming and steam cleaning are essential elements of a good carpet care program. It can attract dust so it may not be a good choice for people with allergies or pets.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring kerikeri has been gaining popularity because it is affordable and can look nearly identical to hardwood floors.

Its popularity is due to its appearance, which can be mistaken for hardwood or stone/tile flooring.

Laminates also have a unique feature: they are a photographic image printed on a durable surface, then laminated to a strong base. The manufacturers can create a wide range of stone colors and wood species, as well as tile, thanks to this process.

Laminates have advanced a lot since their introduction in 1980s. They are now a durable and long-lasting flooring option.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, also known as “LVT” flooring, is a great choice for households with pets and active lifestyles. LVT flooring can also be installed in high traffic areas where it is required to withstand wear and be easy to clean.

LVT flooring isn’t the type of vinyl tile you might think of when you hear the term “vinyl tiles”. Vinyl flooring isn’t what homeowners remember. While it looks similar to the peel-and stick tiles, vinyl flooring boasts superior wear resistance, a stronger core, and a stronger backing material.

Luxury vinyl tile flooring is not only more durable than older vinyl flooring, but they are also waterproof and stain-resistant. This means that there are fewer chances of flooring or sub-flooring being damaged by a spill, leak, wet feet, and/or wet and muddy feet in high-traffic areas and entryways. This makes it an excellent hardwood option in areas such as your bathroom and kitchen where water can damage real wood floors.

LVT flooring can also be made to look like many flooring types, including tile, stone and hardwood. This allows you to still enjoy the beauty and benefits of LVT flooring while also reducing the cost and maintenance.

The Verdict About Best Flooring Types

When choosing flooring, there is one rule that you should remember: flexibility. Each type of flooring is best based on the intended occupants, the function of the room, and your budget.

You don’t have to choose one type of flooring. Instead, consider a compromise. You can also have area rugs if the tile floor gets too cold.

The same goes for hardwood floors. Engineered wood is an option if you are looking for the warmth and look of hardwood but don’t have the budget.

 

Katherine L. Branton

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