In any room, the floor is one of the most conspicuous surfaces. When a guest enters your home or any room in it, the floor is one of the first areas that catch their attention. This means that whether you’re constructing a new house soon or your considering a remodeling project, choosing the right flooring option for you is important. There are many types of flooring options, each with their own merits and demerits. Some are more appealing than others, whereas others are better in terms of durability and maintenance. Obliviously, pricing also varies from type to type and may depend on the size of your room or home. Additionally, some types of flooring are more ideal when used in certain rooms than others. So which flooring is best for you?
With much of our focus on comparing the various available options, here is a simple guide on how to choose your home’s flooring.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is one of the most appealing flooring options. It gives a natural, welcoming feel that looks rich and classical. However, the overall effect, costs, and the level of maintenance may depend on the type of wood used. Nonetheless, hardwood flooring may cost somewhere from $3 to $8 a square foot to purchase. In case you’re looking for a cheaper wood flooring option, engineered wood can be ideal for you.
The Good – for starters, hardwood floors are easy to maintain and keep clean. Often times, less vacuuming is required. They also considerably increase the resale value of your property, considering how attractive hardwood flooring can be.
The Drawbacks – One of the biggest disadvantages of hardwoods is that they can be highly expensive compared to other alternatives. Also, they tend to be a bit noisier to walk on, not forgetting that occasional refinishing may be required. They are also not ideal in rooms where constant water exposure is the order of the day.
Rooms – The living room is inarguably the best place to install hardwood flooring. Here, the floor is less exposed to moisture and the elements. It is also a considerably low-traffic area and the noise can be masked using a rug.
2. Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is perhaps today’s most common types of home flooring. Tiles can cost somewhere from a dollar to $20 a square foot, with installation costs ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars depending on room size. Also, there are many types of tiles, which come in different shapes, sizes, and patterns. Some of the most common types of tiles include.
- Marble tiles
- Travertine tiles
- Ceramic tiles
- Porcelain tiles
- Granite tiles
- Slate tiles
The Good – One of the best things about tiles is that they’re durable, water resistant, and scratch-resistant. They are also relatively easy to keep clean and maintain. Except for the grout lines, tiles do not stain easily.
Drawbacks – Tiles also tend to be noisy to walk on, and they tend extremely cold to walk on barefooted. Grout lines tend to be quite involving to keep clean and cracks are extremely challenging to repair.
Rooms – Tile flooring can be ideal in the bathroom, kitchen, and dining area. Some people also use them in living rooms and other rooms, especially where home heating I not a major concern.
3. Laminate Flooring
laminate is another great flooring option for homes. it ranges in price between half a dollar and $3 a square foot minus professional installation.
The Good – Laminate is an extremely durable material that doesn’t scratch easily. It can also mimic the look of tile or wood flooring at a cheaper price. It is also easy to clean.
The Drawbacks – It doesn’t do well in water-prone areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom. unlike wood flooring, there’s no refinishing for laminate flooring.
Rooms – Laminate flooring is often ideal for use in any room and other high-traffic areas in the home except the bathroom, kitchen, and the laundry room.
4. Carpet Flooring
there are various types of carpets, which affects the cost of carpet flooring installation. Nonetheless, a square foot of standard carpeting can cost you anywhere from $2 to $5.
The Good – The best thing about carpet flooring is that it looks great on any room while providing a soft feel on your feet. It is also not noisy to walk on. It is easy to install and can even be added on top of other types of flooring despite the texture.
The Drawbacks – The most common challenge with carpet flooring is that it tends to stain easily. They are also prone to hiding dirt underneath and may require occasional steam cleaning to maintain a fresh look. Some carpets may also contain allergic fumes and material.
Rooms – In bedrooms and other low-traffic areas such as living rooms carpet flooring can be ideal.
5. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is another awesome option for homes. They are less costly than most other home flooring options, with a square foot of vinyl costing between $1 and % 5.
The Good – Vinyl flooring provides a quiet and easy feel on the feet. They are a less expensive option and are available in a variety of options to choose from in terms of color, patterns, sizes, and more. Options that mimic the look of real wood and tiles are also available.
The Drawbacks – Vinyl tends to dent and tear easily. It is also more challenging to keep clean.
Rooms – Works great for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
6. Cork Flooring
this type of flooring is created using a material that is harvested from the bark of a tree. The cost may range between $2 and $8 per ft.sq.
The good – It is quiet to walk on, warm, and soft on your feet. It is also mold-resistant and environmentally friendly.
The Drawbacks – It fades with exposure to direct sunlight. It easily gets damaged by pressure from furniture and is prone to yellowing over time.
Rooms – Being a soft and warm material, cork can be ideal for your bedroom floors.
7. Epoxy Flooring
This one is arguably the best home flooring option to go for when remodeling. It is made from a mixture of various resins and hardeners chemically combined. Epoxy flooring is durable, strong, and highly appealing. There are many types of epoxy floors, depending on strength, features, texture, and other factors such as color.
The Good – The best thing about epoxy flooring is that it is quite versatile, durable, strong, and can be installed on almost any pre-existing type of flooring. It is also quite affordable if you work with a good epoxy installation and concrete polishing professional.
The Drawbacks – May not be suitable for areas without proper moisture control.
Rooms – Suitable for most rooms in the home where moisture is properly controlled.
With the above in mind, it should no longer be so hard to choose a home flooring option for the rooms in your home.