Which Home Flooring Is Right for Me?

Knowing which kind of flooring is appropriate for certain types of spaces can be difficult to decide. Although many types of flooring could work just about anywhere, some materials are limited by the location of the home or the function of the room. With these options, Highlands homeowners can create comfort, elegance, or simply save money.

Hardwood for Dry Areas

Although hardwood is fast becoming the default choice for flooring in all types of homes, there are aspects that homeowners should know before they make the decision. Solid hardwood could last pretty much forever, especially with good care. The planks may be placed identically or in a pattern to achieve a custom look. However, hardwood must be installed carefully to avoid problems with expanding or contracting, particularly in humid environments. Hardwood is wonderful in the regular living areas of the home, but may not work as well in basements or bathrooms for this reason. In some cases, the use of engineered hardwood may resolve many of these concerns.

Soft Carpet for Bedrooms

Many homeowners are trending away from using carpet throughout the home, as they might have done decades ago. That said, carpet represents a plush and comfortable flooring choice for people who want it. Carpets remain the preference for bedrooms in particular, largely due to carpet's noise-cancelling qualities and soft, insulated texture under bare feet. Carpets range from a tight loop better for high-traffic areas of the home, to a soft pile that feels very thick and luscious. People who wish to have carpet's comfort without the cleaning obligations of wall-to-wall carpeting may decide to put in a hard flooring and add a length of carpet made into a rug on top, which when selling can help with showing the home to buyers. This makes it easy to lift or remove the carpet for cleaning purposes.

Tile for Bathrooms and Kitchens

There is something unique and beautiful about a floor made of tiles in ceramic, porcelain, or stone. With the right kind of attention, the tiles could easily outlast the house. Tile flooring is heavy and must be expertly installed, so that the grout does not encounter damage and loosen the tiles over time. The grout itself can stain and must be kept clean regularly. Although tiles are very hard and can stand up to a great deal of weight, they can be chipped or cracked if struck with something sharp or blunt. Most people who have tile-work installed in the home may choose to keep a few extra tiles, in case one breaks and they need to replace it.

Vinyl and Laminate for High-Traffic Spaces

Although vinyl and laminate flooring will never truly replace the evergreen luxury and elegance of flooring like hardwood and tile, there are plenty of reasons for homeowners to happily choose these materials. Both are hard-wearing and fairly easy to install, requiring neither a lengthy acclimatization process nor tons of time to put in. Both can deal with a fair bit of moisture without warping or fading. They are also the least expensive of the various flooring choices. With the latest colours and designs, homeowners can use vinyl or laminate to mimic the look of wood or stone, at a fraction of the price.

Choosing new flooring for the home calls for some research and consideration about the best flooring type for each room. With these tips, homeowners have a better understanding of which flooring will work ideally for their home improvement plans.