What you need to know when choosing the right flooring for your home or business
Floors are usually the area of the house that initially attracts guests’ attention. It’s as important as your wallpaper, ceiling, and home decorations. Choosing the right flooring for your home may seem like an overwhelming decision to make. It requires careful planning, as you would like to show your personality and style with a touch of practicality.
With numbers of flooring available, it seems so hard to choose. You seem to like them all, and all look perfect for your home. Now, the question of which to choose arises. The answer to this question depends on many things. You should consider the size of the family and the traffic the floor will receive. Will the floor be safe if you have any children? How much maintenance does the floor require and how long do you expect to have the same floor?
Nowadays, different designs and types of flooring have come out; as needs have changed and with the desire to meet the standard of different owners. Homeowners may think of using the same type of flooring in all areas of the house, but some have their preferences for each room. Flooring comes in various types. It can be hardwood, fiber, or even sheet. It is best to study these flooring types first before deciding on which to get.
Hard floors are durable and do not require much maintenance, are elegant, and are resistant to heat. Common types of hard floor are ceramic and natural stones.
Ceramic tiles were originally used only in kitchens and bathrooms. With the new designs of ceramic styles, it is now possible to use these even in your living room. Ceramic comes in three basic types: glazed, unglazed, and porcelain. Glazed ceramic tiles are designed with glass coated with mineral stains. Glazed ceramic tiles come in semi-gloss or high-gloss finishing. Unglazed ceramic tiles have a different texture and are very hard. Porcelain is the hardest as it has a higher breaking strength. Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain. They are durable; thus dents, dings, and scratches are minimized. One thing you have to remember is never to use ceramic tiles over a floor with structural movements. Though ceramic tiles are durable, they are prone to cracking. It is also not good for homes with children as it can be slippery when it gets wet.
Natural stones such as granite, marble, limestone, travertine, and others are commonly used as living room flooring. It offers natural beauty, elegance, and durability. It can add to the motif and style of your living room. It can create a dramatic appearance to your flooring with its being natural. Because of these things, natural stones are not as affordable as other floorings. It also requires sub-flooring, which requires additional expenses.
Hardwood floors are long-lasting. It requires easy cleaning as it doesn’t retain dust particles. It is commonly found in older houses. It works naturally with many interior designs. However, it requires frequent vacuuming and sweeping. Although it doesn’t retain dust particles, wood floors are prone to scratches and dents. Two common types of wood flooring are natural and synthetic hardwood.
Natural woods come in different styles and patterns. Parquet square is the most common type. It comes in square boards that form its pattern. The big advantage of using parquet square is that it is replaceable. Another type of natural wood is the plank, which gives a classic look to the flooring. Although hardwood planks do not require sub-flooring, these are more expensive than other wood floors. Strip floor is another type of natural wood floor. These are long narrow boards that are prone to buckling. Thus, sub-flooring is highly recommended.
Laminated floorings are the most common type of synthetic woods. This type of flooring works well in areas exposed to moisture. These are laminated, so they do not require finishing. The good thing about laminated floorings is that it is fire-resistant, and does not fade or stain.
Fiber floors provide more comfort than other types of flooring. It absorbs noise, making it perfect to be installed on the second floor of the house. It is available in different colors making the house more stylish. It doesn’t scratch; however, it is not as durable as hard flooring. Carpet padding is necessary to extend its life span. It requires maintenance as it gathers dust particles, and when wet with water or any liquid, a stain is formed. There are two types of fiber flooring: natural and synthetic.
The types of natural fiber flooring are coir, seagrass, sisal, and jute. These fiber materials give a comfortable feeling and are best for homes with children. However, durability is not guaranteed.
Sheet floors are considered to be the most affordable. The two most common types of sheet floors are linoleum and vinyl. These floorings also come in various color and designs. Because these are the most affordable, these flooring are also the least durable. It requires constant care and constant maintenance as these flooring types easily absorbs dirt and dust. These types of floorings aren’t hard to replace. With extra care and maintenance, these could last longer than usual.
Indeed, careful planning and studying are needed when deciding which type of flooring is best for your home or office. You don’t have to do it alone! We offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to call 316-264-3660 or visit our showroom to learn more about choosing the best flooring for your needs.