Floors are an important part of the house as they are usually exposed to intensive and different kinds of usage, so we have to be meticulous when choosing flooring materials. Unsuitable materials can result in floor deterioration sooner than usual or they can affect the livelihood in the house. To avoid such problems, you should carefully consider these factors when selecting flooring materials.
The main categories of flooring available are:
1. Carpet flooring
Carpet flooring adds charm to the house and is a good fit in bedrooms. The house looks cozy, comfortable, and inviting with carpet flooring installed.
Some of the designs and qualities of carpet flooring are cheaper than wood or ceramic flooring. It is known to trap dust, stain, and odour which might result in allergies and other diseases. Loop pile, cut loop pile, level loop pile, Saxony, twist, frieze, and velvet are some of the types of carpet flooring.
2. Tile flooring
Tiles come in a large variety, variation, and styles. Any design can be embossed on tiles. You can add a fresh and rather improved look to your home.
One thing that homeowners need to know is that tile floor is not a good insulator of heat, and therefore the flooring will be cold during the winter. The installation requires special tools. However, tile flooring is always a good option because of the durability and the versatility it offers.
3. Laminate flooring
These flooring options can imitate many other flooring options like marble, ceramic or hardwood flooring and that is why it is the best choice for the people who are not willing to spend the money which is needed to install ceramic, marble, or hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring is versatile and dynamic, can be installed quickly and has a long lifespan which increases the value of homes.
However, almost anyone can differentiate between real hardwood flooring and laminate flooring; therefore not everyone prefers it over hardwood flooring.
4. Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring can be anything from a rustic to a modern look. There is nothing that can beat the look and the feel of hardwood flooring. It provides warmth and a cozy feel in homes and what can be better than installing something from nature itself.
However, that one thing that might be bothersome is the cost of hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring costs a lot of money, but the good news is that hardwood can be refinished multiple times to make it look brand new.
5. Marble flooring
They are a bit more expensive than other flooring options, but the look they add to any place they are installed at is incomparable. This is a natural stone directly extracted from quarries. And being made of natural stone, they allow water to seep into the floor. But that is an advantage in itself, and natural stone is unique and translucent. Your house will glow and possess a unique look.
However, marble is a soft stone and is prone to scratches, cracks and other damage so make sure to buy some extra slabs so that the floor could be replaced later on with the same textured marble slabs.
6. Vinyl flooring
Some of the best things about vinyl flooring is that they are colorful, versatile, easy to install, good for noise reduction, water-resistant, slip-resistant, and affordable.
Vinyl flooring comes in tiles and sheets. One thing that homeowners need to keep in mind is that only good quality vinyl flooring is durable, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant. Therefore, always go for the best quality of vinyl flooring.
Important factors to consider before going for flooring:
Lifestyle
Make sure to pick the flooring that suits your family's lifestyle and the activities that take place. Not every type of flooring may fit your home, while tiles and marbles are versatile and durable, but not suitable for children, pets and elderly people rooms.
Traffic Flow
For high traffic areas like kitchen, bathroom and entryways, use tougher materials so that they don't wear off quickly. These areas will need frequent cleaning and wrap off easily.
Flooring should be designed to be fairly resistant to wear and tear, a vinyl or laminate material might be the easiest option and highly suitable.
Durability
It is necessary to keep in mind that changing floor implies a big investment as it involves a lot of time and energy. Don't just pick any floor randomly it should last for years-long, so carefully consider the area of installation.
When it comes to durability, tiles are one of the most durable forms of flooring, but ceramic & vinyl is also highly resistant to wear and tear.
More options like marbles and granite are inclined to cracks and stains. In present days, laminate flooring is also widely preferred, as they possess a rich wood look and resistant to scratching.
Appearance & Style
Out of all other requirements, the most important is the look and style of the flooring. Go for the tiles, which are available in a variety of finishes and in every shape imaginable.
Some of the top trending wood colour options you can try with extreme dark and light shades, or a combination of both. Other than tiles, marbles, granites, laminates are also attractive and come with a range of colour options.
Price
The price of flooring materials varies widely from one to another like stone floors are incredibly expensive. Each flooring material has different grades which define their quality. The more expensive materials are more durable, and before selecting any material, you have to analyse the total cost that suits your lifestyle.
Tiles are inexpensive compared to other types of floors like slate, marble or ceramic, that are easy to install and maintain. The wood and laminate floorings are also reasonable and perfectly fit for small budgets.
Maintenance
Maintenance of any floor is a necessary element, so before picking any floor, you should know how to maintain after it has been installed.
Expensive flooring like stone flooring requires to be polished every few years. Tiles and other flooring need regular cleaning. Always go for flooring, which needs less cleaning and maintenance like tiles and laminates.
Story Height
Not all types of flooring work well on second, third, and higher floors of a building. These suspended floors tend to flex more as they age, resulting in forces that can damage brittle tiles or slabs of stone. On the opposite end, hardwood and carpet shouldn't go in the basement because they're not designed to be installed below grade.
Which floor for which room ?
All our floors benefit from innovative technology to ensure comfort, looks and the best performance. But different rooms have their own special requirements that you should consider when you make your choice. Entrance and hallway -
People coming and going will bring dirt and damp into your home putting special demands on this part of the floor. Choose a hard surface that can stand up to moderate damp and is easy to clean.
Office –
If keeping your office quiet for concentration and comfort is a top priority you should consider floors with good acoustic properties. You’ll probably want a tough surface that’s won’t be easily damaged by office furnishings or heavy use, if you expect a lot of visitors. Floors with anti-static properties can be a wise investment if you use a lot of electrical equipment.
Kitchens –
Spills and dropped food and equipment are a fact of life however careful you are as a cook. Choose a floor that not only has good stain and traffic resistance, but that will also stand up to light moisture and repeated cleaning.
Bathrooms –
Water makes the bathroom a challenging environment and you must be careful to select a floor that is water-resistant. In addition, for safety you’ll need to be sure that the floor won’t be slippery when it’s damp and that it will be easy to clean.
Bedroom –
Your bedroom is often a very personal space so you’ll be looking at a wide range of decorative finishes. Don’t forget that looks are just part of the equation and that you’ll also want to be sure that it’s comfortable and warm for bare feet.
Kid’s bedroom/Playroom –
Kid’s bedrooms often have to accommodate a wide variety of play as well as sleep. To cope with active youngsters you’ll need a tough, practical floor that’s comfortable but also easy to look after and clean, and that will also help to keep noise levels down. Living room –
Often the centre of the home, you need a multi-purpose floor that reflects your style but can stand up to the challenge of a variety of activities. A tough surface that’s easy to clean and look after will reduce the time you need to spend keeping your living room looking good.
Laminate v/s Hardwood
Laminate Vs Vinyl
Solid Vs Engineered (Hardwood Flooring)
PICTURE CREDITS - INTERNET
