What to consider when choosing flooring materials
When it comes time to replace or update any of the flooring in your home, there are a plethora of materials to choose from. If you take a little time to research and plan, you can get great results. Be prepared for several days of turmoil in your home as the room will not be available and all furniture will need to be removed. So when a homeowner has decided to take the plunge and install new flooring, what are the options available for flooring material?
HARDWOOD: Hardwood flooring is quickly becoming the most popular flooring material. There are a wide variety of woods and grains to choose from, including oak, pine, maple, cherry, and even bamboo. Once the wood is chosen, it can be stained any color you like, from a light natural color to a deep, rich mahogany, or any color in between. When well maintained, hardwood floors can literally last a lifetime.
LAMINATE: Laminate flooring materials are designed to look like real wood while providing easier installation and lower cost. It is also easier to clean and maintain than hardwoods. It is a product manufactured with a superior surface that resembles the grain of real wood. Different types of laminate flooring have different installation methods. Some may need to be glued down, while others simply click to create a “floating” floor. Also, some require a separate base, while others have thin padding attached to the bottom of the floor pieces.
VINYL: Today vinyl floor coverings are available in multiple forms. It can be purchased as a large sheet or as individual tiles. A large sheet of vinyl requires a special adhesive to be applied during installation and in most cases will result in at least one or more seams. Tiles can be of the standard vinyl variety, which requires a separate application of adhesive, or as peel-and-stick tiles. Peel and stick tiles are already coated with adhesive, which is covered by a paper backing that peels off to stick the tile in place on the floor.
CERAMIC AND STONE: There is an infinite variety of ceramic and stone flooring available. These tiles can be made from fired ceramic, marble, granite, slate, and other stones as well. Mosaic tiles also come in many different sizes, with larger tiles that fit better on the floor to small decorative stones. This is perhaps the flooring option that requires the most steps and time to install. The proper subfloor must be in place and then mortar is used to glue the tiles to the subfloor. It is extremely important to make sure that the tiles line up correctly and are level, which is why it involves intensive detail work. Before finishing the floor, all the spaces between the tiles must be filled with grout. The investment of time and effort pays off in a beautiful and durable floor.
RUGS: If you prefer the softness and warmth of a rug, you’ll have a wide variety of colors and textures to choose from. Many different materials are also used for rug yarn, such as wool or nylon. Wall-to-wall rugs will almost always have some type of padding underneath. You should get the best quality padding you can afford. This will contribute more to the life of the rug than updating the rug itself would.
CONCRETE: In some applications it may even be possible to install a concrete floor. This option provides great durability. Concrete can add an industrial look to your decor and is also good for areas that get a lot of wear and tear. If the subfloor is made of concrete, it could be painted or stained to improve the appearance. If a new concrete floor is to be poured, colorant can be added to the concrete while it is being mixed. This gives a permanent color instead of a surface application, which could eventually wear or flake.
So how do you choose among the many options? First, consider how the room in question will be used. Also note whether or not there are children in the house. For people with allergies, carpets can be a breeding ground for allergens, in which case a hard surface such as hardwood or ceramic tile would provide a more comfortable living environment. With the endless varieties available, you’re sure to find a flooring material to suit your needs.
