It can be a challenge for homeowners to choose the type of flooring that will work best in their home. Each type of flooring comes with its’ own advantages and disadvantages, and in choosing the right one for you there are several things to consider.
Budget, aesthetics, taste and lifestyle as well as the amount of humidity, sunlight and water in the room need to be taken into consideration. There is an extensive range of choices and limitless design options to suit all kinds of looks and needs.
Following are some of the pros and cons of several types of flooring available:
* Hardwood floors are known for their strength and sturdiness. They are also easy to maintain as they only require dusting and vacuuming and need to be refinished only once every 10-15 years. However, on the flip side, they are prone to scratching and gouges and have a tendency to get discolored if exposed to dryness or wetness for periods of time
* Ceramic tile adds value to your home because of its’ durability and wide decorative range. There are varieties to suit every need and budget. Maintenance is simple as ceramic tile requires only sweeping and mopping. The downside of tile flooring is that it can feel cold for bare feet (although you can compensate for this by using throw rugs or an area carpet), it may be hard to clean light colored tiles with wide seams and from personal experience I can tell you that things you drop on it usually break!
* Laminates are produced to look like an exact copy of wood floors but come with a lower price tag! They can be easily maintained and are also known for their price and durability. Damp mopping is the only thing needed for maintenance although replacement may be needed approximately every 10 years.
* Vinyl Flooring is affordable, durable and resistant to wear and tear. There is an extremely wide variety available to fit both budget and design guidelines and you only need to sweep and mop to maintain them!
* Carpeting is less expensive than many other flooring types, although as with other kinds there is a range of pricing. Carpets come in many sizes, shapes, fibers and colors, and are relatively easy to install. On the downside they require a little more maintenance than some of the other types of floors as they need to be vacuumed on a regular basis and need a thorough shampooing and cleaning once a year. People with allergies may want to steer clear of carpeting as it can trap dust mites and other allergens in its’ fibers. If you do have allergies and you really want carpets it would be safer to stick with throw rugs and area carpets that can be cleaned more frequently and thoroughly.
As you can see there are many directions you can go to beautify your floors, as well as keeping them functional and easy to maintain. Most homes utilize several types and combinations to go with the different styles and uses of each room. Hopefully this article can be of some assistance to you in choosing your future flooring!
