Flooring is the material laid over a floor to provide comfort and protection. It is also used to add aesthetics to the room.
When choosing floors for your home, consider how children and pets will use the rooms. They may need a soft surface for their growing feet or to cushion falls. You’ll also want to choose durable flooring that resists stains and cleans easily.
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is an elegant addition to any home. It is believed to make rooms look bigger and brighter, plus it looks great with almost any paint color or furniture style. Wood floors are a natural partner in traditional interior design, but they also provide a stark contrast to sleek modern elements like cabinetry and furniture.
The wood species you choose will influence the durability and appearance of your hardwood flooring. Harder woods are more resistant to dents and scuffing. Maple, hickory and oak are examples of hard woods. Pine, on the other hand, is a soft wood that is more susceptible to scratching and dents.
A hard wood floor’s surface can be sanded and refinished, which is not possible with other flooring materials. The refinishing process will sand down the surface and add a new coat of stain to it. Hardwood is environmentally friendly, since it can be repurposed or recycled when it is no longer usable.
Wood is also easy to install, either solid or engineered. Engineered hardwoods feature a layer of real wood on top of a plywood or HDF core, while solid wood planks are nailed to the sub-floor. Some manufacturers even offer a click-and-lock system for installation, which allows the planks to snap together without glue. These types of systems are ideal for homes with kids and pets, because they can be replaced much easier than other kinds of flooring.
Laminate
Laminate is a popular choice for kitchens and living rooms. It’s durable, affordable and easy to clean. Plus, it comes in a wide range of look-alike designs that can replicate the appearance of popular domestic and exotic wood species, ceramic tile and natural stones like travertine and slate.
Laminates are a great option for active households with children and pets because of their strength, durability and stain resistance. It’s also moisture resistant, so it’s a good choice for bathrooms, although water spills should be wiped up quickly to avoid swelling or warping.
It’s important to use a high-quality underlayment with laminate installations. This helps reduce the clicking noise that can occur between boards and provides a soft cushion underfoot. It can also help prevent moisture damage, as most underlayments come with a moisture barrier.
When choosing a color for your laminate flooring, consider the room’s size and style. Light colors can make a space seem larger, while darker flooring can create an intimate feel. It’s also helpful to match the flooring with other elements of the room, such as paint or furnishings. Finally, consider the level of wear and tear you plan to put on your floors. If you want a floor that resists damage from scratches and large impacts, look for a flooring with an AC rating of 3 or higher.
Tile
Tile flooring has been a popular option since antiquity, but is enjoying a recent resurgence with homeowners looking for something that offers both durability and style. Unlike many other materials that come in and out of style, tiles last for centuries with only minor maintenance and repairs needed.
The beauty of tile is that it can be used in a variety of ways to create unique and creative designs. From artistic subway tile backdrops in bathrooms to surrounding ornate mirrors with metallic-sheen ceramic backsplash tiles, the possibilities are endless.
When properly maintained, tile resists dirt, stains, and wear much more effectively than carpet or hardwood. It’s also a great choice for rooms with a high amount of foot traffic, pets, or kids because it can hold up to all the activity and still look good.
It is important to note that before any tile can be installed, a cement backer board must be installed on the subfloor. This is done to decouple the floor and reduce any moisture damage from underneath the tiles. Once the boards have been installed, they must be fastened to the subfloor according to manufacturer’s instructions. This is one area where we recommend hiring a professional installer until you are confident in your abilities to install the floor yourself. Our team is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the installation process.
Carpet
Carpet is a soft, warm, affordable flooring material that can add comfort and color to any room. It also offers safety features that are important for children’s rooms and other areas where slips and falls may occur. Its softer feel is also more comfortable to stand on, and it can absorb noise, reducing echo in rooms. Some carpet manufacturers offer eco-friendly options that are made from recycled fibers, appealing to consumers concerned about environmental concerns.
Carpet can be very durable, providing many years of good performance if properly maintained. It provides good insulation, increasing a home’s R-value and helping to save on energy costs. Using carpet with a pad (also called underlay) increases the R-value even more.
Different carpet styles and constructions can provide a variety of textures, colors and patterns that can enhance any decor. Pile can vary from short, looped fibers to long, cut fibers, and it can be tufted or woven into a variety of patterns. Fiber cuts can be arranged in geometric shapes and colors to create visual interest, and carpeting with differing heights of the same type of fiber (textured) adds texture and dimension to a floor.
When selecting carpet, consider the amount of foot traffic in a particular area and how much wear you want to give it. Discuss your needs with a local flooring specialist to find the best choice for you and your budget.