Few features in your home combine form and function as well as flooring. But choosing the right material can be overwhelming.
From wood to vinyl and even concrete, there are many types of flooring to choose from. Learn about each option, and where it would work best in your home.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors offer a natural beauty that enhances any home. They’re warm, authentic and timeless. You can choose from a wide range of shades, species and finishes to create the style you want.
The type of wood you use for your flooring will affect its look. For example, oak hardwood has eye-catching grain patterns and exotic species are available with bold, dramatic color and texture. Also, different techniques for cutting the lumber affect its appearance. Rift sawn boards and planks are cut perpendicular to the growth rings, resulting in a wavier grain pattern that’s more stable than plain or quarter sawn lumber.
Unlike linoleum or most carpets, which contain synthetic fibers that aren’t biodegradable, solid hardwood is made from a renewable source. When you replace your hardwood floors, the old ones can be recycled into new products or repurposed to add structure to your home, such as a retaining wall or garden bench. In addition, hardwood is a healthier choice than most other types of flooring because the wood in it grows back. Eventually, when you replace it, the trees will be replaced.
Floor Tile
Tile can be a beautiful and long-lasting floor material, and is a great choice for kitchens and baths. However, not all tile is created equal.
Generally, flooring tile is made of natural or manmade hard materials cut into uniform flat shapes for easy installation. The most common types of tile for floors are ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles.
The majority of these are glazed with durable finishes to resist staining, water damage and other wear. Many are available in a variety of colors and textures to create a wide range of looks, from traditional squares to modern art deco patterns. There are even options to mimic the look of natural wood planks in a variety of widths, allowing homeowners to create a unique “patchwork” style.
Most flooring tiles are either textured or glossy, and the more texture a tile has, the less slippery it is, making it safer for areas that receive heavy foot traffic. Some tile flooring is also available in a matte finish, which requires less maintenance than the glossy options but may be slightly more slippery than the textured varieties.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most popular types of flooring for homeowners. It comes in a wide range of styles and is highly versatile, making it ideal for almost any room. It is highly resistant to moisture, stands up well to daily wear and tear, and looks great in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, sunrooms, hallways and more.
Advancements in vinyl design have made it possible to recreate the look of more expensive materials and flooring styles at an affordable price. It can be found in planks, sheet or tiles and is available in designs that replicate wood, stone and ceramic floors.
Vinyl products come in various levels of durability, from the entry-level vinyl no wax (which requires regular cleaning) to urethane finishes that can withstand high traffic areas for a long time. The thickness of the surface wear layer is another factor that contributes to the strength and durability of a vinyl product, and a higher wear layer will increase its longevity. A patterned surface can also help reduce scratching and marring over time.
Laminate
Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic floor that simulates the look of wood and stone. It has a water-resistant core board that is made of medium or high-density fiberboard materials. The bottom layer is a melamine plastic layer that helps stabilize the floor and guard against moisture from below the subfloor.
The next layer is a wear layer that protects against stains and scratches. It also adds durability. The design layer sits on top of the wear layer and gives your laminate flooring its look. It can be a high-resolution photo-reproduction of natural wood grain, stone or tile, or it can feature non-traditional styles like leaves or grass, artwork or paint splatters.
The edges of laminate boards are usually either square or beveled. Square-edged planks look traditional and fit together snugly, while beveled edges appear more contemporary and give the flooring a more rustic or reclaimed appearance. The planks also come in a range of widths from narrow to wide. They can be joined with a tongue and groove system or with mechanical systems that lock the planks together.
Concrete
Concrete flooring isn’t just for roads and car parks anymore – it has become an increasingly popular choice in residential homes as well. It offers a classic, timeless look that works with almost any style and can be customized with paints, stains and overlays.
Concrete floors are durable and cost effective if you use the concrete slab that’s already in place in your home. They’re resistant to stains, bacteria and moisture and can be cleaned easily with a mop or broom.
Concrete can also make a fashion statement, thanks to etching techniques that can create patterns and shapes on the surface. Decorative acid stains are another option, allowing you to create a unique look that’s all your own. This ocean-esq design looks good in this bathroom, but would work equally as well in the kitchen or wet room. Its charcoal colour works well with the rest of this property’s stone grey design scheme. The floor has also been stamped, which involves imprinting a pattern into wet concrete before it dries. This can be done to mimic the look of tile, brick, natural stone or even wood.