The flooring in your home is a major part of your living area, considering that it covers a large part of your home’s interior space. Choosing the right flooring for your home can be a bit overwhelming as there are many types of flooring available to choose from based on your budget and your home’s design.
To assist with your flooring decision we have outlined 5 types of flooring to consider for your home:
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is one of, if not, the most popular flooring material used across North America, and for good reason. This type of flooring comes from milled wood, meaning it is made up of 100% wood. With that being said, the types of hardwood flooring can vary from maple to cherry wood and much more. Hardwood is very versatile with many options to choose from. If over the years you find that your hardwood is beginning to look a bit worn, then you have the added bonus of being able to refinish your flooring, making it look brand new again. Hardwood is very durable and strong, which also helps increase the value of your home.Hardwood flooring is one of the more expensive flooring materials that also requires regular maintenance.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is the more affordable alternative to hardwood. This type of flooring is a mixture of hardwood and high quality plywood. Like hardwood, it is durable and can last for a long time. One way engineered wood is different from hardwood is that installing engineered wood is more DIY friendly, which can cut down on installation costs. There are drawbacks to engineered wood flooring, for instance,these floors are prone to fading, inconsistent when it comes to quality and they emit VOCs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a popular alternative to hardwood and engineered flooring as it can be made to look like hardwood, but with a much lower price tag.Laminate flooring is made up of particleboard which is overlaid with the image of wood or tile and is then sealed by a protective layer. The protective layer prevents scratches and makes it easier to clean the surface of your flooring. Laminate flooring is another DIY friendly flooring option. One drawback hardwood flooring fans are quick to point out is that laminate cannot replace the hardwood feel with the hollow sound under foot being one of the reasons.
Stone Flooring
Stone flooring is another popular option for homes because of its durability and water resistant properties. Homeowners tend to choose stone for their bathroom, kitchen, basement and even their outdoor spaces. Stone comes in a wide variety or options, like marble, granite and sandstone to name a few. The authenticity and beauty of stone flooring makes it a fan favourite and instant classic for flooring. Like other natural flooring options, it is a bit more expensive than other flooring options and is a bit more intricate to install, it also requires regular maintenance, such as sealing.
Carpeting
Because of its cosy feel, carpeting is a popular option by homeowners for bedrooms and living rooms. Stains used to be an issue that homeowners were weary about, but with modern fabrics, many companies now offer stainless carpeting, while maintaining its affordable pricing. Although there have been improvements made in the cleaning and maintenance aspects of carpeting, it can still be difficult to clean when it gets overly dirty.
With a better understanding of your flooring options, it will be easier to choose which flooring is best suited for your home. The flooring listed above is not a full list of flooring options, if you have questions regarding other flooring options, please consult your local flooring specialists.