If you're in the market for a new floor, you're probably considering which type of flooring is best. The real question is which floor is best for YOUR home, as every household has different requirements. A busy dwelling with children and pets for example, will benefit from a different floor than a single person with a quiet lifestyle. Yet just because you may require a durable, long-lasting floor doesn't mean the project has to exceed your budget. There are many great floor choices on the market that are both affordable and beautiful, offering a long lifespan that will continue to outlast even the busiest days.
One of the most popular types of floor coverings is carpet, as it's available in a number of colors, textures and styles. Nothing compares to carpet since it's the only type of floor that is soft and luxurious. With its more affordable price and quick installation by carpeting companies, carpet is often the first choice in rentals and new construction homes. It also adds warmth, especially in bedrooms. With better technology, there are plenty of options for stain guard protection that repels dirt and stains. Choosing quality padding will also add years onto your carpet selection, as well as make the flooring more comfortable to walk on.
Even with all the advantages to carpeting, there are some downfalls that you may want to consider. Carpet is vulnerable to stains, even with all the stain products on the market. If left for too long, any stain can penetrate into the fibers of the carpet and leave behind discoloration. And while carpeting may seem to be a cheaper alternative compared to other floors, the padding and installation can add up quickly. Lastly, carpeting does need to be replaced over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
For these reasons, many homeowners look to lower maintenance flooring options that don't require as much vacuuming and cleaning. Vinyl is a great alternative, as it's inexpensive and easy to care for. If you don't like the look of vinyl tiles, opt for sheet vinyl that can be laid down without the seams showing. Vinyl is generally self-stick, which means it adheres to the floor for fast and easy installation. It takes on the color and pattern of virtually any floor type, including hardwood or stone. These manufacturing processes give vinyl a competitive edge with other floor choices. It is ideal in bathrooms and kitchens, and there's no need to worry about spills or moisture.
Ceramic is another excellent option for kitchens and bathrooms, although they are more work than vinyl floors. Ceramic has grout that needs to be cleaned and re-grouted on a regular basis in order to maintain the appearance. Ceramic can also crack, so you may want to watch those dishes! These disadvantages are slim however, compared to how durable and enduring ceramic is. It's scratch-, fire- and water-resistant and doesn't retain bacteria and odors as other floors do. It also has an elegant look and can be purchased in a variety of colors and textures.
Growing in popularity is laminate, as advancements in technology has allowed it to look and feel like real wood for a fraction of the price. Not only cheaper, but laminate is much more durable than hardwood, with finishes that are scratch- and fade-resistant. Since the top layer is a photograph of real wood, you can enjoy a variety of wood selections throughout the home. Moisture-absorbing underlayment also allows more time for spills to be cleaned up, allowing laminate to be a suitable choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Even with all the advantages of laminate, many agree that there is no better choice than hardwood. Naturally striking to the eye, hardwood is available in both engineered and solid wood choices. With engineered wood, you have the freedom to install the hardwood anywhere, including basements and kitchens. Although careful attention should be taken in these areas, hardwood floors are more durable in today's market and handle both high-traffic areas and spaces prone to minimal moisture. Both laminate and hardwood can be installed on your own, saving the cost of installation from a professional contractor. They are also easy to maintain and only require regular vacuuming or sweeping.
Although there are many types of floor coverings on the market, most people find that only one or two are ideal for their home, lifestyle and budget. Make sure that you take the whole project into consideration, as many people find that a higher-priced floor can actually turn out cheaper when installation and products are purchased on your own.
One of the most popular types of floor coverings is carpet, as it's available in a number of colors, textures and styles. Nothing compares to carpet since it's the only type of floor that is soft and luxurious. With its more affordable price and quick installation by carpeting companies, carpet is often the first choice in rentals and new construction homes. It also adds warmth, especially in bedrooms. With better technology, there are plenty of options for stain guard protection that repels dirt and stains. Choosing quality padding will also add years onto your carpet selection, as well as make the flooring more comfortable to walk on.
Even with all the advantages to carpeting, there are some downfalls that you may want to consider. Carpet is vulnerable to stains, even with all the stain products on the market. If left for too long, any stain can penetrate into the fibers of the carpet and leave behind discoloration. And while carpeting may seem to be a cheaper alternative compared to other floors, the padding and installation can add up quickly. Lastly, carpeting does need to be replaced over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
For these reasons, many homeowners look to lower maintenance flooring options that don't require as much vacuuming and cleaning. Vinyl is a great alternative, as it's inexpensive and easy to care for. If you don't like the look of vinyl tiles, opt for sheet vinyl that can be laid down without the seams showing. Vinyl is generally self-stick, which means it adheres to the floor for fast and easy installation. It takes on the color and pattern of virtually any floor type, including hardwood or stone. These manufacturing processes give vinyl a competitive edge with other floor choices. It is ideal in bathrooms and kitchens, and there's no need to worry about spills or moisture.
Ceramic is another excellent option for kitchens and bathrooms, although they are more work than vinyl floors. Ceramic has grout that needs to be cleaned and re-grouted on a regular basis in order to maintain the appearance. Ceramic can also crack, so you may want to watch those dishes! These disadvantages are slim however, compared to how durable and enduring ceramic is. It's scratch-, fire- and water-resistant and doesn't retain bacteria and odors as other floors do. It also has an elegant look and can be purchased in a variety of colors and textures.
Growing in popularity is laminate, as advancements in technology has allowed it to look and feel like real wood for a fraction of the price. Not only cheaper, but laminate is much more durable than hardwood, with finishes that are scratch- and fade-resistant. Since the top layer is a photograph of real wood, you can enjoy a variety of wood selections throughout the home. Moisture-absorbing underlayment also allows more time for spills to be cleaned up, allowing laminate to be a suitable choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Even with all the advantages of laminate, many agree that there is no better choice than hardwood. Naturally striking to the eye, hardwood is available in both engineered and solid wood choices. With engineered wood, you have the freedom to install the hardwood anywhere, including basements and kitchens. Although careful attention should be taken in these areas, hardwood floors are more durable in today's market and handle both high-traffic areas and spaces prone to minimal moisture. Both laminate and hardwood can be installed on your own, saving the cost of installation from a professional contractor. They are also easy to maintain and only require regular vacuuming or sweeping.
Although there are many types of floor coverings on the market, most people find that only one or two are ideal for their home, lifestyle and budget. Make sure that you take the whole project into consideration, as many people find that a higher-priced floor can actually turn out cheaper when installation and products are purchased on your own.
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