It doesn’t matter which room in your home you are going to remodel, flooring will always be a component. With this in mind, it’s important to take many factors into consideration when picking new flooring.
Choosing the right flooring for your home is an important decision. It should reflect your lifestyle, your personality, and the place in which you live. You should choose the type of flooring that will best suit your living conditions and budget.
Before deciding, analyze the pros and cons of different materials, and consider how much maintenance they require. If you can’t afford a higher price, choose materials that are easier to maintain as well as durable. Remember that just because a material is cheaper does not make it worse quality than another that is more expensive.
Read on to learn more about the different types of flooring and which might best suit your lifestyle.
Flooring: Which One Should You Choose?
Picking a new floor can be a challenging task – after all, this will be the basis of any decoration in the room. That’s why we’ve described the most popular types of flooring, including the pros and cons of each.
Before getting into those, we must emphasize the following. When choosing flooring for the home, it is important to consider how much foot traffic a room has. Not all floorings are suitable for every room, so you should choose the best flooring for your home room by room.
Moreover, it is important to consider the environment and moisture levels in the rooms. These factors will guide you to the right flooring for your home and allow you to enjoy your new floor without worrying about the maintenance.
Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is a popular option because it is environmentally friendly. Generally, cork flooring is created from the bark of the cork oak and is considered a “green” renewable resource since the tree isn’t killed in the process. The bark is instead harvested, ground up, and pressed into sheets using resin.
Cork is popular for many reasons, including its nice natural soft surface which makes it easy to stand on for long periods of time. It is also soft underfoot, warm, quiet, and can mimic the look of hardwood. Cork flooring is also preferred for its insulating properties, antimicrobial properties, the fact that it’s hypoallergenic, and because if installed properly, cork flooring is very easy to care for.
Cork tiles and planks are easy to install and they don’t require special care. They are also affordable and relatively easy to repair. When choosing cork flooring, remember to seal it with polyurethane to prevent moisture damage. It should be cleaned with minimal soap and should be kept out of areas with high traffic and high humidity.
There are some issues with cork flooring that you may want to take into consideration, such as:
- Cork is easily damaged – heavy furniture and pets can wreak havoc on cork flooring.
- Cork can fade when exposed to light.
- Cork must be water sealed.
If any of the above are concerning, cork may not be the right type of flooring for you.
Linoleum
When many people think of linoleum, they picture their grandparent’s homes and old 70’s patterns. But linoleum has evolved greatly over the years and is a good choice for many homeowners. It is a great choice for bedrooms and basements, but you should be aware that linoleum can be more expensive than vinyl. It costs between $2 and $5 per square foot, depending on the quality. Installation costs are similar to vinyl, so you should be prepared to spend a few extra bucks.
The pros of linoleum include:
- Linoleum compresses and bounces, which means that it is a comfortable floor to stand on.
- Easy to install – linoleum comes in glue down sheets or snap together tiles.
- Linoleum is water resistant.
- Great for wear and tear, making it appropriate for pets and children.
The cons of linoleum floors include:
- May stain easily.
- May be considered “cheap” driving down home value.
Hardwood Flooring
Who doesn’t love a gleaming hardwood floor? The benefits of hardwood are as follows:
- Very easy to maintain.
- Increases home value as many home buyers seek hardwood flooring.
- Can be sanded to change style and color.
As with all flooring, hardwood does have some cons:
- Hardwood needs to be refinished periodically.
- May sustain damage by water and damp areas.
- Noisy.
Hardwood may be perfect for some areas of your home but not others.
Carpeting
There is nothing like plush, soft carpet underfoot. But this flooring isn’t perfect for everyone. Carpeting may be right for you because:
- Carpet reduces noise.
- It’s soft and easy to walk on.
- Carpet is thermal resistance which means it helps to warm a space.
- Carpet has a wide variety of styles and colors to fit any home.
You may want to avoid carpet because:
- Many carpets stain easily.
- Carpet can fade with light over time.
- Carpet holds scents and can become quite stinky if not cared for properly.
- Carpet holds dander and other allergens.
- Carpet does not have great longevity and may need to be replaced frequently over the time spent owning a home.
It’s always best to do your research when trying to decide on flooring, taking into account your traffic patterns and lifestyle. Don’t forget to consider the lifestyle of your family as a whole and what the future holds for you. For example, if you do not have pets or children at the time of installing the flooring, consider that either (or both) of these may come into your life a couple of years later.
In such an instance, consider how the furniture in your house will change and how the different areas of the house may experience greater or lesser use. Naturally, more premium and durable materials should be used in those areas where you expect the most traffic.
