There are not quite many features in the home that are as overly used as the floor. It’s one of the most important parts of your home.
And why not? You literally walk all over it!
That’s why you must take flooring under consideration first while building or renovating your home.
However, while flooring is the most crucial design element, it can also be the most complex thing to do.
With so many opinions in the market, you may find it tough to decide on which material you want to go for. Plus you need to consider the size, price, and other elements of the home.
Besides, each room of your home may have different designs and functionality, which will also impact the kind of flooring you want to choose.
While reading this article, you will learn about different flooring options and everything about them.
8 Types of Flooring to Consider for Your Home
All the floorings we will discuss here come with their pros and cons. While some may be durable, others may give you the aesthetic look you’ve been looking for.
Let’s have a look at what these flooring options have to offer.
Hardwood Floors
If you’re looking for durability and aesthetic appeal at the same time, then hardwood flooring can be the best option for you.
This timeless and versatile floor consists of solid wood planks in different hardwood varieties, such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.
Hardwood is one of the trendiest flooring types that will give you the vibe of a 19th-century Georgian property.
While hardwood floors are the most expensive, they are also the most durable and flatter in almost any interior, thanks to their vast array of grains, tones, and finishes available. These floors can also be laid in different patterns, such as chevron, herringbone, basket weave, and brick.
However, these floors require a lot of maintenance. You need to treat them with special hardwood cleaners. Since they can be damaged by water, it’s best not to use them in the bathroom or other wet areas.
Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered wood flooring can be a great alternative to hardwood flooring if you have a budget issue.
This floor type is made of a plywood substrate with a thin layer of hardwood over it.
Engineered wood floors are easier to install and can be treated with high-quality coating to preserve the surface. Like their hardwood counterparts, these floors are also quite durable.
However, due to their thinner upper layer, engineered wood floors can’t handle much refinishing and require a lot of maintenance. The best part of this floor is its resistance to temperature and moisture changes. That’s why it’s most used in underfloor heating systems.
Stone Flooring
Stone flooring can give your home a luxurious look and is extremely hard-wearing. It can be a good choice if you’re looking for floorings that require less maintenance.
Different types of stones will bring a different vibe to your home. If you’re using marble then your home might look quite polished, while terracotta will give an earthy vibe.
Stone flooring requires re-sealing since they are permeable material. Doing so will protect the floor from scratches and stains.
The best part is, you can use stone in both indoor and outdoor flooring. But be careful about using them in your bathroom since water can make the stones slippery.
Since stone conducts heat well, using them for your floor can make your home more energy efficient.
Tile Floors
Tile floors are the first choice to use in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or any other rooms that are moisture-prone.
They are made from ceramic and porcelain and can be available in different colors, shapes, and styles. Tiles are also super versatile, durable, and water-resistant.
Since tiles can be easily cleaned, it’s a good option if you have allergies.
The only problem with tile floors can be with grout and subfloor. However, you can solve it by cleaning and resealing the grout. While tiles can be quite expensive, you can find some cheaper options as well.
Concrete Floors
While concrete floors are mostly used in the basement or garage, people are using these floors in their homes now.
Whether you want a minimalist or industrial-style interior, concrete floors can be perfect, thanks to their seamless, sleek, and industrial look.
Apart from giving your home a modern and unique look, these concrete floors have a lot of advantages as well. They are durable, easy to clean, noise-absorbing, water-resistant, and super versatile.
It can also make your home energy efficient since it works well with underfloor heating. Besides, you can give the floor a new look by giving different polishes, dyeing, or littering them with glass beads or stones.
Carpet Floors
Carpet floors are particularly helpful if you’re living in a colder area. Their soft, textured surface can give a warm feeling to your feet.
Carpets have acoustic and thermal insulating qualities, making them keep the floor warm and absorb the noise. They are best suited in a room that requires less noise and where you can walk barefoot.
However, since hygiene and dust can be an issue with carpet flooring, extreme maintenance is required with these floorings.
Based on what they are made of, carpets may vary in price. While synthetic fiber-made carpets are on the cheaper side, they are not very eco-friendly. But you can always get carpets made with natural fiber if you’re willing to pay a bit more.
Vinyl Floors
Vinyl floorings come with different layers of materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and pigments.
This flooring is available in two shapes, as a roll or as Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT). the latter one can imitate natural wood planks.
Vinyl flooring is one of the most affordable options and is also easy to install and clean, waterproof, durable, and requires no maintenance.
However, be careful about handling sharp objects since they can easily damage the vinyl floor, which can’t be repaired.
Laminate Floors
If you want both price and practicality, laminate flooring can be an amazing option for you.
These floors are made of particleboard topped by a photographic image of the actual material. There will be a layer of laminate to protect the surface.
The best part is that you can install them by yourself, meaning that there will be no installation fee. Besides, you can make them look like hardwood, stone, tile anything you want within a budget.
In a debate about LVT vs laminate, most people choose laminate floorings since they are available in a wide range of colors, textures, and styles. However, both can be good options based on your requirements.
While it’s a cheaper option, laminate flooring isn’t very durable. Since it’s water resistant, and not waterproof, you can’t use it in a high moisture area like a bathroom or kitchen.
Conclusion
In every home design, flooring plays a crucial role, seamlessly blending aesthetics with functionality.
With options like timeless hardwood, budget-friendly engineered wood, luxurious stone, versatile tiles, and practical laminate, the choices can be overwhelming. Each type brings unique characteristics, and it's essential to consider your lifestyle and preferences.
Whether you crave the warmth of carpets, the sophistication of stone, or the modern appeal of concrete, your flooring choice shapes your home's ambiance. So, choose wisely, walk with ease, and relish the solid foundation beneath your feet.
