When you walk into a home, perhaps the first thing that catches your
attention is the flooring. The right kind of flooring will enhance the
finishing and appearance of your home. Also, flooring that looks attractive
will increase your home’s value. Good flooring will also recoup its cost if you
ever decide to sell your house at some point.
Let's take a look at the most common flooring options available:
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is not only beautiful but also durable. Wooden
flooring is available in beech, maple,
oak, walnut, birch, cherry, and many more. Some kinds of hardwood
flooring are prone to expanding and shrinking. This may lead to gaps in the
floor. Some wooden flooring may also darken with age.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are the best solution if you are looking for a flooring
type that needs waterproofing. Ceramic tile can serve several purposes. You can
use them as counter tops or floor tiles. Ceramic tiles sporting a high gloss
finish may scratch over time. Unglazed ceramic tiles are ideal for outdoor flooring
mainly because they can withstand exposure to water. Ceramic tiles are
available in glazed, matte, embossed or textured finishes.
Porcelain based ceramic tiles are good at hiding scratches and
damages. There is one problem, though. Cleaning grout lines can be quite
difficult. Also, if the tiles are of low quality, they may chip.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a relatively new type of flooring. This is also a
greener option. Bamboo flooring is available in a range of colors. It is
elegant and durable and creates a strong and clean surface. However, exposure
to sunlight can darken bamboo flooring. In addition, if you install bamboo
flooring, you need to ensure that it remains dry all the time.
Marble Flooring
In terms of durability and versatility, nothing can beat marble tiles.
You can install them on the floors and the walls. They can also be used for
hallway columns. Marble tiles don't require much maintenance. They can also be
cleaned easily. Better still, marble tiles can be engraved with stylish designs
that reflect your tastes.
Marble tiles are available in different colors. People have been using
marble as a construction material for several thousands of years. However,
their most popular use is in flooring. Marble tiles are available in different
sizes. If you are really handy, you can install them yourself.
Laminate Flooring
Much of the popularity of laminate flooring can be attributed to the
fact that it is quite cheap. Laminate flooring also requires very little
maintenance. It is strong and durable. It can also withstand burns, chipping
and scratches. Laminate flooring is ideal for areas where you expect high
traffic. They look like natural materials and they are also available in a
range of designs and colors.
Before installing laminate flooring, however, you should remember that
they cannot be refinished. Also, they can be scratched very easily. If you are
planning to install laminate flooring in areas where it will get exposed to
moisture, you should choose laminates suitable for this use. Installing and
maintaining laminate flooring is quite easy.
