Most Popular Flooring Options

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.

Why Wooden Flooring is a Good Investment for Your Home

Wooden floors bring nature inside and that is their biggest charm. Hardwood flooring is particularly popular in open floor house plans.

Though more expensive, wooden flooring tends to last a lifetime and that makes it cost effective. Ceramic tiles are still the most popular flooring materials for homes. Hardwood flooring is also gaining popularity. In fact, the number of homeowners who get wooden flooring has consistently increased over the last few years.

The impact of great flooring

When you walk into a home, the first element that catches your attention is indeed the flooring. Flooring creates the ambience and binds the different parts of the home together. The flooring used in kitchens and large rooms is particularly important.

When you run wooden planks of the same color and the same species along the length of a room, the result is simply spectacular. For an open floor plan, it creates a seamless look.

Hardwood is still less popular than ceramic tiles because it is more expensive. However, its popularity is steadily increasing. Hardwood flooring is more common in high-end, luxury homes. Entry level homes, too, have started using hardwood flooring.

Why wooden flooring is better

Wooden floors last forever. That is the main reason people get them. If you install flooring that doesn't last for a long time, you will have to take it out at some time. This is a major disruption and it will cost you dearly. On the other hand, when you install wooden flooring, you can rest assured that the floor will outlast your home.

The housing market in the US is showing signs of recovery. The value of homes, too, has appreciated over the last few years. Many people now have considerable equity in their homes. And they are eager to further increase the value of their homes. As a result, they opt for materials that last a long time and have good resale value. Wooden flooring provides good return on investment. Appraisers too have started recognizing its value. This also makes it more popular as a flooring solution.

People now use wooden floors of all kinds. They mix raw finishes with polished one and dark hues with light hues. The black and brown shades are now giving way to lighter ones. That said, the grays aren't going away.

As far as the finishing is concerned, more and more people are getting matte finishes probably because they are better at hiding imperfections. When you use matte finish, you do not have to worry about the scratches on the surface of the wood.

Interestingly, the planks aren't just getting lighter; they are also getting wider. However, before installing a wide plank, you need to examine the quality of the wood.

Solid or engineered?

Solid hardwood tends to be more popular than engineered hardwood. Nearly two-thirds of homes that have wooden flooring use solid hardwood. One-third uses engineered hardwood. Laminates and vinyl sheets can also provide the wooden look. Bamboo and cork are also good alternatives. However, when it comes to wooden flooring, the challenge is to produce the effect that attracts the homeowner to hardwood. Wood exudes comfort and warmth. It brings the nature inside and that is its biggest plus point. Look-alikes can't beat its charm.