The Different Types of Flooring Materials, Explained
One of the most significant decisions you can make is choosing the right flooring material during a home improvement process. The flooring material is a vital part of your home’s décor and interior design. Different types of flooring materials have different uses.
Your flooring choice will also determine the ease and difficulty of the installation process as well as its maintenance. But with so many types of flooring materials in the market, how do you know the right one for your home?
Below are the different flooring materials, and their advantages and disadvantages:
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring has the best return on investment for most homeowners and businesses. It’s also a common choice of flooring for many people.
It is manufactured from hardwood trees of different species depending on your preference. The most common species include cherry, walnut and oak. The pros of using hardwood flooring material include:
- It’s visually appealing
- It comes in numerous colours and styles for homeowners to choose from
- It’s the best material to install in a shared space
- Offers higher return on investment
- You can resurface it every 3-5 years
While many people love hardwood flooring, it also comes with disadvantages. One disadvantage is the cost of purchasing it. Hardwood flooring is also more expensive than other flooring options.
Additionally, hardwood flooring is also prone to scratches, dents and scrapes with time. It’s also easily damaged by water. Thus, it’s not suitable for areas of your home that are constantly wet, such as the kitchen and the bathroom.
Laminate Flooring Material
The laminate material is the best flooring for you if you love hardwood flooring, but you don’t have the budget for it. Laminate flooring is designed like engineered wood flooring material. It has a finished top layer that’s sealed with mounted layers of compressed fibre or plywood, giving you durable and stable slats.
The advantages of using laminate flooring include:
- It’s durable
- Excellent for installing in areas with high foot traffic, such as the living room
- It’s easy to install
- It comes in a variety of styles and colours, including natural wood
- It’s cheaper than hardwood flooring
The disadvantage of using laminated flooring is that it’s quite challenging to repair, prone to scratches, dents and moisture damage. It’s also not suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.
Vinyl Flooring
A few decades ago, vinyl flooring used to be cheap-looking and boring. However, today, there are various options to choose from depending on your home’s aesthetics and preferences.
Vinyl flooring is one of the most commonly used flooring materials in many homes. It’s created using a layer of foam or felt with a top finishing of your choice. The cost of vinyl depends on its thickness. Some cons of using vinyl flooring include:
- It’s affordable
- It’s excellent for use in areas with high foot traffic
- An easy installation process
- It’s easy to maintain
- It’s versatile
While vinyl is cheaper and more versatile than other flooring options, it also has a lower return on investment. Additionally, the most inexpensive vinyl flooring doesn’t look as good as the more expensive options, such as luxury vinyl flooring.
Carpet
Carpet is a great flooring option for your bedrooms and living room. It’s also quite versatile and comes in various colours, materials, designs and textures than any other flooring options. The easiest way to determine the quality of a carpet is to check the density of the fibre.
The more fibres a carpet has per square foot, the higher the durability. Carpets also come in different materials, which include wool, nylon, polyester, acrylic and polypropylene.
Wool is the most commonly used carpeting material because it is moisture-resistant, durable and easy to clean off stains. It also feels good on the feet and keeps your home warm.
Natural Stone Flooring
Natural stone flooring includes marble, granite, sandstone and travertine. It’s a classic flooring option that offers you durability and style. However, the finishing of these stones needs a lot of care and regular maintenance.
Different natural stones have different qualities and varying levels of durability. Some materials, such as travertine, have a higher durability level than others, while well-polished marble tiles are more prone to scuffs and scratches than the tumbled ones. The pros of installing natural stone flooring include:
- It’s insulated to keep your home warm
- It’s durable
- It comes in numerous colours, shapes and styles to choose from
- It’s environmentally-friendly
- It’s excellent for houses with pets and kids
- It’s suitable for heating your home
If you’re looking for new flooring for your home, natural stone tiles are one of the best options. However, it’s quite expensive than other flooring options and prone to scratches and chipping. Some natural stone tiles are porous and very difficult to repair.
Installing natural stone times is quite complex; thus, it’s advisable to contact a professional to help you with the project.
Engineered Hardwood
An engineered wood flooring is made by combining layers of compressed plywood and a layer of hardwood finishing. Thus, this is a cheaper alternative to the more expensive solid hardwood floor. While engineered hardwood floors look similar to solid hardwood ones, they are less prone to moisture damage.
Engineered hardwood is better designed for rooms such as the kitchen and the bathroom exposed to water regularly. It also comes in different styles and species to choose from, including cherry, oak and hickory.
Now You Know the Different Types of Flooring Materials Available
There are many different types of flooring materials today. This makes it difficult for homeowners to determine the best flooring material for their homes. Before getting started on your flooring project, ensure you consider the pros and cons of different types of flooring materials.
Contact us today, and we will make your dream come true with our great flooring solutions. Our team of highly experienced flooring experts will help you find the right flooring option for your home, improving your home’s interiors. They will go above and beyond to exceed your expectations and meet all your requirements.
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