CHOOSING THE BEST FLOORING FOR YOUR HOUSE: A DETAILED GUIDE

When people think about home décor, the first thoughts that come to mind center around furniture, paint, lighting and other more conspicuous elements. Just as important as those things are, one of the most important but often neglected parts of a home is the one that’s literally walked all over: the floor! 

While it’s easy to be fixated on the color of your sofa or the paint on the walls, don’t forget that flooring enhances and adds beauty to the overall design of a home. In addition, the right flooring can increase the comfort of a space. Unlike furniture, which is relatively easy to replace, flooring is something that can’t be easily altered so it’s important to make the right choice. This is why we’ve put together some helpful tips about the different types of flooring available and what factors to consider when making your choice. So sit back and prepare to be floored!

5 Most Common Types of Flooring

• WOOD

Whether it’s sturdy wood or composite wood, there’s no doubt that wood floors are one of the most beautiful and can add a touch of elegance to any home. They’re not only beautiful but also comfortable. They can be made from hardwood or composite wood, which is an engineered type of wood made by compressing plywood and then covering it with a film of hardwood. Hardwoods are more expensive than composite wood but are sturdier and more durable.

Pros

• Aesthetic
• Warm and comfortable

Cons

• Expensive
• Require regular sanding and staining for maintenance purposes.
• Unsuitable for high moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

 

• TILES

One of the most popular flooring choices, tiles are well-loved because of their cost-effectiveness and the neat, clean feel they provide. Tiles are usually made of porcelain or ceramic. While ceramic tiles are typically made from a mixture of water and sand, porcelain tiles are more expensive because they’re made from fine, dense clay fired at a high temperature. 

Pros

• Neat and smooth
• Comfortable 
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Durable 
• Pocket-friendly
• Available in a variety of hues and textures
• Suitable for high-moisture areas

Cons

• Require professional installation
• Cold 

 

• CARPET

Whether woven or tufted, carpets are an all-time favorite because of the warm, comfy feel they provide in a home. Available in a variety of colors and styles, they’re easily one of the most affordable options. 

Pros

• Affordable
• Comfortable and warm
• Easy to install
• Durable 

Cons

• Difficult to clean once stained 
• Unsuitable for high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms

 

• VINYL

Vinyl flooring is quickly becoming one of the common types of flooring, thanks to its versatility. Ranging from the inexpensive entry-level sheet to the more pricey luxury vinyl-tile (LVT), it’s a great option because of its ease of maintenance. Waterproof, easy to clean and relatively affordable, vinyl floors come in a variety of colors and patterns, some of which might even be designed to resemble real wood floors.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Easy to install
• Stain and scratch-resistant 
• Suitable for high moisture areas 
• Capable of resembling real wood

Cons

Difficult to repair once damaged 

• Not as aesthetically pleasing as other options
• LVT can be priced on the high side

 

• STONE

 Stone is one of the most elegant and timeless types of flooring available. Not only are stones visually appealing and unique, they’re also durable and capable of withstanding high traffic, scratches and other irritants. These are the three most common types of stone used for flooring: metamorphic stone, igneous stone and sedimentary stones. 

Pros

• Aesthetic
• Durable 

Cons

• Not warm
• Not as comfortable as other options
• Difficult to install
• Expensive 

Other Types of Flooring to Consider

• Concrete
• Linoleum
• Laminate 

Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a flooring for your home. They include;

Moisture

This factor varies from room to room. High-moisture areas in your home, such as the kitchen, bathroom and basement, require water-resistant floors that won’t be easily damaged by moisture. For such areas, go for porcelain or ceramic tiles, stone, or vinyl.

Durability

Do you have a lot of movement and activity in your home? Choose flooring that is resistant to wear, tear and scratching, such as vinyl, concrete, ceramic or porcelain tile or perhaps, stone flooring.

Warmth

If you’re looking for warmth and comfort, carpets, vinyl and wood are probably your best bet.

Budget

If you’re looking for affordable flooring, the best options are carpeting, laminate, ceramic tile and entry-level tile. If you’re willing to spend a little more, LVT, porcelain tile, hardwood floors, stone and concrete are great options. 

Maintenance/Repair

Some floors require more maintenance than others. If you need floors that are easy to clean and maintain, choose vinyl, tile and laminate. Note that carpets and wood floors might require more maintenance. Carpets may need to be vacuumed to keep dirt out and professional cleaning if deep stains settle in. Wood floors may need to be sanded and stained once in a while. 

Not sure how to find the right flooring that meets your needs? Check out Aycee Market’s online catalog and find all you need in one place!

Now that you’ve learned about the types of flooring available and what they’re most suitable for, you’re well on your way to choosing a style that ties up your interior décor. Remember to take into account your lifestyle, unique needs and budget. Cheers to creating a beautiful and comfortable home!