Flooring is often overlooked when designing a space in favour of more decorative or visually appealing design choices. But it definitely deserves more attention, as it provides the foundation for your living space, setting the tone for your furniture, walls, and overall style, and impacting how the home functions and ages over time.
This is why it’s imperative to take the time to choose the right flooring for your home, but given the numerous options available, making a choice can feel daunting. To make things easier, we break down below 5 types of stunning flooring, along with their pros and cons, so that you can make an informed decision for your home’s interior. Keep reading!
Hardwood flooring
This is the most popular flooring type among homeowners, and for good reason, as its unique characteristics, unmistakable knots, texture, and graining patterns will impact the design of every home. At the same time, hardwood floors offer functionality because they are strong and durable, thus withstanding high-traffic areas in your living space – if you maintain them well, they can last decades. Hardwood flooring will add timeless elegance to your home, and it is available in different wood species, plank sizes, and stain colours to suit all kinds of styles.
Whether you want a classic hardwood style that allows you to create a home with an old-world charm, or prefer a modern style with rustic wire brushing and a low-gloss matte finish, there’s something for everyone. One thing to note about hardwood flooring, however, is that it tends to be expensive compared to other options. Besides, it is susceptible to water damage and can also be dented or scratched. Even if hardwood can be refinished, the process is costly and time-consuming, so this is something to keep in mind if you decide to install it in your home.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring mimics the look of natural materials such as tile, hardwood, and stone, and it’s designed with various layers, including a HDF core, which are fused together through a lamination process. So, if you want the look of hardwood, for example, but without the hefty price tag, laminate flooring can be an excellent choice, as it’s cost-effective and low-maintenance. One of its biggest advantages is that it is water-resistant, making it ideal for busy households with kids and pets, as it withstands fading, stains, and indentations.
When purchasing laminate flooring, be sure to consider the AC wear rating, as it indicates the durability of the laminate product. Other factors to consider include the moisture level, texture, and finish. Your budget matters too, as thicker laminate can come at a higher price, and it is essential to know how much you are willing to spend on flooring, so it’s easier for you to make an informed decision. When it comes to the disadvantages of laminate flooring, one thing to note is that it sounds and feels different compared to natural materials, despite mimicking their looks, and it also cannot be repaired or refinished once damaged.
Vinyl flooring
With unparalleled versatility, vinyl flooring is softer underfoot compared to most hard-surface flooring options and is also moisture-resistant. It is made from synthetic materials, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and additives such as stabilizers, plasticizers, and pigments, which are pressed and heated to create vinyl tiles and sheets.
Vinyl is particularly suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, standing out for its durability, affordability, ease of maintenance, and versatility, as it is available in a range of styles. This also makes it the ideal choice for commercial spaces. If you take a look at office locations, for example, you’ll see that most of them opt for this type of flooring. However, like any other option, it has several drawbacks. Compared to natural materials, vinyl isn’t as luxurious and is also prone to fading, with limited repair options available.
Stone flooring
If a luxurious flooring option is what you’re after, look no further than stone flooring, which can make a major style impact on your home. Various materials are used for stone flooring, including granite, marble, slate, sandstone, limestone, and quartzite, to name a few, all of which offer a timeless and natural aesthetic to your space. Stone flooring has a unique beauty that’s hard to replicate by other options, has a natural cooling effect, and it’s also very durable.
However, it can be very expensive to buy and install, so not everyone may be able to afford it. Furthermore, it requires periodic maintenance, and if not properly sealed, it is porous. Despite its luxurious look, stone flooring is not very comfortable for prolonged periods of walking or standing.
Tile flooring
Tile flooring is a timeless option with trademark durability and offers a range of styles to suit any design. Ceramic and porcelain tile are both very popular, with the former offering an endless amount of textures, shapes, colours, and sizes to choose from. It is made from a mixture of clay and shale, which is glazed and then fired, providing an easy-to-maintain finish that is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas prone to moisture. However, porcelain tiles are more durable due to the manufacturing process in which they are fired at a high temperature.
Tile flooring is hypoallergenic, easy to maintain, and water-resistant; however, it has some drawbacks. It can be slippery when wet, and it also has a high cost. At the same time, it’s susceptible to cracking and requires skill to install.
The bottom line
Choosing flooring for your home is definitely not an easy feat, but you can definitely approach it with confidence. Before anything else, take the time to establish your budget and consider which of the options mentioned above will perform best in your living space. If you’re renovating your bathroom, kitchen, or even your basement, it’s best to choose the option that can best handle water and moisture exposure.
On the other hand, if you want to have a cozy home, hardwood flooring is definitely the best choice. Or maybe you need something easy to clean and affordable; in this case, vinyl flooring is perfect for you. All the options on this list are unique and will have a significant impact on your home design, but what matters most is ensuring that the choice you make matches your needs.