Choosing the right flooring for your home can be a challenging task. Knowing which floors are best for which rooms is a combination of research and taste, what you like and what you can have are often two different things. For example, installing a rug in a bathroom or basement would not be a good option – basements are prone to sewer clogs or accidental flooding, and bathrooms are often an area that is exposed to moisture and water, which can ruin an expensive carpet. On the other hand, ceramic, porcelain or granite tiles would be an excellent option for these areas, due to their almost invulnerability to water. We will examine the pros and cons of different types of flooring, to assist both homeowners and contractors in the decision-making process and in choosing the right flooring types for the home.
The most common types of soil are:
- Carpet
- Laminate
- Bamboo
- Tiles and stone
- Vinyl sheet
- Vinyl tile
- Hardwood / Engineered Wood
Carpet.
Pros: Comfortable to walk; It has a wide range of patterns and colors; Reduces noise in a room; Hides imperfections in the subfloor; It can vary in price, from cheap to expensive.
Cons: Shows considerable wear in high traffic areas; they tend to stain, even stain resistant carpets; It gets dirty easily and is damaged by water.
Maintenance: Vacuum frequently; Spot cleaning with stain remover; Periodic cleaning with shampoo and steam; Application of stain repellants every 3 cleanings, if necessary.
Laminate.
Pros: Inexpensive alternative to hardwood floors; Easy installation, either by gluing or floating; Easy to clean.
Cons: Can easily chip and scratch; Prone to water damage; Damaged sections difficult to replace without occupying the entire floor.
Maintenance: Periodic cleaning with laminate floor cleaner recommended by the manufacturer; Soap, water and a damp cloth to clean stains; Scratched areas can be blended with special markers.
Bamboo.
Pros: Flexible and durable flooring material; Various patterns, warps and variations of wood; Moisture resistant; At a reasonable price.
Cons: Prone to bumps and bumps; Some installations are similar to hardwood floors, requiring specialized tools, such as miter saws and table saws; A bad installation can cause a tendency to swell.
Maintenance: Special cleaning products; Wet mopping.
Tiles and stone.
Pros: Wide range of colors, sizes and designs; Suitable for high traffic areas, especially unglazed tiles or stones; Durable; Excellent resistance to moisture and water.
Cons: chips, cracks and scratches, especially glazed tiles; Slippery when wet; Difficult surface to stand on for long periods; Grout builds up dirt over time; Amplify the noise in the room.
Maintenance: Wet mop or bar; Apply grout sealer every 3 months or as directed, reapply grout as needed.
Vinyl sheet.
Pros: Practical and economical; Can cover subfloors with slight imperfections; Comfortable underfoot; Price comparable to quality.
Cons: Tends to stain; Shows wear in high traffic areas; It tends to scrape, rip, and tear over time.
Maintenance: Sweep; Wet mop.
Vinyl tiles.
Pros: Can be putty or peel and stick; Easy to install and repair; Low costs.
Cons: Limited colors and designs; The joints between the tiles are filled with dirt; Mosaics can appear; High traffic areas show wear and tear over time.
Maintenance: Sweep; Wet mop.
Hardwood / Engineered Wood.
Pros: Natural and long-lasting beauty, especially oak; Timeless appeal; It comes in slats, planks, or parquet tiles.
Cons: Not waterproof; Scratches and wear; Requires re-sanding and re-finishing after years of use; Moderate to difficult to install.
Maintenance: Sweep or Vacuum; Clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Flooring can be one of the best investments you can make for your home. Combined with other enhancements, such as painting or decorating, it can totally transform the appearance of a room. There are many different types of flooring available on the market today, so shop around, ask questions, and choose wisely.
