Tile. Wood. Carpet. LVP.
Today’s flooring choices seem to be endless. There’s so much to choose from to enhance the beauty of your home. Here’s a quick reference guide to help you decide what type of flooring may work best for you.
Tile
Tile comes in many different shapes, size and textures. Choosing the right tile for you can be very daunting. Most tiles are made from clay and kiln-fired, and are generally called ceramics. The ceramics are then divided into two types: porcelain and non-porcelain. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are made from a white or red clay. If broken, you will see the red/white clay. They are usually less expensive than porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are more dense, the color runs all the way through the tile, so if broken you will not see the clay color. Porcelain plank and wood-look tiles are very popular for flooring.
Natural stone tiles come in many varieties . . . slate, marble, granite, limestone, and travertine. Slate is a tough stone tile that can be used on floors, walkways, wet bar and even roofing. Marble is a very popular natural stone, but is more porous and generally used on bathroom walls and flooring. Granite is a very dense stone, works well as a flooring, but is generally selected for counter tops. Limestone comes in light and dark shades with an earthy look about it, but may not be ideal in high-traffic areas as it is prone to scratches and staining. Travertine, too, has an earthy appearance with the added look of pitting throughout the stone. This stone can be polished to fill the divots, but can scratch and is susceptible to staining. Travertine does require the special attention of surface sealing to maintain its appearance.
Wood
Talk about drama! Wood flooring emanates style and luxury. It’s easy to take care of and provides lasting durability. There are two types of wood floors: Solid and Engineered.
Solid wood flooring is just that, a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. Solid woods are ¾” to 5/16” thick and can be refinished several times.
Engineered wood floors are in fact real wood floors that have several wood or wood composite veneers in them. Veneers can be of the same wood or they can be different. In either case, the engineered wood’s stability is increased because the grain of each veneer runs in different directions. This is good as the different grain directions resist expanding and contracting during fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Hardwoods stand the test of time if properly maintained and definitely add value to your home.
Carpet
Did you know that carpet accounts for more sales in the United States than all other flooring combined, according to the trade journal Floor Covering Weekly? It’s no surprise since carpet provides a plethora of colors, textures and styles from which to choose. Carpet comparatively is less expensive, easy to install and of course, absorbs sound.
Here’s a few things to know that will help choosing carpet be more palatable.
The cut of the carpet is important but it’s also essential to know what type of synthetic and natural fibers makes up the carpet. The most popular is Nylon because of its durability. Nylon usually comes with a stain-resistant treatment to help ward off stains. Olefin is a tough fiber . . . It is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, but Olefin is not as comfortable to walk on as Nylon. Wool is the premier carpeting and the only natural fiber made into carpets. It’s durable and stain-resistant, and it’s considered an ecofriendly floor covering.
Another consideration for purchasing carpet is its weight and density. Weight indicates how many fibers are present in the carpet. The more fibers, the heavier the weight and the higher the quality of the carpet. Density shows how many fibers are in the pile and how closely packed the fibers are. The denser, the better. You can “field test” density with your fingers — if you can feel the carpet backing, the carpet is not very dense.
Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)
LVP’s plank design mimics hardwood from oak to hickory and beyond. Vinyl is the budget-friendly choice for renovators who want the look of hardwood without the challenging installation and cost. Vinyl backed with felt is softer and will give more so if glass is dropped it is less likely to break. In addition, the beautiful wood-look vinyl is easier on the legs when standing for a long period of time.
LVP can come in water resistant and totally waterproof versions. It’s great for bathrooms and kitchens and for homes in flood zones. The installation process is quick and easy as LVP can be installed directly on top a subfloor, given a good subfloor condition. Vinyl is a long-lasting flooring product and can last up to 20 years.
There are a multitude of flooring options out there for you. Choose the option that bests fits your tastes and lifestyle. You will be glad you did your research.