Flooring Plays a big role in the feel, functionality, and most important, the look of your home. From classic hardwood to tile, explore flooring surfaces to find the best option for your budget and lifestyle.
If hardwood floors interest you, then you’ll need to decide between solid or engineered.
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood. Because it can be sanded and refinished, it can last for decades. Solid hardwood cannot be installed in damp areas due to the fact it is susceptible to temperatures and humidity changes.
Engineered hardwood is created by bonding layers of hardwood together in a cross-grain construction. The layers give more stability and because it can withstand higher levels of humidity, it can be installed in more areas then solid hardwood. It can be stapled, glued or it can “float” (affixed to itself rather than the subfloor).
There are different widths, species and colors to choose from. An underlayment is recommended with hardwood floors. The underlayment provides a base for the floor along with helping limit noise. For moisture prone areas a vinyl and/or plastic line underlayment is best.
Laminate flooring is the chameleon of flooring. It can look like hardwood, tile or stone for a lower price. It’s an earth-friendly choice in flooring because it uses fewer trees then real wood and it can be pulled out easily and reused or recycled. The sturdiness makes laminate a favorite for many homeowners especially those with pets and kids.
An underlayment is required to serve as a moisture barrier and to muffle sound
Tile comes in a variety of size, shape, and styles. With versatility, durability, and elegance, it’s no wonder tile floors are so popular.
Ceramic tile is crafted from a mix of clays. A protective glaze is put over the porous tile. Ceramic is prone to wear, cracking, and chipping.
Porcelain tile is made by firing finely ground clays and minerals. It is a harder and denser tile which resisting water and stains and is often used outdoors because it won’t crack in cold weather. It is harder to install than ceramic tile.
Natural Stone tile is usually made from travertine, limestone, marble, granite, or slate. It is the most durable tile, improves with age and last a lifetime. However, it is the most expensive option.
Grout is the adhesive used to fill the space between tiles. It comes in a variety of colors and creates a seamless look when matched with the tile.
You can also dress up the tile floors with a variety of border medallions or mosaic.
Carpet is a very popular choice in homes. The basic material in a carpet is fiber.
Nylon is the most common fiber and is durable and resilient. It offers good stain resistance and camouflages the dirt, but is prone to static.
Polyester is a hypoallergenic fiber. It resists fading, withstands stains, and offers a variety of textures and colors. It is susceptible to crushing.
Polypropylene/Olefin stands up to sunlight, bleach, and stains, but is less resilient. Color selection is limited though.
Wool has a luxurious and feel and purifies indoor air, inhibits dust mites and bacteria growth, and inherent hypoallergenic properties, It is the most expensive type of carpet.
Acrylics offers the look and feel of wool at a lower cost. It is known as a man-made wool, acrylic fiber. It resists static, moisture, mildew, stains, but is not durable enough to withstand heavy traffic.
Padding helps prolong the life of the carpet and serves as an insulator.
There are plenty of flooring options to choose from to make your house a home!