The floor is the largest surface in the home, and choosing the best type of flooring for your space depends on your budget, lifestyle, and personal tastes. Each type has its unique benefits, and determining which flooring is best depends on each room’s needs and location.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring comes from a solid piece of milled wood and contains solid wood all throughout. Popular hardwood varieties include maple, oak, walnut, or cherry. Its versatility and quality make it a desirable flooring option for many home buyers. However, it’s one of the more expensive flooring materials on the market and does require regular maintenance, such as using a specialty hardwood floor cleaner once a month and applying a fresh coat of finish every three to five years, to keep them looking great.
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring offers the look of real wood at a more affordable price than solid wood. The floor features a thin layer of hardwood bonded over a high-quality plywood substrate. It’s as durable as solid hardwood flooring and can last as long with proper care.
Engineered wood flooring is a good choice to install, which will save you money on installation costs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is an affordable flooring option for homeowners who prefer an alternative to carpet but want to avoid the cost of hardwood or tiles. The floors consist of a particle board wood base topped by wood or tile photo beneath a clear plastic protective layer.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is extremely water-resistant and won’t sustain damage even if water sits on the surface for an extended amount of time. It’s composed of plastic and is available in plank, tile, and sheet form. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are two forms that have gained popularity recently because of their durability and the variety of styles available.
Tile
Tile flooring is a popular choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens. The most common tile materials are ceramic or porcelain. Tile is water-resistant, durable, and comes in a variety of styles and colors. The installation cost varies depending on the material; for instance, glazed ceramic is less expensive than porcelain tile.
Stone Flooring
Natural stones, such as granite, marble, travertine, and sandstone, are popular flooring choices for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Like ceramic and porcelain, stone is extremely durable and waterproof. The stone’s finish determines the amount of care needed to maintain the floor. However, stone offers natural beauty and quality that is unparalleled by most types of flooring.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is a durable, eco-friendly flooring option made from linseed oil and cork. Linoleum flooring is affordable and easy to install. The flooring comes in sheet form and in a variety of colors and styles. It is resilient (made with elastic materials) and can last for decades if cared for properly. Linoleum is gaining in popularity as flooring manufacturers offer more modern colors and styles.
Carpet
Carpet is a favorite flooring option for homeowners, especially in bedrooms. It comes in a variety of colors, materials, and textures. Carpet technology has improved over the years, and modern carpets have stain-resistant qualities. It’s also the most cost-effective flooring option on the market. Carpet installation varies in price, depending on the type of material and thickness of the carpet padding.
Choices for Hardwood Flooring Contractor
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