Choosing the appropriate flooring for your home is very important for the overall look and functionality of your space. And since replacing or removing old flooring can be so tedious and costly, it’s smart to take your time and make the best pick right from the start.
Nowadays there is such a wide range of materials to choose from, which is why it’s good to be familiar with all of them before making your investment. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular home flooring options on the market, and talk a bit about their pros, downsides and maintenance.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring has become very popular over the last years, and there’s an array of reasons to back up this high-demand. First of all, home flooring made of vinyl provides beauty, comfort and durability at the same time. It’s easy to keep clean and very easy to install, and can remain long-lasting even in humid areas with high temperatures.
When it comes to instalment, vinyl flooring is available in either tiles or sheets. Both can be very efficient options and it mostly depends on your preference. Vinyl can stand up to heavy traffic and many manufacturers claim that their floors can last up to twenty years. That being said, it’s recommended to install residential vinyl flooring in areas that you and your family use the most, like the living room or kitchen.
When it comes to maintenance, there’s not much that you need to worry about. Doing some vacuuming every few days or once you notice dust on your floors has proven to be quite effective in the cleanliness department. If you want to go the extra mile and have your flooring smell good and look shiny, get a specialised vinyl cleanser that can do a good job at removing any staining.
Wood
If you’re interested in going for a more traditional look, wood flooring might be the right option for you. Even though you can purchase vinyl tiles and sheets that have some kind of wooden print on them, authentic wood flooring can provide you with a genuine feel.
However, you can run into a couple of issues with hardwood flooring, and the first one is longevity. Investing in quality hardwood flooring that’s going to be able to stand heavy traffic can be very costly in comparison to vinyl flooring for example, and there could be a lot of layers that make the instalment experience time consuming and tedious.
Hardwood flooring maintenance can also a bit more demanding in comparison to other materials. It’s recommended to wipe off any stains immediately instead of waiting for when you do a deep cleaning. This is because the stains can settle into the porous surface of the wood and if this happens, you won’t be able to clean them off. It’s also good to use a hardwood floor cleaner at least monthly to give your floor a nice shine. Other than that, daily swiping and vacuuming are also good to keep your floor look fresh and clean.
Ceramics
Opting for ceramic tiles as flooring for home can also be a unique investment that is going to last you a long time. Their longevity is unmatched when it comes to wet and humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Even though many people choose to install tile flooring in their living rooms, it can still be a challenge getting used to that since tiles are known to provide a very cold surface, which is probably not the most comfortable sensation to experience barefoot.
They are also very heavy in comparison to other materials, so before installing tiles it’s a good idea to speak with a professional about the structural integrity of your home.
Textiles
Everybody loves a good carpet for their bedroom because it provides a certain softness and warmth that can be hard to replicate. Another reason why many people prefer carpet flooring is the thermal insulation which can come as a very inexpensive solution if you live in regions where it gets very cold.
However, carpets can cause some health concerns, especially if you’re prone to allergies. This occurs thanks to how easily dust and other particles can accumulate in between all those fibres.
Cleaning carpet floors can be time-consuming and demanding since you would have to do proper vacuuming every few days. Even though not everyone does that daily, it’s still advised to do so, in order to preserve the carpet for a longer time and prevent dust from settling in.
When it comes to longevity, since most carpets nowadays are manufactured in bulk, not every business puts so much focus on the quality of the textiles they use. This is why so many carpets tend to be on the affordable side. If you’re looking into purchasing a carpet that’s going to last you a long time, you’d have to make a bigger investment.
