What Type of Flooring is Right for Your Home?

You may not realize how many kinds of flooring you can choose from, but there are many choices available in the market. The following are some great types of flooring for you to consider. Since your needs are unique, you should carefully consider your options before you commit to a choice.

Hardwood

Image via Flickr by Timber Floors Sydney

Hardwood floors are durable and low maintenance options that usually only needs sweeping and occasional vacuuming. The most you generally need to do with a hardwood floor is refinish the higher traffic areas. Hardwood floors tend to be expensive, but they hold their value well. Of course, hardwood also tends to make noise when walked on, and standing water can cause it to warp and be ruined.

Cork

Cork is a great insulator, absorbing sound and keeping warmth under your feet. While expensive, this material is great provided there is no standing water. However, cork can even be damaged by the pressure points under furniture, and cost is definitely a factor you need to carefully consider. Cork also comes with the downside that it can fade in the sun and even go yellow over time. In bedrooms without much sunlight, cork may be ideal.

Vinyl

Vinyl tends to be a good sound and warmth absorber, which makes it reasonable for rooms where there is noise. Some kinds of vinyl are decent looking and inexpensive. Unfortunately, even the best vinyl is not as good-looking as actual solid tiles such as marble or ceramic or wooden floors. Vinyl can also be challenging to clean because of its gaps, and is prone to tearing.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a durable material that has a look very similar to that of hardwood. Another great thing about laminate flooring is that it is very difficult to scratch, and like wood it is a simple matter to clean this material. Beyond these positive sides, laminate is one of the least expensive flooring materials. However, the major downside to this material is that it can easily be ruined by standing water. Fortunately, this works well in dry places so this a great option for Tucson flooring.

Carpet

Image via Flickr by Wonderlane

Carpet is soft, gives the impression of a soft area and feels warm under your feet. Carpet is downright luxurious, and can be put down including padding relatively inexpensively. However, carpet traps a lot of dirt and tends to be stained easily. If you don’t steam clean your carpet reasonably often, it can also develop a gritty appearance.

Hard Tile

Image via Flickr by Becky Stern

There are many kinds of tile, and these include ceramic and various kinds of stone. The great things about tile are that it is long-lasting, generally being impervious to water, not staining easily, and resisting scratching. This makes it another good option for Tucson flooring.

Unfortunately, tiles are sometimes very expensive and can be cracked. There is also the issue of needing to clean the grout, which many find difficult. Also, tile tends to feel very cold under your feet.

There are lots of different options for your home’s flooring. The one you pick for any given area should be first about how well it will last and second about its appearance.