Even though it’s often neglected, flooring is one of the most important elements of your home. So, no matter if you’re renovating, remodeling or building a new place, make sure to consider several types of flooring before you make your decision. Here are the pros and cons of most common flooring options that will certainly help you make the right choice.
Hardwood
Probably the most beloved flooring type is hardwood. This flooring comes in a variety of wood types and shades and can be bought unfinished or prefinished. Hardwood will give your home a very warm and natural vibe that mixes well with all types of interior design. Additionally, it’s quite durable and eco-friendly, especially if you opt for locally harvested or reclaimed wood. However, even when you opt for the cheapest version, hardwood is still quite expensive.
Laminate
Laminate is becoming more and more popular, especially in the past few years. This flooring type is very aesthetically pleasing (it comes in many colors, styles, patterns and can imitate various materials like stone, tile, and wood) and it’s durable and low-maintenance. It’s especially good for kitchens and bathrooms because it can be wiped down very easily. Additionally, you can easily lay it yourself without any professional help. However, cheap laminate will look… well, cheap. So, be sure to conduct a good quality check and compare prices before you buy.
Decorative concrete
If you want to opt for something completely different and contemporary, you can consider creating an indoor concrete floor. Today, there are many beautiful decorative concrete options that can give your home a unique vibe. Additionally, decorative concrete is quite economical (much cheaper than any stone option) and since most buildings already have a concrete slab, you can just finish it for a sleek and stylish look! It’s also extremely durable and low-maintenance and it comes in a huge variety of colors and finishes. However, like every flooring option, concrete also has its flaws. It’s quite heavy and can be cold unless you add a radiant heating system.
Stone
One very beautiful and elegant floor option is stone like granite, limestone, travertine, and marble. No matter which stone you choose, you’ll end up with a breathtaking floor, but be prepared to cash out! Natural stone is also very high-maintenance. Even though it’s durable, it can easily be stained and scratched. But, if you take good care of it, you’ll have a beautiful floor that lasts for decades!
Tile
If you want a flooring option that is durable and very easy to clean, tiles were made just for you! They are usually the top choice for kitchens and bathrooms thanks to their low-maintenance properties and generally “clean” look. The price of tiles varies extremely—you can find tiles at Home Depot for as low as $1 per tile while some decorative options cost up to $20 per square foot. However, you’ll also need to hire a flooring contractor unless you want to end up with a tiled mess. Also, this flooring material can be very unforgiving on joints, quite cold and is often a slipping hazard!
Carpets and rugs
If you want to go old school, you can opt for a carpet. Carpets today come in an unbelievable variety of colors, materials, textures, shapes, patterns, and sizes and anyone can find something that fits their home. Prices also vary from cheap, acrylic carpeting to luxury, wool or hand-made artisan carpets. All carpets are soft, warm and great for sound insulation, but they require a lot of maintenance. Unless you deep clean them regularly, they will soon look shabby and old. Additionally, carpets can pose a health issue for allergy sufferers since they hold a lot of allergens.
So, once you set your budget, consider your lifestyle and needs and take all pros and cons into account, you’ll certainly end up with perfect flooring for your home!
