There is a large variety of flooring options available for you to select from, and the types and designs can be overwhelming when considering a new floor. When looking at flooring options, you need to consider your budget, the room, and the traffic in that room. There are assortments of flooring options, including those which are environmentally friendly, available for your selection.
Popular Flooring Options
If you want a wide selection of flooring, there are four main types of popular flooring options: laminate, hardwood, tile, and vinyl flooring.
Laminate flooring allows you to have flooring based off of a variety of different styles, colors, and textures, including stone and wood. Laminate floors have a relatively low cost and are low-maintenance. They can block UV sun rays, which protects the design from fading. This flooring choice is extremely durable and up to 15 times stronger than hardwood flooring. They are ideal for the kitchen as they have a thick and stabilizing core, and are resistant to scratching, fading, and denting.
Hardwood flooring can add a natural warm atmosphere to your home. Although they can be expensive, they can last for over a hundred years and cope well with heavy traffic. The listed cost of the hardwood flooring may be low, but the final cost includes the listed price, material costs, moldings, and labor. They do not hold mold, mildew, pollen, dust mites, or dander, so this flooring option is good for those with allergies. If you live in a region prone to flooding, hardwood floors may not be the best option as excess water can ruin them.
Tile flooring is a very cost effective flooring option as it is the most economical. Tile floors are very durable and can withstand high traffic. They can be installed in any room in your house, but the kitchen and bathroom are the most popular rooms. Glazed tiles provide you with a variety of color and design options. If you are looking to put tile flooring in your bathroom, consider unglazed tiles as they are slip-resistant and more durable than glazed tiles.
Vinyl flooring is actually the most common type of durable flooring available. They come with a cushion backing in a variety of thickness. Although they are durable, they may dent easily if you have a thick cushion backing. They come in a wide assortment of styles and colors to select from. Vinyl floors are skid-resistant and generally inexpensive.
Environmentally Friendly Flooring Options
If you want your home to be environmentally friendly, there are three available flooring options: cork, bamboo, and wood flooring.
Cork flooring is a renewable and sustainable natural resource harvested in the Mediterranean from the bark of the cork oak tree. Cork floors can be a little expensive, but they are good for smaller areas. These floors are natural shock absorbers, so they are good for areas where you would be standing a lot, such as the kitchen. They come in a selection of colors and can be used to reduce noise. Cork flooring is healthy for both your family and the environment as they are anti-allergenic and repel insects and mold.
Bamboo flooring, like cork flooring, is a renewable and environmentally-friendly flooring option. These durable floors are long lasting and extremely strong, holding up to daily use. Bamboo floors have easy self-installation as they can be laid down and connected together. Although they are approximately the same price as wood floors, they are still moderately priced. The cost depends on the bamboo options (grade, finish, veneer, etc.) and the price can drop if you install the bamboo flooring yourself.
Wood flooring can also be an ecologically friendly option if you opt for recovered wood flooring. Wood that comes from barns or other wooden buildings allows you to have the beauty of wood without cutting down more trees or using excess energy. Since there are no fibers to trap dust and irritants, wood floors are good for those with asthma or allergies.
Your new flooring will last you many years, so make sure that you are satisfied with the feel, color, and design of your floor. Think about your lifestyle and select the floor best suited for the room you are remodeling. With exploring and visualizing, you can narrow down the flooring options to find your perfect floor.