The kind of flooring you pick for your house can be important because it creates an atmosphere that makes you feel good and glad to be home. Its always a good idea to assess your needs, the activity level in your house and your preferences before you decide on the type of flooring that you want to use. Taking the time to carefully pick out your flooring can ensure that your house will feel warm and inviting to all who pass through. The following 11 types of flooring can give you some ideas of different options you might consider when the time comes to pick your flooring.
Tile
Tile is heat and moisture resistant. It is hardy but can crack/chip if you drop a heavy item like a large pot on it. There are a few different kinds of tiles so we'll go into more detail about some of those.
Ceramic: Ceramic tile, shown on the right, is one of the less expensive floor tiles, making it very popular. As a professional home remodeler Uniquity Builders has used ceramic tile extensively over the years for floors, showers and countertops. We recommend using ceramic in areas that tend to get wet, like the bathroom, because it's more durable in a wet environment and doesn't get as slippery as marble or granite. Ceramic may crack and chip easier than other materials.
Porcelain: Porcelain is denser than ceramic making it more durable. According to The Home Depot, porcelain has a lower absorption rate than ceramic tiles and some decorators suggest using porcelain tiles on your shower floor.
Marble: Marble is one of the more expensive floor tiles. It is naturally porous so it can stain easily without proper cleaning or sealing. It is also very heavy so it will need a sturdy base before installation.
Granite: Granite is good to use in high traffic areas of your home. It holds up to liquids and scratching very well. Granite tiles and its grout need to be sealed to prevent water from leaking underneath it.
Hardwood, like the one on the right we installed in Sonora CA, is a classic and hardy flooring although it can be sensitive to water if not cleaned up immediately and can warp over time. If you stain your hardwood from dropping a liquid on it or it's become dull from traffic, it can be refinished to look new. According to theflooringgirl.com, solid hardwood isn't approved for floors below the ground level (basements). In addition, if you have large dogs, hardwood floors may get scratched.
Carpet
Carpet provides warmth and comfort as opposed to hardwood and tile. Carpet tends to soak up liquids which makes it stain easily. Cleaning and taking care of your carpet regularly will extend its lifespan. There are treatments, such as Scotchgard, that work to prevent stains and dirt from penetrating the carpet fibers by repelling what you want to keep out and preserving what you want to keep. Some people find that carpet may worsen their allergy symptoms.
Linoleum
Linoleum is environmentally friendly because it's made of all natural materials and biodegradable (this also means it doesn't emit any toxic gases like laminate as you'll read below). It looks very similar to real hardwood. It is not waterproof so it can warp in the presence of water if not cleaned up properly. With proper care, linoleum could last up to 40 years. Linoleum isn't very popular anymore so it may be hard to find any variety of linoleum products.
Laminate, shown on the right, holds up to scratches and dents well but is sensitive to waters you can see on the left this floor is warping from a water leak in the dishwasher. Laminate can't be refinished like hardwood so in the event that it gets worn out it will need replacing. It has been found that laminate can be toxic in your home. The glue used to make laminate contains small amounts of formaldehyde gas that is released for about ten years after its made. Plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard are all laminate products that contain formaldehyde. If you want to read more check out this article floortechie.com written by Joe Bathi. According to earthjustice.org, as of June 2018, it is illegal to produce or import wood products in the U.S. if they contain excessive amounts of formaldehyde.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is very affordable compared to other options. It's waterproof so it's perfect to use in kitchens and bathrooms. It doesn't look as much like real hardwood as other flooring options. Vinyl flooring is synthetic (made of plastic) so it is not biodegradable and not environmentally friendly.
Bamboo, shown on the right, is water resistant but not waterproof so it's best to not use in high humidity areas. Bamboo flooring is glued together in a similar way that laminate is glued together, so if you buy low quality bamboo it can also contain formaldehyde that it will emit over time. Bamboo flooring is very eco-friendly but the rise in popularity is causing farmers to overgrow bamboo putting the environment at risk.
Cork, shown on the left, is a natural insulator making it perfect for colder areas. It is susceptible to dents when pressure is applied but usually regains its natural position once pressure is removed. Cork is soft to walk on, similar to carpet. It is a sustainable flooring option that can be refinished when needed. If not sealed regularly or properly it can be susceptible to staining because the cork can soak up liquids.
Concrete
Concrete is relatively cheap and easy to install but it is prone to cracking, it needs resealing every few years to help prevent the cracking. Concrete is very heavy so isn't ideal to put on any story above the basement and first floor. Concrete flooring is extremely versatile. It can be mixed with pigments to make it any color, it can also be stamped with designs that can make it look like tile or hardwood etc.
Terrazzo flooring, shown on the right, is known for its beauty. It's extremely durable and is known to last a long time. Terrazzo is very similar to concrete so it is also heavy and not recommended on second story and above floors. It also needs to be resealed to prevent staining, cracking and chipping.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is a good alternative to hardwood. It is easier to install than hardwood and is more durable. It is softer than hardwood and pets can damage it more easily. More expensive engineered woods can be refinished but only a couple of times before it's too thin to be sanded again. According to theflooringgirl.com, engineered woods that are installed as floating (i.e. not secured to the subfloor) can't be sanded or refinished because they will move around and leave an uneven finish.
I was going to make a floor joke to end off this post but I realized it was beneath me...
If you're looking to upgrade your home or even build a new one, feel free to give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833.
Sources:
https://www.sinaarchitecturaldesign.com/2018/12/best-worst-flooring-options-kitchens/
https://www.thespruce.com/bamboo-flooring-problems-1314923
https://floorcritics.com/cork/
https://www.carpetcaptain.com/tile-guide/tile-types/
https://www.flooringstores.com/blog/linoleum-vs-laminate/
https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfloors/finishes.html