A Beginners guide to Home flooring materials
Commercial and non-commercial Real State owners know the benefits of renewing their property and investing in high-quality finishes. When evaluating the renewal process, the first thing that comes to mind is flooring.
Flooring increases a property’s perceived value, and high-quality flooring can last for decades. Flooring is a general term: it describes the covering of a floor and the process of installing such a floor covering.
What are the most common materials used for flooring?
The most common materials used for flooring are carpet, laminate, tile, hardwood, and vinyl.
Carpet
It’s the most common flooring solution and a homeowner’s favorite for bedroom flooring. Carpets and rugs are sometimes confused: Carpets are usually attached to the floor, while rugs can have different designs and tend to cover an area of the room rather than completely, unlike the carpet.
Carpets are less expensive and immediately make a room look cozy. They isolate cold from feet and help to reduce the noise from footsteps.
You can find a range of carpets and rugs at any price point and quality level, from inexpensive synthetic carpets that are mass-produced in factories, usually for commercial buildings, to luxury hand-knotted wool rugs used in private homes.
The cons are that the wear pattern shows, are hard to clean, and are not recommended for people that suffer from allergies.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is a Pinterest favorite, relatively easy to install for a DIY project by a homeowner. Laminate flooring, or floating wood tile in the United States, is a multi-layer synthetic flooring with a lamination process.
Lamination is a manufacturing process to produce a material in multiple layers. The final product has more stability, durability, sound insulation, and appearance; this result will vary depending on the material used to fuse.
Usually, laminate flooring imitates wood or stone. Commonly used when the property owner wants something different than carpet and a less expensive solution than hardwood.
The pros are lower pricing, reasonably durable, and hygienic, as several brands incorporate antimicrobial ingredients in the resin. It’s also easy to maintain. The cons are that the laminate flooring is easy to chip, is sensitive to moisture (it can cause planks to swell, warp, etc.), and has a hollow sound when stepping on it.
Tile
Tile is a water-resistant material used for flooring and wall covering in the bathroom and kitchen. Tile is commonly made of ceramic and has a square shape, but it can range from simple to more intricate designs like mosaics.
The word tile comes from the french word tuille, and its derivates from Latin, meaning a roof tile composed of fire clay. Tiles are not mosaics; the latter is a more intricate design made from little pieces, usually for art compositions.
The pros of installing tile in your bathroom or kitchen are durability and design. It’s water resistant and endures the wear of time. However, it is also an expensive flooring solution and requires expertise to have an appealing result.
Hardwood
Hardwood is one of the most expensive flooring materials on the market. It is high-maintenance: you need to use a hardwood floor cleaner every month, plus apply a fresh coat of finish every three or five years. This flooring immediately adds value to your home and lasts for decades. It is not uncommon to see homes in New England, Eastern Canada, and the United States with original hardwood floors.
The pros are the durability and added value to your property; the cons are the cost and that it is not humidity resistant: you should use hardwood flooring for basements or bathrooms.
Hardwood
Hardwood is one of the most expensive flooring materials on the market. It is high-maintenance: you need to use a hardwood floor cleaner every month, plus apply a fresh coat of finish every three or five years. This flooring immediately adds value to your home and lasts for decades. It is not uncommon to see homes in New England, Eastern Canada, and the United States with original hardwood floors.
The pros are the durability and added value to your property; the cons are the cost and that it is not humidity resistant: you should use hardwood flooring for basements or bathrooms.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the best material for areas with a lot of humidity: water doesn’t damage the material, even if it sits on the surface for a prolonged period.
You can find Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT); both are popular for their durability and variety of styles. They are available in plank, tile, and sheet form.
The pros are the durability, the cost, and the variety of styles available. The cons are the return on investment: it won’t add to the property’s perceived value, unlike hardwood.
Remember that we at Philadelphia Flooring Solutions can help you decide which flooring solution is best for your home or commercial property, taking into account ROI and the area of use. Don’t hesitate to contact us to evaluate your flooring project.
