Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home

It is essential to know what you want before you pick out flooring. Understanding the characteristic of the room you are wanting put flooring in is important. Different types of materials may work in multiple types of room, so the next step is to weigh the pros and cons of each type and pick your favorite. Here is your go-to guide to making decisions about the type of flooring that will compliment the different rooms in your house.

Carpet

Family areas and bedrooms are the most popular rooms for carpet. Carpet is the way to go if you are wanting something warm and more comfortable. Carpet can also be a great way to warm up a basement floor, which is typically laid on cement, or add stability to a set of stairs.

If you are wanting to carpet a living room or a family room, keep in mind what kind of flooring will be surrounding it. Carpet in those rooms should coordinate with the flooring in the entry way or the kitchen if connected, according to the well-known interior design studio Studio McGee

A pro to using carpet is that it is an easy way to customize a room since carpet comes in all different styles, colors, and patterns. Although carpet allows for a lot of freedom when it comes to designing, it is important to remember the maintenance that comes with it. Look for companies that have warranties or stain-resistant technology. 

Wood

The one thing you need to know about wood is that it hates moisture, so don’t get your hopes up on lining your bathroom with hardwood floors. This may seem obvious, but there are other rooms in the house that are considered high-moisture rooms that may not be as obvious. Mudrooms and entryways are often high-moisture rooms, but Studio McGee said you can get away with putting wood in your kitchen, family rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways, or powder bedrooms.

Dining rooms, living rooms, offices, and bedrooms are excellent choices if you are wanting wood floors. These are often carpeted rooms, but switching to wood floors in these rooms are trending right now. If both carpet and wood floors are essential to you, try combining a wood floor with a rug to be both comfortable and stylish. 

A pro to wood floors is that they are known for having a long life span, can pair well with all types of home decor, and can add value to the home. Although the wood floors are long lasting and can sanded and refinished, it is a more expensive type of flooring and is more likely to be damaged by kids or pets. If you are interested in wood floors, be sure take into account the type of factors that may damage the floor like kids, pets, and moisture.  

Laminate

Laminate flooring should be treated very similarly to wood flooring. Laminate is very easy to install and very easy to clean. It is not susceptible to water though. Excess water can cause the floor to swell, which can ruin the floor. Rooms that are semi-moist like kitchens or powder rooms are fine for laminate floors since laminate can withstand some water. Watch out for standing pools of water or rooms where it is likely for water to leak. Laminate can be used in all other low to moderately moist rooms. 

The benefit to choosing laminate over wood is that laminate is much more durable and less likely to wear over time. Laminate flooring cannot be sanded down and repainted like wood flooring though, so if your floor goes through extensive damage, the floor boards will need to be replaced. Laminate will also have a repeated pattern unlike wood, so if this bothers you, then wood is the way to go. 

Vinyl 

Vinyl is low-maintenance and water resistant, which makes it very easy to maintain. It is also one of the cheaper types of flooring. It is highly durable and can last a long time, but if there is any damage done to the vinyl flooring, it can be hard to replace. 

Vinyl is a soft material, making it a good option for areas where there is a lot of standing, like kitchens and mudrooms. Because it is so soft though, installation can be quite difficult because the base needs to be completely free of any particles or imperfections because those imperfections will show up through the vinyl.

There are multiple types of vinyl to consider when looking to put it in your home. Vinyl can come in planks, tiles, and sheets. Vinyl planks are good for getting the wood look, but avoiding the expensive cost. Vinyl tile will mimic the look of tile, but is a lot less slip and stain resistant than tile. Finally, sheet vinyl is laid out in one sheet across the room and is very practical and budget friendly. This is a very hard flooring to replace though since the entire sheet will need to be replaced. 

Tile

Bathrooms love tile. When deciding on a floor for your bathroom, it is a safe bet to go with tile. Tile is meant for the rooms where there is more dirt or moisture than usual, like a mudroom, laundry room, or bathroom. 

Tile is like carpet in the way that is a fun way to bring out your personality and the personality of the house since there are many options when it comes to style, pattern, and color of the tiles. It is one of the cheaper flooring options is easily manageable since it can be wiped clean and withstand wear on it.

Trends come and go, but your home lasts a long time. Choosing a flooring that you feel most comfortable with is the most important decision you can make with flooring because at the end of the day, your opinion is what matters. Resources like Best Company can help you find a company that is willing to work with you and for you to ensure you feel comfortable in your home with your new flooring.