Adequate flooring options are available to all homeowners and careful research must be invested to find the best floor option for their home. Depending on the number of guests, you invite over and the type of restrictions you have, you might decide that one flooring option works better than others do. Choosing a flooring type that will give you long-term enjoyment should always be the prospect you are looking for in your home.
Flooring Types
Before you can analyze your options, it is important to know all available flooring types. Listed below are the types of flooring and expected life expectancy for each one.
Natural wood 100+ years
Bamboo 100+ years
Brick 100+ years
Carpet 8-10 years
Concrete 50-60 years
Engineered wood 50-100 years
Granite 100+ years
Laminate 15-25 years
Linoleum 25-30 years
Slate 100 years
Vinyl 23-28 years
Life expectancies given above are generalizations and do not edict the exact years you can expect from the flooring type you purchase. Depending on maintenance and wear-and-tear, you might get more or less years, accordingly. Before making a purchase based on life expectancy and look, understanding both the benefits and detriments of each flooring will give a better insight on what you can get from your flooring.
Flooring Types: Pros and Cons
While above, there is a wide array of flooring to choose between, many homeowners stick with wood, carpet and stone due to their easier accessibility and aesthetics. Determining which of these six flooring types to choose between varies upon the pros and cons and how you can manage with them.
Natural Wood – One of the most common floorings in both colonial times and today is natural wood. Natural costs at $5 per square foot and go up from there (price varies according to species).
Pros
- Durability. Wood can withstand large weight and scuffs.
- Easy maintenance. Natural wood is able to be sanded and refinished numerous times, giving it a like-new appeal.
- Beautiful, rich aesthetic. Natural wood gives the home a rustic, beautiful look and feel to it. It has one of the best aesthetics for floorings.
- Wide Variety. Natural wood has more than 50 species available, giving you a wide array of choices and looks with wood.
Cons
- Easily damaged by moisture. Natural wood is easily affected by water and can easily occur water damage if spills are left too long. Wood is a porous material that easily absorbs stains caused by moisture.
- Changes size. Homeowners are cautioned with natural wood because it can easily expand and shrink without much notice. This makes gaps and warping more plausible.
Natural Stone – One of the pricier flooring types, natural stone usually begins around $8 per square foot and goes up from there. Marble, slate and granite are all encompassed as part of the “natural stone” category, all of which give the home a more modern look.
Pros
- Durability. Similar to wood, natural stones tend to last over a century because they have limited weight restrictions and can handle wear-and-tear.
- Water-resistant. Natural stones are often non-porous, so they do not absorb moisture easily. Spills are easy to maintain and do not require immediate cleanup.
- Timeless. Natural stone has been and will be one of the most popular floorings throughout history since it is crafted from Mother Nature herself.
Cons
- Pricing. As stated above, natural stone can be costly per square foot and should only be purchased if budgets allow for it.
- Difficult maintenance. Natural stones are tedious to install since they require precision. This also implies that repairs and resurfacing are just as difficult since the flooring must be uninstalled to be repaired and resurfaced and reinstalled.
- Cold to the touch. Stone floorings cause heat to rise at a swifter rate since they are incapable of absorbing it. This means that the flooring is always cold, which can cause difficulties for homeowners who prefer to walk barefoot on their flooring.
Carpet – People tend to enjoy the comfort that they receive from carpeting and it has become a stable flooring type in many residential areas.
Pros
- Comfortable. One of the most comfortable flooring types to date is carpet. It is soft to the touch and warm, two desired traits. This material works best for those who like to walk around barefoot.
- Easy maintenance. Carpets do not require a lot of maintenance unless they are white. Darker carpets only need to be vacuumed and occasionally steam-cleaned.
Cons
- Tolerates minimum wear-and-tear. Although cleaning carpets is relatively easy, it is difficult to keep it looking like new since threads tend to unbind and wear-and-tear shows immediately.
Recommendations
While not all of the floors were covered, we are here to explain what will work best for your home.
Living Room/Dining Room – Carpet, wood or stone. The living room gives comfort and these three flooring options will improve the aesthetic and comfort of your living room.
Kitchen – Wood, stone, linoleum and tile. Carpets should never be used in kitchens since it can trap food and other substances in it, causing havoc within the kitchen. Use a hard surface.
Bedrooms – Carpet, wood and stone. Similar to living rooms, the bedroom offers comfort to each individual person. Only carpet, wood and stone will enhance the visualization and warmness within the room.
Bathroom – Tile or stone. Tile and stone are non-porous and are not susceptible to moisture damage, so they work ideal within bathrooms.
When purchasing flooring, it is pertinent to take funds and longevity into consideration. Ensure the material you choose will last as long as you intend to utilize the space for and ensure it is affordable. From there, it will be easy for you to choose the best flooring option for your home.
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