Choosing the Best Type of Flooring for Your Home
Choosing flooring that will withstand the test of time isn’t always easy. Factors that go into choosing the best flooring for your home likely include cost, durability, maintenance, and the amount of moisture or traffic in the room. What looks the best may not always be the most practical choice. It is much better to do a little research before paying for materials and installation than to regret it later.
Our list will take you through every major option to help you choose the best combination of style, affordability, sturdiness and maintenance level.
Tile
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Pros:
Wide variety of materials, colors, textures, designs, and costs
Durable and water resistant
Increases home value
Easy to clean
Cons:
Can chip or crack
Grout requires maintenance and cleaning
Cold and loud
Perfect for:
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and other high-traffic rooms that experience moisture exposure and temperature fluctuation
Hardwood
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Pros:
Classic look and feel
Increases home value
Relatively easy to maintain
Compliments nearly every decorative style
Cons:
Can be warped by sitting water or changes in temperature and humidity
Footprints, dust, and dirt may show up more easily
Expensive
Can be scuffed or marked
Perfect for:
Formal dining rooms, living rooms and other rooms with low levels of foot traffic. Hardwood flooring should be covered with rugs if installed in foyers or hallways, and should also be protected from furniture with the use of adhesive felt pads.
Carpet
Photo Credit: http://www.onhome.org/bedroom-floor-ideas/
Pros:
Provides heat insulation
Affordable
Soft and comfortable look and feel
Range of color options and styles
Prevents echoing
Prevents slipping
Cons:
Easily stained or damaged
Harbors dirt, bacteria, and allergens
Less modern than alternative flooring types
Can look worn and aged quickly
Needs vacuuming often and occasional professional cleaning
Perfect for:
Bedrooms and living areas that are not frequented by pets, exposed to moisture, or at risk of frequent spills and messes
Laminate
Photo Credit: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/quick-step/oak-laminated-flooring-3562-303678.html
Pros:
Affordable alternative to other flooring materials
Durable and scratch resistant for homes with pets
Resists stains and fading
Cons:
Can easily be damaged by water
If damaged it must be replaced and cannot be repaired or refinished
Perfect for:
Hallways, living spaces, bedrooms and other rooms that are frequented but are not exposed to moisture
When you decide to install new flooring in your home, call Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista. We offer free flooring estimates, and are a licensed, bonded, insured, and certified flooring contractor.
