There are many types of floorings available today and each one has a place in the home. Hardwood is probably the most well-known but there are also other types such as ceramic, linoleum, vinyl and others. A major deciding factor will be your budget. The best flooring types will be dependent upon the amount you are willing to spend. Certain types of wood may need to be sealed in order to prevent stains while some concrete can be cleaned easily. You should take all these factors into consideration when choosing the right floor for you.
Wood is probably the most common of the hard flooring types available and it is considered the long-term solution. The problem is that wood can be expensive depending on quality. If you wish to use wood then you will need to varnish or finish the wood every few years in order to protect it from dirt and dust. The benefit of wood is that it looks great in any room of the house and it is long-lasting so you should consider this option if you have a large house with lots of traffic.
Linoleum is another popular option which is best suited for those on a tight budget. It is relatively easy to clean and you won’t have to worry about any long-term damage due to moisture or staining. Linoleum comes in a wide variety of colors so you should be able to coordinate it with any color scheme in the house. In addition to being cheap it is also a durable solution and can support the weight of up to 1500 pounds so it should be suitable for homes with a lot of traffic. Although it has a low lifespan it is still worth considering if you want the look of hard floors but don’t want to put a lot of money into maintenance.
Vinyl is perhaps the most versatile of hard flooring types so it is worth considering for any type of house regardless of what you’re decorating styles or your home’s original appearance. It comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and you should be able to find a vinyl that suits your needs perfectly. You may find that high-traffic areas have low-density vinyl which is better suited to those areas. Low-density vinyl is also great for areas where hardwood flooring types would be unsuited such as bathrooms and kitchens which tend to get a lot of traffic.
If you have a high-traffic area then laminate is a good alternative to vinyl and is often considered to be a better solution than tile. However, there are some homeowners who dislike the look of lamination. If this is the case then laminate could be a good choice but you should keep in mind that laminate is not actually wood and will not withstand very high temperatures or extremely low humidity levels. If you do decide to use laminate make sure that you protect it from moisture by using a sealant. Tile is more durable than lamination but it can be more prone to scratches and so it may be more suitable for high traffic areas like hallways and bathroom showers. If you’re looking for an excellent choice for a bathroom flooring option then laminate could be an ideal choice.
To help you decide between the two different hard flooring types, we’ve been taking a look at some examples which highlight the differences between each. For instance, what are the differences between solid bamboo, laminate and engineered hardwood? Bamboo is naturally durable flooring that is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens where it’s easy to maintain. In comparison, laminate is an excellent choice for high traffic areas, although not as durable as bamboo. In the end, the decision you need to make comes down to personal preferences and how each type of material feels in your home.