5 Types of Flooring to Place In Your Home
Struggling to pick out new flooring? Every room in the house has its own flooring needs, and with various types of flooring on the market, it can be difficult to make the right pick. With so many options, shades, and finishes available, we’ve created this guide to make the process easier when it comes to updating your floors. Here are the 5 main types of flooring to place in your home and everything to consider before making the final selection.
Hardwood Flooring
One of the most popular types of flooring options for the home is hardwood flooring. These textured boards provide your floors with an elegant look that’s easy to customize with sheens and finishes or style with an area rug.
Hardwood floors are constructed of solid wood planks and are the most durable flooring option available. These boards are strong enough to withstand high traffic areas of the home, dents and hits while still maintaining their gorgeous appearance for years to come.
Since hardwood flooring is so durable and appealing, it’s one of the most expensive to install upfront, but has a high ROI (return on investment) due to its ability to last for decades. With the right maintenance and care, these boards can last over 25 years before needing to be refinished. The beauty of hardwood floors is that they can be refinished multiple times before needing to be replaced. Don’t like the color in 10 years? They can be sanded and stained to the color of your choosing!
If you love the hardwood look but need a more budget-friendly option, there are engineered hardwood flooring options available. These boards have the same design and finishes as solid wood flooring, but are made differently, which helps to bring down their installation cost. This flooring option is constructed with a thin piece of solid wood on the top and bottom with 5 to 7 layers of plywood in the center to make up its core. Engineered wood floors are still durable, but will need to be replaced sooner than real hardwood. Unlike real hardwoods, these typically cannot be sanded and refinished after being manufactured.
Where is the best location to install hardwood flooring?
Thinking of going with hardwood flooring? The good news is that there’s tons of versatility in where you can install this flooring type in your home.
The best locations for hardwood and engineered flooring are:
Living rooms
Bedrooms
Hallways
Home offices
Hardwood flooring, along with engineered, installed in these rooms are sure to make a statement. Not only are these planks perfect for holding up against the high traffic, but they make the space feel bigger and more inviting. Plus, adding hardwood flooring in these rooms is a great way to bring more texture into your home.
Areas that are not recommended for hardwood flooring are:
Bathrooms
Laundry rooms
Foyers/mudrooms
Basements
Water and moisture are the bane of hardwood floors’ existence. When exposed to consistent water and moisture, hardwood floors will warp and expand to rise and separate from the subfloor. Not to mention, excessive moisture can also cause the wood to rot overtime.
While it’s not the end of the world if you accidentally spill some water on your hardwood flooring from time to time, putting planks in moisture-prone rooms such as these will cause more severe damage.
2. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring offers a plethora of designs and styles meant to mimic the appearance of real wood, stone, or tile flooring. This flooring option is built with synthetic materials that feature an image of wood, stone, or tile on top to give the planks the visual appearance you’re wanting. If you’re needing a true budget-friendly alternative to real hardwood floors but don’t mind a little maintenance, laminate flooring is one to consider.
Laminate flooring is easy to install, but will need to be replaced a lot faster than real hardwood flooring. The typical lifespan of laminate floors is between 15 to 25 years with proper maintenance and care. While laminate floors are durable and advertised as scratch-resistant and water-resistant, this flooring actually needs to be free from water as much as possible.
Just like engineered flooring, laminate floors exposed to water can warp and damage easily. The top plastic surface of laminate flooring can withstand water, but still absorb it over time. It’s important to clean up spills immediately and to never mop these floors. If you need to clean your laminate flooring, a little spot cleaning with a damp cloth is all you need!
If you have indoor pets, this flooring is not recommended. One of the most common causes of damage to Laminate is urine from pets. But, the great news is there is a flooring option other than hardwoods, that will work great for you, Luxury Vinyl Plank!
Where is the best location to install laminate flooring?
Just like engineered and hardwood flooring, laminate floors can be installed in multiple rooms. The key is to be selective of the right rooms to ensure longevity, function, and prevent damage or swelling.
The best rooms for laminate flooring are:
Living rooms
Bedrooms
Kitchens (if waterproof)
Hallways
Home offices
Basements (with some exceptions)
Since laminate floors have the capability to withstand high traffic rooms, they can be installed in the majority of your home. It’s possible to place laminate flooring in your basement as long as you take precautions to reduce moisture buildup in this room by installing the right subfloor and putting the laminate on top.
Before installing laminate flooring in your basement, we highly recommend speaking to a professional to examine this space. Home remodeling professionals will observe your basement and make any necessary adjustments to keep moisture levels maintained if you’re wanting laminate in the basement, or they will advise you on the next best alternative.
Rooms we recommend not placing laminate flooring in are:
Bathrooms
Laundry rooms
Foyers/Mud rooms
These rooms see a lot of water and moisture that will damage your laminate floors quickly and cause them to need replacement much quicker.
3. Vinyl Flooring (Luxury Vinyl Plank)
If you’re looking for flooring options to put in the moisture-prone areas of your home for a consistent floor design, vinyl is the solution. Vinyl flooring is constructed similarly to laminate in that it features several layers of 100% synthetic materials, though laminate flooring is made with layers of wood byproducts. With proper maintenance, you can expect your vinyl flooring to last between 20 to 30 years.
Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of planks or sheets and even tiles. This type of flooring has maximum durability since it’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant, which means there’s no shortage of where it can be installed. While laminate flooring mimicking hardwood is obvious that it’s not the real deal, vinyl flooring’s aesthetic looks more realistic and luxurious.
Where is the best location to install vinyl flooring?
Anywhere! Vinyl flooring is a superior choice for your home since its qualities are able to withstand moisture-prone and high traffic areas. Since vinyl flooring is waterproof, these planks or sheets make excellent bathroom flooring. Vinyl flooring can also be installed over concrete in the basement if you’re wanting to bring the hardwood floor look to this area.
4. Tile Flooring
If you’re wanting to remodel your home to include a luxurious, stunning pattern on the floors, tile flooring is a fun option that can last longer than 20 years before needing to be refinished. Tiles are great alternatives to vinyl flooring in the bathroom since they are also waterproof and elevates your personal style with their patterns and designs.
There are plenty of tile flooring options available to mimic other styles of flooring, such as stone and wood, to create a room that fits your aesthetic. Tiles are ultra durable and feature a long lifespan that requires little maintenance to preserve. Installation of tiles is very tedious and time consuming, which plays a factor in their higher cost than other types of flooring.
Where is the best location to install tile flooring?
Similar to vinyl flooring, tile floors can be installed in any room of the house. They are perfect choices for your bathrooms and kitchens to add character and design while holding up to the water and moisture. Tile floors are more costly to install, which is why they work best in bathrooms or smaller rooms that don’t have a lot of surface area.
5. Carpet
The types of flooring available for your floor refresh aren’t limited to hardwood and tile. Carpet is still a standout flooring choice to consider for your home.
This plush flooring has been around for decades and is not going anywhere any time soon. Instead of providing a solid, hard surface like its counterparts, carpet is constructed of piles that range in height from small to medium and large to add plush and comfort to your rooms. The average lifespan for carpeting is between 10 to 15 years, though by treating stains as soon as they occur and choosing the right shades, your carpet can last much longer.
Small carpet pile is short and dense, which gives the carpet a flatter appearance. Medium carpet pile is slightly taller and softer and provides more comfort to the ground. High carpet pile is the tallest and contains the most plush and fluffy look. It is also extra comfortable to walk on thanks to the fuller piles.
Where is the best location to install carpet flooring?
Carpet is a type of flooring that is only meant for specific rooms of the house.
The best rooms for carpet are:
Living rooms
Bedrooms
Hallways
Home offices
Even though these are high traffic areas of the home, carpet is able to withstand the daily wear and tear of these rooms. One important factor to consider when selecting carpet for these rooms is possible damage from dirt and spills. Certain carpet shades will show dirt and stains more easily than others. To preserve the appearance of your carpet (and make those stains less visible), darker colors are always best.
Rooms to avoid installing carpet in are:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry rooms
Foyers/mud rooms
Basements
Since these rooms are more prone to water exposure and moisture, it can cause mold to build up underneath your carpet. Not to mention, some of these rooms see a lot of dirt and mud, which will damage your carpet’s appearance quickly.
Ready to See New Floors?
Does your home need to see a change in floors? Let Keith Smith Construction take over your project!
Our team of home remodeling experts knows what it takes to help you find the perfect flooring that captures your personality and style to bring life to your home. Whether you’re looking for a complete remodel or a one-room update, we will walk with you throughout the whole journey to give your floors the refresh it deserves.
Schedule your Ballpark Estimate phone call today to start your project.