5 Types of Flooring to Use in Your Home

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When you are choosing the best type of flooring for your home, there is a lot to consider. It will depend on the room that the flooring is being fitted in, as well as the household needs and the budget that you have to spend, of course! It is easy to get swept away by the more beautiful types of flooring options that are available, but generally, you will find that beautiful, resilient types of flooring material (which are also durable) are the most expensive.

So, you may need to be a bit smarter and not get swept up in the glitz and glamour that comes with purchasing these types of products. You can easily mix and match the different types of flooring you have in your home without paying through the nose. This will help you to keep your home in the best condition. There are different flooring types that are suited to other parts of the home and can keep your home looking stylish without succumbing to issues relating to foot traffic, humidity, or damage.

Whether you are making over your newly bought home or you are building your home from scratch, here are five types of flooring that you can use in your home, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each flooring type.

1. Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is incredibly popular in homes, not only because it looks gorgeous but because it suits many different types of design schemes. Homes with more modern interior design ideas may want a hardwood floor that is more varnished. Or you can go a bit more contemporary and have a rustic feel to your home with a hardwood floor that is left bare. With varying hues and tones, hardwood is a very durable material. Check out aflooringboutique.co.uk for more ideas about hardwood flooring.

Advantages

Hardwood has a versatile look and depending on the type of wood, it can be matched to fit in with any type of interior design. Hardwood flooring can also increase the resale value of your home.

Disadvantages

It can be costly to fit, and its upkeep requirements can turn many people from having it in their homes.

2. Laminate

Laminate flooring is growing in popularity. It is made from layers of high-density fibreboard that are pressed together. This is then laminated with a photographic image which is then sealed under a tough, wear-resistant coating. The photographic image might be stone or wood, and it can give you a wooden floor effect without the price tag.

Advantages

Its key advantage is its price and the anti-scratching properties that it offers. As well as being easy to install, it can be a great choice for a busy household with children or pets.

Disadvantages

Some laminate flooring types can feel cold or hard. If it is not laid correctly, it can be noisy or clunky. It is also not suitable for use in a bathroom or kitchen due to humidity issues in the fiber wood, which can cause warping.

3. Real Stone

Solid stone flooring offers a practical long-term flooring solution that is also stylish, making it ideal for modern homes and kitchen and bathroom environments due to it being humidity and water-resistant. There are different types which include limestone, slate, and marble, all of which have their own requirements for upkeep. However, all of them can bring real character to the home.

Advantages

If the flooring is laid correctly, it should last forever. It can add value to your property, but it is porous and must be adequately sealed.

Disadvantages

Like hardwood, it can be very costly to lay. Cracks and chipping can cause the overall costs to spiral. It is also not advised to have real stone laid in a home with children due to potential injuries if they fall.

4. Tile

Having a tiled floor is a durable and contemporary option, especially for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Looking like real stone, tiles can be of any color or hue to match the surrounding environment and can enhance features. You can even have tiles that resemble marble! 

Advantages

The key advantage of having a tiled floor is the design element that it offers. Tiles come in a range of colors, patterns, and feel, adding warmth and space to even the smallest home. Ceramic tiles are resistant to dents, scratches, and moisture. They are also a low-maintenance flooring option and are also very easy to clean.

Disadvantages

It can be expensive, depending on the type of tiling that you want. It is ideal for people who are in hot climates as it has a cool feel, but as it is a permanent option, if you live in a colder environment, it can be expensive to have it changed to keep your home feeling warm.

5. Concrete

You may associate it with the flooring in your garage, but it doesn’t have to be reserved for that area. Concrete is an ideal and striking addition to open-plan kitchens, living rooms, and even patios.

Advantages

Concrete is a more affordable option, and it can add a post-modern feel to any room. It is durable and therefore suitable for higher traffic areas of your home while also being scratch and crack resistant, making it ideal for homes with dogs or other pets.

Disadvantages

Having concrete laid in your home is a permanent option. It can be extremely expensive to remove and is not suited for homes with children as it is not the smoothest or softest surface for them to land on if they fall.

Conclusion

When choosing the right flooring for your home, the first key thing to consider is your budget; what can you really afford that will add value to your home? Then you will need to consider the traffic in the area where the flooring is being laid. Of course, other aspects such as the presence of children or elderly relatives may also influence the type of flooring that you choose. So shop around, and spruce up your home.