- Do you know what the difference is between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring?Are you aware of the price differences between marble flooring, wood flooring, tiles, and laminates?
- Do you have young kids, pets, or elderly adults at your home?
- What kind of weather conditions are you living in?
Very few people realize that choosing the flooring for their new homes is a far more complicated task than picking out curtains! However, in spite of it being so important, many are completely unaware of how to go about it.
The basic considerations for choosing a specific type of flooring depends on many factors-
- The function of the flooring
- Budget
- Weather and climatic conditions
- The durability of the flooring
- Habitants in the house
This is the basic starting point, which many consider. However, when it comes to deciding what is best, we get confused and seek help from family and friends.
While their help might be helpful, it might not always be the best. In such instances, it is best to listen to the advice and suggestions offered by experts and professionals.
Important Things To Consider when Choosing Flooring For your Home:
We have spoken about some basic things to consider when choosing the floor in the introductory section. In this section, we will look at some of the more important things which people often overlook.
1. Does the Flooring match the aesthetic appeal of the home?
Every home has a definite personality. To complement the personality, different aspects of the home are chosen carefully. From the wall paint to the furniture, everything has a certain aesthetic attached to it.
It is important that whatever flooring you choose blends with the aesthetic décor and appeal of the home. Most people consider flooring to be an afterthought. However, being such an important part of the home, it should be a top priority.
2. Does the flooring require regular maintenance?
Let us get one thing out of the way- maintenance work related to the flooring is expensive! If you have to do it annually, you will incur heavy costs. This means that you will have to pick flooring, which is good enough and durable and requires little or no maintenance.
Doing the flooring all over again is going to create a mini storm in your life. From rearranging furniture to in-access rooms in the house, it is slowly going to turn into a nightmare. It is best that you consider maintenance options before deciding on one.
3. Do you have to install different flooring in different parts of the house?
Even though this is something which is basic and quite generic, many people do not pay attention to it. You cannot install solid wood flooring in your bathroom! Neither can you install marble flooring on your front porch?
This has a lot to do with form and function. Wooden flooring should not be installed in places where you are going to have a water presence. This is why there are ruts and mosses, which start building on damp and mushy places like basements.
Different Types Of Flooring For New Homeowners:
In the previous sections, we spoke about why it is important to be careful when choosing the right flooring for your new house.
In this section, we will help new homeowners with some examples of the various types of flooring options, which they can consider.
1. Solid Wood Flooring
If you go to some of the best and most luxurious homes, hotels or resorts, you will always find solid wood flooring. This is because there is still no other material which can match the beauty, aesthetic appeal, and durability or a well-maintained solid wood flooring.
It is important to note that solid wood flooring can be a bit expensive. However, you will always end up saving money on them because of their timeless appeal. They are very durable and never go out of fashion!
2. Engineered Wood Flooring
Let us begin with a small quiz- What looks like wood; feels like wood, but is not wood? Engineered Wood is slowly becoming popular amongst people who want to enjoy the look and feel of solid wood flooring in an inexpensive fashion.
It should be noted that as there is plywood, there is a tendency for this to warp and mold. This can shoot up your maintenance budgets remarkably. Other than that, this can be used as flooring in any part of your home except the bathroom.
3. Tile Flooring
In recent years, people who want to experience something new are going for porcelain and ceramic tile options for their flooring. The attraction of tile flooring lies in the number of options that you have.
You can choose from different shapes, looks, and feelings. You can also get a faux wood kind of ceramic tile for your house. However, you should consider the weather options when it comes to tile flooring if you are living in particularly cold climatic regions.
4. Carpeting
Carpeting continues to remain the most popular choice for homeowners when it comes to flooring. They come in different price points, colors, textures, and maintenance schedules. It is easy to see why they are such an attractive proposition.
However, they are also prone to attracting dust, hairs, fur, and other non-healthy airborne particles. People who are becoming slowly conscious when it comes to health issues are avoiding them.
It is proven that they pose health issues and are not good for homes that have people who have breathing-related or asthma problems.
5. Laminate Flooring
Like engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring is also highly in demand because of a number of reasons.
The best laminates might fool you into believing that you are looking and standing on a solid wood floor! The advancement in this technology has made this proposition affordable, attractive, and maintenance friendly.
However, the drawback of this is that this form of flooring has become very common. You are going to see this in every home, apartment, and restaurant, and even in shops. If you want your home to stand out as a special place, laminate flooring is not for you.
Budget Friendly Flooring Options (…For Rented Place)
A home is a home, even if it is rented!
Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t have a cozy, stylish home. The good news is there are lots of budget-friendly flooring options that can spruce up your space and keep your landlord happy. Check out these smart ideas for every type of flooring.
Peel & Stick Vinyl
Suppose you want something quick, cheap, and temporary. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are the way to go. They come in all sorts of styles (I found one that looks like wood planks!) and couldn’t be easier to install.
Within a couple of hours, your gross floor will be transformed into something sleek and modern. And when is the time to move out? Just peel them up off the ground.
For those of us on a rental budget who still want to flex our creative muscles without permanently changing anything. These floor tiles are perfect for you. Did I mention they’re also water-resistant?
Area Rugs And Carpets
You can also consider area rugs. Area rugs are cost-effective, and they add beauty in addition to warmth, comfort, and style to any room.
In fact, area rugs of all shapes, sizes, and designs are available so you’ll definitely find one that works with your interior design tastes.
Area rugs can also cover up old or unattractive flooring that you don’t really want to see all the time.
Easy to clean and take with you when you move. Pro tip: Layering rugs on top of existing carpets can really help transform a blah space.
Laminate Flooring
If you’d like something a bit more permanent (but still affordable), I recommend looking into laminate flooring. It looks just like hardwood but costs considerably less. It’s also really durable and easy to maintain.
Most laminate floors use a click-and-lock installation method that doesn’t require any adhesive or nails and simply floats over the subfloor.
It can be a great weekend DIY project!
Plus, it’s perfect if you’re not up for too much commitment or live in a rental; it removes easily since floors are not technically “glued down.”
Laminate is also great if you have little ones running around on softer soled shoes or paws. Since it doesn’t scratch as easily as some harder surfaces, it’s your worry-free ticket to compulsively clean.
For something super plush, consider foam tiles. Great for bedrooms, playrooms, or workout rooms, foam tiles are soft on the feet and come in various colors.
Choosing The Right Flooring!
By picking the right flooring option for your new home, you can give a defined personality to it. You can also be careful enough to see budgets, maintenance requirements, and other considerations.
We have tried to give the readers an idea of the different flooring options they can consider for their new homes.
From solid wood flooring options to laminates, the new homeowner is surely spoiled for choice!
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