Top 6 Home Flooring Materials: Pros and Cons
Choosing the right floor for your house can be a tricky affair as there are so many options available in the market these days.
Therefore, it is important to make well-informed decisions while choosing a flooring material. There are many factors that need to be considered before you select a particular flooring material.
Choosing the right flooring is an important aspect of bringing together the entire look of a space, and they should provide you with the right functionality as well. It won’t be wrong to say that the right flooring material can make or break a room, but it can be tough to pick one with so many options to choose from.
Here are the pros and cons of some common flooring materials to help you make a decision.
- Tiles
Pros:
Tile is extremely durable, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of styles. It’s water-resistant and can be used in rooms where there is moisture, such as in the kitchen or bathroom.
Porcelain tile is denser than ceramic tile and less prone to staining because it’s fired at a higher temperature during production. A ceramic tile is an affordable option for homeowners who want the look of stone or marble without the heavy price tag.
Cons:
Tile can crack with extreme impact or if heavy furniture is dragged across it. It can also become slippery when wet, so it may not be the best choice for families with small children or older residents. Tile also doesn’t do well in rooms that experience a lot of foot traffic as it can easily become scratched. Another downside of tile is its cold and hard surface.
2. Hardwood
Pros:
If you’re looking for a natural, timeless flooring option, hardwood is your best bet. There are plenty of different types of wood and colors to choose from when it comes to hardwood, so you can find something that fits with the aesthetic of your home.
Hardwood floors are extremely durable and can last for decades if properly maintained. You can easily refinish them when they start to look worn, which also makes them a highly sought-after feature by homebuyers.
Hardwood floors are also easy to clean and maintain.
Cons:
Hardwood isn’t the best option for every room in the house though. Since it’s not waterproof, you’ll want to keep it out of rooms like bathrooms and laundry rooms where there’s a higher chance of water damage.
Heavy furniture can also dent hardwood floors more easily than other types of flooring, so if you have heavy furniture that will sit on hardwood floors for extended periods of time, this may not be the best option for your home.
3. Carpet
Pros:
Carpet is soft and quiet underfoot, making it popular in bedrooms and family rooms. It provides excellent insulation from sound and temperature changes.
Carpet is warm on the feet, which makes it great for colder climates or rooms that aren’t heated very much. Carpet comes in a huge variety of colors, textures, styles, and grades to fit any budget.
Carpet provides a slip-resistant surface that improves traction and minimizes the risk of falls caused by slippery hard surface floorings like wood or tile.
Cons:
Carpet absorbs spills more quickly than hard surfaces, which can lead to staining if not cleaned up properly.
Not all stains can be removed from the carpet; some may need to be professionally “power-washed” out at considerable cost.
Requires regular vacuuming and a professional cleaning to maintain the appearance and remove dirt, dust mites, and allergens.
4. Laminate Flooring
Pros:
Laminate flooring is a composite material made to look like hardwood. It is made of wood byproducts and plastics that are bonded together with heat and pressure.
Laminate flooring is much cheaper than real hardwood, cork, bamboo, or other natural products. The price varies depending on the brand and style.
Laminate flooring is one of the most beautiful flooring types that can be installed at an affordable price. This type of flooring consists mostly of wood, is resistant to burns, scratches, and heat, and is very easy to maintain. Laminate floors are also very durable, lasting from 15–25 years with proper care and maintenance.
Cons:
Laminate flooring isn’t as strong as real wood. One of the main complaints about laminate is that it doesn’t hold up well over time, especially in high-traffic areas of the home. It scratches more easily than hardwood and dents more easily than vinyl.
Because laminate is not wood, it cannot be sanded and refinished like hardwood can. Once the flooring is worn, scratched, or damaged in any way, you must replace it.
One thing that all homeowners must keep in mind is that laminate is susceptible to moisture damage. If water gets into the cracks between planks or sits on your laminate floor for too long, it can cause warping or cupping, making it necessary to replace the material.
5. Vinyl Flooring
Pros:
Luxury vinyl flooring offers the appearance of hardwood or stone floors but without the cost and maintenance. This resilient, easy-to-clean material is available in planks, tiles, and sheet vinyl.
Vinyl flooring is durable and stands up well to heavy traffic. It’s also comfortable underfoot and reduces noise.
Vinyl is resistant to water, mold, and mildew damage, and it requires little maintenance. It’s also simple to clean with soap and water or standard floor cleaner. When spills happen, they wipe up easily without staining or discoloring the material.
Cons:
Though vinyl floors are durable, easy to install and maintain, they can’t be refinished. You also can’t remove scratches. If your vinyl flooring is damaged, you may need to replace the entire sheet.
Vinyl flooring may yellow over time due to sunlight exposure so it isn’t ideal for sunrooms or rooms with large windows that let in lots of light.
Some types of vinyl flooring are installed using adhesives which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause allergies or other health issues.
6. Marble
Marble is a type of natural stone often used for countertops and tiles. Being a natural stone coming from the earth, it has its own unique characteristics. Marble is softer than granite and may scratch or chip easier, but it does have its positives as well. The following are some of the pros and cons of marble.
Pros:
Marble comes in several different colors and varieties, so it can easily be matched with other design elements in your home. It also has a very elegant look to it, so if you’re going for a classy design this could be perfect for you.
In addition, marble is very easy to care for because it doesn’t require sealing as granite does. It can simply be cleaned with a damp towel or mop.
Cons:
One of the main drawbacks to marble flooring is that marble is softer than granite and therefore more prone to scratches and chips from dropped items or pets’ nails. The other drawback is that marble can be expensive depending on where you live and the quality of the marble itself.
How to Choose The Right Flooring For Your Home-
The aesthetic and underfoot feel will play a big role in what flooring options are most appealing to you, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that you consider. Keep in mind the following factors when choosing the flooring material for your home so that you can make a smart decision that will serve you well for years:
Your Budget
Your Lifestyle
Whether you have kids or pets
Where will the flooring be installed (Whether the flooring will be installed in a high-moisture area)
How much regular maintenance the flooring will require?
We recommend consulting and working with a flooring professional to avoid any risks and mistakes when it comes to flooring as it is a long-term investment and a focal point of a home.
If you’re looking to renovate the flooring of your house, you can try Saralbuild.
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We also have an extensive guide that describes all aspects related to flooring in great detail.
