Your new home needs new flooring, but which flooring to choose feels like a big decision, doesn’t it? The right type of flooring is one that will be attractive and durable, matching your home’s aesthetic and your personal tastes.
Keep in mind the type of flooring you choose will also have a big impact on the way you maintain your home, so you should be aware of the maintenance needs of each flooring type you’re considering. Below, we’ve listed five types of flooring to consider before choosing one for your house.
1. Hardwood
Hardwood is a classic, timeless material that can last for decades if given the right type of care. Hardwood is also high value and sought after by home buyers. Installing hardwood floors in your home can increase your home’s value. To maintain hardwood flooring, you’ll need to sweep and dry mop on a regular basis, clean up spills as soon as they happen, and put pads on the bottoms of your furniture to prevent your floors from becoming scratched. With proper care, hardwood can last for decades.
2. Carpeting
Carpeting is a comfortable, warm flooring material that homeowners sometimes install in rooms like the bedroom and guest rooms. It’s in these rooms that having soft padding underfoot can make getting into and out of bed a more comfortable experience.
Carpeting also muffles noises, so people who sleep with bed partners can get into and out of bed without bothering the person they’re sleeping with. Carpeting can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, but it needs regular shampooing in order to continue looking its best.
3. Laminate
Laminate is a wood look-alike product that’s made up of layers. The top layer is a clear plastic, while the layer just beneath is a photographic applique that looks like wood. The layers are fused together to create very hard, difficult-to-damage flooring.
Laminate may look like wood, but it has some qualities wood does not have. Some laminate is waterproof and can be wet-mopped. Laminate is very hard to scratch and does not require furniture to have felt protectors installed.
4. Luxury Vinyl Plank
Luxury vinyl plank is another wood look-alike product. Luxury vinyl plank looks so much like real hardwood that it can be difficult to tell the difference. At the same time, luxury vinyl plank is often waterproof and easy to clean. Like laminate, it’s very difficult to scratch. Luxury vinyl plank is often waterproof and is therefore typically installed in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, where moisture can create problems for real hardwood flooring.
5. Stone Tile
Stone tile is made from hard stone like granite or slate. Stone comes in a range of colors, with some types of stone being harder and more durable than others. Some stone tile needs to be periodically resealed, while others do not, but all stone needs to be dry mopped on a regular basis.
Get Flooring Guidance from the Pros
If you want guidance on flooring types for your upcoming remodel, call the professionals at Diamond Hill Builders. We can help you choose the right type of flooring for your home and budget, and we can help you find the right supplier for your needs.
