Guide To Flooring Materials

By Author: Susan Hu
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Installing new floors or carpeting makes a dramatic change when it comes to fixing up the home. There are many options and materials available to choose from, which depend on what rooms of the house is getting the upgrade. Floors encounter the most wear and tear, especially if shoes are worn in the house. These are the areas of the home that can look the most ragged and are tell-tale signs of aging whether is the scuffed worn surfaces or the dated pattern that are undeniably circa past its prime. Installing new floors is not a cheap project so it's important to do some research and take your time selecting the best product for your home that will provide looks, durability, and comfort.
Manufactured Tiles
When it comes to the kitchen or bathroom, tiles are usually the way to go. As they are resistant to moisture, long lasting, easy to care for, tiled floors (made from ceramic, glass, marble, granite, or slate) are commonly found in the kitchen and bathroom. Natural stone tile can cut from materials like granite or marble they look uniquely beautiful, however they expensive, porous - meaning they may stain easily, ...
... and can be fragile. Ceramic tile is very popular and has been made for hundreds of years from materials that come from the earth, which is shaped, coloured and then fired at high temperatures, and can be glazed or unglazed. Porcelain is a form of ceramic but it is a made from finer materials and fired at a higher temperature so that it is much stronger and highly resistant to moisture and staining, scratching or fading. It can be made in a huge variety of different colours and patterns and can be made to look like specific types of stone tall for a less expensive option.

Hardwood

Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices for many areas in the home. However, wood flooring is not really suitable for the kitchen or bathroom areas because it can fall prey to water damage. Hardwood floors can be made from different types of wood, oak being the most common, although other types such as: oak, birch, beech, maple, and even pine are used. Hardwood flooring is a high quality and durable floor system which is long lasted and can be refinished more than once after many years of wear to look like new (if not standard and not engineered).

Cork and Bamboo Flooring

Less expensive and touted as a green friendly choice, cork and bamboo type flooring are popular options being comparable to hardwood with similarly desirable qualities and advantages. Cork is softer to walk on, warm to the touch and very durable. It comes from the bark of the cork oak tree and has a textured surface that feels natural and comfortable. Because it is rugged and textured, it resists scuffs and stains and hides dust. It also absorbs sound. They can also be found in the kitchen, as well as other high traffic areas. Like cork, bamboo has a similar hardness to regular hardwood floors. However, it is more prone to scratching but it can be stained like regular wood to result in many options.

Laminate Floors

A solid, long-lasting flooring material, laminate is made up of laminated layers that are glued and hard-pressed together (similar to a laminate kitchen counter top). They typically can resist a high amount of pressure, are pretty much stain proof and also do not fade from sunlight over time since they are UV resistant. Laminate can come in plank or tile form and be engineered to resemble many types of wood floor grain or even stone tiles.

Carpeting

The warmth of wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms during the cold months of the year is hard to beat. Wool, wool-blend, and synthetic carpets each offer different advantages and disadvantages. Wool may be less resistant to water damage, but it's more expensive and has less resistance to stains than some synthetics. Regardless, high traffic areas will cause wear and tear over the years. It's also not suitable for areas in the home that come into contact with moisture or that are prone to spills such as the kitchen; constantly wet areas like the basements may lead to deterioration either from moisture, mildew or mold. Carpets, however, can be relatively easily cleaned and repaired.

There are many different styles, patterns, types, and textures of carpet to choose from, which include: cut pile, berber, and patterned. Of cut-pile, there are Saxony, sculptured Saxony, textured, and frieze styles; these refer to how the yarn or tuft is cut to create a specific length, texture and direction of the nap (yarn); frieze styles include shag and cable. Loop carpet or berber is made of level and multi leveled loops and are desired for a fleck colouring and woven appearance. Patterned or cut and loop carpet use a combination of both as the name indicates, and they along with berber types will show more seams than Saxony, textured, or frieze carpets.

Everyone has their individual tastes and preferences when it the ideal type of flooring or floor covering for the home. Figuring out this preference and taking the step to invest in the type of home improvement is no small task. The multitude of options and choice can be confusing and the amount of research necessary can be daunting. If you're confused, consult a flooring expert from your local flooring company to walk you through the process. Make note of the materials and colours you like from magazines spreads or even the homes of your friends. New floors may take some effort, but the beauty and comfort level they provide make them a worthwhile investment.
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