When considering flooring the pros and cons need to be evaluated. Flooring can be one of those things you might think what does it matter? But it can and does depending on what room and how you live in your home. Some flooring can be fabulous for one homeowner and horrible for another. Know the pros and cons before you purchase and ask reputable dealer questions to decide what will be best.
Types of flooring
Solid Hardwood– Is solid wood that properly sealed is easy to care for. As it wears over time it can be refinished which is a big plus. It is softer on feet than tile so it would be a wise chose in an open kitchen concept type plan.
Engineered Hardwood – The top layer is hardwood with a tough core of fiberboard. The plus of engineered hardwood is that it is more stable than solid hardwood that expands and shrinks due to humidity. The downside is that the top layer when marred can only be refinished a few times over the life of the product. If in a low traffic area it could be a perfect choice.
Laminate– It is a multi-layer synthetic flooring fused or laminated together to simulate wood or stone. This is an affordable, durable and easy to install flooring.
Tile– it comes in many materials cement, Porcelain, ceramic and stone which allows you to be quite creative with all the options. Tile even now comes in a wood look so if you have a very high traffic area such as a hall it could be a great option for durability. The installation could get pricey and inexpensive tiles can be prone to chipping. Tiles durability and ease of care make it an excellent choice for high traffic areas.
Vinyl flooring-it comes in sheet or tile form and is inexpensive flooring option. It is a little softer than wood or tile and wears well. Purchasing higher quality vinyl tiles will hold up better to a lot of wear and tear look for LVT or LVP (luxury vinyl tiles or luxury vinyl plank). They can be easy to install, but ensuring the subfloor is free of any particles is essential. The downside of vinyl is the use of PVC in the manufacturing that emits VOC (volatile organic compounds).
Cork– made from the bark of the cork oak it is a sustainable flooring option. It is softer underfoot and is resistant to stains and mildew. But if it is not finished properly it can absorb moisture. It also tends to be a more expensive flooring than other options.
All of these flooring options have pros and cons, it’s important to understand them when choosing the material and the area you plan on installing it in.