You know that the flooring you choose for your home can make a world of difference, especially if you choose carefully. There are many flooring solutions out there, from wooden flooring to ceramic tiles to natural stone or even marble, but there’s one flooring type which can work just as well for you, especially if you are on a budget and don’t want to deal with a high-maintenance floor: vinyl wood flooring. But if you are still unconvinced and would like to know more about your different flooring options, here’s a list of the most popular choices in flooring for your home.
- Porcelain or ceramic tile flooring
Porcelain or ceramic tile can be a natural choice for bathrooms and kitchens, and many homeowners have increasingly chosen to install it in their entryways, hallways, and laundry rooms. In terms of style and colour, you do have a lot of choices in regard to ceramic or porcelain tiles. It’s a versatile material, and it can come in a range of designs that include small mosaic tiles to tiles which look like wood. But one thing you have to think about when it comes to ceramic or porcelain tiles is the grouting. If not properly laid out, the grout can wear out over time, and it can become discolored as well. The grout should be periodically sealed so it doesn’t stain. Another aspect about tile is that it is not expensive, but it can require a lot of effort to install and would require suitable sub-flooring as well. Ceramic and porcelain tiles can also be cold and hard to walk on, and they’re not the most comfortable flooring type for bedrooms and living areas or family rooms.
1. Wooden flooring
Traditional wood flooring is arguably the most beautiful type of flooring for many, and it can be installed in almost any room in the home, except perhaps for the kitchen or bathroom, since it can be affected when exposed to a lot of moisture or damp. But wooden flooring can be quite expensive as well, and you would have to have it finished, either with a clear coating or polyurethane. Even when it is finished, wooden flooring can still be prone to scratches, and it is not resistant to moisture, either. Although it’s undoubtedly a naturally beautiful material, it can be hard to maintain and costly, both upon purchase and installation and even for maintenance.
2. Laminate flooring
Laminate floors are another popular type of flooring for some homes, and it’s lower in cost compared to other kinds of floors. It can look like natural wood as it is made with MDF or medium-density fiberboard topped with a layer and with a thick finish made from polymer. Although it can look like wood, laminate is still easily distinguishable from wood, especially if you have a keen eye. Plus, you can’t have it refinished if there is no more layer of finish on it or if it becomes damaged, and it’s not possible to repair it, either. Also, the joints between each plank can be affected by moisture and may chip and swell if water spills are not wiped up right away.
3. Vinyl wood flooring or luxury vinyl flooring
Vinyl wood flooring or luxury vinyl flooring has become more popular today, and it looks and feels better than laminate if you really want that authentic wooden floor appeal. It’s waterproof flooring as well, which makes it ideal even for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, and it can come as planks or tiles, giving it a more realistic look. Vinyl wood flooring also comes in a wide range of styles and finishes, plus it is scratch-resistant, and some manufacturers have even managed to develop vinyl wood flooring which doesn’t get affected by fluctuations in sunlight or temperature, making it ideal for sunrooms and verandas. It’s affordable and virtually maintenance-free, and it can be sound-absorbent as well.
To read more on topics like this, check out the home decor category.
