Before choosing a material for your home’s flooring, you should know a few things about it, such as how long it will last before needing to be replaced. It also helps to understand how to maintain the different types of flooring you’re considering. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of some popular flooring options for your home.
Hardwood
According to Classic Floor Designs, hardwood flooring increases your home’s value and can last a long time when it’s well-maintained. Some hardwood flooring has stood the test of time over 100 years. Hardwood floors work for any type of interior design. You can adjust the appearance of the wood through staining and sanding. Hardwood flooring is more expensive than other options. If you have pets, their claws may scratch the floors. You’ll need to refinish them every once in a while to treat the scratches and nicks. Hardwood flooring is also vulnerable to moisture.
Laminate
According to Footprints Floors, laminate is an inexpensive and more resilient alternative to hardwood flooring. It resists scratches, stains and dents. Laminate flooring is also easy to clean. Compared to ceramic tile, it feels soft and warm underfoot. Laminate flooring is available as faux wood and faux tile. It can resist water better than hardwood, but it will still warp or stain from standing water. Although this type of flooring is attractive, most people say that hardwood and ceramic tile are superior in terms of appearance. Cheap flooring of this material typically needs to be replaced after 10 years, and it can’t be refinished like hardwood can.
Tile
Tile flooring is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms because it has excellent resistance to water and stains. This type of flooring comes in many shapes and colors, so you can find tile that works in your space. Tile doesn’t absorb dirt or stains, and quality tile lasts 20 years or longer. If you choose unglazed tile, then you must seal it to prevent water damage. Sealant is what protects the tile from water. Sealing the grout is important too because if water gets into unsealed grout, it can cause mold growth and weaken the tiles. The type of flooring that’s right for your home depends on your lifestyle, budget and personal preferences.
All of the above flooring types are fairly easy to clean and maintain. Hardwood requires the most maintenance among the three since it will need refinishing if it collects a lot of scratches. However, any of these can be classic, beautiful choices in flooring.
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