The Basics Of Flooring Options
There are many different types of flooring options available for the homeowner. Whether you want hardwood flooring, carpeting or ceramic tiles, you have come to the right place. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of flooring available.
Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to installing hardwood flooring in your home, there are many options available. One of the options is solid wood flooring. Another option is engineered flooring, and the final option is laminate flooring. Each of these flooring options has advantages as well as disadvantages.
Solid wood flooring is the most expensive type of hardwood flooring available. This flooring option uses solid pieces of wood that is cut in strips. The advantage to this type of flooring is you are able to sand and refinish this flooring many times. The biggest problem with this type of flooring is the cost of the product and the method of installation. This floor must be nailed down which takes extra energy and time to complete the project.
Engineered hardwood flooring is made by pressing together several layers of hardwood together. One layer is horizontal and the next layer is vertical. This makes the hardwood flooring stronger. The biggest disadvantage of this product is that the flooring can only be lightly sanded to remove surface scratches. However, this product is less expensive than traditional solid hardwood flooring.
Finally, laminate flooring is the least expensive type of hardwood flooring. With this flooring, a thin veneer is applied to the top of the plank in a design similar to hardwood flooring. The remainder of the flooring is made up of fiberboard and a plastic layered bottom. This floor can easily be installed by locking the pieces together.
Tile
There are many different options available when it comes to tile. There are ceramic tiles, marble tiles and glass tiles. These tiles can be placed on the floor or on the wall.
Ceramic tiles can be either glazed or unglazed. Glazed ceramic tiles are shiny in appearance and are the least expensive when it comes to floor tiles. They come in a variety of sizes making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.
Marble tiles are beautiful and simple to install; however, care must be taken once the floor is laid down. Marble will etch if it is exposed to acids. However, marble can be refinished to help restore its luster.
Carpet
There are many options when it comes to carpeting. Whether you choose a loop design carpet or a Berber, you will have a soft surface to walk on. One of the biggest disadvantages of this type of flooring is stains can occur if the stain is not immediately dealt with.
As you can see, there are many different types of flooring options for the homeowner. Before deciding on the type of flooring to install in your home, carefully consider the information above. As with any home improvement, shop around for the best price on installation and warranties.
