Laminate is versatile, durable and inexpensive - making it a popular, contemporary choice. Laminate is made of bonded layers and uses several materials, including wood, resin and paper which are all compacted together and then carved into planks.
The wood-like surface of a laminate floor is actually a picture that's been printed onto the top layer. Because laminate is easy to clean and very durable, it's often preferred for kitchens, bathrooms, mud rooms and any other area that has to hold up under a lot of traffic.
2. Hardwood
Rich and warm hardwood is a classic favorite. With care and maintenance, it rarely needs to be replaced and will even increase in beauty over time despite the foot traffic over it.
There are two types of hardwood floors - engineered and solid hardwood. Engineered floors are made like plywood, by gluing or laminating several thin sheets of wood together. Meanwhile, solid hardwood floors are made from solid pieces of wood which are milled to standard building specifications. Typically, engineered floors are less expensive than solid hardwood.
3. Tiles
Tile gives the beauty of a natural product along with a durability that's priced accordingly. Best for high-traffic or spill-prone areas, tile is easy to clean and remarkably strong. Homeowners like the variety of design patterns available to them along with the color combination possibilities.
Remember, choose a tile that's "rated" for the room where you're installing. For example, some tile is rated for light traffic areas like bathroom floors while others are rated for heavy traffic spots like commercial zones or busy homes.
4. Carpet
Carpet is warm, comfortable, stylish and often luxurious. It provides additional insulation, softens noise and offers innumerable design and color options.
When selecting a carpet, you should base your choice on the fiber, which is the type of material used in the carpet; the pile, which is the height of the carpet; the density, which is the number of fibers per square inch and; the texture, which is the style or manner in which the fibers are looped, gathered and cut. Carpet typically comes in wool, nylon, olefin, polyester and acrylic fibers with most homeowners opting for stain-resistant treatments.
5. Vinyl
Floors that are made from vinyl material will fit the budget of most people, last a long time, and are able to handle the daily traffic punishment of feet scampering through day after day. The styles are available in large varieties, offering a homeowner a lot of flexibility on patterns. As for cleaning and ongoing attractiveness, vinyl floors only need to be swept and mopped.
There are several options available to produce flooring that give you home a special look when walking into a room. You certainly don't need to limit your choices to only one for the entire house. In fact, a combination of three or more types of flooring can add a touch of class when selected tastefully.
Carpets have been around for a very, very long time – one carpet from the fifth century BC still survives today, and there is evidence that carpets had been made for thousands of years before that. These carpets were more decorative than the practical version we know today, however, and they were often hung on walls as a kind of art. It was only in the 18th century that carpets became really popular as a floor covering.
Although carpet’s popularity has fallen in recent years, it is still one of the most popular floor coverings in the world. Unfortunately, carpet has had a lot of problems along the way, most of them to do with cleaning.
Cleaning a carpet, you see, is surprisingly difficult. Over time, they can get dirt and dust trapped deep inside their fibres, in a way that is very difficult for any type of cleaning product to remove, although the technology is still advancing all the time. A bad carpet can make a whole house dusty, playing havoc with anyone who has allergies, and making it very difficult to keep the place clean.
Carpet has also got a reputation for being stuffy and unfashionable-looking, thanks to the garishly patterned carpets of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Although nice looking carpets exist, many people prefer to just move away altogether to wooden flooring, or laminate.
If you’re thinking of getting a carpet, the most important thing to consider is what material it is made of, as that makes all the difference between a good carpet and a bad one. Most importantly, the best carpets are made from natural materials, such as wool and cotton, while cheaper ones are made from man-made substitutes. Carpet is one of those things where if you’re planning to go for the cheapest option, it’s best to avoid it altogether, as it will be truly terrible. Cheap laminate is simply much better than cheap carpet, and if price is an issue for you, it’s an option you’d be better off considering.
Both John Rutledge & John Gibb are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Rutledge has sinced written about articles on various topics from Install Flooring, Used Car and Home Renovation Ideas. For information on practical home flooring ideas, please visit www.home-flooring-styles.com, a popular site providing great recommendations concerning flooring renovation options such as. John Rutledge's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
John Gibb has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adware, Legal Matters and Family. John Gibb is the owner of , For more information on carpets please check out. John Gibb's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.