No one type of flooring is ideal for all the rooms in the house. So let us look at the advantage and disadvantages of few popular types of flooring:
1. Hardwood: Solid wood flooring comes in strips or planks. It can be made from any kind of wood such as oak, maple or Purple Heart. Advantage of solid wood flooring is that it looks great in any style of home. It is also durable since it can be refinished. Wood floors are easy to clean. Installation of wooden floor is much easier. Wooden flooring can be used in living rooms, family rooms hall way and bedrooms.
Disadvantage of wood flooring is that they do not stand up to rough handling. When exposed to moisture, may get wrapped; hence cannot be used in bathrooms or laundry rooms. They shrink and swell with change in temperature and are vulnerable to scratches and dents. Hence, require regular maintenance of the floor.
2. Engineered wood: Engineered wood flooring looks like solid wood. It has thin veneer of natural wood on the top with layers of less expensive plywood underneath. Engineered wood is cheaper and sturdier. It comes in wide variety of types and patterns. Advantage of engineered wooden floor is that it is affordable and less sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
Disadvantage is that it can get scratches and dents. It is less durable than solid wood for a long run as it can only be refinished one to three times. Engineered wood can used in living room, family rooms,basements and enclosed porches.
3. Bamboo flooring: Bamboo flooring has become the eco-friendly alternative to wood flooring. Life hardwood, bamboo flooring is available in both solid strips and engineered planks, comes in several patterns. Bamboo flooring is tough but durability varies. The cheaper varieties are vulnerable to scratches and dents. It s available in forms that is easy to install. But the disadvantage is that manufacturers use glues high in harmful formaldehyde.
Bamboo flooring is suitable for living areas, hallways, and bedrooms. However, it may not be sturdy enough to use in a kitchen or mudroom.
4. Cork: Cork flooring comes in two forms – tiles and planks. Advantage of cork flooring is that it is warm, quiet and soft underfoot. It has a natural look and is slip resistant. It is eco-friendly. Cork is vulnerable to moisture. It gets tears and dents easily. Cork flooring can be done bedrooms, kitchens, playrooms, and living areas.
It’s not suitable for wet rooms such as bathrooms or high-traffic areas such as mudrooms.
5. Ceramic tiles: Ceramic tile is made from mixture of clay and shale. It is hard material that comes in different colors, shapes and patterns.
Ceramic tiles are of four main types:
Glazed Ceramic. This type of tile has a glass-like coating which can give the tile any color or texture. Glazed ceramic tile is practically maintenance-free.
Porcelain. This tile is fired at very high temperatures, making it extra-hard and durable. It is available either as glazed or unglazed. Both these types are stain-resistant and they are good for outdoor rooms.
Quarry Tile. This unglazed ceramic tile has a slightly rough texture, making it more slip-resistant than glazed tile.
Terracotta. This unglazed tile comes only in earth tones. It is less durable than other tiles and needs regular sealing to prevent stains.
Ceramic tiles can be used in any style of house. Ceramic tiles can be used in any floors, kitchen, porch and mudrooms as well as baths and laundry rooms.
6. Vinyl flooring: Vinyl is a type of resilient flooring, a material that feels softer under foot. It is made from PVC plastic over a layer of felt and foam. Vinyl is tough material is stands up to moisture and heavy traffic. It is inexpensive, easy to clean and durable. It comes in wide range of
colors and patterns. Vinyl flooring varies in quality. It can have a hollow, echo sound while walking on it. It is not eco-friendly because it is made of PVC. Vinyl can be used in baths and other wet rooms.
7. Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring is thin veneer over layers of plywood or compressed fiber. The top layer is not wood, but photograph under a clear plastic coating. Laminate can look like wood, stone, tile etc. Laminate comes in either plans or tiles. It is easy to clean and requires less maintenance. It can resist scratching and scuffing. It is easy to install even over existing floor. Laminate can be slippery when wet. Laminate cannot be refinished with it wears out. Laminate can be used in kitchen, basement and playrooms, but not in bathroom and laundry room.