Types of Flooring Options

Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010

There are many differernt flooring options, including hadwood, laminate, vinyl, cork, etc... But before you dive into choosing a new floor, there are some things you should consider:

What are the conditions where the floor is to be installed?
The purpose of the floor?
Will the floor be exposed to water?
What are the environmental factors the floor would have to withstand?

These are just a few questions you need to consider before making a flooring choice. For example if the flooring installation is intended for the kitchen or a bathroom then it is probably best to stay away from hardwood flooring as the floor would be exposed to moisture. Likewise, if the room has a lot of direct sunlight, then you may want to stay away from area rugs as the color could fade. It is very important to do your research and identify the factors that will affect your floors.

The market today showcases a number of flooring options, but in general, wood, laminate and tile are the most popular.

Tile and Stone:

This is one of the most common types of flooring used today. There are many different compositions available, which have become the standard for certaing applications:

Ceramic tile flooring is usually used in restrooms as it's non-porous.
Marble flooring is commonly used in corridors and even outside.
Porcelain tile flooring is popular for kitchens and common rooms.
Mosaic tiles are often used for backsplashes

Wood Flooring:

Wood is great for bedrooms and most common rooms. Limiting wood's exposure to direct and constant sunlight as well as water is will help ensure your floors last for years. Wood flooring can now last a lifetime when properly installed and cared for. Nothing can give a house the elegance and ambiance like hardwood floors.

Laminate flooring:

The third option available for flooring installation is the laminate flooring. Laminate flooring quickly caught on in the flooring market thanks to its incredible strength, durability and economical advantages. Like wood flooring, laminate flooring demands extra care and is a bit high maintenance. Laminate flooring is actually the covering of the floor with a synthetic material.