The Benefits and Drawbacks of Different Types of Flooring

 

It may be that time again to replace the flooring in your home and even though there are several types of floor textures to choose from, you should weigh the benefits of hardwood, carpeting, and linoleum before choosing. Flooring is something that is going to be in your home for presumably, many years and you should be completely satisfied with your choice because you will literally have to live with it. Whether it’s for the living area, master bedroom or kitchen there are pros and cons of each type of flooring, which I have listed below:

• Hardwood: Around 47% of people who answered a survey said they prefer hardwood floors in their houses and over 90% favor tile or wood for the kitchen floor. The main benefit of hardwood floors is they are easy to clean, especially if there is a spill and you don’t usually have to worry about stains if you have a hardwood floor like you would if you had carpet. Although there are many types of hardwood floor textures to choose from and most are quite lovely, they can be a nuisance when it comes to winter time; getting out of bed in the mornings and putting your feet down on an ice-cold floor can be jolting. Your best bet, if you absolutely must have this type of flooring, would be to get plenty of area and throw rugs to ward off the chill.

• Carpeting: Studies have proven that carpets reduce allergens in the home, at one point carpet usage decreased in Sweden and afterward allergic reactions in the population increased by 30%. Carpeting also keeps your home nice and cozy in the winter time by helping to trap heat in by preventing warm air from seeping out through your floors. Another great thing about carpeting is the variety, there is an almost endless assortment of carpet textures, carpet designs and carpet patterns to choose from. The downside to choosing carpeting for your floors is that it has to be replaced more often than hardwood or linoleum because of general wear and tear, as well as stains from accidental spills.

• Linoleum: Generally, homeowners like to install linoleum in areas like the kitchen because it is easy to clean, very resistant to water, and much less expensive than alternatives. The best thing about linoleum is that it is made of all natural materials and completely biodegradable, which is wonderful for anyone with an avid interest in recycling. The biggest drawback would be installation, it is a difficult floor type to install and takes a lot of skill to get it just right, it would probably be a good idea to contact carpet and flooring installation companies to get a quote before trying to take on this project by yourself.

• Tile: When it comes to tile flooring, not only are there many tile floor textures to choose from, like stone or ceramic, but also patterns and colors. Tile flooring is very durable, it can also be used for counter tops and has a wide price range depending on what you choose. A big negative about tile floors is that the grout attracts stains and can be difficult to clean, There are products on the market that help clean the grout between tile but it is still a bit of a chore to take care of. Also, any delicate dishes or objects that are dropped on a tile floor are almost guaranteed to shatter, linoleum does provide a little more cushion in this area.

Now that you have a few facts about the different types of flooring and their main benefits and drawbacks you will be able to make a more informed decision. Once you decide what floor you will be happiest with in your home for the next 20 plus years you can move on to choosing floor textures, colors, or patterns. It’s is much less overwhelming if you take it one step at a time because replacing your floor is a big project and with all the choices available can easily become tedious.