Choosing flooring for your home can be exciting, but it can also be panic inducing. There are so many choices and each has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. To further complicate the process, there is no one-floor-fits-all kind of product. The flooring that looks spectacular in your best friend’s entryway may be disastrous in yours. Personal style and individual needs certainly factor into any flooring decision. Here we take a look at some of the most common options and offer suggestions on how best to incorporate them in your home.
Carpet
Wall-to-wall carpeting, with its many styles, textures, and design is one of the most popular flooring choices for homes. When you stop to think about it, it’s no surprise that carpet is so favored. The softness and warmth of carpet is inviting and it gives homes of any size a welcoming feel.
Carpeting is especially well suited for rooms such as the bedroom, living room, and recreation room. The stairs are another area where carpet works well, as it helps prevent slipping. In the bedroom, many people find it comforting to step out of a cozy bed and onto a soft surface rather than a cold, hard floor. This is a matter of preference, though. It’s also good to keep in mind whether or not a carpeted area might see a lot of stains. Kid bedrooms, for instance, may be better off with hard flooring and an area rug or mats that can be taken out and cleaned when necessary.
Variety and cost are two other big considerations when it comes to carpeting. Carpet comes in countless piles, materials, textures, patterns, and colors. It also comes in a wide range of quality and durability levels. When choosing carpet, be sure to give consideration to all of these aspects, as well as the price. Just because you’re spending top dollar, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get carpet that will wear well in the area you’re putting it in. For example, a pricey shag carpet may look stunning in your high traffic living room for a short time, but will likely wear down quickly and become far less impressive. It’s good to keep in mind that carpeting is costly. You probably don’t want to change it on a regular basis. Select something that will stand up to your lifestyle and will suit your tastes for years to come.
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Hardwood
There is a reason hardwood floors are highly coveted. The aesthetic of hardwood can be very impressive, and even old hardwoods that have been well cared-for make quite a statement. In fact, many homebuyers specifically seek out homes with hardwood floors, and with good reason. Although the initial installation can be expensive, having them in your home can increase its value- as long as they’re properly maintained.
Hardwood flooring comes in a whole host of colors and styles, and usually comes in three varieties: strip, plank, and parquet. The width of the individual strips of flooring vary and there is a wide array of finishes available to fit a range of personal styles.
People who suffer from dust or pet allergies can benefit from having hardwood flooring as there is less buildup of allergens on these floors than there is in carpet. Having hardwoods also makes floor cleaning easier, as sweeping and an occasional polishing is usually all that’s necessary. On the downside, hardwoods don’t always stand up well to heavy traffic, so households with children or pets may want to think twice. Hardwood floors can be dinged, dented, and scratched fairly easily. Refinishing is an option, but is costly and messy. It’s also important to note that hardwood floors are noisier, so you may still want to install area rugs in certain spots.
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Tile
Ceramic or porcelain tiles are a durable and stylish flooring choice. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a myriad of styles, shapes, sizes, finishes, and colors. Many people choose to go with tile flooring due to its durability. It works well in high traffic areas and spots that tend to get wet, such as the entryway, bathroom, kitchen, or mudroom. Even better, if a section of tile flooring gets damaged, just that section can be taken out and replaced; the repair doesn’t usually require a complete flooring overhaul.
Tile floors offer a lot of room for individuality and can be as basic or intricate as you like. To make your flooring ultra-personalized, tiles can be mixed, matched and arranged in unique patterns. Some tile flooring is even easy enough for a handy homeowner to install on their own. The biggest drawback of having tile floors is that they are cold underfoot. Most often you wouldn’t use tiles in an area where you want a cozy feel. They can also be somewhat noisy to walk on and may chip or crack if they are hit hard.
Although this guide gives you a brief overview of some of the most popular flooring options on the market today, flooring choice comes down to personal preference. There are, of course, many more selections out there. Do your research and choose the floors that best fit your lifestyle. Once you know which is right for you, LA Carpet is the place to go for great prices on a professional installation.
