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How to Select Flooring

How to Select Flooring – 7 Best Candidates to Choose

by Dylan Johnson

With so many different kinds of flooring types out there, narrowing down your options and finding out how to select flooring can be a challenge.

Not only the options are quite limitless, but the different flooring types would lead you to different outcome and finish.

Some floors can only be installed in a certain room, while others are more flexible able to install in different rooms and sections.

So, it would be wise to understand each flooring specialty, strength, and downsides before you make any decision.

Tile – Perfect Option for Clean up and Budgets

If you don’t want to deal with fussy cleaning and you want something beautiful, and yet also affordable at the same time, the tile would be the most perfect option.

When you learn about how to select flooring, you should know that tile is one of the most popular pick because of some beneficial features.

It has a wide array of options, it is inexpensive and budget-friendly, and it is easily found.

Not to mention that tiles can be made from various materials, including stone and ceramic.

  • Durability

One thing to like about tile is the various size options and availability. You can find smaller tiles that are not more than an inch to bigger ones that are over 12 inches.

In terms of durability, it’s hard to beat the tiles. As a matter of fact, it is the grout that generally the source of issue, but if you can seal it and perform good maintenance system, then you won’t have to worry about anything.

  • Repair Ease

Another likable feature about the tile is the fact that you can always have an easy repair.

Whereas other types of flooring may require you to replace the entire floor, it won’t happen with tiles.

When a crack or chip happens to a tile, simply replace that affected tile. Instead of replacing the entire floor, you only replace one tile.

Not only it saves you money, but it is relatively easy to do.

Read Also: Luxury Vinyl Vs Standard Vinyl Flooring, Which one is Better For You?

Linoleum – Authenticity and Resilience

Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum Flooring

Most homeowners are confused about vinyl and linoleum flooring thinking that they are the same. In reality, they are completely different.

Linoleum is made from all natural components which make it affordable. It also comprises of linseed oil, and it is considered as an environmentally-friendly flooring type. It is waterproof, which makes it perfect for kitchens or bathrooms.

However, you still need to use silicone caulking to seal areas prone of water spills.

Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is a synthetic type. It shares the same affordability and durability as linoleum, but the materials are the things differentiating them.

Linoleum is made from natural materials while vinyl is from synthetic one.

In most cases, linoleum can hold against standing water quite fine. However, problem will start when the water can reach the substrate area, which is underneath the linoleum.

If it happens, it will cause the linoleum to peel. This is another thing to differentiate both. Whereas linoleum requires sealing and extra protection, it is completely different from vinyl.

You don’t need any seal or whatever for this floor. If you want to know how to select flooring between these two types, you need to understand the nature.

  • Vintage Flair

If you are into vintage or retro vibe, then linoleum would be the best pick.

Aside from being one of the toughest and the most resilient flooring type, linoleum is also easy to maintain. Cleaning and maintenance are pretty direct and quite a breeze.

Hardwood – Gorgeous Look and All Round Functions

hardwood flooring reviews
hardwood flooring reviews

Hardwood may not be easy to maintain, but you have to admit that it is one of the most popular options because of the classic beauty and the tough quality construction.

Hardwood has its own natural charm and appeal. Not only it brings warmth and homey atmosphere to a house, but it also brings characters and gorgeous visual appeal.

When you install hardwood at home, rest assured that you have both gorgeous look and also an increased value of the property.

However, such a floor may not be perfect for all homeowners. When you want to know how to select flooring, you should know that hardwood isn’t for areas with high level of humidity and moisture.

It means that installing the floor in the laundry room, the bathroom, and the basement would be a bad idea.

And let’s not forget that the floor is prone to scratches, fading, and dents, so you can’t install it in outdoor setting or in areas with high foot traffic.

The cost for hardwood material and the installation is pretty high. And you have to go the extra miles for sealing the surface to protect it.

But you can always refinish it when you think that it is necessary to save you money from installing a new floor.

Do you think it would be the perfect one for you?

Cork – Foot and Environment Friendly Floor

cork
cork

Cork may not be the most popular option when it comes to flooring. But it has its own appeal and some homeowners believe that it is the right flooring type for them.

Whether you feel that cork would be (or not be) the perfect one for you, you need to ask yourself these questions when deciding on how to select flooring:

  • Do you want a floor that is renewable? The floor is, after all, made from cork oak tree bark during the harvesting period
  • Do you want a warm and soft floor? Cork has this unique cellular structure with its sponge-like shape, allowing it to gets back to the original shape when compressed. This what makes cork resistant to impact.
  • Do you want a floor that can absorb sound, drop impact, or even temperature? Cork can provide natural insulation to the noise. It can also absorb the surrounding temperature so it will make the room stay warm.

Besides those questions, you should also ask yourself these following ones:

  • Do you want a floor that is easily cleaned and maintained? Sweeping the floor is a breeze. If you want to remove stains, simply use a damp cloth and you are good to go.
  • Do you want a floor that is sustainable? The floor is made from natural material which makes it non-toxic
  • Do you want a floor that is beautiful and attractive? Today’s cork flooring is coming in various styles and designs. It is one of the flooring types that are easy to install on your own without you having to hire a professional service.

Bamboo – Green Floor with Great Sustainability

Bamboo
Bamboo

This is another floor that is environmentally friendly, besides the cork flooring. You see.

Bamboo flooring is made from bamboo, one of the fastest-growing grass in the world. But the inside construction is quite tough. Bamboo’s fiber is as hard as hardwood with solid tensile strength.

  • Resistance to Impact

Because of the fibrous cellular structure, bamboo is pretty tough.

In fact, it is considered impact-resistant because of it. The floor generally comes as the engineered wood items available in either planks or tiles.

They are usually available as pre-finished products although some manufacturers may offer them as raw planks.

The latter one is provided to homeowners who want to seal and stain their own floor. If you want a floor that can last for a long time, then choose the pre-finished type.

The manufacturers usually use high-grade finish application that would ensure its longevity.

Concrete – Contemporary Vibe

How to select flooring based on your personal preference and requirements?

Well, you need to consider your personal needs and your budgets. Concrete floor is perfect for those with limited budgets without compromising look or quality.

If you think about sidewalks and garage floors whenever thinking about concrete, then you need to do more researches.

You can choose concrete with stamping or staining design that will make the floor look beautiful. It is no longer plain or boring.

The staining or stamping is the one responsible for the beautiful look.

  • Easy Use and Cleaning

If you use this floor, you can implement a floor with long-lasting beauty. There are tons of different designs, styles, and variants that would be perfect for your home decor.

And you won’t have to worry about any staining or whatsoever. You won’t even have to worry about dropping anything on the floor and create damage.

What about the cleaning?

You simply sweep it with a regular broom or a floor vacuum. A damp mop can also be used to perform deep cleaning.

Read Also: Cali Vinyl Pro LVP Flooring Review

Leather – Unique Flooring

It may not be the most popular flooring option, but it is a real deal. You can use cowhide to handle the high traffic. The floor comes in different sizes.

To improve the look, you can choose the weathered patina or the ones with laser-engraved look.

Unlike other flooring types that will wear out after time, it doesn’t apply to leather flooring. In fact, the more you use it, the better it will be.

So, how to select flooring for this type?

Decide whether it is the right one for your property. It may not be easy to find the right floor for you.

That’s why you need to make a thorough research so you can make a decision.

Once you known how to select flooring type matches your needs, then you are good to go.