Flooring - Choices to Fit Your Lifestyle

Laminate, tile, peel and stick, and carpet all have one thing in common. They are all the flooring the makeup your house. Figuring out what will work best route your home for really depends on your lifestyle and your taste. There are many options to choose from and while not all of them but it is for everyone, everyone will be able to find something that suits them best. To figure out what is best for you and your home you should check out each type and their pros and cons.

Probably one of the most popular types of flooring is carpet. It's completely understandable, because there is nothing like walking barefoot across the carpet. While its warmth and softness are huge pluses when you're trying to determine what you should have in your house there are some downsides to it. For starters, while carpeting may look clean it may not be truly be clean. Dirt, hair, and other substances can get down beneath the surface of the fibers. A good vacuum cleaner will be able to get rid of most of the problems, but often times this dirt, hair, or other things often go on in the fibers of your carpet for months if not years. For anyone who's ever replaced their carpeting that telltale site of a carpet patter and dirt when the carpet is removed says that all.

Peel and stick is a version of vinyl flooring that has a self-adhesive back. This is often a very convenient and easy to maintain option. It allows you to get a variety of works without spending a lot of money. There are many new brands out that look like real wood or real tile but cost a fraction of the price. These are often easy to install and require no professional installation to ensure that they look great. No special tools are required to cut these pieces so that they fit in the area that you are trying to place them in; all you need is a box knife to do the cutting.

Laminate has also become a popular choice. While this looks like real wood it is not and doesn't require the care that real wood would. While it might require a little bit more special treatment then peel and stick or tile would. Generally, it can be easily cleaned with warm water mixed with a cap full of white vinegar. Unlike popular belief you do not have to purchase a specific cleaner unless the manufacturer requires it to keep from voiding the warranty. Unlike peel and stick vinyl you may want to have a professional install this type.

Most flooring will stand up to the everyday what and tumble lifestyle that many of us live. If you are considering carpet and have small children or animals you might want to consider a stain resistant version. If you are considering between wood laminate take into consideration that laminate flooring doesn't and scratches easily as wood, however, should wood scratch, the scratch is can be buffed out and the surface refinished.