Flooring: How To Make The Right Decision

When it comes to choosing flooring, there are so many options for you to choose from. When you think about what kind of floors you want, there are three things you should consider: the type of room you have, the amount of traffic you have going in and out of that room and what your budget is.

There are five basic types of flooring on the market today that you can choose from: hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ceramic tile and carpeting.

Hardwood floors are a very popular choice. Hardwood flooring will add character to most rooms in your home. Years ago, the old floor had to be taken out before installing the new hardwood floors. But with the advancements in technology, innovations have come along way since then and now hardwood can be installed over the old. Wooden floors are very easy to maintain. When considering hard wood floors, it is important to note that there are three types of wooden floor types available. There is plank, strip and long strip. You should do some research on each one to decide which one is best for your home. You also have a choice between prefinished and unfinished. If you are looking for something practical, then go with the prefinished kind. If you want a smooth surface, then you'll want to choose the unfinished type.

Laminate floors have the look of real wood but are less expensive than hardwood floors. If your budget is not within the price range for the more expensive wooden floors, you may want to consider laminate instead. Laminate is also better for high traffic areas then the real wood is. Laminate is extremely easy to maintain, durable and is stain resistant. Laminate floors also do not fade. This type of flooring is perfect for households that have young children. Also, laminate floors snap together so it's easy to install or reinstall them.

Vinyl floors come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can get the one that matches your room decor. With the new manufacturing processes that are being utilized, you can get vinyl floors that resemble tile, wood or stone. Vinyl is not expensive at all and is durable and very easy to clean.

Ceramic tile is durable and resistant to scratches, fire and water. There are various styles of ceramic tile flooring for you to choose from such as marble or granite. When considering tile for your home, think about the different cleaning solutions that you will need to use. Not every cleaning solution is made to be used on tile.

Carpeting has a softer and warmer feel to it. There are a variety of colors and patterns for you to choose from. Carpeting is also quieter, so it is perfect if you live in an apartment and have people that live below you. Carpeting is extremely economical. There are various carpet types that you can choose from such as shag or velvet.