Selecting the right type of flooring for a specific room in your house may seem like a tough decision. You need to be able to combine your personal style with practicality of use. You and your family are going to walk on this surface. Your kids will probably spill things on it, play, and get it dirty. There are some key questions you need to ask yourself when selecting a floor to reduce your worry, and increase your long term satisfaction.
Question on the Floor
There are key questions to ask. This includes the size of the room, what the room will be used for, and the amount of traffic the floor will see. If children and pets are going to use the room this is going to make a big difference. Some other things to consider is how often the floor will need to be cleaned, if it will be exposed to moisture, and how long you want this floor to last.
Kitchen
There are some specific criteria that can be used for selecting kitchen flooring. This includes the durability of the floor and the ease of cleaning. Linoleum and ceramic tile are smart choices as well as wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and easy to clean. It comes in a number of different designs. Ceramic tile is even better. The tile is easy to clean, come in many different colors and patterns, and is resistant to dents, scratches, and dings. There are some things to keep in mind with tile flooring. If the tile is installed over flooring that has a structural movement the tile is susceptible to cracking. If you have an older home you should replace the subflooring as well. Tile is slippery when wet so it may pose as a safety hazard to homes with children or those with special safety needs.
Wood is another option for a kitchen floor. Some feel wood is unusual for the kitchen area. There are so many options with wood it makes a great floor for this room. The wood flooring can give the kitchen a feel of homeyness. Wood is able capable of handing a high volume of foot traffic. When installing wood in the kitchen be sure to apply a good protective finish such as polyurethane. This will guard against moisture reaching the kitchen floor.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms see a lot of moisture. Linoleum, ceramic tile, limestone, marble, and granite are popular and functional flooring choices. These flooring choices do have different prices ranges and often require professional installation. Many homeowners should be able to install ceramic tile or vinyl tiles on their own. Ceramic tile looks great and is durable but is not cheap. Marble is even more expensive and will require the installation of a professional. To get an idea of a marble bathroom floor look up Rob Thompson’ math bath in West Pal Beach. He recently selected this flooring for his bathroom renovation.
Living Areas
Flooring for the rest of the home is often left up to personal choice. In the living areas people can choose tile, wood, carpet, or a combination of different types of flooring. Tile offers a large variety of colors and patterns. A person can choose something simple to use tile to create an exotic feel to the room. Tile is cool and hard when walking on it so it may not be the best option if you are looking for something cozy. Wood floor has a natural beauty and elegance. It is warmer under the foot and there is also less stain on your back when walking on it. Wood is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and can be sanded and refinished to give the room a new look.
There are a number of different options with both hard and soft wood floorings. Oak is a popular choice. Birch, maple, and pine are also commonly used. Woods come in different quality grades. This allows you to have some control over the cost and appearance of the floors. Some boards come with desired irregularities. There are also boards that are perfectly uniformed. There are prices to match both types. The width of the boards can affect the appearance of the floor. Term strips refer to narrow cuts of wood. The wood is usually 2 ¾ inches in width but can be less. Plank flooring is broader which can be up to 7 inches wide. Wood flooring should not be used below ground where there is a lot of humidity. If you want the look of wood floor in a finished basement you should go with wood laminate. The material is a multi-ply core layered over the hardwood which is resistant to expansion and is able to contact made better then solid wood.
Carpet is another option. Carpet provides warmth and intimacy. It is great for bedrooms and anywhere a person spends a lot of time barefoot. Carpet can provide some sound-proofing as well as insulation. It is good for rooms that do not have heat below them. Carpet comes in many styles and different prices ranges. Whether your refer classic wood carpet or resilient nylon check out your options beforehand. Remember the quality and thickness of the padding underneath is also important. It will determine the life span of this flooring. Selecting a floor is a big decision but it does not have to be stressful. If you plan ahead and ask yourself important question including who is going to use the room , the atmosphere you want to create, how much effort you want with installation and maintenance, and the price that you are wiling to pay for the floor. If you keep all that information in mind you will be able to pick out the perfect floor.
