The Best Home Flooring Ideas

If your carpet is 15 years old, stained and worn out, you're near future is most likely faced with the task of replacing the flooring throughout our home. While the laminate was a great price and can make any home look stylish, it is not very practical in every room of the house. It is important to think more about what is the best type of flooring for each room as opposed to what looked the best.

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Hardwoods

Costs: Depending on the type of hardwood, it could cost you anywhere from $3 to $12 per square foot. Engineered wood will cost you a little less. On top of the cost of materials, you will need to pay to get it installed.

Pros: Hardwoods look very nice and have a great resale value. They are easy to clean and maintain and usually only require vacuuming.

Cons: The cost is the largest drawback. Real hardwood also needs refinishing occasionally in high-traffic areas. Standing water can also ruin hardwood.

Best Rooms: The best place to put hardwood floors is in a living room. It is not a high-traffic area such as a foyer so the would can remain protected.

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Tile

Costs: The many different types of tiles range in price from $1 to $20 a square foot. Professional installation can be a few hundreds of dollars depending on the size of the area you are looking to cover.

Pros: Glazed ceramic tile is very durable, resistant to scratches, and is water resistant. Tile comes in a variety of sizes and materials, such as marble, porcelain, travertine, slate, and granite. Additionally, tile is fairly easy to clean, and stains are not much of a concern.

Cons: Tile can crack and can be difficult to repair. The grout gets stained and needs to be cleaned.

Best Rooms: Since tile is water resistant, it is perfect for a bathroom or a kitchen. It may also work well in a dining area where food and drinks may spill.

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Vinyl

Costs: Vinyl can cost less than $1 per square foot on the low end but can cost up to $5 per square foot on the high end. Installation is a couple hundred dollars.

Pros: Like carpet, vinyl is quiet and easy on your feet. It is inexpensive compared to some of the other flooring types.

Cons: Vinyl can dent or tear.

Best Rooms: Vinyl is great for a laundry room as it can shield a lot of the sound from your laundry machines. It could also work well in bathrooms and the kitchen because of the warmth it adds.

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Cork

Costs: Again, there is a range of prices: $2 to $8 per square foot.

Pros: Cork is a good insulator. It is warm, soft, and absorbs sounds. Cork is a natural material, so it is environmentally friendly. Also, since it’s antimicrobial and resistant to mold, it’s safe for the family.

Cons: Since cork is a natural material, it will fade in direct sunlight. It also has been known to turn yellow with time. Because of the moldable nature of cork, it may get damaged underneath furniture pressure points. It will also swell when it is in standing water.

Best Rooms: Cork would work great in bedrooms because of it softness and warmth.

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