The Facts About Floor Covering Choices
There are many choices for flooring, and they keep getting better and better!
In this section, we discuss the facts about floor covering. When considering the facts about flooring, always give thought to the type and amount of wear and tear a particular area in the house will receive.
How Will the Floor Covering Be Used?
What are My Flooring Needs?
- Will the area be subject to heavy traffic?
- Will you need a sound barrier? (as in a condo)
- How easy will it be to clean?
- Is moisture a concern? Some areas subjected to moisture are bathrooms, kitchens and basement.
- Does anyone in the home have allergy or asthma issues? (Carpeting is not the best choice)
- Does the floor need to be slip-resistant?
- What is the warranty period, cost, and durability of the material?
- Is the new flooring suitable for the substrate you plan on installing it on?
As you can see, when it comes to selecting new flooring, there are many facts about flooring that you will want to consider.
Sensitivity to Chemicals
Are you or is someone else in your family sensitive to chemicals? A variety of chemicals are used in the manufacturing of flooring products. Ask about the types of glues and sealers used in the product you are purchasing. Chemicals can off-gas, and those such as formaldehyde can affect someone who is sensitive.
The Main Categories of Flooring
1- Resilient
rubber flooring. ” class=”wp-image-12603″/>Resilient floors are polymer floors. You often hear resilient associated with vinyl tile, cork, and rubber flooring. Other common types are cushion, sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl, and linoleum.
Resilient floor covering products are fairly inexpensive, easy to maintain, comfortable to stand on, and easy to install.
When installing sheet flooring using adhesives, try to get adhesives that have the lowest amount of VOCs possible.
The negatives about resilient tile flooring. Potential edge curling, minor scratches, holes, or rips. These can be quite visible, requiring repair or replacement.
2 – Carpeting
Carpeting is great for bedrooms because it is warm, soft on the feet, and good for absorbing sound. It is a poor choice for bathrooms, kitchens, or basements (moisture areas).
People with allergies should not have carpeting in their bedroom, where most people spend about a third of their day. The harder the floor surface, the better for allergy sufferers. Carpets can trap dirt, dust mites, mold, and bacteria.
There are carpets on the market that off-gas fewer harmful compounds than in the past. A shorter pile (eg, Berber) is more durable and harbors fewer pollutants.
Cost depends on the quality of carpet and pad. It is important to get a very good quality pad, as this will increase the longevity of the carpet. You can learn more about carpet at Carpets Wall to Wall.
3- Laminate Frlooring
Laminate flooring is produced in a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, and colors. From the appearance of wood and ceramic tile to an almost endless selection of styles.
Laminate flooring is not a good choice for wet areas such as bathrooms, especially where children play in a tub and splash water on the floor. Its selection for homes with pets is debatable. While the better quality laminates resist scratching and water, many of the less expensive products do not.
Unlike hardwood, you cannot refinish a damaged laminate floor. Laminates are usually cheaper than real wood, quality laminates wear well, and a good alternative to hardwood when on a tight budget.
4 – Wood flooring
Wood flooring is available in numerous widths, colors, thicknesses, and grades. Some hardwoods are birch, maple, beech, and oak. Softer woods include pine, fir, and hemlock. They come in strip flooring, plank, and parquet.
Many new hardwood floors are prefinished with UV-cured polyurethane layers to protect the finish. Prefinished flooring prevents off-gassing of chemicals into the atmosphere. Unfinished flooring can have strong chemical smells.
Hardwood will increase the value of the home. It is easy to care for, looks beautiful, and lasts a long time.
5 – Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles come in many sizes. They can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are more slippery when wet and are not recommended for bathrooms.
Ceramics are very cold and hard and can be less comfortable to stand on for long periods. Ceramics wear very well and are easy to clean. White or very light colored ceramics are not practical, as they always appear dirty. They can crack easily if a hard object is dropped on them, and can be noisy for anyone living below.
This type of floor is an excellent choice for people with allergies. Water-based sealers and grout are better as they have fewer emissions.
Ceramics tiles can last a very long time resulting in cost savings.
Most people have a mixture of the above flooring types in their homes. It is worth putting a little extra money into good-quality flooring as this can help prevent problems down the road. There are many other facts about flooring, and we will continue to discuss them in this series.
Key Points
- Consideration of Flooring Use and Wear: When choosing flooring, it’s important to think about the specific area’s usage, including factors like traffic, moisture, noise, and allergy concerns, to select the most suitable material.
- Main Categories of Flooring: Flooring can be broadly categorized into resilient, carpeting, laminate, wood, and ceramic tile, each with distinct benefits, drawbacks, and best-use scenarios.
- Resilient Flooring Characteristics: Resilient floors, such as vinyl and cork, are inexpensive, easy to maintain, and comfortable, but may suffer from edge curling and surface damage.
- Carpeting Advantages and Limitations: Carpet offers warmth and sound absorption ideal for bedrooms but can trap allergens and is unsuitable for moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
- Hardwood and Ceramic Tile Durability: Hardwood flooring enhances home value and durability, while ceramic tiles are long-lasting, easy to clean, but can be cold and prone to cracking.
