Floors That Make Your House a Home
Confused about choosing the right flooring? Call Coast Hardware, and we can help you out.
Getting the right flooring is a very important part of the remodeling process. Your floor is the largest surface in your home, and so you want it to be covered with a material that not only looks good but also lasts long.
Choosing the right flooring is not very easy owing to the extensive number of options you have, most of which you can’t even tell apart. But worry no more; here are the most popular flooring types along with their advantages and disadvantages to make your flooring decision easier.
Hardwood Flooring
This flooring type comprises a single piece of wood. This flooring has to be glued and nailed to the ground for its installation. You can get this flooring in planks or strips. Both of these can be purchased in unfinished or prefinished forms.
Hardwood floors are available in different varieties of wood such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut. These floors are commonly used in hallways, dining rooms, living rooms and other shared spaces. However, these floors do need to be maintained regularly. For example, using a special hardwood cleaner every month will do the job well.
Advantages
- Add an elegant and rustic feel to your home
- Refinishing can be done more than once
- A large variety of options
- Durable, strong, and long-lasting
Disadvantages
- Costly option
- Susceptible to water damage, should not be installed in laundry rooms and bathrooms.
- Can incur cracks and scrapes
Engineered Wood Flooring
This is a great option for flooring, giving you the same look and feel as Hardwood flooring but at a lower cost and maintenance. It is constructed in two layers: a thin Hardwood sheet (also known as veneer) bonded to a thicker core of plywood beneath it.
Advantages
- DIY friendly
- Better water and moisture resistance than Hardwood
- Fewer chances of warping
- It can be installed in a number of ways
Disadvantages
- It can be refinished only once
- Not as long-lasting as Hardwood
- Can incur cracks and scrapes
Laminate Flooring
This flooring is constructed with a high-density core made of fiber with a realistic image of tile or wood bonded on top of it. A plastic film is layered on top of the image to protect it from wearing and fading. It comes in a variety of looks and textures.
Advantages
- Resistant to wear and fading
- Pocket friendly compared to wood
- Available in a variety of styles
- It can be installed by yourself easily
Disadvantages
- It gives a hollow sound when walked upon
- Prone to water damage
- Can chip easily
Vinyl Flooring
Flooring made out of PVC, extremely resistant to water and moisture damage. This flooring is also equipped with a protective layer on top to guard against scratches and scrapes. It can replicate the look and feel of just about any material and therefore has a lot of variety.
Advantages
- Durable and Long-lasting
- Resistant to water and wear
- Easier maintenance
- Much variety of looks and textures
Disadvantages
- Can give off VOC
- Made of plastic, so not very environmentally friendly
- More expensive than laminate flooring
Tile
This is perhaps the most common flooring to exist. Available in different materials such as stone, ceramic, cement, porcelain, these are great for wetter areas such as the laundry room and bathroom as they are water-resistant.
Advantages
- Durable and Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- A large variety of options
Disadvantages
- They are an expensive option
- Tiles are brittle, so they can chip and crack
- Is slippery
- Difficult installation
Stone Flooring
This flooring is made of natural stone. There are a number of stone varieties available marble, sandstone, granite, and travertine being some of the popular ones. This flooring type is very common for outdoor areas. Stone flooring is waterproof and very durable.
Advantages
- Durable and long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Add elegance to the home
Disadvantages
- Need maintenance
- Installation is difficult
- Costly option
Get in Touch with Coast Hardware
There are still more types of floorings that are available on the market. The large number of options can make it extremely confusing for you to choose the right flooring. Get in touch with Coast Hardware, where we guide you through buying and installing the perfect flooring to fit all your needs.