Flooring plays a very important part in any home, and bad flooring can take away from a house’s beauty. Choosing the right materials is not always easy, however. Some people may want something that looks great but they have a limited budget, while others would love to go for certain materials but are worried about longevity and maintenance. Others might be looking for other things like comfort, energy efficiency, or sustainability. If you still don’t know what material to choose, let’s take a look at some of the most common options and their pros and cons.
Hardwood Floors
If you ask most people to imagine the average floor, many will have a hardwood floor in mind. Hardwood floors are very popular as they look great.
First of all, they are very durable. Most people love hardwood floors, so you can never go wrong with this material if you want to make a sale. And they don’t require much maintenance either, though they have to be treated after a while.
One of the issues with hardwood floors, however, is that they can get expensive. They also can’t work in certain rooms like the kitchen or the bathroom.
Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are also very popular and have tonnes of benefits. One great thing about getting a laminate floor is that you can install it all on your own even if you only have intermediate DIY experience.
Laminate flooring comes in tiles and planks that are made to snap together, which makes them super easy to install with no nailing thus laminate floor cost is significantly lower compared to hardwood floor. Laminate floors can also work in more settings than hardwood and are more sustainable.
With that being said, laminate does have a few drawbacks. For one, it is susceptible to moisture damage and is not the best option for a place like a laundry room. You can install laminate floors in bathrooms and basements, but you’ll have to take extra precautions like adding a moisture barrier, gluing edges, and applying silicone on the perimeter.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood offers a happy medium between hardwood floors and synthetic flooring. Engineered wood floors are made of a plywood base with a thin hardwood veneer on top. This allows you to get the appearance of hardwood minus the cost. Engineered wood, just like laminate, comes in tiles and planks that can be snapped together so you could save money on installation as well.
The only issue with engineered wood is that it will wear off over time and can’t only be refinished a few times before it has to be replaced.
These are the pros and cons of some of the most common flooring materials in the country. If you still have questions, speak with a specialist today and have a look at all the options available to you.
