Is your carpet starting to show its age? Are you considering upgrading, but don’t know what is the best flooring for you home? The choices can be overwhelming. Should you choose hardwood, laminate for tile? In order to make the best choices, you need to understand the pros and cons of each of your choices.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring , with its timeless beauty and durability, will increase home value and add warmth and character to any space. It is both practical and beautiful. It can be used in a kitchen or a living room.
Recent improvements in the factory-applied finishes have made hardwood flooring more durable and added years to the warranties. These new finishes are resistant to scuffing and normal wear and tear. Although the surfaces last longer, this flooring is still susceptible to dents and dings. You should also consider the hardness of the species of wood that you are using. The higher the hardness rating, the better it can stand up to the abuse of daily life. Most exotic hardwoods have very high hardness ratings and are excellent choices for rooms that house heavy furniture and objects.
The main advantages of hardwood flooring are:
- Will increase your home’s value
- Can be sanded and refinished
- Available in a variety of colors, finishes and species to match your home
- Varying levels of durability to support your home’s activity level
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to clean
Laminate flooring
For more active houses, where damage to hardwood flooring may be a concern, you may want to consider laminate flooring. Modern options for laminate flooring have the look of real wood, including natural color, texture and grain. The finishes even come in high gloss, distressed or hand scraped.
The surface of a laminate floor if made of a durable melamine plastic wear layer. This makes the surface resistant to staining, fading, wear and moisture. Cleaning you laminate floor is easy. It does not take any waxes or special cleaners. You simply need to wipe it down with a damp cloth. Because of its airtight locking system, it is resistant to surface moisture.
The main advantages of laminate flooring are:
- Scratch-resistant and durable
- Low-cost (almost half the cost of hardwood)
- Low maintenance – it’s easy to clean and stain-resistant
- May be installed over most existing floors
- Resists fading from UV light
Tile flooring
Ceramic flooring is a versatile architectural resource that can be employed in a variety of environments to suit any décor. It is impervious to water and stains. Therefore, it is a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Ceramic tiles have a baked decorative glaze on the surface. This glaze is what makes it water and stain resistant. This also makes keeping them clean as simple as wiping them with a damp cloth. Although, the grout can stain, if not properly treated.
Tiles have a hardness rating, of one (softest) to five (hardest). Residential floor tiles require a rating of three or better and ratings of four or five are usually thicker and baked at a higher temperature, making them more durable. Tile flooring is extremely tough and the tiles are difficult to crack. A quality installation can last for 10 – 20 years and longer if well maintained.
Stone tiles are another option to consider. They are durable and come in a variety of materials and colors. They are also a bit more expensive and require more upkeep. They require sealing to avoid staining and also require regular maintenance of the surface.
The main advantages of tile flooring are:
- Waterproof – good for kitchens and bathrooms
- Low-maintenance
- Natural stone tile may increase your home’s value
- New styles, colors and textures, like simulated wood, make it an attractive option for every room
- Relatively easy repair
When considering what type of flooring is best for your home, you need to consider the rooms involved. Will the room have a lot of traffic, abuse, moisture or sunlight? All of these considerations factor into choosing the right flooring for the room.
At Starwood, we carry a complete selection of flooring options. We offer only the top brands, at prices that will fit most budgets. Whether you are considering wood flooring, laminate flooring or tile flooring, you will find it at Starwood! As an added bonus, we bring our showroom DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR. We take the time to get to know you and your needs. Our knowledgeable design team will help you with the considerations and options. We proudly serve the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex (including: Plano, Frisco, McKinney and surrounding areas). To learn more, or to get an estimate for custom shutters, please call us today for a Free In-Home Consultation at 972-464-9793 or 817-692-4166 or complete our online request form.
