Being a new home owner is extremely exciting! You’re finally on your way to building equity through ownership, you’re investing in yourself and your home instead of someone else’s, and you finally have the freedom to make any changes or modifications you want to your living space. One of the most common remodels done to a newly purchased home is the flooring. But how do you know which type of flooring will be best for your living situation? We’re here to help you figure that out.
We’ll give you tips on several different types of flooring, and where they are most typically found in the home.
Laminate
Laminate is a durable layer of plastic that can be designed to mimic most types of flooring. It can be made to look like tile, ceramic, wood, etc, and can usually be installed over existing flooring (this makes it very DIY friendly). It is most often found in playrooms, kitchens, and sometimes living areas. Laminate is great because it is tough, hardly shows scuffs and scratches, resistant to warping, and easy to install. The downside is that it can be quite slippery when it is wet, cannot be refinished, and could look and feel somewhat artificial.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a resilient flooring material that feels good to walk on. It is typically inexpensive and can mimic tile and wood flooring. Because of these traits it is usually found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and hobby/play rooms. It is a tough flooring that is water proof, however, it is usually not very eco-friendly to manufacture, and unlike laminate, it can sometimes have a synthetic look to it.
Hardwood
Hardwood is made of exactly what it sounds like: wood. Hardwood is a gorgeous, natural looking type of flooring. It adds warmth to a home, and can be refinished multiple times. You would typically find hardwood in hallways, kitchens, and primary living areas. You can sometimes find hardwood in bedrooms as well. Hardwood is long lasting and looks great, however, it easily absorbs moisture, making it not ideal for bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms. Additionally, it requires maintenance to stay healthy and look good.
Tile
Tile flooring is usually made of a ceramic tile, and comes in a large variety of styles and colors. Tile is durable, scratch and stain resistant, and water-proof (grouting between tiles is typically extremely water resistant, but sometimes not fully water-proof). You will typically find tile in bathrooms, kitchens, and sometimes hallways depending on the style of the house. In San Diego there are many Spanish-style homes, making it common to find tile throughout the entire house. While tile is tough and offers a myriad of design opportunities, it can crack if something heavy and dense is dropped on it. Additionally, the grout in between the tiles usually requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
Linoleum
Linoleum is an eco-friendly flooring material that is typically derived from linseed oil and cork powder. It is durable, stain resistant, and comes in many different designs and colors. Linoleum is popular in kitchens, family rooms, and playrooms. Despite it’s toughness, it can be dented by furniture legs, and is known to turn a yellowish color when exposed to sunlight over time. While it is water resistant, it is still susceptible to large amounts of moisture, not making it ideal for bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Carpet
Carpet is an extremely popular type of flooring in homes. It provides a soft texture that is comfortable and pleasant to walk on, and can come in a multitude of colors, designs, and textures. Padding and foam layers can even be added underneath the carpet for added softness and comfort. The four most common types of carpets are nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool. You will mostly find carpeting in living and entertainment areas, hallways, and bedrooms. Carpet can absorb and hold moisture, which can create breeding grounds for mold. For this reason you’ll want to avoid having carpets in areas with high amounts of moisture, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen and dining areas. While carpeting is a great addition to any home, it does require regular vacuuming and cleaning. The best way to care for a carpet is to call in the professionals once to twice a year for a deep clean.
Whether you are moving into a new home, or if you are renovating your current home, we are excited with you on this new adventure. If you are renovating your current or new home, we offer professional cleanup services for any renovation need. If you are moving into a new home with carpets and need professional carpet cleaning or if you would like to add some life and love to your current carpets, give us a call at 619-284-4239, or contact us at cleanearthrestorations.com.
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