Redecorating can get tricky. Not only do you have to work within a budget; you also have to come up with a vision in mind that won’t look cluttered once you translate from paper to reality.
While you can easily paint walls and replace furniture on a budget, replacing carpet and flooring material can get costly especially when you don’t know where to look.
Fortunately, you can say goodbye to your old and worn-out carpet and say hello to your brand-new flooring. These days, there are different kinds of flooring that you can choose from that will work within your budget.
While home renovation may seem like a daunting task, you can easily prepare for the challenges you might encounter. As always, it always pays to do your research before you take in a new task.
What are the types of flooring to consider?
1. Hardwood
This is considered by many interior designers to be the most versatile type of flooring and is favored by many homes in the United States. Construction is very straightforward-wooden boards that can be installed by nailing them to a wooden subfloor.
If you are thinking of getting hardwood floors for your home, they can come in either strips, which can range in width from 1.5 to 2 inches, or planks. Hardwood can be made from oak, maple, or even Brazilian Cherry.
What’s great about hardwood is its versatility and the fact that it can make your home looked polished with its finish. In fact, hardwood floors are a sought after feature, and may even increase your home’s resale value.
Hardwood floors are great for living rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms. It’s advised to not choose hardwood for your kitchen because wood flooring might not take the damages brought about by falling kitchenware and spills.
2. Ceramic Tile
Another popular option for flooring among homeowners is ceramic tile. It is popular because it comes in different patterns, colors, and shapes. However, not all ceramic tiles are tough enough for flooring, so you may have to consider the options you have.
There are four different types of ceramic tile to choose from:
a. Glazed ceramic Tile- this has a glass-like finish that gives the tile its color and texture. Because of this, it is easy to clean.
b. Porcelain tile- This type of tile is hard and durable and is also stain resistant. These are ideal for outdoor rooms.
c. Quarry Tile- These tiles are more slip-resistant compared to the other ceramic tiles.
d. Terracotta- A type of unglazed tile that comes in earthier tones. It is popular because of its aesthetics.
Ceramic tiles are best used for bathrooms, kitchens, and even laundry rooms where foot traffic in the house is high. It’s also good to use in enclosed outdoor rooms, such as a porch or a sunroom.
3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is constructed with a thin veneer over layers of plywood or compressed fabric. Since the top layer is a photograph under clear plastic coating, laminated flooring can look like wood, stone, or even tile.
Laminate flooring comes in planks or tiles and can be installed above your old flooring without the use of nails or glue. Since laminated flooring is made to resemble wood or stone, you can get them for much less. They are also easier to clean and are considered by many homeowners to be low maintenance.
They are best used for kitchens and playrooms but should be avoided in places where there may be issues with leaks or standing water. ;
4. Linoleum
This type of flooring has been around since the 1880s and has become widely available in the 1940s. It is considered to be a “resilient” sort of material. It is made of renewable materials, such as cork powder and linseed oil.
Linoleum is available in sheets, tiles, or laminated planks. Depending on the type of linoleum you get, you may have to refinish it every couple of years.
This is also a good choice for dens, kitchens, family rooms, or even bedrooms as long as the room does not have a problem with moisture.
While renovating your home can be a laborious task, it does not mean that it should burn a hole in your pocket. You can cut costs by learning how to do the installation yourself or scoring great deals online. Always look through samples of the flooring you will buy and be flexible with the alternatives just in case things cannot go your way.
Renovating your home is a milestone for every homeowner. It’s always best to make it enjoyable so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.
