One of the first things you're going to need to consider when selecting your flooring is how heavy traffic will be in the area it is going to be laid. This is because areas where traffic flow will be high require more durable floors than those where there will be minimal movement.
What room you are laying your floor. Different floors are better suited to certain environments. Temperature and moisture levels in the room are the biggest factor, so it's worth making sure your floor is up for the job.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
This rule says you should use three flooring types at maximum throughout the whole home. For example, you might use hardwood in public areas of the house, except the kitchen and bathroom, where you use vinyl linoleum.
The attributes that should be evaluated include gloss, hardness, durability, scuff resistance, black mark resistance, slip resistance (for safety), clarity, dry time, and ease of application.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular choices for durable flooring as they're made from dense materials that hold up well against wear and tear.
“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.
The more expensive flooring upgrades yield the highest returns and appeal most to homebuyers. And hardwood is the clear winner, followed by engineered hardwood and tile. Carpet and luxury vinyl tiles add comparable value, though vinyl is the cheapest option.
Floors with a white finish go with almost everything. A light burlap-like color is a great choice because you still get a light floor, without installing a truly “white” floor. You can use a variety of wood species to create a light floor.
Floors with scratch resistant top layers such as laminate flooring are a good option for homes with pets and young children. If your home receives a lot of foot traffic, hardwearing types of flooring such as laminate flooring or engineered wood flooring will provide excellent durability in high traffic areas.
The functional requirements of a floor are: Strength and stability. Resistance to weather and ground moisture. Durability and freedom from maintenance.
Vinyl Flooring
At the lowest price of $0.50 per square foot, it's one of the cheapest flooring options around. Pros: Comfortable feeling underfoot. Easy to maintain.
Choosing flooring in natural colours and classic styles, such as plank, chevron, or herringbone, ensures that the flooring remains versatile and adaptable to future décor changes, maintaining its appeal over time.
Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors. Originally designed for bowling alleys, this finish is known for its extreme durability and high-gloss appearance.
Buy the amount of flooring needed, plus another 20-percent. This number is comprised of the 100-percent of flooring needed to cover the area, plus as much as 15-percent to account for installation wastage and 5-percent to account for defective materials.
The best pattern to lay vinyl plank flooring is a staggered or offset pattern. This method involves positioning each plank so that the seams do not align, creating a natural, visually appealing look.
However, vinyl flooring often takes the lead in environments prone to moisture or heavy foot traffic, thanks to its water-resistant and sometimes fully waterproof nature. Laminate flooring, while durable and scratch-resistant, is better suited for areas with less exposure to moisture.
1 common oak. A flooring product characterized by prominent color variation that also contains prominent characters (with size limits) such as knots, open checks, worm holes, along with machining and drying variations. No. 1 Common is a tasteful floor where prominent variation is expected.