When it comes to renovating and decorating the home, everyone needs a little guidance, right? Well, when it comes to your home, there are a large variety of flooring that you could go for. There are pros and cons to all of the different types. There are also reasons to choose one material over another, depending on which room you are choosing the flooring for. So I’m sharing today a little guide today, to help you on your way (yes, that rhymes), to knowing which flooring is best to choose for which room
Tiles
Tiles are a great option for flooring. They are best to be used in the kitchen or bathroom. They are great because they are easy to clean, and they won’t absorb water. In these rooms that is crucial. There is such a large variety of tiles too, so you’ll be sure to find ones that you like for your kitchen or bathroom. Light colours work best for making a small and dark room look larger, though.
Another awesome thing about tiles is that you can mix and match. You could have an accent tile in the centre of the floor and then plain tiles around it. You could vary the sizes of the tiles that you choose too. A mixture of large and small tiles in flooring can look so funky and fresh. You want the tiles to last a while though so be sure to go for good quality tiles. Better quality tiles will last longer, so it is worth investing in them.
You might think that tiles on a bathroom floor might get a little slippery after floor cleaning. There are ways to combat this, though. Make sure you have bathroom mats so when you are getting out of the shower, your wet feet won’t go straight onto the tiles. To avoid having cold tiles, you can get a heated flooring system installed. This has to go under the tiles, so it needs to be ready to go before you put in the tiles. Cold feet problem sorted!
The final tip for choosing tiles is to get the right advice for sealing your tiles before use and for their aftercare. Some tiles, like natural stone, need treatment before use as they are natural and will just absorb stains or cleaning products.
Wooden Flooring
There are two types of wooden flooring that you can get; laminate flooring and hardwood flooring. The best rooms for using wooden flooring is living areas and playrooms, even things like hallways where it can be shown off. Bathrooms and kitchens should be avoided. The best things about wooden flooring is that it can be quite cheap. It is also hard wearing which is why it works well in a room like a playroom or a child’s bedroom. If you’ve got children, you will understand why that is a must! Wooden flooring is easy to clean too, as you can just wipe clean. Perfect for rooms where stains are likely. The laminate option flooring is a little better for avoiding stains.
Installing laminate flooring is quite simple too. It works using a click-lock system meaning they just slide into place. It is quick and easy to install so good for home renovations that need to be done on a tight schedule. You need to make sure that is is laid well, though, as if it is poorly laid, it can put people off, if you were to sell your house. Hardwood flooring can be a little trickier to install. The boards need to be glued or nailed down, and it will just depend on the individual sizes of the boards.
The downsides with wooden flooring is that the boards can become swollen in moisture. So I stress, avoid using in kitchens and bathrooms!
Carpet
The big bonuses of carpet are the comfort, insulation and warmth. Out of all the flooring options, it is the one that needs the most care, though. There are a lot of styles, colours and varieties to choose from. The main types of carpet are:
- Loop Pile Carpet
- Saxony Carpet
- Twist Carpet
- Patterned Carpet
The most hardwearing carpet type out of all of these is loop pile carpet. This is best to be used in high traffic areas like living rooms, stairs and hallways. Patterned carpets can hide a variety of stains, though, so they should also be considered for busy areas, that could get more stains. Somewhere like a dining room perhaps. Some people do like the warmth a carpet gives in a bathroom. You could use it in a bathroom, but it will need a lot of care due to it getting damp every day. You are more likely to need to be replaced more often if it is in a bathroom too.
Saxony carpets are the most luxurious but are a little harder to clean. Think about using Saxony carpets in bedrooms as they are are so soft. For Saxony, I think children’s rooms should be avoided, though.
One major thing with carpet is getting a good quality underlay. I have often heard it said that a carpet is only as good as its underlay. Underlay cushions the carpet and stops it from flattening as easily. This will keep it looking newer for longer. Underlay also works to keep in heat and reduce noise. If you live in an apartment block, you know if the neighbour above you has wooden flooring or carpets, right? Carpets are always a good option in apartment blocks! Underlay also helps the carpet to be more hygienic. It helps to keep the pile of the carpet in good condition which for us, means that it is easier to clean. Underlay even makes your vacuum more efficient. Who’d of thought? You could get a cheaper carpet if you haven’t scrimped on price on the underlay.
What type of flooring do you have in your home? I think it is good to go for a mix, depending on what room you want to use them in.
