Learn about the important factors involved with choosing flooring. Deciding between carpeting or hardwood flooring has as much to do with wood or carpet aesthetic appeal or material cost, as it does with functional usage & durability overtime. We will discuss two common flooring types: Carpeted Floors and Hardwood Floors.
… in Need of Flooring Upgrades?
The floors of your home take a huge beating over the years. They are constantly attacked by dirt, grit, spills, furniture, vacuums, stilettos, animal paws and the like. Depending on where you live they may also encounter sand, salt, or snow. In order to help determine what type of flooring you should consider for your home we will review the pros and cons of several common material types.
Broadloom carpet is typically the cheapest flooring option and is widely used due to its cost effective nature and soft, cozy feel. Carpeting can act as an acoustic aid to absorb sound and also helps to reduce echo. Carpet will hold dust and allergens more than a hard flooring surface and will stain if spills are not properly treated. If you have pets or children you may want to look into naturally stain resistant wool carpeting or a carpet made with fibers pretreated for stain resistance. Alternatively, you could consider installing carpet tiles which achieve the look of wall to wall carpet while allowing you the option to replace individual tiles if they are stained or damaged.
Wood flooring is a widely utilized option. Wood floors are rich in appearance and come in a large variety of colors, species, finishes and textures. They are warm underfoot, low maintenance, easy to clean and patina with age. Since wood is susceptible to scratching, care should be taken to install felt pads or glides under furnishings. If you have large pets, consider a reclaimed or rough hewn wood product which will hide scratches from animal paws. Keep in mind that there are two main options when selecting wood flooring: solid wood and engineered wood. As the name implies, solid wood floors are composed of solid planks of wood. They are often more expensive than engineered wood floors and are easier to repair or refinish. However, solid wood will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity which makes it less suitable for use over a radiant heating system and unsuitable for use in a basement. Engineered wood consists of a veneer wood that is applied over a solid or plywood core. These products vary in cost and quality. Look for a product with a nice thick veneer layer to ensure that normal wear will not be an issue. A quality engineered floor is less likely to buckle than a solid wood and can often stand up better to moisture.
To learn more about additional options such as tile, stone, concrete and resilient flooring view: Flooring Material: Stone, Tile, Concrete & Resilient Flooring
See some of our previous design work:
Area Rug Construction | Interior Finish Palettes | Flooring Material: Stone, Tile, Concrete & Resilient Flooring |
Flooring, Indoor Space, Interior Finish, Our Process