Best Flooring Options

The flooring in a home or business is a major component of each room's aesthetic appeal and overal design feel. There are, of course, a wide variety to choose from. Knowing the best flooring choice for you depends on style, function and price.

Choosing the Right Flooring

There are several things to consider when choosing flooring for your home or business.

• What style do you prefer?


• What style already exists in the room and what types of flooring will match it best?


• What is your budget?


• What is the function of the room?


• Who is going to be using the room? Children or pets?


• Will there be heavy foot traffic?


• Will there be extreme humidity, cold, heat or direct sunlight in the room?

After considering these points, it is easier to look at the various options and make a decision.

Hardwood floors

This type of flooring is extremely popular because it is not only classic and beautiful, adding richness to any room, but it is also quite a sturdy material. It keeps its value well and often even adds value to a home. A major disadvantage is that, despite its sturdiness, it is prone to a variety of superficial mars like scratches, scrapes or gouges. It can also warp or discolor over time depending on the environment of the room. There are two main types of hardwood floors: enginereed and solid. Engineered wood flooring is created by layering pieces of wood on top of each other and topping it with a veneer. It is more durable and, hence, more expensive. Hardwood flooring costs about $6 to $15 per square foot and is easy to clean, with refinishing required only once every ten years or so.

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tile flooring is also quite attractive and valuable to a home or business space. The most commonly seen style is the red/orange terra cotta tiles, but there are a variety of styles and colors available on the market that can match most decor types. They are cheaper than hardwood floors - only about $1 to $10 each tile - but require a bit more effort in upkeep (mopping and sweeping regularly). The grout may be a bother to clean for some, but the aesthetic appeal is worth it.

Laminate floors

Laminate floors are popular because they are now made to emulate the look of more expensive wood or ceramic floors, but are more cost economical and quite durable. They are also quite easy to clean and maintain. The average cost is $2 to $10 per square foot.

Carpet

Of course, carpet is always a popular option for its comfort. The wide range of types, styles and colors make it easy to find a carpet choice that will fit any decor style. However, maintenance is easy with regular vacuuming and the occasional carpet wash, carpets do tend to look dirty and worn relatively quickly - usually after about five years - and will need to be replaced. Most carpeting is priced at $1 to $15 per square foot

Vinyl

This is the least expensive of the flooring options at $1 to $4 per square foot. It is attractive enough to satisfy most homes or offices and is impressively durable. Many styles and colors are available.