Flooring
There are many aspects of modern living that people take for granted. That, however, does not mean that the products you use in your home are unimportant. On the contrary, while you may take millions of unnoticed steps on your flooring over its lifetime, selecting the wrong option will be noticeable and annoying. There are numerous flooring choices and each one is best for different homes, families and situations.
Depending on your needs, there is a flooring option that is perfect for each room of your home. For many people, wood flooring is an integral part of their design plan. Wood flooring has come a long way in both durability and ease-of-use. Most wood floors feature a sturdy finish, meaning that it is unnecessary to wax or refinish them frequently. They are also designed with a tongue-and-groove joint so that each piece can be snapped together. Many frugal homeowners install hardwood flooring on their own, showing you just how easy the process is. For those that want the look and feel of hardwood but need something even more durable, laminate flooring is the product of choice. Laminate flooring mimics the look of other popular options, including wood flooring, tile and even high-end options like slate. Laminate, however, is much more affordable; in many cases, you can create the same look in your home for less than half the cost of the mimicked product. Both wood and laminate flooring products are widely used in kitchens, living areas, hallways and entries.
Wood and laminate flooring add elegance and beauty to your home. However, they are not the only popular flooring options for modern designers. In fact, most homes feature at least some tile flooring. Tile is one of the most durable types of flooring on the market. Because of this, it is an option favored for both bathrooms and kitchens. Properly installed, tile resists breakage, does not wear like wood or laminate, and is not at-risk for moisture damage. Keep in mind, however, that quality installation is critical with tile flooring. If an adequately level and padded surface is not created under the floor, then compression can lead to breakage. This means that tile installation is not the ideal choice for a DIY project; the risks associated with improper installation do not justify the potential savings from doing the work yourself.
Regardless of what type of flooring you choose, always check the ratings before purchasing. Some products are not designed to withstand high traffic and should not be used in living areas or hallways. Most flooring complies with a standard rating system where lower numbers indicate lower quality and higher numbers indicate options that are more durable.