A Guide to Choose the Right Type of Flooring
So, you’ve finally decided that you need to install new floors. Believe it or not, that was the easy decision. Now, you need to ask yourself the question: what type of flooring should I install? Today, with hundreds of options, that can represent an overwhelmingly difficult decision.
Hopefully, this post can help you make the right choice. We’ve compiled a list of the most common types of flooring and listed why you should, or shouldn’t, buy those products.
The Choices:
Solid Hardwood Flooring
This is the granddaddy of flooring choices. Everything you need to know is in the name: basically, you’re covering your floor in solid, hard pieces of wood. People have been installing hardwood floors in their homes for thousands for years, and it works pretty well (with a few caveats).
You should buy if:
- You have money to spare: Traditionally, solid hardwood flooring is the most expensive type of flooring to install. Luxury often comes at a cost, especially if you’re considering more exotic species of wood. However, with the emergence of some higher quality engineered hardwood floors, the price gap might not be as large as you think.
- A professional will install your floors: Solid hardwood is complicated to install; you can only install it in certain locations, and it generally requires professional installation. DIYers beware.
- You don’t mind maintenance: Solid hardwood hasn’t changed much in the past hundred years. While that shows its dependability, it also shows that it isn’t very high-tech. As a result, solid hardwood is particularly susceptible to moisture damage. If you live in a very dry or very humid area, you might also need to install a humidifier.
Final Verdict: Solid Hardwood Flooring is the Rolls Royce of flooring: it represents the ultimate moniker of luxury, but that luxury is delicate and it comes at a price.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
If Solid Hardwood is the British Empire (old and dependable), then Engineered Hardwood is Revolutionary America: It’s new, technologically advanced, and an all-around good choice. Engineered Hardwood floors are made by gluing a top-layer or veneer of solid hardwood onto another layer of hardwood. This makes the floors less dense and therefore more resistant to elements like moisture and heat.
You should buy if:
- You value versatility: Engineered hardwood floors can be installed in multiple locations and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
- You aren’t planning on re-finishing your floors multiple times: While solid hardwood can be sanded down and refinished multiple times, engineered hardwood floors cannot be refinished as often.
- You’re into DIY: Engineered hardwood is easy to install and is almost always pre-finished. This makes it a good choice for people who are into DIY installation.
Final Verdict: While Engineered Hardwood doesn’t have the same luxurious connotation as solid hardwood, it often represents a better choice because it requires low maintenance and offers lots of versatility. While it has traditionally represented a cheaper option than solid hardwood, prices have risen as consumer demand has increased. Buy now.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Luxury Vinyl Flooring is a type of vinyl flooring which imitates natural flooring options. Advances in 3-D printing have made it possible for Luxury Vinyl Plank to look and feel almost exactly like natural wood floors.
You should buy if:
- You’re installing wood floors in the kitchen or bathroom: Because Luxury Vinyl Planks aren’t made from natural wood, they aren’t susceptible to damage from moisture. This makes them easy to clean and a good choice for areas with high humidity.
- You’re on a budget: Luxury Vinyl Planks are inexpensive. However, rest assured, you’re not sacrificing quality for price. Luxury Vinyl Planks is highly durable. Plus, they come in a wide variety of patterns and textures.
- You’re concerned about the environmental impact of wood floors: No Trees are cut down to make Luxury Vinyl Products. Plus, manufacturers almost always use partially recycled materials to make Luxury Vinyl Plank!
Final Verdict: Luxury Vinyl Flooring represents the fastest growing product in the flooring industry. If you’re moving into a new office or apartment complex, the chances are good that it will have Luxury Vinyl Flooring. It’s quality and affordability make it hard to beat.
