Everyone seems to have their favorite types of flooring, which can make it easier to determine which type you should use during construction projects. However, if you've ever encountered someone who doesn't know what type of flooring they love, you should know which ones work best for their needs. Of course, this can also help you in your personal life because you might find that you love some of the new types of flooring that are available now.
Flooring Types to Consider in Your Future Projects
Wooden floors
Hardwood flooring has been one of the most popular flooring types on the market for decades, and we don't expect that to change anytime soon. This type of material is cut from trees and although any type of tree can be used, you will mainly see walnut, cherry and oak options.
The width of this material can vary, but it is generally approximately three-quarters of an inch thick. You can buy pre-finished hardwood flooring or buy it unfinished, sand it, and finish it to your specifications.
Engineered Wood Floors
Although wood flooring is the most popular type of flooring, it can be very expensive. Cost is what makes many people choose engineered wood flooring. This type of flooring is made by combining a layer of wood with several layers of plywood planks. These engineered hardwood planks look exactly like hardwood but are more moisture resistant.
Due to the thin layer of veneer on top, it is not possible to sand and repaint this type of floor; however, you can apply a high-quality coating to make them resistant to scratches and other marks. There are many different types of wood you can choose from for engineered hardwood, but again, the most popular include walnut, oak, and cherry.
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the newest types of flooring and is a sustainable and eco-friendly option that many people love today. Although natural bamboo is very light, you can purchase it after it has been treated with a darker finish.
Most bamboo is created from Moso bamboo, which is grown in China. This ecological material can be collected every five years, which is much better than the twenty-plus years it takes for a tree to grow.
The cost of this material is comparable to that of hardwood, which is why so many people are seriously considering this new type of flooring.
Laminate
Laminate flooring may look like wood flooring, but it is much cheaper. This material is very similar to engineered wood flooring, but laminate does not have a top layer of real wood. In addition to looking like wood, you can also buy laminates that look like ceramic tile, stained concrete, and real stone.
Linoleum
Linoleum from the 1970s is not the linoleum you will see on floors today, which is why this type of flooring still exists. Linoleum can be purchased in sheets, and once it's installed, you can add a protective layer to ensure it doesn't become stained or worn.
Cork
Cork is another environmentally friendly material and that is why so many environmentally conscious people choose this type of flooring over all others. Cork is basically tree bark and the way the bark is harvested does not kill the trees. The bark will then regenerate on the trees every eight to ten years, meaning that more cork can be produced in a shorter period of time than it would take to grow another tree.
Cork has a warm appearance, just like hardwood, but it has unusual grain patterns that give it a unique appearance. Cork can be purchased in both planks and tiles and you can choose the one you think will look best in the space you are going to place.
Almost all cork is pre-finished, but you should still make sure it is sealed every three to five years to ensure it won't be damaged by moisture and to prevent staining.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles get a bad rap among all the different types of flooring because they can be cold underfoot. You can choose almost any color and texture and now you can even choose between different types of shapes and sizes.
Ceramic tiles are made by mixing clay and shale and then placing them in the oven to harden. The numerous color options are created by adding different pigments.
If you decide to use ceramic tiles on your floor, you can add radiant heated coils underneath so the tiles don't feel as cold under your feet. It's also an excellent idea to choose a non-slip surface for safety.
Mat
Carpet is one of the most popular types of flooring, especially when it comes to bedrooms. There are so many different textures and colors available and you can find it made from various materials. We recommend looking at the fiber density count of any carpet you are considering because the more fibers there are in each square inch, the more durable the carpet will be.
Stone floors
One of the most expensive types of flooring is stone and just because of the luxurious appearance, it's easy to see why. These floors are made from multiple types of stone, so don't feel like you're stuck with just one option. When it comes to stone flooring, you can choose from limestone, travertine, marble, granite, and slate. The harder the stone, the more resistant it will be to moisture, so choose your stone carefully.
All stone floors need to be refinished every few years so that they remain beautiful for many years into the future.
Polished Concrete
Concrete floors are starting to become a popular type of flooring option, particularly in modern-looking homes. This type of material can be dyed in many different colors, and you can stamp it with almost any pattern you can imagine.
This type of flooring can be quite complex to install, so you should have knowledge in this area or consult a specialist.
Vinyl floor
Vinyl is one of the most durable types of flooring and is also virtually maintenance-free. This is a low-cost option for those who are working on a strict budget and won't need to sacrifice color and style as there are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from.
With so many different types of flooring to choose from, we can see why it can be difficult to make a decision about which one you like best. However, as each offers unique advantages over cons, there will always be one type of flooring that stands out among all the others.