Flooring – So Many Options. How to choose one?

The flooring industry has come a long way since the time the only flooring options available were stone tiles and parquet flooring. With all the innovations and developments in the field, today’s home and office owners have numerous flooring options to choose from, helping them achieve the desired look, stability and comfort levels throughout their interiors, of course in accordance with the specific needs of the space. From laminate to vinyl, engineered to solid wood and ceramic to stone tiles, flooring have become not only simple materials that we step on, but also true statements and indicatives of each ones preferences, living styles and even budgets.

Some of the most popular choices for residential interiors are those made of wood. In this case, solid wood floors and engineered floors make a wonderful yet rather expensive solution, suitable for use from living rooms to bedrooms. Hardwood flooring adds comfort and can be used to complement available furniture, as there is no other product that offers a more natural input than a solid wood floor does. Depending on the desired final look, one can choose from numerous wood essences, including but not limited to oak, maple, beech, cherry and bamboo, beautifully crafted to render numerous finishes and tones, from natural and brushed to oiled and lacquered.

Engineered floors, apart from their aesthetical properties which mimic in detail those offered by real hardwood flooring, also ensure increased stability and resistance to external factors. What makes the difference between the two is in the manufacturing process of engineered planks, as they are made from a crisscross of wood strips. On the surface, the planks are equipped with a layer of genuine wood, making them hard to distinguish from real wood boards.

A cheaper alternative to real products are wood effect laminate floors. Manufactured from several composites pressed to ensure increased strength, laminate floors result in a stable and resistant floor treatment, designed to offer increased protection against wearing, scratches and indentations. The major benefit offered by laminates, excepting their lower price class, lays in their resistance to moisture, making them suitable for use even inside spaces exposed to humidity and extreme temperature shifts. Unlike hardwood and engineered planks, laminates will not lose shape, bend or shrink due to exposure to such factors. Some types of laminate floors, with higher values of their AC rating, can be even used inside commercial spaces, such as offices and stores.

Vinyl floors, just like ceramic and stone tiles, offer increased protection against moisture, therefore these types of floors are highly suitable for damp areas, such as bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. Also, their tear and wear resistant character makes them ideal for use even inside commercial areas. Even more, the numerous designs they offer range from realistic tile to wood and mosaic motifs.

Depending on the type of flooring you select, there are various ways to install them and care for them. But do not worry about the problems these may cause, as today’s floors are supplied with comprehensive installation and maintenance requirements, helping you enjoy the original look of the floor for a long period of time.

Article Source: http://www.diyarticlelibrary.com

Hillary Drake writes on laminate flooring and other types of floor treatments helping you stay well informed.

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