Which Type of Flooring Do I Choose? (Fashions)

Flooring materials are more varied than ever before, offering a combination of fashion and function. But all those attractive new options might leave you feeling a little confused about what best suits your needs. If you want to install new flooring but aren’t sure what kind, keep reading to understand some of the practical and aesthetic factors that should influence your decision. Tom is happy to provide this information as a service to you.

Which Room Will It Be?

Kitchens usually have an entry door, which means a floor will have high traffic and dirt. Spills are common, so kitchen floors need to be easy to clean. And for safety purposes, they need to be non-slip. Vinyl is a good choice for kitchen floors. In the event of a dropped glass or dish, a resilient floor like vinyl has more bounce and may prevent breakage. Keep in mind that a deeply textured pattern may be harder to clean. Tile, laminate and wood are great kitchen floor alternatives. Rugs and mats can soften a harder material such as tile.

Bathroom floors need to be waterproof, washable and non-slip. Vinyl has traditionally been the floor of choice for baths. Due to excessive moisture, some flooring materials such as laminate and wood have not been suitable for baths, but newer versions of these products can be adapted to bathrooms. Make sure any rugs or mats are non-slip.

Carpet is an great choice for a living room.

Living rooms are focal points in most homes. Their function varies from family room to formal receiving room. Living rooms are often the centerpiece of home furnishings. Choose flooring to match the room’s function and décor. Carpet is an excellent choice. Carpet offers fibers and styles that accommodate informal or formal use. Hardwood also provides an attractive, durable option, especially with the addition of area rugs.

Dining room floors need to be wear- and stain-resistant, especially if the room is used regularly at mealtime. Carpet is an option, but light colors tend to show stains more and may not be the best choice. Wood, laminate or tile work well in dining rooms.

Bedroom floors are usually overshadowed by the bed and coordinating fabrics. Traffic is less of a problem here than in other rooms, so stains and wear should be minimal. Consider a neutral flooring that adapts to frequent décor changes. Too many bright colors can be overpowering. Carpet is traditionally used in bedrooms. Wood or laminate floors are good alternatives, especially if you add a decorative rugs.

Don’t forget the hallways and stairs. Steady traffic brings dirt and moisture, especially to entry halls and mudrooms. Stains and wear are more visible. Look for a sturdy material that coordinates with the rest of the flooring in the house. Entry halls are the first part of your home a guest sees, so use this area to make a bold statement. Inlaid patterns of wood laminate can be dramatic and still handle traffic.

Grade diagram

Where Is The Room Located?

Before you make your purchase, you need to do a little research. Each type of flooring requires the proper substrate to work, therefore some floors aren't recommended for all areas of the home. Is the existing floor above grade (suspended), on grade or below grade? (see diagram) Basements are especially susceptible to ground moisture. Both grade level and below grade level floors have potential moisture concerns that need to be addressed. Make sure that you buy a flooring material suited to the grade level where the floor is to be installed. A flooring sales specialist can tell you if the floor you like will work.

Before You Buy - Determine:

• Will the new floor have continuity with the other flooring in your home? Where does the floor fit in your overall decorating theme? Will you have to redecorate the whole room to match the new floor?
• What colors match the existing room décor? Color is a major consideration in floor selection. Light surfaces reflect a great deal of light while darker surfaces reflect little light, requiring more light sources. A room furnished in a light color scheme feels larger than darker rooms. Dark-colored flooring can make a large room feel more intimate. Stick with neutral shades to allow more colorful home decorating or choose bold colors for impact. Keep in mind that a light floor shows more soil than a darker floor.
• Where is the room? Does it have an outside entrance that generates traffic? Will pets or children be running or playing on it?
• Do you have a heated floor? Not all floor coverings are adaptable to subfloor heating.
• What care will be involved in maintaining the floor? Will it be easy to keep clean?
• Can you install it yourself? Are you able to recognize and repair inadequate subflooring and underlayment? What is the amount of preparation required? Are you able to remove and dispose of old flooring materials? Remember that some old resilient floors contain asbestos and require removal by a professional. If you decide not to install it yourself, remember, Tom's fitters can have it installed for you.