The first thing one notices when entering the house is the flooring. When choosing flooring for your house, there are various factors to be considered, such as cost, durability, appearance, installation, and maintenance. Learn about different types of flooring from this article.

Types Of Flooring

Flooring is a covering over the floor with a finish material to offer a walking structure. There are various types of flooring materials available to choose from. Each type of flooring material has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a glance at the different types of flooring materials available in the market.

Flooring Options To Choose From

1. Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is one of the most durable, stylish, and contemporary types of flooring for homes. Tile flooring is a great choice for damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms since sealed tile is water-resistant. However, due to its versatility, you can use it in any room. The patterns, finishes, and colors available for tile flooring are endless.  Tile flooring is not only attractive and elegant but also long-lasting and easy to maintain. It is super easy to clean and replace. Grout between tiles requires regular maintenance, especially in high-traffic areas. Common types of tile flooring are:

• Ceramic tile flooring
• Porcelain tile flooring
• Vitrified tile flooring

2. Marble Flooring

Marble is a metamorphic rock that is commonly used for flooring in commercial buildings as well as residential buildings. It imparts a luxurious look to your house. Italian marble flooring is considered for luxurious high-cost buildings. Marble comes in various colors, including white, pink, and grey. It is relatively easy to maintain and sometimes last more than 25 years. Marble flooring is more expensive than other types of flooring due to its natural occurrence and limited availability. Installation of marble flooring is difficult and requires expertise.

3. Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is an age-old traditional flooring material; nonetheless, it provides a timeless appeal to the home. Wood flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring in Western countries. It is also preferred where wood is inexpensive, like in hilly locations. Wood flooring comes in strips, thin slabs, and planks made from a variety of softwoods and hardwoods. It lasts for more than 50 years if maintained regularly. Wooden flooring is ideal for dance floors, auditoriums, and other similar applications. Wood floors are not recommended for wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

4. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is another name for PVC flooring. Vinyl flooring is one of the most lasting forms of flooring since it provides elegant, cost-effective, water-resistant, and stain-resistant alternatives. Vinyl is available in a variety of styles that mimic hardwood and stone finishes. Vinyl flooring is an excellent solution for places prone to spills and moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and office spaces. They come in sheet, plank, and tile form. They are the lightest flooring material available today. Vinyl flooring is, however, prone to scratches and stains. Vinyl flooring can last up to 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. It cannot be refinished like wood flooring, so the only option is to replace it entirely if it begins to wear out. 

5. Concrete Flooring

The most frequent flooring material is concrete. It is ideal for any form of structure, as it is more durable and less expensive than others. It is a mixture of cement, pebbles, granite chips, and other components, making it sturdy and long-lasting. Concrete flooring has two courses – base course and wearing coat. Concrete flooring is resistant to damage except for minor chipping and scratching caused by wear and tear. It is very easy to maintain and clean concrete floors. Concrete flooring is less expensive as compared to other types of flooring materials.

6. Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is made of natural or synthetic materials, such as recycled rubber tires. It is classified as resilient flooring because of its elasticity or “bounce.” This makes it ideal for dance floors, restaurants, and other high-traffic situations where foot tiredness and slippage are possible. It is also used in playrooms for children, showers and bathrooms, garages, home gyms, and other applications that require moisture and stain resistance, as well as sound absorption, durability, flexibility, and temperature stability.

7. Carpet Flooring

Carpet has an upper layer of a pile that is attached to a backing. The pile is typically made of wool or heat-treated fibers such as nylon, polyester, or polypropylene twisted into tufts or woven. Carpet flooring comes in a variety of textures, styles, and colors. It is a child-friendly flooring option frequently used in children’s bedrooms and nurseries worldwide. It can also be used in the living room and bedroom. The carpet is also an insulator, both in terms of heat and sound. It’s popular in colder climates. Cleaning and preserving the carpet flooring requires additional time and money. If not cleaned regularly, it may become dirty and emit a bad odor, making it unsuitable in hot, humid, or dusty environments.

8. Granite Flooring

Granite can be an exquisite option when it comes to picking the best flooring options for your home. Granite is an igneous rock used as a dimension stone in home and commercial construction. Granite flooring is perfect for use in the kitchen and adjacent spaces. This type of flooring is relatively easy to maintain because of its excellent stain resistance and longevity. Granite flooring is prone to scratches, and hence one needs to preserve it from scratches. The stone remains cold most of the year, making it one of the greatest flooring options for homes in the hottest regions.

9. Laminate Flooring

Laminate can be a fantastic option if you’re seeking inexpensive flooring solutions that look like wood. Laminate flooring is becoming increasingly popular due to its durability, strength, ease of installation, and resistance to stains and water damage. The variety of designs and finishes available makes this one of the best flooring materials for your home. When considering laminate flooring, look for slip-resistant solutions to keep your house safe from accidents. It’s also one of the least expensive and frequently available as a DIY-friendly “floating” floor system, with planks that snap together rather than being fastened or glued down. The Laminate cannot be resurfaced; thus, it is not a permanent floor. Furthermore, the usage of formaldehyde and other chemicals during the manufacturing process makes it a less healthy and environmentally friendly option.

10. Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a great choice for modern design. Cork flooring is resilient and quiet underfoot, adds impressive visual warmth to a space, and can be used in most dry areas. It works well in lofts or kid’s rooms. This type of flooring has the same warm appearance as wood but with unique grain patterns that can include speckles and swirls. It is available in tile or plank form and is made the same way as laminate flooring, with a top layer attached to a strong core material underneath.

Cork is a natural, renewable material and has a low environmental impact.
You can use rugs on top and vacuum like carpet or swiffer like wood and vinyl floors. But unfortunately, like carpet, heavy items will leave an impression on the cork floor.

11. Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is ideal for moderately dry climates and can replicate the appearance of wood floors. While the bamboo plant is grass rather than a tree, bamboo flooring looks similar to wood flooring. Bamboo is as durable as most types of wood flooring. It is an easy-to-maintain flooring option because it is water and stain-resistant. It is an eco-friendly flooring material, as it is available in abundance and can grow rapidly compared to trees which give wood for flooring. Bamboo flooring can be refinished if damaged, just like a wood floor. Scratches, however, can be an issue with bamboo flooring. Similarly, humid conditions can cause bamboo boards to swell; therefore, this flooring style is best suited for use in mostly dry areas.

12. Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is an eco-friendly product made by oxidizing linseed oil with gum, resins, pigments, cork dust, and other materials. It comes in sheets and is typically used as a covering for concrete or wood flooring. The sheets can be simple or printed with a design. It is popular since it is a low-cost and highly versatile (in terms of design) flooring option. It is typically used in kitchens, bathrooms, or areas like a home gym. Along with the distinctiveness and retro charm of linoleum, its sustainability is a prominent selling feature. Linoleum is very soft underfoot, making it highly comfortable. Linoleum is not as long-lasting as vinyl. It is prone to wear under strong foot traffic and is easily scratched and dented. A wax finish will help protect the surface, but it will increase maintenance.

13. Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy resin is a thermosetting chemical commonly used to manufacture Epoxy flooring as a protective and ornamental coating on concrete floors. This flooring is often used in commercial and industrial buildings such as food and beverage industries, chemical test labs, R&D laboratories, and warehouses. It is also used in hospitals, showrooms, athletic facilities, and garages. Epoxy flooring is available in several colors and has a long lifespan since it is highly resistant to abrasive substances. The flooring is easy to clean because of its firm and smooth coating.

14. Terrazzo Flooring

Terrazzo is a solid contender among the various flooring types to consider. It is made of granite and marble chips inserted in concrete to create a speckled appearance. Terrazzo flooring is used in restrooms, dining areas, businesses, and hospitals. Before the introduction of vitrified tiles, it was the most popular material. These tiles are visually appealing due to their lack of joints. This appears even more attractive now that mirror polishing is commonly available at reasonable prices. However, very skilled labor is required for installation.

15. Brick Flooring

Brick flooring is commonly used in various places due to its low cost. Bricks are well-known for their exceptional strength, fire resistance, and long-term durability. They are also simple to clean. Brick flooring can be used in various designs, including staggered, basket weave, and other combinations. This is one of the best flooring options if you want to keep your home at a comfortable temperature while also adding a rustic touch. However, brick is incredibly porous and can quickly chip off if not properly maintained.

Points To Remember While Choosing Type Of Flooring

Due to their different advantages in different conditions, it becomes tough to select the type of floor, and as such, the following points should be kept in view while choosing the type of floor.

1. The floor should be strong and durable.
2. It should be easy to clean.
3. It should possess a pleasing appearance.
4. It should be free from dampness.
5. It should be noiseless as far as possible.
6.  It should be fire-resistant.
7. It should have low or no maintenance cost.
8. It should not be costly.

Conclusion

These are the most popular flooring materials available in the market. Before choosing an appropriate flooring option for your home, remember that you and your family will use it. Choose flooring that fits your lifestyle, ease of maintenance, and budget.

Also Read

Difference Between Marble & Granite

Difference Between Veneer & Laminate

Types Of Plywood Used In Construction

---

If you like this article then please share it with your friends & also like our and join our .