Choosing the Right Flooring for Your House

The right flooring can significantly alter the look of your house. Changing the flooring is the first thing that should come to your mind in case you decided to renovate any room. If your shabby-looking carpets or updated flooring is distorting the look of your house, then it’s time to replace it.

 Flooring trends have developed and gave house owners a variety of types and colors to choose from. This wide variety of choices may make things harder, as people have many factors to consider before opting the suitable flooring.

People used to choose their flooring based on needs like durability, room usage, and cleanliness. However, the Canadian market offers environmentally friendly flooring in addition to more innovative choices such as bamboo and cork. Read to know more about all types of flooring and how to pick the suitable one for you.

Hardwood

Hardwood adds structural strength to your house, as it is milled from solid lumber. That’s why it’s considered a natural insulator. It’s also durable, easy to clean, and fits elegantly with any decor.

Hardwood flooring is a better choice than carpets as it traps less dirt and attracts less dust. Thus, they are a good option for people with allergies or asthma. Unlike carpets, hardwood flooring doesn’t host mold or allergens.

 Hardwood is cheaper than engineered hardwood, but it’s not moisture resistant. Any spills must be dealt with immediately. Hardwood flooring is solid wood.

 As a natural material, the flooring boards expand and shrink according to humidity in your house. Setting indoor humidity levels at 45-55 % all the year is the solution. It helpsto minimize the amount of movement and preventing seasonal gapping from getting noticeable.

 Natural expansion and contraction must be taken into consideration at the time new flooring was being installed. Suitable space must be left between the boards. The floor would buckle in case the boards are placed too close. If they are too loose, the space between the boards will become noticeable in winter. Still, keeping humidity level consistent seems the perfect solution.

It’s much easier to install hardwood in a house than in a condominium. That’s because the boards have to be nailed into the floor while condominiums are built with gypcrete and concrete.

A sub-floor must be placed over the concreteor gypcrete to make the installation of wooden boards possible. This layer will also work as a moisture barrier. Hire a flooring specialist who is experienced enough in hardwood installation in condos. Pro is aware of noise transfer requirements and your condo association rules.

Engineered Hardwoods

To most people, engineered hardwood is a little bit different from hardwood when you first look at them. Engineered hardwood top layer is a dried-out hardwood. The other layers consist of layers HDF or solid wood bonded together under pressure.

Engineered hardwood is the perfect choice for interior because it’s durable, more moisture-resistant and it has more installation methods than hardwood.

 However, engineered hardwood is more expensive than hardwood. The price depends on the size of the plank, the cost of lumber, and the glues used for adhering layers.

Cork

Cork is environmentally friendly as the tree, cork oak tree, does not have to be cut down to harvest the cork. As a natural material, cork is mold, mildew, and bacteria resistant.

 50% of cork is air, so it’s warm under your feet, as it absorbs the heat of your feet and reflects it to you. However, cork is much affected by humidity. So, it expands and contracts.

To protect your cork floors, humidity levels should be set between 30% and 60%. Cork also must be protected furniture damage, high heels, and pet nails.

Bamboo

Bamboo floors cost the same as most hardwood floors. However, it’s very easy to install. It’s also durable, fire-resistant, and easy to clean. It fits people with allergy, as it is made of natural non-allergenic material.

 Bamboo flooring is made by slicing the bamboo plant, then adhering the slices back together with heat, pressure, and adhesive material.

 By the time, the adhesive used release organic chemicals into the air. Different bamboo floorings release different levels of VOC. If you have any concerns, check with the manufacture before buying. Although bamboo is water-resistant, it is affected by water damages and humidity. It also can be damaged by furniture scratches.

Concrete

Concrete floors are fan-favorite among people who want to live with an industrial style of décor for their floors. Concrete floors are very difficult to damage by furniture, high heels, or pet nails.

Also, it is water-resistant and very easy to care of. You can simply clean it with a mop from time to time. Seal or wax every six months. A well-maintained concrete floor can last for many years ahead.

 Some people complain that the concrete floor is cold. An addition of radiant heating is installed under the floor to overcome that problem.

Stone Tile Flooring

Stone tiles are natural and beautiful flooring that can be used inside and outside your house. Stone tiles include Marble, Granite, Slate, Travertine, Limestone, and sandstone, as they are quarried from mountain materials.

 It’s important to know that these different stones have different characteristics,which makes each type suitable only for a certain location. Generally, stone tiles can be used inside and outside the house. Install impervious or vitreous stone for the outdoor area such as a patio.

There are different grades of the stone tile according to quality. Grade one refers to high quality, uniform material. Grade two means the stones have flaws such as irregular surfaces, chips, and scratches. While Grade three stones show major defects in size, shape, chipping, or surface, making them suitable only as decorative pieces or as an accent.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is made of clay that is fired in hot ovens then glazed. This process helps protect the surface from damage and moisture. Ceramic tile is durable, easy to clean, water-resistant, and doesn’t host germs or bacteria. That makes it the perfect choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.

Also, it’s a great choice for people with allergies, because dust and debris are easily noticed and cleaned. Ceramic tile is less expensive than hardwood but more expensive than carpeting. It lasts between ten to twenty years in case it was installed by a skilled pro.

Whatever choice you make regarding your flooring, it will look perfect. It all depends on the size and location of your house plus your personal needs and taste. In case you set your mind and chose a certain type of flooring, click here to look for a pro.