All you need to know about Flooring
These days there are so many flooring options on the market that many people are not sure what to buy when they're planning to install new flooring or have plans to replace old floors with something modern and new. Deciding between vinyl, timber, laminates, cork, glass floors, tiles, concrete, etc can be quite overwhelming.
What types of Flooring are there?
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Vinyl flooring: Previously only used in hospitals and supermarkets due to its hygienic and low-maintenance nature, it is now increasingly becoming more popular with homeowners. It comes in a wide variety of designs and patterns and comes in either tiles or sheets (giving the option of joint-free flooring). It is also a resilient material, so you don't have to worry about your pet scratching your flooring.
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Hard Wood Flooring: Hardwood or timber flooring is made of wood, such as walnut, oak, maple, and pine. The timber can be laid out in strips or geometric patterns (parquet). This type of flooring is very aesthetically pleasing and gives a warm feel. However, it may not be the best choice if you have children or pets, as natural wood is easily damaged.
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Engineered flooring: This has the same look and feel of real wood, but is actually a composite material. So it is more stable as a material, being more durable and less susceptible to temperature and humidity changes.
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Laminate flooring: Laminates is the popular choice because it is cost-effective, look beautiful, and resemble wooden flooring. Laminate flooring also does not come with the hassles that come with natural wood flooring. Laminate is quite durable due to its four-layer construction and is easy to set up.
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Tile flooring: There are many types, but the most popular is homogeneous ceramic tile. Tiles are versatile and great, especially for areas that require waterproofing such as bathrooms. They come in various finishes from matte to glaze, and in all sorts of designs.
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Stone flooring: Common types of natural stone used are marble, limestone, granite, and slate. The best attribute of stone is that each cut is unique, which makes the material choice highly sought after. Natural stone is very expensive, but it can be very beautiful, too. It is considered a delicate material, and extra care is needed. It should also be sealed every few years. Concrete flooring: Concrete screed has become trendy because of the pared-down industrial look. This type of flooring (or the lack of, rather) can also save you a lot of money. Just be sure to top it off with a concrete sealer to minimise that dusty feeling at home and have a smoother finish.
Photo by Kelly:
What to Consider When Choosing Flooring?
Flooring is an integral part of your home; hence you should choose it with great care. Here is a list of some questions you should ask yourself when choosing flooring.
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1. Which room are you doing?
Don't choose wooden flooring for your bathroom or carpet for your kitchen. Tiles would be a common choice for bathrooms, as it comes in non-slip varieties. Using vinyl is an easy-to-clean option for kitchens, and wooden flooring will give a bedroom a chic look. Consider how much stress and traffic each room will experience before deciding on the flooring. ?
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2. Have concerns about health and allergies?
Is someone allergic to dust in your family? A carpet is not advisable. Consider flooring types like vinyl or tiles as they are water-resistant and can be cleaned with a wet cloth or mop.
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3. Is the flooring you have chosen easy to clean?
A carpeted floor will require regular vacuuming to remove dust, wooden flooring needs to be cleaned carefully with a damp cloth, and ceramic tiles or marble flooring can be mopped quite easily. Marble flooring cannot be cleaned with harsh chemicals. Choose a type of flooring that is easy to clean if you have a busy lifestyle so that cleaning is less disruptive.
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4. What is your budget?
Some flooring types are more expensive than others, depending on their durability, place of manufacture, and availability. Ceramic tiles specially imported from overseas are likely to cost you a premium. Some types of hardwood flooring are more expensive because the trees they come from are rare. A flooring contractor can advise you on the costs of various flooring types, which suit your budget. Besides the cost of the flooring, you need to consider the installation costs, which may add up to a large sum too. You could consider installing the flooring yourself to save money, but most flooring types will require a certain level of skill.
Hiring a Flooring Contractor
Hiring a flooring contractor can be easy and painless by educating yourself about what materials are needed and what work is involved before searching for a flooring contractor. It is good practice to look up what the company's past customers have to say about their services through reviews and ratings. References from previous customers are also important to show how credible the company is. When you are done short-listing a few flooring contractors, it is time to meet up with them individually to discuss how you want your flooring to be done and to propose their ideas to you. You can prepare a list of questions for them to clear your doubt and at the same time evaluate their professionalism. After confirming the pricing and services, you should have a good idea on who to hire.
Ready to get started?
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