Floor All It’s Worth
March 2, 2011What's underfoot in your home?
In today’s era of home remodeling and new construction, how does one decide on what surfacing to choose for floors? With such an abundance of choices and diverse personal tastes, why do we prefer carpet in the Midwest and insist on tile in the South? Your geographic location may play an even greater part in your interior selections than your individual style.
Wood – From earth-friendly epay to old-fashioned golden oak, wood flooring continues to impress us because of its many attractive qualities, above all its ability to transcend all design styles. Timeless, decorative and durable, an interior wood selection is guaranteed to receive a positive nod from any prospective home buyer on the market. And with its wide range of thicknesses, wood species and installation methods, wood flooring doesn’t have to be expensive.
Laminate Wood - Stay clear of composite imitations that are only computer-generated print matches of wood, such as Pergo, that promise the look and luster of real wood. They cannot hold up to wet and snowy Midwest mudroom entrances and can potentially decrease future resale value.
Engineered Wood – This is a great alternative to a solid wood floor, since plywood is the substrate and a veneer of wood is applied to the surface. The only caveat here is that you will not get as many sandings out of this material as you will with solid wood floors – and believe it or not, an engineered wood floor can be more expensive than its thicker brother. This particular flooring is great for concrete slab foundations and radiant flooring, however.
Tile – Not just for the bathrooms and kitchens anymore, this hard-wearing material has been used for centuries in the tropics and other regions of the world where the goal is to keep interior temperatures cool. Out-of-the-box interior designers are using tiles in every shape, color and style to clad everything from walls to ceilings and roofs, as tile remains one of the most decorative, diverse and creative tools to add cachet to one’s décor as well as to boost resale value.
Ceramic Tile– This most popular and most often used tile choice is generally the least expensive. Unfortunately, it is also considered the most outdated and least durable. The color that you fall in love with on top does not extend below the surface. When you crack, mar or chip ceramic tile – which is all too easy to do – the aftermath is very noticeable.
Porcelain Tile – Cutting-edge and in high demand, porcelain tile comes in an amazing range of colors, styles and textures. Innovative computer-generated print matches allow this tile to imitate even the best marble tile, which is always good for the budget. Porcelain stands as the exact opposite to its close relative, ceramic, in that it is extremely durable, and the color runs throughout the entire depth of the tile, making any wear or damage very inconspicuous. Money well spent!
Marble Tile– Polished, honed, tumbled or fired, this precious material – imported from around the world – provides some of the best decorative surfaces that money can buy. Marble floors are guaranteed to take any home from ordinary to extraordinary – but only if installed by a master tile layer. Remember, God is in the details – just ask the Romans.
Carpet – From the formaldehyde of the past to the bamboo of the future – shag, Berber and plush piles are all part of the wide world of wall-to-wall carpeting that is constantly being revolutionized! From inexpensive polyester to imported silk, carpet fibers are being twisted and knotted in every corner of the globe. In colder climates, carpet is a must for a warm and inviting interior, especially in the bedroom. However, even though some new carpet materials can be impervious to stains, crush-proof and fade-resistant, it can be destroyed fairly quickly if not properly cared for or if the wrong material or pile depth is used in high-traffic areas or exposed daily to children and pets. In addition, inside a house in a northern climate whose windows are closed during the winter months, carpeting can become an incubator for dirt, dust mites and dander – a disaster where the allergy-prone are concerned.
Vinyl – Not just for schools, factories and modular homes anymore, this very durable flooring material has made a comeback since the 1960s. With names like linoleum, Congoleum and VCT (vinyl composition tile), these versatile sheet good materials are making a big splash with interior designers everywhere. Affordability, durability and ease of cleaning will be determining factors for many, but when looking for something new and different, you may be surprised at how hip vinyl can be these days, too.
From the snowy city of Chicago to the sunny beaches of Cancun, materials of every category are being installed, tried and tested. Your design professional can help you find the one that’s ideal for your living environment.
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