Putting a house together comes with a lot of scope for creativity – and yet, given that it is all set to be the space that we will spend most of our time in, it is equally important to ensure that this creativity remain functional. When it comes to flooring, there are plenty of options. But, picking the ideal is not just about the aesthetics.
Here’s a lowdown on what you should be looking for when you’re picking out flooring for your home.
- Keep the cost in mind. Cost of purchase is one dimension, but cost of maintenance is another. Remember to go in for what works best within your current and projected budgets.
- Movement in the house is an important factor before deciding your flooring of choice. It is vital to understand that more footfalls will require flooring that won’t wear out too soon, and at the same time, be comfortable and fit for being walked upon.
- Maintenance and durability of the floor is also an important factor in determining the material that will make it.
- Appearance, comfort and functionality and its overall place in the architectural scheme of things are important to keep in mind.
- For altruistic and pragmatic reasons, environmentally friendly flooring is best recommended.
With this in place, here are some of the best choices you can rely on for your flooring needs:
- Bamboo flooring: A renewable resource which brings in the best of stability and abrasion resistance, bamboo does not react to water and has no allergenic content. Moreover, it is easy to repair. But, the drawback is that it can tend to fade, and doesn’t always go well with all ambiences.
- Carpet flooring: Perfectly comfortable and versatile, carpeted flooring works best in cold climate and helps absorb sound well. It is also comfortable to walk on. But on the flip side, it doesn’t work as well in summer, and tends to fade, and also comes with the difficulty in cleaning.
- Laminated flooring works well if you want to substitute wooden flooring. Good to go on existing flooring, it is exceedingly durable and works very well without much maintenance. But, it is not suitable for wet areas, and tends to scratch easily.
- Linoleum flooring works very well since it is made from a renewable resource and is exceedingly durable, and also comes in different patterns and styles. Easy to clean and low on allergens, it offers the comfort of easy maintenance.
- Tiles are an interesting option as well, especially ceramic and stone. Versatile in terms of design and texture, it can be used in any part of the house. It is durable, low maintenance and fireproof. On the flipside, it can be difficult to walk on and can tend to be slippery.
- Wooden or timber flooring is also incredibly useful – available in multiple styles with elegant designs, it is a durable and elegant form of interior décor. However, it can also be prone to expansion and contraction, and will need stripping and sanding every few years at a time.
- Vinyl Flooring is also a good option. Made from synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they are hardwearing and good with insulation. They are also easy to clean. However, it lacks warmth and can get scratched.
- Cement flooring is a throwback to olden times, but works well if you’re looking for a rustic ambience that needs very low maintenance