Flooring is one of the most important design elements in a building. It should combine good looks with functionality.
Carpeting is often used to mitigate sound and cold temperatures, while tile floors offer durability. Concrete floors are popular in modern and industrial-style buildings and are easy to clean. For more information, click the Precision Hardwood Flooring LLC to proceed.
Wood floors add value to a home, and many buyers will pay more for a house that already has them. However, it takes some work to keep them looking great.
Hardwood floors offer natural beauty and durability. They are available in a wide range of wood species and styles, including solid and engineered varieties. Solid wood floors are milled from a single block of hardwood and can be installed in a traditional manner, with nails nailed to a wooden subfloor. They may also be installed as a floating floor, which eliminates the need for nailing and speeds up the installation process.
The type of finish you choose will influence the amount of maintenance required. Glossy finishes reflect light and are shiny, but they may show scratches more readily than matte or satin finishes.
When selecting a wood flooring material, it’s important to consider the graining pattern of the planks. This is determined by how the boards were cut during the manufacturing process. The two primary methods are flatsawn and quartersawn. Flatsawn boards have their growth rings parallel to the face of the board, which creates a classic look. Quartersawn boards are cut from the wood’s heart side, resulting in growth ring patterns that are perpendicular to the face of the plank, which produces a more uniform appearance.
Another consideration is the wood’s Janka hardness rating and color versatility. Oak is a popular choice for wood flooring, as it offers a balance of hardness and color. It is available in both red and white variations, giving you a versatile look that coordinates with most design styles. Maple is a durable and moderately priced alternative to oak.
You’ll want to consider the thickness of your hardwood flooring as well. The most common option is 3/4 inch thick, which will allow most species to be resurfaced and refinished several times. Thicker species require a longer acclimation period and may be more expensive.
Tile
Tile is an ancient material with a vast array of colors, shapes and textures. It can create an artistic subway tile backdrop in your kitchen or serve as a durable bathroom floor. Tile can also add a touch of elegance to your living spaces by serving as an accent wall.
With proper maintenance, tile floors can last a lifetime. This makes it a good choice for homes with active households and families. Its durability also means that it can hold up well to most chemicals used for cleaning. While it is not as soft underfoot as hardwood flooring, a good quality rug can make the difference for those who prefer to walk barefoot.
Like other hard surfaces, tiles are resistant to moisture and stains. Some varieties of tile are glazed to make them stain-resistant while others can be coated with a protective coating to help prevent scratches and abrasions. Because they are made from natural clay and other raw materials, tiles don’t exploit environmental resources and are an eco-friendly flooring option.
The installation of tile floors can be difficult for first-time DIYers. It is best left to a professional until you have some experience. The installer will check that the surface is smooth, dry and free of obstructing fixtures before starting to lay tile. The installer will mark a grid pattern on the floor to guide him or her. Tile is placed along the reference lines and mortar is applied as the installer works. The installer will cut tiles to fit around fixtures and to fit corners.
Tile is a versatile flooring material that can be found in the bathroom, kitchen, living room and even the hallway. It can be patterned with intricate geometric patterns or painted to resemble other types of materials. From luminous white marble to dark matte slate, you can find tile that matches any lifestyle.
Laminate
Laminate is a cost-effective alternative to hardwood flooring, with the same beauty and resale value. It is also easy to maintain and durable, with a protective layer that shields the floor from scratches, stains and water damage.
A laminate floor is made from four distinct layers: a wear layer, an image layer, a core and a bottom underlayment. The core is typically made from wood-chip composite material that can be molded to form sheets. The laminate planks are then glued together with a special resin, making them very stable and able to withstand high levels of pressure.
Above the core is the image layer, which features a photographic-quality image of natural materials such as wood or stone. The top of the image layer is covered with a durable, clear resin that is impervious to scratches and stains.
Next comes the base or core layer, which is made from a dense mixture of aggregated wood particles that are then coated with resin and pressed into flat sheets. This layer provides the depth and structure of the laminate, as well as its dimensional stability. It also helps to protect the image and wear layer from moisture and UV rays.
The final layer is the decor or decorative paper layer, which features a high quality printed design that gives each laminate plank its unique appearance. This layer can be a realistic reproduction of natural materials such as wood, stone or marble in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It can also feature non-traditional designs such as art, leaves or grass.
Laminate is a very versatile choice, and there are many styles available in different colors and textures. You can find the perfect laminate for your home by considering your design goals and lifestyle needs. For example, light laminate floors can make a room feel larger and brighter, while darker laminates hide dirt and dust better. Laminate also tends to be quieter when walked on, and can help absorb sound from the outside world.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring has come a long way over the years and today it is a stylish, durable and affordable floor covering for homeowners. Also known as resilient floors, they stand up well to heavy foot traffic and moisture. They are easy to clean, hygienic and come in a variety of designs.
Vinyl comes in tiles, planks or sheets and is relatively easy to install for DIYers. The newest products like Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) have the photographic design layer to mimic natural flooring options such as stone, wood and ceramic tile. They are available in rigid or flexible plank and tile formats that snap or lock together for a modern, seamless look.
Traditional vinyl rolls are fibreglass-cushion backed and available in a wide array of designs. They are low cost and very practical in a range of rooms including bathrooms, kitchens and laundry. They are phthalate free, have low VOC and formaldehyde emissions and are UK allergy certified.
Sheet vinyl has closed-cell foam lower layers for greater cushioning, comfort and resilience. It is available in a variety of prints and is resurfacing to more environmentally friendly low-VOC formulations.
Luxury vinyl, a newer form of vinyl, is made with 6-8 structural layers. The core can be flexible or rigid and can be a wood plastic composite (WPC) or Stone Plastic Composite (SPC). There are a variety of underlayment elements that can be pre-attached or supplied separately to provide insulation, cushioning, sound absorption, moisture resistance and more.
Cork is a green alternative to vinyl and offers the advantages of being renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly as well as being warm underfoot, soft on furniture legs and highly durable. It can be installed as a click-together floating floor or as glued-down vinyl tiles.
Rubber
For high-impact areas that need to withstand a lot of force and still provide comfort underfoot, rubber is an excellent option. You’ll find it often in schools, gyms and hospitals where interior designers must consider safety, comfort and noise. Rubber flooring is also very resilient and easily withstands water and spills that can damage laminate or wood products.
Rubber floor tiles are available in a variety of surface textures and color options. They are often molded in a mold (think of a giant waffle iron) to create different design elements. You can even find them in different thicknesses depending on the needs of your space. Typically, you will see rubber tiles at 1/8″ thick for general commercial spaces and 3/8″ for weight rooms and other fitness uses.
Vulcanized rubber is made through a heating and compression process that can make it more durable than non-vulcanized varieties. It also has a much milder scent than natural rubber. You can even get virgin rubber products that are free of recycled material and have a cleaner, more consistent appearance than other types.
Rolled rubber mats and other rubberized flooring are ideal for basements and garage floors where you have to deal with moisture, stains and mildew. These pliable flooring options can be easily installed over an existing subfloor, and many require no underlayment or adhesive.
If you’re installing rubber flooring, it’s important to create a custom maintenance protocol for your project. It may have an initial learning curve, but the long-term benefits of a properly cared for and maintained rubber floor are well worth it. If you’re unsure of the best maintenance plan for your rubber product, ask your supplier to suggest some tips or even offer training courses!