Flooring

When you are choosing carpet there are four main types: Texture, Twist, Loop and Pattern. All four types work well in any living areas of your home but, which one should you choose?

Texture

• Great for high traffic areas
• Complements traditional decor
• Smooth surface provides an open look

Twist

• Casual and stylish
• Contemporary look
• Frames in a living space
• Great for bedrooms

Loop

• Aka Berber carpet
• Maximum durability
• Great for family and activity rooms
• Holds up to high traffic

Pattern

• Upscale and refined look
• Wide variety of styles
• Sophisticated look
• Easy to coordinate with the room theme and decor

Hardwood flooring is available in solid or engineered hardwood.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is solid wood throughout. It comes in many species of wood including:

• Acacia
• Ash
• Elm
• Hickory
• Maple
• Oak
• Pine
• Walnut

Solid hardwood flooring comes in three styles: Narrow strips, wider planks and random width planks. Hardwoods also can be purchased as Unfinished or Prefinished. Hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times over the life of the floor. They can be installed above or on grade but should not be installed below grade. Also, don’t install hardwoods where water can spill such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is prefinished and, it is has many good qualities:

• Easy and quick to install
• Wider planks cover more area
• More stable than solid hardwoods
• Less affected by moisture
• Can be installed above, at or below grade

Laminate flooring is also known as “floating plank” flooring. Some characteristics of this flooring is:

• Very DIY friendly to install
• Easy to care for and maintain
• Can be used in any room
• Available in wide assortment of colors, styles and textures
• No glue, nails or staples needed
• Tongue and groove assembly
• Fast and easy installation
• Can be installed above, at or below grade

Some laminates include pre-attached underlayments and some do not. In either case, an underlayment is required in order for this flooring to perform properly. To choose the right laminate flooring it all comes down to quality, warranty and personal preference. Compare thicknesses, pricing and overall look before making a final decision.

When purchasing tile flooring consider your decor, your style and budget. Tile is made in three main types: ceramic, porcelain and natural stone.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile characteristics include:

• Multiple sizes, designs and colors
• Very affordable
• Only used indoors
• Appropriate for floors, walls and countertops

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is similar in appearance to ceramic tile:

• Denser and more durable than ceramic tile
• Huge assortment of sizes, designs and colors
• Great choice for kitchens and high traffic areas
• Can be used indoors and outdoors
• Appropriate for floors, walls and countertops
• Resists water
• Can stand cold temperatures
• Ideal for outdoor spaces

Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone tile is quarried from the ground and generally, it is the most expensive tile. It is exotic looking making it a highly sought after tile for kitchens and bathrooms. This flooring requires more care to maintain its beauty. Natural stone tile types include:

• Granite
• Marble
• Slate
• Travertine
• Limestone

Vinyl flooring goes by many names including linoleum, VCT, peel and stick, and resilient among others. Vinyl comes in (peel and stick) tile, (linoleum) sheet and plank formats.

Vinyl is a very popular choice for flooring since it is very durable, water resistant and cost effective.

Peel and Stick Vinyl Tile

• Most common vinyl tile
• Easy to install
• Requires flat, secure and smooth subfloor
• Some styles are groutable

Sheet Vinyl

• AKA linoleum
• Ideal for kitchens and baths
• No dirt or water can get underneath
• Some sheet vinyls are glue-optional
• Must be installed properly

Vinyl Plank

• Look and feel of real wood
• Look and feel of real tile
• Easy to clean
• Durable and water resistant
• No underlayments needed