The right flooring for your home depends on so much more than just picking an aesthetically suitable option. Of course, your current decor will have a large sway in your final decision, but the unique requirements and priorities for each room of the home will determine the most suitable flooring for each application.
Kitchen flooring
One of the most utilized rooms in the home, kitchens require a flooring material that is robust, with water resistance properties that can withstand small spills and stains, but can also provide an easy surface for regular cleaning.
Materials like tile, vinyl, or laminate offer easy maintenance and desirable water-resistant properties. They also don’t impose many restrictions on style, as both vinyl and laminate are available in a range of designs, colors, and finishes to suit any home decor. More luxury vinyl products can also replicate natural wooden flooring well, providing a professional appearance with all of the practical benefits of synthetic materials.
With plenty of options that cover various price points, these flooring products can suit budgets of all sizes.
Bedroom flooring
There aren’t many flooring types that aren’t suitable for a bedroom, and these rooms are most often prioritized by look and feel, rather than the features of the material. This is why carpet is the most common choice, offering a comforting appearance with a soft, warm feeling underfoot. It also offers great noise-reduction properties, which is a big benefit in bedrooms.
Something to consider when opting for carpeted bedrooms is the fiber choice. Carpets are available in a range of different styles, colors, and fibers, and some are more suited to certain applications than others. For example, in a child’s bedroom, you may opt for a darker colored carpet that doesn’t show stains as easily, or polyester or polypropylene fibers, since these are naturally stain-resistant and therefore more resilient against accidental spillages.
If you prefer the look and feel of a hard flooring option, vinyl offers the best sound-reduction qualities of any hard flooring material. It’s relatively soft underfoot and is easy to clean. Hard flooring is often preferable if the bedroom’s occupant suffers from allergy problems or asthma, as carpet can trap allergens and cause irritation.
Bathroom flooring
Bathrooms are where water resistance is often the largest priority. It’s no longer the 1950s, when carpeted bathrooms were all the rage – now homeowners prioritize bathroom flooring options that can withstand regular moisture exposure and are easy to clean. Nowadays, tile and vinyl are the best options for bathrooms.
Tile flooring can last over 50 years in a moisture-heavy environment, making it a great investment for bathroom flooring. Moisture and liquid exposure can begin to wear away the grout between the tiles, but this is a very slow process. Regrouting the tiles can also be a cheaper fix than replacing the entire floor.
Vinyl flooring is 100% synthetic, and the boards can withstand moisture without much risk of swelling, warping, or cracking, all while giving the appearance of natural wooden floors (if that’s the aesthetic you’ve chosen).
Flooring for hallways and stairs
Hallways, stairs, and landings may be given less thought than other areas of the home, but these are the spaces that see the highest foot-traffic, so it’s important to choose a durable flooring material. The good news is that many flooring options can offer strong durability, meaning you can tailor your choice in these areas to suit the rest of the home.
If carpet is preferred, opt for nylon fibers, as this offers the best crush resistance and is known for being long-lasting and durable. Out of the hard flooring options, luxury vinyl plank offers great scratch and scuff-resistance. Vinyl is considerably easier to keep looking clean and smart compared to carpet, so if you’re looking for a low-maintenance flooring option for your hallways, stairs, and landings, this is a great choice.
Whichever flooring type you choose, always have it installed by a professional to ensure premium results with maximum longevity.
Powerhouse is a full-service home and commercial services company based in Texas, specializing in flooring installation.
