Different Flooring Choices Have Benefits and Drawbacks

One of the most important considerations for anyone who owns a home is what kind of flooring to have. Tastes run the gamut from plain old hardwood to carpet to tile or linoleum with floor design patterns on it. There are pros and cons with each flooring choice, and it helps to know what they are before making a decision for your home.

Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners. One of the biggest drawbacks with hardwood is the cost, as it is generally the most expensive flooring choice. However, surveys have shown that more than half of homeowners are willing to pay more for a home that has hardwood flooring. That’s largely because of the way it looks. Hardwood gives homes an upscale look, and it can be used in any room of the house, including kitchens and bathrooms. Hardwood also tends to last longer than other flooring choices such as carpet or linoleum. On the other hand, hardwood needs a lot of care, and it can be easily damaged by things like water.

Those who don’t want hardwood flooring in the kitchens and baths typically want tile. In fact, research has shown that 90% of homeowners prefer either tile or hardwood when it comes to bathroom and kitchen flooring. Tile is very durable, and it holds up to water better than any other type of flooring choice, which makes it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and utility or mud rooms. Though houses in warmer climates sometimes have tile throughout the home, it typically is not a popular choice for other rooms in the home. Tile also can be damaged by heavy objects. On the other hand, tile is generally pretty durable and is not that expensive to install.

Another popular flooring choice is carpet, although it is typically restricted to certain rooms. Many people like to have carpet in their living rooms, and more than one-third of homeowners prefer carpet in their bedrooms. Carpet is not a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms, because it does not stand up to water well. Carpet can be a cheaper option than hardwood flooring, and it also offers more of an opportunity to add color to your home.

One other floor covering choice is linoleum or vinyl. It is the cheapest flooring option, which is one benefit. Another benefit is that you have more options for floor design patterns than with other types of flooring. On the other hand, vinyl is the least durable of the floor materials and it also has a cheap look to it.

Whatever flooring or floor design patterns you choose, you need to do your research and choose the option that makes the most sense for your home.