Which Type Of Flooring Is Best?

Knowledge is power. Having a lot of knowledge and information is crucial if you want to make a wise decision. When it comes to flooring, there are a plethora of options you can choose from, and there is no “one option fits all”. Today we will discuss hardwood flooring and its competitors.

Some things to consider

• Your budget should be the first thing you consider. You need to know what you can afford since prices widely vary. Also, some materials require an underlayment or pad.
• Some types of flooring aren’t ideal for every space, you wouldn’t choose hardwood for a damp basement.
• Your flooring should reflect your family situation. Pets can scratch up your floor and your precious little angel will spill their juice on the floor, it’s inevitable.

Hardwood

Although it might not be the Acer Saccharum (hard maple) that makes up 29 of the 30 NBA courts, hardwood flooring is wildly popular. Usually used for the shared areas of the main floor, it remains wildly popular for its beautiful appearance and durability. Hardwood flooring is generally ¾ of an inch thick while the width varies.

One drawback of hardwood flooring is that it will warp since it loves to absorb moisture, making them a poor selection for humid/damp environments. Another drawback of this type of flooring is that it is exposed to scratches and dents. If you are super clumsy or own pets that will scratch up your floor, think of selecting a different floor, unless you do not mind refinishing your floors every 5 years or so.

 

Engineered wood

Becoming more mainstream, engineered wood flooring is comprised of high-quality plywood with a veneer of prefinished hardwood pressed on top; it looks very similar to a hardwood floor but has better durability. Unlike hardwood, engineered wood would be a great selection for areas in your home that are humid. This type of flooring also uses less solid wood, meaning fewer trees have been consumed. Slightly expensive, this type of floor provides great value and a high resale value.

But nothing is perfect. Since the veneer on top is thin, it can not be sanded more than a few times, which also means it’s a great idea to have a remodeling professional do the sanding (so you don’t sand too deep). If you have a large dog, steer clear; their claws can pierce into the veneer.

 

Vinyl plank

Unlike engineered wood or hardwood, vinyl plank is very resistant to scratching and heavy foot traffic. Since it is waterproof, it can be set in basements or damp areas and can be cleaned with a wet/steam mop. Like ALL of these different types of flooring, they’re great for people that suffer from allergies (carpets are the worst). And out of all the different types of flooring discussed today, vinyl plank is the most durable.

 

 

Probably the largest drawback of vinyl plank flooring is that it CAN NOT be refinished. To replace a damaged plank, it must be physically ripped out of the floor and replaced. Also as compared to the lifespan of engineered hardwoods (20-100 years), the lifespan of vinyl plank flooring is much less (2-20 years).

Recap

Hardwood flooring used to be one of the most popular types of flooring, but its popularity has slightly declined. New, but similar, types of flooring have come about which have challenged hardwood; homeowners began to opt for these new types of flooring.

While it is possible to install these types of flooring yourself, it is a very wise decision to leave it to the professionals. Every subfloor is different and sometimes must be tailored to fit a specific floor.

If you want to touch up or even replace your existing floor, give Total Restore a call!!

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