What is the right flooring option for you?

What is the right flooring choice for you? That is probably the most common question we receive when someone is looking to build new or renovate. There are many to choose from so here is a quick pros and cons comparison list for the flooring options out there.

Solid Wood
Pros: Resists Wear, long lasting, warm look, can be refinished, custom stain colors.
Cons: Vulnerable to moisture, soft woods dent easy, may darken with age, can shrink and expand with changing weather conditions, concrete foundations should be recessed 1 1/2 inches during construction.
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping and mopping

Engineered Wood
Pros: Shrinks less than wood floors, quick installation, comes prefinished, more durable finishes than site finished floors, transitions better to other floor coverings than solid woods.
Cons: Can only be refinished once or twice, off brands may not be durable.
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping and mopping, never wax or use soap

Ceramic or Porcelain tile
Pros: Durable, water & stain proof, wide choice of styles, can be a life time floor. Cons: Grout lines can be hard to clean, low-quality tiles may chip, fragile items dropped on surface will probably break, difficult to repair.
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping or vacuuming without beater bar, damp mop cleaning

Cork
Pros: Soft, warm, natural, resists mildew, sleek look, stain and water resistant, easy to clean.
Cons: UV-cured acrylic finishes are not as long-lasting, Wax finish needs reapplication every 6-12 months
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping or vacuuming without beater bar, Clean up spills immediately.

Bamboo
Pros: More renewable than wood floors, strong, clean look
Cons: May darken or fade when exposed to sunlight, off brands may not wear well
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping or vacuuming without beater bar, only use cleaners recommended by the manufacturer

Carpet
Pros: Quiet, soft, warm, cost effective, brings color and texture to any room, stain-resistant fibers available.
Cons: Can stain, low quality carpets may show wear quickly
Care: Clean spills immediately, vacuum high traffic areas frequently, walk off mats, use a deep-cleaning hot water extraction cleaning system once a year or so

Laminate
Pros: Durable, affordable, easy to clean, resists stains, wide range of styles, good for “do it yourself” projects
Cons: Can be scratched, cannot be refinished, off brands may produce a bad quality product, only specific products are good for high-moisture, hard to repair.
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping and mopping, never refinish or sand

Stone
Pros: Extremely durable, beautiful classical design, natural, timeless look and style.
Cons: Higher cost, some materials absorb stains and dirt, difficult to repair, all stones should be sealed
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping and damp mopping, wipe up spills immediately, avoid cleaners with harsh or acidic chemicals

Vinyl
Pros: Durable, water resistant in sheet form, easy cleaning, comfortable, less expensive
Cons: Difficult to repair, less expensive grades may discolor, tear or rip easy.
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping or vacuuming without beater bar, clean spills immediately, damp mopping when needed, only use cleaners recommended by manufacturer

Linoleum
Pros: Natural raw materials, more durable than vinyl, color extends through whole material.
Cons: Needs sealing yearly, cannot be left wet, may scuff if not well polished
Care: Walk off mats, protective pads on chair legs, regular sweeping or vacuuming without beater bar, clean spills immediately, damp mopping when needed, only use cleaners recommended by manufacturer, polish when needed, seal yearly

Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Pros: Durable, easy maintenance, beautiful realistic tile and wood looks, easy to repair if damaged, most good brands offer commercial warranty’s and lifetime residential warranty’s. Fastest growing segment in the flooring industry.
Cons: Off brands will not look as realistic, will not wear as well.


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