How to Guide to Flooring Options

How often do you look at your floors when you walk through your home? When you do look, are you excited about what you see? It may be time to look at the different home flooring options available to you.
 
Carpeting
Carpeting is a perennial favorite in homes. Carpets make walking softer, cushioning your stride as well as dampening sound. Carpets also feel great on the feet and seem warmer than other types of flooring, such as stone or tile. Stain protection has improved over the years, making spilled food or wines less of a problem than they have been in the past.
 
Carpeting can be made from several different types of fibers, including acrylic, nylon, polyester and wool. Each type of fiber has different characteristics to consider. Acrylic fiber resists fading, chemicals and molds, whereas polyester fibers are strong and resistant to wear. Olefin, also called polypropylene, dries easily and is static resistant, whereas nylon is strong, flexible and soft.  Wool is fire resistant and wears well.
 
Nylon is the most frequently used carpet fiber. Acrylic is generally blended with other fibers. Wool tends to be the most expensive fiber, although you can find high end acrylic carpeting that costs the same as medium range wool.
 
Pile, or the way the fibers are constructed, is another important consideration. The pile of your carpet will affect the appearance of your rooms. Among the types of carpeting are:

• Level loop: Level loop carpeting features loops of fibers that stand upright at the same height. Level loop can be purchased in different lengths, such as low level or high level loop.
• Cut pile: Cut pile carpeting is carpeting with the loops cut at the top for an even, smooth appearance.
• Multilevel loop: Multilevel loop carpeting includes loops at different heights, creating a pattern on the carpeting.
• Cut loop pile: Cut loop pile carpeting has both loops and piles.

 
Stone Flooring
People choose stone flooring because it is both natural and unique. Stone is also very easy to keep clean. Stone flooring can lend an elegant appearance to a home that other flooring materials cannot match.
 
Terrazzo is a manufactured product that consists of pieces of stone mixed with concrete. The surface of the mix is ground after it has set and is then finished for a polished, interesting appearance. Typically, marble or granite pieces are used in terrazzo. Other materials might include glass or onyx chips.
 
Granite has become an increasingly popular choice over the last several years. Available in many colors, granite can be used on flooring, on backsplashes and on countertops. You can coordinate colors if you choose to have granite counters and flooring or create contrast by using different materials.
 
Many consider marble to be the best stone for flooring. Coming mainly from India, Italy and Egypt, marble is a soft stone that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Marble needs to be sealed, as it is porous and will absorb moisture.
 
Tile
Tile has been traditionally used in kitchens and bathrooms. Today, you can see tile creeping into living rooms and other areas where carpeting was once used.
 
Tile is incredibly versatile. A tile floor can be made from one single type of tile. Tile floors can also be made using patterns or mosaics. Since tile can be made to resemble stone, you can have a tile floor that looks like a stone floor installed at a much lower cost than real stone. You can choose a glass tile floor if you like or a tile floor made from metals such as stainless steel. You can mix and match for an eclectic appearance.
 
Wood Flooring
Wood flooring will bring warmth and a glow into your home that cannot be beat. If you want a hardwood floor, you will have a choice of woods, including maple, red oak, beech or American cherry.  
 
You can buy your hardwood floor either finished or unfinished. Finished flooring is stained or sealed and ready to be installed. This will save you time and hassle over finishing your floor yourself. However, if you buy an unfinished floor and finish it yourself, you will have better floor protection. The sealant that you use will be continuous without the gaps that a pre-finished floor has.
 
Another less expensive option is laminated floors. In the past, laminate floors have had a bad reputation. However, laminate floors today are improved and look more like solid wood. And they are easy to install.
 
Remember, you do not have to follow traditional rules when looking at flooring. If you want wood floors in your kitchen and stone floors in your bedroom, go for it.

Linoleum
Despite its bad rap, linoleum is actually a classic choice for flooring. Invented in 1860 by Frederick Edward Walton, an English rubber manufacturer, linoleum is composed of linseed oil, wood flour, cork dust, canvas and pigments. Although it has been surpassed in many minds by vinyl flooring, linoleum remains a more durable and environmentally friendly flooring option.

The new generation of linoleum comes in vibrant colors and costs about the same, per square foot, as vinyl. It's the perfect choice for older houses, which probably had linoleum floors when they were built, and it gives a classy touch to newer construction as well.

Despite its durability, linoleum is porous, and its main drawback is the maintenance it requires. To keep the floor from turning drab, owners have to recoat their linoleum once a year.

Floating Floor
Floating floors get their name from the fact that they are never fastened onto the subfloor. This option is good for homeowners who don't have the time, money or expertise to dismantle an existing floor; floating floors can be installed right on top.

The material is usually a wood or cork laminate, but linoleum or vinyl have become increasingly common. It's easy to install; just lay it flat and snap it together. On the downside, if you don't install floating floors properly, your guests might have the seasick feeling that they are floating away.