If you're one of the 66.5% of Canadians who call themselves homeowners, you likely are constantly looking for ways to improve your interior design. Getting the right home flooring is an important first step toward boosting your overall aesthetic with a functional renovation. Read on to learn the pros and cons of popular flooring types you can choose from.
Engineered Hardwood
Canadian hardwood can be made from many species including oak, maple, walnut, or white oak. These woods can be stained in a wide range of colours, including cool gray and warm brown. They're easy to integrate into any design scheme because you can choose the appropriate warmth, tone, and hue. Hardwood is environmentally sustainable, biodegradable, and will age beautifully with your home.
Hardwood is also a timeless and elegant classic. Expert hardwood installation adds value to your home. Nothing can beat a valuable, low-maintenance material.
The main disadvantage of hardwood is its cost. Hardwood is more expensive than alternatives like wood-look vinyl or laminate. However, if you're a traditionalist, its long-lasting material is often worth the price.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile also has a high-end, traditional appeal that adds value to your home. This quality flooring type can also be used for backsplashes and accent walls. You can create a cohesive look by pairing up similar designs or those that bring out the best in each other's aesthetic.
Porcelain is also extremely versatile because you can recreate the look of other materials with it. You can get porcelain made to look like natural wood or stone. You also can choose patterned tiles with oriental designs or bold contemporary geometric shapes.
The biggest con of porcelain tile is comfort. Porcelain tile is an extremely hard and durable surface but does not offer much for cushion under foot and can feel cold.
Vinyl Flooring Types
Vinyl is one of the most popular materials because it comes in a diverse range of shapes and sizes. You can get tiles made to look like porcelain. They come in all the shapes, sizes, and colours that porcelain does.
Vinyl plank also comes in hardwood visuals that mimic real hardwood beautifully. Unlike natural hardwood, changing damaged vinyl planks is much easier and often times does not require specialized tools.
There aren't many cons to vinyl flooring. It's inexpensive, durable, and low-maintenance. However, some people feel like it doesn't have the same classic vibe as real hardwood or porcelain, so it's a tough choice for traditionalists.
Carpeting
The ultimate comfort surface!
It's cozy and inviting, and it comes in tons of colours, patterns and textures. This sense of comfort and warmth can't be replicated with other flooring types. Carpet is noise-absorbing, so it is perfect for reducing room echo. Plus, carpet improves insulation so no more cold floors!
The downside of carpet is maintenance. To keep your carpet healthy and long-lasting it should be professionally vacuum extraction cleaned every 18 months.
Choose the Right Flooring Design
Design Flooring Centre offers a wide range of home flooring types. We're committed to helping you select the right design for your individual tastes and applications.
Check out our virtual showroom today or contact us, and let our experts guide you toward the flooring of your dreams.