You cannot see the important role the flooring plays in the bottom line of your house.
Whether we talk about the arches, hallway, or open doors, every small detail of the house majorly depends on the house’s flooring.
Not to mention, flooring also leads your way to the interior design of your house. So, when choosing the best type of flooring, there’s no such rule book that you have to follow. And neither the best flooring HAS to be wooden floors or porcelain tiles; there’s so much more to the options you can choose from.
With so many available options, choosing the best type becomes quite daunting. But don’t worry. In this blog, we’ll help you make a smart decision for every room in your house.
Here, we’ll discuss the best type of flooring for your home needs and which one is the most suitable for every room.
Kitchens and Mudrooms
Kitchens and mudrooms are your home’s high-traffic areas, so you need to choose the hardest working floor for them. You might think of getting the wooden floors as they are still the most widely used aesthetic choice. But, with the high foot traffic, dragging of chairs, etc., they won’t stand much chance.
So, porcelain tile can be a natural fit for high-traffic areas of your home, like the kitchen. These tiles outperform every other flooring option available. This is because tiles are more resistant to scratching and also don’t hold a chance of dents from unforeseen circumstances like falling utensils.
Porcelain tiles also come in various styles that can fit your décor. The best part is that tiles are low-maintenance, which means you don’t have to do much other than just vacuuming and mopping.
Remember: Porcelain tiles are vulnerable to heavy objects falling on them, so you need to be aware that they might crack when something heavy falls on them.
Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms
Unlike kitchens, the floors of bathrooms and laundry rooms don’t experience heavy foot traffic or constant sunlight.
Instead, the main challenge in these rooms is in liquid form, such as toilet overflow, bathers splash, and showerers drip.
So, the top choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms is porcelain tile flooring. Wooden floors should be a big NO in this case, as tile holds up well in wet places. Furthermore, porcelain tiles also allow barrier-free showers that are design-forward, where the bathroom floor goes into the shower without any curb.
A pro tip: to avoid slippery floors (when wet), you should choose a more textured tile instead of one with a highly polished surface.
Dining, Living, and Family Rooms
These are the most common areas in your home, so it’s justified if you demand a cozy feel here. Yes, it’s true that pet nails, furniture, toys with wheels, and stiletto heels can damage wood floors, but let’s be honest; any other material will feel substandard in these rooms.
Therefore, we recommend hardwood floors for these areas as they add value to your home. Solid wood flooring can be the top choice in this case. We mean prefinished and unfinished wood flooring that gets finished and sanded on-site.
Moreover, there are many other reasons to choose prefinished planks.
First, you won’t have fumes from finishing or dust from sanding to contend with during installation. This also depends on how the flooring is installed. In some cases, you might also walk on the floors right away.
Secondly, these flooring options are also less expensive.
Third, and most importantly, compared to what your contractor would likely apply once the floor is installed, these prefinished/factory-applied finishes are tougher-wearing.
Enclosed Porches and Sunrooms
The porch’s exposure to sunlight and rain is one major factor determining which floor is the best choice for you. Additionally, if the floor is built in a three-season room, you may have to deal with concrete flooring (which restricts your options because you can’t nail planks directly to it), storage for recreational equipment, and even freeze-thaw cycles.
The best choice for these rooms is porcelain tile flooring. It is a durable option that can stand and is not vulnerable to most of the challenges it will face in these rooms.
Besides stone and faux wood, porcelain tiles can also be designed to look like handmade ceramic tiles. This gives a welcoming touch to your place.
Plus, in case your porch isn’t fully protected and heated from the elements, you need to make sure that you opt for a tile that has a rating for outdoor use in your area’s climate.
If your porch is heated and weatherproof and you prefer not to use cold-to-the-touch tile, engineered wood gives a cozy; this room is not an afterthought. Typically, engineered wood flooring can be laid over a concrete subfloor. However, an outside decking product, like a cedar, tropical hardwood, composite, or pressure-treated pine, would be better for a porch that is exposed to the elements.
Basements
You might be planning on refinishing your basement into a subterranean space such as a playroom, rec room, wine cellar, an in-law suite, or a man cave. The biggest challenge with basements is a concrete floor (especially the one below grade) that might be damp constantly.
So, the best type of flooring for your basement must have positive reviews about installation over below-grade concrete. Also, you need to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
The top choice for basements is vinyl flooring, as it can handle water submergence very well. Thus, they are waterproof. Vinyl flooring is also subject to persisting moisture.
Without wood fibers, porcelain and vinyl can withstand the most severe of these circumstances. However, porcelain tile often feels cold underfoot, particularly in basements where the ground beneath the floor makes heating it with an electric floor warmer inefficient and costly.
Vinyl is, therefore, certainly better in basements. Additionally, it provides an extensive range of formal and casual choices to match whatever vibe you want in the room.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the best type of flooring for each room in your home is essential for both aesthetic appeal and practicality.
By considering factors such as durability, moisture resistance, comfort, and maintenance requirements, you can make informed decisions that enhance the functionality and beauty of your living spaces.
Whether you opt for hardwood in the living room, tile in the kitchen and bathroom, or vinyl in the basement, each flooring choice contributes to your home’s overall ambiance and usability.
With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a harmonious environment that meets your needs and reflects your personal style.
Upgrade your home with Next Door Flooring! Schedule your consultation today and discover the perfect flooring solution for every room in your home.
