Quality flooring can make or break a home. Often specific kinds of flooring is on a buyer's must-have list. Here are some different kinds of flooring and the pros and cons of each, according to the experts at Homes.com:
- Ceramic Tile: "Ceramic tiles are made of natural materials like clay, sand and water... Ceramic tiles are highly durable and you can choose from numerous designs and colors. Furthermore, they are perfect for homes with children or pets because they don’t get scratched easily... Ceramic tiles can suffer damage from exposure to sunlight and the pattern tends to fade over time. They are also slippery and children and the elderly must be careful when walking on ceramic tiles, especially with socks."
- Hardwood: "Hardwood floors have become extremely popular in recent years. People seem to really enjoy the natural look of hardwood floors. Hardwood can be solid wood or engineered (where the wood is assembled over an artificial core)... Homes with hardwood flooring have a strong resale value. You can customize the look of hardwood floors due to the various types of woods and finishes which creates numerous options for homeowners... It’s easy to damage hardwood floors. Water and other liquids can stain them, leaving you with a hefty bill to either have the wood resurfaced or new wood installed."
- Linoleum: "Linoleum is a timeless flooring option. This option is common in kitchens, bathrooms and other high-traffic areas. The flooring is usually made from linseed oil, cork powder, and other natural materials... Linoleum is built to last. When taken care of, linoleum can endure for decades. You only have to sweep and dry mop the surface. Because it is made of natural material, linoleum doesn’t emit VOCs and other harmful chemicals... Linoleum can be damaged with sharp objects and cut or nicked. It’s not recommended in bathrooms or other areas with heavy water usage as water can damage the flooring. Sunlight can be hard on the pigment."
- Carpet: "Carpet has been installed in homes since the early 1800s and experienced peak popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Synthetic fibers make carpet a reliable and inexpensive flooring option... The temperature of carpet is fairly uniform throughout the year and feels soft on your feet. Carpet comes in a variety of styles and colors and is sold at a variety of pricing levels. Carpet just requires vacuuming and occasional shampooing to clean.... Spills easily stain carpets and they can be difficult to remove. Carpet can make a home look dated and doesn’t tend to last as long as some of the other flooring options. Carpet is hard on people with allergies as it accumulates dust, pet hair, and other allergens.
What flooring option is best for you?
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