Whether you’re building a new house or renovating your existing home, you’ll have to make a lot of decisions. You want to love every aspect of your house while making sure that all the elements are still cohesive. Deciding what kind of flooring you want throughout your house can be a hard decision. This is often one of the first decisions you make, and you may have to make it before you even know what direction you want to go with the aesthetic of your house. Flooring is such an important decision because it sets the tone for your entire house. We want to tell you about all the flooring options at your disposal so you can feel confident in your decision.

Hardwood

Wooden flooring is one of the most common floor types in houses due to its durability. This flooring can range in grains and finishes depending on what type of wood you get. Hardwood floors are often made from oak, maple, cherry, etc. You can buy hardwood flooring finished or unfinished. The latter will have to be sanded and coated after installation. This finishing is what makes hardwood floors so easy to clean. Since hardwood floors are so sought after, they cost a great deal more than other floor types. Another downside is that hardwood floors are very prone to swelling, shrinking, and warping.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood has the same look as solid hardwood. However, it is not solid wood. Instead engineered wood has layers of less expensive plywood with a thin veneer of natural wood on top. This makes it cheaper and sturdier. This wood can also be found in various grains and finishes. The main advantage of this flooring is having the look of hardwood flooring for a lower price while also being less prone to shifting.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is very similar to engineered wood. It has layers of plywood or compressed fiber. However, the top layer is not wood. Instead, it is a photograph under a clear plastic coating. Because it is merely a picture, laminate can look like hardwood, stone, tile, etc. It’s great for mimicking the look of other floorings for less money and less maintenance. Laminate flooring is also so easy to clean because the plastic coating allows for it to be smooth while still being hard enough to resist scratches, dents, and stains.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is made up of PVC plastic and coloring. It can be bought in sheets, tiles, or planks and is resistant yet comfortable. Vinyl can be used to replicate wood, tile, glass, and stone while costing less money. However, it will never be as resilient as the real thing. The production of vinyl also emits harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

Linoleum

Unlike vinyl, linoleum is made from natural and renewable materials like cork powder and linseed oil while also being more durable. Linoleum can also come in sheets, tiles, or laminated planks. Some linoleum even comes with protective coatings. Keep in mind that linoleum isn’t as water-resistant as vinyl, and it is vulnerable to denting and tearing from sharp objects. However, frequent recoating can help combat these issues.

Tile

Tile is made from a mixture of clay and shale and is then fired in a kiln similar to pottery. Its materials make it waterproof, very durable, and easy to clean. Tile comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and patterns, but remember, not all tile is made to be flooring. Be sure to check the tile’s COF rating. If the COF rating is higher than .50, then it can be used on interior floors. Also, consider that tile can sometimes become slippery when wet. If you want to put tile in a bathroom, coat it with an anti-slip finish.

Carpet

Carpet is made from soft materials like wool and nylon and is installed over a layer of padding. In general, it’s harder to clean than all the other floorings mentioned above. However, recent technology has given modern carpets stain-resistant qualities. Carpet can come in many different colors and textures. It is a very common flooring for bedrooms. If you don’t think carpet is for you, but you still want to reap the benefit, consider adding rugs to your home after picking flooring.

How We Can Help

At Holland Homes, we want you to love everything about your new home from the location all the way down to the floors. When you decide to buy a Holland Home, our design specialists sit down with you, so you can make all the decisions about your home with professional guidance. We’ll help you find the perfect floor for what you want and need. Contact us today so we can start building your perfect house. We can’t wait to help you create the home of your dreams!