Which Floor Covering Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing a floor covering, location, usage, and beauty are all important factors

When thinking about a new or replacement floor covering, there are several factors to be considered. You have many choices, including wood, laminates, tiles, and carpet. Each has characteristics that may weigh in favor of their use; you'll probably discover a few drawbacks as well.

You should first map out traffic patterns, functionality, and usage by room. An active playroom with young children, for instance, might benefit from vinyl for ease of cleaning. However, it may not wear as well as other materials. Wood floors are trendy and elegant, but do require specialized care, especially around areas that may be subjected to dampness. They also are sound carriers and should be buffered by area rugs.

If you like low maintenance floor care, tile is a great option. However, it can be hard on the feet if you stand for any length of time and the tiles can be cold in winter. Porcelain - at the high end - will last virtually forever. The problems may lie in the grout, however, and it is a painstaking process to replace. Annual sealing will help, but over time stains will occur. The thinner the grout lines, the less noticeable the stains will be. A mop and a stick vac make cleanup easy; remember that grit has nowhere to go and will most definitely show up on lighter colored tiles.

Larger rooms can benefit from the super-sized tiles now available. Flagstone and Mexican tiles are popular choices with some quite beautiful choices in design and colors. Careful shopping and a do-it-yourself knack may come in handy and save considerable cost over a professional installation.

Carpet selection is daunting, and with a vast range in pricing and quality. It is a great sound and temperature buffer, but you should never place it in a bathroom or kitchen. The moisture from baths and vapors from cooking will wear down the fibers quickly. Heavy traffic areas also will reflect wear and tear sooner than other types of floor treatments. If the room is sizable, you can blend two different styles. Tiles for instance in a trafficway that is bordered on one side by Berber or other carpet type.

You might assume that the best pricing will be through the larger home improvement stores. Expect a surprise, however, when you shop the smaller mom-and-pop operations. They can often offer much lower prices - on both product and installation - while carrying a wide range of colors and patterns. It will be to your advantage to shop around.