There is a revolution happening in flooring. It doesn’t matter if you are installing new flooring in your home or looking for new flooring in a new place, there is no need to adhere to old rules regarding which flooring type should be used in which rooms.
This means that natural wooden furniture is no longer necessary in the living rooms and that tile can be used in the bathrooms. Don’t believe the myth that vinyl is better for dead bodies than wood.
Engineered wood is an attractive option for bedrooms and living spaces. It’s less expensive than solid planks. Vinyl flooring features realistic images made from reclaimed barnwood. It is stylish enough for the den. You can use new porcelain tiles to look like Calacatta marble in a high-end powder room. Other tiles have the texture and look that wood planks would, which work great in designer kitchens. Products today have texture and no repeat patterns, which is a big improvement on the faux flooring of old.
Consumer Reports has recently tested that many types of flooring are durable and beautiful. These include engineered hardwood, laminate, porcelain tiles, vinyl and vinyl. If hardwood flooring is installed correctly, it can retain its shine and warm glow.
We have examined the main areas of a typical residence and identified the most appropriate flooring materials to tackle each area. Our suggestions will ensure that your floors last for many years. They can resist the effects of sunlight, foot traffic as well as moisture and bleach.
Kitchen & Mudroom
Grit-covered shoes are prone to slipping on dirt, raincoats drop, chairs move back and forth and heavy cans fall from the countertop onto the floor. Simply put, kitchens & mudrooms require hardworking floors.
Wood continues to be a popular aesthetic choice. But, it won’t withstand that assault.
Porcelain Tiles: Top Choice
This tile is a natural match for high-traffic areas and can withstand scratches like no other flooring material. Rico de Paz the CR engineer responsible to rating flooring says that porcelain tile outperformed any other flooring material in our tests for resistance. The best part about porcelain tile is that it comes in a variety styles to suit every decor. You can choose from small-format hex-tiles for a traditional house in the 20th century, or 4-foot faux wood planks with matching grout. It is also low-maintenance and requires vacuuming only to keep it clean.
Runner-Up: Vinyl
The popularity of sheet vinyl floors among homeowners began in the 1950s. This was often done with multiple layers as trends changed. It can be used to cover large areas and is inexpensive. The average price of vinyl planks & tiles was $3.42 per square feet. This is lower than the cost of porcelain tile but second in affordability behind laminates at $2.82 per sq. foot. Vinyl planks or tiles are also easy to install.
Joan Slaughterbeck, the founder of Slaughterbeck Floors (Campbell, Calif.), says that customers often mistake the luxury vinyl planks I have installed in my showroom for real wood. She also has luxury vinyl planks installed in many homes in Palo Alto as well as in other elite Bay Area communities.
Vinyl products today are tougher than ever, but may scratch more easily than vinyl products in the past. Keep kitchen stools’ feet protected with fresh felt bumpers. Also, ensure you buy additional planks so that your kitchen stools match perfectly. If planks become damaged, you can remove them from the floor and install new ones as needed.
Bathroom & Laundry Room
Challenge
These floors do not have to withstand the pressure of foot traffic, or the intense sunlight that is common in other places.These flooring problems are liquid-based. Toxic substances can cause bathers to splash and showerers to dribble. Toilets overflow. Then there’s Mark Mackmiller, Eden Prairie’s design-andbuild contractor. Urine can stain some natural stone flooring.
Choice: Porcelain TILE
Even purists, who will never use real wood for their bathrooms or laundry room, should seriously consider porcelain tile. John Cole, an architect out of Fryeburg Maine says tile is a good choice in these rooms since it’s durable and can withstand water. Porcelain showers are easy to design, and they don’t require any curbs. A more textured product is better than one with an extremely polished surface. This will help to prevent slippery floors from wet.
