House’s flooring significantly affects the building’s aesthetics. Natural hardwood creates a warm, natural, and luxury atmosphere, while concrete slabs and marbles give the house a cozy, majestic, and nuanced experience. But those two are just some examples of flooring materials. According to HGTV.com, bamboo, linoleum, marmoleum, cork, and laminate are the other five popular materials.
By considering the alternatives of flooring, choosing the right one can be difficult. Here are three factors to consider before installing the house’s floor.
Cost
First, you have to think of how much a flooring material costs. You should bear in mind that you are trying to cover a large area in the house. If you prefer an expensive material, then you should be ready to spend some money on both the installation and maintenance.
Home Advisor compiled the data of flooring installation from 26493 reports and managed to come up with the average cost, which is anywhere around $1,532 – $4,377. The cheapest option is to cover the house’s floor with carpets, and the most expensive one is to install hardwood boards.
Hardwood may offer you the best look because it matches with all kinds of indoor decoration style and is a highly appreciated architectural taste. However, wood still bears some porosity if compared to stone slabs or porcelain tiles. Hardwood may require a replacement in the future.
As for the stone flooring, you do not need to worry about it as much as the wood flooring. Maintenance is necessary only after years of installation.
Insulation
House’s flooring affects indoor temperature. Stone flooring can drain the house’s energy during winter because it is heat conductive. Installing a floor heater becomes necessary if you choose that flooring material. Wood, on the other hand, is more adjustable to room temperature. Therefore, you have to think carefully about whether the temperature is a severe issue or not in your region.
Lifestyle
The house’s floor is not only intended for the aesthetic purpose but also functionality. If you are a type of person who likes to do activities such as exercising, reading, and even sitting on the floor, then you do not want a texture that is too hard and cold. Stones will be out of your options, and you should choose for the hardwood or bamboo flooring instead.
If wood flooring is too pricey for you, then you should try the laminates and vinyl. Laminate can mimic anything from maple, marble, oak, and brick. It will be aesthetically satisfying even though it will not increase the house’s resale value at all. Vinyl is way cheaper and practical than laminate flooring, but it can tear and get gouged easily by sharp objects.