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The Pros & Cons of Different Types of Home Flooring

One of the most important decisions to make while dealing with home renovation is to select the right flooring material. Experts opine that it takes almost 8-10 months on an average, for a homeowner to select the flooring material. That’s more than enough time to learn about different types of floorings and their apparent pros and cons. Here are some of the common choices with their benefits and their disadvantages.

Wood

Wooden flooring has been around for ages. And it is still the number one choice for homeowners looking for a cozy and practical flooring option. It can either be solid wood flooring or engineered wooden planks.
  • Pros: Wood is soft to the touch, durable and long lasting if well cared for. It is available in a wide range of finishes, colors and hues and you can choose from a diverse array of wood types. The best part is that you can use wooden flooring in just about any room in the house without making it seem out of place.
  • Cons: Wood comes with significant upfront costs that includes installation. It can also be susceptible to water damage and is usually, the lesser popular choice for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Softer varieties of wood can also dent under the weight of heavy furniture.

Stone

Natural or engineered stone are excellent choices for flooring because of their low maintenance, exceptional designs and extreme durability. Some of the common choices are granite, slate, marble and Quartzite.
  • Pros: You have an endless number of options in design, colors and patterns. Also, flooring are available for all types of budgets. It is extremely resistant to scratches, dents and moisture which makes it an ideal choice for kitchens, bathrooms and dining areas.
  • Cons: Can be expensive if you include the cost of professional installation. Granite may need resealing once a couple of years. Glossy finished stone flooring can tend to be slippery and may not be the best choice, especially if you share the house with elderly people.

Tile

Tiles are available in a variety of materials like Ceramic, Quarry, Terra Cotta and Porcelain. So, you have an endless number of design and color choices.
  • Pros: A budget friendly option as compared to the other two. A plethora of shapes, sizes and colors which can be mixed also. Tiles offer excellent resistance to moisture and stains.
  • Cons: You will have to clean the grout frequently to avoid bacterial harborage and discoloration. Tiles are prone to cracks and dents especially under heavy furniture. Can be difficult to repair if you damage a tile.

Laminate

Laminate remains one of the more popular choices for home owners thanks to its versatility, durability and multitude of design options. You can choose laminate that looks like stone, wood or tile. Pros: Extremely cost effective, easy to maintain, resistant to scratches and easy to install. Many users even install it over their old flooring. Cons: Laminate cannot be repaired if it is damaged. So, it won’t be as easy as refinishing your wooden flooring.