The term ‘flooring’ refers to the lower enclosing surface of spaces within buildings. Your choice of flooring is one of the most important decisions you must make when it comes to improving your home. It is truly vital to educate yourself on what are the types of each flooring. We’ll floor you with your flooring guide here. Here we go!
There are few types of common flooring options with their advantages, disadvantages as well as prices.
1. LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is extremely versatile and can be easily installed even without the help of an installer. Laminate might be an attractive option if you love the hardwood but just cannot work the cost into your budget. It can be suitable for rooms that wish to benefit from the aesthetics of a ‘natural’ floor. Laminate flooring planks usually come in 8mm or 12mm thickness and there are four layers in laminate floorings, starting from the bottom, which are included the balancing layer, core layer, pattern layer and wear layer. Good quality laminates are durable and may have up to 20-year warranty.
Laminate flooring layers are compressed with high pressure under high temperatures. Once the sheets are pressed, they are cooled and fully cured to prevent any surface imperfections. However, laminate floor is not ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. It is made from a composite material called high-density fiberboard (HDF). Once HDF is exposed directly to standing water, it breaks down and expands.
2. VINYL FLOORING
Vinyl Wood Tile maintains the original color and features even though the surface is worn because it used a highly abrasion-resistant material especially. Vinyl flooring can be supplied in rolls or tiles and is generally fixed by gluing. The most cost-effective option of the bunch, there is a wide range of patterns and colors to choose from that include basic designs and colorful mosaics.
Constructed by attaching the top wear layer to an underlayer, the price of the vinyl is usually determined by the thickness of the tile. It can be easily installed with using glue system or the ‘click and lock’ system. However, we must avoid cheaper unlicensed products as some of them are prone to scratching and poorly manufactured vinyl flooring can include high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
3. SPC FLOORING
SPC, which stands for Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite is typically comprised of calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers. SPC flooring can be made in a variety of formats including wider or longer planks and wider tiles. The rigid core flooring feature of SPC is completely waterproof. This helps to get rid of warping when exposed to moisture.
You can use SPC in areas of the home where hardwood and other moisture-sensitive flooring types are not typically recommended, such as laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. However, even though the rigid core of SPC makes it incredibly durable and wear-resistant, it is less comfortable and accommodating underfoot than more heavily cushioned choices.
4. ENGINEERING WOOD FLOORING
Engineered wood consists of a plywood base layer and a thin layer of hardwood (veneer) on top. It is a more affordable alternative to solid hardwood, it has the look of real wood at half the cost and can be installed on top of any subflooring material. If you are concerned about true hardwood warping due to high humidity levels, like in a damp basement, engineered hardwood is a good option in areas of your home.
One of the drawbacks of engineered wood is that it’s not able to be sanded down or refinished as frequently as you could which is just similar to hardwood. However, you can apply the same high-quality coatings to engineered wood floors that you can to traditional hardwood, making them very resistant to wear and tear.
5. SOLID WOOD
Solid wood is a natural product that is obtained by cutting down trees. Traditional furniture, lovingly handcrafted when wood was plentifully available, has been a part of our homes for generations. The two main varieties include hardwood, such as oak, maple, teak, and rosewood; and softwood such as pine, rubberwood, and white cedar. It continues to be the top choice for its great appearance and long-term ROI.
When exposed to constant moisture, solid wood will get damaged on the surface. However, it can be sanded and re-polished to restore the shine. Solid wood is often used for furniture, construction, cabinetry, and flooring. Real solid wood flooring can be very expensive as timber flooring has to be taken from a responsible manufacturer or resource. Besides that, each piece of solid flooring planks and strips are unique in terms of wood patterns, grooves and designs. Thus, it gives a strong posh identity for the wood flooring owner.
There are main five types of floorings. What else should you know before selecting floorings? Let us know and we can help you!
If you are thinking of installing floorings right now, why not contact us for some tips and advice? We start our flooring business since year 2006 and we are glad to share flooring tips with you as well as help you to make the right and suitable decision! DM us for more information! Please take the chance to experience yourself in our virtual showroom too. Thank You! Have a nice day ahead!