Flooring Basics

Since the right choice of floors can make a world of difference in creating the ideal home for your personality and habits, it’s important to consider the multitude of materials available today. If you are trying to decide on the right flooring material for your home and need more information, you’ve come to the right place!

Choosing the Right Flooring

The best flooring option on the market for you will depend on your life situation and personality. A family with three small kids will more than likely want to put noise reduction and durability at the top of their list of considerations, while a retired couple building their vacation home might be more concerned with creating atmosphere and beauty when considering what to put under their feet.

Flooring: Carpet

Carpet is one of the most popular choices for homeowners for a variety of reasons, number one being comfort. Stretching out and laying down on hardwood or stone just isn’t the same as relaxing on a plush and inviting carpet covered floor. Carpet stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than most other materials. Add to that the fact that carpet absorbs noise, both in a room and between floors, and it’s easy to see why many homeowners turn to carpet to meet their flooring needs.

Flooring: Ceramic Tile

Tile is a good option for anyone looking for a low maintenance and beautiful floor. Ceramic tiles offer a large variety of styles and designs that can fit almost any homeowner’s vision, and it is versatile enough to be used in almost any room of the house. It’s also more cost effective, durable, and easier to clean than most other materials.

Stone Flooring

Stone floors are a top choice for those who want breathtaking results when it comes to improving the beauty of their home. Polished marble and granite are both classy and tough, while other stone materials, including sandstone, limestone and slate, create a more natural look. While stone is certainly a good choice, it’s important that you consider it carefully to be sure it fits your lifestyle. While stone is tougher than ceramic, it is also more vulnerable to water damage and other stains than other materials, and polished varieties require daily maintenance.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring adds an atmosphere of warmth and class to any room in which it is installed. They are a little less durable than other materials, but the application of a urethane finish will help to prevent the scratches and other blemishes that are inevitable with this type of flooring. Also, a hardwood floor can oftentimes be refinished to look like new, something that isn’t possible with most other materials.

Laminate Flooring

• Laminate floors are fast becoming one of the most sought after floor materials on the market because of their aesthetic appeal, their incredible level of durability, and cost effectiveness.
• Laminate floors are made of pressed, composite wood with a thin layer of veneer laid over the top that can mimic almost any other surface, though different varieties of hardwood are the most popular surfaces currently available.
• They are nearly impossible to scratch and are water and stain resistant, making them a popular choice for those who want the beauty of hardwood without the upkeep.

Other Flooring Materials

Vinyl floors are perhaps the most durable and cost effective flooring solution on the market. Rubber flooring is tough and long lasting when applied in the right setting while those who are more ecologically-minded might want to consider bamboo floors, which are just as durable and beautiful as hardwood, yet made from a renewable resource. Talk to a flooring professional to get a complete list of the less common materials out there that might meet your specific needs.

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.