Types of Floors for Entrance Ways

The entrance way creates the first impression about the interiors of the house and the owners too. It is the first thing that a visitor notices about your house. It is important to have an impressive and welcoming entry way to the house. Whether you call it the foyer or grand foyer or simply the entryway, remember to give it due thought. Besides creating first impressions, the entrance way is also the route that most dirt, grime, and allergens take to enter a house. The flooring for the entranceway needs to couple beauty with functionality and set the right tone for the rest of the house.

Entrance Way Flooring

Warm and Welcoming

The entry way flooring should be warm and welcoming, symbolizing the rest of the house. When you return after a hard day at work, it should make you feel relaxed even before you step into your house.

Durable

The entryway is the area that probably sees the maximum traffic in the house. Choose flooring that’s strong enough to withstand footfalls and does not wear easily. If the flooring that you select is not durable enough it will begin to show signs of stress within no time. A worn out entryway flooring is sure to create a poor impression about the rest of the house.

Entrance Way Flooring Options

• Carpet – Carpet is arguable one of the healthiest flooring choices. A carpet at the entranceway will trap dust and dirt until they are removed by regular cleaning or vacuuming. If you think that cleaning the carpet at the entrance will be a chore just think about the labor needed to clean the house if this dirt and dust were tracked into the house!
• Hardwood flooring – Hardwood flooring is a good choice for an entranceway. It adds warmth and contrasts well with the light colored walls at the entrance way. The drawback is that since an entranceway sees a lot of traffic and even more dirt and grime- the hardwood you choose may get damaged quickly. The wood flooring at the entranceway would need a layer of penetrating finish to maintain its look longer.
• Tiles – are a hard flooring material and wear well. Tiles are water resistant and if one of the tiles is damaged it can be replaced without the need to change a large section of the floor.
• Stone flooring –Granite, Marble, and Travertine are all excellent choices for the entrance way. Besides the fact that they are durable, they add a touch of class to any home. Stones of contrasting colors can be paired to create interesting designs and motifs at the entranceway. If you care planning to keep potted plants stone will form an excellent base.
• Mats and Rugs – Rugs do not constitute a flooring material in themselves. They are best used in combination with hard floorings. The biggest problem with a hard surface is that it will allow dirt and dust to be tracked in to the house. To avoid this problem you can keep an absorbent walk off mat or rug at the doorway. Mats and rugs will ensure that the regular cleaning at the entrance way is limited to this small removable piece.

If you are looking for a flooring material for the approach to the house or the outside entrance way you will need a tough weather resistant material. Concrete tiles, travertine tiles and stone are the best choices for this area. When designing an entryway you will also need to consider the color of the flooring material if there is a step at the entrance. Contrasting flooring would be needed at the two levels to ensure that people do not accidentally trip and fall. A well designed entranceway is the key to a great looking house. If you follow some of the tips in this article you will be able to design your entranceway flooring to last you a lifetime. If you feel that you need help in choosing the flooring or in finalizing the design you are welcome to get in touch with us at Contempo Floor Coverings. .

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