The Different Types Of Flooring For Your Home
The type of flooring you have can heavily influence the overall look and feel of your space as it is the foundation of any room design. The interior design professionals at The Linen Duck share some of the most popular flooring materials available.
Hardwood Flooring
Beautiful and durable, hardwood flooring adds warmth to any home with its rich colors and different textures. However, hardwood flooring can be sensitive to moisture; excessive exposure can lead to warping and discoloration.
Common hardwood flooring costs around $3 to $8 per square foot while more exotic hardwoods start from $14 per square foot. Professional installation can set you back between $5 to $12 per square foot.
Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered wood flooring has a wood surface that is backed by layers of plywood or recycled wood fiber mixed with stone dust. This mix makes for a material that is less susceptible to changes in temperature or humidity than pure hardwood. Manufacturers incorporate a self-locking mechanism into the floor’s design, making installation hassle-free and affordable.
Ceramic Tiles
Made from a mixture of clay and shale, ceramic tiles come in four different types:
- Glazed tiles have a coating similar to glass, with a wide range of colors and textures to choose from.
- Porcelain tiles are often used in exterior applications due to their durability.
- Terracotta tiles are favored for their rustic charm. These unglazed tiles need to be sealed to prevent staining.
- Quarry tiles are unglazed ceramics with a reddish-brown color and are more slip-resistant than glazed tiles.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo slats are glued together to form solid strips or planks. Bamboo flooring is durable and is considered a sustainable material as bamboo grows and regenerates quickly.
Travertine Flooring
A type of limestone that forms around hot springs, travertine has been used as a building material since Roman times. Nowadays travertine is often used for patios and garden paths. Other common applications include showers, façades, backsplashes, wall cladding, and flooring.
Laminate
Considered the workhorse of flooring materials, laminate is very durable, stain and fade-resistant, and easy to install. Similar to engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring has a top layer protected by a plastic coating and is backed by layers of plywood or compressed fibers. It’s versatile, too; one can easily replicate the look and feel of real wood or even stone, tile, or concrete with laminate flooring.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is flexible and slightly soft underfoot as it is backed by a layer of felt or foam. Protecting that soft interior is a tough upper surface that is stain and scratch-resistant. Vinyl is easy to maintain and is available in a variety of colors and patterns.
Linoleum
This material is made of biodegradable materials such as linseed oil and cork. Mineral pigments are added to this mix to create vibrant colors. A protective coating helps prevent stains and scratches. Linoleum comes in sheets, laminated planks, or tiles.
Natural Marble Stone
Marble flooring gives any space a premium look and feel. Marble is water-resistant but can feel cold and be slippery when wet; non-slip floor mats might be necessary for certain areas especially if you have seniors and children at home.
Carpet
Available in limitless colors and textures, carpet has remained a popular flooring choice for decades. While it’s easy to install, the carpet is prone to wear and tear and requires consistent maintenance to stay in good condition.
The Linen Duck offers interior design services in Nashville TN and surrounding areas. Sit down with one of their in-house designers and discuss space planning, art, accessories, and other elements of design for a space you are working on. Email info@thelinenduck.com or call (931) 548-2422 to book a discovery call.