With so many options available, you may be unsure of which one to choose.
The type of flooring you select may be dependent on your budget, your desired look and feel, as well as your lifestyle.
This article will provide you with an overview of a few of the different kinds of flooring available and help you decide which may be best for your unique situation.
What Types of Flooring are Available
Carpet
Carpeting is extremely versatile. It has more options for colors and textures available than any other kind of flooring. Carpet is typically created by pulling fibers through a woven backing; then gluing on additional layers of backing are glued for more strength and thickness. Carpet pads add more cushioning and help prolong the life of the carpet.
There are several different types of carpeting on the market today, including:
- Wool – Natural, durable, and moisture and stain resistant
- Nylon – Exceptionally durable and resistant to wear and tear
- Acrylic – Has the look and feel of wool but resists wear, crushing, mildew, and insects
- Polyester – Offers bright colors that are highly moisture-resistant
- Polypropylene olefin – Extremely resistant to stains, moisture, and mildew. Typically used for indoor/outdoor carpets.
Hardwood
The majority of people that come into our showroom express an interest in having hardwood floors installed. Hardwood flooring is classic and timeless, adding natural beauty to any home. It blends seamlessly into any architectural or interior design and works incredibly well for homes with open floor plans.
It’s no wonder everyone wants it.
However, it’s important to note that today, several materials provide the look of real wood but offer more affordability and durability. Hardwood can also be coated in finishes that include ceramics, aluminum oxide, and acrylic monomers for increased durability.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is very low-maintenance and comes in a variety of styles, colors, and patterns. Laminate is made with a top wear layer backed by stable layers of plywood or compressed fiber backing. The top layer of laminate flooring is actually a plastic coating applied over a photograph — the technology used to create laminate results in beautiful finishes nearly indistinguishable from real hardwoods and other flooring materials like ceramic tile, stone, and stained concrete.
Laminate flooring comes as planks or tiles. For most installation, it’s not necessary to do a tear-out, as laminate can typically be installed directly over your existing flooring, with no glue or nails. For this reason, Laminate is an excellent option for those opting for a DIY flooring solution. However, it can be challenging to install laminate around corners and between door jambs. Getting a perfect installation with little to no flaws takes a professional touch.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile comes in many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, making it easy to create a custom look for your home. Made from a combination of baked clay and shale that is hardened in a kiln with dry pigments added to give the tiles earthy tones, Ceramic tile offers a lot of flexibility and comes in four basic types, including:
- Glazed Ceramic – Offers a glass-like coating applied before firing, giving the tile an unlimited variety of colors and textures and making the flooring material very easy to maintain
- Quarry – This is an unglazed ceramic tile with a slightly rough texture which offers more sli-resistance compared to glazed tile.
- Porcelain – This type of tile is fired at extremely high temperatures, resulting in an added level of strength and durability. Available both glazed and unglazed, it’s also stain-resistant and great for exterior applications.
- Terracotta – This unglazed tile looks earthy and rustic. It can be prone to staining unless it’s sealed periodically.
Vinyl
Vinyl tiles are tough, yet flexible and slightly soft underfoot. They’re durable and very easy to maintain. Vinyl flooring is backed by a layer of felt, while cushioned vinyl offers added comfort and safety thanks to a thin layer of foam. Vinyl also features a wear layer on its upper surface that resists both stains and scratches.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, is perfect if you have an active home with kids or pets, or for those with high-traffic areas. Luxury vinyl tile is similar to vinyl, as it has a wear layer, an image layer, a resilient core, and backing.
However, LVT is usually thicker, more durable, and has a more realistic look and feel. Many styles are also waterproof. LVT is especially good for utility areas, kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, and playrooms, but can add a level of style and sophistication to any room in your home.Still Undecided? We Can Help!
As you can see, there are so many different options available to meet your flooring needs. Whether you’re looking for carpet, hardwood, or something that looks and feels like hardwood with a lower price point, Delta Carpet & Decor can help to make your vision a reality.
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