Choosing flooring for your home comes down to personal design style, preference and season of life once you’ve given thought to durability, ease of installation, maintenance and affordability. The goal in this decision making process is to end up with beautiful and attractive floors that enhance and add value to your home.
Genuine solid wood flooring stands apart as a premium choice for homeowners. With the many hardwoods (oak, maple, cherry and others) to choose from today you must also decide on selecting unfinished or pre-finished flooring.
Unfinished hardwood flooring allows you to truly customize the finish (especially if you are matching existing flooring) while pre-finished (sanded, stained and finished at manufacturer) flooring comes with a manufacturer warranty on the finish. But that’s not all to consider. You must also choose the plank width and type of edge.
The finished edge is also an option that determines the overall look of your flooring. Years ago we saw more beveled edges known for their deep groove between two planks. Today manufacturers prefer a ‘eased edge’ (traditional) that is not as deep a bevel which helps hide minor irregularities such as uneven plank heights. When all planks meet squarely to create a uniform smooth and seamless surface you’ve chosen a ‘square edge’ (contemporary) finish.
In contrast, engineered (to provide greater stability) hardwood flooring can be installed in any room in your home. An engineered oak flooring supplier in UK describes this flooring as a pre-finished hardwood flooring containing 3-12 multiple layers of plywood with two or more layers of wood veneers in a single plank.
Luxury Vinyl Tile is another flooring option that is growing in popularity. With the latest 3D imaging technologies, LVT manufacturers are able to transfer an image of natural materials directly to a tile, even the grain, texture patterns and color variations. The design options are limitless, the resistance to chipping, warping or yellowing and naturally water-resistant quality make LVT’s also suitable for home flooring.
All three flooring choices (solid wood, engineered wood and luxury vinyl tile) come with easy maintenance. Your decision will most likely come down to personal design style, preference and season of life, all within your budget of course! If you still find yourself in a dilemma ask this question that always works for me; which choice will best complement your home?”
For more floor buying guide information please visit Consumer Reports or WFCA to find a member flooring retailer near you.