Hard Surface Flooring - Eastbrook Homes...refinishing possible. Less costly than wood particularly...
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Flooring choices for the home are about as plentiful as countertop options. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste and purpose and then some, but each type comes with its own individual advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right material, you’ll need to consider a few things ahead of time, such as how the room is typically used along with your family’s lifestyle. Also think about your priorities and whether you prefer ease of maintenance over aesthetics. Taking a few moments to think about what’s really important will help you narrow down your focus to a manageable list of good options. Floors take up a lot of visible space and it’s only natural to want them to look great. Just don’t forget the practical aspects when making your choice. e right blend of fashion and prudence will result in choosing the right product for your home. 1 Flooring Types ough you’ll find a growing array of styles, most flooring falls into one of these seven types. e type of flooring you choose will depend on your taste, needs, and budget. Solid Wood. Advantages include its natural warmth and the ability to be sanded and refinished several times, along with impressive wear resistance for some. Pros Cons Durable and long-lasting particularly when well maintained. Susceptible to scratches and wear from grit and dirt. Renewable - can be refinished several times. Susceptible to damage from extended presence of moisture and liquids (not recommended for the bathroom). Wide diversity of style choices available from stain color to type of wood species. Can develop squeaks and creaks over time due to loosening between the wood and nails that fasten the planks to the subfloor. Provides a warmer feel than stone, tile or concrete. Susceptible to gaps or “cupping” (curving of the wood surface) with normal humidity changes if improperly installed. Economical choice over the long term due to its renewability. Floors finished in-place require room(s)to be vacant for several days to allow sanding, staining and finishing (not necessary with pre-finished wood however). Pre-finished wood does not require on-site finishing and its associated inconveniences. EastbrookHomes.com | [email protected] | 616-455-0200 | 1188 East Paris Ave SE, Ste 100. Grand Rapids, MI 49546 They each have advantages and disadvantages. Hard Surface Flooring
Transcript of Hard Surface Flooring - Eastbrook Homes...refinishing possible. Less costly than wood particularly...
Flooring choices for the home are about as plentiful as countertop options. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste and purpose and then some, but each type comes with its own individual advantages and disadvantages.
To choose the right material, you’ll need to consider a few things ahead of time, such as how the room is typically used along with your family’s lifestyle. Also think about your priorities and whether you prefer ease of maintenance over aesthetics.
Taking a few moments to think about what’s really important will help you narrow down your focus to a manageable list of good options.
Floors take up a lot of visible space and it’s only natural to want them to look great. Just don’t forget the practical aspects when making your choice. The right blend of fashion and prudence will result in choosing the right product for your home.
1 Flooring Types
Though you’ll find a growing array of styles, most flooring falls into one of these seven types. The type of flooring you choose will depend on your taste, needs, and budget.
Solid Wood. Advantages include its natural warmth and the ability to be sanded and refinished several times, along with impressive wear resistance for some.
Pros Cons
Durable and long-lasting particularly when well maintained.
Susceptible to scratches and wear from grit and dirt.
Renewable - can be refinished several times.
Susceptible to damage from extended presence of moisture and liquids (not recommended for the bathroom).
Wide diversity of style choices available from stain color to type of wood species.
Can develop squeaks and creaks over time due to loosening between the wood and nails that fasten the planks to the subfloor.
Provides a warmer feel than stone, tile or concrete.
Susceptible to gaps or “cupping” (curving of the wood surface) with normal humidity changes if improperly installed.
Economical choice over the long term due to its renewability.
Floors finished in-place require room(s)to be vacant for several days to allow sanding, staining and finishing (not necessary with pre-finished wood however).
Pre-finished wood does not require on-site finishing and its associated inconveniences.
EastbrookHomes.com | [email protected] | 616-455-0200 | 1188 East Paris Ave SE, Ste 100. Grand Rapids, MI 49546
They each have advantages and disadvantages.
Hard SurfaceFlooring
Engineered Wood. This flooring uses a thin veneer of real wood over structural plywood. Most engineered wood doesn’t wear as well as solid wood or plastic laminate. It can also dent easily. Most can be carefully
refinished once, but the veneer on some may be too thin.
Pros Cons
Does not need to acclimate as much to humidity due to the layers of compressed wood that makes up the backing.
Ability to be sanded and refinished is limited; most of these products can also be “screened” which is a light sanding to buff out topical scratches.
Less expensive. Products can dent more easily.
More width and color stain choices.
If not installed correctly, product can buckle with temperature changes.
Hand-scraped and rustic looks are available.
Easier to replace sections of the floor.
Adds value and beauty to the home.
Laminate. Generally made of dense fiberboard with a photo beneath a clear plastic protective layer, laminate can mimic nearly anything from oak to marble. Some brands use real cork beneath
the clear layer. The best laminates resist scratching and discoloration from sunlight better than most wood products.
Pros Cons
Durable - some use advanced coatings designed to stand up to heavy traffic.
Requires full replacement when worn out - no refinishing possible.
Less costly than wood particularly for higher end exotic woods.
Seams between planks and edges present a path for spills/water intrusion which can cause edge-swell.
Can be applied over existing floors.
Floating-floor characteristic results in a hollow sound if no acoustical underlayment is used.
‘Glueless’ laminate is portable - they can be removed and reinstalled elsewhere (though some warranties become void if the floor is disassembled more than 3 times).
Many style options both in wood and stone patterns.
Installation process is simple enough for someone with do-it-yourself skills.
EastbrookHomes.com | [email protected] | 616-455-0200 | 1188 East Paris Ave SE, Ste 100. Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Page 2They each have advantages and disadvantages.
Hard SurfaceFlooring
Vinyl. This option can be especially good at fending off wear, dents, scratches, discoloration from sunlight, and stains. Premium vinyl does a better job of imitating stone, tile, and even oak, but even the best
products still look like vinyl.
Pros Cons
Affordable. Not as eco-friendly or made with sustainable materials as other choices.
Resilient - provides “give” and cushion underfoot.
Susceptible to cuts and tears (i.e. such as when moving/dragging heavy objects over it such as refrigerators).
Easy to maintain. Not a renewable surface like wood.
Wide range of colors/patterns available including new textures.
Not heat tolerant and can scorch or burn.
Good sound absorbing qualities.
Seamed/tiled vinyl offers paths for spilled liquids to get to the backing and subfloor.
Can be laid without seams depending on the size and shape of the room.
Susceptible to permanent dents from table and furniture legs and even pointed-heeled shoes.
Edges and seams may be visible and interrupt the decorative pattern depending on the quality of installation.
Tile. Tile provides almost infinite style and decorating variety. There’s practically an endless range of styles available and‹ the ability to combine them within a floor plan offers even wider design options. Tile
is durable, long-lasting and works well with in-floor radiant heating systems.
Pros Cons
Endless variety of styles, textures and colors.
Grout lines can trap dirt and/or stain and can also be a hindrance to wheelchairs and wheeled walkers.
Durable surface that can last for years.
Hard surface can break dropped items and be uncomfortable to stand on / for long periods of time (non-resilient).
Flexibility in where it can be used - above, at or below grade.
Can be a cold surface during cooler periods of the year if not used in conjunction with an underfloor radiant heat or passive (solar) heating system.
Low maintenance requirements (sweeping and damp mopping).
Glossy and smooth tile surfaces (as opposed to matte finishes) are slippery either wet or dry and present a slipping hazard.
Works well with radiant floor heating systems.
Resistant to stains and wear and won’t fade, burn or melt.
EastbrookHomes.com | [email protected] | 616-455-0200 | 1188 East Paris Ave SE, Ste 100. Grand Rapids, MI 49546
They each have advantages and disadvantages.
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