Home Makeover Ideas: A Guide to the Different Types of Flooring to Boost Your Comfort

Every home needs proper flooring to keep its functionality. its goal is to keep people on foot and provide a non-slippery, safe moving surface. Depending on your lifestyle, personal preferences and budget, you can choose from a variety of floorings that can embellish your home.

Some of the most famous ones are vinyl, hardwood and laminate. But this choice also depends on the room. Marble, for example, is great for the living room, but it can be a safety hazard in the bathroom. Installing a carpet is not a solution for every room as well. That’s why you need to consider your options thoroughly and find out as much as you can about each type of flooring.

Timber Flooring

This flooring has a sort of warmth and character that projects into the whole room. It gives the room a special feel and makes you feel comfortable and welcome. It’s Australia’s favourite flooring for a long time now, and people buy high-quality timber flooring without a second thought. It’s a traditional choice but it can complement any modern or contemporary style and design.

Hardwood

This style of wood flooring is made of solid lengths of wood that manufacturers chop, sand, and give a smooth finished side after milling it from a single piece of wood. Since they are unfinished raw pieces of wood, they differ in colour, depth, and texture. But this is something that gives them a special appeal and beauty. Most of these floors are pre-finished and ready to use after installation.

This type of timber floor has to be installed by professionals and needs time to acclimate to the space. That’s why it sits onsite for 2-3 weeks. Otherwise, it may react and cup and twist as a reaction to moisture. It can go directly on the joists and bearers of timber if you’re building a new house or adding an extension to the old one. The “tongue and groove” approach is most commonly used to attach them to a wooden subfloor. After installation, professionals should sand, stain, and polish them.

Parquetry

Individual pieces of wood that are arranged in a geometric pattern are called parquetry. You can create various patterns such as basket weave, liner, herringbone or a square-on-square. The most famous one is the herringbone type. Instead of laying it down one by one, you can get preassembled flooring and glue it down on a subgrade made of wood. You can also lay it down on a concrete slab completed with an epoxy membrane.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth. It’s actually a grass and not timber, but it still falls into this category. It’s an environmentally friendly product, but manufacturers still add some chemicals to make it more durable. They make it by slicing its fibres and re-piecing them together with pressure, heat and resin-based glue. It’s very cost-effective and durable, which makes it the first choice for many eco-friendly homes.

Laminate

For people who need more durability, or those who prefer a real wood look and feel at a lesser cost, laminate flooring is an excellent option. It can withstand high foot traffic and it’s a great option for any room in the house. It’s water and scratch-resistant which makes it perfect for families with small children or pets.

Plus, it’s easy to clean and maintain, just a sweep and a damp mop once in a while is all you can expect from chores. Its thickness can vary between 6-12mm depending on the subfloor you have. It’s a perfect option for any home, and it’ll give you a true wood appearance for less money.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is gaining more and more popularity with each passing day. It provides many benefits, including easy installation and durability. It’s made from a synthetic material called PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic). Manufacturers heat and press it into planks or tiles and cover it with a photorealistic layer that can look like tiles, wood, stone or ceramics. They can also add some texture to it so you can get the whole experience. This flooring stands up to high foot traffic and it’s moisture resistant. You can find it in three finishes:

• Vinyl no-wax finish;
• Urethane finish;
• Enhanced urethane finish.

When you compare the cost of timber flooring, stone or ceramic, vinyl is very affordable and easy to install. You don’t need glue or staples, just peel and lay it down. You can install it over plywood, concrete or hardwood. If you give it proper maintenance, it can last for 15-20 years because it’s stain and scratch resistant.

It’s simple. All vinyl needs are sweeping and occasional mopping. You can use it as kitchen flooring, and even in rooms with humid environment such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements. The best part is you have a vast choice of designs that can fit into every home’s interior design.

Marble

Marble is one of the prettiest natural floors you can lay your eyes on. It looks luxurious and you can find it in many colours and vein-like patterns because nature makes everything unique. Do your research before buying, and keep an eye on artificially coloured marble though. Choose slabs with the same thickness and measurements to ensure a uniform surface. Purchase only high-quality slabs that were tested and approved for usage. Also, always hire a professional to do the installation because it requires special skills and tools.

Because it’s porous, marble can stain and some of the chemical products used for cleaning can leave additional marks on the floor. That’s why it’s not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms and dining rooms. If you live in warmer climates, marble will keep you cool throughout the year. To keep it neat and clean use non-toxic cleaners, mild water and a mop because acidic cleaners will damage the smooth marble surface.

Granite

Granite is made up of a variety of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, mica, silica, obsidian, and more. People use it for countertops and flooring because of its beauty and durability. Granite slabs have distinctive crystals, a range of shades, and a nice depth. Also, it’s well-known around the world since it never loses its colour or radiance. Depending on the room you’re covering, plus the level of moisture and foot traffic, you can choose polished, brushed and flamed granite. Remember to always leave the installation process to the professionals because it’s very labour intensive.

Linoleum

Linoleum lost its popularity at one point, but it’s coming back now with improved performance and innovation. You can find it in different thicknesses. The thickest one is the most expensive so consider this before buying. The flexibility that linoleum has makes it perfect for any room because it won’t crack. You can find it in many colours and patterns. That way you can combine it in every room and every design.

Linoleum is hard-wearing and durable and has the ability to mimic other materials. Similar to vinyl you can make your kitchen floor look like marble, or the living room floor like hardwood. It’s very easy to install, and if you’re a DIYer this will be a great project for your renovation. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, recyclable and has antibacterial properties.