Installing the flooring in a new home is an immensely important decision since you will have to live with it as long as you are in the house. It can be a difficult task, so here is a complete overview of the types of flooring, and what you can expect.

Engineered wood flooring

Wooden flooring used to be very popular, especially on the first floor of homes. However, now it is a lot more pricey to install solid wood on the floor throughout the hose. That’s why people choose engineered flooring, or laminated timber, which has proven to be resistant to water and movement and has a much longer lifespan.

Because the underlying support system is meant to be more stable than solid wood, engineered wood floors are less subject to seasonal shrinkage and swelling. Some can even be laid directly over concrete flooring, something solid wood can’t usually do.

Same as real wooden flooring, engineered flooring can be sanded down multiple times, and refinished.

You can choose from various sizes and colours of engineered wood flooring, which makes it easier to fit into the style of the rest of the house.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is the most budget-friendly, but it also has a shorter lifespan than engineered flooring. Laminate flooring typically lasts between 15 and 25 years, and it cannot be sanded down and refinished.

It is made up of a compressed fibre core and a melamine wear layer, which gives it its renowned resilience. It’s also simple to put together because it generally comes with a click mechanism that eliminates the need for glue or nails, and if you are handy you can even do it yourself.

Tiles

Tiles are becoming more and more popular throughout the world. They are a budget-friendly option, can be put on top of floor heating, and are virtually indestructible. They are the best choice for high-traffic areas in your house because they are resistant to scratching and dents. Furthermore, they are also resistant to water and are extremely easy to upkeep. You are only required to vacuum and mop them, and they are good as new.

Tiles are most popular in areas with high humidity levels, like the seaside, or an island.

They can come in various sizes, finishes, and colours, giving you the ultimate flooring to put throughout the house.

They may not be the best solution for bedrooms, as they can get pretty cold, but for an open-plan living space, tiles are the way to go.

Carpet

While on the subject of bedrooms, carpet is still the number one choice for installing in the space that you will most likely walk barefoot. It is sound absorbent and soft under feet, but it is not suitable for wet rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens.

The type of carpet you choose will depend on the amount of traffic in an area. It is generally advised against putting carpet in areas with high traffic, such as living rooms, or dining rooms.

There are many materials, colours and textures among carpets, but the best option would be to go to a carpet warehouse to closely examine your preferred choices.

Vinyl

Vinyl is becoming more and more popular and with good reason. It is completely waterproof and perfect for spaces like basements, mudrooms, or laundry rooms. Having a flood will not damage it, and it will stay as new for 5 to 25 years, depending on the quality of the flooring. There are two types of vinyl – one comes in a roll and is installed from wall-to-wall same as carpet, and the other, luxury vinyl tile, comes in tiles that you can lay as you wish. Unlike basic vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles are warm underfoot and mimic wood flooring almost perfectly.

Polished concrete

Concrete is ideal for people looking for a modern style with an industrial feel. Concrete has a poor rap for being environmentally unfriendly, but it’s really better than you might think, thanks to the fact that it’s made from recycled aggregates and is extremely durable — lasting for decades without needing to be replaced; it’s also waterproof. It must be poured by a professional business and is frequently polished to a high sheen.

Choosing the perfect flooring for your forever home is difficult, but no one said you require to pick only one. With this list, you can choose which flooring suits your needs and your space best.