You may not think about the type of the flooring that you walk on during the day, but there are major differences in each type. The installation, care, and upkeep vary from carpet, hardwood, and tile. Check out this simple guide to learning the pros and cons of flooring so you can feel confident when choosing new flooring.
Carpet
There are many benefits of selecting carpeting as your flooring. First, it is low maintenance and can last a long time with proper care. The required maintenance is regular vacuuming along with the use of carpet steam cleaners a few times per year. Next, carpet is excellent for sound absorption and helps to prevent slips and falls because it offers traction and does not get slippery. Let’s not forget the very important aspect of comfort. Carpet can be comfortably walked on and laid on. Finally, another major benefit is that it can help reduce energy costs. Carpet acts as an insulator helping keep heat or air conditioning inside. The installation of carpet is fairly simple and can be done independently or by a hired professional.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are simply beautiful, there are many different shades and styles to choose from but the end effect is always refined class. Unfinished wood flooring does require specialized care or, if improperly maintained, the wood can warp and discolor. Finished wood is very low maintenance, dirt and debris can be easily swept up then the area can be mopped for a deeper clean. People who suffer from allergies greatly benefit from hardwood flooring because there are no fibers to trap dust, animal dander, and so on. Wood floors are not only durable, but they also increase the value of a home. They are also long-lasting, once installed a wood floor can last forever potentially. Installation is relatively simple and can be done by an amateur with guidance or by a professional.
Tile
The last type of flooring is ceramic tile. Overall, tile can be one of the cheapest options for flooring because the initial cost is low and it requires no maintenance beyond general cleaning. Tile is not only very versatile and can be used it all rooms of the home, but it also adds to a home’s value. If a tile does crack it is simple to remove the broken tile and grout and replace with a new tile. Installing tile can be a tedious task but can certainly be performed by a DIYer. There are a few things to consider if you want to install tile yourself. You will need to cut the tile to fit each room, there is rarely a perfect fit so power tools are necessary. Additionally, during the grouting process be sure to clean up after yourself very well because dried grout can be a pain to remove. As always a professional can install tiling much quicker and without mistakes.
Now you are armed with the most important information about carpet, hardwood, and tile flooring. You can compare and contrast the differences between each type of flooring to find the right fit for your needs. No matter which option you select, be sure to choose quality materials that will stand the test of time. When considering whether to install flooring yourself or hiring a professional, it is a good idea to consider the time it would take, cost of materials, and cost of labor before deciding on a final option. After it is all said and done, you can rest easy knowing that you did your research and chose your flooring wisely. The only thing left to do is relax and enjoy the new changes.
