Flooring can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home. It will also contribute to the resale value, and it enhances the ambiance of a home. There are a great many choices to consider when deciding on the flooring for your home. Let’s take a look at ten of the most popular flooring styles from which to choose for your home
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1. Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood floors are one of the staples within the flooring industry. Because of the natural beauty and durability of solid hardwood floors, they have been around for centuries. Solid wood floors are a timeless investment that can produce a lifetime of beauty and add value to the home. Wood floors come in Maple, Pecan, Beech, Cherry, Oak, Pine, Birch, Walnut, Hickory and more.
2. Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is one of the newcomers in the flooring industry. Bamboo is more environmentally friendly than hardwood floors, and it is actually not wood – it is a grass. Bamboo is very durable, elegant and versatile. The natural variations of color that is unique to bamboo come from carbonization and are usually a honey brown color or light tan.
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3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors are the fastest growing choice in flooring . The laminate flooring received its fame from Europe and now it is increasingly popular. Laminate floors are cheaper than hardwood and they are easy to maintain. The laminate flooring is virtually resistant to burns, scratches, chipping and is great for high traffic areas.
4. Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum and vinyl are commonly confused; however, genuine linoleum is a classic and was invented about 150 years ago. Linoleum is made only from raw, natural materials and it is preferred environmentally because of the material. Linseed oil is the main ingredient. Mineral pigments are responsible for the beautiful rich colors of the linoleum. The linoleum flooring comes rolled and ready to install and is available in varying thickness.
5.Tile flooring
The most waterproof type of flooring is ceramic tiles, they can be used as floor tiles or counter tops, indoors or outdoors. The high gloss finish is usually the most popular for counter tops, although they do tend to scratch.
For outdoor flooring, the unglazed finish is preferred because of the possibility of standing water. This type of finish on ceramic tiles is also commonly used in showers. Finishes available are: matte, embossed, glazed and textured ones for anti-slip.
6. Marble Floors
Any room in your house will have a clean, rich feel with gorgeous marble flooring. The tiles come in different sizes, usually around 12×12″ and are easy to install yourself. Marble products are processed everywhere in the world from metamorphic rock blocks that contain mostly calcium carbonate that are quarried. Marble tiles make an elegant foyer and come in many colors.
7. Carpet & Rugs
Carpet has been used for years and the only downfall is the bulky installation problems. In efforts to rectify the difficulties of installation, carpet tiles are now offered. Carpet tiles are squares, like ceramic tiles, which have been proven to be superior in choices in every way. This new carpet can be easily installed by most homeowners. Another benefit is that if there is a spill on the carpet, just one tile needs to be replaced.
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8. Vinyl Sheet
Vinyl floors used to be called linoleum floors and it is available in a variety of colors and styles. Vinyl flooring is excellent in bathrooms and kitchens. This type of flooring has an ease of installation and is quite affordable. As an alternative to flooring with ceramic tiles, vinyl floors give the same look as tiles, except they cost less than ceramic tile. The most common of the vinyl flooring used today are sheet vinyl.
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Most people think about the floor of a school when they hear rubber flooring. There are several other places that this type of flooring would be excellent, like recreation rooms, home exercise rooms, playrooms and children’s bedrooms. There is very little maintenance required, just a routine wash and occasional sweeping is all it takes. Rubber floors come in many colors as well as cut and inlaid designs, too. They retain their sheen and color for years.
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10. Cork Flooring
Many people think that cork is new, it actuality it has been used for over a thousand years. It is a natural harvested product that comes from trees in Portugal and Spain. Cork is retrieved only from mature trees and can only be harvested every 9 years, so it is also very economical. Cork can be colored in any shade because it accepts easily absorbs stains. Its natural patterns and designs enhance any decor. It is available in various styles, sizes and colors.