When you are looking to design a new home or renovate your current one, the flooring is an essential detail that needs to be properly taken care of. Whether it is for your bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, the right flooring can really tie the entire space together, but choosing the right option is not always straightforward. Not only does your flooring have to look great, it also needs to be durable and cost-effective.
To help everyone take their interior design to the next level, here are 6 facts you should know about flooring in your home.
1. Hardwood Flooring Can Improve The Air Quality
Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring options due to its longevity, durability and variety, and when compared to carpet or tile flooring, it is also a healthier choice. If any family member in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, having a hardwood floor can improve the air quality and do wonders for your family’s overall wellbeing. With a smooth, solid surface, allergens like hair, dust and dirt can be easily and immediately removed with regular sweeping and vacuuming. Furthermore, this type of flooring does not allow microorganisms and allergens such as mold, pet dander, or pollen to settle unseen in your home, so you can rest assured that your family members will not have to suffer from allergic reactions and other respiratory diseases caused by these airborne particles.
2. Your Garage Floor Coating Does Not Have To Be Boring
Just as you want the best flooring inside your home, it is important that you don’t neglect your garage. It may not seem like the fanciest room in your home, but quality garage flooring can make a huge difference. Start by analyzing the hardness and other characteristics of the concrete slab so you know what type of diamond grinding is needed. Newer concrete tends to be more porous than older concrete so it will need more preparation – particularly priming – to reduce moisture penetration. Once you have a smooth surface, you can move onto the epoxy coating process and fully customize the floor finish to your needs.You can choose from a wide range of finishes such as flake, decorative metallic, slip-resistant gloss and many others. Make sure they have been thoroughly tested by the experts, and once the coating cures (within a few days), you can start using the garage as normal.
3. Cork Flooring Is Shock Absorbent
Many people love the comfort of walking barefoot in their own home, and for this there is nothing better than cork flooring. With pliable and soft cushioning due to its air pocket structure, padding around your room has never felt more comfortable. In addition to the positive texture, cork can also withstand an incredible amount of pressure making it very shock absorbent. People who have tile or hardwood floors always have to be cautious about dents and cracks from furniture or falling objects, but this is not a problem with cork flooring. Cork floor will also reduce the chances of objects breaking if you drop them so it is an excellent choice for every home.
4. Vinyl Flooring Is Waterproof
Vinyl flooring is very popular because it is relatively inexpensive and comes in a variety of patterns and colors to match everyone’s taste. With a four-layer construction that includes a waterproof core, vinyl flooring is one of the highest quality options for your home. Vinyl’s ability to resist surface water and spills makes it the ideal flooring solution for moist rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, and also for homes with children. Moreover, vinyl flooring comes with a commercial grade wear layer that makes for superb durability.
5. Tiles Can Make Your Space Feel Larger
Tile flooring is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly solutions available, which is one reason why many people use it in their homes. It is most often used in bathrooms and kitchens and has a classier look than vinyl flooring due to its sophisticated design. Another benefit of tiles is that they can transform the feel of a space. For example, glass tile floors are reflective, and if your space has a window or any source of light coming in, the light will be reflected, making the room look larger. This effect is exaggerated when tile floors are coupled with wall tiles, and you can use large format tiles to create a more uniform and expansive look for your space. For this purpose, 30-inch x 30-inch tiles are usually best.
6. Carpets are the Most Difficult Flooring to Take Care Of
Carpet flooring has been around for a long time and it is hard to find a home that doesn’t have carpets. They are super comfortable to walk on, especially during the winter when the last thing you want to do is step out of bed onto cold tiles. However, out of all the different flooring options, carpets require a lot of maintenance. Dirt and debris can get trapped in your carpets and build up over time, so they require regular vacuuming and shampooing. This is particularly important in rooms that get a lot of foot traffic. You also need to be aware of damage and indentation that can be done by furniture. One way to reduce how often you need to clean your carpets is to ban shoes inside the house. This is standard across Asia and many people in the west are now starting to cotton on to its benefits in terms of cleaning and hygiene. 
The importance of flooring in your home cannot be stressed enough, and before making a decision, you need to consider all the options. Think about cost, maintenance, and the overall design style of your home so that you can choose the right flooring for every room in your house. Remember that while it may be tempting to just go with the cheapest option, this may not be very durable and so you will end up just having to pay to replace it in the near future.
