Flooring Options for the Home

When remodeling your home, one of the most important decisions that you can make will be how to change your home's flooring. The floor in your home is arguably the most noticeable part of the design, and it definitely has to stand up to regular wear and tear. Although you may jump at the chance to have the most stylish type of floor in your home, it is also very important to weigh fashion against durability when making a decision about your floor.

Carpet is definitely the most popular option for flooring for the home, and for good reason. It is very comfortable, holds up well to heavy traffic, and there is plenty of variety. Whether you want long strands of shag, or a modest plush, carpet is simple to maintain, and helps preserve a very comfortable feeling in your home. However, although there are plenty of positives to having carpet, there are a few negatives. Carpet is easily stained, and does not take well to water damage. Carpet can also wear over time, and generally needs to be replaced every seven to 10 years.

Hardwood is another popular choice for flooring, and is usually found in living and dining rooms. Hardwood is known for its wide variety and rustic charm, but it is also a very durable product that can stand up to almost 20 years of use. However, hardwood is very susceptible to water damage (so putting it in a kitchen or a bathroom is a definite no) and can scratch or scuff easily if there is heavy shoe traffic on it. Hardwood also requires buffing and polishing, otherwise it will dull over time.

Ceramic is a very popular type of flooring to have in kitchens and bathrooms, and other areas that are prone to moisture. It is a very durable product, and stands up well to moisture, spills and stains. However, ceramic is very expensive, and if you drop something, individual tiles can break, and replacing these tiles can be expensive.

If you are looking for something more exotic, there are plenty of other choices for flooring available, including porcelain, granite and marble. Although these materials are much more expensive, they add a very unique flair to your home, and can give a room some real personality.