Flooring refers to the materials laid over a subfloor to create a finished surface with a particular aesthetic. It serves not only as a durable surface for everyday activities but also plays a significant role in the character of your home. When selecting flooring, consider factors such as moisture and heat exposure, durability, density, scratch and water resistance.
Today, there are various flooring options, each offering unique aesthetics and styles. Engineered hardwood, now a popular choice, comprises three layers of wood. The top layer ensures a sleek finish, imparting an inviting and authentic appearance upon installation. Its advantages include cost-effectiveness, resistance to climate variations, and availability in larger plank sizes. Nevertheless, it is susceptible to scratches, requires periodic sanding and refinishing, and may not be as robust as other materials.
Laminate flooring, an economical alternative to engineered hardwood, consists of wood fibers topped with a decorative print and a protective resin layer. This construction can imitate the look of wood and comes in a plethora of styles and hues. Laminate is noted for its affordability and durability, boasting a robust, scratch-resistant surface. Its primary limitation is a lack of moisture resistance, rendering it unsuitable for high-moisture areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms. The distinction between terms like “waterproof” and “water-resistant” is crucial in flooring selection.
Vinyl, or “luxury vinyl flooring,” stands out for its array of choices at competitive prices. Offering waterproof, stain, and dent resistance, vinyl flooring is a practical option that also aims to emulate hardwood aesthetics. Some of the newer lines of vinyl also include SPC (a stone plastic composite) which helps it to be more scratch resistant and works with in-floor heat. In comparison, vinyl has become slightly higher in price then laminate, and usually doesn’t provide the ‘plank look’ of natural wood flooring.
Other flooring materials include tiles and concrete, while innovative options like linoleum and cork are also gaining traction. Carpet is still a great option for rooms requiring a softer touch and is a safer options for stairs.
The appropriate flooring design is pivotal in augmenting your home’s ambiance. It occupies a substantial portion of your home’s interior and greatly influences its appearance. Altering your flooring can transform your home’s perception, making spaces appear more spacious, intimate, or luxurious, depending on the flooring’s style and color. Considering flooring as a home investment can increase the property’s value; notably, hardwood and stone floors tend to yield greater returns compared to vinyl and other materials.
Flooring choices lay the foundation for a home’s interior design, simplifying the coordination with wall colors across different rooms. It’s the role of a designer to tailor rooms to your preferred style, determining if a uniform or varied approach is needed. What is suitable for a kitchen may not apply to bathrooms or bedrooms. Flooring can be tailored to fit budget constraints and both present and future needs, enhancing your home’s function and character.
About Livwell Collective
At Livwell Collective, we design, renovate and define your signature style by considering and working on the softer and larger elements of your home. It is advisable to invest in a good design team when it comes to flooring in a house. Flooring offers the first visual appeal in a house and is more or less permanent. It is very important to consider its design and future functionality while deciding on the flooring change in your home or office.
We offer you the opportunity to examine different flooring patterns for your house before you finalize your flooring renovations. Contact our design team to learn more.
