Choosing the Right Floor

Choosing the right flooring is important for any space’s design and function. It will influence whether that space is cozy or practical, inspirational, or mellow. Homeowners and builders who need to choose the best flooring for a room must realize that some due diligence is required to make a sound, educated decision. Popular types of flooring include:

luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT)
Laminate
Concrete
Hardwood
Carpeting

One type of flooring that leads the way in overall compatibility and aesthetic value is vinyl, specifically luxury vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl tile flooring.

How to Choose the Best Flooring Options for Every Room

Although there is no one-size-fits-all method for selecting the best flooring, you should not overlook some critical considerations.

Consider Your Day-to-Day

Do you have pets? Are there small children who live in the house? Does anyone suffer from allergies or asthma? Is the space subjected to high levels of moisture?
The answers to these questions will help you zero in on the options that suit your needs. Do you need durable, easy-to-clean flooring? Water-resistant floors? An option that is hypo-allergenic?

Clue Into Your Location

If you live in an area where there are high humidity levels on a consistent basis, it’s preferable to avoid carpeting, laminate, and hardwood. Instead, opt for luxury vinyl plank or tile.
The same holds true for very arid locations. Having natural wood as your flooring can bring trouble with splitting and cracking from the constant lack of moisture. A tolerant type of flooring (e.g., luxury vinyl tile, plank, and even stone) would be more suitable.

Choose By Room Function

Take into account what the function of the room is. Likewise, you will need to consider how different types of flooring will affect activities that will take place in the room.
The kitchen offers an excellent example. It’s a room where people spend much of their time standing. Floors can quickly and repeatedly become oily, dirty, sticky, and tacky as they endure spills, accidents, and heavy foot traffic.
An excellent choice is a slip-resistant floor that can hold up to high traffic and is easy to clean. Many people choose luxury vinyl planks or luxury vinyl tile for these reasons.

Matching Pros and Cons of Flooring Types to Your Needs

To narrow down the options and choose a type of flooring that best suits your situation, consider the benefits and drawbacks of each popular flooring type.

Laminate

Pros:

Laminate is an affordable option that can offer realistic 3D embossing with an accurate likeness to stone or wood.
Laminate is durable, but its layers deteriorate over time.

Cons:

Once this type of flooring is scratched or water-damaged, it cannot be repaired.
Laminate is easy to install, it cleans up quickly, but its slick surface can pose a concern.

LVP & LVT

Pros:

Both luxury vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl tile flooring are optimal choices for many applications and situations.
Vinyl is water-resistant, making it excellent for homes with pets.
Since it has a thick solid core, some floorers use deep embossing, making vinyl planks and tiles look highly realistic.
Vinyl radiates heat very well if you’re interested in radiant floor heating.

Cons:

It can be more complicated to install than laminate, but ISOCORE and SPC drop-and-lock systems can be just as easy as laminate installation. Learn more about Luxury Vinyl Planks & Tiles.

Concrete

Pros:

Decorative concrete flooring is inexpensive and durable.
It’s easy to maintain but susceptible to moisture damage.
Offers broad design flexibility and can last for decades when properly cared for.

Cons:

Concrete can be slippery.
It can also be expensive and noisy.

Hardwood

Pros:

Easy to clean and are durable.
Non-allergenic and looks inviting in any style of home.

Cons:

Very susceptible to scratching.
It can also be expensive and noisy.

Carpet

Pros:

Carpeting is affordable and cozy.
Often used in bedrooms because of its warmth and sound-dampening ability.

Cons:

Challenging to keep clean.
Carpeting is notorious for trapping pollen, dust, dirt, dander, and allergens, creating a potential nightmare for those with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.

The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Flooring

The type of flooring you finally choose depends on your location, your budget, your day-to-day lifestyle, and more. While every flooring type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, vinyl is an overall well-rounded, versatile, and popular option.

Luxury vinyl planks and tiles are available in many colors and designs and look almost identical to more expensive, less durable options. These floors are scratch and water-resistant, and affordable. In addition, vinyl plank and vinyl tile flooring can almost always be installed right over current flooring, which is a significant factor for anyone who wants to avoid the cost and hassle of demolition.

Trust HMTX for Your New Flooring

HMTX is one of the largest LVP/LVT flooring manufacturers in the world. Our core values are based on a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Therefore, we only offer premium flooring to our customers who trust us to deliver quality products.

Learn more about how luxury vinyl tile or plank flooring can add to your space. Contact our friendly, knowledgeable team today.

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