Are you looking to invest in new flooring for your home, but aren’t sure which type of flooring to choose?
If you have kids and pets, then you need to make sure that your flooring is sturdy, durable, and scratch- and stain-resistant. So, how do you choose the best flooring for your family?
Check out this guide to discover how to find the best flooring for your family.
Consider the Different Types of Flooring
To find the best flooring for your family, you need to consider the different types of flooring. Here are some of the best options you have to choose from:
Carpet
Carpet is one of the best flooring options for families.
One of the biggest benefits of carpet is that it offers thermal resistance, meaning it can help keep your family warm during the cold winter months. Carpet is also very soft on your feet and pleasant to walk on.
It’s a great option if you have small children, as it softens slips and falls. If you have noisy children and pets running across your floors all day, carpet is a great option, as it reduces noise. Carpet also comes in a variety of different styles and colors, so you should have no problem finding something that suits the design of your home.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that carpet can be a bit high-maintenance. You need to vacuum it on a regular basis and do a deep cleaning about once per year. Also, carpet can easily attract dirt and stains.
If you have family members with respiratory problems or allergies, then carpet may not be the best option. This is because it attracts dirt and dust mites that can aggravate your allergies.
Also, while carpet remains a popular flooring choice, there are definitely other types of flooring that are considered more stylish, such as hardwood floors. If you do choose carpet floors, here’s what to keep in mind when buying:
- Make sure to choose a quality padding, as the right padding will improve insulation and absorb more sound
- Do your research on carpet providers before you buy, and make sure you understand their warranty policies
- Compare colors and patterns with the style of your home
You may also want to consider investing in a natural carpet material, such as wool or jute. These materials are better for the environment and for your health.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is another excellent option for your home.
One of the biggest benefits of hardwood floors is that if you maintain them well, they can last for hundreds of years. While hardwood floors are expensive to install, other types of flooring only last between 10 to 20 years. This makes hardwood floors an excellent long-term investment.
You also have a wide variety of colors, styles, and stains to choose from. Some of your top options include:
- Oak
- Hickory
- Teak
- Tigerwood
- Brazilian cherry
- Santos mahogany
- Brazilian chestnut
Another great thing about hardwood flooring is that it’s very easy to maintain. If your kids spill something on your hardwood floors or your pets track in mud, all you need to do is sweep and mop up the mess and you’ll be good to go. Even if a stain is set in, it’s still pretty easy to remove from a hardwood floor.
Hardwood floors also don’t nurture dust mites, fleas, spores, or any type of parasite. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about your hardwood flooring affecting the air quality in your home.
Hardwood flooring is also better for babies, as it’s non-toxic. This type of flooring also offers good acoustics and can improve the value of your home. However, there are some downsides to keep in mind with hardwood flooring.
The biggest downside is the cost, but as we said, these floors last a lifetime. Hardwood floors are also prone to termite infestation, and they can be prone to water damage and scratches.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is another great choice for families, and it’s the fastest growing flooring option on the market.
The great thing about vinyl flooring is that it’s very easy to install, and it can also realistically mimic natural materials, such as hardwood. Vinyl floors are also very affordable, costing just $2 to $5 per square foot. These floors are also known for being moisture-resistant, versatile, low-maintenance, and easy to clean.
To clean your vinyl flooring, all you need to do is dry mop and vacuum. Avoid using scouring pads, abrasive scrubs, waxes, and detergents on your vinyl floors, as these can damage and dull the surface.
However, there are downsides to vinyl flooring that you need to keep in mind before buying. One of the biggest downsides to vinyl flooring is that the quality can sometimes be inconsistent.
The thickness of vinyl flooring ranges from 2mm to 8mm. If the vinyl flooring you buy is too thin, then it’ll damage easily and be more prone to indentation. However, there is durable waterproof vinyl flooring that you can invest in. You can check out Znet Flooring to learn more about waterproof vinyl flooring.
Vinyl floors can also be tough to remove, so you want to make sure you really want this type of flooring before you install it.
Are You Ready to Invest in the Best Flooring for Your Family?
Now that you know about the best flooring options, it’s time to decide which one is right for your family. Before installing new flooring, make sure you do your research on the different providers in your area and what types of warranties they offer.
And, be sure to check back in with our blog for more home improvement tips and tricks.