Flooring options guide from National Floors Direct

The Ultimate Guide to Flooring Options for Your Home



Home design is booming, and flooring is no exception. The global flooring market is on the path to grow 6.1% by 2028.

From tiles to carpet flooring, there are numerous flooring choices that will change the look and feel of a home. The key is to find the balance between style and function.

Ready to create your dream home? Continue reading to learn more about the flooring options that are the best fit for each space.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most-used areas of your home. Aside from all of the mess that results from cooking, your kitchen is the space that people will come in and out of all day. Shoes covered in dirt and mud, chairs dragging back in forth, and kitchen tools falling to the floor will cause lots of strain on your floors.

When it comes to your kitchen, you need a floor that stands up to all of its heavy use. Though wood floors remain a common choice for their aesthetic appeal, they won't stand up well to a frequently-used kitchen.

Porcelain tile is a natural fit for the most high-traffic areas of your home. It's one of the best performing materials for a kitchen, resisting dents and stains. Tile is also low maintenance - all it needs are vacuuming and mopping to stay clean and last a lifetime.

Bathroom

Floors in the bathroom don't face the constant foot traffic or sunlight that can damage other floors. The main threat for bathroom flooring is all of the water from sinks, baths, and showers. Don't forget some men like to think their aim is better than it is…

We recommend extending the use of porcelain tile from your kitchen into your bathroom. Porcelain tile is one of the greatest choices for bathrooms and laundry rooms because it will hold up well when it gets wet.

Porcelain tile flooring also allows for a seamless design from floor to shower, so there is no awkward curb in a bathroom. This design-forward approach is perfect for homeowners who want to modernize their space.

If you're concerned about porcelain being too slippery, you'll be happy to learn that porcelain comes in several more textured options rather than the polished surface. And vinyl flooring is a good low-cost alternative to porcelain.

Dining, Living, Family Room

Your living room, dining room, and family room are the central parts of your home where everyone comes together. These rooms are associated with warmth and happiness, and they need flooring that reflects that.

Although hardwood flooring isn't the most durable choice when it comes to pets and kids, a group area without hardwood just doesn't feel as cozy. Hardwood floor makes a house feel like a home - not to mention, it adds resale value.

Going with prefinished wood flooring is a great choice for common spaces because it gives homes the classic look while also adding a bit more protection to the material.

For homeowners that want the look of wood without the cost, laminate can also be a great choice for common spaces. Certain finishes can give a similar effect to wood, and laminate is also more durable.

In some living spaces, carpet is also popular. Family rooms or more casual living rooms may be finished in a carpet to add another layer of comfort.

Basement

When choosing a material for a basement floor, your main concern should be about keeping the floor safe from below. The concrete that sits below your flooring - especially the concrete that's below ground level - could be damp constantly.

If the area floods, all of that extra water will seep into your flooring. Porous flooring will absorb the water and buckle, ruining it.

And water damage in a basement is a pretty common occurrence. 98% of basements in the US will suffer from water damage at some point. 14,000 people in the US experience water damage each day.

Keep this in mind when you select your floor. First, make sure to choose a flooring that is known to be effective over below-grade concrete. Also, make sure the floor is installed as a "floating floor," which means that it doesn't attach itself to the subfloor and can shift as moisture levels change.

The best flooring type for basements is vinyl. Vinyl is known to be waterproof and stands up to bad moisture conditions in basements. While porcelain is also waterproof and durable, it can make a basement feel cold.

Vinyl is a great choice for basements because it comes in a variety of styles and is easy to match to the basement and home decor.

Bedroom

Bedrooms are all about feeling comfortable while maintaining elegance. In a bedroom, the flooring is up to your preference, but we recommend going for a soft carpet or a finished hardwood.

Carpets add a bit more coziness and warmth to a room, while hardwood gives the space a classic look. Depending on how the rest of your home is styled, the flooring in this room is all about what will make you feel relaxed at the end of the day.

Keep in mind that you may have more decor options when you choose hardwood. Hardwood flooring allows you to put down runners and rugs to add to the space, while carpet tiles will fill the entire space themselves.

Choosing the Best Flooring Options

Turning a house into your home is all about choosing the right flooring options. Whether you're a fan of classic hardwood or smooth tile, the flooring you choose is a way to make your home feel like you.

If you're ready to transform your home into your dream property, contact us to get started with choosing your flooring. We're here to help!