Your Source for Interior Design Information


Flooring - The Choices are Endless
by Nicole Stewart


Flooring choices are as varied as their applications. What you use underfoot is just as important as what is on the walls and ceilings. When considering floor coverings, one should think of what the area is used for, the look or style that the room should have, not to mention the cost and ease of installation of the chosen material.

The flooring material possibilities are endless. There are various types of natural tiles like slate, marble, quarry stone, limestone, granite, terracotta, etc. Manmade ceramic, vinyl or linoleum tiles lend to more creativity with the use of all the colors of the rainbow. Another option which has enjoyed renewed popularity in the past few years is wood flooring, or more cost-efficient laminate or compressed compilation woods. Carpet is still a well used material, especially in resting areas such as bedrooms and family rooms. On the more exotic side there are alternative materials such as concrete, metal, and even glass.

When using natural stone tile, maintenance is key. Many of the more popular materials such as terracotta, travertine, limestone and sandstone are fairly durable, but are porous and should be treated to prevent stains and watermarks. Stone that resists stains, like granite or marble, is very elegant and hardwearing, but can be extremely slippery when wet. Marble floors also can be cracked easily and any polish finish must be refinished repeatedly over the life of the marble. Many home owners are willing to deal with the up-keep because of the beauty of marble. One less expensive alternative to marble and granite is slate. It is waterproof, durable and the up-keep is minimal.

Some individuals may opt for manmade tiles because of cost, maintenance issues or color selection. While there is a myriad of colors among the natural tiles, manmade tiles offer color combinations and patterns that just can't be found in nature. These materials can even be made to mimics the visual characteristics of natural tiles. Technology in the flooring industry is improving so quickly that there are too many types of manmade flooring types to list. Most manmade flooring is resistant to many things, save a deep gouge or some solvents. Make sure when selecting ceramic tiles that they are floor tiles, not wall tiles, since wall tiles are not constructed to withstand the abuse and weight that floor tiles can. Ceramic tile can also be very slippery when wet, so you may opt for tiles with a textured surface to keep your footing. All of the materials are excellent for wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.

Wood flooring, standard in home construction until the mid to late 1960's, has had a huge resurgence in use. The maintenance of hardwood floors kept many homeowners away from it for years, but new finishes and materials severely curtail or eliminate the need for refinishing. The cost of wood is also a factor in its usage, but when you add the cost of constantly replacing other flooring to a one-time installation over the lifetime of the home, wood wins hands down. If one is still not sure about using wood, but likes the look, there are alternatives. Engineered wood is quality wood layered over three to five thin sheets of a less expensive wood. Another option is laminate, which is basically a computer generated image of wood grain applied to a plastic laminate, which is then placed over particle board. An alternative material that is becoming more widely recognized is bamboo, which is a grass not a wood. Although being somewhat more difficult to process, it regenerates in forests quickly making it more environmentally friendly. Cork is another option that is becoming very popular, and it is natuarally hypoallergenic. Any of these alternatives should last anywhere from 10-20 years if properly installed.

For versatility and comfort, carpet can't be beat. It can be used anywhere from a playroom to an office, has endless color possibilities, and is relatively low-maintenance, only requiring regular vacuuming and occasionally professional cleaning. The carpet pad is an important factor in the comfort and durability of your carpet, so make sure to select one that is appropriate for the particular carpet and the environment it will be installed. Carpet squares have been popular in commercial designs for many years, but they are now becoming more popular in residential applications due to their ease of installation and their ablility to replace one damaged square instead of the whole room of carpet.

For some people, different is always better, and there are definitely some unconventional flooring materials. One of those is concrete. Concrete was once relegated to be only sub-flooring, but is now very trendy for industrial style living spaces. It is very heavy-duty and can be painted for more design appeal. Like many other stone products, concrete can be very slippery when wet. Another material that falls into the slippery when wet category is glass, that's right, it's not just for windows anymore. Glass gives a certain drama to a space, especially when lit, that some people relish. Of course glass is just not practical for the average home, but it is an option when used in the proper capacity. Metal is also popular in an industrial setting and can be applied in sheets or tiles. It can be treated to have various textures and finishes. Like the others, it can be slippery as well as cold and noisy. Leather flooring is a choice for high end installations that has been slow to become popular due to its high cost.

When selecting flooring, school yourself in the basic knowledge of the extensive choices. Consider if the use of the room. Is it a kitchen, bedroom, or formal living room? Are there children, elderly people or handicapped individuals using the space? Is noise control a factor? What is the current flooring type in the space? How much flooring can you afford? And above all, how does it fit in to the design of the room?

For more information on where to purchase flooring, visit the designer resources section of this website.