Know Your Options: Pros & Cons of Popular Flooring Types
Posted on: 2017-12-01
Finding the perfect flooring for your home is no small task. With so many different formats and styles to choose from, it’s hard to know if you’re making the right decision. Things like durability, cost, and practicality are just some of the important factors to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting the right flooring for the job. Join Parabola Developments as we highlight some of the most popular flooring options and their pros and cons so you can make sure you’re choosing the right flooring for your space.
Pros & Cons of Ceramic Tile Flooring
Commonly used as flooring, backsplashes, and countertops, ceramic tile is a cost-effective, durable choice.
Pros
- Waterproof – making it great for kitchens or bathrooms.
- Durable – strong and stain resistant.
- Variety – tiles come in all wide variety of colors and patterns.
Cons
- Difficult installation – dealing with placing the tiles and using grout usually requires the help of a professional.
- Chilly – unless you install radiant heat, tile isn’t the coziest of floors.
- Unforgiving – tile will not cushion the fall of plates, bowls or cups!
Pros & Cons of Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring planks are made from a single piece of timber, giving them their even pattern. Known for its beauty and durability, hardwood has remained a popular flooring choice for many years.
Pros
- Durable – hardwood is extremely wear-resistant.
- Easy to clean
- Customizable – hardwood can be styled or stained to suit your taste.
Cons
- Expensive – while hardwood usually increases your resale value, it’s definitely on the pricier end of the flooring spectrum.
- Loud – hardwood does not damper sound at all.
- Sensitive to temperature – hardwood floors may shrink or expand depending on the temperature, making installation tricky!
Pros & Cons of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring product that has continued to gain popularity thanks to its price and easy maintenance.
Pros
- Wear-resistant – laminate is great for high traffic areas.
- Cost effective – get the look of hardwood for a fraction of the price.
- Variety – because it’s not naturally sourced, laminate comes in all sorts of colors and patterns.
Cons
- Can’t be refinished – you won’t be able to switch up your laminate’s look the same as you would your hardwood.
- Lower resale value – the resale value tends to be lower than than of hardwood or tile
- Shorter lifespan – expect to replace your laminate within 10 years.
Pros & Cons of Cork Flooring
Many homeowners have been making the switch to cork for its sustainability and its natural, earthy look.
Pros
- Healthy – cork is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and termites.
- Fire-resistant – cork only ignites at extremely high temperatures.
- Comfortable – cork “gives” slightly when you stand on it, making it comfortable, warm and quiet.
Cons
- Absorbent – cork’s level of durability highly depends on the type of finish used.
- Expensive
- Regular maintenance required – it’s important that you regularly refinish your cork floors every couple of years.
Pros & Cons of Carpet Flooring
You can’t match the warmth and softness of carpet in a home. Popular for bedrooms and living rooms, carpet comes in both synthetic and natural varieties.
Pros
- Comfortable – carpet is warm and insulating.
- Noise dampening
- Variety – carpet comes in many different colors, lengths, and textures.
Cons
- Easily stained – spills and stains can’t easily be wiped up.
- Wear & tear – carpet in high traffic areas will wear down and look different from the rest of the floor.
- Traps allergens – carpet can sometimes trigger allergies because it can hold onto dust and dander.
Looking for a New Floor?
Parabola Developments can help make your next renovation project a success, from floor to ceiling. Give us a call to set up a free, on-site estimate today.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
