The importance of flooring in your new custom-built home cannot be underestimated. The flooring offers a first impression of a room and provides an important clue about what the room is used for. In addition, it has a significant impact on the aesthetic of your home, making the space appear cooler, warmer, larger, smaller, more intimate, cozier, and/or more luxurious. Hardwood tends to be the best flooring to increase home value; however, there are many options based on lifestyle and personal preference. Here are some things to consider when choosing flooring for your home:
Living Areas
Hardwood is the most popular choice for living areas—and for good reason. Wood flooring is a beautiful choice for any living space. Solid wood flooring offers an elegant, organic element to your home. There are numerous choices to consider, such as the species, tones, and board lengths and widths. In addition, the option of geometric parquet patterns means it can be as subtle or statement as you like. Wood flooring will last for decades and can be sanded and refinished if damaged.
Another choice, which is very popular in basements, is engineered wood. This type of flooring is made from wood from top to bottom, so it feels hard underfoot, just like hardwood. However, a significant benefit is that it is resistant to changes in humidity—making it an excellent choice for basements. Just like with hardwood, there are plenty of options when it comes to tone and look.
Finally, both porcelain and ceramic tiles are good options for high-traffic areas. If you like the look of hardwoods but want the durability of tile, take a look at tile that is designed to have the appearance of natural wood. This option often comes in planks, like real wood, but is also available in unique shapes more common to tiles. An added bonus—tile is easy to keep looking brand new. Area rugs can offer softness underfoot as well as create zones within the living space.
Private Rooms
While many homeowners choose to have hardwood floors throughout, some consider carpeting. In fact, few flooring materials are more suited to the bedroom than carpet with its soft and soothing feel. Carpeting comes in a vast range of materials, colors, and even patterns. It is important to consider the pile of the carpeting; “loop pile” or “Berber pile carpet” tends to be highly durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain while cut carpet pile tends to be softer but more prone to showing wear and tear.
Another choice is natural flooring. Made from natural plant fibers, there are many sorts of natural flooring suitable for the bedroom. For example, hard-wearing sisal can be used to add subtle detail through interesting weaves such as bouclé and herringbone. Jute, which feels soft and silky, is a great choice as it offers a luxurious feel.
Kitchen
For kitchen flooring, durability and ease of cleaning are top criteria. Vinyl is a highly durable—water and stain-resistant— flooring material, which makes it a great choice for kitchen flooring. Today’s vinyl flooring comes in a wide variety of sophisticated designs and finishes. It’s available in sheets or tiles that mimic stone, wood, ceramic tile, and most embossed with textures that look and feel surprisingly realistic.
Just like vinyl, porcelain tile flooring is extremely durable. Porcelain is fired at a very high temperature, making it stronger and more resistant to damage than ceramic tile. It comes in a variety of sizes and shapes—from small squares to 18-inch planks that mimic hardwood. While easy to clean, porcelain can be slippery when wet and it is extremely unforgiving to dropped plates and glassware.
If you are thinking about building a custom home or renovating your current one, it is important to consider your flooring choices. At Artisan Home Builders, we have a team of in-house and consulting specialists to offer advice on all of the little details that will make your dreams for your home a reality. Contact us today!
