Flooring should complement both style and function in any room; choosing the ideal material requires taking into account price, durability and humidity resistance when selecting one.
Solid hardwoods look beautiful, but require constant ventilation to avoid cupping or buckling in humid environments. Engineered wood offers an ideal alternative as it replicates the appearance of hardwood but resists moisture and wear-and-tear better.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring provides the perfect combination of flexibility, durability, and aesthetic appeal at a budget-friendly price. It can replicate more expensive floor materials like wood or stone with remarkable accuracy while coming in an array of designs to choose from.
Vinyl flooring is impermeable to liquid and easy to keep clean, making it an attractive option for high-traffic areas. Soft underfoot and sound-absorbing features create cozy rooms. Furthermore, vinyl is less likely to attract dust mites and allergens than its alternatives. It is an excellent choice for households with pets as its durable construction makes dust mites less likely to develop on it.
Sheet vinyl is a flexible material that can be installed either using full glue-down application or simply adhered to the edge of a subfloor, with other forms including luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP), which feature thicker material with digital graphics film layers that can create almost any design and a tough wear layer for longer durability.
Linoleum
Linoleum flooring material, similar to vinyl floors, comes in an assortment of colors and patterns that make up its resilient surface. But unlike vinyl’s top layer printing of its patterns and colors, linoleum’s colors and patterns are woven throughout its entirety, which makes it more resilient against abrasions.
Linoleum flooring is eco-friendly, using natural materials that biodegrade more quickly in landfills than synthetic solutions like laminate. While more costly than vinyl or laminate options, linoleum has proven itself enduring if properly maintained and can last decades with proper care.
Linoleum was developed by Frederick Walton in 1860, using solidified linseed oil mixed with materials such as wood flour, cork dust, resins, mineral fillers and pigments on a burlap sheet to be bound together and cut to size on-site before being adhered down onto its subfloor surface.
Rubber
Rubber flooring is an eco-friendly, cost-efficient solution. From tiles to sheets, rubber is resistant to odors and stains as well as the buildup of germs – making it the ideal option for those living with allergies.
Education, fitness, and healthcare environments often rely on interior designers for safety, comfort, and sound considerations when incorporating these flooring types. Furthermore, this choice works particularly well in weight rooms as it can withstand dropping of barbells or equipment without incurring damage to its surfaces.
Carpet tile flooring is easy to maintain, requiring only vacuuming or mopping when necessary for upkeep. Furthermore, its antimicrobial qualities make it the ideal solution for environments such as kitchens and bathrooms where water spillage could occur. Available in an array of colors and patterns – even speckled or interlocking designs can look natural!
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile flooring is an attractive and long-term flooring option made of kiln-fired clay that comes in various colors and shapes, is easy to maintain, resistant to stains and scratches and bacteria-proof.
Hardness depends on how tiles are manufactured; for instance, those with high porosity bodies work best as wall cladding while low porosity bodies like porcelain work better as flooring covering.
Glazed tiles can be polished for a glossy shine or left unpolished for an earthier texture and handmade aesthetic. Slip-resistance is also an important consideration; for floors, opt for a honed finish to increase traction.
Quarry Tile
Quarry tiles provide an appealing yet practical flooring option. Their natural aesthetic, slip resistance, and variety of color choices meet the needs of nearly every environment, such as craft breweries, commercial kitchens and industrial applications. Quarry tiles have long been the choice in these settings due to their durability.
Like ceramic tile, rubber flooring provides greater traction to make walking on it more comfortable for bare feet and is therefore an excellent choice for exterior environments that experience harsh climates.
Low maintenance requirements make these surfaces ideal for any space; just a quick sweep and mop with degreaser after every shift will do the trick for keeping them looking their best. Their impervious surface doesn’t need sealing like porous tiles which absorb moisture and discolor over time; available in earth tones ranging from reds, grays, and tans they make an attractive addition.