Collaborative Post
When choosing flooring, the big factors that influence our decision tend to be style and cost. But there’s so much more to think about when choosing a flooring solution. Below are 5 important factors that often get overlooked.
Maintenance
Some types of flooring require more maintenance than others. Carpet is regarded as the most high maintenance option and needs to be vacuumed regularly to keep it hygienic and presentable. Getting rid of animal hair or stains from spillages can be difficult if you have carpet. This is why many people with kids and pets choose laminate or vinyl in their homes, as it is easier to clean. Just be wary that cheap laminate or vinyl can scratch easily – investing in higher quality vinyl or laminate can prevent this.
Safety
Certain types of flooring can get very slippery and can also be very hard, increasing the risk of any injury if someone falls on them. Many commercial properties have to be careful about this – frequent falls could lead to lawsuits. Carpet offers some of the best grip and softest landing, but its cleaning difficulty means that it’s not always appropriate in mess prone areas. Fortunately, there are other types of non slip flooring out there that are easy to clean while offering grip such as roughened epoxy flooring. Rubber mats can also provide grip and a softer landing while being easy to clean.
Noise
Many types of hard flooring can make a lot of noise when walked over. Stone tiles are some of the worst offenders for this. The least noisy flooring options are carpet and vinyl. If you live in an upstairs apartment and you have kids or pets, these quiet flooring options are recommended. Some apartment blocks may even have policies against installing laminate or tiles throughout the home. That said, there are soundproofing underlays you can look into to reduce noise, which may give you the freedom to explore tile and laminate if you really want it.
Warmth
Some types of flooring stay warmer longer, while others stay cool. Depending on your local climate, you may find that certain flooring provides more comfort and is more energy-efficient. Carpet is a good solution in cold climates because it offers superior insulation and stays warm underfoot. It is a popular choice in bedrooms because of its warmth. Stone flooring meanwhile stays cooler longer and is well suited to homes in warm climates where it can help keep the indoor temperature cooler. In older homes, larders would always use stone flooring to provide refrigeration properties.
Lifespan
Finally, you should consider the lifespan of different flooring. If you are looking for a flooring choice that will outlast you, opt for hardwood or stone. Such flooring can last over 100 years if well maintained. Carpet is typically the flooring choice that needs to be replaced most often. In fact, most carpet is not designed to last more than 10 years. Vinyl flooring will meanwhile give you 20 years of use at most before starting to look overly worn, while laminate flooring will usually not last more than 25 years before needing to be replaced.
