The flooring of a home has a huge impact on its aesthetics, comfort and value. There are many materials with which to adorn your home's walking surfaces with including carpeting, cement, timber or hardwood and tile. Not only is the appearance important, but the material's durability and maintenance requirements should be taken into consideration, as well.
Carpeting, especially wall-to-wall carpeting, has fallen out of favor in many interior design circles and health conscious arenas, as well. Not only does it appear dated after time, but it gets stained, worn out looking and is the host for dust-mites and bacteria. Area rugs and carpets that can be cleaned or replaced more easily are popular when placed over the hard floor surfaces of cement, timber, hardwood or tile.
Cement floors have become popular in areas where the house has been built on a cement slab. To have a cement floor with a relatively smooth indoor surface that has been stained or painted can give the home a nice modern look. Its downside is that it can be cold, both in tactile and visual ways, and it can crack. Cement flooring is definitely not for everyone.
Tile floors have been around for ages and can complement a variety of decorating schemes. There are rustic Southwest or Spanish tiles which appear rich, casual and warm looking. There are also more formal choices, such as shiny ceramics or those adorned with a pattern.
The downsides to tile flooring are that they are cold texturally and are also tough on one's feet and back due to their extreme hardness. There is also a problem with repair, should a portion become damaged or need to be torn up due to an issue beneath the floor, such as in a plumbing leak. It is unlikely that one could match the existing tile, so the whole floor would have to be replaced which is costly and labor intensive.
Timber floors are a classic and popular choice. Not only are they beautiful and elegant looking, but they are comfortable to walk on. They are considered an upgrade to an average home and so improve the property's value. The type of wood available for flooring includes oak, birch, maple and even bamboo. Bamboo is a popular wood to use due to its environmentally friendly component. Bamboo is very fast growing so is able to quickly replace itself after a harvest.
Recycled wood has also become a popular option for timber floors. Not only does it help the earth to preserve resources in terms of recycling, but it gives a classy eclectic look, as well. Timber floors can be refinished when necessary, so they do not wear out. Unlike tile, if a repair is to be performed, the spot of wood that has been removed can be easily replaced with new lumber and then stained to match the existing floors.
Flooring is a personal choice and certainly depends on the individual. Timber floors seem to have the most items in their positive column, but each person should weigh the options and select the flooring that they would most prefer for their home.
Timber floors can add style, glamor and an old world charm that is hard to get in a new construction or modern tiles or carpets. To browse through more timber flooring options, visit http://www.albanywoodworks.com