- Experiment before you buy! Get samples, samples, and more samples.
Look at them at different times of day to see them in different lighting.
Set them against your wall or furniture
to see how they look with your existing
colors and textures.
- Consider color and contrast. Light floors are traditionally
thought to make a room look larger than dark floors. Have contrast
between your floor color and your cabinets, furniture, wall paint,
etc. – it will provide interest to your décor and let each piece shine.
- Explore tile lay-out. Try tiles arranged in a diagonal
lay-out vs. straight squares. Each pattern gives a different look.
In a kitchen, it’s nice to choose one direction for the floor and
another for the backsplash for added interest.
- Pick appropriate tile sizes. Larger tiles are better
in large spaces, such as a kitchen. Smaller tiles work better in
compact areas, such as bathrooms.
- Consider tile texture. Choose tile with texture for
slip-resistance. It’s also a nicer and more upscale look.
- Choose tile grout wisely. Match your grout to your
tile carefully for the look you want. It’s more influential in
your overall flooring appearance than you may realize. Very light
or very dark grout is harder to keep clean. Grout that is close in
color to your tile is usually the best look; an exception is with
terra-cotta styling, in which a dark grout works well with a reddish
earth-toned tile.
- Review wood plank widths and wood grain. For
wood flooring,
wide planks vs. narrow planks can have very different appearances that
appeal to different tastes. Also consider wood grain. Lots of knots and
variations help create a rustic look; a uniform grain lends itself to a
more classic or contemporary feel.
- Evaluate wood finishes. Glossy wood finishes are usually more
contemporary in feel; matte finishes evoke more of a rustic/country look.
- Use area rugs for styling and comfort. Use
area rugs to accent
all of your flooring areas – this is the flexible and relatively inexpensive
way to update your look. A rug change (think
braided rug to Oriental rug)
can shift your hard wood floored living room from country to formal. It can
also save tired feet – adding a small rug with a good pad in front of a sink
can be a huge comfort enhancer.
When making your flooring purchases, try to make
environmentally-friendly choices
whenever possible. It’s good for you and your world. Here are some ideas:
- Buy wood flooring composed of wood that has been harvested sustainably – this
means that forests haven’t been decimated in acquiring the wood. The Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) Seal indicates that a product is made of wood from a
well-managed, sustainable forest, as opposed to wood from a threatened rain forest.
The wood is not over-harvested, which helps to protect the environment, including
endangered species.
- Consider highly renewable and fast-growing
bamboo for flooring. It’s hard,
durable, attractive, and increasingly popular.
- Cork
is another eco-friendly renewable resource and a top flooring choice.
About every nine years, cork is peeled from the bark of cork trees that grow
mostly in Mediterranean regions. The trees remain alive and the bark re-grows.
- When using wood finishing products, choose water-based over oil or
solvent-based materials; these are less toxic to you and the environment.
- Look for flooring products that are made of recycled materials, such
as
glass tiles, which are often made of recycled bottles.
- Consider reclaimed
wood for flooring; it’s a great look and doesn’t require
cutting down trees.
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FLOORING SHOPPING TIPS
Flooring plays a dramatic role in your home’s style, comfort, and resale value.
It’s an area where practicality meets beauty and style. Most homes have many different
flooring materials throughout the house; perhaps small colorful
ceramic and glass tiles in a bathroom, large earth-toned
porcelain tiles in a rustic kitchen,
hardwood floors in a formal living room,
cork flooring in a playroom, and
carpets in bedrooms. Whether
you are looking for
hardwood,
renewable bamboo,
tile,
laminate,
vinyl, or just
area rugs
to accent your existing base, you’ll find extensive options.
Flooring generally requires a true investment. It’s usually meant to last for years
and add value to your house. Decisions should be made thoughtfully. Choosing floors,
whether for an entire new home, or just a room or two, can be overwhelming, but with a little
background information you’ll quickly start to enjoy exploring your options and creating a
look and feel you love.
When choosing flooring, style, comfort, and practicality are main considerations. You
should carefully consider what you expect from your flooring choice. Here are some points
you should evaluate:
- Longevity
- Style and appearance
- Durability, specifically wear, stain and water-resistance
- Slip-resistance
- Comfort, including hardness and warmth
- Noise control
- Eco-friendliness of material
Specifically, each area of a house has different flooring needs. We’ve broken down your key considerations by room.
This is an area where practicality reigns, since the kitchen is a heavy traffic area prone to spills. A kitchen floor should be low-maintenance and easy to clean. It also should not be slippery, for safety purposes (you’d never want to lose your footing while carrying a heavy full pot.) Some chefs prefer kitchen floors to be somewhat soft to cushion their feet while working, but many use a
throw rug in key areas, such as in front of the sink, to provide this softer feel. In addition to all of these important considerations, keep in mind that the kitchen is a focal point for gathering in many homes, and you’ll want a look that reflects your families’ tastes and is truly beautiful to you. Luckily, there are so many flooring options available in today’s marketplace that you’ll easily find products that merge function and form amazingly well. Here are some ideas:
Porcelain Tiles.
Porcelain tile flooring is extremely strong and durable. You can even find attractive commercial-grade options for the home, making these a sound investment.
Choose large tiles, such as 12’ by 12’, to keep your grout area down, since that’s hardest to clean; a bonus is that larger tiles can make a room look more spacious and won’t look too busy. Also pick ones with some element of pattern/color variation to hide dirt and spills until you get to your next cleaning (which is easy: mopping with water and perhaps a bit of vinegar is all that’s usually recommended – but check with your manufacturer.)
Grout that closely matches the tile color and isn’t very light or very dark will also aid in keeping cleaning simple.
There are a vast number of style choices for tile, with full ranges of sizes, colors, textures, patterns, and more. Whether you are looking for country or modern, eye-catching or subtle, you’ll find numerous options. Bring some samples into your kitchen to decide what’s right for you.
To provide slip-resistance, choose tiles with texture.
The downside of tile is that it is hard: plan on adding a padded throw rug or two in key areas to keep the chef from getting achy feet.
Ceramic Tiles.
Ceramic tiles are generally considered to be a somewhat less durable option than porcelain tiles, but depending on your sub-floor and tile installation, ceramic can be a fine kitchen tile choice as well. The content above on porcelain applies to ceramic as well.
Vinyl. Vinyl provides a softer surface than tiles. It can be easier on the back, legs, and feet for those who cook frequently, and can be more forgiving against breakage when you drop a dish or glass. It’s also much less expensive than tile, both for the material itself and installation. It’s easy to install, low maintenance (damp mopping should be sufficient for cleaning,) moisture-resistant, and durable. It is available in large sheets or
vinyl tile flooring squares, and often is self-adhesive.
Even though this is the budget choice, don’t choose the least expensive vinyl you can find; you’ll want a good surface coating (also called wearlayer) to resist scratches and wear, a thick backing, and a nice appearance. Vinyl has become more attractive over the years and you just might find a design that you love. You can think bold with vinyl and go with vibrant colors and patterns.
Laminate.
Laminate flooring is durable, easy to clean, economical, and offers straightforward and flexible installation. When you think of laminate flooring, you probably think of the leading manufacturer’s products,
Pergo. Made of materials such as wood fiber, resin, and paper bonded together and made into planks or laminate tile flooring, this material is versatile in appearance, usually mimicking various wood grains, tile, and stone very well.
Wood. This isn’t the top kitchen choice for practicality, but style-wise it has become popular. Wood can warp or stain from water damage, so a strong finish will be key if you choose
wood flooring in your kitchen. The main draw of wood flooring in a kitchen is the beautiful, rich look, whether homey country flare evoked by wide pine planks, or sleek minimalist style with maple in a high gloss finish. Protect your wood floor by adding pads underneath chair and table legs to prevent scratching. If you are considering wood, don’t forget to look at
bamboo wood flooring, a great renewable option. Please see additional wood floor information under the Living Room/Family Room section.
Your bathroom, like your kitchen, should have flooring that meets your practical needs while contributing a great style element to your surroundings. Key practical considerations in a bathroom include slip-resistance as a priority, water resistance, and easy cleaning. Style-wise, you might be willing to experiment more in the small space of a bathroom, with color, tile size, and tile patterns. Consider these options:
Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles. Durable, easy to clean, water-resistant, attractive, and available in virtually countless shapes and sizes, these are widely popular for bathroom flooring.
Most people choose smaller tiles for their bathroom than for their kitchen, since these complement the smaller bathroom space well. Four by four and six by six squares are popular; they are small enough to work well with most bathroom spaces, yet large enough to keep grout cleaning to a minimum. Smaller tiles are also popular, and are often installed in beautiful multi-colored, toned or textured patterns for a true piece of artwork for your floor. The smallest ones are often available as mosaic tiles,
which come in pre-mounted plastic mesh sheets so that they don’t have to be set individually.
In addition to tile size and style, consider grout and texture. Be aware of your grout selection and carefully choose a good match. Choose tiles with texture for slip-resistance.
Finally, bring home tile samples and view them in your bathroom at different times of day to get a sense of how they look in varied light.
One downside is that they tend to be cold, but a cozy
bathmat can solve that easily.
For more on porcelain and ceramic tiles, see the kitchen section above.
Glass Tiles. Frequently used alongside ceramic or porcelain tiles,
glass tiles, which are usually small in size and often sold as mosaic tiles, can be beautiful accents for a bathroom floor. They are available in a stunning range of colors and textures. Just make sure that the ones you choose aren’t too slippery for practical use. As an added bonus, most glass tiles are made from recycled bottles, jars, and other discarded materials, making them a sound eco-choice.
Vinyl. A top budget choice, vinyl flooring is popular for bathrooms because it is water-resistant, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles. It’s also generally warmer for bare feet than ceramic tiles. It’s relatively easy for a do-it-yourself job, especially if you choose vinyl flooring tiles over sheets. The downside is that vinyl does tend to come up after time, and that it can’t quite match the look of other higher priced options. However, it’s worth checking out. With so many style choices, you may find one that suits your needs perfectly. Note: more vinyl tips are covered in the kitchen section.
Think style and comfort when choosing your living room and family room floors, especially if your family congregates in this space for conversation, TV time, games, and relaxing together. You’ll want your floor to reflect your family’s taste while meeting its needs. Consider your overall décor style and choose something beautiful and versatile.
Wood.
Hardwood flooring is a top choice for the living room or family room. Wood adds warmth to a room, feels comfortable (since it is not overly hard or cold,) and can be wonderfully accessorized with area rugs. You’ll have many types of woods to choose from, including
oak, maple,
walnut, cherry,
birch, mahogany,
and pine.
Look at samples of grains, color tone, overall appearance, and finish options, and choose a type of wood in a finish that you find appealing. Traditionally, lighter wood floors have a more informal look, with darker ones providing a more formal feel. Additionally, less uniform wood with a matte finish often appears more rustic; a more uniform grain with a high gloss finish has a more contemporary or formal feel. Consider the width of hardwood flooring planks, as well as the option of parquet flooring tiles, which are 12” by 12” squares, composed of narrow strips of wood, installed in a pattern. Decide whether you’d like your wood pre-finished, or stained as part of the installation process.
You’ll have a choice of
solid wood or
engineered wood, which is made by laminating a layer of hardwood onto a plywood strip.
Finally, try choosing wood that is harvested sustainably; it will go a long way towards helping keep our planet’s forests intact.
Bamboo.
Bamboo flooring offers the warm and appealing look of wood floors, as well as their durability, hardness, and beauty. If you are considering wood floors, you should look into bamboo, particularly since this fast growing material is a highly renewable resource that won’t contribute to the destruction of our earth’s rain forests.
Cork.
Cork flooring is durable, warm underfoot, and a great noise insulator. It is a particularly good choice for a family room that gets frequent use. It is also a great renewable resource. About every nine years, cork is peeled from the bark of cork trees that grow mostly in Mediterranean regions. The trees remain alive and the bark re-grows.
Cork flooring is available in both tiles and planks. It is usually sold pre-finished in a variety of natural-looking tones.
Laminate. As covered in the Kitchen section,
laminate wood flooring, such as Pergo, is a durable, attractive, and affordable choice which mimics the look of solid wood effectively.
Area rugs.
Area rugs will accent your flooring choice beautifully and greatly affect your room’s appearance. They add style, warmth, color, and pull together areas of furniture into groupings. They also do a great job highlighting the beauty of hard wood floors. Consider style, material, quality, color, pattern, and size. As a general rule, at least a foot of flooring should be exposed around an area rug to highlight the rug, furniture, and flooring. Don’t forget a high quality rug pad to prevent slipping and protect your floor. Whether you choose a colorful and homey braided rug or an elegant and ornate oriental carpet, you’ll add a great touch to your living environment.
Please see the
Area Rug Buying Guide on Builderssquare.com for detailed information on rug options and considerations.
A dining room floor should be elegant, appealing, and practical. Inevitably, it will experience food and drink spills and needs to be up to handling the resulting clean-up well. Wood floors are a beautiful choice in a dining room and with a strong finish, they should be easy to clean and resistant to stains. Bamboo and laminate are other top choices for dining rooms.
An area rug will accent any of these choices beautifully. Try to choose a rug that is durable and that has a fairly intricate pattern to help hide any stains. Also choose the right rug size; measure the dining table and add up to four feet to each dimension to ensure that chairs can be pushed back from the table without edging off the rug.
Wood, bamboo, laminate, and area rugs are covered in more depth in the Living Room/Family Room section above.
Bedrooms should be a restful retreat. Flooring should be above all comfortable, with wear less of an issue than in any other room. Wall to wall carpeting is a popular bedroom choice, but wood or laminate floors with cozy throw rugs are also great options. If your taste in bedding is bold or ornate, or you like to change your bedding look frequently, consider keeping your flooring understated to allow for easy coordinating.
Note: Also see the
Flooring Buying Guide on Builderssquare.com for additional details on your flooring options.
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