A Complete Guide To Flooring

Types Of Flooring

• Timber.
• Laminate.
• Vinyl.
• Bamboo.
• Cork.
• Tile (porcelain or ceramic)
• Tile (natural stone)
• Carpet.
• Rubber
• Poured floors 

Timber

Because each part is different, timber's unique aesthetics is one of the main attractions of using it as a floor. It may also be very durable, although it may scratch and move quickly. As timber is hygroscopic (similar to a sponge), it may not be suitable for use in rooms exposed to moisture or humidity. However, the treatment of timber can make it moisture resistant.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a compressed fiberboard plank covered with images of timber, ceramic tiles, stone, etc., and then given a protective coating. Laminates are suitable for rooms that want to benefit from the aesthetics of "natural" flooring but are less expensive, easier to install, and the risk of being harmed by scraping. High-quality laminates are durable and may have a 20-year warranty. They need less maintenance and can be installed underfloor heating.

Vinyl

It is available in rolls or tiles, usually secured by glue. It can be manufactured in a vast range of colors and contours (such as studs), and as with laminate flooring, it can simulate other materials' appearance.

The advantages of using vinyl flooring include: 

• strong and sturdy.
•  Easy to maintain and clean.
•  It can be wetted without bending, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, etc. 
• Easy to install.
•  It may be relatively cheap.

Bamboo

Instead of being wood, this is a grass that has been compressed into a flooring material and is nailed down or glued together. It has the benefit of being a renewable resource and water-resistant.

Cork

Cork is a renewable, waterproof material useful for various spaces, including basement and bathroom installations. Cork can be clicked together or glued in the same way as laminate. Cork floors are warm and versatile, but sharp objects can easily damage them.

Tile (porcelain or ceramic)

There are various choices in the color, texture, shape, and finishes of tiles. Due to their hardness, they are difficult to scratch or dent and are ideal for wet environments since they are difficult to install and may be damaged if there is no support beneath the tiles.

Tile (natural stone)

These are usually more expensive than porcelain or ceramic options, but maybe more aesthetically pleasing. It needs to be correctly sealed during installation, and this process needs to be repeated occasionally to protect the tiles.

Carpet

The carpet consists of an upper layer of pile attached to the backing. The pile usually is wool or fibers like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, which are heat-treated after they are twisted together into tufts or woven. You can choose different textures, styles, and colors. Generally speaking, carpets are durable and easy to maintain. Carpets also have insulating properties regarding both sound and heat since carpets can stain quite quickly and may be damaged by water and moisture.

Rubber

 Rubber floors are made of natural or synthetic materials, including recycled rubber tyres. Because of its elasticity or "bouncing" properties, it is classified as a resilient floor. It also makes it suitable for dance floors, restaurants, or other heavy-traffic areas that can cause foot fatigue and skid.

Poured floors (mastic asphalt and polymeric)

Mastic asphalt and polymeric floors are poured in liquid form and spread on various surfaces to harden and solidify. It creates a finish without seams. Although asphalt and polymer flooring options are not particularly common, they have advantages in commercial and household applications where water protection and durability are prioritized.

Types Of Flooring Materials

1. Hardwood Flooring. Hardwood is still the first choice for its excellent appearance and long-term ROI.
2. Laminate Flooring. These are less expensive than hardwood and easy to install.
3. Vinyl or Linoleum. Vinyl flooring is not the cheap-looking option it used to be. Nowadays, this kind of household synthetic flooring is very durable and can effectively imitate wood, ceramics, and stone.
4. Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Flooring. Ceramic and tile floors are ideal for busy and humid areas of the home. 
5. Natural Stone Tile Flooring. Natural stone tiles are the classic flooring choice and include granite, marble, travertine, and sandstone. Certain materials (such as travertine) are more durable than others. Remember that completion requires varying levels of care. 
6. Carpet. Carpets are still the favorite of many homeowners, especially the bedrooms.

porcelain tile

Consumer Reports tests found porcelain tiles are the most durable type of flooring, resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture. It is also effortless to clean. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile need very little maintenance, while other types require more.

Best Uses

Consumer Reports that porcelain tiles are the safest option for high-traffic areas, like kitchens and mudrooms. Tile flooring is also suitable for an enclosed porch or sunroom.

Vinyl planks, laminates, and hardwood floors will undoubtedly center on natural wood colors, except warm colors. Yes, even into the new decade, the calm tone will remain strong. It will not eliminate dark tones, but the light wood look will become one of the most popular flooring trends in 2020.

Three most popular home floor types

• LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)  LVT has become our most popular choice for home flooring, and many good reasons. It's waterproof, low maintenance, robust, and is one of the most economical choices! 
• Hardwood. Another popular choice is that you can now use modern hardwood flooring in both solid and engineered wood.
• Carpet. One of the most incredible advantages of carpet is that it has more colors and textures than any other flooring type. It is widely used in bedrooms, on the second floor of houses, and in places to cover stairs. Compared to hard surfaces, carpet is also soft on the feet and more comfortable to walk on.

Laminate flooring is cheaper than wood.

The price of laminate flooring is about half that of wood flooring, but like wood flooring, you will find that the quality range is different. 

Some look more realistic than others, and some are less important in the thickness of the different layers, which makes them more prone to wear than high-quality products.

Some Disadvantages Of Vinyl Flooring Include:

• It is not possible to repair.
• It can emit volatile organic compounds.
• It has a shorter lifespan than wood floors.
• It has no impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
• It is difficult to remove, mainly if the adhesive is used during installation.
• It is not eco-friendly; challenging to recycle.

Regarding your new floor, please consider the following materials:

• Solid hardwood. Hardwood floors hardly emit VOCs in their natural state. It is all related to surface treatment and how it is applied. Finishing on the floor of a house will generate a lot of VOC while stains and paint cure. 
• Bamboo. Most bamboos, but not all, have some urea-formaldehyde. The finish on the bamboo floor may contain high levels. Please contact the distributors and manufacturers to obtain the documents and proof of the declaration of formaldehyde. Look for water-based finishes.
• Cork. The adhesive in cork flooring uses urea, melamine, and phenol-formaldehyde. However, most of these compounds degas during processing. A more critical source may come from the adhesive used to install the floor.
• Laminate flooring. Due to the adhesive in this process, laminate flooring generally has more VOC than other floorings. They are the worst choice for a healthy home.
• Engineered Wood Flooring. Engineered wood uses much of the same processes as laminates. They can also outgas for months since there are choices with low or no VOCs. It will help if you do your homework to find a brand that does not use formaldehyde and has low volatile content.
• Vinyl. While vinyl and linoleum look similar, these are quite different. Vinyl is a petroleum-based product made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It may outgas chemical compounds for years. It is believed that certain volatile organic compounds can cause disease and even increase the risk of cancer. 
• Carpet. Since most carpeting is synthetic, it may be a source for VOCs. Look for brands that promote low-VOCs. Additional functions such as flame retardants, mothproofing, and stain repellents increase the chemical mix and increase outgassing.

The 2020 redesigned barn wood flooring trend is a continuation of the faux wood tiles flooring trend so popular in 2016. The barn wood appearance is still the most popular due to its color variation and distressed appearance. For homeowners looking for a warm and natural look, this is something that needs to be considered.

The technology has become so good that manufacturers can replicate real wood's exact appearance onto the surface of the tile. It is almost impossible to distinguish the tile from real wood.

 Bright vinyl 

You can keep the kitchen trendy by choosing the right color vinyl that suits your color scheme. Blush tones, earthy tones, and soft pastel shades are becoming more and more popular, and you can achieve these looks with water-resistant vinyl.

The color options are endless, making it the ultimate choice for considering a custom kitchen floor. Vinyl kitchen flooring also has high moisture resistance, is inexpensive, and is easy to install and maintain.

Seven Most Popular Types of Kitchen Flooring

• Porcelain or Ceramic.
• Natural Stone.
• Hardwood.
• Cork.
• Bamboo.
• Vinyl.
• Linoleum.

The way you decorate and the colors chosen for the floor and walls will have a massive impact on the room's atmosphere. Light colors will make the space sunnier and happier. Yellow shades represent optimism and fun, while white and light beige give a feeling of openness and purity.

Do you want to keep the room peaceful and calm? Then choose the eternal gray tone. The interior space dominated by brown will have a very natural and rustic feel, while black represents luxury and class. The black floor also gives the room a vivid and robust edge, full of contrast.

Most people like dark colors, followed by light colors, and then gray. Therefore, if you choose gray for hardwood, you may only attract 10-20% of potential buyers. Moreover, it isn't easy to decorate with gray hardwood floors. Keep the gray for walls. Gray is by far the most popular paint color.

 Light and Dark Flooring

Choosing lighter-colored floors to complement your furniture can expand any room's perceived size and may open the space right up. Consider cream carpets, natural and neutral-toned tiles, and whitewashed wooden floors. These attractive, light, and neutral colors bring an open, airy feeling to the room, making it appear larger while also absorbing natural sunlight from the outside.

The rule of thumb is to work from the bottom up, the bottom is darker, and the top is lighter, mainly because the floor is usually darker than the walls, and the ceiling is lighter than the walls.

Types of best floors for Indian houses

1. Marble. The marble floor adds elegance. 
2. Vitrified tiles. Vitrified tiles for a clean look.
3. Vinyl. Vinyl is a warm floor material.
4. Hardwood. Ideal for classic interiors.
5. Indian Patent Stone. A concrete look-alike flooring.
6. Laminate. Laminate flooring is similar to wood.

Check out the following seven simple DIY flooring options:

• Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Tile Flooring. 
• Carpet Tile Flooring.
• Floating Vinyl Sheet Flooring.
• Laminate Plank Flooring.
• Engineered Wood Flooring.
• Painted Wood Flooring.
• Stained Concrete Flooring.

For instance, it is well known that black cars are more challenging to keep clean than white cars, but it is generally believed that gray or silver is the easiest to keep clean and has the least dust, dirt, and scratches. In this regard, light and dark floors may be very similar.

Porcelain and ceramic are among the long-lasting flooring materials available, and they require less maintenance.

The tile floor is moisture-proof, making it a perfect choice for common leaking areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. The sealing surface of glazed tiles is also resistant to scratches and allergens, which is a tremendous advantage for pet owners. Besides being very practical, you can also customize the tiles to provide various sizes, textures, colors, designs, and styles to fit any room.

Rubber flooring

The best option for the senior-friendly bathroom is rubber flooring. It is not slippery when wet; easy to maintain; and forms a soft surface, which is very comfortable both underfoot and if a fall does occur.  

Flooring Options for Kitchens

• White and yellow tend to be the most popular colors for kitchen floors.Both colors create a light and airy ambiance in the kitchen and make the space feel more relaxed. 

• There are tons of stencil patterns to choose between, from smaller geometric designs to diamond shapes to big and bold patterns that can be used on all types of surfaces, including concrete and wood.

• Asphalt. Asphalt is one of the least slippery flooring surfaces.
• Cork. Another non-slip flooring is cork, which can also absorb sound, insulates, and provides cushioning underfoot.
• Hardwood. The classic and attractive alternative is hardwood flooring.
• Low-pile Carpets. are commonly used in porches and sunrooms; low-pile or indoor-outdoor Carpet is another flooring surface with slip resistance. 

12 Bedroom Flooring Options

• Cowhide Rug. Cowhide rugs can bring luxury and softness to any space. 
• Concrete Flooring. The smooth surface of the concrete floor enhances any design style and exudes a polished appearance.
• Tile Flooring. Tiles in the bedroom can keep you cool in a hot climate. It is easy to install and clean, making it a low-maintenance floor. You can make simple painting changes.
• Wool Silk Rug. Designer Andreea Avram Rusu placed wool silk carpet in this modern bedroom to comfort the vibrant space.
• Clay Tile. Clay brick floors are traditionally used to fill Mediterranean-style houses, but they can work with various design styles.
• Shag Rug. Shag carpets can complement any floor type, giving the bedroom a whimsical and youthful look. 
• Travertine Tile. The beauty of travertine tile flooring is enough to incorporate it into your bedroom design.
• Two-Toned Wood Flooring. The two-tone wooden grid floor adds size and style to this simple and neutral bedroom.

There will be a greater chance of scratches and scrapes that light hardwood can hide better than dark hardwood. Although you can mix and match styles at will, many homeowners will find that darker hardwood floors can have a more rustic design, while lighter wood can create a more modern style.

In short, when you need water resistance, longevity, and durability of the floor, vinyl is a better choice. Simultaneously, if you want a more stylish appearance, lower cost, and a comfortable feeling under your feet, it is best to use laminate.

• Easy to Install: Since both laminate and vinyl come in planks that lock together as a floating floor or almost any form of the subfloor, thus providing you with a DIY option for quickly installing any floor.
• Maintenance: Both vinyl and laminate are easy to keep clean. Simply mop, vacuum, or sweep as needed. To keep these floors in good condition, you don't need unique cleaning products or machinery.
• Eco-Friendliness: Both types of Flooring have eco-friendly options available for purchase. 

Laminate flooring like vinyl planks is also very durable and is ideal for houses with children and pets. It is extremely resistant to damage and does not require repairs over time like traditional hardwood.

To keep the floor fresh, wipe it every two months. Wipe the laminate floor every two months (carefully). If you want to use a regular mop, wring it out until it is almost scorched.

The 3 Most Low-Maintenance Flooring Options

• Engineered Hardwood. If you're looking for a durable flooring style that will last decades to come, look no further than engineered hardwood.

• Ceramic Tile Flooring. Ceramic tile flooring provides many of the same low-maintenance benefits as concrete flooring.

• Luxury Vinyl Tile.

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is the easiest to clean and one of the easiest to maintain. Vinyl flooring, also known as Cushion Floor, is reasonably priced and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many floorings offer a 15-year warranty. Many people misunderstand that vinyl flooring is old and outdated, but today's vinyl flooring has many styles and options, from the most basic to the more expensive luxury options. You may even find that you can buy very realistic imitations of other floors at a low price.

Consider engineered hardwood, which has the most vigorous scratch resistance. Choose the hardest wood you can find, such as teak, mesquite, or hard maple. Wood with a matt or low gloss appearance will better hide scratches. And make sure to finish the floor with scratch-resistant paint.

Yeah, with vinegar and water, it is safe to clean most laminate floors, which is another reason to love vinegar! Mix 1 cup of household vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Use a slightly damp mop. Do not overwet the floor-water is the enemy of laminate flooring because it may cause water spots or even warping.

High-traffic areas require the most frequent mopping. For most households, the high-traffic areas include the entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and corridor.

It would be best if you wiped heavy traffic areas once a week. The rooms in your home that are not frequently used (such as guest rooms) do not need to be cleaned once a week. Mopping every other week or every month is sufficient.

Seven ways to clean and maintain tile floors

Vacuum and dust. Use a vacuum cleaner or a fluffy dust mop every day to remove dust and dirt, and then embed it in the tiles and grout. Scan it. Wipe the floor. Wipe the floor with warm water once a week. You can also use neutral soap to enhance the color, luster of the tiles. 

Clean up spills as soon as possible. Wipe the spill with an absorbent cloth to prevent dust accumulation and slippage. Also, it can reduce the chance of stains accumulating on the tiles. 

Use a doormat. Place the doormat on either side of the door leading to your home. It would prevent mud or water from getting tracked indoors during bad weather. If your bathroom has floor tiles, use bath mats to keep the tiles dry. 

Add some area rugs. Place the area carpets or runners in high-traffic areas. It prevents dullness, scratches, and dust accumulation in areas such as entrances or family entertainment rooms.

Give them a deep clean. In-depth cleansing solutions are often used. It will help eliminate stains and greasy residue without damaging the tiles. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water; this natural method is beneficial for the kitchen. If you don't have vinegar on hand, you can replace it with 1/2 cup of regular alcohol. 

Pay attention to the grout. Don't forget to clean the grout. You can buy special cleaners without going out. Just make a paste mixture of baking soda and water. Roll out the paste on the grout, let it stand overnight, and then clean the grout with an old toothbrush.

Essential tips for maintaining and cleaning wooden floors 
Wipe off any spilled water immediately. 
Please take off your shoes before walking on the floor.
Use felt protection pads and do not drag heavy objects onto the floor. Clean the dust every day. 
Use microfiber mop and wood floor cleaning spray to clean the floor.
Do not use steam mops, wet mops, furniture polishes, or abrasive products.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flooring

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floor

https://www.ifa-india.com/