Q&A: What Are The Different Types Of Flooring For Your Home?

Interior designers at The Linen Duck feel that the type of flooring you have can heavily influence your space’s overall look and feel. The good news is that there are a wide variety of flooring materials to choose from, depending on the aesthetic you’re aiming for. They answer some of your most frequently asked questions on flooring materials.

What’s the difference between hardwood flooring and engineered wood floors?

Hardwood flooring adds warmth and elegance to any home with its rich colors and different textures. It can also increase your home’s resale value. However, note that hardwood flooring can be sensitive to moisture; excessive exposure can lead to warping and discoloration.

Engineered wood flooring has a wood surface backed by plywood or recycled wood fiber mixed with stone dust. This mix makes for a material that is less susceptible to changes in temperature or humidity than pure hardwood. Installation is hassle-free and affordable.

What are the different types of ceramic tiles?

Ceramic tiles come in four different types:

  • Glazed tiles have a coating similar to glass, with a wide range of colors and textures to choose from.
  • Porcelain tiles are often used in exterior applications due to their durability.
  • Terracotta tiles are favored for their rustic charm. These unglazed tiles need to be sealed to prevent staining.
  • Quarry tiles are unglazed ceramics with a reddish-brown color and are more slip-resistant than glazed tiles.

Are there sustainable flooring material options available?

As bamboo is fast-growing and self-generating, it’s a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hardwood floors.

Linoleum is made of biodegradable materials such as solidified linseed oil, ground cork dust, wood flour, rosin, and limestone. Mineral pigments are added to this mix to create vibrant colors. A protective coating helps prevent stains and scratches. Linoleum comes in sheets, laminated planks, or tiles.

What are the pros and cons of travertine flooring?

Since Roman times, a type of limestone that forms around hot springs, travertine has been used as a building material. Travertine comes in a variety of earth tones, including tans, browns, rust, and beige. While it is very durable and easier to care for than some types of natural stone, travertine is very heavy, and its porousness requires that you seal the surface regularly. Moreover, it can be cold and slippery underfoot, and it’s not a very versatile flooring material.

What are child-friendly flooring options?

Laminate is very durable, stain and fade-resistant, and very easy to clean – spilled drinks, muddy footprints, and messy little hands won’t be a problem. Laminate is also quite affordable and can replicate the look of hardwood floors; it’s perfect for parents looking for a premium look without the premium price.

Vinyl flooring is flexible and slightly soft underfoot as it is backed by a layer of felt or foam. This can help cushion children from hard falls. Protecting that soft interior is a tough upper surface that is stain and scratch-resistant. Vinyl is a non-porous material that is mold-resistant and prohibits the growth of bacteria. It’s low-maintenance and is available in a variety of colors and patterns.

Any care tips for marble floors?

Marble is naturally porous; all spills should be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid stains. After a thorough clean, apply a sealant to protect your marble floor and to add some luster.

How long do carpeted floors last and how do we know when to replace them?

A carpet can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. It’s time to replace the carpet when there are stains that seem impossible to remove, it has absorbed odors from pets, smoking, and cooking that no amount of freshener can mask, and if carpet fibers are damaged or matted.

The Linen Duck offers interior design services in Nashville TN and surrounding areas. Sit down with one of their in-house designers and discuss space planning, art, accessories, and other elements of design for a space you are working on. Email info@thelinenduck.com or call (931) 548-2422 to book a discovery call.