A new floor can be a difficult choice because what do you choose? A floor significantly influences the atmosphere and look of your home. There are so many different types and styles that it can sometimes become confusing. Every floor has its own look and, of course, practical advantages and disadvantages. To retain a bit of an overview, we’ve made a fun, handy summary of the different available options. We have also selected the most beautiful examples for you. Take a further look and let yourself be inspired!
We kick off with the trusty parquet floor. After many years, this floor is still quite trendy. This is because of the immediate warm appearance it gives your home. This hardwood floor heats up along with the room’s temperature. Walking barefoot on this floor feels comforting. It is also perfectly suitable for underfloor heating. When properly maintained, it is a very durable, long-life floor. A parquet floor is easy to repair: you only have to sand it lightly and apply a new finish. A disadvantage is that it requires a lot of maintenance and it is pricey. If you are looking for a floor that will last a very long time and you do not mind maintaining it once in a while, a parquet floor is a beautiful, warm floor covering!
A cast floor is an increasing trend in modern homes. It has a very sleek appearance with no seams or edges and comes in many different colors and finishes. The biggest advantage is that it requires hardly any maintenance. It is incredibly sturdy and super hygienic due to the lack of seams or gaps. This floor can be cleaned in a jiffy. Ideal when you have pets or children. It is also perfect for underfloor heating. This floor is ideal if you are looking for a sleek and modern look! A cast floor must dry for a few days after casting, and it is not cheap. However, it does make a grand statement in your home!
Carpet or floor covering quickly gives us that old-fashioned image. However, it is a super comfortable floor! It is warm and soft under your feet, and it can instantly give your space a cozy feel. There are many different colors and types of carpet, so you can certainly incorporate your own personal style. Besides solid colors, there are also very colorful patterns that will make the floor in your home stand out. Moreover, carpet is one of the cheapest options for upholstering your floor. It is soundproof, which is why it is often used on the top floor of a house. However, this type of floor has several disadvantages. You would quickly have hard-to-remove stains. If you suffer from allergies, a carpet can have adverse effects. Still, many people have carpet in their bedroom as you do not quickly get stains there. It is sound-absorbing, and it is nice and warm and soft on your feet when you get out of bed!
There are so many different types of flooring that it is hard to decide. The next option, a cork floor, is not very popular and that is a pity! It is very atmospheric and has many advantages. We gladly list them for you, along with the disadvantages. Cork is a very ecologically sound choice. This floor is made from the cork oak’s bark, so it does not need to be chopped down. A cork floor has a tile appearance but is very soft and therefore comfortable to walk on. It insulates well, both thermally and sound-wise. You can use it in all your rooms, including the bathroom. It is water-resistant and dirt-repellent, making it a perfect floor for someone with a dust mite allergy. A disadvantage is that sunlight discolors it. So in the absence of good sun protection, the floor can discolor. We advise you to treat the floor with a top coating. As the material is quite soft, heavy objects could leave a print. It is a more alternative floor, but certainly not a lesser option!
A vinyl floor has a completely different look but shares many of the advantages. It muffles the sound and is available in many different designs and colors. This material allows you to create endless variety in your home. With a matte finish, you can hardly distinguish it from a real wooden floor, but it can also look like a cast floor. This material is perfect for underfloor heating and easy to maintain. It is water-resistant, so it is easy to clean, and you do not have to worry about damp spots, which makes it quite a popular floor choice. The advantages are enormous, and there is a floor to match every style. There are only a few disadvantages, but it is fair to name them, too. Vinyl floors are difficult to remove because they are glued to the surface. It makes the floor last a long time, but it takes some effort to remove it when you want a change. Vinyl is usually of excellent quality, but unfortunately, many suppliers deliver poor quality, so be careful where you buy this floor!
Many people do not like a tiled floor. They feel it has a clinical and cold appearance. Fortunately, there are also many attractive-looking tiles, so this is no longer an issue. Tiles are an ideal choice in terms of temperature and comfort. In the winter, they work perfectly with underfloor heating, and they stay wonderfully cool during summer. They are durable and easy to maintain. They can take a serious beating and therefore last a long time. It is also an ideal choice if you have pets or children. They are easy to clean using a vacuum cleaner and a mop, no need for extra measures. However, floor tiles can be slippery and cause you to fall, and the grouting can discolor. We recommend you choose dark grouting so you do not have to deal with discoloration. It is a reasonably cheap floor covering and therefore still loved by many households!
Which floor do you prefer? If you are looking for a different floor, let yourself be inspired by the floors mentioned above!
