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When remodeling a room, the floor is one of the most important aspects to consider. Anyone who enters the room uses it, even if he touches nothing else in there. Even if he doesn’t look at the floor, he is using it, so flooring must be above all practical and well-suited to the purpose of the room. A secondary function of the floor is to tie the room together, so it must match all of the other elements. Here are some of the most common floor materials. Carpet For bedrooms, living rooms, and other places where people like to hang out and relax, carpets are a casual, comfortable option. Most carpet is made of either wool or synthetic fibers, with most people preferring the natural feel of wool. Synthetic carpets are generally more resistant to moisture, so there is a trade-off. Whichever fiber the owner prefers, there is one decorating advantage to carpets, and that is that there are more colors and styles to choose from than for any other type of flooring. Tile Tiles can be made of different materials, but all of them are meant to bring a patterned design to a room. Stone tiles are a luxury item--very expensive, but very durable and possessing a distinct gravitas. There are many types of stone, from slate to marble. It is generally preferable to find textured stones for kitchens and bathrooms to prevent slipping when water gets on the floor. It is also important to reseal the stone every few years, with soft stones like sandstone needing resealing more frequently than hard stones like granite. To get a nice pattern without spending so much money, ceramic tiles are a good alternative. They also don’t need as much maintenance as stone tiles and frequently come with high levels of traction. Linoleum & Laminate These two materials have a similar kind of shine, and both are relatively inexpensive. However, they should not be used interchangeably. While linoleum is waterproof, laminate is not. That means linoleum is often a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other places that are likely to get wet frequently. Laminate should not go here, or in rooms below ground level. Most people who use laminate tend to put in hallways and entry foyers--places that will get a lot of traffic and need a lot of cleaning, but won’t get too wet. The only other difference is in appearance. While linoleum is typically designed to resemble tiles, laminate is typically designed to resemble wood flooring. Wood There are many types of wood and wood variations that are popular for use in houses. In Southampton, engineered wood flooring, bamboo, and cork flooring are all fairly common alternatives to hardwood. Hardwood, of course, is very durable and has a distinct look that can add a natural, pleasant feel to a room. It can be used in a traditional, classic-styled room or a cozy rustic room, depending on the shade and the finish of the wood. It is also fairly expensive, though, especially for people who favor exotic woods. That is why there are alternatives to wood. Many people lump bamboo flooring into this category, although it is technically grass. It is usually less expensive than standard hardwood, though, and it is easier to install. Cork floors, made from the bark of a tree, are also less expensive, but they need to be resealed every few years. In Southampton, engineered wood flooring is another popular alternative. Engineered wood flooring has a top layer of wood with layers of plywood or recycled wood fiber below, which gives the owner the hardwood look without the hardwood cost. Like linoleum, this is another good choice for kitchens and basements, but it has a very different look to it. West Flooring excels in professional flooring services. Southampton engineered wood flooring. Visit our page on http://westflooring.com/professional-flooring-services/ for more info!
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