Types Of Flooring For A New Home
The type of flooring for a new home is one of the most significant decisions an owner will have to make. A homeowner must select a flooring material that is properly matched to the intended use and foot traffic of each area in their home in addition to being an important visual design element. Listed below are the most popular flooring for a new home currently available to help you narrow down your choices.
1. Flooring For A New Home: Hardwood Flooring
There is a reason why historical homes often feature hardwood floors. As a timeless classic, hardwood flooring has the ability to provide both style and durability for your home, while at the same time helping keep its resale value in line with the market. There are a wide variety of woods, patterns, and stains to choose from, making hardwood flooring less visually limiting than many people would imagine.
With hardwood flooring, you can create anything from a bright contemporary look up to a rustic antique theme by simply selecting the right wood and patterns. Generally, hardwood flooring, particularly harder varieties, is the best choice for areas with high traffic and a requirement for durability, particularly if you have children or pets. If you are looking for a particular colour or tint, you can select an unfinished wood that can be custom stained. Furthermore, hardwood floors can be laid out in various patterns, including thin strips, wider planks, and even formal parquet patterns. Some of the most popular hardwoods available today are oak, maple, and cherry, which are valued for their looks, grain patterns, and durability. The use of exotic woods, such as teak, mahogany, and Brazilian cherry, may be an option if you have a limited budget.
2. Flooring For A New Home: Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood is another flooring option for a new home, a hardwood flooring variant that is gaining popularity and that is created by cross-plying several layers of hardwood. Compared to pure hardwood, it is more resistant to humidity and temperature changes, making it an ideal material for damp areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. If damage occurs to engineered wood, it is more difficult to repair than traditional hardwoods.
3. Flooring For A New Home: Laminate Flooring
A laminate flooring product is composed of four layers of melamine-based materials (from the plastics family) bonded together. One of these four layers is an image of the surface which the laminate is intended to mimic at a high resolution. Thus, laminate offers a variety of visual options, including hardwood, tile, and stone. The laminate flooring material is extremely durable and suitable for use in most areas of the home depending on the type that is selected.
With laminate flooring, you can create or match almost any design theme you desire, since it mimics a large variety of materials, textures, and surfaces. Furthermore, it is one of the most cost-effective flooring options on the market. Most laminate flooring is not easily stained and clean up quickly with periodic sweeping, vacuuming, or damp mopping.
4. Flooring For A New Home: Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl Flooring is one of the most popular flooring options for a new home on the market today due to its affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance, especially in high-traffic rooms and areas with a bit of moisture. Unlike in years past, vinyl is now capable of visually mimicking a wide variety of surfaces, making it a popular choice among designers on a budget.
Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of styles, including sheets, tiles, and planks, giving homeowners more visual options than ever before while also requiring less installation time than other flooring materials. For even more design options, various shades of matte and gloss finishes are available. The use of vinyl flooring can contribute to the acoustical softening of a room in comparison with hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring. As a result, it provides a smooth surface for walking on, making it suitable for rooms such as kitchens where individuals may need to stand for long periods of time. Furthermore, the soft cushioning surface may slightly prevent dropped dishes and glasses from breaking. When properly prepared, vinyl can be installed over almost any flat, dry surface, which makes it one of the most versatile flooring options available. It is easily cleaned and does not require waxing as it did when it was first introduced.
5. Flooring For A New Home: Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is no longer restricted to just kitchens, bathrooms, and patios, but has rapidly become a popular flooring choice throughout the entire home due to its durability, elegance, and ability to be cut and shaped into custom patterns. A tile floor is ideal for environments with high moisture levels and heavy traffic.
Tile flooring is available primarily in ceramics, porcelains, and natural stones, offering a greater variety of design options. Various layouts of flooring tiles may be custom cut and installed and are available with a range of finishes, such as smooth or highly textured rustic surfaces, as well as variations in between. Additionally, grout can be painted in a variety of colours and shades to provide a visual element. The durability and water resistance of tile makes it an ideal flooring choice for areas with high traffic as well as for kitchens and bathrooms.
6. Flooring For New A Home: Carpet Flooring
Considering the variety of styles, colours, and patterns available, it is no surprise that carpet remains a popular flooring for a new home. Carpet fibers resist thermal transfer, thus making them one of the most comfortable flooring surfaces to walk on and stand on. They are also very effective at insulating a room, as they are able to retain heat. A carpet can absorb sound and quiet a loud room.
A carpet can be made from either natural fibers or manufactured fibers. Natural fibers are most commonly wool, which has a luxurious appearance while providing natural hypoallergenic properties that help to repel allergens. Wall-to-wall carpets are typically made from manufactured fibers to enhance durability. In today's market, nylon, polyester, and polypropylene/olefin are the most commonly used manufactured fibers. Nylon fiber is highly durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain. Since polyester is hypoallergenic, it is an excellent choice for homeowners concerned about catching allergens.
The top surface of a carpet is called the pile, which consists of loops that can either be cut or left uncut. There are many different types of piles available today, so homeowners should have little difficulty selecting the correct thickness and visual style for their homes. Carpet has the ability to absorb and dampen sound waves, making it an ideal choice for rooms with echoes or amplified noises as a result of cathedral ceilings or concrete countertops. The carpet fibers in high-traffic areas should be pre-treated with stain-resistant chemicals, which will make the carpet easier to clean and maintain. Carpeting is relatively easy to remove and replace when compared to other more permanent flooring surfaces.
Tips For The Flooring Of Your New Home
It is possible to request samples of most flooring options in order to avoid the trap of a given material appearing differently in the showroom than it appears in your home. It is important to view the samples in a variety of lighting conditions, especially if the room is subjected to varying shades of sunlight. A homeowner who is concerned about resale value should not cut corners when it comes to flooring, since it usually dominates the focal points of each room and is quickly noticed and judged by potential buyers.
Final Thoughts On Top Flooring For New Homes
Choosing the right flooring for a new home depends on the intended use of a given living area and your desired visual design theme. It is important to avoid selecting flooring materials based solely on their visual appearance and don't be afraid to mix and match according to the room, as it is uncommon that one flooring material is appropriate for the entire house. Large area rugs or carpets over wood floors are a classic design theme and an effective way to warm up a room and deaden sound when necessary. Choose flooring options that will not require constant maintenance or replacement on a regular basis for areas that will see high levels of traffic. While for high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, choose flooring materials that are water-resistant.
Flooring blog articles you may want to read:
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LAMINATE FLOORING
WORD OF MOUTH FLOORS: LEADING PROVIDERS OF VINYL FLOORING IN VANCOUVER
REASONS TO MAKE HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND RENOVATIONS
FLOORING FOR CHILDREN: WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS?
Buying a new home is always an exciting experience, representing a new chapter in your life and giving you a blank canvas to stamp your own personality onto. But choosing all the right fixtures and fittings to suit your lifestyle can be difficult, including your new home flooring. With so many new home flooring options available, you can be overwhelmed when it comes to making this important decision.
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We have created this article to help you make an informed choice. We take a look at the various new home flooring options and discuss their different qualities, as well as answer some common questions about the most popular flooring in new homes. This will help you to decide exactly what flooring you need to make your new house the perfect home.
New Flooring Options
When you’re looking for the most popular flooring in new homes, there are three options modern homeowners are choosing over all other types. These are:
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors are often seen as the ultimate in luxury. As its name suggests, solid hardwood flooring is made from timber floorboards that are all made from the same type of wood. This enables you to achieve a beautiful, natural, coordinated look throughout the entirety of your home. As solid hardwood is available in a wide variety of wood types and finishes, you can choose a light or dark color to suit your tastes, or use contrasting colors in different rooms.
With sustainability being a factor of major importance to modern homebuyers, solid hardwood floors are more popular than ever, as natural materials are being used more and more often throughout the home. A solid hardwood floor will coordinate perfectly well with all periods of architecture and interior décor schemes. So, whether you have a traditional or a contemporary home, a solid hardwood floor will be the perfect addition to your living area or bedroom.
Solid hardwood is a timeless, classic choice that has been used in homes for over a century. The beauty of it is that it never goes out of style, so as time goes by, your floor will still look just as fashionable and attractive as it does today.
Engineered hardwood
What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood flooring? This is a question we are regularly asked by homeowners wanting to upgrade their flooring. When you look at the two types of flooring, to the eye there is very little difference at all. The difference is entirely in the structural makeup of the boards. Whereas solid hardwood boards are made from solid pieces of wood, engineered hardwood is made up of multiple different layers, including a top coat, often referred to as a "veneer" for added protection.
Engineered hardwood is an extremely popular new home flooring choice because it offers a less costly alternative while still having the appearance of solid hardwood. Due to the way it is constructed, it is also extremely strong, durable and resistant to cupping and bowing. It is an ideal choice for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, where the floor can get wet.
Luxury Vinyl
When you hear “vinyl,” it’s easy to conjure up images of the 1970s. However, vinyl flooring has come a very long way since those days! In fact, luxury vinyl is now among the most popular flooring choices for new homes. Thanks to modern printing techniques, today’s vinyl can take on the appearance of wood in a huge variety of finishes. It even comes in planks, which click together very much like floorboards, and even up close, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the two.
So, why would you choose luxury vinyl rather than solid or engineered hardwood? Firstly, vinyl is far more cost-effective than wood. It enables you to achieve the look of natural or stained wood, even if you’re working on a tight budget. This is why vinyl is so popular with many new homeowners — obviously, there are a lot of expensive purchases to make when you buy a new home, not least the home itself! Any cost savings you can make are usually welcome if you are happy with the look you will achieve by choosing vinyl.
The other main advantage of luxury vinyl is that it is extremely hardwearing. If you have children or pets, this is something you really need to consider, as there is a likelihood a timber floor will get scratched or damaged by pets’ claws or children’s toys. With a vinyl floor, you don’t need to worry, as it is hard to damage, and it hasn’t involved such a large financial outlay. Vinyl is also extremely easy to wipe clean, which is another consideration when it comes to little ones and furry friends!
Modern luxury vinyl is designed to be as hardwearing as possible. Whereas previous vinyl planks had PVC cores, the best quality vinyl planks of today have a core of Stone Polymer Composite (SPC), which provides more durability and gives the vinyl flooring a sturdier feel. The increased thickness of the vinyl also contributes to a more realistic “wood” look.
Luxury vinyl flooring is ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms, as it won’t warp if it gets wet, and stains can simply be wiped away. However, unlike hardwood, vinyl flooring can’t be refinished, so you’ll need to be sure your tastes won’t change once you make your choice.
Why new home flooring is a good idea
When you purchase a home, the flooring it comes with may not suit your personal taste. This is often particularly the case with new homes — builder-grade flooring has usually been fitted, and you may find it bland and unexciting. Installing new flooring gives you a great opportunity to stamp your own personality onto your new home from the get-go, ensuring that your house truly becomes your home and does not simply look like every other dwelling in the neighborhood.
You don’t have to go with the type of flooring your builder recommends! You can choose your own flooring to suit your tastes, and have your builder or a contractor fit it for you. If your home is currently being built and you would like to take a look at the options available to you, simply request flooring samples from Southern Luxe. This way, you can choose the colors and textures you love, and recommend them to your builders, making sure you’ll love your new home from the start.
Common Flooring Questions for New Homeowners
Should I install hardwood flooring in my new home?
The short answer to this question is: YES! As we have seen, hardwood flooring has a number of advantages over other types of flooring in the home. Whether you choose solid or engineered hardwood, timber flooring has a beautiful, timeless appeal that will never go out of style. It coordinates perfectly with both contemporary and traditional homes. You can also choose from a wide variety of color options to suit your furniture and wall colors.
Strong, durable, and environmentally friendly, hardwood flooring is everything most homeowners are looking for. This will also be reflected in the sale price if you ever come to sell your home — hardwood floors increase the resale value of your home. It may cost a little more initially, but it is a worthwhile investment that you can continue to enjoy the benefits in the future.
What is the most durable flooring that looks like wood?
If you want the appearance of hardwood flooring but with added strength and durability, luxury vinyl is the natural choice. It offers the beautiful looks of natural timber, but without the worry of scratching or scuffing. This definitely makes vinyl the best choice for proud homeowners who lead active lifestyles but still want their homes to look stunning! It is also a warm, soft choice for kids and pets — and the fact that it is so easy to clean and maintain is another factor to consider, as it means you can spend less time maintaining your home and more time enjoying it.
Of course, price is another important consideration here. Luxury vinyl enables you to achieve the look of hardwood on a budget, but without the problems that come with installing a cheaper option like laminate.
Do builders use luxury vinyl in high end homes?
Hardwood flooring is typically the most popular choice for high end homes. However, some extremely discerning customers request vinyl, particularly if they have children, due to its increased durability. Since top-quality vinyl, such as the styles we sell here at Southern Luxe, can mimic the look of hardwood so convincingly, it won’t bring down the luxury finish of the home.
Ultimately, your choice of flooring comes down to personal preference. The right flooring for you will be the type that best suits your personal tastes, your budget, and your lifestyle. Both hardwood and vinyl plank flooring are great choices for modern homes, even luxury builds.
Modern Flooring Ideas Interior
Want to make sure your flooring will keep up with the latest trends and suit all aspects of your lifestyle? Here are some essential tips for getting your flooring right in every room in the home.
1. Make sure the flooring suits the room
There is no rule that you have to use the same flooring throughout the entire home. Instead, think about how you use each room, and choose flooring to suit your needs. For example, you might want engineered hardwood for a family room, as you love the look of hardwood but want a durable choice that will stand up to heavy foot traffic. Luxury vinyl might be the right choice for the kitchen, as it is so easy to wipe clean. In the bedroom, you could choose solid hardwood, as this is your sanctuary and you want the highest-quality finish.
2. Pick a flooring that matches your tastes
Before you can choose the right flooring for your home, you need to think about your favorite décor styles and how you intend to decorate each room. What colors and patterns are you using? Will your chosen flooring coordinate with these? Consider all aspects of your scheme, including accent colors and textures, and view these alongside your flooring samples.
You also need to think about the style you are decorating in — do you prefer a contemporary look, industrial or rustic, for example? What color and texture of flooring will be the best match for your chosen scheme?
The beauty of Southern Luxe flooring is that it combines effortlessly with all décor styles and furnishings, including rugs, curtains, and cabinetry. Even if your tastes change, you can redecorate in a different style and your flooring will still provide a great complement to your new scheme.
Best Flooring for Your New Home
Choosing the right flooring for your new home is never easy, especially with so many new home flooring options to choose from. We hope this article has helped you to understand the differences between solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and luxury vinyl, and made it clear how you can use each type of flooring differently to suit your lifestyle. This creates a happy home that works perfectly for you.
If you are currently trying to choose the right flooring for your new home, the expert team here at Southern Luxe are happy to assist you. We stock an extensive selection of solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and luxury vinyl flooring in a wide range of different colors and styles, and we can help you make those all-important decisions. Start your project with us today, and we can help you find the perfect flooring that will continue to make you happy for many years to come.
