Floors for Houses: What to Consider

Floors are the unsung heroes of our houses: always underfoot, yet often overlooked. But there’s no denying the importance of choosing the right floor for your household since it needs to work with your lifestyle. But if you’re starting from scratch, how do you pick the right one? Trilogy is here to help simplify your selection process with a focus on flooring. 

Factors to consider for flooring in new home

Before you start with the fun stuff like colors and style, it’s important to sit down and think about what the best type of flooring is for your daily life. Here are the top points to consider:

• Traffic. Do you have a busy home, with a) kids b) pets c) all of the above?
  • If so, opt for durable, easy-to-clean floors that aren’t fragile and prone to chipping and scratching. 

• Maintenance. What kind of time and energy do you have to spend on flooring care?
  • When time is at a premium, choose a manufactured floor type requiring little maintenance. But if you love the look of certain kinds of wood and don’t mind keeping it in good shape, go for it! 

• Health. Do you have allergies, or need the assistance of a walker, or wheelchair? 
  • For those who suffer from allergies, carpet is a poor pick due to its ability to collect more allergens than wood or man-made flooring. The same is true for those with mobility issues who require walking assistance, so hard flooring could be easier to navigate than carpet. 

• Environmental concerns. Do you live in a humid area, or lack air conditioning? 
  • If you live in an area with high humidity and no air conditioning, wood floors can warp over time. It might be more prudent to choose tile or a durable, man-made material for flooring which will stand up to the elements and the test of time. 

Different rooms, different requirements

Another thing to consider is selecting different types of flooring for different rooms. For example, while you may appreciate the soft feel of carpeting throughout your home, it’s better to leave it out of rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room which are prone to moisture. Pick tile, wood, engineered wood, or laminate for these instead. 

Types of Flooring 

Once you’ve identified your flooring needs, the fun part begins. It’s time to choose which style and color of flooring suits you best. There are so many options out there to fit a wide range of budgets and tastes. Start with the Top 5 here!

1) Laminate: Made of a wood or tile photo with a particle board wood base. It’s not your grandma’s laminate! Today’s versions come a long way since they first arrived on the scene, and you’ll find modern options that offer a stylish, contemporary look paired with high performance that holds up against pets, kids, and life well-lived. 

• Pros: Laminate is inexpensive, very easy to clean, and comes in a wide selection of colors and styles. 

• Challenges: While high-quality laminate is extremely durable, some lower qualities may scuff and chip easily.

2) Carpet: Made of a variety of materials, from man-made to wool. 

• Pros: Carpet is great for soundproofing rooms, is comparatively inexpensive, feels soft underfoot, and comes in a broad array of colors, styles, pile heights, and materials. 

• Challenges: It is a tough pick for those with allergies, can be difficult to clean, and stains easily. 

3) Tile: Made of different materials from clay to ceramic

• Pros: Tile is durable, waterproof, and long-lasting

• Challenges: Depending on the type of material you choose, tile can chip and require re-grouting. It is also hard and slippery, making it less than ideal for those with mobility challenges. 

4) Engineered Wood: Made of real wood layered over a plywood backing 

• Pros: This type of flooring offers the look of wood at a fraction of the cost of real solid wood.  

• Challenges: Engineered wood is not fade-resistant. Unlike real wood, it will sound hollow underneath when walked on, and can’t be refinished multiple times. Compared to other flooring alternatives, it can be pricey. 

5) Hardwood/Softwood Floors: These floors are made of organic materials from trees like oak, maple, walnut, birch, and even bamboo. 

• Pros: Unique look

• Challenges: Softwood floors can scratch easily, and both softwood and hardwood floors require special care

Still not sure what to choose? Consider some tips from one of our trusted local flooring experts: “Laminate is the most durable option. Engineered hardwood is a natural product so there are no pattern repeats in the flooring. Vinyl plank is very thin and brittle, so any movement in the flooring causes the click system to break.” 

When it comes down to it, there are three important factors to remember when picking flooring: lifestyle, durability, and style. At Trilogy, we know how important it is to get things right the first time, especially when it comes to designing a home. It’s why we offer our clients the True Quote process, which helps build a budget to accommodate all your choices, from flooring to finishes. Contact us here to find out more!