From solid timber and ceramic to nylon, wool and everything in between, there is an endless choice available when it comes to floor coverings.
According to Burbank Homes’ managing director Jarrod Sanfilippo, tiling, timber and carpeting are the three most common options in flooring – though each has varying impact and suitability in the home.
“Tiles are most commonly used in kitchens and wet areas because they’re so easy to clean. That said, it’s important to seal the grout in these highly workable spaces to help maintain colour and keep them looking new” Jarrod says.
“Porcelain tiles are a favourite for their durability and colour. The colour in a porcelain tile runs all the way through, whereas the colour in ceramic tiles is mostly present in the glaze. This means that any chips in porcelain tiles will be much less noticeable.”
Wooden flooring is also hugely popular for its easy cleaning qualities and near infinite choice in colour, grade and finish. Within the wood and wood-look category, bamboo flooring has the highest durability rating, followed by laminate and real timber, according to Jarrod.
“Nowadays real timber floors are typically made from hardwood, which is more resilient to indentation than the older-style softwood.”
“However, depending on the finish, timber floors can still scratch or scuff easily, particularly with dress shoes – so they’re not usually the best choice for high traffic areas.”
Carpets, meanwhile, have long been favoured in bedrooms for their softer, warmer feel. Nylon and polypropylene carpets are both soft, durable and resistant to stains, which makes them an excellent choice in bedrooms -, particularly kids’ bedrooms. They’re also great for living areas or home theatres rooms where you want to create a warmer, cosier atmosphere.
Whether you choose tiles, timber or carpets, flooring doesn’t have to be uniform throughout the house. Introducing different flooring allows you to zone off areas and create interest – just be careful to choose complementary colours to avoid a mismatched feel.
And, if you’re looking for extra versatility, you can’t go past the humble rug. Rotate them seasonally or place them on timber or tiled floors to add extra warmth – or to hide stiletto dents on the floorboards!
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