Installing New Flooring in Your House

Almost all homes have at least one of the four most common types of flooring used in houses today - carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, and hardwood. Each type offers its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. They include cost, durability, and the ease with which they can be cleaned. Generally speaking, of the four types of flooring listed here, carpet tends to be the least expensive. Carpet is available in just about any color or pattern you can imagine. It comes in various lengths and weights as well.

Besides cost, one primary advantage of using carpet is that is soft and easy on the feet, unlike the other types of much harder flooring. Depending on the style and quality of carpet used, as well as how much foot traffic it must endure, carpet will usually last about ten years or so. Of the four types of flooring, carpet is the most difficult to clean because any kind of spilled liquid will be almost immediately absorbed by its fibers. Stains are difficult to remove at best, if not downright impossible. Carpet is most often used in areas such as the family room or bedroom.

Vinyl, sometimes referred to as linoleum, is generally slightly more expensive than carpet, but this will vary by style and quality. Like carpet, vinyl is available in many styles and colors. As a general rule, it's best to stay with neutral colors that have a slight pattern to them.

However, one disadvantage of vinyl is that if a heavy or sharp object is dropped, it can damage the vinyl surface by putting a nick or tear in it. It's difficult to replace a small piece of vinyl because the seams and patterns have to match exactly for it to look right. Of the four types, vinyl is the easiest to clean. It is often used in places like the kitchen because it is so easy to wipe up spills or food.

Ceramic tile is usually slightly more expensive than vinyl, and it, too, can be purchased in most any color desired. Tile can be laid in all sorts of patterns because it comes in individual pieces that are usually anywhere from four inches to twelve inches in size.

Ceramic tile is extremely durable. However, if a sharp or heavy object is dropped on it, the damage can potentially result in a crack or break. But unlike vinyl, the damaged piece can easily be replaced without affecting the rest of the floor. Finally, tile is easy to keep clean because spills and most anything else can be quickly wiped up.

Hardwood is typically the most expensive of the four types of flooring mentioned. Price will vary by the type and thickness of the wood. Oak is the most commonly used, in part because it is a less expensive hardwood than other types, but also because of its strength and durability. Just as vinyl and ceramic tile can be wiped clean, so can most hardwood floors.