Design Considerations
When selecting the right floor for your space, it's important to choose a floor that complements your environment. "Complement" doesn't necessarily mean matching – it’s about creating a striking contrast with colors and textures that highlight the best aspects of your space. A room where everything matches can sometimes appear too uniform, so feel free to break the rules and experiment with contrasts to achieve your desired look.
If you're renovating multiple areas in your home, it's best to plan the entire project from the start, taking every detail into consideration.
One common concern people have is the fear of making the wrong choice. In reality, there are many combinations of styles that will look great in any space. The key is to find what works for you.
Our professional design consultants are here to help guide you through the process. In our design showroom, you’ll have access to a variety of flooring, cabinets, countertops, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and other essential items, all chosen with design and function in mind. We keep things simple and cost-effective to ensure you get the best results.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors offer a timeless and traditional beauty that’s hard to beat. They’re considered an upgrade in flooring options due to their durability and natural feel, though they tend to be more expensive than alternatives like luxury vinyl or laminate.
Not all hardwood is created equal. The quality can vary based on the type of wood, the manufacturing process, and the installation method, which all contribute to the floor’s longevity.
- Thickness & Wear Layer: The thickness of the wood and its wear layer are important for ensuring stability and durability.
- Finish: The right finish enhances the floor’s look and performance.
- Wood Species & Manufacturing: Choose a wood species and finish that resists denting and scratching while achieving the aesthetic you desire.
- Hardwood floors have a depth and texture that simulated products can’t fully replicate.
- When glued down, hardwood feels more solid underfoot and has a natural, authentic look.
- Many homeowners prefer hardwood for its natural appeal.
- Being a natural material, hardwood is sensitive to excess moisture and humidity, particularly in areas with moisture-related issues like hydrostatic pressure (from concrete slabs). Fortunately, moisture-blocking treatments are available.
- While hardwood is resistant to normal wear, it’s susceptible to dents and scratches, especially if furniture is dragged or high-heeled shoes with metal soles are worn. However, with proper care, hardwood floors perform beautifully.
Nothing compares to the feel and appearance of quality hardwood floors. Properly maintained, they can last a lifetime, making them a perfect fit for a fine-quality home. While simulated hardwood options like luxury vinyl and laminate are growing in popularity, they haven’t yet proven they can match hardwood's lasting beauty.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl is a rapidly growing category in hard surface flooring, offering realistic looks that mimic hardwood and tile. The technology behind luxury vinyl has evolved, and new styles are constantly emerging. Its combination of appealing aesthetics and waterproof features has made it a favorite among consumers and professionals alike.
- Product Quality: Like any product, the quality of luxury vinyl can vary. Lower-cost options, particularly thin products, can lead to poor installations and potential product failure.
- Composition:
- Stone Poly Composite (SPC): Made from polymers and limestone, SPC offers durability and stability.
- Wood Poly Composite (WPC): Made with polymers and wood dust, WPC provides added comfort while maintaining strength and stability.
- Polycomposites: A newer product made of pure polymers. While the technology is still emerging, it promises better stability and moisture protection.
- Waterproof: Great for areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- Cost-Effective: Luxury vinyl is a more affordable option compared to traditional hardwood floors.
- Aesthetic Appeal: It offers beautiful designs that closely resemble natural wood and stone.
- Durability: Luxury vinyl holds up well under everyday use, including kids, pets, and heavy traffic.
- While luxury vinyl is durable, it may still scratch or dent under excessive wear and tear.
- It lacks the depth and authenticity of natural wood floors, so if you're looking for a genuine wood feel, it might not fully satisfy.
- Unlike hardwood, luxury vinyl is installed as a floating floor, which doesn’t provide the same solid underfoot feel. This can be a matter of personal preference.
- Though waterproof, prolonged exposure to moisture vapor from a wet substrate (such as a concrete slab with hydrostatic pressure) can still damage the floor.
Luxury vinyl is one of the most popular and cost-effective flooring choices today. With constant improvements in both looks and performance, it’s a great option for many homes. By choosing a quality product and following proper installation guidelines, you can enjoy a beautiful and durable floor for years to come.
The best luxury vinyl floors use a registered embossment process, which allows the grain pattern to more closely match real wood. Lower-quality options often lack this process, leading to a less authentic appearance. When you see the reflection of light on your floor, you’ll notice the difference in quality.
Laminate Floors
Laminate flooring has been a popular choice for many years, and the category has evolved significantly over time. Early versions of laminate were often seen as low-quality options, but today’s products are far superior, offering durability and a variety of styles. While some older, cheaper laminates had issues with moisture and swelling at the seams, modern high-quality laminates perform well under a range of conditions.
- Core Composition: What is the core made of, and how does it contribute to the floor's performance?
- Water Resistance: Is the product designed to resist moisture effectively?
- Registered Embossment Process: Does the laminate’s texture match the design pattern, enhancing its visual appeal?
- Warranty and Performance: Is the product backed by a reliable warranty and built to perform well over time?
- Excellent resistance to dents and scratches.
- Newer technologies provide improved water resistance.
- Enhanced aesthetics, with laminates now looking more realistic and authentic.
- Affordable, making it a great option for rental properties.
- Easy to install, making it a good DIY choice.
- The sound of laminate flooring can be a concern, though newer technology is improving acoustics.
- While laminate looks great, it doesn’t quite have the natural look and feel of hardwood.
Laminate is a highly practical flooring option, especially for high-traffic areas where dents and scratches are common. It’s an affordable alternative that can still look attractive and withstand the demands of everyday life.
Carpet Flooring
While hard surfaces are becoming more popular in living areas, carpet remains a favored choice for many, offering a soft texture, warmth, and a variety of colors and styles. It is particularly popular in bedrooms and for custom or prefabricated area rugs.
When choosing carpet, consider the specific needs of each room, such as durability, pattern, and texture. The type of fiber you select plays a significant role in performance, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Durability: Nylon is highly durable, maintaining its appearance even in high-traffic areas due to its strong tensile strength. It resists crushing and matting, and holds its twist, keeping its original look.
- Stain Resistance: Nylon is stain-resistant and easier to clean, especially with oil-based spills. It has excellent protection against common stains but can still be susceptible to some types of dyes.
- Cleanability: Professional carpet cleaners prefer nylon for its easy maintenance and ability to withstand regular cleaning.
- Stain Resistance: Polyester doesn’t have dye sites, which means it resists bleaching and some other chemical stains. It's dyed during production, which makes it less prone to staining from acidic or dye-based spills.
- Soiling: While polyester resists staining, it’s more prone to attracting dirt and oil-based spills, such as from food.
- Affordability: Polyester is more affordable than nylon and is a good choice for areas with lower foot traffic or less cleaning needed.
Wool is considered the premium natural fiber in the carpet industry. It offers unique beauty, warmth, texture, and a level of resilience that synthetic fibers can’t quite match. Wool is ideal in custom home environments where aesthetics and longevity are key.
Pros:
- Soil Resistance: Wool naturally repels dirt and has a waterproofing quality thanks to lanolin, an oil found in sheep’s skin.
- Durability: Wool is naturally resilient, resistant to crushing and matting, and can stretch up to 30% beyond its original length, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
- Aesthetic Quality: Wool provides a unique look with exceptional softness and color richness.
Cons:
- Maintenance: Wool requires special care for cleaning, as alkaline cleaners can damage the fiber. It’s important to use the right cleaning agents to maintain its natural properties.
- Vulnerability to Stains: While wool resists normal spills, untreated stains can cause permanent damage.
- Moths and Carpet Beetles: Wool can attract pests like moths and carpet beetles, though this can be managed with proper treatment.
Polypropylene is similar to polyester in terms of stain resistance but is less durable. It tends to crush and mat easily and can be prone to soiling and oil-based spills. Olefin is typically used in commercial applications where cost is the primary concern. For residential use, it’s best suited for areas with light foot traffic.
- Plush: Smooth and even in appearance, with a sheared surface.
- Textured Plush: A textured surface, but still even in appearance.
- Frieze: Nubby, textured appearance with a sheared surface.
- Cut Pile Berber: Textured plush with color variation and a sheared surface.
- Multi-Colored Textured Plush: A combination of textures and colors.
- Patterned Carpet: Available in various patterns for a unique design.
- Berber: A type of looped carpet that is durable and stylish.
Whether you’re looking for durable laminate, comfortable carpet, or something in between, there’s a wide range of flooring options to suit every home and budget. Laminate offers an affordable, attractive alternative to hardwood, while carpet provides warmth and comfort, particularly in bedrooms and low-traffic areas. By carefully considering the specific needs of your space and the qualities of each flooring type, you can make an informed decision that works best for your lifestyle.
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