As a custom homebuilder with years of experience, we know how important it is to choose the right type of home flooring for each room. The material you pick for each space not only needs to look great, but also function well.
Whether you’re designing a new custom home or remodeling an existing one, home flooring is one of the most unique features that family, friends and visitors first notice when they step inside. With so many home flooring options on the market, from hardwood to luxury vinyl tile to new carpeting, homeowners often find it overwhelming to choose the right home flooring.
At Central Construction Group, we’ve installed flooring in many styles of homes and spaces and know what works best. Here’s a few tips from an experienced homebuilder on the 5 most common materials used in home flooring:
Hardwood
A rich, warm hardwood floor works well in many styles of homes and it holds up well in shared spaces like living rooms and bedrooms, but not so well in rooms with moisture and humidity like kitchens and bathrooms. Some species of hardwood flooring can lean toward the pricier side, however, and the material may be more susceptible to scrapes, dents and standing water damage.
Homeowners can choose from a wide variety of pre-finished options (ready to be installed as is) or choose unfinished wood that CCG sands and stains on site to match the style and characteristics of the home. Typically using standard strip, ¾-inch thick by 2.25-inch-wide boards, we can stain the flooring most any color from light/natural to medium or dark tones and with/or without red or espresso colors.
Engineered Wood
Many flooring manufacturers also offer engineered hardwood flooring, which in most cases costs less than solid hardwood. It’s also constructed to be more durable and more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
At CCG, we find engineered hardwood flooring to be a great option for homeowners who prefer a wider 5-inch plank board look. Some types of engineered wood can also be installed in different ways, which gives homeowners a little flexibility in the design for each space.
Luxury Vinyl Tile or Luxury Vinyl Plank
Photo courtesy of Shaw Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is a hot new trend that’s beautiful, waterproof and easy to clean. It comes in various textures and finishes that mimic hardwood, tile, stone and leather. Some manufacturers even make groutable vinyl tile for a more realistic tile or stone look.
LVT and LVP are softer and warmer to the feet than tile, and both materials work well in every room due to their ability to withstand water. Many of CCG’s clients choose to install LVT or LVP on the entire first floor of their homes and in bathrooms, while carpeting remains popular for bedrooms.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile holds up well in any room of the house but may be better suited for high-traffic areas, such as entryways, kitchens and bathrooms. It’s water-resistant and comes in every color, shape and size imaginable.Today’s options for ceramic and porcelain tile even come in styles that mimic a real wood look.
At CCG, we install all types of ceramic tile. Our most popular choices tend to be 12-inch-by-24-inch large format tiles or a 12-inch-by-12-inch mosaic tile with a pattern or in a marble natural stone. Choosing grout color sometimes perplexes homeowners, so we make the grout-selection process easy with pre-sealed, antimicrobial and stain-proof options.
Carpeting
With the new trends in flooring, some may believe the popularity of carpeting in homes is starting to wane. Not so for CCG clients, many of whom still prefer carpeting in places like bedrooms and family rooms, where they can sink their toes into soft, plush flooring. The insulating factor of carpeting also helps to lower energy bills.
Carpeting comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures, and some manufacturers have even created waterproof and stain-proof carpet. Other trends include carpet tiles, recycled carpet, cut and loop carpet, and adding area rugs or carpet runners for a bold splash of color and pattern.
Still not sure what type of flooring to choose for your home? Contact CCG today for a free consultation, and we’ll help you choose the best home flooring for every room.
