We’ve all seen and heard it before: finding a suitable material for new home floors can be really daunting with all the products and materials you can choose from. Most homeowners are often wondering what exactly is the best choice and what are the things one should consider when deciding which material would go well with his or her new home.

There are several things you need to know to be able to choose a suitable material for your new home floors. First of these things to know to make an informed choice is to know what are the flooring materials to choose from.

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First are the wood-based products:

 ●     Laminate Flooring. Laminate is one of the more popular flooring choices available. Some key characteristics like affordability, durability and variety make it a suitable material for new home floors. It’s a few layers of wood veneer with a highly detailed image of the material it tries to mimic – it can either be stone or wood and its also more resistant to moisture compared to typical woods.

 ●     Engineered Hardwood. As the name implies, it is still hardwood, at least in part. While engineered hardwood is still mostly hardwood, the boards or planks are reinforced to make it more stable – less prone to cupping, expansion and contraction and more resistant to water and moisture.

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 ●     Solid Hardwood. As the name implies this is pure hardwood flooring that adds value to the home. While it may cost more and may have a few changes from one season to another, solid hardwood is exceptionally warm and beautiful. They come in a great variety from the traditional oak and pine to the more exotic materials like tiger wood and teak. Given proper care however, solid hardwood flooring will more than likely outlast our lifetime.

 ●     Bamboo Flooring. Bamboo is a wood-based flooring material, however, bamboo is not a plant nor a tree but a grass that grows in most temperate parts of the world. It has various uses and while it may look fragile, it actually ranks high in the Janka Hardness Scale, above more common hardwoods.

 ●     Cork. Known for its versatility and durability, cork is also a wood-based flooring material though it is not sourced from timber but the bark of a live cork-oak tree. Like bamboo, it is hypoallergenic. It has a naturally occurring substance known as suberin that resists insects and decay.

 Then, there are the natural stones like marble, granite, travertine and slate.

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●     Granite. Granite is said to be one of the hardest materials around and is ranked second to diamonds. It comes in beautiful shades like blacks, greys, reds and even purples.

●     Marble. Smooth and versatile, marble has been used in sculptures and buildings even in the olden times because of its luxury and beauty. It may be used with a smoothened, glossy surface like most common marble flooring or with rough pores, naturally occurring in travertine tiles, which is closely related to marble.

●     Slate. While it may not have the equally regal appearance of both granite and marble, slate is also a popular favorite among natural stones because of its strong traction and non-slip surface properties.

Other versatile flooring choices are ceramic and porcelain tiles, carpets and carpet tiles. Vinyl comes in different forms like sheet, tiles and planks. If you want to be a little kinder to the environment then you might want to try linoleum flooring. Genuine linoleums are made from linseed oil and other natural materials.

Now that you’ve been acquainted with your choices, its time to think about the things you need to consider:

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1.    The property. If you’re renting, starting out or just plan to stay in that home for a certain number of years, then consider the material for your new home. Since floors can be costly, be sure to choose your materials well and where you can reap the benefits for the long-term. While natural stone and solid hardwood would add a significant amount to the property, also consider the location and size of the property as they help determine   property values. If you are in a home where you intend only to stay for a certain period of time, then consider cheaper alternatives like vinyl or laminate.

2.    The location. Consider the room in your new home where you plan to install a specific flooring material. Hardwoods or natural stone might work well in the living room, kitchen or dining area but they are not exactly the top choice for bedrooms or bathrooms (at least for hardwood). Cork is well suited for bedrooms, home offices and studies. On-, above-, or below-ground installation will determine which material is most suitable for your new home.

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3.    Style and lifestyle. There are a variety of flooring materials and, keep in mind that, each variety offers even more variety. Be sure to check out all the possible options you have as well as all the resources you can get your hands on. Also be mindful of the activities you intend to have in each area of your new home as traffic is a great factor for choosing how much wear and tear the floors in your new home can take.   

4.    Numbers. By this we mean calculating the area as well as the installation costs for each supplier and contractor who can offer a quote so you can be assured that you are getting the best value for your money. Speaking of best value, also check out forums and product reviews for the products that have made it in your shortlist.

Your floors will play a great part in having lots of good times at home either with friends and family or by yourself. The most suitable material has to be something that meets your budget, reflects your style and something that will keep up with your lifestyle so make sure you look at all the possible places for best ideas and deals.

About the Author

Bryan Vu is a home improvement blogger and community outreach associate for BuildDirect, a leading flooring and building materials provider online.