Carpet
Carpet is an all time favorite. With so much variety today, it's hard to go wrong with carpet. Warm, soft, comfortable and looks great!
Carpet is available in several finishes:
- Loop pile (the yarns are left looped)
- Cut pile (the yarns are cut to the same or varying lengths)
- Cut & Loop pile (a mixture of both)
- Twist pile (very hard wearing)
Carpet is made from 3 products:
- Wool (natural, good crush recovery, soft feel)
- Nylon (hard wearing, adaptable, stain resistant)
- Polypropylene (very hard wearing & tough, usually used in industrial and commercial areas)
When choosing carpet consider these factors: Do you have pets, young children, or anything that may make having carpet a headache for you? Carpet can stain, become worn in high traffic areas, and needs to be vacuumed regularly.
Wood Flooring
Hardwood Floors are another great option for flooring. They are very low in maintenance, depending upon the Wood they can be tough and durable. Wood flooring in your home is not just an attractive alternative, but is a sensible option for sufferers of hay fever, asthma and other dust related allergies. This type of flooring holds character that is unmatched by any other flooring option. Many patterns and styles can be achieved using Wood parquetry, including herringbone, mosaic, gothic or basket weave, just to name a few. With all the different types of Wood and their varied colors, the possibilities are endless!
There are some factors to be aware of however, these being, some soft Woods such as pine can scratch and mark very easily, particularly from high heeled shoes, sharp toys or heavy pieces of furniture. Floor rugs can alleviate this problem in the main traffic areas. Some Woods can be quite slippery depending on the finish used, making them unsuitable for elderly people, people with a disability and young children. Another option now available is Bamboo Flooring which looks great and is extremely durable.
Tile Flooring
Tiling your floor is a very popular option with many people. It looks stylish and timeless, but like any other floor covering it does have its disadvantages. Tiles are available in a massive range of colors, from traditional creams to modern reds. The styles are also very broad with: natural stone such as terracotta, limestone, slate, travertine, etc and of course there are mock stone tiles. Textures are available in a huge range too, with smooth, rough, patterned, high gloss and splattered. With hundreds of design options, you can have boarders, patterns inlayed and numerous different styles made into custom patterns. Tiling can easily have heating installed underneath it, otherwise it can be quite cold to the touch. It's a hard surface, therefore not very forgiving when you drop breakable items. It is simple to clean, looks great and can be a very elegant flooring choice.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl or cushioned flooring is becoming a popular alternative. Forget the limited designs that have been available in the past, the new vinyl flooring is rapidly expanding its horizons! It has a lot to offer in color, pattern, texture and style. It doesn't matter whether you are after that cozy country look or sleek modern feel; cushioned flooring has a design to suit you! This flooring option is very affordable, so simple to install, is very durable, is good under foot and is easy to replace later on. It has a low noise level, is low maintenance and is not as harsh as harder floorings. Vinyl flooring comes in Wood and tile looks, slate designs, plain or pattern designs, pebble and stone looks and is available in a huge range of colors.
