Hardwood, Engineered, or Natural Stone?
If you are looking for the best flooring for your home, you will find that there are numerous options available to consider. Many people are going with natural options and ditching synthetics to feel closer to nature. We thought of sharing some of the outstanding natural flooring options available to you. You can go through these options and pick the best one to match your preferences and needs.
Natural Stone flooring
Stone flooring is highly durable. For example, granite flooring is the hardest flooring option you can get for your home. They have excellent stain resistant capabilities. However, there are instances where they can be scratched under extreme situations. Marble is another flooring option available to consider. It is softer and more vulnerable to stains, but its luster is unmatched. You will have to seal your stone flooring at least once a year to protect the good looks. You will also fall in love with the dramatic looks and stunning natural patterns that are available in natural stone flooring. Natural stone flooring can often range from $15 to $25 per one square foot so it is one of the most expensive options.
Slate is Another Beautiful Natural Stone Choice, But It Can Be More Prone to Chipping Compared to Marble or Granite.
Solid Hardwood flooring
Solid Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of different types which can differ greatly in style, durability, and cost. An entire article can be written about the different varieties of hardwoods, but some of the most common, listed in order of hardness, include hickory, maple, white oak, and red oak. No matter what, even the strongest woods used in flooring are vulnerable to dents, scratches, and water damage. One of the major benefits of hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished multiple times to fix these issues and bring back the floor’s beauty. Unfortunately, water damage is often unrepairable without replacement so keep this in mind when choosing a floor, especially in areas of the house where water is often present. Hardwood floors can deliver a welcoming and warm look to your home. Hardwood flooring often will cost between $4 to $10 per square foot for material.
Solid Hardwood Has the Benefit of Being Able to Sand and Refinish It’s Top Layer Multiple Times to Restore Its Beauty!
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring often looks very similar to solid hardwood flooring but is often cheaper. Engineered wood flooring only has a thin wooden layer on top of a base plywood layer. This top layer allows the engineered wood flooring to have the same look of a solid hardwood floor and often can be refinished but only once in most cases. You should also be careful not to nick the top layer, as it can expose what is beneath. It is also more vulnerable to water damage and the plywood layer underneath can swell if exposed to water. However, it is because of its plywood layer that allows it to be installed in a properly prepared basement, unlike solid hardwood. You can get engineered flooring from $4 to $9 per square foot for material.
Engineered Hardwood Only Has a Single Layer of Solid Hardwood on Top. This Cuts Down on Cost and Allows Installation in Basements.
Printed porcelain flooring
If you’re only going for the look of a natural product, but want something that will have minimal upkeep, look no further than porcelain tile. Printed porcelain is a waterproof flooring option and will not need to be resealed. They are resistant to stains and are quite strong. Since this flooring option is relatively dense, they are less vulnerable to chips and scratches as compared to regular ceramic tile. You will be able to get a beautiful natural look out of printed porcelain tiles and they will cost you one third of the cost when compared to natural stone. For example, you will be able to get printed porcelain flooring from $4 to $7 per square foot.
Believe It or Not, This Hardwood Floor Look A Like is Actually Porcelain Tiles!
There Is No Right Answer in Design, Only Preferences and Styles
Take a look at these prominent flooring options and go with the one that best suits your needs. Ink Design Concepts can help you with that choice, design, and install your new floor!
