Hardwood Flooring vs Tile Flooring

Purchasing a new home or renovating your current one can be a big job and present some major challenges. Deciding whether to knock down a wall to create more open living space or which color to decorate the exterior siding can create a massive headache if no one is on the same page. More importantly, budgeting for all the “unexpected” aging house maintenances and construction “ooppsses will drain anyone’s patience to the point of explosion. However, choosing your flooring throughout your sanctuary should be your simplest decision when properly educated.

So let’s get educated about the different styles, textures, colors, and cleanliness when it comes to modern day floors. Tile flooring is one of the most common in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms due to its durability, texture, and easiness to maintain. Ceramic tile floors come with vast options of colors, sizes, textures, and even thickness depending on its placement. Due to the easy maintenance, you are able to clean it with either a mop and soapy water or a vacuum with a soft brush attached; this is so you don’t scratch the surface.

In modern day homes we are seeing ceramic tile flooring used throughout the house due to the cost effectiveness, durability, and water resistance, for those families with children. However, these types of floors have some disadvantages. When it’s cold outside, you will be the first to know once you slide your warm feet from under the covers and place them on your beautiful tile flooring. Another deprivation is when they get wet, they become very slippery and can cause harm if someone is not paying close attention.

Hardwood floors are another great alternative when deciding the look for your abode with its comfy, smooth, warm feeling. This is also another feature most homes today provide due to its high resale value. The National Association of REALTORS has found that homeowners with hardwood flooring have been given a 54% higher chance of selling their home to new home buyers. This creates a huge advantage over other individuals who may be selling in the same area because buyers are willing to pay top dollar for this feature.

A few benefits of having hardwood flooring is that it goes with many styles including country, modern, or contemporary. This floor type is also very durable and easy to clean when holiday messes are in play. It comes in several different types of wood including oak, cherry, and walnut just to name a few. Hardwood flooring never goes out of style and only gets better with age; just like fine wine.

However, unlike tile flooring, hardwood can be very costly to install, and even more so for the more exotic tastes of prestige living. This type of flooring can be easier to scratch and scuff up depending on the thickness and traffic volume, and will need to be refinished in order to lower the appearance of damage. Hardwood flooring can also be a bit noisy, especially if there are two levels, and can be a nuisance to visitors staying for a while. Lastly, even though they give warmth to any room, this too is colder and will need aerial rugs placed to retain heat during the winter months.

Other types of flooring include vinyl flooring, laminate floors, and carpeting which each have their pros and cons when it comes to maintenance and cost. Carpet is usually placed in bedrooms for warmth and cushion but can be a challenge to keep clean; particularly in high traffic areas or children’s bedrooms. When it comes to vinyl floors and laminate flooring, they are the least costly to purchase and install. Also, they are the most easily to tear or be stripped away from placement.

So as your deciding what your budget is, the look you desire, and the luxury you want to feel when coming home each evening from a long day of work, consider these listed facts. Just because something looks good doesn’t mean its the right choice.