Considering what flooring to put in your new home or existing renovation can feel a bit overwhelming. There are multiple types of flooring that would most likely work well in your living space, but what’s the best one for you? You may be familiar with hardwood, ceramic tile and carpet, but let’s take a moment to check out some alternative choices available in flooring.
Concrete
While concrete has a good reputation for outdoor use, it is also a great choice for indoors as well. Whether you use the existing concrete slab in your home or have it freshly poured, this is an environmentally friendly option as materials are locally sourced. Floors can be customized using different stains and dyes and can easily be given a textured surface or a sleek and shiny appearance. It can also be stamped to look like tile or a uniquely shaped design with contrasting but complementary colors. Once sealed it resists mildew, mold and other stains, making it a safe choice for moist areas.
Cork
Another eco-friendly flooring choice is cork flooring, as its manufacturing process is easier on the environment than other flooring materials. It is also recyclable and biodegradable. Using stain and paint, you can achieve any look you desire from this material. The best cork flooring also naturally helps retain heat, making it warm to walk on and reduces indoor noise. The thicker the cork, the better the insulation. This flooring requires sealing and is resistant to fire, mildew, and mold. However, there are both pros and cons of cork flooring. Some of the disadvantages of cork flooring: it is not best to install it in a moist environment as it is not water-resistant, and regular sealing can get tedious.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an easily sustainable and durable choice for flooring. If you like the look of hardwood but want something a little more unique, this is the flooring for you. It is technically a grass but is a very hard surface. If you compare bamboo flooring vs. laminate, you’ll find that bamboo’s natural hardness can even stack up to laminate’s super-hard plastic wear layer. Natural bamboo is light in color, but there are also multiple stain options to suit your needs. Keep in mind that the darker the bamboo, the softer it becomes because the material has been processed to alter its appearance. The best bamboo flooring materials can be constructed in multiple ways depending on the look you are going for. Pieces can be layered together horizontally and vertically as well as shredded and woven together. While this is a great material for most rooms in your home, keep in mind that extreme humidity can cause this flooring to expand or shrink.
For more home flooring options, please see Your Guide to First-Rate Alternative Flooring – Part Two
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