Choosing the perfect flooring can elevate your home to new heights!
Flooring is one of the most noticeable and important parts of a home. It’s the first impression people get at the door and can add luxury or comfort to any space.
From light and natural bamboo, to durable and versatile vinyl flooring, there is something for everyone and every style. There are many different options available and knowing the pros and cons of all the options can help you make a choice that is best for you and your lifestyle.
Magnet Remodeling is a trusted flooring contractor in Orlando and is ready to help you get the flooring you have always wanted. We take pride in our flooring services and prioritize giving every customer the best experience possible.
To give you a stress-free floor installation project, we put together a list of the most popular types of flooring (plus what you need to know about them) to get you started:
Vinyl Flooring
Best Spaces to Use Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is more resistant to moisture than other types of flooring. It’s perfect for areas that are prone to moisture and excessive humidity such as:
- bathrooms
- kitchens
- basements
- laundry rooms
Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of patterns and colors, so it is easy for homeowners to find one that matches their style needs. Vinyl also allows for more cushion underfoot making it a good option for rooms where you are standing a majority of the time.
Pros of Vinyl Flooring
With so many options, it’s easy to find a style of vinyl flooring that fits into your budget. No matter the style you are going for or the color scheme you are wishing to accomplish, there is going to be a vinyl floor option perfectly suited for you.
There have been many improvements to vinyl flooring over the years, including making it more luxurious.
The luxurious vinyl flooring is more expensive, averaging more than $2000 for 200 square feet, but it does give a polished look without having to break the budget.
Cons of Vinyl Flooring
The lifespan of your floors can be determined by how much wear and tear they go through, but the type of material matters too.
Vinyl flooring is a cheaper opinion, but saving the extra money now might not be worth it in the long run.
The lifespan of vinyl flooring is shorter than most wood and tile flooring, so you might have to spend more money to replace them sooner. Vinyl is also made with petroleum, which is bad for the environment if you are looking for eco-friendly options.
For even more information on vinyl flooring check out our “7 Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring in Orlando” post!
Bamboo Flooring
Best Spaces to Use Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo can be used in many living spaces, but should be avoided in spaces that are more prone to water damage.
Its light tones are perfect for bright and airy living spaces and will not be overwhelming in open concept floor plans.
Bamboo flooring is a very hard and durable material making it perfect for households with pets. Homeowners don’t have to worry about scratches and stains caused by their furry companions!
Pros of Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring can go well in any room as long as it is not a space that is prone to standing water. High quality bamboo flooring is just as durable as the average hardwood floor. Since it’s also also being easy to install, it makes a good alternative to hardwood.
You might also consider bamboo flooring because it’s an eco-friendly option. Of course, it really comes down to manufacturer practices to determine if your flooring choice is better for the environment. But in general, if eco-friendly is a priority on your home renovation material list, you might want to look into this option.
Bamboo flooring offers a clean and contemporary look that can be difficult for other types of flooring to achieve. Perfect for those who love more modern furniture, bamboo flooring’s simple lines and natural beauty can give any space a crisp and polished look.
If finished properly, bamboo flooring is also easy to clean and maintain. All that is needed is a mop and some mild soap.
If board thickness allows it, bamboo flooring can also be refinished and made completely new again.
Cons of Bamboo Flooring
Quality of bamboo flooring varies.
Bamboo is known to absorb more moisture compared to hardwood, so cheaper varieties tend to damage more easily.
Places prone to excessive humidity and water damage, including basements and bathrooms, should avoid bamboo flooring.
Bamboo flooring is limited in terms of the tones and styles available. Bamboo comes in a very few tonal shades, ranging from blond to light brown.
These color limitations also limit the styles in which bamboo floors can complement, naturally lending itself to more contemporary designs.
Laminate Flooring
Best Spaces to Use Laminate Flooring
Laminate is becoming more and more popular with homeowners that are looking for a hardwood alternative.
It is cheaper than hardwood, but it is also more durable than most non-laminate options, withstanding normal wear and tear more efficiently.
Due to its versatility, laminate flooring can be placed almost anywhere in your home. It can be adapted to any living space and comes in a wide variety of options so it can fit any style and color in any room.
Pros of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is not confined to just being a hardwood alternative. Laminate can also replicate both tile and stone flooring as well.
Its versatility in flooring options and its durability against pets and shoes makes it a great choice for many homeowners.
Laminate flooring is relatively inexpensive.
When comparing the laminate alternatives to the type of flooring it is trying to emulate, you will usually see that laminate is the cheaper option.
Having laminate professionally installed is also cheaper and easier than most other flooring.
Cons of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is made of plywood or fiber boards, meaning it is prone to water damage.
This type of flooring can also be difficult to repair. If your floors do end up with water damage the only option might be to completely replace it.
Carpet
Best Spaces to Use Carpet
Carpet is perfect for giving a warm, cozy feeling to family rooms and bedrooms.
Putting down carpet in low traffic hallways outside of bedrooms can help reduce noise, making it easier to sleep. Having carpeted stairs is also good for homes with pets to prevent slipping.
Before you hire a flooring contractor in Orlando to install carpet, let’s look at some pros and cons of this type of flooring.
Pros of Carpet
Carpet can last for a long time if it is properly taken care of and kept clean.
A major pro is that it gives a warm and cozy feel to rooms that need it most. Putting carpet down in family rooms, play rooms, and bedrooms will make them feel comfortable and homey.
Having carpeted stairs will make them less slippery, especially for pets.
Thicker and higher quality carpets offer more sound absorption, comfort, and warmth compared to thinner carpet options.
Cons of Carpet
Carpet can be difficult to maintain and requires more cleaning than other flooring options.
It should be avoided in areas prone to moisture, like bathroom and kitchens, and in high traffic areas, like entryways.
The most obvious downside to carpet is how easy it is for dirt and debris to get stuck in the thick carpet fibers.
To truly keep your house free of dust and allergens, carpet flooring is going to require regular deep cleaning. This will also help keep it looking its best.
Carpet will hold on to allergens that float around the air. If you have severe allergies, you might want to avoid this completly.
Another con to carpet flooring is dealing with stains and messes. Most of these other flooring options beat out carpet if you have an area prone to spills or muddy traffic!
Solid Hardwood
Best Spaces to Use Solid Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a classic option for many homeowners.
It can add elegance to a dining room and elevate a master suite to give it a luxurious feeling. Hardwood is perfect for almost any room as long as it’s not prone to water damage.
Pros of Solid Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is an extremely popular option in large open spaces. It just looks great!
Homeowners love beautiful hardwood floors, so it can add value to your home if you are thinking about selling it in the near future.
These are many different shades and tones of hardwood flooring. From light beige to dark brown, there is a hardwood floor option to fit almost any style.
Cons of Solid Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is both expensive and not very durable. It is prone to scratches, dents and water damage, making it difficult to maintain. This type of flooring also needs to be refinished every 3 to 5 years for it to stay looking its best.
Unlike carpet, hardwood doesn’t allow for much sound absorption, especially in large open spaces. This can cause rooms to become echoey and difficult to host large gatherings. Often echoey rooms have to be offset with large rugs to absorb sound.
Engineered Hardwood
Best Spaces to Use Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Due to being more durable than solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood will do better in high traffic areas, like entryways.
Since engineered hardwood flooring acts and looks like solid hardwood, it can be placed in many of the same rooms you would place hardwood flooring.
Pros of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood offers the same pros as hardwood with the added benefit of it being cheaper and more durable. It is easy to install and comes in clickable boards.
Since it’s so easy to install, some homeowners with DIY experience can install it themselves to save more money.
Cons of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
While it is more resistant to damage, engineered hardwood flooring will still take a beating over time.
Engineered hardwood is a thick base layer of plywood with a thin veneer of real wood layered on top. Due to its thin top layer, engineered hardwood can only be refinished a few times before it needs replaced.
Looking For A Flooring Contractor in Orlando?
Your floors are such an important part of your home!
While we might not always think about it first, your floors are a very noticeable feature. Plus, the wrong flooring can lead to a lot of headaches if they don’t match your lifestyle.
We hope that this guide makes picking out you new floors that much easier. We want your flooring installation process to be as stress free as possible. If you need help figuring out what flooring is best, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or schedule your free estimate.
Magnet Remodeling has been a trusted flooring contractor Orlando for more than fifteen years—view our Gallery for more. Our talented and experienced flooring professionals will make sure you find the flooring that fits your needs perfectly.
If you are looking for a flooring contractor in Orlando, Magnet Remodel’s professional floor installation services are perfect for you. Contact us today to get a free estimate and let’s get started on installing the perfect floor for your space!
