The Low Maintenance Vinyl
Vinyl offers a huge selection of colors and styles. It is easy on your pocket and it can also ideal for moist and damp areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Be sure that the subfloor is leveled so that you can easily install your vinyl flooring.
Costing only about $2 to $10 every square foot, vinyl is affordable for a material that can be combined with other design elements.
Vinyl is vulnerable to tears, scratches, wears and stains (especially rust).
The Wear-Resistant Ceramic Tile
Just like vinyl, ceramic tiles offer a huge selection of sizes, styles and colors. This can be easily blended with other kitchen design elements such as the tile backsplash. A slight downside to this material is that you are bound to feel discomfort on your back and legs as you stand long enough on it.
There are different levels of wear resistance for this flooring material. Kitchens and bathrooms need stronger ceramic, one that will not easily chip or crack. Just like vinyl, ascertain that the subfloor is leveled before you install ceramic tiles.
The cost per square foot is at $7 to $25 depending on the style and thickness of the tile that you choose.
The Biodegradable Linoleum
Available in tiles or sheets, you can use linoleum as a casual flooring material. This is the best option for people who are highly allergic to dust and chemical elements used in the production of flooring products.
Linoleum is made of natural resin and flax. It will never trap bacteria or dust, hence, you can greatly improve the air quality in your home as you use this material.
Linoleum is also low maintenance, mildew-resistant and durable. It may not suit the theme that you have chosen for your home so be sure to shop around before you make a final decision.
The cost for every square foot is at $7 to $13.
The Adaptable Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors offer a huge selection of colors and styles. They can be made to look like stone, wood or ceramic. This material can easily resist scratches, stains, dents, even cigarette burns.
If you want a DIY flooring project for your home, then this is the material to choose. With proper care, laminate flooring can easily last for up to 25 years.
The cost per square foot for this kind of flooring material is at $3 to $11.
The Versatile Engineered Wood
This is the best alternative to laminate and hardwood. This is produced by sticking sheets of wood to form a composite surface. It does not contract or expand even during extreme weather changes.
Engineered wood flooring comes in pre-finished forms. They can be clicked or glued upon installation. A word of caution, though, it can never be sanded more than twice or it will lose its original beauty.
Engineered wood costs $12 to $20 every square foot.
The Exotic Bamboo
If you want to have an exotic material for your floors, then you will never go wrong with bamboo. Through carbonization, bamboo develops a deep color and grain. Natural shades can also be chosen.
Environmentalists would do well to choose bamboo. This comes from a type of grass that rapidly grows.
Bamboo costs $7 to $10 every square foot.
