subject: Find The Best Flooring Design For Your Home [print this page] If you have recently purchased a new home or apartment and need to replace the old, outdated flooring with something warm and good looking, you have a lot of great choices. Today you can choose from a wide variety of flooring types that will not only enhance the looks of your interior but which will provide you and your family with flooring that will last the lifetime of your home.
Hardwood flooring is probably the most popular type of flooring available. The hardwood floors of today are not the type of hardwood floors your grandparents may have had. The advances in wood finishing technology has made todays hardwood flooring more durable and much easier to maintain. Today's pre-finished, engineered hardwood floors are constructed in a fashion that is similar to that of plywood with a veneer on the surface which is referred to as a wear layer. A wear layer can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The best engineered hardwood floors are produced with either a thick or a thin wear layer and the price you pay for the floor is often dependent on the thickness of this layer. If you plan on keeping your new hardwood floor for ten to twenty years, you should select a veneer thickness of at least 1/8 of an inch. Of course, minor scratches and dents are normal in a hardwood floor and often add character.
Many homeowners choose to have ceramic tile floors installed. Not only is ceramic fashionable and practical, but its natural look provides long lasting durability. Ceramic tile flooring is available in an almost unending variety of colors, sizes and finishes. The combined beauty and strength of ceramic tile gives any room in your home a timeless charm and warmth. Ceramic tile flooring is a very natural floor covering that adds value to your home no matter if you choose a classic style or a trendy and contemporary pattern. You can select glazed tiles which are coated with a type of 'liquid glass' that is fired onto the tiles, offering you a maintenance and wax free floor.
Mosaic tile flooring is another popular alternative today. Mosaic tiles add a touch of elegance to any room and they too are available in a wide range of style, color and size. Mosaic tile flooring is manufactured by adhering ceramic or stone pieces onto a mesh backing. This type of flooring is generally quite easy to install yourself and is ideal for areas in your home that get wet such as the bathroom, kitchen and utility room due to the fact that the surface does not become slippery.
