Photo By: Corry Connor Designs

Every year the flooring industry is coming out with so many new and improved flooring types, which makes it hard for regular homeowners to keep up! Laminate flooring for instance, has drastically improved to the point that it’s difficult to tell the difference from real wood! Vinyl tiles have also become so popular and such great quality, that it makes us forget about installing real tiles in our homes. However, there are four main flooring types that are the most popular and the most cost efficient at the moment. Keep reading to find out which ones are the best and why!

Laminate Flooring

You’ve probably heard of laminate flooring by now, since it’s a very popular and cost efficient flooring option today. Laminate is basically flooring that looks like real wood for half the price! Using multiple layers of synthetic flooring, it is fused together using a lamination process. Then a photographic applique that simulates wood is glued on top with a clear protective layer. Laminate flooring is durable, easy to install and also cheaper to install. It doesn’t require the skill that perhaps it would take to install real hardwood flooring, making it a great option for DIY-ers. It also is durable, and simple to maintain.

Photo By: The Sitting Room

Vinyl Flooring

If you have a house full of children and pets, vinyl flooring is probably your best bet! Vinyl flooring is a fully synthetic floor that is made from PVC and fiber glass, making this flooring incredibly affordable and also durable. Vinyl is easy to install, and most homeowners can learn to install this flooring on their own. In the last 10 years, vinyl flooring has really come a long way. There are tons of modern styles and options to choose from, making this flooring popular once again. In our opinion, it is much better than tiles since it’s warmer and softer to walk on, and also so much cheaper!

Solid Wood Flooring

If you are going after a classic look to make your home look like the home of your dreams, traditional flooring types like solid wood flooring are the perfect choice for you. Solid wood flooring is made from 100% natural wood and every plank is made from one single piece of wood. Solid wood flooring looks beautiful and looks rustic but it can also be prone to moisture damage and scratches. It is still a good option for some since it can always be sanded down and re-stained to look brand new again, unlike laminate and other synthetic flooring types. When getting your flooring installed make sure to use some highly rated flooring contractors in Toronto or wherever city you are from.

Photo By: Geoff Chick & Associates

Engineered Wood Floring

Also known as composite wood flooring, engineered wood is is made from binding together the fibers of hardwood and lumber scraps together with adhesives to form a composite material. Engineered wood is durable, and much cheaper than installing real hardwood flooring. It also has the ability to hold up to moisture unlike real wood flooring, which makes is particularly more long lasting.

If you are in the market for new flooring for your home, you need to ask yourself what kind of household do you live in. If it’s just you and your partner, real hardwood flooring may be the most stylish and also practical option for you. However if you have children, pets, and lots of foot traffic it may be smart to consider installing something like laminate, vinyl, or engineered wood flooring to save on costs and also install something more lasting. Our favorite place to shop a range of flooring options is www.floorsdirectltd.co.uk where you can choose from so many different styles, materials, and flooring products that will perfectly suit your home and family!

Photo: Laurel Bern Interiors

What’s a better way to make a fashion-forward decorating statement than by updating your flooring? Flooring trends come and go, but this year we are seeing some beautiful styles and designs that are here to stay, at least for a while. From tile to hardwood and even vinyl flooring, designers are loving the opportunity to get creative with these awesome new materials and colors. Take a look at some of the most stylish flooring trends that really caught our eye:

Tiles that Look Like Real Hardwood

Photo: Progress Lighting

It can be tough keeping up with the all-hardwood flooring trends by installing hardwood throughout your kitchen and even bathroom! Tiles that look and even feel like real hardwood are becoming a hit trend and gaining momentum very quickly. Tiles are built to last and one of the most durable flooring options available. The fact that you can get a luxurious hardwood look to complement your existing furniture and have the durability as well is like killing two birds with one stone!

[otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered” background_color_class=”otw-pink-background”]Before installing your tiles, always determine what pattern and orientation you would like the tiles to be in. Open a few boxes of tiles and temporarily lay them out in different patterns on the floor to see what looks best![/otw_shortcode_quote]

Chevron Tile and Hardwood Trend

Photo: Cameron Custom Builder

If you don’t know what chevron is, it’s the cute zigzag pattern that has been used on everything possible the last few years from décor to fashion and household items. The chevron trend was everywhere the last few years from curtains to carpets and even wallpaper. This year, chevron has taken on another spin as designers are installing tiles and hardwood floors in a chevron pattern. It looks very cool, but make sure you have a good handyman that has the patience for a detailed pattern like this!

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#f73b90″ class=”” size=””]Suzy’s Tip: I LOVE the chevron tile and wood plank trend! Install these chevron tiles in your bathroom for a very chic and updated look! Then, install brass hardware for your shower head, faucets, and vanity handles for a very sophisticated look that is Architectural Digest approved![/perfectpullquote]

Affordable Vinyl Flooring

Photo: Online Vloeren Specialist

When we mention vinyl, everyone thinks of the hideous outdated linoleum that truly isn’t even vinyl. These two are often confused with each other and are actually two very different products. In the last few years vinyl has really taken off and become an affordable, durable, and fashionable flooring trend. You can now buy vinyl that looks like real wood similar to the wood-like tile and laminate that is on the market today. There are also tons of minimalist vinyl floor tile designs that look amazing and are super durable even in high-traffic areas of your home.

Vinyl flooring is tough as well as very good-looking. It’s really the easiest flooring material to install and also one of the cheapest flooring options on the market today. Vinyl is so thin and flexible but it’s also durable enough to last you for many, many years to come. If you are hesitant on installing this in your hallway, living room, or kitchen, you can always try it out on some not so noticeable rooms like the mudroom, laundry room, and guest bathroom. Test it out and see how you like it before installing vinyl in a large room that is used daily.

Wide Plank Wood Floors

Photo: Lauren

If you are looking to make your home look bigger than it already is, consider choosing flooring that has larger planks. Long gone are the days of thin strip hardwood flooring that used to look expensive and glamorous, wide plank flooring looks elegant and very trendy. One look that I have grown to love is very dark wide plank flooring and light colored walls. This is a classic look that will look amazing for at least 10 or more years until something else becomes trendy. If you are trying to play it safe or renovating a home for sale, you definitely will not go wrong with this look.

If you are not sure which type of flooring you should purchase, consider contacting a professional for tips, advice, and help choosing the right type of flooring. For more info visit: http://www.homebuilders.construction/a/building-contractors-in-newcastle

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#f73b90″ class=”” size=””]BDB Tip: Using larger planks for your hardwood flooring adds depth and makes your space look twice the size. It’s becoming a classic staple in the design world and will likely be a trendy flooring choice for the next few years to come.[/perfectpullquote]