Elegance In Floor Materials and Design

All flooring materials have pros and cons. Learning about flooring materials will be learning about important differences between carpet, wood, engineered wood, ceramic tile, vinyl, and other choices.

Flooring Materials

The floor is the largest surface in the home, and picking the best type of flooring for your space depends on your budget, lifestyle, and personal tastes. Each type has unique benefits, and determining which flooring is best depends on each room’s needs and location.

Hardwood

Hardwood continues to be the top choice for its great appearance and long-term return on investment.

Pros:

  • popular for its visually appeal
  • many wood species available to vary color and style
  • high ROI
  • can be resurfaced
  • best for shared living spaces

Cons:

  • expensive compared to other top flooring materials
  • can develop scrapes, scratches and dents over time
  • can incur moisture damage

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring are beautiful options for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas in the home.

Pros:

  • come in a variety of looks and designs
  • durable
  • non-porous or waterproof
  • great for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways

Cons:

  • one of the most expensive options
  • difficult to install
  • can chip and scratch under heavy use

Stone

Natural stone tile is a classic flooring option that includes granite, marble, travertine and sandstone. Some materials, like travertine, are more durable than others. Also, the finish may impact scratch resistance.

Pros:

  • durable
  • comes in many styles, colors and shapes
  • great for radiant heating
  • eco friendly
  • good for homes with kids and/or pets

Cons

  • one of the most expensive options
  • can easily chip or scratch
  • some stone tile types are porous
  • expensive repairs

Laminate

Few products in the home flooring world have made a bigger splash than laminate flooring. Like any material there are pros and cons.

Pros:

  • lower price than hardwood
  • ease of installation
  • durability
  • variety of colors and styles, like natural wood
    good for high-traffic areas

Cons:

  • prone to moisture damage
  • difficult to repair
  • not ideal for kitchens or bathrooms

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is not the cheap-looking alternative it used to be. Today synthetic flooring for the home is durable and effectively mimics wood, ceramic, and stone.

Pros:

  • affordable
  • versatile
  • great for high-traffic areas
  • easy to maintain
  • DIY installation possible

Cons:

  • lower ROI vs. wood or laminate
  • less popular due to appearance

Carpet

Carpet remains a favorite for many homeowners, especially for bedrooms.

Pros:

  • cost-effective
  • soft and warm on feet
  • multiple colors and designs available
  • great for soundproofing
  • stain-resistant varieties exist

Cons:

  • difficult to maintain – professional cleaning recommended at least once a year
  • can absorb smells
  • not great for homes with pets
  • not recommended for moisture-prone areas: kitchen, bathroom

Flooring Materials

The floor is the largest surface in the home, and picking the best type of flooring for your space depends on your budget, lifestyle, and personal tastes. Each type has unique benefits, and determining which flooring is best depends on each room’s needs and location.

Hardwood

Hardwood continues to be the top choice for its great appearance and long-term return on investment.

Pros:

  • popular for its visually appeal
  • many wood species available to vary color and style
  • high ROI
  • can be resurfaced
  • best for shared living spaces

Cons:

  • expensive compared to other top flooring materials
  • can develop scrapes, scratches and dents over time
  • can incur moisture damage

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring are beautiful options for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas in the home.

Pros:

  • come in a variety of looks and designs
  • durable
  • non-porous or waterproof
  • great for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways

Cons:

  • one of the most expensive options
  • difficult to install
  • can chip and scratch under heavy use

Stone

Natural stone tile is a classic flooring option that includes granite, marble, travertine and sandstone. Some materials, like travertine, are more durable than others. Also, the finish may impact scratch resistance.

Pros:

  • durable
  • comes in many styles, colors and shapes
  • great for radiant heating
  • eco friendly
  • good for homes with kids and/or pets

Cons

  • one of the most expensive options
  • can easily chip or scratch
  • some stone tile types are porous
  • expensive repairs

Laminate

Few products in the home flooring world have made a bigger splash than laminate flooring. Like any material there are pros and cons.

Pros:

  • lower price than hardwood
  • ease of installation
  • durability
  • variety of colors and styles, like natural wood
    good for high-traffic areas

Cons:

  • prone to moisture damage
  • difficult to repair
  • not ideal for kitchens or bathrooms

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is not the cheap-looking alternative it used to be. Today synthetic flooring for the home is durable and effectively mimics wood, ceramic, and stone.

Pros:

  • affordable
  • versatile
  • great for high-traffic areas
  • easy to maintain
  • DIY installation possible

Cons:

  • lower ROI vs. wood or laminate
  • less popular due to appearance

Carpet

Carpet remains a favorite for many homeowners, especially for bedrooms.

Pros:

  • cost-effective
  • soft and warm on feet
  • multiple colors and designs available
  • great for soundproofing
  • stain-resistant varieties exist

Cons:

  • difficult to maintain – professional cleaning recommended at least once a year
  • can absorb smells
  • not great for homes with pets
  • not recommended for moisture-prone areas: kitchen, bathroom

The Impact of Flooring on a Room

Few people consider the important role that flooring plays in setting the mood in a room. The visual impact of a floor is in many ways the same as the walls.

Like walls, floors are a flat surface upon which the elements of a room are arranged. Just as with walls, floors change the lighting of a room. For example, a dark floor will significantly darken a room, while a light floor will reflect light making a room brighter.

The Impact of Flooring on a Room

Few people consider the important role that flooring plays in setting the mood in a room. The visual impact of a floor is in many ways the same as the walls.

Like walls, floors are a flat surface upon which the elements of a room are arranged. Just as with walls, floors change the lighting of a room. For example, a dark floor will significantly darken a room, while a light floor will reflect light making a room brighter.

From Our Flooring Blog

It’s important to give your flooring choice some careful consideration. One of the best ways to understand your choices and get some educated advice is to visit a flooring showroom.

Another way to gain insights and advice about flooring, even before you step into a showroom, is to read up on articles related to flooring.

This flooring blog is a go-to source for information and advice about home flooring.

Peacock Colors and Tile Ideas

Peacock Colors and Tile Ideas

Curated Content:  Blue-Green Tile: Teal, Turquoise, Aqua, and Peacock Tile Ideas Today, there is a strong desire to connect with nature. This means that our interior color tastes are migrating toward earth tones and water-inspired colors, textures, and designs....

Plan Ahead for a Successful Kitchen Design

Plan Ahead for a Successful Kitchen Design

Before you begin your kitchen remodeling design project, it’s important to plan ahead. Take the time to outline your goals, budget, and must-haves for your new kitchen. Planning is crucial to ensure that you stay on track and achieve the desired outcome.

The Delmarva Design Center Advantage

The Delmarva Design Center Advantage

Expertise at Every Step

At DDC, you’ll enjoy personalized service from knowledgeable professionals who understand the intricacies of kitchen design. From brainstorming ideas to selecting materials, the DDC team will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Uncluttered Kitchen Design

Uncluttered Kitchen Design

When it comes to decor for a minimal kitchen design, less is more. Keep things simple and uncluttered with just a few carefully chosen pieces. To mesh with the overall kitchen design, look for pieces with clean, modern lines and neutral colors like white, black, and gray.

Open Floor Plan Kitchen Design

Open Floor Plan Kitchen Design

In a traditional home design, the kitchen is often separated from the living room or dining area by walls, doors, or other barriers. This can make it difficult for people to move around and interact with each other while cooking, eating, or entertaining.

Not so with an open floor plan kitchen design!

From Our Flooring Blog

It’s important to give your flooring choice some careful consideration. One of the best ways to understand your choices and get some educated advice is to visit a flooring showroom.

Another way to gain insights and advice about flooring, even before you step into a showroom, is to read up on articles related to flooring.

This flooring blog is a go-to source for information and advice about home flooring.

Peacock Colors and Tile Ideas

Peacock Colors and Tile Ideas

Curated Content:  Blue-Green Tile: Teal, Turquoise, Aqua, and Peacock Tile Ideas Today, there is a strong desire to connect with nature. This means that our interior color tastes are migrating toward earth tones and water-inspired colors, textures, and designs....

Plan Ahead for a Successful Kitchen Design

Plan Ahead for a Successful Kitchen Design

Before you begin your kitchen remodeling design project, it’s important to plan ahead. Take the time to outline your goals, budget, and must-haves for your new kitchen. Planning is crucial to ensure that you stay on track and achieve the desired outcome.

The Delmarva Design Center Advantage

The Delmarva Design Center Advantage

Expertise at Every Step

At DDC, you’ll enjoy personalized service from knowledgeable professionals who understand the intricacies of kitchen design. From brainstorming ideas to selecting materials, the DDC team will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Uncluttered Kitchen Design

Uncluttered Kitchen Design

When it comes to decor for a minimal kitchen design, less is more. Keep things simple and uncluttered with just a few carefully chosen pieces. To mesh with the overall kitchen design, look for pieces with clean, modern lines and neutral colors like white, black, and gray.

Open Floor Plan Kitchen Design

Open Floor Plan Kitchen Design

In a traditional home design, the kitchen is often separated from the living room or dining area by walls, doors, or other barriers. This can make it difficult for people to move around and interact with each other while cooking, eating, or entertaining.

Not so with an open floor plan kitchen design!