There are several ways to finish or refinish a floor for your new or existing home. Carpeting has been a longtime favorite, but with the rise in allergies and the maintenance that carpeting requires, alternate flooring has become the new standard. Carpeting tends to harbor dust and allergens that require constant vacuuming with special cleaners and filters. The maintenance becomes expensive over time and still may not completely take care of the problems. However, alternate flooring may solve the issue altogether.
Hardwood flooring is beautiful. It is more expensive and may require a contractor to install. It must be finished and sealed and requires maintenance throughout the life of the flooring. High traffic will require more frequent maintenance waxing and buffing.
Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood flooring. It is just as beautiful as hardwood flooring and is very durable. It can be done as a do it yourself project but can be very involved. It snaps into place with a tongue and groove design but does require underlayment and a cutting with a circular saw is required and the laminate is very hard and requires saw blades that can cut through it. The laminate flooring does not require the maintenance that hardwood flooring requires, but is not a good choice for rooms that must withstand a lot of moisture.
This flooring is perfect for family rooms and dens as well as bedrooms and recreation rooms. The room must be level and smooth and great care must be taken to ensure that the pieces are places evenly in the beginning or the overall room will appear crooked when the laying of the flooring is complete. Though the project isn’t very complicate, it is important to plan ahead and to be prepared before beginning this task.
Linoleum flooring is also an excellent flooring choice. This flooring is withstands moisture and heavy traffic areas and is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Linoleum is also eco-friendly and long lasting. It is easily maintained, very durable and long lasting. It comes in a variety of forms from sheets that must be cut to fit your room to 12 by 12 tiles that must be glued down or peel and stick adhesive tiles. The tiles are probably the most convenient for do it yourself projects, but with preparation and required tools, linoleum can be laid by homeowners or can be laid by contractors depending on the desires of the homeowner.