CARPET FLOORING
PROS
■Warmth in winters. Carpet delivers thermal resistance, meaning in colder seasons it will retain warm longer than other types of flooring.
■Soft under-foot.
■It reduces noise by providing sound insulation.
■Hides imperfections of sub-floor.
■Cheaper flooring option.
CONS
■Perfect breeding ground for dust mites.
■Allergens and moisture retaining.
■Retains stains and odors. Children and large pets can stain carpets again and again.
■High maintenance cost.
■If damages, needs replacing entirely.
■Seams can be shown if not installed correctly.
■Tends to show wear patterns more than hard flooring.
■Has shorter life span than other flooring options.
■Insects can live underneath.
■Not waterproof.
CERAMIC TILE FLOORING
PROS
■Waterproof. Ideal for wet areas.
■Hard-wearing.
■Easy to maintain. Dirt, stains, and liquids all rest on the surface, allowing you to easily wipe or mop them away.
■Allergen Concerns: Ceramic tiles have a hard, solid surface, that does not tend to attract dirt, dust, pollen, or other allergens.
■Wide variety of colours, patterns, styles, shapes and sizes.
CONS
■Cannot be repaired or re-surfaced.
■Difficult to replace or remove.
■Grout lines are difficult to clean and replace. Susceptible to stains, mold and mildew and must be periodically sealed.
■Damages easily. Chips, scratches and colored glaze can be easily removed. Things easily break if drop.
■Uncomfortable to stand on.
■Very cold in winter.
■Styles and trends regular change so can be quickly outdated.
LAMINATE FLOORING
PROS
■Higher quality Laminate is durable. It is made of four different layers of different types of wood and a melamine resin that is put on the bottom and the top layer. Because of this it is very resistant and will not fade when sunlight or any artificial light hits it.
■Laminate can imitate the look of wood, something that is unique and cost-effective.
■More affordable than hard-wood flooring.
■More realistic looking than linoleum flooring.
CONS
■Moisture and humidity can severely damage laminate floors.
■Scratches, dents peaks buckles and warps easily.
■Typically feels hard underfoot, which may echo or be loud.
■Difficult to replace. Skirting or beading need to be removed. Boards must be carefully pulled apart in rows and carefully put back together and skirting or beading reinstalled.
■Requires expansion joints every 10m. Requires 10mm expansion gaps on all outer perimeter's so beading or skirting is required.
■Needs to be installed on level surface. It’s a hard product, but tends to also be very hollow, so unless the sub-floor underneath is smooth and even, the flooring may move with foot traffic causing the floor to puncture or break or separate.
■It is unable to sand and refinish.
■Short life span. Needs replacing within 5-10 years.
■Hard to cut around door frames. Many installers cut door frames to install weakening frames and structure.
■Needs underlay.
HARD-WOOD FLOORING
PROS
■Hardwood floors are durable and have stood the test of time.
■Easy Maintenance. It just needs sweeping or vacuuming and an occasional cleaning with a wood floor cleaner.
■Value-Buyers are willing to pay top dollar for homes with hardwood floors. In addition, homes with hardwood floors tend to sell faster than homes with wall-to-wall carpeting.
CONS
■ for commercial or high-traffic applications, as the coating of the hardwood needs regular removal and reapplication.
■Susceptible to liquid and climate damage－hardwood expands, shrinks and contracts. Moisture penetration can cause the growth of mold, mildew, and other unsavory microorganisms.
■Expensive and dusty up keep. Needs refreshing by sanding and sealing.
■Easy to get scratches especially with kids and pets.
■Requires 10MM expansion gaps on all outer perimeter's so beading or skirting is required.
■Difficult to replace. Skirting or beading need to be removed. Boards must be carefully pulled apart in rows and carefully put back together and skirting or beading reinstalled.
■Hard to stand on.
■Can be noisy.
■Costly option.
LINOLEUM FLOORING
PROS
■Certain type of linoleum flooring is incredibly durable, and can last up to 40 years if it is properly installed and maintained.
■Linoleum is a softer material, so it is very comfortable underfoot.
■Linoleum is an eco-friendly flooring option, as it is made from linseed oil, which comes from flax, a renewable resource.
■Certain type of linoleum flooring can maintain it’s good looks because the pigments are throughout the thickness of the material, not just on the surface like vinyl and laminate flooring. That helps camouflage scratches and dings.
■Cheaper flooring option.
CONS
■Not impervious to damage from moisture. If moisture and mold have gotten underneath the linoleum, the mold can bread underneath and may grow right through to its surface.
■Linoleum can get indented easily by things such as furniture legs, even high heels and animal claws. Linoleum can be easily pierced by sharp objects. Linoleum can be easily ripped and teared.
■If sub-floor is not smooth and prepared properly, linoleum mirrors what's underneath on its surface. Even a grain and sand can be seen.
■Can be susceptible to color change — which is most often referred to the “yellowing” or “bloom” of a flooring product.
■Known as a somewhat aged flooring product most commonly is found in low budget housings, schools and hospitals. Beginning to lose its luster in the interior design industry.
■Cheap linoleum may only last up to 5 years
BAMBOO FLOORING
PROS
■Ecologically Friendly: Bamboo is made from natural vegetation.
■Water Resistant.
■Durability: Top-quality bamboo flooring is as durable and strong as traditional hardwood flooring.
■Style: Bamboo is a trendy flooring material that can elevate the elegance of a space and has a clean, contemporary look.
■Properly finished bamboo flooring cleans easily with a mop and mild soap.
CONS
■Moisture and humidity can severely damage bamboo flooring－Excessive moisture will cause it to warp or will allow mold to grow and the moisture in the air can cause it to swell. In a dry environment, it can shrink.
■Prone to Scratches－High heels, pet claws, furniture legs and small sands can all damage the surface.
■Emission of VOC’s(volatile organic chemicals )－the adhesive used can release it into the air over time.
■Bamboo flooring is limited to a few tonal shades.
■Typically feels hard underfoot, which may echo or be loud.
■Difficult to replace. Skirting or beading need to be removed. Boards must be carefully pulled apart in rows and carefully put back together and skirting or beading reinstalled.
■Requires expansion joints every 10m. Requires 10mm expansion gaps on all outer perimeter's so beading or skirting is required.
■Needs to be installed on level surface. It’s a hard product, but tends to also be very hollow, so unless the sub-floor underneath is smooth and even, the flooring may move with foot traffic causing the floor to puncture or break or separate.
■It is unable to sand and refinish.
■Hard to cut around door frames. Many installers cut door frames to install weakening frames and structure.
■Needs underlay.
CORK FLOORING
PROS
■Cork has a soft, cushiony surface.
■It's a good insulator. The inside of a piece of cork is made up of millions of tiny air-filled chambers.These act as barriers against the transmission of noise, effectively insulating any room.
■It is hypoallergenic. Unlike carpet, cork tends to repel dust, hair, and other small particles from its surface.
■Cork has antimicrobial properties.
■Cork is environmentally friendly.
■Cork can be refinished.
CONS
■Susceptible to damage and Sharp objects can punctuate.
■Water can be a big problem. If cork gets wet, it will expand, causing it to be uneven, and potentially damaging the floor's structure by causing it to crack or lose its shape.
■High humidity can also cause cork to curl or swell, which may lead to tiles popping up.
■Can be stained by oil, dirt, and spills if not properly protected.
■Sunlight can cause cork to fade.
■Limited palette of colors to choose from.
■Resurfacing is not always possible.
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