Home improvement

 by: Jeff Slokum

When it comes to deciding on a flooring purchase the choices are staggering. There are carpets, hardwoods, vinyl, laminate and ceramic. The choice of flooring should be decided by room and use.

A lot of homes are carpeted. Carpeting eludes a warmth and softness that other floors don't. Some like the feel of carpeting underfoot. One of the first things to consider when purchasing a carpet is how much traffic will it receive? If you have a high traffic area, then nylon would be a good choice due to it's durability. A carpet of Olefin would also be a good choice for heavy traffic areas as it is strong and easy to clean. Polyester is also excellent in high traffic areas as it is easy to clean and resists water based stains. Another consideration would be the density of the carpet. You want a high number of fibers per square inch. The next consideration would be color and/or pattern of carpeting. Light carpeting colors create a spacious effect, making a room seem larger. Light color carpets of course show soil much more easily than dark. However, most stain and soil treatments put on carpeting today do help to prevent this problem. Dark or dull carpet colors will absorb light giving the room what some call a "cozy" feeling. Rugs with patterns will make a space seem smaller.

When choosing hardwood for your home price may be a factor. Generally hardwood floors come pre finished, this is when the manufacturer applies a finish at the factory. This finish is generally at least four coats of ultraviolet cured urethane resin. Hardwood floors are generally easy to clean with a simple sweep of a dust mop or vacuuming. A manufacturer finish on a hardwood floor will, with proper care, last up to fifteen years. You will want to choose a color of hardwood floor that will accent your home and home furnishings. As a rule lighter colors go with country, contemporary and casual settings. Darker colored wood floors are for formal or traditional interiors. Lighter wood would be a white ash, sugar maple or southern yellow pine. Darker colors are beech, birch, red oak, heart pine and mesquite.

Vinyl flooring has come a long way and remains the most popular choice for kitchens and foyers. Vinyl is very durable and water resistant. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns and is very easy to install for a do-it-yourselfer and vinyl floors are very easy to maintain.