Choosing the perfect floor for your every room

Choosing flooring is far more complicated than just finding the best-looking product and installing it. Whether you’re doing yoga in the den, hosting a dinner party in the dining room, or entertaining the neighbourhood kids in your kitchen, you need a surface underfoot that’s comfortable and durable.

Studies show that consumers find choosing the right flooring for their home to be an overwhelming challenge. In fact, it’s a process that combines your personal taste with careful thinking about practicality as well as your budget. Asking yourself a few key questions at the beginning of the process should help reduce your worry, ease your choice and increase your long-term satisfaction with your new floor.

Questions to ask before you buy flooring:

What’s the size of the family that will regularly use the room, and how much traffic will the floor receive? Children definitely make a difference. Do you own pets? Will the floor be exposed to moisture regularly? How often is the floor likely to need cleaning? How long do you hope and expect your new floor to last?

Carefully consider the location of your new floor. Is it below-, on- or above-grade? Basements are susceptible to ground moisture, so your flooring choice may be different from a bedroom on the second or third floor.

Likewise, kitchens and bathrooms are prone to water damage and humid conditions, which should be a heavy factor in your decision-making process.

Note whether the area you’re placing the flooring has (or will have) radiant heat. Some flooring materials aren’t compatible, so make it known early in the shopping process.

Also, be sure to observe the space throughout the day. Does it get a lot of direct sun? UV light can fade or darken certain flooring, so look for resistant products.

Here is a list of the types of flooring we install and their benefits

Solid Hardwood Floors

• Can be sanded and refinished, so you won’t have to worry about replacements
• Considered the highest quality in flooring and is the most popular.
• Adds to a home’s value for a higher resale price
• Available in a variety of colors, finishes and styles
• Varying levels of durability to support your home’s activity level
• Hypoallergenic
• Easy to clean – doesn’t stain
• Some insulation properties reduce drafts and may lower energy bills

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Engineered Hardwood Floors

• Expands and contracts less than solid hardwood, allowing installation on all levels of the house, including the basement
• Available in a variety of colors, finishes and styles
• Costs less than solid hardwoods
• Easier installation than traditional solid hardwood
• May be installed over a concrete slab
• May be used with radiant heat

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Laminate Floors

• Scratch-resistant and durable if a higher grade
• Click-together installation makes installation quick and easy
• Low-cost
• Low maintenance – it’s easy to clean and stain-resistant
• May be installed over most existing floors
• Resists fading from UV light

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CERAMIC, PORCELAIN AND STONE TILE FLOORS

• Waterproof – so it’s good for use in vestibules, kitchens, bathrooms and basements
• Low-maintenance
• Natural stone tile increases a home’s value for improved resale
• Natural stone tile offers consistent color throughout the tile, not just on the surface
• New styles, colors and textures, like wood-look tile, make it an attractive option for every room
• Relatively easy repair – only replace damaged pieces, not the entire floor
• Easy installation

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Wall to Wall Broadloom Carpet and Area Rugs

• Soundproofing qualities make it the quietest flooring choice
• Insulation properties may lower energy bills
• Comfortable for bare feet and creating that cozy, right-at-home feeling
• Cushions falls in homes with toddlers or seniors
• Creates style flexibility courtesy of countless colors, styles and piles
• Affordable
• Covers uneven subfloors and adjusts to uneven walls easily

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At Versa Style Design, we know that floors impact your life. Since the floor is usually the largest surface in a room, it lays the foundation for the entire look of the space—color, style, texture, and pattern. And a new floor can be a big investment, so you want a surface that will last for years.